The Cross: Where Jesus Died

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.