WHY THE PREACHING OF THE CROSS MAKES PEOPLE CROSS

After nearly a century, Neiman Marcus is embracing the left’s attack on Christmas and scrapping the ‘reason for the season’ in favor of the word “holiday.”

          The annual gift catalog, the “Christmas Book,” has been in print since 1926. But Neiman Marcus quietly removed the word “Christmas” from the iconic catalog known for its luxury gifts and “fantasy” items. I assume because “Christmas” has the word “Christ” in it. I’m not buying anything from Neiman Marcus.

          Last Sunday morning’s message was on “Why Churches Are Dying,” from 1 Cor. 1:1-17.

          The message last Sunday drew a parallel about what was going on in Corinth and in America today. See if this still applies:

          Corinth was known for sexual immorality; Corinth was known for its religious diversity; and Corinth was known for corruption in all areas of society.

          One article described Corinth this way: “Corinth was intellectually alert, materially prosperous, but morally corrupt.”

          Paul said in 1 Corinthians 1:18, “For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us who are saved it is the power of God.”

          I received an email about a pastor that told about an incident that happened in his church.        The pastor said over time he became friends with a successful businessman in their town. The man started coming to church and after a few months he came forward and gave his life to Christ. The change was dramatic and he became active in the church and sharing his testimony with his family and friends.

          One day he went to see his pastor and told him how grateful he was for the Lord saving him and that he wanted to do something for the church and suggested that he wanted to buy a cross to put inside the building or on the outside of the building since neither had one. The pastor thought it was a good idea and talked to several committees and was sure this would be something everyone would want. He received his answer. Absolutely not. No cross inside or outside. He asked them why. They said that it might offend someone.

          On a more positive note if you’ve been on I-85 near Opelika you can’t help but notice one Christian’s bold display of a cross. It’s about thirty feet tall and at night the lights come on and you can see it for miles. It’s on private land and it might irritate some but there’s nothing anyone can do. I’m sure it’s offensive, but he doesn’t care.

          Why is it that the preaching of the cross makes so many people cross?

          Paul tells us in verse 18, “For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness.”

          Crucifixion was not only a horrible death; it was a shameful death. Crucifixion was never mentioned in polite society any more than we today would sit around the dinner table discussing the gas chamber or electric chair.

          Paul gives us three attitudes toward the Cross:

THOSE THAT STUMBLE AT THE CROSS

          Verse 23a, “But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumbling block.” This was the attitude of the Jews because their emphasis was on miraculous signs and the cross appears to be weakness. Jewish history is filled with miraculous events, from the Exodus out of Egypt to the days of Elijah and Elisha. When Jesus was teaching and preaching the Jewish leaders continually asked him to give them a sign from heaven, but all he said was in Matthew 16:4, “A wicked and adulterous generation looks for a sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah.” Jesus then left them and went away. The Jews didn’t either understand or believe their own scriptures. The Jews wanted a Messiah that would solve all their problems. A Messiah that would defeat and destroy the wicked Romans and drive them out of their land; a Messiah that would lead Israel back to its days of glory. The question of the Apostles in Acts 1:6 shows how strong this hope was among the Jews. They asked, “Lord, will you at this time restore again the Kingdom to Israel.” His reply was, “It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father has put in his own power.”

          Because the Jews were looking for power and great glory, they stumbled at the weakness of the cross.

          Paul writes in Romans 1:16, “The Gospel of Jesus Christ is “the power of God unto salvation.” It’s that “wonder-working power.” It’s that “dynamite power” that can change lives. It’ll change the desire of a drunkard; it’ll change the devotion of the doubters. Instead of being a symbol of weakness the cross is a tremendous symbol of power. After all, verse 25 says “the weakness of God in the Cross is stronger than men.” Not only do some stumble at the cross, there are:

THOSE THAT SCOFF AT THE CROSS

          Verse 23b, “Unto the Greeks foolishness.” The Greeks emphasized wisdom, intellect and education. But education without salvation equals damnation.

          Paul gives three types of men the opportunity to respond.

          Verse 20, “Where is the wise?” That’s the expert. He has nothing say. It’s above his pay grade.

          Next, “Where is the Scribe?” He’s the interpreter and writer of the scriptures.” He also has nothing to say.

          Then, “Where is the disputer of this world?” He’s the philosopher and debater. Cat’s got his tongue.

          He asks them one question and one question only: “Through your studies into man’s wisdom have you come to know God in a personal way?” They all must answer no. Their attitude is such that their eternal home will be a place of fire and brimstone. Finally, the third and final group:

THOSE SAVED AT THE CROSS

          Verse 24, “But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.”

