Greatest Display of God's Holiness？ The Cross
Michael Durham teaches that the greatest display of God's holiness is revealed in the cross, where Jesus bore the wrath of God to redeem sinners from sin and condemnation.
This sermon emphasizes that the greatest display of holiness is not in grandiose events like the burning bush or Isaiah chapter 6, but in the sacrificial act of Jesus being crucified on a hill outside Jerusalem. It highlights how Jesus, as the Son of God, bore the absence of God's presence and the wrath of a holy God against sin on behalf of humanity. Through His death, Jesus not only saves from condemnation but also delivers from the power of sin, offering complete redemption and freedom from iniquity.
Full Transcript
The greatest display of holiness is not the burning bush, the greatest display of holiness is not Isaiah chapter 6, no sir, the greatest display of the holiness of God is a little hill outside the walls of Jerusalem where they took our Lord and pinned Him to a tree. There, there the sun refused to shine, it could not participate in the shameful acts of wicked men as its creator was being put to death and there in one moment, one excruciating indescribable moment when the Son of God Jesus Christ, the eternal second person of the Godhead and that man born of the virgin is gripped with the absence of God's presence. I remind you why He's there, He's there because of you.
He's experiencing the wrath of God, a holy God against your sin and by His substitutionary death, you can be set free not only from the condemnation but set free from sin. You can be delivered from sin right here, right now. God is a redeemer, a deliverer of His people.
He didn't suffer the agonies of a holy and righteous God just to keep you out of hell. Oh no, He's a greater deliverer than that. He means to deliver you from sin, all of your sin, all of your filthiness, all of your idols, all of your iniquity He took upon you.
All of our iniquities was laid upon Him and look at Him there, look at Him as the Father pours out the cup of holy wrath and He drinks it all. So that God now can look at you and come to you and visit you without destroying you and say come, come away my beloved, come. Behold I stand at the door.
Oh it's not an evangelistic text for a church, a church and I think it's an appropriate text for this hour. This excerpt was taken from the full sermon, Surprised by Grace. It was preached at Sovereign Grace Community Church's conference in Corpus Christi, Texas.
Find the messages on their sermon audio page at sermonaudio.com slash corpuschristians.
Sermon Outline
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I. The Greatest Display of Holiness
- Not the burning bush or Isaiah's vision
- The cross outside Jerusalem as God's holiness revealed
- The sun refusing to shine during Jesus' crucifixion
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II. Jesus Bearing God's Wrath
- Jesus experiences the absence of God's presence
- Substitutionary death for our sins
- The Father pours out wrath on the Son
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III. The Purpose of the Cross
- Deliverance from condemnation and sin
- God as redeemer and deliverer
- Invitation to come to God without fear
Key Quotes
“The greatest display of holiness is not the burning bush, the greatest display of holiness is not Isaiah chapter 6, no sir, the greatest display of the holiness of God is a little hill outside the walls of Jerusalem where they took our Lord and pinned Him to a tree.” — Michael Durham
“All of our iniquities was laid upon Him and look at Him there, look at Him as the Father pours out the cup of holy wrath and He drinks it all.” — Michael Durham
“God now can look at you and come to you and visit you without destroying you and say come, come away my beloved, come. Behold I stand at the door.” — Michael Durham
Application Points
- Recognize the holiness of God demonstrated through Jesus' sacrifice on the cross.
- Accept Jesus' substitutionary death as the means of deliverance from sin and condemnation.
- Respond to God's invitation to come to Him and live in His grace and freedom.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the cross considered the greatest display of God's holiness?
Because it reveals God's righteous wrath against sin and His love in sending Jesus to bear that wrath on our behalf.
What does it mean that Jesus experienced the absence of God's presence?
It signifies the weight of God's wrath Jesus bore as He took on the punishment for our sins.
How does the cross deliver us from sin?
Through Jesus' substitutionary death, believers are set free from condemnation and empowered to live free from sin.
Is this sermon evangelistic in nature?
While not primarily evangelistic, it contains a clear invitation to come to God and experience His grace.
Where can I find the full sermon?
The full sermon 'Surprised by Grace' is available at sermonaudio.com/corpuschristians.