Text:  1 Corinthians 1:18

For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.

Series: Seven Different Perspectives of the Cross 

Introduction:

We talk about the cross, the facts of the cross, what it means to us. That’s it! The cross is much more than that. We are going to take a closer look at the cross from seven distinct points of view:

    1.       What the Cross meant to God.
    2.       What the Cross meant to Christ.
    3.       What the Cross meant to Satan.
    4.       What the Cross means to the World.
    5.       What the Cross means to the Church.
    6.       What the Cross means to the Christian’s struggle against sin.
    7.       What the Cross means in Heaven.

We will be addressing the big question "What does the Cross mean to YOU?"

Introduction

Imagery of the Cross

The Cross was a brutal means of execution.

Matthew 16:24

Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

Philippians 2:8

And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

Hebrews 12:2

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

To the world - the Cross is a symbol of shame

To those who believe - the Cross is a symbol of salvation

Let us look at three things in regard to what the Cross means to the world.

    1.      The World Is Offended by the Cross

1 Corinthians 1:23

But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks (Gentiles) foolishness;

Jews stumbled at the cross, they wanted a messiah, not a savior.

Greeks scoff at the notion of a man hanging on a cross to save the world as utter nonsense.

The cross offends in three ways:

    a.       It offends our pride. The cross was and is a sign of weakness, only the worst were crucified.

    b.      It offends our wisdom. The cross spells the end of salvation by education, as if we could gain merit with God by answering the cosmic questions. (Salvation is simple, that offends)

    c.       It offends our values. Anyone and everyone is invited into God’s family on exactly the same basis. There are no favorites and no special deals for those with money or power or worldly position. Those things that matter so much to us simply don’t matter to God. This is an affront to the way the world does business, but it is also the way of the cross. (no difference)

Romans 3:22-23

22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:

23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

Romans 10:12-13

12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.

13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

    2.      The World is Confronted by the Cross

1 Corinthians 1:18a

18, For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; …

The cross stands before the world proclaiming that you have to come God’s way – or you won’t come at all.

Acts 4:12

Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

Colossians 1:20

And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.

Example

When Christ died, he didn’t die alone. Two thieves died with him.

Luke 23:39-43

One thief was saved – that none would despair.

One thief was lost – that none would presume.

Both were confronted by the cross of Jesus.

The cross that saved the one doomed the other.

    3.      The World is Saved by the Cross

1 Corinthians 1:18

…but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.

John 3:16 (we all know this verse)

Go up two verses and see what leads to this most famous of all biblical promises.

John 3:14

And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:

Numbers 21:5-9

2 Kings 18:4 (the problem)

He removed the high places, and brake the images, and cut down the groves, and brake in pieces the brasen serpent that Moses had made: for unto those days the children of Israel did burn incense to it: and he called it Nehushtan.

John 3:14

And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:

The verse just before the most famous verse

John 3:15

That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

There is one condition - whosoever believeth in him. Even the death of Christ cannot save you unless you believe in him.

1 John 5:13

These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

Believe = Trust

To trust in Christ means to rely completely upon him.

You trust a pilot when you fly.

You trust a doctor when you are sick

You trust a lawyer when you go to court.

To believe is to trust Jesus so completely that if he can’t take you to heaven you aren’t going to go there.

    4.      Closing

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.