The Cross

1 Corinthians 1:18–31 NASB95

For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, And the cleverness of the clever I will set aside.” Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not come to know God, God was well-pleased through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. For indeed Jews ask for signs and Greeks search for wisdom; but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block and to Gentiles foolishness, but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. For consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble; but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong, and the base things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may nullify the things that are, so that no man may boast before God. But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, so that, just as it is written, “Let him who boasts, boast in the Lord.”

INTRO: How many of you have shared the Gospel in the last month? My daughter was telling me about how she was sharing the Gospel with a couple of girls at her school recently. Unfortunately, they did not respond the way she hoped. They mocked her. Laughed at her. One even tried to discredit what my daughter was saying.

If you’ve shared the hope of Jesus Christ on multiple occasions, you’ve likely experienced a range of responses. We hope that everyone who hears how much God loves them and desires to redeem them would respond by repenting of their sin and placing their trust in the Savior and His completed work of salvation that was accomplished on the cross.

However, many times we see something similar to what my daughter experienced. And if we’re honest, this might actually discourage us from sharing the Gospel or even raise some doubts in our own belief.

Today, as we continue our series in 1 Corinthians, we are going to look at how the Apostle Paul addressed the Corinthian church in regard to responses both he and they encountered to the Gospel.

If you remember, this letter was written to address some problems and to answer some questions the church encountered. Last week, we looked at how Paul addressed the divisions that had weaseled their way into the church. Amid his call for the church to be unified, we left off with him pointing to the Gospel- the cross of Christ - as the key and central point of our unity.

It’s vital that we be of one mind, especially regarding the Gospel of Jesus Christ. As we will see today, this is what sets us apart from the world.

Having responded to the Gospel in belief, you and I look to take this message and share it with a world in need. Their response is not in our hands. What is in our hands is the faithful proclamation.

But why is the Gospel so polarizing? Why is it offensive to some? Why is it that this life-changing message seems to elicit such varied responses.

Today, we will look to God’s Word to understand and to be encouraged as we consider how the Cross of Christ indeed demands a response, and why we see such varied responses. If you have a bulletin handy, I encourage you to use the sermon guide to follow along. The sermon is entitled, “The Cross”.

The first thing we can observe from Paul is that

The Cross Confronts Worldly Wisdom (18-21)

A couple weeks ago, we looked at Paul’s assertion that he was sent to proclaim the simple message of the Gospel so that the cross of Christ would not be trivialized or made unimportant.

We pick up that tone in v. 18 as Paul continues saying that this message (the word of the cross) is looked at with disdain by those of the world.

Let’s read v. 18 again (READ)

Here is the confrontation- The cross of Christ- that which is central to our salvation and is the key to our unity as a church is itself considered absurd to worldly thinking people.

So then, Paul explains that the source of our unity is actually a a matter of division in the world; creating two groups of people that he describes as “those who are perishing” and “us who are being saved”. This is the rub for many in the world.

Nobody wants to hear that they are wrong. They don’t want to hear that their path is the one that leads to destruction. So, they lash out and respond to the Gospel by piling up their worldly wisdom against this message. Instead of seeing the message of the cross as a compassionate plea for their eternity, their worldly wisdom bucks at such a profession.

This confrontation exposes a serious division. Now, you and I need to recognize that it was in fact Jesus that said He came to divide (Luke 12:51). Either you choose to accept Jesus as Lord and Savior or you reject Him. It is black and white, as John put it,

1 John 5:12 NASB95

He who has the Son has the life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life.

Matthew records Jesus explaining how this will go on Judgment Day:

Matthew 25:31–34 NASB95

“But when the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, then He will sit on His glorious throne. “All the nations will be gathered before Him; and He will separate them from one another, as the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats; and He will put the sheep on His right, and the goats on the left. “Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.

Matthew 25:41 NASB95

“Then He will also say to those on His left, ‘Depart from Me, accursed ones, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels;

Indeed, the Cross of Christ confronts all the world. But as Paul continues, he demonstrates how this simple message has put to shame all the wisdom of the world. (READ 19-21)

In other words, even though man considers himself wise, he cannot come to know God intimately apart from Christ. There is no other means by which salvation has come to man, but through Christ’s atoning sacrifice on an old Roman cross.

If you dismiss the cross- the fact that Jesus took upon Himself the penalty for our sins, then you CANNOT be saved.

Perhaps in sharing this message of the cross, you will have some respond in anger or argumentatively because it is a message that confronts conventional, worldly thinking. The message of the cross if confrontational… He was not crucified for being generous or nice, He was crucified because He called people to repent of their sin! He was crucified because He spoke of God’s judgment; a judgment He himself bore. But friends, God was pleased to provide salvation through a simple message proclaimed and believed.

We recognize that people don’t want to hear that they aren’t good enough or smart enough or special enough to be part of God’s Kingdom. But the truth is that none of us are. I don’t care how ‘good’ you think you are, if you have not responded in faith to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, you are headed for an eternity in hell.

The Cross Confronts Worldly Wisdom that says we can figure this out on our own. The cross confronts the worldly notions that there is no need for forgiveness or that there is no penalty for sin.

Discuss: How does the cross of Christ subvert worldly wisdom? Give examples.

This confrontation played out in two distinct ways which Paul points out as we look to our second point.

The Cross Confounds the Worldly-Minded (22-25)

Look with me to v. 22-23 (READ)

Paul points out 3 truths here:

The Jews stumble at the cross.

