The Power of the Cross (2)
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Text: 1 Corinthians 2:2
Scripture Reading...
1 When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or superior wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. 2 For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. 3 I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling. 4 My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, 5 so that your faith might not rest on men’s wisdom, but on God’s power.
Let us read again the key verse that we will focus our attention on this morning…
2 For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.
Introduction
Introduction
The world is searching for meaning. Be that in philosophy.... be that in knowledge… be that in the quest for liberation from any man-made rules.... whatever route they may seek after, people are searching for this meaning. They are searching for purpose in life.
When Paul preached the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the people of Corinth, he faced a serious confrontation with those who believed themselves to be both exceedingly wise, and extremely religious.
Corinth was a city in Greece, not too far away from the city of Athens. Both of those cities were steeped in Greek culture, which included extensive worship of idols, and also much debate among the educated philosophers of that day. A key picture in understanding the cultural environment of that day is found in Acts 17:22-34, where Paul engages with the Philosophers of that age at the Aeropogus.
You will recall that what led up to this was the proliferation of idols that marked the city of Athens, with each of these idols erected in honour of the gods of the age. They also had an idol “To an Unkonwn God.” So concerned were they to overlook a god that they hadn’t become aware of, that they made an idol to that which was unknown.
But this was the platform for Paul to preach the Gospel. In Acts 17:23, we read...
23 For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: to an unknown god. Now what you worship as something unknown I am going to proclaim to you.
As Paul proceeded to proclaim this Gospel message of Christ crucified, we need to recognise that it was not routinely accepted. In fact, he was mocked and ridiculed by the vast majority of the philosophers. In verse 32 of that passage we read...
32 When they heard about the resurrection of the dead, some of them sneered, but others said, “We want to hear you again on this subject.” 33 At that, Paul left the Council. 34 A few men became followers of Paul and believed. Among them was Dionysius, a member of the Areopagus, also a woman named Damaris, and a number of others.
As Paul departed from Athens, he went on to Corinth, another city of Greece, about 70km away. This was a very wealthy city, with great prominence. It was the city that Rome and made the capital of Greece. Here were self-sufficient people. Here were educated people. But Paul proceeded to preach the Gospel of Christ crucified, and the church was established.
As Paul now writes to this church, both to encourage the believers and to confront them on some serious matters confronting them as the church, he reminds them of the simplicity of the message that He preached.
As we consider this morning the death of Jesus Christ,
Our Scripture reading reveals some interesting facts concerning Paul’s technique of preaching the gospel:
1. The Marks of the message
1. The Marks of the message
There are a number of demonstrations of Paul in these few verses. We’ve already considered much of the context in the introduction. Essentially, there were all kinds of philosophers and “wise men” of the day that would seek to find meaning in life, explain life… and they would wax eloquent about their imaginations.
In addition to these worldly philosophers, there were also those claiming to be “super-apostles...” They thought that they were superior, and made great boasts about their abilities and gifts. They demanded respect as “God’s Apostles.”
Paul’s message comes in stark contrast to this.
1. He did not clothe it in great eloquence
1 When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or superior wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God.
Paul didn’t come in eloquent speech.
Keep in mind that as Paul had engaged with the philosophers in Athens, there was a great rejection, for the most part of the Gospel. Certainly, when he arrived in Corinth and proclaimed the Gospel, he did so with simple language, with a simple message, that was understandable to the common person.
The Gospel message is not a grand message reserved for the elite of society, or those with exceptional understanding or academic ability. The Gospel message is simple, and yet powerful.
2. His technique was not subtle oratory, vs. 3–4.
3 I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling. 4 My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power,
Here, Paul emphasizes the fact that he came to the Corinthian believers in much weakness and fear, with much trembling. There was not an attitude of great pride. Paul was a man with great humility. He was a man who faced great affliction in the face of the proclamation of the Gospel.
If fact, in Corinth itself, he had faced much opposition. After he had arrived in Corinth, he would go into the synagogue and seek to pursuade the Jews and Greeks that Christ was the Messiah. But he wouldn’t do this with the worlds wisdom, or with some manipulative and cooercive strategy. It was the simple preaching of the Gospel, that Christ died for sinners. Christ was put to death in order to make atonement for sins.
