Sermons on the offence of the cross:

The Necessity Of The Cross

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 8, 2021

Whoever heard of listing the necessities of life and putting the cross at the top of the list? Yet, that is where it belongs. Without the cross there is no salvation, and without salvation life is worse than meaningless.

Over fifteen hundred years ago, on Good Friday, Ambrose the Bishop of Milan ascended to his pulpit in the Cathedral of Milan and said to his congregation, "I find it impossible to speak to you today. The events of Good Friday are too great for human words." Centuries later the great ...read more

Scripture: John 12:23-46

The Foolishness Of The Cross

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 8, 2021

Paul wrote about the foolishness of many things, but the most shocking is that he wrote about the foolishness of the cross.

The mayor and other dignitaries were looking into the vast pit dug for the new hospital to be built. The town half-wit came up and gazed into the pit, and asked the mayor what he was going to do with this big hole. The mayor decided to humor him and said, "We are going to round up all the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:18-31

The Cruelty Of The Cross

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 8, 2021

If God turned the cruelty of the cross into a universal blessing, we need never doubt that verse of Paul in Rom. 8:28 that says, "We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."

Pierre VanPaasen once had an interview with Marshal Lyauty, but the former procounsul of the French Republic in Morocco. VanPassen asked him what he would have done had he been in Pilate's place. Lyauty, after describing what a trouble maker Jesus had been, endorsed Pilate's action. ...read more

Scripture: John 19:1-16

The Peace Of The Cross

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 8, 2021

Diplomacy has been defined as the art of saying, "nice doggie," until you find a rock. There is truth to this, but it is also true that one may want to say, "nice doggie" until the dog likes you, and becomes, in fact, a nice and friendly dog. That is being a peace maker.

A traveler in the South found himself stranded in a small town on Saturday night. Wondering around, he noticed there were two Baptist churches. He couldn't understand it, so he asked someone why it was that such a small town would have two Baptist churches? The local man said, "They ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:9

The Burden Of The Cross

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 8, 2021

Jesus says, happy are those who take following me seriously enough to bear the burden of the cross. Take up the cross and follow me Jesus said, and His demand is still the same today, and the promise is still the same, that those who suffer with Christ shall also reign with Him.

Florence Chadwick was the first woman ever to swim the difficult and cold 21 mile stretch of water between Catalina Island and the California coast. She failed on her first attempt because of poor vision. After 15 hours and 55 minutes of numbing cold she asked to be taken out of the water. A heavy ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:10-12

Christmas And The Cross

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 8, 2021

It is possible to look forward to a merry Christmas in full awareness that we live in a world of misery. Just as there is nothing inconsistent with taking medicine to feel better in a world of sickness, so there is nothing inconsistent with a merry spirit in a world of misery.

Dr. Samuel Upham, a theological professor and a man of great learning, was dying. The family was gathered around his bed and someone said I believe he is already dead. Someone else said his feet are still warm and nobody ever dies with warm feet. Dr. Upham opened one eye and said, "Joan of ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:1-2

Remember The Cross

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 8, 2021

The battle cries of our national history have been, “Remember the Alamo,” and “Remember Pearl Harbor.” Why in the world should we remember great defeats? It is because, like the cross, they become great defeats out of which came greater victories.

A couple of bank robbers hit a small country bank one lazy afternoon when the staff was small. They herded everyone into the vault at gunpoint. Then they gagged the teller and bound him hand and foot. They began to stuff the money into bags when they noticed the teller squirming and trying to talk ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:23-26

The Power Of The Cross

Contributed by Michael Koplitz on Mar 9, 2021

Why do we preach Christ crucified?

The Power of the Cross Sunday Sermon Rev. Dr. Michael H. Koplitz 1 Cor 1:20-24 In Jesus’ day, eastern people looked for a sign of some sort to tell them that God was doing something huge for them. The three magi who traveled from Persia to Bethlehem saw a special star in the eastern sky, and they ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:20-24

Denomination: United Methodist

The Burden Of The Cross Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 12, 2021

In this last beatitude Jesus provides His disciples with a defensive weapon to penetrate the fog of persecution. He promises great reward in heaven to those who will press on in the dark, knowing the light is still shining beyond.

Florence Chadwick was the first woman ever to swim the difficult and cold 21 mile stretch of water between Catalina Island and the California coast. She failed on her first attempt because of poor vision. After 15 hours and 55 minutes of numbing cold she asked to be taken out of the water. A ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:10-12

The Offense Of The Cross

Contributed by Michael Koplitz on Mar 12, 2021

Why was the cross a stumbling block for people to accept Christ in Paul's time and today?

The Offense (Stumbling Blocks) of the Cross Rev. Dr. Michael H. Koplitz Galatians 5:7-12 We have an exciting statement from our brother Paul which can be translated in different ways. In Galatians 5:11, the verse can be translated as "the offense of the cross." I found this to be an ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:7-12

Denomination: United Methodist

The Foolishness Of The Cross Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 19, 2021

Paul's whole battle with the Corinthians was to get them to stop being wise before the world and fools before God, and to reverse that to being fools before the world, and wise before God.

The mayor and other dignitaries were looking into the vast pit dug for the new hospital to be built. The town half-wit came up and gazed into the pit, and asked the mayor what he was going to do with this big hole. The mayor decided to humor him and said, "We are going to round up all the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:18-31

Christmas And The Cross Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 23, 2021

One of the greatest gifts that comes to us from Christmas is the cross, and all of its benefits for time and eternity. Christmas marks His coming, and the cross marks His conquering.

One of the great turning point days in the history of the Western world was June 18, 1815. Napoleon and Wellington faced each other on the battlefield for the first and last time. The history of Europe, and possibility the whole world, hung in the balance. The weight began to shift in ...read more

The Cross Of The World

Contributed by Michael Koplitz on Mar 26, 2021

The cross of Christ is a sign to His then followers and us today to take the message of the Gospel out to the world. Jesus' ministry was mainly to the Hebrew people who the LORD sent Him to first. Through the power of the cross and the Pentecost the world of the Gospel must be taken to the world

The Cross of the World John 12:31-36 Rev. Dr. Michel H. Koplitz Today we need to start or chat at the beginning of Jesus' ministry. We can read in the Gospels that Jesus was first sent to the lost sheep of Israel. Jesus Himself tells us this in several different places in the Gospels. When we ...read more

Scripture: John 12:31-36

Denomination: United Methodist

Journey To The Cross

Contributed by Edward Hardee on Mar 27, 2021

Notes on a message about Passion Week. The lessons we learn from the events that led up to the cross and the resurrection of Christ.

Title: Journey to the Cross - Passion Week Theme: To show that Christ journey to the cross was deliberate. Each event in passion week had a purpose. Opening Scripture John 12:12-19 The next day a great multitude that had come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, ...read more

Scripture: John 12:12-19, Luke 10:1

Denomination: Church Of God

The Theology Of The Cross

Contributed by Rev. Duraimony Dickson on Mar 27, 2021

God works under opposites in order to help mature us in our faith so that we might appreciate even more the miracle of His love. And that love is truly miraculous.

The Theology of the Cross God sometimes does not work in the ways which we would expect our God to work. Sometimes, He does not always give us what we want. Sometimes, there are moments in our life where God seems so far away. We pray to Him and nothing happens. We look at God to intervene in our ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:5

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational