The Old Rugged Cross

1. Read: John 19:16-19

2. About the Text:

1) The song, “The Old Rugged Cross” was written by George Bennard in 1913.

2) During a series of meetings, he was heckled for his beliefs by a group of boys.

3) This prompted him to think about and do a study on the Cross of Christ.

4) Out of this meditation and study he composed this hymn.

5) The chorus of this song: “So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross ‘til my trophies at last I lay down. I will cling to the old rugged cross, and exchange it some day for a crown.”

6) Do we cherish the old rugged cross? We should.

3. Ref. to S, T, P, O, and A.

1. “On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross the emblem of suffering and shame, and I love that old cross where the dearest and best for a world of lost sinners was slain.”

2. The cross was an instrument of death for capital offenders.

1) This was Rome’s method of putting to death the worst offenders.

2) It was designed to prolong death for several days.

3) Victims’ hands were nailed to the cross beam.

4) Their feet were nailed to the bottom of the vertical beam.

5) A wedge was placed behind their back so that they could not get a complete breath.

6) The cross was shameful for the Jews because those who hung on trees were accursed.

7) Paul wrote, “Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree” (Gal.3:13).

3. Jesus was innocent of all sin.

1) Pilate said three times of Jesus, “I find no fault in Him” (John 18:38, 19:4, 6).

2) “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him” (2 Cor.5:21).

3) “Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth” (1 Peter 2:22).

4) “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin” (Hebrews 4:15).

4. He was slain for our transgressions.

1) “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” (Isa.53:5).

2) “Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification” (Rom.4:25).

3) “And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world” (1 John 2:2).

1. “Oh that old rugged cross so despised by the world has a wondrous attraction for me. For the dear lamb of God left His glory above to bear it to dark calvary.”

2. The cross is despised by the world.

1) “For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God” (1 Corinthians 1:18).

2) “But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness” (1 Corinthians 1:23).

3) “If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you” (Joh 15:18).

3. The cross has a wondrous attraction.

1) “And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me” (John 12:32).

2) “But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God” (1 Corinthians 1:24).

3) “The goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance” (Romans 2:4).

4. It was in God’s Son giving up all to save man that proved God’s love.

1) “For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:6-8).

2) “In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” (1 John 4:10)

1. “To that old rugged cross I will ever be true; it’s shame and reproach gladly bear, then He’ll call me one day to my home far away where His glory forever I’ll share.”

2. Let us gladly bear the shame and reproach of the cross.

1) “Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Matt.16:24-26).

2) “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” (Galatians 6:14).

3) “Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life” (Revelation 2:10).

3. One day we will be called home.

1) “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment” (Heb.9:27).

2) Jesus said, “In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also” (John 14:2-3).

3) “And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand” (John 10:28).

1. At the old rugged cross . . .

1) The dearest and best was slain for a world of lost sinners.

2) Some are repelled, but others are attracted.

3) A Savior calls the saved to faithfulness and eternal life.

2. Invitation

1) “Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing” (2 Timothy 4:8).

2) There is no trophy so valuable that we cannot lay it at the foot of the cross.

3) Why hold onto the things that are holding you back from Christ?

4) Let go of those trophies and cling to the cross.