Now, did he have fear? Clearly there was a measure of fear.
In Acts 18:6-7, we read that
6 But when the Jews opposed Paul and became abusive, he shook out his clothes in protest and said to them, “Your blood be on your own heads! I am clear of my responsibility. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.”
7 Then Paul left the synagogue and went next door to the house of Titius Justus, a worshiper of God.
But two verses on, we find God’s command to him for the city of Corinth…
9 One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: “Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. 10 For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city.”
Paul was sent to preach Christ, and Christ crucified. Although there was great opposition to the preaching of this simple message, God commanded Paul to continue preaching, because He had His chosen people in that city.
Therein was the secret to converts to Christ. God had his chosen.
As such, there was no real need for Paul to try and muster up all his oratory skills and try and put on a show of his own abilities and intellect. He relied on the power of God to work through a simple message of the cross.
His preaching of the cross in the face of affliction, leading even to the conversion of those who belonged to the Lord, was a demonstration of the spirit’s power.
This power that He speaks of here is the power promised by God as the Holy Spirit would come down on the disciples at Pentecost. In Acts 1:8, Jesus said to His disciples....
8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
Now, we need to see the implications of this. The fact is that when the Gospel message is faithfully, even simply preached, God’s Spirit works and moves to transform lives. The ability does not rest with the man bringing the message, but rather with God who works through the simple message.
What and encouragement this should be for any one of us trying to share the Gospel with others. We don’t have to present the Gospel with grand abilities. While it’s always helpful to have a good knowledge of Scripture, nonetheless, God can use even the simple, basic truths of the Gospel, Christ Crucified, to brings about transformation.
3. He taught that faith in Christ was not a product of scientific / other education, v. 5.
5 so that your faith might not rest on men’s wisdom, but on God’s power.
In the context of Corinth, this “wisdom of man” referred to the philosophies of their day. It referred to what they believed was a heightened intellect and understanding of life.
This was what was highly revered and esteemed in the day.
We need to see that this is little different in our day. Ideologies and human wisdom in terms of thinking has always been something that confronts the Gospel.
If you’ve ever heard the term “Enlightenment,” “Modernism,” “Postmodernism” etc., you will realise that man has always been wrestling with trying to find meaning. Man has always been trying to understand man, and humanity. There has been a continual searching by man to know how we as humanity may live with ultimate meaning and fulfilment.
What Paul is saying is that the simple Gospel message is that which contains power. The Gospel message stands in stark contrast to the systems and the wisdom of the world.
The Scriptures are God’s revelation for us to live by. And central to that is the Cross where Christ was crucified.
2. What it Means to “Preach Christ”
2. What it Means to “Preach Christ”
With this in mind, we need to understand something of what Paul meant to preach Christ. A Christ that is merely a product of the imaginations of man is no Christ at all.
In other words, Paul referred to Christ Jesus, as He was revealed to be. In His true nature.
To preach Christ means…
1. To declare Him as God’s incarnate Son Phil. 2:6.
In Philippians 2:6 we read these words concerning Jesus Christ…
6 Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,
Elsewhere we read…
15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.
Hebrews 1:3 (NIV84)
3 The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word...
The Scriptures are very clear that Jesus Christ was the very revelation of the person and character of God. He was God in the flesh.
Jesus Christ was God incarnate. He was the very presence of God dwelling among people. Listen to how Paul emphasizes this in his second letter to the Corinthians…
2 Corinthians 4:1–4 (NIV84)
1 Therefore, since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. 2 Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. 3 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. 4 The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
To declare Christ as the very image of God is central to the Gospel… and it is critical for salvation.
Further to this, to Preach Christ means...
2. To declare Him as the only Savior, Acts 4:12.
There is only one way of salvation.
Now, keep in mind that before the fall of man into sin, as recorded in Genesis 3, there was perfect harmony between God and man. There was relationship. Man lived with a peace of heart and mind that has never since been experienced by men, because he lived apart from sin. There was no guilt or shame. There was no sense of condemnation or dread. There was no sense of trembling fear. Think of the most peace-filled, joy-filled, contended moments of your life… and you’ve just a small step in the direction of what Adam and Eve experienced pre-fall. It was profound.
