The Cross

Temple Baptist Church - 3-29-2009

1 Corinthians 1:18-25

Introduction

A. As we approach Resurrection Sunday, our thoughts should be turning to Calvary. Calvary, where our Lord Jesus Christ purchased the redemption of sinful man for all of eternity! Calvary, where God provided Himself a sacrifice! Calvary, where “greater love hath no man than this” was defined! Calvary, were we—as John the Baptist—can “behold the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world.” Calvary, where the righteous demands of the Law were met and a holy God reconciled with sinful man.

B. No wonder Paul, under the inspiration of the Holy Ghost, said, “But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.” (Galatians 6:14)

C. The old rugged cross, so despised by the world, still holds a “wondrous attraction” for the saved. It was there that I was made free some 32 years ago.

D. In these verses, we find:

1. The Revelation of God to Man (1:18)

a) The Revelation of the Power of God (1:24)

b) The Revelation of the Wisdom of God (1:24)

2. The Proclamation of God to Man (1:18)

a) Is Sometimes Offensive (1:23)

b) Is All Times Decisive (1:18)

c) Is Oft Times Redemptive (1:24)

3. The Invitation of God to Man (1:18)

a) God's Pleasure (1:21)

b) God's Purpose (1:18)

c) God's Process (1:21, 24)

E. The invitation of God to man demands a verdict. If man believes, he is saved; if he rejects, he perishes.

1. The Story of The Cross - vs. 17 “gospel”

2. The Simplicity of The Cross - vs. 17 “wisdom...lest...none effect”

3. The Salvation of The Cross - vs. 18 “saved...power of God”

4. The Stumbling of The Cross – vs. 19-23 “stumblingblock...foolishness”

5. The Sanctification of The Cross – vs. 24-30 “ye in Christ Jesus”

6. The Satisfaction of The Cross - vs. 31 “let him glory in the Lord”

1. The Preaching of the Cross - vs. 17

a. Plain (simple) - 2 Corinthians 11:3 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.

b. Pointed (gospel) - 1 Corinthians 2:2 For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.

c. Purposed (effective) - 1 Corinthians 2:2-5 For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.

2. The Prerogative of the Cross – vs. 18 - A Choice to be made

a. It is Foolishness to the Lost (Void of understanding or sound judgment; weak in intellect; applied to general character. Unwise; imprudent; acting without judgment or discretion in particular things; proceeding from folly, or marked with folly; silly; vain; trifling; ridiculous; despicable.)

b. It is Faith to the saved - Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

3. The Pleasing of the Cross – vs. 21

a. The Wisdom of God - 1 Corinthians 2:7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:

Ephesians 1:17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:

b. The Word of God - 1 Corinthians 1:18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.

Acts 6:7 And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.

c. The Will of God - Galatians 1:4 Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:

4. The Power of the Cross – vs. 24

a. Power to Convert the Sinner - Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

b. Power to Change the Saint - 1 Thessalonians 1:2-10

5. The People of the Cross – vs. 25-28

a. Not Many Wise (Not many intellectual and or highly educated because it links them to the not so intellectual and the uneducated.) - Acts 4:13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.

b. Not Many Mighty (Not many of the rich because they have to mix and mingle with the poor!) - James 2:5 Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?

c. Not Many Noble (Not many of the wealthy and aristocratic because they have to humble themselves with the baser sort!) - Luke 5:30 But their scribes and Pharisees murmured against his disciples, saying, Why do ye eat and drink with publicans and sinners?

6. The Pride of the Cross – vs. 29-31

a. The Realization of Salvation (But of him are ye in Christ Jesus) - Colossians 2:14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;

b. The Rejoicing of Salvation (glory in the Lord) - Galatians 6:14 But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.