Yardley United Methodist Church
Mar 1 - Lift High the Cross
  • Wonderful Words Of Life (Words Of Life Wonderful Words)
  • Here I Am To Worship

      • Genesis 2:8–9NRSVUE

      • Genesis 2:15–17NRSVUE

      • John 1:1–5NRSVUE

      • John 1:14NRSVUE

      • 1 Corinthians 15:22NRSVUE

      • 1 Corinthians 15:45NRSVUE

      • Genesis 2:8–9NRSVUE

      • Genesis 2:15–17NRSVUE

      • John 1:1–5NRSVUE

      • John 1:14NRSVUE

      • 1 Corinthians 15:21–22NRSVUE

      • 1 Corinthians 15:45NRSVUE

      • Genesis 2:8–9NRSVUE

      • Genesis 2:15–17NRSVUE

      • John 1:1–5NRSVUE

      • John 1:14NRSVUE

      • 1 Corinthians 15:22NRSVUE

      • 1 Corinthians 15:45NRSVUE

  • Lift High the Cross: The Crucifixion as God’s Word

    Scripture Selections: Genesis 2:8-9, 15-17; John 1:1-5, 14; 1 Corinthians 15:22, 45
    Theme:
    The struggle to understand the Crucifixion—and how it grants us salvation—is not an uncommon one for Christians who are new to the faith or even those who are not. Jesus described his impending death, but never explained how exactly it would bring forgiveness, healing, or salvation to the world. To begin to understand how God atones for our sins through Jesus’ death, it is key to understand the Crucifixion as God’s Word (or God’s message) for the world. It is a multilayered message, and we start with seeing Jesus as the “second Adam.”
    Purpose:
    Each atonement theory is a piece to a larger puzzle (God’s Word to humanity) and explores the atonement theory (Recapitulation). Ultimately, today’s sermon invites us to think about how the Crucifixion sets our lives on a different trajectory through the power of the cross.

    The Cross as God’s Message

    Recap: Last week, we opened this series by embracing a mystery: the Crucifixion is not merely a transaction to be explained, but God’s Living Word and message to the world.
    The Pivot: This week, we transition from observing the cross to listening to it. We ask: What is God saying through the cross? What story is being told?
    Setting Expectations: Over this series, we explore ten different atonement theories. As we do, I invite you to ponder what sounds familiar, what sounds new, what confuses you, and what helps your faith grow.
    Transition to Movement 1: "To understand this message, we have to start at the very beginning, with the Word itself."

    1: The Grandeur of the Word

    The Foundational Logic: John’s Gospel presents Jesus as the Logos (Word) of God made flesh. Everything Jesus said and did was God’s Word to humanity, culminating in the cross.
    Scripture Focus: Read John 1:1-5. This Logos is not just a spoken word, but the foundational message and logic behind God’s plan for humanity—a Word with the power to save, heal, and inspire. [Re-read the passage replacing "Word" with "message" to emphasize that God’s message now dwells among us.]
    The Paradigm Shift: This shifts our question from asking how the Crucifixion works as a mechanism to asking, What message is God giving us?
    The Metaphor: [Visual suggestion: Display a mosaic, kaleidoscope, or a puzzle]. Each of the ten atonement theories we will explore is simply one piece of a beautiful, complex puzzle.
    Transition to Movement 2:"Today, we are going to pick up the very first piece of that puzzle. It is a piece that takes us all the way back to a garden..."

    2: A New Defining Story (Recapitulation)

    The Two Gardens: In the "Recapitulation Theory of Atonement" begins with Genesis 2:8-9, 15-17. The biblical story begins with a garden lost (Eden) and ends with a garden restored in Revelation. The core question of our faith is: How do we move from sin to salvation, from the first garden turned to ash to the last garden overflowing with abundant life?
    The Second Adam: Early church fathers, like Irenaeus, saw Jesus as the "Second Adam" who reverses the tragic story of Eden. While Adam and Eve’s disobedience brought sin, suffering, and exile; Jesus’ obedience, suffering, and resurrection author a brand new story of life and restoration.
    In 1 Corinthians 15, Paul contrasts the death found in Adam with the life found in Christ.
    Personalizing: The Crucifixion isn't just about ancient history or cosmic forgiveness; it is about changing humanity’s defining story right here, right now. Repentance is literally a "turning" - a change in course. So, Christ opens the way of redemption and invites us to choose between the path of Adam ("my will be done") or the path of Christ ("Thy will be done").
    Preaching Moment: Share a personal story here about a time God changed the trajectory of your own life.
    Transition to Movement 3: "If Jesus has opened up this new path, how do we actively choose to walk it? How does this ancient theory change our daily practice?"

    3: Choosing the Tree of Life

    The Visual Anchor: Christ stands with his hands pointing in two directions—toward the Tree of Knowledge (Genesis) and the Tree of Life (Revelation). Christ is essentially asking us, “Which path will you choose?”
    Personal Application: Where is your story in need of God’s transforming love today?How can you journey alongside someone else who is currently undergoing a change in their own story?
    Communal Mission: God’s life-transforming love is not just personal; it is communal and even cosmological. We sing proclaiming Christ’s love until the whole world is made whole in hearing about it, confirm our "co-mission" as agents of this reconciling work.
    Ask: What does it look like to Lift High the Cross of Christ look like in our community right now?

    A Vision of Eden Redeemed

    What would a world where Christ's love is the defining story, where there is no darkness, where the table is full, and where only good fruit is found? And where a seat is available for all?
    Final Thought: Though our personal stories are not yet finished, God’s redemptive work is complete through the cross, and that is the story we are called to live out today.
  • Jesus Name Above All Names
  • Praise God, From Whom All Blessings Flow
  • Lord I Lift Your Name On High
Yardley United Methodist Church
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