Death and Resurrection: The Infinite Sacrifice of the Messiah

Is He my Savior? Can I lay hold upon His merits this very hour? Can I commit the keeping of my soul to Jesus Christ today? Yes. How? What assurance have I? I point you to Christ of Calvary. Can you stand under the shadow of the cross and there talk your crosses, your darkness, your wicked feelings? Can you do it? Dare you do it? You never dare to do it when standing under the shadow of the cross, because all that infinite sacrifice was made to make me love God. It was made that I might reflect the image of God in Jesus Christ. Well, then, when all this sacrifice has been made for me, shall I let everybody know that it amounts to something? Shall I let the world know that Jesus, the precious Savior, has made all this infinite sacrifice that He might be formed within, the hope of glory, and that I might rejoice in His love?” (Sermons and Talks, vol. 1, p. 208).

“Through Christ, restoration as well as reconciliation is provided for man. The gulf that was made by sin has been spanned by the cross of Calvary. A full, complete ransom has been paid by Jesus, by virtue of which the sinner is pardoned and the justice of the law is maintained. All who believe that Christ is the atoning sacrifice may come and receive pardon for their sins; for through the merit of Christ, communication has been opened between God and man. God can accept me as His child, and I can claim Him and rejoice in Him as my loving Father” (Faith and Works, p. 93).

“To remove the cross from the Christian would be like blotting out the sun from the sky” (The Acts of the Apostles, p. 209).

“Let the science of salvation be the burden of every sermon, the theme of every song. Let it be poured forth in every supplication. Bring nothing into your preaching to supplement Christ, the wisdom and power of God” (Gospel Workers, p. 160).

“If the Holy Spirit dwells in us, our work will testify to the fact we shall lift up Jesus. Not one can afford to be silent now; the burden of the work is to present Christ to the world” (Review and Herald Extra, Dec. 23, 1890).

“The cross of Christ, how many believe it to be what it is? How many bring it into their studies, and know its true significance? There could not be a Christian in our world without the cross of Christ. Then keep it before the schools as the foundation of all true education” (Youth’s Instructor, July 7, 1898).

“The cross is the center of all religious institutions. These institutions are to be under the control of the Spirit of God; in no institution is any one man to be the sole head. The divine mind has men for every place” (Counsels on Health, p. 524).

“The knowledge of truth is the great power of God unto salvation to all who believe. The atoning sacrifice, the righteousness of Christ, is to us the vital center of all truth. In the cross of Calvary, mercy and truth are met together, righteousness and peace have kissed each other. The law and the gospel are in perfect harmony; they are interwoven as the warp and the woof. They shed a flood of light amid the moral darkness of the world, stimulating, renovating, sanctifying all who will believe the truth, all who will gladly and gratefully accept the light coming from the throne of God” (Review and Herald, Sept. 29, 1891).

“There is one great central truth to be kept ever before the mind in the searching of Scripture—Christ and Him crucified. Every other truth is invested with influence and power corresponding to its relation to this theme. It is only in the light of the cross that we can discern the exalted character of the law of God. The soul palsied by sin can be endowed with life only through the work wrought out upon the cross by the Author of our salvation. The love of Christ constrains man to unite with Him in His labors and sacrifice. The revelation of divine love awakens in them a sense of their neglected obligation to be the light bearers to the world and inspires them with a missionary spirit. This truth enlightens the mind and sanctifies the soul. It will banish unbelief and inspire faith. It is the one great truth to be constantly kept before the minds of men. Yet how dimly is the love of God understood; and in the teaching of the Word it makes but a faint impression.

When Christ in His work of redemption is seen to be the great central truth of the system of truth, a new light is shed upon all the events of the past and the future. They are seen in a new relation, and possess a new and deeper significance” (The Ellen G. White 1888 Materials, vol. 2, pp. 806, 807).

“Hanging upon the cross Christ was the gospel. Now we have a message, ‘Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sins of the world.’ Will not our church members keep their eyes fixed on a crucified and risen Savior, in whom their hopes of eternal life are centered? This is our message, our argument, our doctrine, our warning to the impenitent, our encouragement for the sorrowing, the hope for every believer” (The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, Ellen G. White Comments, vol. 6, p. 1113).

“Christ crucified—talk it, pray it, sing it, and it will break and win hearts. This is the power and wisdom of God to gather souls for Christ” (Testimonies, vol. 6, p. 67).

“The message of the gospel of His grace was to be given to the church in clear and distinct lines, that the world should no longer say that Seventh-day Adventists talk the law, the law, but do not teach or believe Christ” (Testimonies to Ministers, p. 92).

“If Satan comes to cast his shadow between you and God, accusing you of sin, tempting you to distrust God and doubt His mercy, say: I cannot allow my weakness to come between me and God; for He is my strength. My sins, which are many, are laid upon Jesus, my divine Substitute and Sacrifice.

‘Nothing in my hand I bring. Simply to thy cross I cling’” (Selected Messages, book 1, p. 332).