They were religious, but they were looking for a Messiah that would be presented in amazing glory. They constantly asked Jesus to show signs (See Matt. 12:38-39, John 2:18) but even the many miracles He performed were not enough for them. They did not understand that Jesus would have to suffer and die and then enter His glory.

The Savior the Jews were looking for was some sort of political figure who would have not lived such a humble life, much less take upon himself the curse of the cross. In their mind, he should be a conqueror who would come and defeat their Roman oppressors, and set up a kingdom in Jerusalem.

Yet the Scriptures clearly point to a Savior who would suffer and die- (Psalm 22, Isaiah 53) They couldn’t reconcile their own Scriptures and so they stumbled at the cross.

ILL- This kind of stumbling can take place in the church today when we do not study all of God’s Word. This is where cults come from! Further, people in the church can grow to minimize their need for such a sacrifice. They might believe they inherit their parents faith or that their attendance in church atoned for their sins. Folks, ONLY CHRIST can atone for our sins!

The Greeks mocked the cross

They thought it to be an absurdity that God would allow His own creation to kill Him in order to save them. In all their reasoning and philosophy, they could not make sense of this.

We can easily see their trouble… it is strange that God became man, was born in a humble manger to 2nd class citizens, that he would die the death of a criminal in order to enter into His glory… all this made no sense!

They likely mocked the idea that God would do any of this or perhaps laughed at the idea of His resurrection. What kind of rescue plan is that?

ILL: We see this in the world quite often. People look at us like we are crazy! (I know it’s not just me!) They have come to believe that people are generally ‘good’ and that if God is a God of love, He would never allow His creation to be condemned to Hell.

Yet, this confounding message of the cross demonstrates the power of God and the wisdom of God- the two things these people groups looked for - Power in signs and Wisdom in Plan - Look at v.24-25 (READ)

That which the world sees as foolish, is far wiser than the wisdom of the world.

And that which the world sees as weak - suffering, dying a sacrificial death - is stronger than any worldly power for in the cross of Christ, we are a new creation.

Here’s what we need to remember here: We know that the cross can be a stumbling block to some and a joke to others. But we are not called to clean up the Cross; to make it more attractive or more appealing.

ILL- This is not some chili recipe you got from Pinterest that you need to adjust! I’ve listened to so many people who minimize the cross or minimize the sinfulness of man that requires such a sacrifice. I’ve seen people try to dress up the Gospel so it seems more rational- like a works-based religion. I’ve heard people leave out parts of the Gospel in order to align with the culture and get more people in the pews.

Discuss: In what ways do you struggle to convey the Gospel to unbelievers? Are you relying on the power of God or your presentation?

Friends, we are not to water-down or dress up the Gospel. We are called to preach Christ Crucified (v. 23). The Cross of Christ Confronts Worldly Wisdom, and Confounds the Worldly-Minded. You and I must find ourselves grasping this, however:

The Cross Confirms God’s Sovereignty (26-31)

Sovereignty is another way of saying that we are in God’s domain- He has ultimate authority and power. Let’s read these verses again (READ 26-31)

First Paul says to the church- look around! Look at one another. You don’t see many who, by the world’s standard, is wise, strong, or otherwise prominent. Why? Because God is King. He has infinite wisdom, power, and worth. He does not need to use wise men or strong men or prominent men. Instead he uses what doesn’t make sense to man to show that He alone is God and nobody can claim any part in His work.

Look, Jesus taught that the Kingdom of God would be inhabited by those who were humble. By those who are compassionate and gentle; by those who are pure in heart and seek God above all else (Matt. 5- Beatitudes)

So, let me put it in as simple terms as I can:

Look around church. Nobody is saved because they deserve to be saved. And those who think they deserve to be saved are not saved.

If you are here or listening online and you believe that you somehow deserve to be in God’s Kingdom, or somehow your position or your works, or whatever has somehow qualified you for salvation, you and I need to talk! Scripture is clear- there is none who is good- all have sinned and we all deserve the unabated, undiluted wrath of God.

As Jonathan Edwards once quipped, “The only thing you contribute to your salvation is the sin that makes it necessary.”

But, look with me-at v. 30. It is by His doing, you are in Christ Jesus.

If you have placed your trust in Jesus, know that it is completely His doing. He chose to save you. He did the work to save you. He called you to His Kingdom. GOD Chose to be merciful to you!

Christ is our wisdom, and though the world may laugh at us, we have the Cross of Christ that proclaims our salvation!

He is our righteousness that makes us legitimate before a Holy God!

He is our sanctification - that is, He is our holiness and our cleanliness. He is our growth as we become more like Jesus. He makes us suitable for His Kingdom!

He is our redemption- the atonement for our sins. Our debt has been paid in Christ. We couldn’t pay it, Christ paid it on that old Roman cross.

Indeed church, we have nothing to boast about. All the wisdom and power in this world is useless compared to God.

Yet God has supplied us with everything. Though our sin be great, His salvation is greater. His cross confirms that He alone is worthy of our praise.

So, let us boast in the Lord. Let us brag on Him as we tell the story of His goodness in our lives. As we share of His rich mercy and overwhelming grace. Let us brag on His power and wisdom as demonstrated on the Cross.

And let us not be discouraged about sharing the Gospel.

As we close our time together this morning, I want to ask you: How do you view the cross of Christ? Do you cherish that cross, as the Hymn says? Do you recognize the power of God that brings salvation through this simple message? Or are you perishing? Are you confounded by it?

As we pray, I invite you to respond in faith as God leads.

Discuss: How does the cross of Christ demonstrate His sovereignty in our salvation? How does this effect our worship?