Hold On to the Cross
- Heb 2:5–9 READ have you ever been in a blackout? Everything you depended on cant be found. No sound, no warmth, no direction. You’re powerless until you have light. That’s life without the cross. Spiritual blackout. In spiritual blackout you lose the light of purpose and victory.
- when you hold on to the Cross, you live under Christ’s rule now and will reign with Him forever.
- The story of the Cross is simple yet eternal: Jesus Christ, God in the flesh through the hypostatic union, took on humanity, bore our sin, and now forgives all who believe. Having conquered death, He is crowned and glorified in heaven, guaranteeing that those who hold fast to Him will one day rule and reign with Him forever
- Restores (Creation)Reveals (Incarnation)Redeems (Atonement) Crowns (Exaltation) Guarantees (Glorification)
- So this morning I want you to hold on to the cross. In a world truth is relative, a society is foundationless, an economy that isn’t sure, and you feel like its all slipping away. HOLD ON
- Hold On to the cross- Because the Cross Restores What We Lost (Creation)
- Heb 2:5-8 he has not put the world to come in subjection to angels- but set him over the work of your hands, he put all in subjection under him, and left nothing that was not put under him
- These statements declare a restoration from what was lost at the Garden of Eden. The first Adam lost dominion over the earth because of his sin. We fell into chaos fear and death
- Genesis 1:28 “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion”
- God created mankind for dominion Sin fractured that dominion
- The writer reminds us: we do not yet see all things put under him. 9 But we see Jesus,
- These statements from the writer are a double declaration. The kingdom of God is now, but it’s a future kingdom that we will inherit if we hold fast to the confession of our faith in the cross
- Ro 8:19 the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God.
- And since we are YET to see all things put under him we should HOLD ON to him, our king firmly
- This scripture, this book is written to Jews who are probably being persecuted for what they believe- there’s probably naysayers, family members and miscreants chiding them- come back
- I get it. Sometimes you’re walking with God and the victory isn’t victoring. Want to go back
- But here’s a Gospel truth- just because you haven’t seen the victory yet, doesn’t mean its not on its way. “But we see Jesus”. We See Jesus and we hold on to the cross
- Friend, if you would keep your eye on Jesus, the author and finisher of your faith, you would not be pulled away from the foundation that is found in Christ alone. You just hold on
- There was a patch of grass that was yellow that wouldn’t grow. Added dirt, fertilizer, etc
- Couldn’t get it to grow until I started adding WATER. Tons. Brought back to life. Same w JC
- You apply the living water of Jesus to those areas where you’ve lost dominion! POWER
- Stop surrendering to the enemy what the cross restored– you’ve got authority- don’t live like a victim. Dominion over this earth and the troubles of this earth- sin, anxiety, defeat, tools of the enemy to those who forget they have DOMINION. See it, pray it, apply it, walk in it
- Luke 10:19 Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
- The cross restores what we lost, but it also reveals who God really is.
- Hold On to the cross Because the Cross Reveals Who God Really Is (incarnation)
- Hebrews 2:9a “We see Jesus, made a little lower than the angels…”—the Incarnation.
- The incarnation. This is the hypostatic union. Jesus is God in the flesh, come to earth to save us from our sins. We’ve covered that Jesus is God. Go back and listen
- what’s important here isn’t that he was God, it was that he was MAN (we don’t talk this much)
- Only a God could save us, but only a human could suffer. If Jesus wasn’t God, cant forgive sin, if he wasn’t a man, he didn’t shed real blood and really hang on a tree to become a curse for us
- God stooped into flesh, not to lessen Himself, but to lift us up. The greatest identification we have. That we were made in the image of God and the image of God came as a man for us
- The Cross shows the humility of Heaven and the heart of God. We see Jesus
- When you see the cross and think of the cross, you hold onto the cross because it shows who he is. When you hold onto the cross you hold onto the humility of a God who came down for us
- Philippians 2:6–8 Who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.
- Friend when you hold onto the cross you hold onto the reality of a god/man who understands
- The cross reminds us that humility is the path to the crown not self glorification.
- 2 Corinthians 8:9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.
- Don’t be concerned so much about the recognition you’re not getting, the attention that goes to another person, the accolades that others receive that you think you deserve.
- God keeps great count of who does what where and when and with whom. Pay no mind
- The way of JESUS is dominion through humility. Considering others better than yourself, not thinking of yourself more highly than you ought, to live at peace with all men.
- Bosnia- had to go on convoys through landmine ridden roads. Possible sniper fire. First time you do it, pucker factor. But our commander went with us. In the same suck. You go I go.
- That’s what Jesus did. He didn’t just send orders from heaven He strapped on flesh, got in the convoy, same danger, same pain, same suffering. That’s the heart of God revealed at the Cross.
- Matthew 20:28 Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.
- Serve where others wont. Forgive when they don’t deserve it. Walk in love at all times.
The cross reveals who God is and it redeems every person
- Hold On to the cross Because the Cross Redeems Every Person (Atonement)
- Hebrews 2:9 “…that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone.”
- “By the grace of God” tells us what motivated that event God’s gracious disposition toward humanity. “By the grace of God” = the Father’s plan, the Son’s obedience, our salvation.
- All of that grace is wrapped up in that grace. It’s a three fold grace
- Grace was the divine motive: God wanted to save us.
- Grace was the instrument: it’s by grace that Christ could endure the suffering of death.
- Grace was the cause of substitution: He tasted death for everyone
- This “grace” isn’t offered after the cross it’s what moved the heart of God before the cross.
