In his classic book, The Cross of Christ, John Stott states that ‘the essential background to the cross is a balanced understanding of the gravity of sin and the majesty of God.’ The cross is the place where sin and God meet. It is where God’s love and wrath meet our sin. Stott lists biblical metaphors that are used to help us understand the magnitude of our sinfulness and the magnificence of God’s holiness. Each image describes in vivid ways the truth that sin cannot approach God and God cannot tolerate sin. To redefine sin as a mild and temporary lapse instead of complete rebellion will render the cross as impressive but not threatening. God in fact is saying, while his Son is hanging on the cross giving his life up for us, ‘look, do you see what I mean?’ God uses distance and darkness to help us understand how he brings together these irreconcilable parties – sinful people and a holy God.
This week we are studying from Luke 23:44-56
Pastor Whipple's sermon notes and presentation are available for download.
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