The Power and Wisdom of the Cross - 1 Corinthians 1:18
Key Verse: “The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction! But we who are being saved know it is the very power of God.” (1 Corinthians 1:18, NLT)
Introduction: Transformed by Truth
The cross is central to the Christian faith. It’s the symbol of God’s redemptive work, His love, and His victory over sin. Yet, for many, the cross seems absurd, irrelevant, or offensive - the cross is misunderstood and even mocked.
Paul’s declaration in 1 Corinthians 1:18 divides humanity into two groups: those who see the cross as foolishness and those who recognise it as the power of God. Today, we will explore how the message of the cross transforms lives and why it remains the ultimate source of hope, power, and wisdom.
I want to focus on three key points:
1. The World’s View of the Cross.
2. The Power of the Cross.
3. The Wisdom of the Cross.
I pray that this sermon will enable us to see the cross for what it truly is: the ultimate display of God’s power and wisdom, calling us to live transformed lives.
Point 1: The World’s View of the Cross
Paul begins by addressing the perception of the cross among those "headed for destruction.”
"The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction..."
Paul wrote to a divided Corinthian church surrounded by a culture that valued human wisdom and power.
In Paul’s time, the cross was an instrument of execution—violent, shameful, and reserved for the worst criminals. To the Roman Empire, it symbolised defeat. To the Jews, it was a curse. (“Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree,” Deuteronomy 21:23, NLT).
To the Greeks, the idea of a crucified saviour was ludicrous. The Greek word for "foolish" (moria) is where we get the word "moronic." To many, the cross was absurd because it represented weakness, shame, and defeat.
Isaiah prophesied this rejection centuries earlier in Isaiah 53:3 (NLT): “He was despised and rejected—a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief. We turned our backs on him and looked the other way. He was despised, and we did not care.”
Isaiah foretells how humanity would view the Messiah: rejected and insignificant. The cross was an instrument of humiliation, reserved for the worst criminals. To embrace a crucified Christ as Saviour requires a humility that many resist.
The Jews sought a powerful political Messiah; the Greeks prized human wisdom. But Jesus didn’t fit either expectation. The cross challenges human pride, reminding us we cannot save ourselves.
Human pride blinds us to the truth of the cross. The world seeks salvation through self-effort, intellect, or status, but the cross shatters human arrogance by offering grace through faith alone.
Do you struggle with the idea of surrendering control? The message of the cross confronts our pride and invites us to embrace God’s way, not our own.
A drowning person cannot save themselves; they must allow the rescuer to intervene. Similarly, salvation comes only when we recognise our helplessness and trust in Christ.
Timothy Keller said, “The cross is the ultimate demonstration that God does not save us because we are strong but because we are weak.”
The world’s view of the cross hasn’t changed much. Some see it as irrelevant, others as offensive. But the cross exposes our need for grace. Will you lay aside pride and embrace God’s way of salvation?
Point 2: The Power of the Cross
Paul contrasts the world’s view with the reality for believers: "But we who are being saved know it is the very power of God."
For believers, the cross is not a symbol of weakness but of divine power. The Greek word for "power" (dynamis) implies active, miraculous strength. The cross is the means through which God accomplished victory over sin, death, and hell. The cross is not a symbol of defeat—it is God’s victory over sin, death, and hell.
Through the cross, Jesus accomplished what no human could. 2 Corinthians 5:21 (NLT) explains:
“For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.”
On the cross, Jesus bore the penalty for our sin, exchanging His righteousness for our guilt. The power of the cross lies in its ability to reconcile us to God.
The power of the cross lies in this divine exchange: Jesus bore our sin and gave us His righteousness. It is the ultimate act of love and justice.
Colossians 2:14-15 (NLT) paints a vivid picture of this victory:
“He cancelled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross. In this way, he disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross.”
The cross is where justice and mercy meet. God’s holiness demanded a payment for sin, and His love provided the sacrifice. This act of substitutionary atonement is the essence of the gospel.
The power of the cross is transformative. It not only saves us but also empowers us to live in victory over sin.
The cross also empowers us to live transformed lives. Through it, we are no longer slaves to sin but are made new.
Have you allowed the cross to break chains in your life?
Imagine an enormous debt erased in an instant—this is what the cross achieves for us spiritually.
Billy Graham declared, “The cross is the pulpit from which God preached His love to the world.”
Have you experienced the power of the cross in your life? Allow it to break the chains of guilt, shame, and sin. Walk in the freedom and victory Jesus has won for you.
Point 3: The Wisdom of the Cross
Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 1:25 (NLT): “This foolish plan of God is wiser than the wisest of human plans, and God’s weakness is stronger than the greatest of human strength.”
The cross demonstrates God’s wisdom, confounding human understanding.
What appears foolish—God becoming man and dying a criminal’s death—was the perfect plan to redeem humanity.
Romans 11:33 (NLT) reflects on this mystery: “Oh, how great are God’s riches and wisdom and knowledge! How impossible it is for us to understand his decisions and His ways!”
Paul marvels at God’s wisdom, which surpasses human comprehension. The cross was God’s plan from the beginning, prophesied throughout Scripture and fulfilled in Jesus.
The wisdom of the cross reveals God’s nature. His plan was not reactive but redemptive, demonstrating His sovereignty and love. The Greek word for "wisdom" (sophia) signifies divine insight far beyond human reasoning.
When life doesn’t make sense, the wisdom of the cross reminds us to trust God’s plan. His ways are higher than ours, and His purpose is always for our good.
God’s wisdom is seen in His ability to fulfill justice while offering mercy. Through Jesus, sin is punished, and sinners are saved. This plan was not an afterthought but was established before the foundation of the world.
Think of a child who doesn’t understand why their parent denies a request or enforces discipline. The child may think the parent is unfair, but the parent’s wisdom ensures the child’s long-term well-being. In the same way, God’s wisdom far exceeds our comprehension.
N.T. Wright observed, “The foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom because it is wisdom revealed by love.”
When life feels confusing or unfair, trust the wisdom of the cross. It reminds us that God’s plans are always good and His purposes always prevail.
In Conclusion: The Cross Transforms Lives
The message of the cross divides humanity, but it also transforms those who believe. It confronts our pride, offers forgiveness, and reveals God’s love and wisdom.
As believers, we are called to live in light of the cross:
• Embrace it daily: Reflect on Jesus’ sacrifice and its implications for your life.
• Share it boldly: The cross is God’s power and wisdom; proclaim its message with confidence.
• Live transformed: Let the cross shape your character, choices, and relationships.
The message of the cross is transformative, offering power and wisdom to those who believe. It confronts our pride, cancels our sin, and compels us to live for Christ. Will you let its truth change you?
Invitation to Faith:
The cross stands as the ultimate invitation to salvation. If you have never surrendered to Jesus, today is the day. The message of the cross is not foolishness; it is life and hope. Will you say yes to Jesus today?
If you have not yet accepted Jesus as your Saviour, Romans 10:9 (NLT) promises:
“If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”
Jesus invites you to trust Him, accept His sacrifice, and experience the power of the cross. Will you say yes to Jesus today?
The message of the cross divides opinion, but it also transforms lives. To the world, it may seem foolish, but to those who believe, it is the power and wisdom of God. Let us be people who live by the truth of the cross, proclaim its message, and invite others to experience its transformative power.
