|
The Cross of Christ
The Preaching of the cross 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. 1 Corinthians 1:19 For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. 1 Corinthians 1:20 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? 1 Corinthians 1:21 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. 1 Corinthians 1:22 For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: 1 Corinthians 1:23 But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; 2000 years ago,God manifested in the flesh, The Lord Jesus Christ, went to die the death of a criminal on a Roman cross erected on Calvary hill, outside the Jerusalem walls. This event was not understood then and still is not understood today from those who are perishing. It seems foolish and nonsensical, the natural man does NOT understand neither can understand until he BELIEVES and RECEIVES THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST and gets saved and then, The Spirit of God opens his eyes to this glorious event that is the crucifixion of Christ. The Apostle Paul says: ... but we PREACH CHRIST CRUCIFIED.. and that is wonderful news! The Preaching of the cross is the power of the gospel of the grace of God. By the cross of Christ God is able to take wicked,sinful, enemies of God and offer them FREE JUSTIFICATION though FAITH. Romans 3:24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus Romans 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By the preaching of the cross we are delivered from the bondage of the law (Col 2:14, Gal 5:11) Colossians 2:14 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; Galatians 5:11 And I, brethren, if I yet preach circumcision, why do I yet suffer persecution? then is the offence of the cross ceased. Through the blood of Christ’s cross we are reconciled to God and have peace with him (Col 1:20, Rom 5:1 ) ( 2 Cor 5:19) 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. Romans 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 2 Corinthians 5:19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. We receive forgiveness and redemption by the blood shed there (Eph 1:7). Ephesians 1:7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; The preaching of the cross procures eternal life to all who would trust solely in its atoning work (Eph 1:13). 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, The preaching of the gospel would be vain without the preaching of the cross (1 Cor 15:14). 1 Corinthians 15:14 And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. It is for this reason that the preaching of the cross is foolishness to those who perish. The one who we call Saviour was crucified. There is no glory to man on earth to be crucified. Replacing religious works, the law, special days, and baptism with the cross, requires a complete faith that Christ did everything necessary for salvation, and is offering it all graciously to those who work not (Rom 4:5). Romans 4:5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly,his faith is counted for righteousness. It is foolish to the world not to offer their works to God. It is foolish to the world to claim that one young man dead on a cross is the answer to the world’s problems. To the religious Jews the death of the Messiah was a sign of weakness, not a sign of power. Yet to us which are saved it is the power of God and the wisdom of God (1 Cor 1:24). 1 Corinthians 1:24 But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. It is only through the preaching of the cross that our works are removed from salvation so that no flesh should glory in his presence (1 Cor 1:29). 1 Corinthians 1:29 That no flesh should glory in his presence. Instead of the glory being in us, the glory is firmly placed in Lord Jesus Christ alone, and what he was made for us by that cross (Gal 3:13) ( 1 Cor 1:31 ) ( Rom 16:27). Galatians 3:13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: 1 Corinthians 1:31 That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord. Romans 16:27 To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen. The preaching of the cross of Christ is the power of God unto salvation. Romans 1:16 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 glory in the cross: without it I am still dead (Eph 2:1, 13). Ephesians 2:1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; Ephesians 2:13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. 1 Corinthians 1:30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: We need WISDOM: CHRIST IS OUR WISDOM We need RIGHTEOUSNESS: CHRIST IS OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS We need SANCTIFICATION: CHRIST IS OUR SANCTIFICATION We need REDEMPTION: CHRIST IS OUR REDEMPTION! AMEN. TO GOD ALONE ALL THE GLORY 
|
Romans 3:23-24 KJV
Romans 16:24-27 KJV
THE PREACHING OF THE CROSS
The Bible says the preaching of the cross is the power of God, the wisdom of God, and the glory of God unto salvation (1 Cor 1:18, 24; Rom 1:16; Phil 3:7-11). By the cross, enemies are reconciled to God and have peace with him (Col 1:20; Rom 5:1; 2 Cor 5:19). The blood shed there secures forgiveness and redemption (Eph 1:7). The preaching of the cross gives eternal life to all who trust its resurrection power. By the cross, God takes ungodly sinners and freely justifies them through faith (Rom 3:24, 4:5, 5:1). How can this be right? How can God give salvation to ungodly men by mere faith? Should not God merit salvation by good works? Would not God receive more glory by works? Abundant good works cannot justify a single sin. We are all sinners. The wages of sin is death (Rom 3:23, 6:23). A million good works amount to nothing when one sin results in death. There is no glory in a sinner trying to impress a righteous God with his good works. It is futile. Religion does not impress God, and flattery is fake. God owes us nothing. Sin and boasting will cost you everything (1 Cor 1:29). Man cannot earn salvation. God can only give salvation. You have nothing with which to pay. He must provide salvation freely. This is what God provided in Jesus, the one and only perfect Christ, through his blood, death, burial, and resurrection. Christ’s blood is the payment, his resurrection is the receipt, and the preaching of the cross is the delivery. All that remains is for us to believe! Christ did everything necessary to save your soul. The Lord Jesus Christ was made sin for us, abolished death with his resurrection power, and made immortality and righteousness an opportunity to all through him. This sufficient and finished work provides salvation freely to all and upon all that believe. Trust God’s righteousness in Christ, not your own, and you will be saved (Rom 3:20-26). The preaching of the cross is the power of God unto salvation. Talk of salvation is vain without it. Give glory to God for doing the needed work. Glory in the cross! “[Christ Jesus] Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.” – Romans 3:25-26 “But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.” – Romans 4:5 "I declare unto you the gospel... by which also ye are saved... that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures…" - 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 
THE CROSS OF CHRIST HAS BROUGHT GREAT CHANGES AND BENEFITS FOR THE BELIEVERS
RECONCILIATION 2 Corinthians 5:19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Ephesians 2:16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: 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. 2 Corinthians 5:18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; 2 Corinthians 5:19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. REDEMPTION Romans 3:24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Romans 8:23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. 1 Corinthians 1:30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: Ephesians 1:7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; Ephesians 1:14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory. Ephesians 4:30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. Colossians 1:14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: PROPITIATION Romans 3:25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; 1 Timothy 2:5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; 1 Timothy 2:6 Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time. FORGIVENESS OF ALL SINS! Ephesians 1:7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; Colossians 1:14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: JUSTIFICATION Romans 4:25 Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification. Romans 5:16 And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification. Romans 5:18 Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. ....to be continued |
|
|