Why the Cross?

The opening section presents the central theme of the sermon: why Christ had to die on the cross. The sermon affirms that every transgression has a corresponding price, and no love that transforms a life fails to demand sacrifice. This is the foundation of redemption and salvation that God grants to sinful humanity.

The second section develops the doctrine of substitutionary atonement through specific Scripture references. According to 1 Corinthians 1:18, the message of the cross is the power of God to those who are saved, though the world views it as foolishness. Galatians 3:13 and Romans 5:6 prove that Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, and He died for sinners at the appointed time. This section emphasizes the precision and necessity of Christ's sacrifice.

The third section presents evidence of God's unconditional love. Romans 5:8-9 affirms that God demonstrated His love by having Christ die for us while we were still sinners. Isaiah 49:15 compares God's love to a mother's love, showing that although a mother might forget her child, God will never forget us.

The fourth section applies the message to the practical life of the congregation by emphasizing the result of redemption. 2 Corinthians 5:21 proves that He who knew no sin became sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God. Through Christ's blood, we are justified and saved from God's wrath. The sermon concludes that the cross is not merely history, but the foundation of forgiveness, redemption, and eternal assurance of salvation for all who believe and receive Christ.