But everything was marred by sin entering into this world, and the world coming under the curse of God. The salvation that is needed is one that is redemptive and restorative. It is needed to redeem people from under the curse, and then to restore them into right relationship with God so that they can enjoy that same peace and contentment and joy that was found in the Garden of Eden prior to the fall.
This is what we mean by salvation.
And while the world is looking for what they believe is “salvation,” they are looking for it in all the wrong places. They believe that salvation comes in complete independence. No-one can impose on my beliefs. Tolerance is what leads to peace and satisfaction. The advancement of reason… rational thinking… whatever their system, they believe it will bring liberation and deliverance.
But they haven’t dealt with the real cause of the problem, which is sin. And therefore they have not been able to find the true means of salvation.... that is Christ.
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.”
The only one that is able to bring salvation… both redemption and restoration.... is Jesus Christ. Because it is only Jesus Christ, the perfect God-man, both fully God and fully man (although perfect in all of His ways / without sin) that could take upon Himself the punishment that was due to humanity, and so satisfy the just wrath of God.
Notice the emphasis that other Scriptures place on Christ redeeming us from the consequences of sin…
21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”
43 All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”
To the only way to find salvation is through Christ, because there is only One Son - the man Christ Jesus. There is no other prophet or religious leader that can bring salvation, because there is no other prophet or religious leader that can fulfil the requirements of salvation before God.
Christ Alone can do that.
Beyond that, to preach Christ means...
3. To declare Him as our example, John 13:15.
15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.
I won’t dwell long on this, but if Christ truly is God-incarnate, then He must be the example that we model our own lives as Christians on.
We are not only called to believe in Him as the one who will forgive sins, but we are to walk in obedience to Him. He is our Lord, our Master, and we are thus to live in obedience and submission to Him. We are to live as His disciples, learning from Him in the way that we should walk.
If Christ was the full revelation of God, it means that He revealed through His own life that which was pleasing to God, and we ought to follow in His footsteps.
Next, we should consider...
3. What It Means to Preach “Christ Crucified”
3. What It Means to Preach “Christ Crucified”
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO PREACH “CHRIST CRUCIFIED”? PREACH—
To preach Christ crucified, means to...
1. “Redemption through his blood,” Eph. 1:7.
7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace
The words redemption here means to release or to set free.
In the Old Testament, this was often pictured by the setting free of a slave, and it was done through the payment of a ransom price.
To preach Christ crucified means thus to proclaim that there is a price that has been paid in order to set you free from the bondage of sin and death.
The Gospel is a message of liberation.
Preaching Christ crucified means preaching that...
2. We have Been justified by his blood,” Rom. 5:9.
9 Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him!
The word “justified” here means to be declared righteous. There is a legal implication, declaring that you have no guilt, but are seen to be righteous and without fault before a holy and righteous judge.
This must be one of the most glorious truths of Scripture.
Every man is conscious of his own sin. He might try to rationalise it. He might try to excuse his sin. He might try to compare himself with others - particularly the extremely wicked of society - and say that he is okay because he’s “better” than others.
But when standing before God, who is absolutely holy in all His ways, without any sin, defect, impurity or imperfection, and by that standard must be judged, then they must confronted with their own utter sinfulness.
And when that sinfulness is understood to go beyond mere actions, the external things we do, and actually is seen to be something of our very nature - who we are and what we are and what drives us - then we really start to understand the hopelessness of our situation. We realise that we are so pervaded by sinfulness, that if we had to stand before God, we would be undone. We would want to crawl into the caves, and have the mountains fall on us and crush us (Rev.6:16)… we would want that, rather than to stand before this holy God.
In light of all of this, what a privilege and joy to know that because of Christ crucified, we stand justified, declared righteous, because of what He has done for us.
21 God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
This is the glorious Gospel proclamation, Christ crucified for us.
Further in this regard, we must see that preaching Christ crucified means...
3. That “without shedding of blood [there] is no remission,” Heb. 9:22.
The cost of atoning for sins committed against God is nothing less than life itself.
22 In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.
In the Old Testament the perpetual sacrifice of the lives of animals was required in order to make atonement for sin.
