THE CROSS.....!!

1 Corinthians 1: 18 – 23

Christ the Power and Wisdom of God.

For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish, foolishness; but unto us which are saved, it is the power of God. For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.

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? 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.

For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: but we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;

(KJV)

1. The Symbol of the cross (a first century ‘electric chair’).

The cross has become so widely used as religious jewelry.......that it has lost much of its original meaning and horror.

2. The opinions of the cross.

What people think of the cross? Especially it's relation to Christ?

Þ    It’s an example of nonresistance

Þ    It mean whatever you want it to mean

Þ    It has no real meaning

Þ    It represents failure

3. The offensiveness of the cross ( 1 Cor 1:23)

Þ    Stumbling block (Long waiting of messiah- was almost impossible to believe that he died on the cross.  Specially when old testament said that anyone who died on the tree was cursed by God (Dt. 21:23))

Þ    Foolishness (It is common that’s logical thinking and good living would satisfy the gods)

4. It’s all at the tree.

Tree is very important part of the histories of human lives.  The sin was start on a tree (knowledge tree) and its end also at the tree (the cross).  The first cloning of God made sin, but then the second cloning of God made its ransom, both of them at the tree.

5. The dilemma of the cross

Holy	GOD	Loving
Sinful	MAN	Helpless

          God in love with us but He is also holy.

          Man so helpless but also so sinful

6. The resolution of the cross

Holy	GOD	Loving
	CHRIST
Sinful	MAN	Helpless

            God gave the first man his wonderful promises (Gen 3:5)

He shows his love by giving salvation through Christ’s death (Rom 5:6)

 

7. The principle of the cross

Holy	GOD	Loving
Sacrifice	CHRIST	Sacrifice
Sinful	MAN	Helpless

 

Holy	GOD	Loving
Substitute	CHRIST	Substitute
Sinful	MAN	Helpless

 

8. The results of the cross 

Holy	GOD	Loving
Sacrifice Substitute	CHRIST	Sacrifice Substitute
Sinful	MAN	Helpless

            The death of Jesus Christ 2,000 years ago was result (to believer):

Þ    Reconciliation: we are at peace with God.

Þ    Justification: we declare right before God.

Þ    Redemption: we are ransomed from our sin and condemnation.

Þ    Propitiation: we are free from God’s wrath.

Retrieve from ODB resources.