Why The Cross?

August 10, 2014
Why The Cross?
1Corinthians 1:10-31               NOTES NOT EDITED

SIS – The event of the cross is the central theme in the story of redemption and the cross as a symbol of that event explains why.

Every religion or ideology has a visual symbol. In Buddhism it is the lotus flower.  Judaism uses the “Star of David.”  Islam uses a crescent moon.  Communism identifies itself with the hammer and the sickle–symbolizing the union of the factory and farming.  Hitler and the Nazis used the swastika, which actually is an early form of the cross, which because of Hitler, now has sinister meaning.  The “cross” technically even predates Christianity.  A form of the cross is found in the art of ancient Greeks, Egyptians, and the Aztecs.  Buddhism even uses a form of the cross, as the “footprint” of Buddha.  Jesus’ death upon the “Latin style” cross gives this symbol the meaning of redemption that it has for Christians.  The Christian cross stands alone as the unique symbol of the redemption of mankind by the shed blood of the Lord Jesus Christ.  Over 400 variations of the Christian cross as a symbol of redemption have been catalogued.

This causes us to ask–“Why the cross?” Why didn’t Jesus die by stoning, or being burned at the stake?  What significance is there in the cross as a symbol of Christianity–especially since the “cross” as a form of captial punishment was detested by Jews, Greeks, and even the Romans who used it to dispatch criminals.

Our texts this morning tells us that the cross was “a stumbing block to the Jews and foolishness to the gentiles (everyone else)” vs 23.

Yet, to Paul and the Christian community, the cross was the central theme of the gospel, v18 calls the cross, “the power of God” and v23

states that the cross is the central theme of the gospel.

Let’s read together about the cross,

(1 Cor 1:18)  For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

(1 Cor 1:23-24)  but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, {24} but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.

The cross, to Christians,  represents the very “power of God unto salvation”.  Jesus died a cruel death on the cross because this was the only way for the power of salvation to be made available for a lost and hopeless world.

Paul shows us this blessed “power in the cross” by contrasting it with three flimsy foundations for salvation. Why is the cross the only “power unto salvation?” First,

1.  the cross has power that religious programs do not (vv 10-17)

(1 Cor 1:10-17)  I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought. {11} My brothers, some from Chloe's household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. {12} What I mean is this: One of you says, "I follow Paul"; another, "I follow Apollos"; another, "I follow Cephas "; still another, "I follow Christ." {13} Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized into the name of Paul? {14} I am thankful that I did not baptize any of you except Crispus and Gaius, {15} so no one can say that you were baptized into my name. {16} (Yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I don't remember if I baptized anyone else.) {17} For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel--not with words of human wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.

Religion eventually always drives man away from God. It is the nature of man to try to find his way to God on his own through some human plan or program.

Consider the story of the Tower of Babel.  (Gen 11:1-4)  Now the whole world had one language and a common speech. . . . {4} Then they said, "Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves and not be scattered over the face of the whole earth."

The Bible tells us that God promptly put an end to this idea by “confusing their language and scattering them across the face of the whole earth.” 

God had a plan to redeem mankind and He needs no help to do it.

Religion tries to build a “tower to God.” In Christianity God builds a “bridge to man.”

Religion eventually always divides and always scatters.  Eventually, man will divide up teams and compete to see who has the best religious solution to mankind’s dilemma of lostness–fact is, all religions are wrong!

We are saved only through faith in the Christ who died on the cross and then rose victorious over death three days later–Paul said this is the “only power for salvation.”

In verse 17 the Word declares that all man’s religious paths end in destruction.  Religion destroys a relationship with God.  It “empties the cross of Christ of its power.”

Jesus had to die on the cross because there is no power in any world religion that is sufficient to save us from our sin.  Second, there had to be a cross because

2.  the cross has power that miracles do not have (vv 22-23)

(1 Cor 1:22-23)  Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom, {23} but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles,

Adrian Rogers, Southern Baptist pastor, of the 24,000 member Bellevue Baptist Church in Memphis, hits the nail on the head when he reminds us:  BELIEVE IN MIRACLES. . .BUT TRUST IN JESUS!

I do believe in miracles!

I believe God can heal the sick, give sight to the blind, make the lamb walk, drive out demons, cure cancer, stop headaches, mend broken limbs, and even raise the dead.  I believe in miracles.  But, for salvation, I trust in Jesus alone. There is a major problem in putting your trust in supernatural phenomena, or miracles.  Listen to the Book of Revelation

(Rev 13:11-14)  Then I saw another beast, coming out of the earth. He had two horns like a lamb, but he spoke like a dragon. {12} He exercised all the authority of the first beast on his behalf, and made the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast, whose fatal wound had been healed. {13} And he performed great and miraculous signs, even causing fire to come down from heaven to earth in full view of men. {14} Because of the signs he was given power to do on behalf of the first beast, he deceived the inhabitants of the earth. He ordered them to set up an image in honor of the beast who was wounded by the sword and yet lived.

Miraculous wonders will be the primary weapon of deception used by the anti-Christ in the last days. So powerful will be these miraculous wonders that

                                                                                               

(Mat 24:24) false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and miracles to deceive even the elect--if that were possible.

Miracles are powerless to save because

(2 Cor 11:14-15)  Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. 

Miracles, by definition, are quite rare–even in the Bible. I’ve heard many people say, “If God would show me a SIGN, I would believe!”

