‘For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing,
but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.’
1 Corinthians 1.18

During Lent we are going to be focussing on the cross in our Sunday sermons. Each week, we are going to both look at the cross and use the cross as a lens through which to see the world more clearly. Looking at the cross will enable us to seek to increase our understanding of what it tells us about Jesus and our faith. Looking through the cross will help us to explore how what we learn from the cross influences how we see the world and live in it. Our hope is that these reflections on the cross will deepen our appreciation of the events of Good Friday and lead us to even greater joy on Easter Sunday.

‘Everything looks different in this world when seen through the lens of the cross’
Graham Tomlin

Sunday 14th February       Looking at the Cross
readings: 1 Corinthians 1.18-31; John 3.1-21
God chose the cross as the way to save the world. The cross reveals more of who God is to those who are willing to believe in him and teaches us what it looks like to follow Jesus.

Sunday 21st February       Looking at the Cross: Love
readings: 1 Corinthians 12.21-13.13; John 10.11-18
The cross demonstrates the enormity of God’s love for us and shows us that the love we are called to share is practical and sacrificial.

Sunday 28th February       Looking at the Cross: Suffering
readings: 2 Corinthians 1.3-11; John 16.16-33
On the cross, Jesus both entered into suffering and overcame it. The cross offers comfort when we suffer because we know that God understands what we are experiencing, and hope because it assures us that pain is temporary.

Sunday 7th March       Looking at the Cross: Mercy
readings: Ephesians 2.1-10; John 1.6-18
Jesus took our punishment for sin on himself on the cross so that we can receive forgiveness and our relationship with God can be restored. We live in an entitlement society, but the cross reminds us that we are saved by grace, not right. The grace we have received is free but costly and challenges us to live in ways that do not  cheapen this precious gift.

Sunday 14th March      Looking at the Cross: Hope
readings: Colossians 2.6-15; John 12.23-33
Christ’s victory over death on the cross gives us hope because it means that death does not get the final word. Jesus’ death and resurrection give us assurance that God is active in his world and brings new life and new family to those who follow him.

Sunday 21st March       Looking at the Cross: Life
readings: 2 Corinthians 5.11-21; John 14.5-14
The cross is God’s promise of eternal life for those who believe; it also both reveals and enables us to enjoy life in all its fullness now.