Intro: Is it possible that we have become too familiar with the cross? Is it possible that it has become more popular than powerful? Is it possible that the cross is more cultural than critical to the salvation of people separated by from the life of God?
The cross doesn’t seem to be as controversial as it once was because it is commercialized.
When I preach I don’t want you to say oh what a preacher I want you to say oh what a savior. The message and messenger are always supposed to point to the cross. All 66 books in the bile point to the central event in history the cross. Every word cries Christ, every page points to Jesus every encouragement, urges us toward heaven and hope found only in Jesus Christ.
Paul is pointing out in this letter to the Corinthians in this passage that there are really only two types of people. Those that believe the message of the cross accept Jesus’ finished work on the cross and are saved by the power of God. Then there are those that reject the message of the cross because they believe it is foolish and they are separated from the life and light of God.
Paul is writing the Corinthian church about divisions and problems within the church. What do we find as Paul’s solution to the problem, remember the main thing. The main thing is the cross of Jesus Christ. The things that the Corinthians and others were divided over were not the main issue. The main issue is the Christ the main message is Christ crucified.
It seems foolish to the world but it is the wisdom and power of God to us that are being saved. The cross is the place where Jesus died. The cross is the place where we find the foolishness of God requires the faith of men.
I. The cross a proclamation
A) of truth – The message of the cross (1 Corinthians 1.18)
The message of the cross is not merely about a piece of wood upon which Jesus was pierced. Did you know that some 30,000 other Jews were crucified under Pilate, Titus and other Roman emperors? Of those 30,000 why do we only remember the name of the one?
Acts 4.12 “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved”
There was no other Jew there was no other crucified person in all of history who died for your sins.
1.18 tells us the message of the cross is foolishness. The word translated message is the same used on John 1. The word of the cross is foolishness. The truth of the cross is that all Jesus is, was and di was tied up in the cross. He was crucified before the foundations of the world. Jesus did not begin His journey to the cross when He triumphantly entered Jerusalem for the week of Passover and the week of His passion. Jesus did not begin His journey to the cross when He began His ministry at the wedding feast in Cana of Galilee. Jesus did not begin His journey to the cross at the moment of His birth. The path and plan for the crucifixion of the Son of od was ordained or established before one pebble was placed on planet earth.
The centerpiece of the gospel is the cross. 1 Corinthians 2.2 Paul said he resolved to know nothing among the Corinthians but Christ and Him crucified. Paul was clear He was sent for the purpose of proclaiming the word of the cross.
Those of you that are members or regular attenders of our fellowship of fiath want to know what our vision, our purpose our mission is. To loudly and proudly with our lips and our life proclaim the foolishness of the gospel. It is the wisdom of God that works miracles in the lives of me!
The people of Carlisle need to know Jesus Christ the word of the cross is the power of salvation to all who believe.
B) of love – the method of the cross
Paul contrasts the wisdom of the world and wisdom of God. To those who are perishing it is foolishness. It is not the act of preaching that is foolish but He is say to those without the life of God the very message of truth of the crucified Savior is complete utter nonsense. You don’t have to go very far to find someone that things that either. How can you say that you God is the only way. It is the word of the cross the Love of God that sent Jesus to the cross. You cannot think about the cross without thinking of John 3.16. God so loved the world that He gave. The Jews were looking for a powerful messiah one that would take control and take down Rome. People are still looking for this type of Savior today. A God who will take away the problems and pour out the blessings. What we need to see is the love of God that takes away the sins of the world not yet the suffering.
The law and the love of God are intertwined. Jesus summarized the law with a statement of love. Love God and love you neighbor. Why is that? God’s requirement of perfect righteousness was met by Jesus on the cross.
The cross clearly proclaimed to all the condition of man and the compassion of God.
The cross was God’s way of saying hey! I love you!
The cross is God’s proclamation of truth and love. Mans condition God’s compassion.
II. The cross an invitation
A) An invitation to trust
1 Corinthians 1.26 “calling” The word of the cross invites us to trust in His finished work of salvation. Those who believe is a present tense participle. It means an ongoing belief. A belief that is active. There is of course a moment in time where you commit you life to Jesus Christ as savior and Lord. Paul said now is the time today is the day of salvation.
What are we trusting Jesus with? Our lives.
CS Lewis wrote about how hard it is to allow God to get beneath the surface to change us.
“The terrible thing, the almost impossible thing, is to hand over your whole self – all our wishes and precautions to Christ. But it is far easier than what we are all trying to do instead. For what we are trying to do is to remain what we call “ourselves,” to keep personal happiness as our great aim in life, and yet at the same time be “good.” We are all trying to let our mind and heart go their own way – centered on money or pleasure or ambition – and hoping, in spite of this, to behave honestly and chastely and humbly. And that is exactly what Christ warned us we could not do. As he said, a thistle cannot produce figs. If I am a field that contains nothing but grass-seed, I cannot produce wheat. Cutting the grass may keep it short: but I shall still produce grass and no wheat. If I want to produce wheat, the change must go deeper than the surface. I must be ploughed up and re-sown.”
What happens when we trust God in this way? When we accept God’s invitation through the word of the cross we are allowing God to get under our surface and change us. He will rearrange us from the inside out. Paul was changed in the inner man. Paul said I didn’t come to you with fancy words but in the demonstration of the power of the Spirit of God.
Are you trusting Christ? Is he the final motivator of your lifestyle, decisions, and direction for your life today?
Well I’m trying. But I still have this and this and this in my life. I’m not where I should be but I know I need to get back in church. Stop trying start trusting!
So many want changes to happen at Immanuel stop trying to change things and start trusting God! If what we think are changes that need to be made then trust God if they are in balance with His will they will happen.
Trying is not the key. Trusting is the key.
B) An invitation to triumph (1 Corinthians 1.21)
The Corinthians were invited to overcome their desires and differences by centering on the cross.
This is where it seems foolish to the natural mind. The way to triumph according to God is to surrender. Jesus triumphed over sin, death, the devil and the grave by surrendering to the will of God and the way of the cross. Crucifixion is one form of death that you cannot afflict on yourself. To triumph in this life comes from trusting surrender to the person and work of Jesus Christ. Do you want to triumph in your life today? Reintroduce yourself to the cross of Christ.
What are the benefits of surrendering to the wisdom and power of God?
Your first know what is right and then as your surrender you are empowered by God to do what is right.
There are three real enemies of the follower of Christ.
The first is the internal foe, the old nature of sin. When you trust Christ and surrender to Him the old self is crucified and no longer has the power to over come you. There is the external foe, the world system. Paul said I was crucified with Jesus and I am crucified to the world. I am dead to this present evil system. It can no longer control me or confuse me.
Lastly there is the infernal foe. The devil. He lies, cheats, steals, kills and destroys.
James 4 doesn’t just tell us to resist the devil and he will flee. It first tells us to submit or surrender to God and then resist the devil and he will flee.
We cannot gain any spiritual victory in our own strength.
Victory does not come from our strength. Victory comes from our surrender.
Paul said that the word or the message or the message of the cross was foolishness to those who are perishing. But to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
Surrender to the power of God and you are saved from the penalty of sin, you are being saved from the power of sin, you will be saved from the presence of sin.
Conclusion: Today the cross still stands. Not the original cross that held Christ’s body between heaven and earth. But the message of the cross still proclaims love and power for those who believe.
It is God’s way of saying Hey, I love you! It is God’s way of saying, Hey come enjoy my life!
Where is the real place that Jesus died? He died in your place so that you could hear the call, the invitation of God to live.
