God's Gift
The cross is not second best, but the very best revelation of God's love toward mankind.
K.P. Yohannan emphasizes that the fall of man did not thwart God's ultimate plan for humanity, as evidenced by the prophecy of the coming Messiah in Genesis 3:15. He argues that the cross was not a backup plan but rather God's greatest gift, revealing His profound love for mankind, surpassing even the original creation of man in His image. The sacrifice of Jesus transforms believers into children of God, highlighting the superiority of God's redemptive plan. Yohannan asserts that the cross is not inferior but the pinnacle of God's purpose for humanity.
Text
An angel with a flaming sword was posted at the entrance to the Garden of Eden so they would never be able to return (see Genesis 3:24). What was God going to do now after the whole purpose of man's creation--fellowship with Him--was lost? Well, He immediately gave them a most wonderful prophecy, the promise of the seed of the woman, who is the Lord Jesus Christ, our Savior (see Genesis 3:15).
Does this mean the cross was God's second best because His first plan for mankind failed when Adam fell? If we say that the coming of the Messiah and the cross (and what Jesus accomplished through His death) were an inferior choice next to God's original plan, it would be blasphemy!
God's gift, "the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world" (Revelation 13:8, NKJV), was God's greatest revelation of His love toward mankind, greater than what Adam ever experienced before his fall. And think about this: The original plan only made man in the image of God, whereas the second one made him a child of God (John 1:12). No, the cross is not second best--it is the very best!
Sermon Outline
- God's Original Plan for Mankind
- God's Second Plan for Mankind
- The Significance of the Cross
- Not Second Best, but the Very Best
- Making Man a Child of God
Key Quotes
“The cross is not second best--it is the very best!” — K.P. Yohannan
“God's gift, 'the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world' (Revelation 13:8, NKJV), was God's greatest revelation of His love toward mankind, greater than what Adam ever experienced before his fall.” — K.P. Yohannan
Application Points
- We should recognize the significance of the cross and the sacrifice of Jesus Christ in our lives.
- We should understand that being a child of God is a personal relationship with Him, made possible through the cross.
- We should appreciate God's greatest revelation of His love toward mankind, which is the cross.