This sermon from Mid-Cities Church, part two of the "Crown Him" Christmas series, examines the theological meaning of the cross as a demonstration of God's love. The pastor teaches from Isaiah 53 and Matthew 1 to argue that the crucifixion was always central to Jesus's mission. He opens by reading Isaiah 53:4-6, which describes a suffering servant bearing griefs and sorrows for others. The sermon contrasts the previous week's theme of "God with us" (Emmanuel) with this week's focus on "God for us" through the cross. A core argument is that humanity has a universal spiritual sickness, a point supported by quoting Psalm 14 and Romans 3 to state that "all have turned away" and "there is no one who does good." The pastor illustrates humanity's tendency toward selfishness with a personal anecdote about a silly marital argument over spilling chili, linking it to Isaiah's line, "we have turned everyone to his own way." He references theologian C.S. Lewis's blunt assertion that "sin makes us stupid," using Edmund from *The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe* as an example. The sermon explains that the cross was necessary because no human could solve this sin problem, so God himself, in Jesus, fulfilled the dual role of righteous judge and source of hope. A key insight is that the name "Jesus" means "Yahweh saves," directly connecting his identity to the mission of salvation. The pastor cites the preacher Martin Lloyd-Jones, who said the cross uniquely displays God's love, righteousness, and holiness together. A surprising claim is that the physical healings Jesus performed were ultimately insufficient because the deeper problem was a spiritual sickness requiring the cross. The service includes a live testimony from a couple named Marty and Melanie Yanez, who share their past struggles with addiction, abuse, and church hurt before finding transformation through Christ. The sermon concludes with a direct evangelistic invitation, asking listeners to repent and receive salvation, supported by Romans 5:8: "while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." The tone is pastoral, earnest, and evangelistic, blending theological teaching with relatable personal stories and congregational interaction. This episode would deeply resonate with Christian listeners seeking a doctrinal and emotional reflection on the cross's significance, especially during the Christmas season. Those uncomfortable with traditional evangelical theology or altar-call invitations might prefer to skip it.
