The Message of the Cross

Scripture:  I Corinthians 1:18-25 - For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. 20 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? 21 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. 22 For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: 23 But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumbling block, and unto the Greeks foolishness; 24 But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. 25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

The message of the cross means every to me, because Christ paid the price for my salvation.  The cross is more than a symbol/emblem that you wear around your neck.  It is the message of forgiveness of my sins, Christ suffering, love, joy, peace, truth, power, and hope.

In this letter, Paul confronted the Corinthian Church about their sins such as division, jealousy, sexual immorality, idolatry, prostitution, and failure to disciple church members correctly.  Also, in I Corinthians, they were told to not blend in with the world and their ungodly values and lifestyle.   God has called us today not to compromise our standards but to live a godlylife – being committed to the Lord.  The message of the cross separates the Church from the world.

The message of the cross has power t save your life.  Romans  1:16 says “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”  I Corinthians 15:1-3 says “Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; 2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. 3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures.”  Paul preached to the Jews who requested a sign.  Matthew 12:39-40 says “But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas:  40 For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.”  The Greeks sought after wisdom.  The preaching of the cross was foolish to them.  Psalms 53:1 says “The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. Corrupt are they, and have done abominable iniquity: there is none that doeth good.” The question in I Corinthians 1:20 is “Where is the wise? Where is the scribe?  Where is the disputer of this age?”  God is always smarter than man.  Everything that man has, God has given to him.  Pride of the heart always causes man to think he knows everything apart from God.  Jeremiah 9:23-24 says “Thus saith the Lord, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches:

24 But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the Lord which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the Lord.”  

To have a personal relationship with Christ, you must believe the message of the cross – Christ crucified.  II Corinthians 2:4 says “For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote unto you with many tears; not that ye should be grieved, but that ye might know the love which I have more abundantly unto you. ”The message of the cross never changes.  People change, nations, change, but the message of the cross should never be watered down or compromised.  It remains the same forever.  John 14:6 says “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”  Aren’t you glad that you believe the message of the cross!  Ephesians 1:13 – “In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,”  Romans 10:3 -  For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.” Where would we be without the message of the cross?  Colossians 1:13-14 – “Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: 14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins.”  All of our sins were paid for by the blood of Jesus Christ on the cross.  Our past, present, and future sins were nailed to the cross.  Now we are free to live for Him, serve Him, and love Him and others!
Prayer:  Dear Heavenly Father:  Thank you for dying on the cross for our sins.  The message of the cross is transforming my life.  Now I am free to live for You.  All this I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

(by Marsha Williams)