THANKFUL BECAUSE...SERMON 4

Thankful Because… Thankful Because of the Cross
Galatians 6:14

Galatians 6:14 – “But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.”
There is something special about Old-Fashioned Sunday. It's meant to take us back to a simpler day—a time when life moved slower, when families lingered longer, and when churches gathered without hurry. Our music today has reflected that. Our attire today reminds us of that. But what is most amazing is this: the same God and the same Savior that people worshiped and needed 100 years ago is the same One we need today.
May I start by saying that the power we need is not an old-fashioned power and it is not a modern power—the touch of God we need is one that transcends all time, and it is found in the Cross of Christ.
Styles change. Seasons change. Worship trends change.
But the Old Rugged Cross has never lost its power.
The blood is still changing lives, and salvation through Christ is always in style.
Paul declared, “God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross…” and today we glory in nothing else.
1. The Cross Reveals Our Sin Problem
We live in a day where sin is being renamed, repackaged, and excused. And the reason we make less of sin is because we are making less of the cross. You cannot consider the cross without first understanding the reason for the cross.
Jesus did not die to start a movement.
He did not die for jewelry or religious décor.
He did not choose a cross because it looks attractive on steeples.
No—He went to a Roman cross because it pictured:

• the penalty of sin,
• the cost of transgression,
• the downward fall of man,
• the upward holiness of God, and
• the Mediator standing between both—the Man Christ Jesus.

Romans 3:23 – “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.”
Isaiah 53:6 – “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.”
Old clothes or new clothes, ties or overalls—none of these change the truth that all have sinned.
The cross confronts us with our sin problem.
We can modernize church—and in many ways we should.
We can try to relive the good old days.
But neither changes our sin, and neither removes our guilt.
2. The Cross Reveals the Price of Salvation
Man has always had a sin problem, and God has always demanded a price: blood.

• In Eden, a lamb’s blood was shed to cover Adam and Eve.
• In the Old Testament, the blood of countless animals was shed to cover sin temporarily.
• Across the world, mankind has tried through the centuries to pay for their own sins—cutting themselves, bleeding themselves, crawling on roads—attempting to pay a debt they could never pay.

But 2,000 years ago, Jesus went to the cross not for His sin, but for ours. He became sin for us, and His payment satisfied God’s requirement once and for all.
Isaiah 53:5 – “But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.”
Romans 5:8 – “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
What a sacrifice.
What a payment.
What a price He paid.
No wonder He cried, “It is finished.”
The cross reminds us that salvation is paid in full.
3. The Cross Reveals the Power of Salvation
The power to be saved today is not based on a calendar.
It’s not an old power that the church used to have.
It’s not a new power that culture provides.
The power of salvation is the same in every generation—and it is in the cross.
Not in:

• outfits
• denim or plaid
• bluegrass or hymns
• solos or choirs
• southern gospel or contemporary music

The power is in the message of the cross.
1 Corinthians 1:18 – “For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.”
Romans 1:16 – “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth…”
The same power that saved souls in the book of Acts…
in the Great Awakenings…
and in the revivals of our grandparents…
is still saving souls today.
4. The Cross Reveals a Personal Response
Every person must do something with the cross.
You cannot stay neutral.

• Admiring the cross cannot save you.
• Singing about the cross cannot save you.
• Wearing the cross cannot save you.

The Bible is clear—we must believe in Christ and the work He completed on the cross.
John 3:16 – “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
Romans 10:9–11 –
“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.”
Conclusion:
Today, I invite you—believe in Jesus.
Not merely about Jesus as a historical figure…
but in Jesus as your only hope of eternal life.
Confess Him with your mouth—not to a pastor, but to God.
Then confess Him publicly—let others know your faith is in Christ.
If you try to earn it… you’ll come short.
If you try to buy it… you can’t afford it.
But by faith, if you will receive it,
you can have eternal life today.