The Savage Cross of Calvary | The Nails of the Cross
Categories: Sermon Outlines, Topical Sermon OutlinesSermon outline by Tom Moore on all that the vicious nails of the Cross of Calvary accomplished. From John 20:24-29
INTRODUCTION:
A. John 20:24-29
B. While nails are mentioned at least nine times in the Bible, John 20:25 is the only reference to them in the life of Christ
1. Growing up around a carpenter’s shop, no doubt, Jesus understood the normal use of nails
2. Nails were used to hold things together
3. Nails in the days of Christ were probably crude and ugly — not smooth like the ones we purchase today
C. Our text referred to the nails used to crucify Christ
1. Man used three nails to hold Christ on the cross of Calvary
2. The pain and agony of the nails — unbearable
D. May I suggest that there is something more important about these nails. Those three nails did more than nail Christ to the cross:
1. They nailed down the Faithfulness of God
2. They nailed close the Door of Judaism
3. They nailed together Christ and His Church
4. They nailed together the Blood and Baptism
5. They nailed closed Every Other Way
6. They nailed down the Love of God
DISCUSSION:
A. THE NAILS OF THE CROSS OF CALVARY NAILED DOWN THE FAITHFULNESS OF GOD
1. Notice the complete ability and dependability of God:
a. 2 Corinthians 1:20
b. Romans 4:21
c. Ephesians 3:20
d. Philippians 3:21
e. Hebrews 11:11
f. Titus 1:2
g. Hebrews 6:18
2. Consider the difficulties:
a. 4,000 years of time was involves
b. The right tribe and family
c. A remnant spared
d. Christ came into this world in Bethlehem
e. Then, true to His word, the death of God’s only begotten Son on the cross of Calvary
3. While it is true that God will carry out all His promises, it is equally true that he will carry out all His threats
a. John 3:16
b. John 8:24
c. Matthew 10:32-33
d. Mark 16:16
e. Revelation 2:10
f. Hebrews 10:26-17
4. Thus, the nails of the cross of Calvary nailed down the fact that God will keep His promises, even at the cost of His Son’s death on the cruel cross of Calvary
B. THEY NAILED CLOSED THE DOOR OF JUDAISM
1. We are not under the Old Testament system:
a. Colossians 2:14
b. Hebrews 9:15
2. The Old Law served as a schoolmaster, looking forward to the coming Seed — Galatians 3:19-25
3. Nailed shut are the requirements of the Old Law…
4. To try to return to that system is to fall from grace — Galatians 5:4
C. THEY NAILED TOGETHER CHRIST AND HIS CHURCH
1. Many have the wrong attitude toward the church:
a. “The church is not essential to salvation”
b. “Join the church of your choice”
2. The nails were driven to purchase the church
a. Acts 20:28
b. Ephesians 5:25
3. Some will:
a. Forsake the church
b. Resent the church
c. Ignore the church
d. Divide the church
4. The church and Christ are as much a unit as a husband and a wife — Ephesians 5:31-32
D. THEY NAILED TOGETHER THE BLOOD AND BAPTISM
1. It is only through the blood of Christ that we have redemption in Christ
a. Revelation 7:13-14
b. 1 Peter 1:18-19
c. 1 John 1:7
2. Three facts that show beyond question the relationship between baptism and blood
a. We are washed from our sins in His blood (Revelation 1:5). We are washed from our sins in baptism (Acts 22:16).
b. It is through the blood that we have remission of sins (Matthew 26:28). It is through baptism that we have remission of sins (Acts 2:38).
c. It was in Christ’s death that His blood was shed (John 19:34). We are baptized into His death (Romans 6:3-4).
3. The nails of cross have joined baptism and the blood of Christ.
a. Man cannot draw out these nails
b. Mark 16:16
c. 1 Peter 3:21
E. THEY NAILED CLOSED EVERY OTHER WAY
1. A hymn says, “I must needs go home by the way of the cross, there’s no other way but this.” — This is indeed true
a. John 14:6
b. Acts 4:12
2. People will say that there are many ways of salvation, but — John 10:1
3. The Bible emphasizes the designation of one in Ephesians 4:4-6
F. THEY NAILED DOWN THE LOVE OF GOD
1. Romans 5:8-9
2. Many things seems to hid the love of God from us
a. Sin may seem to hid the love of God — but it really shouldn’t
b. Sickness may seem to hid the love of God from us — but it really shouldn’t
c. Pain may seem to hid the love of God from us — but it really shouldn’t
d. Unkindness may seem to hid the love of God from us — but it really shouldn’t
e. Grief may seem to hide the love of God from us — but it really shouldn’t
3. But look at the nails!
a. Consider Jesus’ cry for help
1) Matthew 26:29
2) Yet, God made the choice of love
b. Consider the pitiful sigh from the cross
1) Matthew 26:39
2) Yes, God made the choice of Love
4. Hebrews 13:5 — this fact has been nailed down by the nails of the cross
CONCLUSION:
A. A great hymn says:
When I survey the wondrous cross,
On which the Prince of glory died,
My richest gain I count but lost,
And pour contempt on all my pride.
Forbid it Lord, that I should boast,
Save in the death of Christ my Lord;
All vain things that charm me most,
I sacrifice them to His blood.
See from His head, His hands, His feet,
Sorrow and love flow mingled down
Did e’er such love and sorrow meet,
Or thorns compose so rich a crown?
Were the whole realm of nature mine,
That were a present far too small;
Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands my soul, my life, my all.
B. Are these nails enough to nail down…
1. Your conviction?
2. Your conversion?
3. Your commitment?
C. The nails of Christ did more than nail Christ to the cross!