A representative evangelical leader of the 20th century,
An outstanding preacher,
Hear from Martin Lloyd Jones
The cross of Christ!

“We all need the cross of Christ.”

Have you seen the cross of Christ?

“During these twenty-six years of my tenure in the Westminster pulpit, there have been times when I have been thoroughly questioned by my own folly, or when I have been harassed by the devil who has said to me, ‘You have preached all you have, and there is nothing more to say.’
I thank God now that I can say that I still feel like I am at the beginning of my preaching ministry.
There is no end to this glorious message of the cross.
“Whenever the cross is proclaimed, there is always something new, fresh, ecstatic, moving, and joy-inspiring, something we have never seen before.” -Martin Lloyd Jones

Have you ever seen the cross of Christ speaking? Have you heard the message it testifies to? The cross of Christ is preaching.
The blood of the cross speaks.
The cross is the testimony.
Have you heard of it?

This time I turn your attention to the cross of Christ.
That is what the blood of the cross leads us to speak to us today.
In other words, let us listen to the words that the cross testifies to.
Nothing explains the truth about God as clearly as the cross of Christ.
The Bible confirms this fact.
The cross of Christ reveals and testifies to that truth before us.
Have you listened to the message of the cross? Have you ever considered the cross a sermon? Have you listened attentively to what the cross testifies to you?

Here I want to say the third thing the cross says.
It is not merely an explanation, proclamation, or declaration of what the cross, that is, the blood of Christ, means.
The cross also invites us.
The Lord brings peace not only to those who are near, but also to those who are far away.
I would like to focus my testimony on this fact.
Because this is one of the most glorious things about the cross.
Who is the cross inviting? For whom was the event on the cross intended? To whom is the voice of the sprinkled blood calling, "Come" addressed?

This invitation is for those who are far away.
It is not only for Jews and religious people, but also for Gentiles who are outside the law.
It is also for those who are not Israelites.
It was for those who were near, as well as for those who were far away who had never heard this truth.
Our Lord spoke very well about this fact.
“Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners” (Mark 2:17).
These words clearly show the purpose of the Lord's coming.
And it also reveals who the Lord's invitation is for.
I think this is one of the most gracious words related to the cross.
This is one of the unique truths that the cross contains.
The blood of the shed cross is directed towards the abandoned lives that the whole world pays no attention to.
---From “The Cross is a Living Testimony”

**

What else is there? There is forgiveness of sins.
The blood of the cross speaks of the blessing of forgiveness of sins.
Now let us talk about the joy and peace we enjoy with God the Father.
The blood of the cross tells you that God is ready to forgive your sins.

The blood that was shed proves this.
“Your sin has already been paid for.
Listen to what I say.
I was crucified because it was punishment for sin.
The sprinkled blood testifies that your sins are forgiven and that you are reconciled to God.”
The washing away of sins is here.
When our shame is revealed, our faults and shortcomings are discovered, and our wickedness is shown, we learn the following lessons:


The blood that is like a spring is the blood of Emmanuel.
If you wash away your sins in this well, you will be purified.
That thief repented and washed in this spring.
Even this thief-like body has been cleansed of its sins.
- William Cooper (W.
Cowper)

The blood that was shed testifies to this fact.
Therefore the blood says to you, “Come out of all your misery and be glad.
“Get out of this ashes-like life and take something good.”
The cross gives us a new beginning in life and gives us new abilities.
It empowers us to overcome all adversity that threatens to destroy us.
It gives you eternal hope.
The blood that was sprinkled testifies that the Son of God bore the full punishment that we all deserved.
It speaks of breaking down the wall that stood between God and us.
God forgives all our transgressions and sins at once, without cost.

Don't be bound by your conscience or dream vain dreams.
All the beautiful things the Lord desires
There is only the Lord Jesus.
The grace given to us
It is the radiance of the Holy Spirit that rises like a spring.
- Joseph Hart (J.
Hart)

The testimony of the cross is the grace of God that we absolutely need: forgiveness of sins, peace, and renewal, given freely by God.
We receive new life in Christ and have the hope of eternal life.
Everything is achieved instantly.
All these graces come from the blessed Lord, who threw himself on the cross and shed his blood.
The Lord is calling you.
Do you hear the voice calling? Are you ready to answer the call?

Looking at the history of Christianity, some of the great saints were once ignorant sinners, but after hearing the voice of the sprinkled blood, they became new people.
Therefore, the blood of the cross does not just guarantee in words the answer to the question, “If we seek, pursue, keep, and strive, will He truly bless us?”
Not only does the blood that was sprinkled testify to this, but all the saints, apostles, prophets, and martyrs who went before us certainly testify to this.

Trust in the Lord.
He never breaks his word and does not fail to do what he says.
The many witnesses who have gone before us answer us: "Believe! Believe the testimony of the sprinkled blood! And you will find that it is true." Therefore, we want to sing with all our might the following hymn:

My Lord's blood is pure and clean.
Come, Lord, who cleanses my sins.
I am coming to you now, Lord.
Wash me with the blood of Golgotha
- Lewis Hartser (L.
Hartsough)

Come to the Lord.
Then you will discover that this grace is true.

---From “The Blessing of Forgiveness of Sins”