- John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
- We forget that we’re quoting Jesus in this scripture. Theres a reason this scripture ends up in endzones and bumper stickers. It shows so much about the fathers heart. LOVE + WORLD
- It was God’s LOVE his GRACE that he came to die for our sins. And it was for EVERYONE
- It’s pre-crucifixion grace, expressed in the crucifixion act. It describes the heart of the father
- Jesus didn’t need grace He became the channel of grace. The means by which we are saved
- Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
- You need to internalize that the center of the Christian experience is forgiveness of sins
- People get so caught up in relationships, marriage, kids, worship, preaching, doctrine, events, buildings, programs, CM, bible reading, praying, etc etc etc. all good.
- But we’re forgiven of all of our sins. All of them. The worst ones and the private ones. The public ones and the small ones. No sin too heavy, no failure too final.
- The Cross is proof that grace always reaches further down than you’ve fallen. 100% of the time
- Did you know when someone says they are going to take you out to dinner, they decided BEFORE they asked you they were going to pay for you? Get the big steak. They knew before.
- What does it mean to you? Live forgiven stop crucifying yourself for what Jesus already paid for.
- stop replaying your failures in your mind. memory isn’t your salvation. Remembering doesn’t cancel the resurrection. but we see Jesus and we hold on to the cross
- 1 John 2:2 And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.
- This is death “FOR EVERYONE”. There’s not one person alive who cant receive the grace of God by faith. Everyone is included in this everyone including YOU.
- Titus 2:11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men.
- For everyone, the whole world, to all men, whosoever, means all. HOLD ON TO THE CROSS
- This means when the devil attacks your mind, someone brings up your past, you run to the cross and you hold on with all your might. Don’t go back, hold on. The cross is enough\
- Hebrews 9:28 So Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.
- Grace brought him to the cross, and then glory crowned him after it.
- Hold On Because the Cross Crowns the Victorious King (exaltation)
- The same Jesus who hung on the Cross now reigns above angels, demons, and death itself.
- When you hold onto the cross, you hold on to victory in Jesus that no devil from hell can take away from you. You walk victorious over every circumstance and every situation.
- Hebrews 2:9c “…crowned with glory and honor.” Our dominion flows from His coronation.
- 1 Peter 3:22 Who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, angels and authorities and powers having been made subject to Him.
- There’s a spiritual component of Christianity that is often lost because we’re so tactile
- We touch things and see things and we make that the center of our existence.
- Friend, we live in a spiritual world with spirit beings. Angels, demons, principalities etc.
- The point isn’t to look for a demon under every rock- its to admit there is a spiritual realm and know you You’re not fighting for victory you’re fighting from a place of victory over it.
- We don’t fear the spiritual realm, we overcome it in Jesus name and authority. DOMINION
- This means we can Walk in confidence and authority: pray boldly, speak truthfully, and live like a citizen of the coming Kingdom. We hold onto the cross and walk in DOMINION over darkness
- Ephesians 1:20–21 Which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come.
- When I walk, I walk like I’m walking with the king. When I pray I bind and loose in Jesus name, when I speak truth I’m speaking on God’s behalf. I know I’m not of this world.
- Why so confident? Colossians 2:15 Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it. THIS WAS THROUGH THE CROSS
- I’m making a public spectacle of the Devil. I’m holding on to the cross of my warrior king.
IF he’s crowned now, our future reign with him is guaranteed.
- Hold On Because the Cross Guarantees Our Future Reign (glorification)
- What Adam lost, Christ restored and shares with His people. We will reign with him
- When we hold onto the cross it guarantees we reign in the eternal kingdom of God.
- Let me say this- this isn’t an idea. I often reflect and see myself in heaven with Jesus.
- Heaven is real and it exists. Its not just a nice thing we say about people who have died.
- Matthew 19:28 So Jesus said to them, Assuredly I say to you, that in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
- Do you realize the bible says we will sit on the thrones with Jesus and judge Israel?
- This is very encouraging when you think about what eternity will look like. Restored dominion, back in the way it was intended in the garden.
- Every time you obey God when it’s hard, you’re being fitted for eternal rulership.
- Every time you resist temptation, you’re proving trustworthy with future authority.
- Every act of self-control, forgiveness, generosity, or courage is character formation for the coming Kingdom.
- Just like military training or athletic conditioning, this life is preparation, not the main event.
- Rev 5:10: “You have made us kings and priests to our God; and we shall reign on the earth.”
- If we’re going to rule with Christ in the future, we need to practice ruling now starting with ourselves.
- Rule your appetites, your words, and your heart now… Because those are the three basic domains of dominion every believer must master before being entrusted with more in eternity.
- Appetites: mastering the body and desires (food, lust, comfort, indulgence).
- Have you ever shown restraint? Didn’t give in, kept your word to God and yourself?
- Words: mastering the tongue, since our speech is creative and destructive (James 3).
- have you held your tongue? Didn’t say what you wanted, kept it to yourself
- Heart :mastering emotions, motives, and faith responses to life’s tests.
- Have you found yourself overcome with life, and realigned to God’s truth quickly? Good
- What do we demand of those who rule us? Self rule. The ability to control themselves.
- YOU ARE LEARNING TO RULE AND REIGN NOW. You are preparing to rule.
- Jesus- if you can’t manage unrighteous mammon, how can you true riches?
- 2 Timothy 2:12 If we endure, we shall also reign with Him. If we deny Him, He also will deny us.
He restores what was lost, reveals who God is, and redeems every soul by grace.
He wears the crown of victory, and guarantees that we will reign with Him forever.
So when the world shakes and the darkness falls hold on to the Cross.
For more sermons please visit our SERMON PAGE
Please subscribe to our YOUTUBE PAGE