I’ve been reading through Leviticus, and as I’ve read that I’ve been struck by the extent of the blood that had to be shed. Animals brought before an altar, and slaughtered in front of the altar. Blood poured out around and on the altar. Certain parts of the animal taken out of the camp, other parts burned on the altar.
But just the sheer volume of blood that would flow, as people would continually be bringing their sacrifices. Blood was just everywhere.
Why?
Because life had to be given as payment for sin.
Ultimately, Christ’s blood was shed on the cross as a perfect sacrifice, such that there would no longer be any sacrifice left.
If you have time, go and read through Hebrews 9 and see how Christ is the perfect sacrifice, the once for all sacrifice so that there is no longer any sacrifice required.
18 For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.
Preaching Christ crucified also means...
4. That “they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts,” Gal. 5:24.
The crucifixion of Christ goes beyond merely justifying us, and redeeming us. Rather, it goes on to mean that we now are enabled to live a life that is crucified to former ways.
24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires.
The power of the cross is seen in the fact that it is powerful to change the manner in which we live. It is powerful to change the heart of man within. It transforms even our desires, so that our actions are motivated by the fruit of righteousness, rather than our own sinful desires.
Now, this is certainly not something that we will experience instantaneously, but most certainly we will experience it, and increasingly so over time as we submit ourselves to our Lord.
Finally…
4. What It Means to Know “Nothing But” Christ Crucified
4. What It Means to Know “Nothing But” Christ Crucified
“I DETERMINED NOT TO KNOW ANYTHING … EXCEPT JESUS CHRIST AND HIM CRUCIFIED.” PAUL’S OBVIOUS MEANING IS THAT HE—
1. Accepted nothing that denied his resolution, 1 Cor. 2:2.
2 For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.
For Paul, anything that would detract from this surpassing gift of knowing Christ, and living out Christ and Him crucified.
Anything that would distract him from this task and central focal point in his life, was to be done away with.
1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.
2. Nothing so inspired him to action, Rom. 1:15.
15 That is why I am so eager to preach the gospel also to you who are at Rome.
Think about the words that Paul wrote to the Philippian believers
15 It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. 16 The latter do so in love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. 17 The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. 18 But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.
Yes, and I will continue to rejoice,
21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.
Now, what was for Paul a life ambition and delight, should not be much different to us. At least in the sense that we are to recognise the supreme importance and significance of the Gospel for life. We are to recognise and esteem Christ above all other things in life.
You might not be a preacher of the Gospel, but you should still be able to say, for me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
In other words, all that I do in this world is for the glory and honour of Christ.
Nothing so motivates me to do what I do in life as Christ does.
3. Nothing gave him greater confidence, 2 Tim. 1:12.
12 That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day.
The life that is lived under the truth and the power of the Gospel is a life that is steadfast and stable.
A person that is fully convinced of the Gospel and what God has done through Christ at the cross is far better placed to weather the storms of life than any other person. Why? Because God has done exceedingly great things on behalf of the Christ. He’s redeemed; He’s justified; He’s given His very Son on our behalf in order to reconcile us to Him.
Paul
4. Nothing else gave him greater prospect, 2 Tim. 4:8.
8 Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.
In the context of a world that is ambitious for gain in this world, Paul’s motivation was rooted not here, but in eternity. And yes, there are rewards for the Christian. It is not wrong to be motivated by reward… and we all know how motivated we can be when there is the prospect of a reward.
Paul was motivated by the eternal crown of righteousness, and being in the presence of God. The Gospel for Him meant eternal rewards in the presence of the Father.
We must keep in mind that this was not so much riches in the world’s terms, but rather a fullness, a completeness, and abundant life in all respects. A life marked by joy and peace and contentment in the presence of the Lord.
But we must have a similar motivation to that which Paul had. This can and should be our motivation in life as we see God’s grace towards us.
Application / Conclusion
Application / Conclusion
THIS TEXT IMPLIES THAT—
1. “Christ crucified” is the greatest historic event.
2. Paul believed the world’s greatest need was Jesus.
3. He made all else inferior to his “resolution.”
Cameron, J. D. (1976). Sermon Outlines for Special Occasions. Baker Book House.
Exported from Logos Bible Software, 08:37 11 April 2022.