          Why did God choose the Cross? Why is the Cross important? What impact does the Cross make in our lives?

          The Romans nailed Jesus to the Cross, but Jesus Himself nailed some things to His Cross. Pay attention to this:

          Jesus Nailed Our Sunday Hair To the Cross:  I just threw that out there to keep you interested and awake.  What do I mean by saying “Jesus nailed our Sunday Hair to the Cross?” Turn over to Colossians 2 for the answer.

          It means Jesus nailed the Law to his cross. Colossians 2:13, “Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross.” Notice Paul says the “handwriting of ordinances.” There are some churches that have more rules and regulations that Carter’s got liver pills. That’s an old saying I heard when I was a kid in the 50s. The 1950s not 1850s.

          We had a lady that often visited the church on Sundays and she’d have a huge ball or bun of hair on her head. It looked like a giant beehive. We never saw her without it until one day we saw her at Kroger and she was “bun-less.” Her hair was as short as my wife’s. I asked, “I wonder where her bun is?” My wife said, “It’s her ‘Sunday Hair that she only wears on Sunday.”  Why did she feel obligated to wear fake hair in order to attend church? It’s because some preacher told her she wasn’t spiritual without that bun on her head.

          The Pharisees started off as a godly group trying to interpret the Law of God so that people could understand them and please God. They took the Ten Commandments and turned them into about 619 laws that no one could keep, not even the Pharisees.

          I was told on visitation by a gentleman that said, “I live by the Ten Commandments. That’s my religion.” If he’s living by the Ten Commandments he’s going to hell. If that’s his religion, he’s doomed. Why? Because there’s never been but one person that ever walked this earth that kept the Ten Commandments. Who in the world would dare say, “I’ve never, not ever, at any time in my whole life had an evil thought; never, not ever, lusted after anyone; never, not ever, told a lie; never, not ever, took anything that didn’t belong to me; never, not ever, been filled with pride, anger, jealousy, greed or wanted to get even with anyone. And the list goes on and on.

          I can’t say that and you can’t say that. The Bible says in James 2:10, “For whosoever shall keep the whole law and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.” Christ nailed the Law to His Cross. Next,

          The Devil Was Nailed To Jesus’ Cross. Col. 2:15, “And, having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it.”

          The Devil thought he was destroying Jesus on the Cross, but Jesus was destroying the devil.

          Listen to Hebrews 2:14, “Forasmuch, then, as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself took part of the same, that through death he might destroy him that HAD the power of death, that is, the devil.”

          Satan himself is nailed to the cross. Jesus conquered him. “Victory in Jesus” is not just a feel-good song. It’s a Bible-fact. Jesus destroyed the Devil at the cross. The word “destroyed” in the Greek means “to make of none effect.” It doesn’t mean he vanished; it means he’s out of business; he’s out of gas; it means he’s no longer a threat; he no longer has any power over us. That old line “The Devil Made Me Do It,” just doesn’t work. Rev. 12:11 says, “They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony.”

          Jesus nailed the Law to His Cross; He nailed the Devil to His Cross and finally:

          Jesus Nailed Death To His Cross. When Jesus nailed the Devil to His Cross, He also nailed Death to it.

          Col. 2:12, “Buried with him in baptism, in which also you are risen with Him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.”

          Jesus told them in John 14:19, “Yet a little while, and the world sees me no more; but you see me. Because I live, you shall live also.”

          The scoffers and mockers walked by Jesus’ Cross and wagged their heads and said, “He’s dying. Look at him on the cross; he’s done for.” No, he ever lives. The Law is dead; Satan’s defeated; Death has been conquered. All because we serve a risen Savior.

IN CLOSING

          What does all this mean to us? It means we don’t have to be a slave to sin; it means we don’t have to be conformed to this world; it means we don’t have to be bullied by the devil and we don’t have to be afraid to walk through the valley of the shadow of death because Jesus lights the way.

          We have that “Blessed Assurance that says ‘Jesus is mine, oh, what a foretaste of glory divine.” There’s something better than saying “Jesus is mine.” It’s saying, “I’m his. I belong to Him.”

          General William Booth, founder of the Salvation Army, liked to say “I’m so sure of Jesus’ power to save me that I could hang out over the fires of hell hanging by a rotten cornstalk and not even break a sweat.”

          Now that’s real assurance that will carry us through tough times.

By Pastor Larmar Truitt