1. Things Seen in the Cross of Christ Isaiah 53:1-9 John 18:19-19:30 Luke 22:54-62 LOVE 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. (John 3:16)

2. Love Demonstrated For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Rom. 5:6-8) Nature of True Love – By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. (1 John 3:16)

3. Nature of True Love By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. (1 John 3:16) Sacrificial – 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls. (Heb. 12) Unconditional (1 John 4:9-10)

4. Willingness To Give Best but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. (1 Peter 1:19) Some promise best, but give less, sometimes much less (Mal. 1:7-14) Some take care of self first, then give God their leftovers (Haggai 1:2-4, 9) Considering the cross helps us understand the kind of love we should manifest toward God & others (Rom. 12:1-2; 2 Cor. 8:5)

5. God Desires Our Fellowship But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation. (Rom. 5:8-11) He will NOT force us! (1 John 1:5-7)

6. The Love of Christ For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again. (2 Cor. 5:14-15) Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends. (John 15:13) I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. (John 10:11) And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma. (Eph. 5:2)

7. The Love of Christ Offered himself without bitterness – Then Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do." And they divided His garments and cast lots. (Luke 23:34) Paul had this some love for his brethren in the flesh – Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved. (Rom. 10:1) Suffered many thing trying to save his brethren and the gentiles (2 Cor. 11:22-23) – "For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name's sake." (Acts 9:16)

8. God Loves Me I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. (Gal. 2:20) I am special to God (Jn. 10:27-29) Nothing can forcibly separate me from God (Rom. 8:31-39) Cast your care on God (1 Pet. 5:7; Heb. 13:5) 1,000’s converted in Acts and God was concerned with each one!

9. Tragic Consequences of Sin For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit (1 Pet.3:18). For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Rom. 6:23) Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death. (James 1:15)