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. Yet, for many, it seems absurd, irrelevant, or offensive. 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.
Point 1: The World’s View of the Cross
"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. 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.
“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 53:3, NLT)
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.
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.
"The cross is the ultimate demonstration that God does not save us because we are strong but because we are weak." — Timothy Keller
Point 2: The Power of the Cross
"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.
“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.” (2 Corinthians 5:21, NLT)
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 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. 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.
"The cross is the pulpit from which God preached His love to the world." — Billy Graham
Point 3: The Wisdom of the Cross
"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.” (1 Corinthians 1:25, NLT)
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.
“Oh, how great are God’s riches and wisdom and knowledge! How impossible it is for us to understand his decisions and his ways!” (Romans 11:33, NLT)
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.
Illustration: A child may not understand a parent’s discipline, but the parent’s wisdom seeks the child’s ultimate well-being.
"The foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, because it is wisdom revealed by love." — N.T. Wright
Encouragement and Call to Action:
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?
Practical Application:
Embrace the Cross Daily: Reflect on the sacrifice of Jesus and what it means for your life.
Share the Message: Boldly proclaim the power of the cross, even if others view it as foolish.
Live Transformed: Let the cross shape your decisions, relationships, and purpose.
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. “If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9, NLT)
Jesus invites you to trust Him, accept His sacrifice, and experience the power of the cross. Will you say yes to Him today?
Conclusion
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.