“It would be well for us to spend a thoughtful hour each day in contemplation of the life of Christ. We should take it point by point, and let the imagination grasp each scene, especially the closing ones. As we thus dwell upon His great sacrifice for us, our confidence in Him will be more constant, our love will be quickened, and we shall be more deeply imbued with His spirit. If we would be saved at last, we must learn the lesson of penitence and humiliation at the foot of the cross” (The Desire of Ages, p. 83).

“It was in order that the heavenly universe might see the conditions of the covenant of redemption that Christ bore the penalty in behalf of the human race. The throne of Justice must be eternally and forever made secure. … By the sacrifice Christ was about to make, all doubts would be forever settled, and humanity would be saved if they would return to their allegiance. Christ alone could restore honor to God’s government. The cross of Calvary would be looked upon by the unfallen worlds, by the heavenly universe, by Satanic agencies, by the fallen race, and every mouth would be stopped. In making His infinite sacrifice Christ would exalt and honor the law. He would make known the exalted character of God’s government, which could not in any way be changed to meet man in his sinful condition” (Lift Him Up, p. 257).

“Some of our brethren have expressed fears that we shall dwell too much upon the subject of justification by faith, but I hope and pray that none will be needlessly alarmed; for there is no danger in presenting this doctrine as it is set forth in the Scriptures. If there had not been a remissness in the past to properly instruct the people of God, there would not now be a necessity of calling special attention to it…. The exceeding great and precious promises given us in the Holy Scriptures have been lost sight of to a great extent, just as the enemy of all righteousness designed that they should be. He has cast his own dark shadow between us and our God, that we may not see the true character of God. The Lord has proclaimed Himself to be ‘merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth’ (Selected Messages, book 1 .p.372).

“I long to see our ministers dwell more upon the cross of Christ, their own hearts, meanwhile, softened and subdued by the Saviour’s matchless love which prompted that infinite sacrifice” (Testimonies, vol. 4, pp. 374, 375).

“Never should a sermon be preached, or Bible instruction in any line be given, without pointing the hearers to ‘the lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.’ Every true doctrine makes Christ the center, every precept receives force from His words” (Testimonies, vol. 6, p. 54).

“But must works come first? No, it is faith first. And how? The cross of Christ is lifted up between heaven and earth. Here comes the Father and the whole train of holy angels; and as they approach that cross, the Father bows to the cross and the sacrifice is accepted. Then comes sinful man, with his burden of sin, to the cross, and he there looks up to Christ on the cross of Calvary, and he rolls his sins at the foot of the cross. Here mercy and truth have met together, and righteousness and peace have kissed each other. And Christ says, ‘I, if I be lifted up, will draw all men unto me’ ” (The Ellen G. White 1888 Materials, vol. 1, p. 344).

“Of all professing Christians, Seventh-day Adventists should be foremost in uplifting Christ before the world. The proclamation of the third angel’s mes sage calls for the presentation of the Sabbath truth. This truth, with others included in the message, is to be pro claimed; but the great center of attraction, Christ Jesus, must not be left out” (Gospel Workers, p. 156).

“No discourse should ever be delivered without presenting Christ and Him crucified as the foundation of the gospel” (Testimonies, vol. 4, p. 394).

“Our work in all its lines is to demonstrate the influence of the cross” (Testimonies, vol. 6, p. 235).

“The cross of Calvary challenges and will finally vanquish every earthly and hellish power. In the cross all influence centers, and from it all influence goes forth. It is the great center of attraction; for on it Christ gave up His life for the human race. This sacrifice was offered for the purpose of restoring man to his original perfection. Yea, more, it was offered to give him an entire transformation of character, making him more than a conqueror” (The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, Ellen G. White Comments, vol. 6, p. 1113).

“If there is anything in our world that should inspire enthusiasm, it is the cross of Calvary. ‘Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God.’ Christ, made unto us ‘wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption,’ should be humbly and thankfully received by us. His sacrifice should inspire us with zeal to work in His service, calling upon others to behold in Him ‘the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world” (Review and Herald, Sept. 29, 1896).

“Here is brought to view our eternal life insurance policy. We had better make sure that we are living on this plan of addition, and God will work for us on the plan of multiplication. He will multiply unto us grace and peace. Let us fix our eyes on the cross of Calvary and behold the sacrifice of Christ to secure for us this life insurance policy ‘If ye do these things, ye shall never fall; for so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ’ ” (The Upward Look, p. 267).

“Lift the cross higher, that many may behold, and look and live. Christ died for the world, and His command is, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” The Lord would give us no such commission without placing resources at our command sufficient for the work. Will men act the part of faithful stewards, appropriating God’s means where He designed it should be used? Shall souls famishing for the bread of life be denied the heavenly manna? Who will sacrifice for Christ’s sake? Who will present in its rich fullness the righteousness of Christ? Will the church who claim to believe the truth, the blood-bought church, do this work?” (Testimonies to Southern Africa, pp. 64, 65).

