2 Corinthians 5:14,15
I.
Introduction (Acts 26:22-24)
A.
Why do people get so upset when a Christian tries to talk about Jesus?
B.
It is not just Jesus that upsets them, it is what Jesus DID that upsets
them
1.
He did not come and pat people on the back and say we as a human race are
doing great – keep up the good work!
2.
He did not attack the political despots of the day, and demand human
rights and more civil liberties
3.
He did not fight for the needs of the poor and destitute
4.
He did not equalise all the incomes of people, and establish unions and
labour relation boards
5.
He did not do away with old fashioned concepts of sin and holiness
6.
He did not replace the Bible with a list of positive thinking, and
politically correct do’s and don’ts
C.
Does anyone know what Jesus DID do? He died! He allowed wicked men
to hold Him to the crossbeams of a rugged cross, and then nail Him there, and
set Him up on a hill just outside the city walls of Jerusalem, right next to the
city dump!
D.
That just does not seem very virtuous, or honourable at first glance
II.
Background (1Cor 1:17-24)
A.
Yet, Christianity, in all its power is fuelled by that event
B.
And any true preacher of the Gospel will fight tooth and nail to make
sure that the cross is never messed with, and modified and perverted!
C.
Because, it is the Cross that we preach – it is the ONLY thing that
convicts a sinner of their sinfulness, and converts them from self-worship, and
self-righteousness, and all the religion that goes with it
III.
Message – The Offence of the Cross (2Cor 5:14,15)
A.
What
the Offence of the Cross Means to the Lost
(2Cor 5:14)
1.
It
is offensive because it is so Basic
a.
Attacks the very root of our self – proves that we are dead to God (Eph
2:1-3,5)
b.
Attacks the very limit of our human abilities – no one is good enough,
nor ever will be – that is so offensive to people
1)
That cross screams out, “the whole world lies in WICKEDNESS!” (1Jn
5:19)
2)
All our righteousnesses are as filthy rags (Isa 64:6)
3)
All our abilities are counted as the sound of a drop of a bucket – just
a bit of noise. No real change. Solomon says there really is nothing new under
the sun at all!
c.
Attacks all the religions of the world – and I mean ALL
1)
Started with Judaism – said it was wrong
2)
Spread out to all forms of idolatry and paganism
3)
Still applies to every religion that promotes the ability of the sinner
instead of the finished work of Jesus Christ
4)
That Cross is so offensive to religion that people spend their lives
re-writing the old time hymns
a)
Amazing grace that saved a sinner (not wretch) like me
b)
I wish I had the list of all the hymns that have either been changed, or
completely thrown out of hymnbooks in churches these days – all because THE
SONGS WERE OFFENSIVE to this modern ME generation!
d.
Do you know what the Cross says to this world?
1)
That we all deserve such a death, and for all eternity
2)
That to get eternal life, we are going to have to humble ourselves, and
come to that Saviour on the cross
3)
And that at that Cross, Jesus will take our old life, and nail it there
WITH HIM, and then give us full and free pardon
4)
But because it requires death, the world doesn’t want it
2.
It
is offensive because it is so Bitter
a.
It was our sins that put Jesus on that Cross
b.
It was US that cried out “crucify Him!”
c.
It is this WHOLE WORLD that is going to hell
1)
Your dear old Mom and Dad, your sister, your neighbour
2)
Your grandparents, my family
3)
Generation after generation has been dropping into hell like flies
d.
So, so bitter a message – religion has not helped this world
e.
WIDE IS THE GATE – many there be that go in thereat
3.
It
is offensive because it is so Bare
– so clear, and harsh – no way to smooth it over and make it less than it
really is
a.
Talking to a guy named Adrian – said this generation needs a new
message – a smoother cross – use rock music to get their hearts!
b.
Talking to businessmen who want churches to run like businesses
c.
Talking to parents who want churches to cater more for the needs of their
children – they just want more free babysitters
d.
Nobody wants HELL preached anymore, because of that cross
4.
It
is offensive because it is Boundless
a.
Can’t be stopped
1)
Peter tried to stop the cross from happening
2)
Pilate tried to stop it
3)
The crucifixion HAD to happen
4)
What people don’t want is it to happen around them, and because of them
– sorry – we are the only reason!
b.
Can’t be grasped (Heb 7:22-27)
1)
The lowest, most wicked sinner can be saved, and transformed
2)
The highest, most cleanest person can go to hell – simply because they
won’t surrender to the One on the cross as having died for THEM!
3)
You couldn’t figure it out with a supercomputer!
B.
What
the Offence of the Cross Means to the Believer
(2Cor 5:15)
1.
It
is offensive because it is Bonding
(2Tim 1:8)
a.
Constrains us living to a different life than we may want
b.
Causes us to care no longer about ourselves, but about a whole world
dying and going to hell (2Tim 1:9-12)
c.
Bonds enemies, slaves, masters, rich and poor all together – some like
that, but most don’t – they still want a caste system
d.
People today, good people, and even Christians, don’t like preaching on
the Cross because it testifies that we ought to be living DIFFERENTLY now that
we are saved (1Cor 6:18-20)
2.
It
is offensive because it is Embarrassing
(Heb 13:12,13)
a.
That’s why Peter tried to stop Jesus from dying
b.
That’s why Christians shy away from talking about Jesus
c.
That’s why Jesus said, take up our cross, the shame, the reproach of
being associated with such an one as Jesus
3.
It
is offensive because it is Burdening
(Rom 1:14; Mt 11:28,29)
a.
You can’t get it out of your mind, that Christ died for sinners (Rom
5:6) – you start to see a world around you LOST!
b.
You can’t ever experience peace until you are busy for the Lord –
doing SOMETHING for eternity as a servant
c.
You can’t enjoy life until it is lived on the edge, at the limit of the
Christian life
1)
Many of us used to live life to the limit of sin
2)
I tell you, there is nothing like living all out for the Lord!
4.
Do you know what other Christians will think of you?
a.
They will be offended – that you have a fire for God greater than they
b.
They will be upset that you think you are more spiritual – which you
are not
c.
They will be ashamed of the clarity of the Gospel you preach because it
shows the world that they are NOT being a bright light for the Lord
5.
Do you know what they WORLD will think of you if you live for Christ and
present the cross? We won’t even talk about it!
C.
Let me say finally, that to the Christian, who has faced that
crucifixion, and fallen on the Rock, Jesus Christ, and surrendered as a sinner
into the loving hands of such a Saviour as Jesus, that Cross is:
1.
Beautiful – the kiss of God on this sin-cursed world
2.
Blessed – a place of miracles of the heart being transformed
3.
The Beginning – that was the place that it all started for me!
IV.
Conclusion
A.
What
the Offence of the Cross Means to the Lost
(2Cor 5:14)
1.
It
is offensive because it is so Basic
–attacks everything in this life
2.
It
is offensive because it is so Bitter
if it is bitter, then it is working!
3.
It
is offensive because it is so Bare
– so clear, and harsh – no way to smooth it over and make it less than it
really is
4.
It
is offensive because it is Boundless
– can’t be beat, nor stopped
B.
What
the Offence of the Cross Means to the Believer
(2Cor 5:15)
1.
It
is offensive because it is Bonding
- quite fighting God’s work
2.
It
is offensive because it is Embarrassing
– take the shame with joy
3.
It
is offensive because it is Burdening
– How is YOUR burden?
Pastor
Craig Ledbetter
Bible Baptist Church Blarney
29 Westcourt Heights
Ballincollig, Cork, Ireland