WE PREACH CHRIST CRUCIFIED (Outline)
February 24, 2008 –
LENT 3 -
1 Corinthians 1:21-25
INTRO: Let’s face it: man and God seldom think exactly the same way. The thoughts and mind of man does not agree too often with the thoughts and mind of God. Man in his selfish, self-centered life simply cannot earn salvation. But God in his unselfish, loving way provides eternal salvation as his free gift to man. God’s ways are not always our ways. "’For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,’ declares the LORD. ‘As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts’"(ISAIAH 55:8,9). The difficulty lies in the fact of our great difference with God. We are finite (limited) God is infinite (limitless). We are mortal, God immortal; sinful man, sinless God. It is through the cross of Christ that man and God are brought into agreement. God’s word through Paul serves as our theme:
WE PREACH CHRIST CRUCIFIED (AND RISEN).
The words and risen are added for those today who also deny Christ’s physical resurrection from the dead.
I. Christ crucified is God’s wisdom.
II. Christ crucified is God’s strength.
I. CHRIST CRUCIFIED IS GOD’S WISDOM
A. The apostle Paul makes it very clear that man’s wisdom does not match with the wisdom of God.
1. The wisdom of man and God are not even close, verse 21a. Man is born lost and condemned.
2. As an enemy of God man will not, cannot, know God. God’s wisdom comes to the rescue.
3. Verse 21b. The power of the preaching of God’s word saves. It changes men’s hearts.
B. In a world of foolish words the word of God is just the opposite. There is wisdom in God’s word.
1. There is still a problem, verse 22. Man’s sinful nature looks for and demands more.
2. Greeks look for wisdom. Wisdom was their god. God’s cross was to be their wisdom, v. 23.
C. There is only one conclusion when considering the mind and thoughts and ways of God, verse 25a.
1. The original does not have wisdom. God’s foolishness is wiser than man. Period, totally.
2. The original also reveals that foolishness means a specific act. The foolish act of God wiser….
D. Humanly speaking we might think of a few foolish acts of God. God created a perfect world. God placed humans in that perfection who had only one choice – to choose evil. They already lived in perfection. It was foolish to think that man would make the right choice. Then, then God does not destroy them. God demands payment for their sin AND God promises that deliverance. Later, on the cross God’s own Son pays the price for the prideful disobedience of man. That sure seems foolish. You and I would have gotten even with Adam and Eve for destroying perfection. Thankfully we are not. All of this happened according to God’s plan, God’s wisdom. "But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons"(GALATIANS 4:4,5). In God’s great wisdom, we who are sinners, are made his children, by grace!
E. We preach Christ crucified. This is God’s wisdom for the foolishness of man. Too many do not like to hear, see, or talk about the cross. The cross was a gruesome form of torture. The cross was reserved for the worst criminals. Others were to learn a lesson from a public execution. The cross is unpleasant. Sadly, 5 out of 6 of the biggest churches in America have removed the cross and other Christian symbols from their worship areas. They feel the cross is just too controversial. "They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts"(EPH. 4:18). We preach Christ crucified, the wisdom of God for the foolishness of man.
F. By God’s grace we view the cross as the altar upon which God sacrificed his own Son for us. This is simply amazing. This can seem foolish that God would do such a great thing for those who still sin daily and sin much. What we are unable to do Christ does for us. Jesus’ blood cleanses us from all sins. We live in complete wonder and awe. "Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! ‘Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?’"(ROMANS 11:33,34). We preach Christ crucified – God’s wisdom.
WE PREACH CHRIST CRUCIFIED (AND RISEN).
Christ crucified is God’s wisdom and ours.
II. CHRIST CRUCIFIED IS GOD’S STRENGTH
A. Look again at verse 23. Christ crucified is a stumbling block to the Jews.
1. The block is the Rock, Christ. This Rock is the cornerstone of the Christian church.
2. Jews stumble on this Rock. Scripture adds that this Rock will crush those who are offended.
3. The original points out the Rock will be a scandal to some. They stumble and are crushed.
B. Why would any reject the simple truth, God’s wisdom, God’s strength? Verse 22a.
1. The Jewish nation wanted more miraculous signs. They mocked Jesus on the cross.
a. Come down if you are God’s son. b. He can’t save himself. How can he save others?
2. Verse 24. The cross of Christ to the believer becomes divine wisdom and godly strength.
C. Verse 25b. This weak act seemed just that when Jesus breathed his last. It is finished.
1. A thief confessed and believed. Today, you will be with me in paradise. God’s strength.
2. A Roman centurion: Surely this man was the Son of God! Again, God’s strength in weakness.
D. How can there be strength in weakness? Remember Paul and his thorn in the flesh? Paul pleaded with the Lord to remove the thorn that afflicted him. God finally said no. Paul then boasted all the more in his weakness. In his weakness Paul understood more fully the strength and the power of God. Consider Jesus on the night before he was crucified. One disciple would betray him. All the disciples would sleep rather than watch. Another disciple would deny him. Jesus looks to the Lord God Almighty for his strength. "’Abba, Father,’ he said, ‘everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will’"(MARK 14:35). When we are weak then God is our strength.
E. We could easily say that the weakest moment of the life of Christ on earth was when he gave up his life in death. In his death on the cross many believed it truly was finished. The enemies of Jesus rejoiced. The devil claimed victory. But in his death and resurrection Jesus proved everyone wrong, wrong, wrong.
"And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he Christ) made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross"(COLOSSIANS 2:14,15). That cross, an instrument of torture and death, an example of a man’s weakness, is the strength of God for us. Death and the devil are defeated, sins forgiven.
F. Miracle of miracles Christ’s death was not just for those who loved him. Christ lived, died, and rose again to redeem all mankind. The sacrifice of Christ was the strength of God to pay the price for every wicked thought, evil word, and sinful action that world had ever done or would do. "He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world"(1 JOHN 2:2).
CONC.: WE PREACH CHRIST CRUCIFIED (AND RISEN)! Truly this is the wisdom and this is truly the strength of God. Not only is this God’s wisdom and strength Christ crucified is now also our wisdom and strength! All of this is ours by faith through grace (more on that next week). Today many have tried to remove the cross of Christ from worship and preaching. In their foolishness and weakness they will not succeed in taking away the power and strength of God. As Christ followers we will always let the simple, yet powerful gospel message ring out: WE PREACH CHRIST CRUCIFIED (AND RISEN). "He (Christ) is not weak in dealing with you, but is powerful among you. For to be sure, he was crucified in weakness, yet he lives by God’s power. Likewise, we are weak in him, yet by God’s power we will live with him to serve you"(2 CORINTHIANS 13:3b, 4). By grace we live to serve God and to serve others by preaching Christ crucified (and risen). Christ crucified is the wisdom of God for us and for others. Christ crucified is also the strength of God for us and for others. Amen. Pastor Timm O. Meyer
SERVICES: SAT – 1:00pm @ NCF Min., + SUN – 12:00pm @ NCF Medium / 9:30am @ Church
Sunday radio broadcast @ 9:05am on KQNK 106.7FM or 1530AM + www.kqnk.com
LENT 3 readings:
ISAIAH 42:14-21;
EPHESIANS 5:8-14;
JOHN 91-7,13-17,34-39 (
PSALM 143)
