The Gospel of the Cross — E.A. Johnston

Humanity's Sinfulness and Coming Judgment

The Bible is an accurate record, a huge catalogue, and running commentary on sin. Of rape and murder, drunkenness and incest, lying and cheating, stealing and robbery, adultery and fornication, homosexuality and perverseness, harlotry and idolatry, witchcraft and sorcery, blasphemy and idolatry.

It's a constant reminder that sin is black and hell is hot, and a future judgment awaits all mankind, that a thrice holy God will punish sin, and all men are lawbreakers, guilty rebels against a sovereign, under his condemnation and heading for a devil's hell.

Christ's Substitutionary Sacrifice

But God, in his mercy, has provided a remedy for sin in his only begotten son, Christ Jesus, who on Calvary became a curse for us and bore the sins of many, being a substitute that by his blood we can be reconciled back to a holy God, God declares, come now and let us reason together, saith the Lord, that though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow, though they be red like crimson, they shall be wool.

Jesus is the only remedy and refuge for sin. Jesus came into the world doing good. Jesus healed the sick. Jesus gave sight to the blind. Jesus fed the hungry. Jesus gave rest to the weary. Jesus made the lame to walk and leap.

And he cleansed the leper's spots. Jesus even raised the dead to life. Yet what happened? Men cried away with him and nailed him to a cross. Look at that man on the cross, friend. Look at that blessed man on the cross.

The Crucified Savior and the Call to Faith

See him there with his arms outstretched, beckoning you to come to him and believe on him. Look at that bloodstained Savior for sin. Look unto me and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth, for I am God and there is none else.

Look at that man on the cross, friend. See the crown of thorns pressed down on his head. Look at the nails driven in his hands and feet. He is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. As the Roman soldiers fastened Jesus to the cross, every stroke of the hammer was an exclamation point that God must punish sin.

The Cross as the Place of Saving Power

God must punish sin. God must punish sin. When all was against him, his love flowed out to a world of guilty sinners. The cross is the place where wicked men sought to get rid of him. But by his death, it becomes the place where his saving power flows out to all who come in repentance, confessing they are sinners and own them as their Savior and Lord.

The love of God is seen in the sacrifice of his only Son. Herein is love, not that we love God, but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Man is a sinner who needs a substitute for sin in the person of Christ Jesus.

Mercy Offered to the Repentant Sinner

Jesus is the remedy for sin. Jesus is the pearl of great price worth selling all for so he may be gained. Man deserves punishment for sin, but God offers mercy. Oh, everyone that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money, come ye, buy and eat.

Yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Listen, friend, the gospel is for the hungry, the weary, and the thirsty. Let me ask you, are you hungry for God? Are you sick and tired of your sins?

Are you thirsty for Christ? Then come and believe on him. The duty required is to come, and he has a pure gospel promise. To all who come, he that cometh to me, I will in no wise cast out. Listen, the biggest sinner in this town tonight can be saved.

There is peace at the cross. Seek ye the Lord while he may be found. Call ye upon him while he is near. Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts, and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him, and to our God free will abundantly pardon.

The Urgency of Repentance Before Judgment

If you've not trusted this blessed Savior, receive him now before it's too late. Soon he will come in judgment on this world, when his anger shall burn as an oven, and then you shall meet him as your judge.

Repent before it's too late. Don't delay, friend. Jesus, I'm telling you now, Jesus is your only hope. Jesus is the friend of sinners. Jesus is the only refuge and remedy for sin. Are you a lost sinner?

The Final Gospel Invitation

Hear him as he calls. And the spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that hears say, Come. And let him that is a thirst come, and whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.