The Sharp Edge of the Cross
by Rev. Kirby Williams
Jesus reveals the polarizing effect of His Crosswork.
Text: John 12:31-33
Date: 11/04/2018, the Traditional service.
Series: "John: Encountering Love" Part 109
Description:
The discourse triggered by the arrival of a group of Greeks continues, as Jesus grapples with the fast-approaching horrors of the Cross. Both Father and Son have expressed the glory the Cross will achieve as the Providential plan of redemption unfolds. But in these verses Jesus reveals the sharply dividing nature of the Cross-- for the same sacrificial death that will bring eternal atonement and salvation to those who believe, will bring judgment and condemnation to those who do not. It is the most polarizing event in human history-- simultaneously declaring righteousness and destroying evil. We will ultimately determine how essential it is for the church to teach and preach this truth and end with an appeal to the unbeliever to take Jesus at his word and not end up on the wrong side of the sharp edge of the Cross.
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I. Introduction, John 13:35, Matt. 10:34-35.
II. Exposition of the text, John 12:31-33.
A. Context
B. The dark edge of the Cross, vs. 31.
1. Defining "the world".
a. The general meaning in John, John 12:19.
b. A profound change in the meaning, Ex. 10:23, John 12:36.
2. How the Cross brings judgment.
a. The imminence of judgment, John 12:23,27.
b. The flip side of redemption.
i. The sharp edge between redemption and condemnation, John 3:18-19.
ii. A clearly defined "world".
iii. No excuse, Acts 17:30-31.
c. The eschatological aspect of judgment.
i. Judgment in the "here and now".
ii. Judgment in the "not yet".
3. The casting out of Satan.
a. The imminence of judgment.
b. Identifying the "ruler of this world".
c. The eschatological "casting out".
i. Casting out in the "here and now".
• The Gospel records, John 1:5, Luke 10:18.
• Still a powerful threat, Rev. 12:12, 1Pet. 5:8.
ii. Casting out in the "not yet", Rev. 20:10.
d. Making way for the Gospel.
i. Foiling the dragon, Rev. 12:1-6.
ii. Casting out the dragon, Rev. 12:7-11.
iii. The binding of the dragon, Rev. 20:2-3.
e. Summation
C. The glorious edge of the Cross, vs. 32, 33.
1. The "lifting up" of Christ.
a. The literal perspective, vs. 33.
b. An ascent to glory, John 12:20.
i. The spiritual nature of being "lifted up".
ii. The irony of the ascent, Isa. 52:13.
c. The snake in the wilderness, John 3:14-15, 2Cor. 5:21, Isa. 53:11-12.
d. The seed that bears fruit, John 12:24, Gen. 3:15.
2. The magnet of the Cross.
a. An audacious claim.
b. Keeping "all people" in context.
i. Looking at the text.
ii. Remembering the makeup of the crowd.
• The believers.
• The unbelievers, John 12:37, 8:24.
iii. Staying within the context, John 14:6, 6:44.
c. An exclusive "all", John 6:37, 39, 8:44.
d. A simple illustration, Matt. 5:3.
III. Application
IV. Conclusion
