The Message of the Cross
THE MESSAGE OF THE CROSS
TEXT: I Corinthians 1:18
INTRODUCTION: The church at Corinth was divided into factions each with its own heresy and false prophet.
Paul contrasts the "wisdom of words" with "the preaching" (KJV), "the word" (ASV) or "the message" of the cross (cf. 1:17).
Men in general have long held that the message about Jesus' death is one of folly, too incredible and ridiculous to believe.
Thus, men have rejected or been turned away from the simple Gospel of Jesus.
What Is the Message of the Cross?
Paul affirms that the Gospel is a revelation, a message, from God which centers in the cross of Calvary.
The crucifixion of Jesus is an historical event with spiritual implications and eternal consequences.
The "message of the cross," the Gospel, relates the significance of the event to the men and women unto whom it is preached.
The message involves more than the mere facts of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
The Gospel is something that is preached, received, relied upon, and believed (1 Corinthians 15:1-4).
The Gospel presents facts to be believed, commands to be obeyed and promises to be received.
The "message of the cross" answers more than the questions who, what, when, where and how. It answers the all important question-WHY?
I. The Message of the Cross Reveals Man Is a Guilty Sinner‑
A. The Scriptures teach that the Father sent His Son, Jesus, to the cross for the sins of the whole world
John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
1 John 2:1-2 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.
B. The problem of sin is a universal one
Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
Ecclesiastes 7:20 For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.
Psalms 14:3 They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one.
C. Why are men guilty of sin?
1. Man is a sinner by the choice of his will
Isaiah 53:6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
1 Corinthians 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
II. The Message of the Cross Declares that God Is Just‑
A. It is the righteous character of God that required the death of Jesus as the penalty for humanity's sins (Romans 3:24-26).
1. The dilemma caused by our sin: "How can a just God be merciful and pass over our sins?"
2. The death of Jesus was the solution
1 John 2:2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.
B. The death of Jesus is an atonement or propitiation for sin
1 John 4:10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
1. That which is a propitiation appeases God's just wrath against sinners and renders the objects of His anger acceptable to him
2. The death of Jesus on our behalf satisfies the just requirement of the law of God against each one of us
Romans 5:9-10 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.
III. The Message of the Cross Reveals that Man Is Helpless in Saving Himself‑
A. If man could do it himself there would have been no need for Jesus to die.
1. The Law made no provision for the forgiveness of sins
Romans 8:3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
2. Man, once he violates the law of God, is without hope on his own.
3. This does not mean, as we have already noted earlier, that man could not keep God's law--it just proves that he did not keep it.
B. Men cannot earn salvation.
1. Salvation is a matter of grace not of works. There is nothing that we can do and nothing we can bring to remit sin
2. In order for salvation to be a matter of works, it would be necessary to put God under debt or obligation
3. Absolute sinlessness is the only way to accomplish this. Only Jesus has succeeded in doing it
2 Corinthians 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
IV. The Message of the Cross Invites Men to Come to Jesus
A. In the cross we see the means by which all of us may be saved.
1. The death of Jesus is universally offered to mankind
Revelation 22:17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.
2. Election is not limited to a few, but to all who believe in Jesus
John 3:16
2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
B. This universal offer of salvation is made in the Gospel
V. The Message of the Cross Displays the Love of God
A. God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son John 3:16
1. God loved us before we ever existed
2. There was nothing lovely about us
3. I know God loves me because He let Jesus die for me
B. Greater love has no man than this, than a man lay down His life for His friends (John 15:13-14; 1 John 3:16).
1. This love of Christ is what draws us to the cross
2. It is not martyrdom, pity, sympathy!
3. Only love can melt the heart of stone in repentance
VI. The Message of the Cross Adjures Men to Trust and Obey Christ‑
A. Not being able to save ourselves we must look to another
1. What does it mean to trust someone or something else?
2. Trusting in someone or something else does not exclude obedience, or doing, or use, or cooperation. As a matter of fact, it requires it.
a) How can one trust in riches without using them?
b) How can one trust in armor without using it?
c) How does one trust in the flesh without using it?
d) Illustrate by jumping from a burning building into a net?
B. We trust in Christ when we do what He commands.
1. He is the author of eternal salvation to all that obey.
2. He saves the penitent believer when he repents
3. The believer is trusting in Christ, not his own obedience, not the preacher
VII. The Message of the Cross Gives hope of Life Eternal
A. The believer in Christ has the hope of eternal life
Titus 1:2 In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;
B. Without the cross of Christ there is no hope
C. Because Christ has died for sin, I am dead to sin. Because Christ is raised from the dead, I live for Christ to be raised from the dead
CONCLUSION:
The Message of the Cross‑
1. Reveals man is a guilty sinner
2. Declares that God is just
3. Reveals that man is helpless in saving himself
4. Invites men to come to Christ
5. Displays the love of God
6. Adjures men to trust and obey
7. Gives hope of eternal life