The Power of the Cross
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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.
19 For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.
20 Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?
21 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.
22 For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom:
23 But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;
24 But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.
25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
Title: The Power of the Cross
It is clear in our text that many will have different perspectives of the cross…
A place of humiliation and defeat, illogical and scandalous.
Or a place of sacrifice, salvation and victory.
I love the old song… The Old Rugged Cross
On a hill far away, stood an old rugged Cross
The emblem of suff'ring and shame
And I love that old Cross where the dearest and best
For a world of lost sinners was slain
course
So I'll cherish the old rugged Cross
Till my trophies at last I lay down
I will cling to the old rugged Cross
And exchange it some day for a crown
Oh, that old rugged Cross so despised by the world
Has a wondrous attraction for me
For the dear Lamb of God, left his Glory above
To bear it to dark Calvary
In the old rugged Cross, stain'd with blood so divine
A wondrous beauty I see
For the dear Lamb of God, left his Glory above
To pardon and sanctify me
To the old rugged Cross, I will ever be true
Its shame and reproach gladly bear
Then He'll call me some day to my home far away
Where his glory forever I'll share
So I'll cherish the old rugged Cross
Till my trophies at last I lay down
I will cling to the old rugged Cross
And exchange it some day for a crown
The cross declares the power of God!
Not the power that we normally think of…
Jews look for a deliverer from Roman oppression.
Greeks looked for intelegence, logic and reason.
God’s response simply believe and obey!
It defies logic…
It makes no sense!
On the cross, it was not just a man hanging there.
Every sin of humanity was there!
13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;
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;
15 And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.
He took your sins, nailed them to the cross!
1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;
2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,
5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
THIS IS THE POWER OF THE CROSS!
The cross reveals the priorities of God!
10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.
You were and are His priorities!
After we experience the cross… something happens to us.
His priorities become our priorities!
This is the natural response to the cross!
Matthew, Mark and Luke all recorded Jesus as saying that we must love the Lord with all our heart, soul and mind!
The First Command
God first…
When we do the first command, the second is the natural next step…
Love your neighbor as yourself!
How do you love yourself?
Enough to make room for Jesus!
THEREFORE: you teach others to do the same!
We must make God a priority in our lives.
We must prioritize what HE prioritized.
Woman at the well:
Jesus prioritized her, loved her.
NOTE: disagreement is not hate
Jesus helped her in her sin…
She then runs to tell her story!
Conclusion: More than anything, the cross is a place of decision!
It’s power does not make sense to the wise.
Philosophers and scholars have argued its complexity.
Yet God calls it simple, even foolish!
Pictures today are painted to the love of God and peace...
34 Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.
35 For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.
36 And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household.
37 He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.
38 And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.
39 He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.
A true understanding of the cross brings you to a decision!
