Paul Preaching The Cross Series

1. PAUL’S DECLARATION

He came declaring the mystery of God. The word testimony means mystery. Now, what does he mean by a mystery? We will see this word again in this letter. A mystery means “something that had not been revealed before.”

The mystery of God which Paul preached was that Jesus Christ had been crucified on the cross at Calvary, buried in a borrowed tomb, and rose again to life on Sunday. That had not been preached before but now had been revealed. In the OT the crucifixion of Christ was revealed in type and in prophecy only. The actual event was something new, something not previously revealed. Notice it again in:

1 Corinthians 2:1 And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God.

A. The Way of Paul’s Declaration

Paul did not declare the wisdom of the world! The Greeks were all about hearing some new human idea or new human philosophy or human wisdom. ILLUST. Flat earth society! Some people think the world is flat. Can you believe that?

Paul’s declaration, his way of preaching, was nothing like that!

Paul did not get into philosophical discussions that promoted arguing and contention. He simply declared, he preached the Cross of Jesus Christ. He preached a crucified Savior, One who had died for the sins of the world. Paul preached a Savior Who was buried in Joseph’s tomb, but He rose victoriously on Resurrection Sunday! And I can tell you that we need a whole lot more of that kind of preaching ministry today!

Paul lets us see his heart in this passage. He makes it clear that while he was with the Corinthians, he was greatly troubled. He was “in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling.” Is it any wonder why he might say in chapter 1 that God had chosen the weak things of this world? Paul had no exalted idea of himself that he was some great mind! Although Paul had a great mind and he was a great intellect and a great man in many ways. But Paul never thought of himself as great. In fact, look at what he says about himself in 1 Timothy:

1 Timothy 1:15 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.

Paul saw himself as the worst of the worst! He was a sinner and yet Jesus had saved him! And, the truth is, that is way each one of us should see ourselves! Look at the next verse:

1 Timothy 1:16 However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life.

Jesus saved Paul to show the world that Paul was God’s pattern for mercy, longsuffering, and grace! Paul is great proof that God can and will save anybody who repents and believes in Jesus Christ.

Folks, the answer to the world’s problems today is Jesus Christ and Him crucified! If Vladimir Putin would accept the declaration of the Cross of Jesus Christ, he wouldn’t be invading Ukraine! If Joe Biden would accept the declaration of the Cross, he would have a lot better advisor than that of Nancy Pelosi or Chuck Schumer.

B. The Wisdom of Paul’s Declaration

The way Paul preached was that he declared the cross of Jesus Christ! It was not in the wisdom of this world with its flowery talk, feel good notions, or human philosophy.

Romans 11:33 Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!

1 Corinthians 3:19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, “He catches the wise in their own craftiness”;

Consequently, God wants us to know His wisdom through His word! Notice Paul’s instruction to the Colosse believers:

Colossians 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

2. PAUL’S DETERMINATION

I want you to notice Paul’s determination. Look at verse 2:

1 Corinthians 2:2 For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.

A. Paul’s Experience

1 Corinthians 1:23 but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness,

Why is this so important? Why does Paul say he that he was “determined” to know nothing except Jesus Christ and Him crucified? Well, I want you to notice what happened to Paul: