The Old Rugged Cross
Phillipians 2:5-8
liberty church of Christ

The cross is the centerpiece of the Bible and the gospel.

Why is the old rugged cross rugged?

Rugged defined --- having or requiring toughness and determination.

1) Jesus' pre-cross treatment was rugged.

Joh 19:1 So then Pilate took Jesus and scourged Him.

After the scouring and before the crucifixion ruggedness was shown.
(Mt 27, Mk 15)

The Pre-Old Rugged Cross

• Mockingly called King of the Jews
• Jesus disrobed, given a scarlet robe
• Jesus given a crown of thorns and a reed given to him
• They spat upon him, struck his crown of thorns with the reed
• Simon the Cyrene was compeled to carry the cross of Jesus

Isa 52:13 Behold, My Servant shall deal prudently; He shall be exalted and extolled and be very high.
14 Just as many were astonished at you, So His visage was marred more than any man, And His form more than the sons of men;

2) Jesus' crucifixion was rugged.

Mt 27:33 And when they had come to a place called Golgotha, that is to say, Place of a Skull,
34 they gave Him sour wine mingled with gall to drink. But when He had tasted it, He would not drink.
35 Then they crucified Him, and divided His garments, casting lots, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet: "They divided My garments among them, And for My clothing they cast lots."

3) Jesus depature from heaven required ruggedness.

V2 For the dear Lamb of God, left His Glory above
To bear it to dark Calvary

V3 For the dear Lamb of God, left His Glory above
To pardon and sanctify me

Php 2:5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus,
6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God,
7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.
8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.

4) Ruggedness is required on our part.

V2 Oh, that old rugged Cross so despised by the world
Has a wondrous attraction for me

v4 To the old rugged Cross, I will ever be true
Its shame and reproach gladly bear

Php 3:18 For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:

Ga 6:14 But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

So I'll cherish the old rugged Cross
Till my trophies, at last, I lay down
I will cling to the old rugged Cross
And exchange it some day for a crown

The old cross was rugged.

Jesus was and is rugged.

Are we ?

BECOME A CHRISTIAN

Hear Him (Romans 10:17)
Believe Him Mark 16:16)
Repent Of Sins Against Him (Acts 2:38)
Confess Him (Acts 8:37)
Be Baptized Into Him (Romans 6:3)

After baptism, Live For Him (Galatians 2:20)

OR Confess public sin
OR seek prayers of the church

BECOME A CHRISTIAN

Hear Him (Romans 10:17)
Believe Him Mark 16:16)
Repent Of Sins Against Him (Acts 2:38)
Confess Him (Acts 8:37)
Be Baptized Into Him (Romans 6:3)
After baptism, Live For Him (Galatians 2:20)

OR Confess public sin
OR seek prayers of the church