“Every truth… must be studied in the light which streams from the cross of Calvary” (Sons and Daughters of God, p. 221).

“Often doctrinal subjects are presented with no special effect; for men expect others to press upon them their doctrines; but when the matchless love of Christ is dwelt upon, His grace impresses the heart. There are many who are sincerely seeking for light, who know not what they must do to be saved. Oh, tell them of the love of God, of the sacrifice made on Calvary’s cross to save the perishing! Tell them to place their will on the side of God’s will; and ‘if any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God.’ John 7:17” (Colporteur Ministry, p. 42).

“Christ declares, ‘I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.’ If the cross does not find an influence in its favor, it creates an influence. Through generation succeeding generation, the truth for this time is revealed as present truth. Christ on the cross was the medium whereby mercy and truth met together, and righteousness and peace kissed each other. This is the means that is to move the world” (The SDA Bible Commentary, Ellen G. White Comments, vol. 6, p. 1113).

“Meet around the cross of Calvary in self-sacrifice and self-denial. God will bless you as you do your best. As you approach the throne of grace, as you find yourself bound to this throne by the golden chain let down from heaven to earth to draw men from the pit of sin, your heart will go out in love for your brethren and sisters who are without God and without hope in the world” (Testimonies, vol. 9, p. 256).

” ‘The love of Christ,’ said Paul, ‘constrains us’ [2 Cor. 5:14]. This was the actuating principle of his conduct; it was his motive-power. If ever his ardor in the path of duty flagged for a moment, one glance at the cross caused him to gird up anew the loins of his mind and press forward in the way of self-denial. In his labors for his brethren, he relied much upon the manifestation of infinite love in the sacrifice of Christ, with its subduing, constraining power” (Gospel Workers, p. 293).

“To Paul the cross was the one object of supreme interest. Ever since he had been arrested in his career of persecution against the followers of the crucified Nazarene he had never ceased to glory in the cross. … He knew by personal experience that when a sinner once be holds the love of the Father, as seen in the sacrifice of His Son, and yields to the divine influence, a change of heart takes place, and henceforth Christ is all and in all” (The Acts of the Apostles, p. 245).

“One interest will prevail, one subject will swallow up every other Christ our righteousness” (Sons and Daughters of God, p. 259).

“Justification by faith is to many a mystery. A sinner is justified by God when he repents of his sins. He sees Jesus upon the cross of Calvary…. He looks to the atoning Sacrifice as his only hope, through repentance toward God because the laws of His government have been broken and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ as the One who can save and cleanse the sinner from every transgression” (Our High Calling, p. 52).

“I point you to the cross of Calvary. I ask you to consider the infinite sacrifice made in your behalf that through faith in Jesus Christ you may not perish but have everlasting life. . . I point you to Jesus. You are safe in committing to Him the innermost working of your mind. The Lord Jesus hath purchased you with an infinite price. You may commit the keeping of your soul to Jesus. You may trust Him as your Counselor. . . . Constantly draw nigh unto God. He will help you” (That I May Know Him, p. 341).

“The cross of Calvary appeals in power, affording a reason why we should love Christ now, and why we should consider Him first, and best, and last, in everything. We should take our fitting place in humble penitence at the foot of the cross. We may learn the lessons of meekness and lowliness of mind as we go up to Mount Calvary, and, looking upon the cross, see our Saviour in agony, the Son of God dying, the Just for the unjust” (“That I May Know Him,” p. 65).

“To the death of Christ, we owe even this earthly life. The bread we eat is the purchase of His broken body. The water we drink is bought by His spilled blood. Never one, saint or sinner, eats his daily food, but he is nourished by the body and the blood of Christ. The cross of Calvary is stamped on every loaf. It is reflected in every water spring. All this Christ has taught in appointing the emblems of His great sacrifice. The light shining from that Communion service in the upper chamber makes sacred the provisions for our daily life. The family board becomes as the table of the Lord, and every meal a sacrament” (The Desire of Ages, p. 660).

“Let those whose hearts glow with the Savior’s love talk of Jesus, dwelling upon His infinite sacrifice in behalf of man. Dwell much upon His second appearing to our world; tell also of His first coming from heaven, His life of constant humiliation and sacrifice. With softened heart and tearful eye, tell the story of His dying upon Calvary’s cross, because He loved us, that we might be saved” (Review and Herald, Dec. 2, 1890).

“Several have written to me, inquiring if the message of justification by faith is the third angel’s message, and I have answered, ‘It is the third angel’s message in verity’ ” (Evangelism, p. 190).

“The sacrifice of Christ as an atonement for sin is the great truth around which all other truths cluster. In order to be rightly understood and appreciated, every truth in the Word of God, from Genesis to Revelation, must be studied in the light that streams from the cross of Calvary. I present before you the great, grand monument of mercy and regeneration, salvation and redemption the Son of God uplifted on the cross. This is to be the foundation of every discourse given by our ministers” (Gospel Workers, p. 315). https://www.secondcoming.org