Ministers Blogs
“The Cross of Christ”
Categories: Christian PrinciplesTonk Talk by Mark T. Tonkery
C stands for Christ. He is our model, our motivation. Our attitude must be the same as John the Baptist, “He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30) Paul put it this way, “But that with all boldness, Christ shall even now, as always, be exalted in my body, whether by life or death.” (Philippians 1:20).
R stands for resurrection. The Cross was no accident. What Satan had intended as our ultimate defeat, God used to bring us redemption and triumph. The best and worst of all things collided. Of course, the Cross wasn’t the final answer in this battle; the empty tomb and the resurrected Lord are (1 Cor. 15:1-4). We are the victorious recipients of this grace, paid at such an agonizing cost, administered in such a cruel manner by our greatest adversary, and secured by Jesus’ triumph over the grave. (Rom. 5:10).
O stands for outreach. Our mission must be the same as our Lord’s In Luke 19:10, “For the Son of man came to seek and to save the lost.” Evangelism is the lifeblood of the church: May we all be looking for opportunities to share the good news of Christ with our friends and neighbors. “Oh give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, for His lovingkindness is everlasting. Let the redeemed of the Lord say so” (Psalm 107:1-2).
S stands for Salvation. By Jesus' death and resurrection, Jesus brings salvation to people who believe in him and are obedient to the Gospel (Rom. 1:16,1 Cor. 15:1-4 & 2 Thes. 1:7-9). Jesus has provided Salvation and has deliverance us from the guilt and power of sin. Act 4:12 states that Salvation is found in no one else.
S stands for service. The purpose of Christianity is service. We are saved to serve. “For even the Son of man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:45). Luke 22:27 “Jesus says, But I am among you as the one who serves
John 19:16-37 shows us the picture of the Cross. With all its ugliness, shame, and pain Christ endured it for you and me. When we think of the Cross, two words we must never associate with it are the words “tragic accident.” The New Testament makes it very clear that two separate streams of power converged at the cross. Evil had its way and brought the Son of God to the Cross. God had His plan and He allowed the cross to happen to redeem us.