That’s the same line the Jews and Greeks gave Paul. But, in fact, when God did give them the greatest sign, or miracle, of all–they still refused to surrender their hearts.

There is absolutely indisputable evidence that Jesus came out of the grave about 1, 998 Easters ago, but the masses of people still do not believe. The Bible says there is no greater miracle than the resurrection:

(Mat 12:38-41)  Then some of the Pharisees and teachers of the law said to him, "Teacher, we want to see a miraculous sign from you." {39} He answered, "A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a miraculous sign! But none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. {40} For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. {41} The men of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and now one greater than Jonah is here.

 God gives us signs of His presence every day, yet, people do not believe.  God even left his indelible fingerprint on creation, and man still believes in evolution. With all the billions of galaxies in the universe each with billions of stars, this planet, Earth, is the only planet with the unique characteristics to sustain life–THAT’S A GREAT MIRACLE!  Yet, many scientists ignore the facts and refuse to believe.  MIRACLES do not lead to salvation.

The fact is this–miracles alone never win anybody to Jesus–

Men, women, or children only come to Jesus when the Holy

Spirit convicts them and they surrender to the love of God,

and the God of love.  MIRACLES ALONE HAVE NO POWER!

I’ve prayed with people who have experienced a great crisis in life and God miraculously and wonderfully delivers them.  More often than not, it is not very long before they are back out in the world ignoring God.  And, it is not very long before they meet a “new crisis” that drives them back to church, only to fall away after they get what they want.  Eventually, God will lift His cloak of providence and these “free-loaders on God’s highway of mercy” will find themselves totally smashed by difficulty.

Should we believe in, pray for, and expect a miracle from God–

ABSOLUTELY–but, we must place our trust for salvation in the

power of the cross of Christ alone–MIRACLES HAVE NO POWER!

Third, the cross is necessary because the cross

3.  has power that fame and fortune do not have (vv 26-31)

(1 Cor 1:26-31)  Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. {27} But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. {28} He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things--and the things that are not--to nullify the things that are, {29} so that no one may boast before him. {30} It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God--that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. {31} Therefore, as it is written: "Let him who boasts boast in the Lord."

The cross reminds us that we were totally helpless to save ourselves.  There is not enough power, prestige, or human persuasion in the world that could gain salvation.  Only the Cross is the “power of God unto salvation.”

Fame and fortune will not spare you from tragedy–much less, eternal damnation.  I think of the powerful family of Joe Patrick Kennedy of Massachusettes.  He was American businessman and government official. Born in Boston, the son of a local politician and small businessman, he studied at Harvard University. By the age of 30 he had amassed a fortune through business ventures that included motion pictures, shipbuilding, and real estate, and through stock-market speculation .  He was ambassador to Great Britain from 1938 to 1940.  He is perhaps best known as the father of JFK.  The Kennedys are one of Americas wealthiest, richest, and most powerful families.  But, oh how tragedy has fiercely dogged this powerful and influencial family.  His oldest son was killed in WWII.  JFK and Robert were both assacinated.  Ted Kennedy lives in a shadow of disgrace because he drove a lady friend to her death in happaquiddick after getting drunk at a party.   One of RFK’s son’s committed suicide.  Another Kennedy was just recently killed in a skiing accident.  All the fame and fortune that this family possesses has could not spared them from tragedies in this life–and, you can be sure it will not save them in the life to come.  FAME AND FORTUNE IS POWERLESS TO SAVE ANYONE FROM HELL.

All persons die–rich and poor–and none will be judged according to what they had in life: only what they were!

Why was there a cross at Calvary? Because mankind is lost and needs a savior.  The cross is the “Power of God “ unto salvation!

Religion has no power to save anyone.  Miracles alone have no power to save anyone.  Fame and fortune has no power to save anyone.  The Word of God declares that only “Christ crucified on the cross” (vs 22) has power to save!

(1 Cor 1:23-25)  but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, {24} but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. {25} For the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man's strength.

Secular man hates the cross.  The infidel despises the cross.  The cross and the bloody death of Jesus upon it are politically incorrect in our modern day, just like it was in Jesus’ day. The Jews despised the cross because it showed that their religious rituals were impotent and useless. The Greeks despised the cross because it showed that their lofty wisdom and human ways were powerless.

The Romans despised the cross because it showed that fame, fortune, position, and power are frail and fruitless.

But–the cross is “everything to a Christian.” We know that we must bear the stigma of the cross in this world, but we will lay it down for a starry crown in the next world.

Today, lay aside any hope in religion, human works, or worldly fame and fortune. Take up the cross and follow Jesus, today–and you will wear a crown forever.

God laid upon my back a grievous load,

A heavy cross to bear along life’s road.

I staggered on, and lo! one weary day

An angry lion sprang across my way.

A prayed to God, and swift at His command

The cross became a weapon in my hand.

I slew my raging enemy, and then

The weapon became a cross upon my back again.

A reached a desert–across a burning track.

I persevered, the cross upon my back.

No shade was there, and in the cruel sun;

I sank at last, my strength was done.

But, oh the Lord delights to make many a blest surprise,

The cross became a shade tree before my very eyes.

I slept, I awoke--and with the strength of ten.

Then, the shade tree became a cross upon my back again.

And, now through all my days from then to this,

My cross–my burden–has become my bliss.

Never again shall I lay my burden down,

For God has promised one day,

To turn my cross into a crown.

—Wells, adapted

We preach “Christ crucified,” the power of

God “unto salvation.”

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