Message Of The Cross

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Sermon:

The message of the cross

ILL. There is a story about a little girl who proudly wore a shiny cross on a chain around her neck. One day she was approached by a man who said to her, “Little girl, don’t you know that the cross Jesus died on wasn’t beautiful like the one you’re wearing? It was an ugly, wooden thing.” To which the girl replied, “Yes, I know. But they told me in Sunday School that whatever Jesus touches, He changes.”

1 Corinthians 1:18-25

18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. 20 Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? 21 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. 22 For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: 23 But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; 24 But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. 25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

ILL.

There was a program on television a while back about women Having Affairs With Married Men. There were several people who were having affairs giving their comments on how they felt about it.

One lady responded very positively, saying that her affair with a married man had been a long-standing affair, & she was very happy in it.

Then someone raised the question of morality. Instantly, the woman took offense. "Wait a minute," she said. "I’m a Christian, but I want everyone to know that my personal life & my religion don’t interfere with one another."

Then she went on to say, "I believe in a God who wants me to be happy. And if this man makes me happy, then God approves of the relationship."

Wow!

I wonder where she found that at because it’s not in the Bible.

People have always wanted a God who will place His stamp of approval upon their life-style and never require any change from them.

They've given all kinds of terms to try and cover up there sin

Living together outside of marriage used to be called "living in sin" now it's called "a committed relationship."

Abortion used to be called "murder" or "killing the unborn" now it's called "pro choice."

Home sexuality used to be called an abomination to God which is what the bible calls it but nowadays it's called an alternative lifestyle.

People want to live in sin but still call themselves Christian

They want to make it out like Gods ok with what there doing because he is a loving and gracious God which he is but he is also a just God and he will punish sin

Jesus encountered these kind of people in His day.

He looked at the Pharisees & Sadducees & called them "hypocrites" & "whitewashed tombs." On the outside they appeared to be religious & prayerful & obedient to God. But inside they were rotten to the core

There are people like that today.

There are far too many people who want a God who doesn’t require any changes

& who places His stamp of approval on however they want to live.

But sooner or later, they will bump into an old rugged cross. There they meet a God who says, "I don’t like your sin. It is so horrible that it requires me to go to the cross & suffer & die to free you from the punishment you deserve."

Paul declares, "The Jews stumble over the cross. And the Greeks think it is foolishness. But others see in it the power & wisdom of God."