Declarations Of The Cross
I Cor. 1:18-25
1. Introduction:
1. By "cross" I do not refer merely to the two wooden beams.
2. Term has come to mean almost exclusively material cross on which Christ died-Steeples, crucifixes, etc.
3. "Cross" means all crucifixion of Christ stands for:
A. To make cross of none effect-obscure gospel-I Cor. 1:17.
B. "Preaching of the cross"-preaching Christ crucified-I Cor. 1:18; Cf. 1:23, 2:2.
C. Reconciled by cross-reconciled by death of Christ-Eph. 2:16; Cf. Rom. 5:10.
4. The cross is the supreme declaration of God to man-declares.
II. Discussion:
1. Abrogation Of The Law-Col. 2:14-17; Eph. 2:13- 16.
A. Failure to regard this declaration one of the main sources of religious error-Incense, Inst. Music, Sprinkling, Infant Bap., Sabbath Keeping.
B. Emphasize Gal. 5:4
C. Law was limited, as to:
(1) Subjects-between God & Israel only - Exo. 20:2; 30:12-17; Deut. 5:2,3.
(2) Duration-"till the seed should come"- Gal. 3:19; Cf. Verse 16.
(3) Accomplishments-could not:
(a) Take away sins-Heb. 10:1-4.
(b) Give life-Gal. 3:21.
D. Purpose of the law:
(1) Keep Abraham's posterity a separate and distinct race till Christ came-Cf. Eph. 2:14.
(2) Define sin and condemn, not to justify- Rom. 7:7; 2 Cor. 3:7,9.
(3) Give shadow of the image-Heb. 10:1.
(4) Schoolmaster to bring us to Christ-Gal. 3:24-29; Cf. Rom. 10:4.
E. Some say: "If 10 commandments abolished, can kill, lie, steal, etc." BUT:
(1) California and Mexican Constitution.
(2) American colonies and British law.
(3) Not what was in the old, but what is in the new!
2. Fulfillment of Prophecy, Hence Inspiration of The Bible.
A. Prophecies that were fulfilled:
(1) Silent against accusation-Ps. 38:12, Isa. 53:7.
(A) Fulfilled-Matt. 27:12-14.
(2) Innocent die for guilty-Isa. 53.4-6; Dan. 9:26.
(A) Fulfilled-Rom. 4:25; 1 Cor. 15:1-3.
(3) Crucified, not stoned-Ps. 22:16; Matt. 20: 17-19.
(A) Fulfilled-Lk. 23:33.
(4) Numbered with transgressor-Isa. 52:12.
(A) Fulfilled-Matt. 27:38.
(5) Insulted & Mocked-Ps. 22:7,8. (A) Fulfilled-Matt. 27:39-43.
(6) Given gall and vinegar-Ps. 69:21. (A) Fulfilled-Matt. 27:34.
(7) Intercede for enemies-Isa. 53:12. (A) Fulfilled-Lk. 23:34.
(8) Sun would go down at noon-Amos 8:9. (A) Matt. 27:45.
(9) Cast lots for his garments-Ps. 22:18.
(A) Fulfilled-Mk. 15:24; Cf. Jno. 19:24.
(10) Bones would not be broken-Ps. 34:20.
(A) Fulfilled-Jno. 9:33,36.
B. Said to be more than 300 O. T. prophecies of Christ, for which a definite fulfillment can be read in N. T.-Emphasize Jno. 5:39.
C. How??? 2 Pet. 1:21.
3. Heinousness Or Enormity Of Sin.
A. Law defined sin-Rom. 7:7. BUT could not clearly exhibit its enormity!
B. O. T. accounts of physical punishment gave dim view of it:
(1) Flood-Gen. 6:12,13.
(2) Sodom and Gomorrah burned-Gen. 19: 24,25.
(3) Lot's wife turned to pillar of salt-Gen. 19:26.
(4) Nadab and Abihu devoured by fire-Lev. 10:1,2.
(5) Uzzah stricken dead-1 Chron. 13: 9,10.
C. CROSS-first clear picture of heinousness of sin:
(1) Consider the victim:
(A) Not an animal nor mere man!
(B) JESUS OF NAZARETH! But, who is he?
(a) God's only begotten Son-Jno. 3: 16; Rom. 5:6.
(b) Did ONLY GOOD to fellowman-Acts 10:38.
(c) Very opposite of criminal-YET, he suffers criminal's death!
(d) Only one who never sinned-1 1 Pet. 2:22,23; Heb. 4;15.
(e) He who came from heaven to do will of God-Jno. 6:38, 4:34; Cf. 17:4.
(f) Raised dead, restored sight, cured leprosy, fed hungry, etc. - Jno. 20:30; 21:25.
(g) Taught principles designed to promote man's happiness in this world and in that to come-Matt. 5-7.
(C) SUPPOSE such a man were sent to electric chair today!!!
(2) Consider humiliation and anguish of the victim:
(A) Matt. 27:38-crucified between two thieves, as though central figure of crime!
(B) Barnes on "crucifixion" — N. T., Vol. 1, pp. 309,310.
(C) No such suffering in animal sacrifice!
(D) Such treatment of lowest brute would be reported to humane society.
(E) NO WONDER sun refused to shine — Matt. 27:45.
(F) (3)
(3) Consider the reason:
(A) SIN — yours and mine-1 Pet. 3:18; Isa. 53:5,8,10.
(a) How heinous, therefore, is sin!! 4. God's Love For The Sinner.
A. What else would have inspired such a sacrifice?? ?
B. Picture Christ in Gethsemane — Matt. 26:39,42, 44.
(1) No other way — Christ — only sacrifice that would meet demands fo Divine Justice — Rom. 3:25,26.
C. Jno. 3:16; Rom. 5:6-8; 1 Jno. 4:9.
D. NO WONDER 1 Jno. 3:1.
Hi. Conclusion:
1. Now, what do you think about the cross?
2. With these "Declarations of The Cross" in view:
A. How can you regard it as "foolishness"?
B. How can it be a "stumbling block" to you?
C. Surely, you will receive it as "the power of God, and the wisdom of God."
D.