The Symbolism of the Cross
I. Introduction
Show a set of symbols and have people tell me what they represent.
II. Transition
III. Text—1 Corinthians 1:17-18
For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel—not with words of human wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.
For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved, it is the power of God.
IV. Prayer
V. The Power of God
A. Biblical observations
1. God’s power can be known
Matthew 22:29—Jesus replied, You are in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God.
a. The word translated “know” does not mean to simply be aware of something. It means ”to have experience with, to learn to know”.
b. In this verse, Jesus is telling the Sadducees, “Even though you have studied and memorized the Scriptures, you still do not know them or the power of God.”
c. As important as it is to know Scripture, it is even more important to have an experience with the God of Scripture. That is exactly what the Sadducees were lacking.
2. God’s power is made perfect in our weaknesses
2 Corinthians 12:9—But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.
a. The phrase made perfect could be said a different way. It means that God’s grace is truly effective in our weaknesses.
b. Why is this the case?
(1) When we come to the point of our weaknesses, we have nothing and no one else to try to rely on.
(2) It’s almost like reaching the end of the rope and finding a knot that allows you to relax and receive the help you need.
3. God’s power is at work with in us
Eph. 3:20—Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us
a. God’s power is at work in us (or inside of us)
(1) Personally
i. In Romans 8:29, Paul tells us that we are destined to become like Jesus
ii. Galatians5, lists the fruit of the Spirit that is to be produced in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control
iii. Matthew 7:12, tells that we are to treat others the way we wish to be treated ourselves.
iv. Phil. 1:6, says God will finish the work he has started in our lives.
(2) Corporately—for us to be a people who are continually about the business of fulfilling his purposes inside the church
i. Worship
ii. Evangelism
iii. Ministry
iv. Discipleship
v. Fellowship
b. God’s power is at work through us
(1) Personally
i. For us to be salt and light in the world
ii. For us to be witnesses of what God has done
(2) Corporately—for us to be a people who are continually about the business of fulfilling his purposes outside of the church
i. Evangelism
ii. Ministry
B. Questions
1. Is God’s power still available today?
a. Malachi 3:6—I the Lord, do not change
b. Hebrews 13:8—Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever
2. If God’s power is still available, where is it?
a. In my life?
b. In my church?
c. The answer to these questions all lie in the same place—our individual lives.
3. If God’s power is still available, how do I/we experience it?
Paul answer the question
a. Philippians 3:10—I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him is his death
(1) I want to know Christ
(2) I want the fellowship…of sharing in his sufferings
(3) I want to become like him…in his death
b. How do I/we experience the power of God?
(1) I get connected to the source
(2) I stay connected to the source
(3) ILLUSTRATION—Have two lamps. One will turn on, the other won’t. The problem is that one is connected to the source and the other one isn’t.
i. In the same way, for us to know and experience the power of God, we must be connected to the source.
ii. There are those who will say that this illustration is too simplistic. To that my response is “Really?” Paul wrote to the Corinthians that he feared they had strayed from the simplicity of following Christ.
iii. The power of God is not tied up in complex formulas of behavior and reward that can only be deciphered and attained by a chosen few. It is wrapped up in the simple act of being close to God every single day!
(4) ILLUSTRATION-- In a seminary missions class, Herbert Jackson told how, as a new missionary, he was assigned a car that would not start without a push.
After pondering his problem, he devised a plan. He went to the school near his home, got permission to take some children out of class, and had them push his car off. As he made his rounds, he would either park on a hill or leave the engine running. He used this ingenious procedure for two years.
Ill health forced the Jackson family to leave, and a new missionary came to that station. When Jackson proudly began to explain his arrangement for getting the car started, the new man began looking under the hood. Before the explanation was complete, the new missionary interrupted, "Why, Dr. Jackson, I believe the only trouble is this loose cable." He gave the cable a twist, stepped into the car, pushed the switch, and to Jackson’s astonishment, the engine roared to life.
For two years needless trouble had become routine. The power was there all the time. Only a loose connection kept Jackson from putting that power to work.
(5) J.B. Phillips paraphrases Eph. 1;19-20 by saying, “How tremendous is the power available to us who believe in God.” When we make firm our connection with God, his life and power flow through us.
(6) Max Lucado writes in God Came Near “One New Year’s Day, in the Tournament of Roses parade, a beautiful float suddenly sputtered and quit. It was out of gas. The whole parade was held up until someone could get a can of gas. The amusing thing was this float represented the Standard Oil Company. With its vast oil resources, its truck was out of gas. Often, Christians neglect their spiritual maintenance, and though they are “clothed with power” (Luke 24:49) find themselves out of gas.”
(7) How is your connection with God?
i. Like Dr. Jackson, have you learned to live without the power when the answer is simply making a better connection?
ii. Like the Standard Oil Company, have you lost power despite the vast resources that are available to you?
C. The essence of the power of God
1. It’s fine to have all of this talk about the power of God, but what is it? How do we recognize when it’s present…or when it’s not?
2. I believe the essence of the power of God is this—the effecting of change
a. The power of God acts upon individuals, groups etc. and prompts change
b. Beginning with creation, God brought change. Out of nothing, he made the heavens, earth, animals, man and woman, etc.
c. At the Red Sea, he made a temporary change in the laws of nature and held back the waters.
d. Through Elisha, he changed the state of a widow’s son from death to life
e. He changed the disciples from ordinary fisherman to his agents and called them fishers of men
f. Many of you could speak of the change that took place in your life when you came to know Jesus as your Savior.
g. Yesterday, I heard a man say, “Since I got saved I love things I used to hate and I hate things I used to love.”
h. The power of God is the power of change.
(1) It is helpful to point out that God does not affect change because he is bored and has nothing better to do.
(2) God affects change with a purpose and for a reason. He knows what he is doing and can be trusted!
VI. Transition
Now let me ask you again, how is your connection with God? Is it as strong as it can possibly be or is it weakened? Without a proper connection, you will not know the full working of the power of God in your life. You can put the blame on others all you want. You can blame the Pastor for not feeding you. However, your connection with God is your responsibility and it is the means through which God’s power is at work in your life.
VII. Conclusion
The cross—a symbol of God’s power. But let me ask you one final question: For you, is the cross a symbol of God’s power displayed in years and ages past or is it a symbol of the present reality of your life?
As long as you and I are alive and kicking on this earth, God is not finished with us. None of us will ever reach a state of perfection here, so we always stand in need of God’s power to be at work in our lives.
VIII. Response
This morning, there are people who need God’s power. Perhaps some need to begin a relationship with God for the first time. Others will have needs as varied as those of us in this room. I invite you to come to this altar now and sure up the connection with God so that his power is not hindered from working in your life.
