THE MAGNETISM OF THE CROSS

John 12:23-33

By David J. Riggs

Some of this outline is from Richard Priddy

Intro.
   A. A magnet is one of the favorite toys of small children. The way
      the magnet attracts different metals fascinates small children.
      1. Grownups become more interested in individuals who attract
         others, politicians, entertainers, writers, teachers and
         preachers.
   B. The text for this lesson gives evidence as to what draws people
      to the Lord Jesus Christ.
      1. If the question "What draws people to Jesus Christ?" were
         asked of you today, how would you answer?
      2. If this question were asked of most Bible study groups - in
         all likelihood, the answers would include various aspects of
         His teaching or ministry. There is a very good chance that  
         no one would suggest the cross.
      3. Yet, John ties the drawing power of Christ directly to the
         manner of His death. John 12:32
   C. "How could an event like this draw people?"
      1. The clues are found in John 12:23-33. Let's spend a few
         minutes looking at some of them.

I. GLORIFICATION THROUGH SACRIFICE.
   A. Part of the drawing power of the cross is that through it      
      Christ presents a completely new view of life: glorification   
      through sacrifice. Verse 23
      1. This must have excited the people and filled them with a
         vision of the golden age toward which the Old Testament
         pointed.
         a. The people of that day could not comprehend the idea
            of glorification through sacrifice.
         b. The Jews did not connect the passages in the prophets
            which deal with the "suffering servant" (Isa. 53 and Ps
            22, for example) to the Messianic fulfillment.
         c. The apostles were confused at the concept of fulfillment
            through suffering.
      2. Jesus' analogy of the grain of wheat is a reference to His  
         own death. Vs. 24
         a. Just as the grain of wheat had to die in order to give
            increase, so Christ must die to fulfill His mission:
            salvation, redemption, justification.
      3. Jesus makes it clear that those who selfishly grasp at life
         would ultimately lose it, and those who surrender their     
         lives to Christ will ultimately inherit eternal life. Vs.25
   B. Even in our society, which has made best sellers out of books  
      like "Looking Out for Number One," and "Winning Through
      Intimidation," this understanding of the cross (glorification
      through sacrifice) is hidden.
      1. In churches where "health and wealth" is taught for Biblical
         faith, the truth of Christ's message is still rejected as
         repulsive and too negative.
      2. Liberal theologians have tried wiping the Bible clean of the
         blood of Jesus Christ. They've been successful in the minds
         of many today.
      3. Nonetheless, we as Christians have nothing but the cross and
         the blood shed thereupon to offer people.
         a. Some offer a "beautiful Cathedral." We offer only the
            cross of Calvary.
         b. Our liberal brethren offer suppers, bake sales,
            institutions, all kinds of man-made gimmicks.
      4. May God grant us the courage to hold forth the cross: to
         hold it high, to hold it first, to hold it dear. As Paul    
         said - 1 Cor. 2:2.
   C. In spite of "health and wealth" religion, it is the invitation 
      to "take up your own cross and follow Me," that makes          
      Christianity attractive to some. Luke 9:23
      1. The call to service and sacrifice challenges the            
         self-centered life.
         a. There really is something in "taking up the cross" that
            strikes a deep chord within.
      2. It is the loss of the call to sacrifice, the call to total
         commitment, that lessens the attractiveness of the church.
         a. The attitude of many is, "What do you have to offer
            me?"
         b. However, attitude of the righteous is, "Christ gave a lot
            for me; what can I give in return?"
   D. Christ calls us to follow Him, to serve Him. Vs. 26; John
      10:26-29
      1. Remember, if no one else in the world is watching us, our
         children are! They know hypocrisy when they see it.
      2. They know when we're half-hearted, and when Christ really
         does come first in our lives. Our children know if we are,  
         in fact, phonies.

II. CHRISTIANS SEE VICTORY IN THE CROSS, NOT DEFEAT.
   A. The cross is the method by which Christ moved to victory. Luke
      24:25-26
      1. The gospel of John omits the account of Christ in the garden
         of Gethsemene, but He does record its tension.
      2. Verse 27 tells of Christ's thoughts when He began to be
         troubled.
      3. This fact ought to rescue us from the false idea that the
         Christian never has problems or inner conflicts.
         a. It's not a matter of whether troubles will come, but how
            they are dealt with when they do come.
      4. A lot of people (especially the health and wealth bunch)    
         have a hard time reconciling the Christian life with        
         problems and difficulties.
         a. One person asked: "If there's going to be trauma and
            tragedy, then why follow Christ?"
   B. To Christ and His cross, the emphasis was on obeying God, and
      not on the miscarriage of justice. Heb. 5:7-9
      1. To Him, the cross was a necessary act of love, sacrifice,   
         and redemption.
         a. It was in this context that the sense of triumph
            developed.
            (1) What had been the symbol of death, became the
                sign of new life.
            (2) What had looked like humanity's worse mistake,
                became God's greatest act of love.
            (3) What seemed like Satan's supreme triumph,
                became God's eternal victory.
      2. We are drawn to the cross because we see in it God's
         overruling sovereignty. Acts 2:23-24
         a. The cross to the Christian is a symbol of ultimate
            triumph.

III. THE CROSS IS THE PLACE WHERE WE MEET GOD. 
   A. The cross draws us because God speaks to us through it.
      1. There is a message there for us. 1 Corinthians 1:18, 22-24
   B. We learn from the cross that at the core of the universe there 
      is a God who is personal and caring.
      1. The cross demonstrates that we have not been abandoned in
         this vast universe.
      2. God doesn't want any to perish. His goodness leads to
         repentance.
   C. The cross indicates that God takes our sin seriously, very
      seriously.
      1. In the cross, both the justice and mercy of God are
         demonstrated. Rom. 3:24-26
         a. Even though we may not be able to comprehend it all,
            we are comfortable with standing at the cross and saying
            with all sinners "Christ provides forgiveness for me." 2
            Cor. 5:20-21; 1 Pet. 2:24-25
         b. An old spiritual song asks, "Were you there when they
            crucified our Lord?" Truly in a sense, "I was there!" "I
            was there!"
   D. The cross is also a word of hope to all who suffer.
      1. The cross shows how things will finally conclude, with Satan
         being conquered. Vs. 31; Col. 2:13-15; Heb. 2:14-15
      2. Thus, the cross is a constant reminder that there has come a
         day when love overcomes hate, truth will conquer the lie,
         and life destroys death.
      3. There is something in us that wants to hold on to what is
         real, valuable, and eternal. That is why the cross draws us.
   E. At the cross we see a love that has forgiveness and salvation
      written all over it.
      1. A Christian was having lunch with a friend who was a
         psychologist. The Christian asked, "Is there one thing you
         wish (as a psychologist) you could do for your clients that 
         is not possible."
         a. Without hesitation, he said, "I wish I could say to them,
            'Your sins are forgiven.'"
      2. At the cross people can stand and hear the words of
         forgiveness.
      3. To this day, thanks be to God, this continues to draw all to
         the cross.

Concl.
   A. One of the best-loved gospel songs over the years has been "The
      Old Rugged Cross." 
      1. One of the stanzas contains the lines: "O that old rugged
         cross, so despised by the world, has a wondrous attraction
         for me..."
   B. Let us continue to let the old rugged cross attract us.
      1. It is where we learn of life that is victorious.
      2. It's the place where we meet God and know love,
         forgiveness, and hope that is eternal.
      3. It is the place where saving faith is born.