GraceinChrist

A message preached from Philippians chapter 2 verse 8, as part of our bible study series of systematic verse by verse expositions of Pauls letter to the Philippians. Audio mp3 files free to download or listen online.
Yours by Grace in Christ
Dr J Stewart Gillespie

Notes:

Consider the cross:
1. Improbability of the Cross – Problem of the Cross
2. Imprint of the Cross – Pattern of the Cross
3. Impact of the Cross – Power of the Cross The 7th and final stoop of Philippians chp 2
The apex of the events of this section, of Philippians and even of the scriptures in their enterity.
1. Improbability of the Cross – Problem of the Cross
How many names do you know of men crucified in Judeo Palestine in the first century AD?
Crucifixion almost universally consigned the individual to the disposal bin of history.
Add this to the fact that the one whom we remember and worship was also:
• Born into poverty
• Restricted geographically to an area approximately that of half the size of Scotland – extending from Fort William to Carlisle
• Lacked wealth, place, position, power, nobility or physical might.
• Never wrote a word we know of except that encrypted on the dust of John chp 9.
• Never mustered an army
• Never led a rebellion
• Never claimed a throne

It is so utterly improbable that we should know even His name today, let alone remember, preach and worship Him!
Yet we have more written about Him than any other figure in ancient history! In:
• Prophets
• Gospels
• OT and NT
• Church Fathers
• Secular history
More recorded in what is the best preferred piece of literature from the ancient world with 95 to 99.5 % textual reliability!











2. Imprint of the Cross – Pattern of the Cross
If the cross is indeed no accident but death by design, part and parcel of the ‘determinate counsels and foreknowledge of God’ then we might anticipate that the imprint of the cross will be seen throughout the word of God and so it is.
I see the cross:
a) In the Book of Genesis – The Victory of the Cross over the Fall
Before anu mention of the tree of knowledge of good and evil there is reference to the Tree of Life, yet it plays minimal part in the plot and narrative of the book of Genesis. The significance of this tree is not revealed until Revelation chp 22 – for the healing of the nations. Here is Gods plan to overcome the consequences of the fall!
b) In the Book of Exodus – The Victory over the World
The power of the shed blood of the lamb to redeem and liberate from Egypt.
The 7 verbs of Exodus 12:
• Take it – selection
• Keep it – perfection
• Kill it – substitution
• Strike it – application
• Roast it – Expiation
• Eat it – Participation
• Burn it – resurrection

c) In the Book of Leviticus – The Victory over Sin
In the levitical offerings; sin offering, trespass offering, peace offering and burnt offering, and in the day of Atonenment.
The only way into the presence of God is with the blood of the atonenment.
Victory over sin

d) In the Book of Numbers – The Victory over the Serpent
Numbers 21 – expounded to Nicodemus by the Lord in John chp 3.

e) In the Book of Joshua – The Victory over Spiritual Enemies
Victory over the 5 kings of the Amorites:
• Adonizedek – King of Jerusalem
• Hung on the tree till evening
• Put in the cave
• Stones placed in the mouth of the cave
• Stones removed and coming out of the cave alive





f) In the Book of Judges – The Victory over Self

• Samson’s greatest victory?
• Victory not over the Philistines but over himself!
• Earning his place in Hebrews 11?
• Samson with his head bowed, arms outstretched giving his life in self sacrifice and slaying more dead in his death than in his life!

g) In the Book of Samuel – The Victory over Satan
• David in the valley of Elah – 1 Samuel 17
• The valley of the oak tree
• Battling the enemy marked by 3 X 6
• Slaying Goliath with his own sword

h) In the book of Psalms –
• The personal cost of the cross (Psalm 22, 69)
• The Victory over death (Psalm 16)

i) In the book of Isaiah
• The Vicarious death (Isaiah 53)


3. Impact of the Cross – Power of the Cross