Echo Church
Discussion Guide

What's Up With the Cross?

Pastor Doug Greenman
|
April 18, 2025

Main Idea

The central idea of Pastor Doug Greenman’s sermon was that the cross, though once seen as scandalous and offensive, is the ultimate symbol of God’s justice, mercy, love, and healing for us. We learned that the cross is where God's perfect justice meets His incredible mercy, providing both a legal verdict of 'guilty' and the gracious declaration 'penalty paid in full.' Pastor Doug showed us that through the cross, Jesus broke the chains of sin that imprison us, repaired the broken relationship between humanity and God, and provided the only cure for the spiritual virus of sin. This message invited us to see the cross not just as a historical event, but as a present and personal invitation to experience freedom, reconciliation, and healing through Jesus. It called us to respond in gratitude and faith, embracing the life-changing power of the cross in our everyday lives.

Scripture References

1 Corinthians 1:18, Galatians 6:14, Colossians 1:21, Ephesians 2:1-3, 1 Peter 3:18, Romans 5:10, Colossians 2:15, Romans 5:8, Mark 2:17, 1 Peter 2:24, Romans 10:9

Why do you think the cross, despite being such a brutal symbol, became the central image of Christianity?

The cross is where God’s justice and mercy meet, perfectly balancing His holiness with His love for us.

How does understanding God as both just and merciful impact the way you view your relationship with Him?

Discussion Questions:

What are some 'cages' in your life that you return to for comfort or control instead of turning to Jesus?

In what ways have you experienced God's love pursuing you even when you felt like a 'prodigal'?

How does seeing sin as a deadly virus change the way you think about Jesus being the cure on the cross?

Sin is like a cage we often return to, but the cross is the key that opens the door and offers true freedom.

Summary

In Pastor Doug Greenman’s Good Friday message, we explored the deep significance of the cross in our faith. Pastor Doug walked us through four powerful images to help us grasp why the cross matters so much: a courtroom where justice and mercy meet, an open cage symbolizing freedom from sin, a restored relationship reflecting God’s relentless love, and a cure for the deadly virus of sin. He reminded us that while the cross was once a symbol of shame and brutality, it became the greatest expression of love and redemption through Jesus' sacrifice. The message highlighted how we are set free, forgiven, and healed because of what Jesus endured on our behalf. Pastor Doug encouraged us to look at the cross not as mere decoration, but as the heart of our hope and transformation."

Call to Action

Some next steps to take this week:

Reflect on the areas of your life where you might still be holding onto the 'cages' of sin and ask Jesus to set you free.

Consider taking the next step in your faith journey through baptism as a public declaration of your trust in Jesus.

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