"We Preach Christ Crucified"

2. Paul wanted their attention. They would now hear about the power of this wise God.

B. Verse 21b. The “foolishness of preaching” now takes on a much deeper meaning.

1. Verses 22a, 23a. Jews wanted those signs that would prove Jesus to be the Son of God.

2. Jesus miracles were the signs that proved his divinity. These signs also caused problems.

3. The church leaders condemned Jesus because of the many miraculous signs he did.

C. Verse 23. Jesus became a stumbling block to some of the Jews. They wanted to do their sacrifices.

1. This stumbling block was not a small stone. It was a big block that could and would crush.

2. Verse 25. Jesus’ death on the cross was the ultimate strength of God in paying for sins.

D. The cross of Christ is the means which God used to pay for our sins. On our own and by ourselves we cannot never, ever pay for even one single sin. There is not enough money. There are not enough good works or prayers to make amends for all the sinful thoughts, words, and deeds that scar our daily lives. Truly, we are absolutely powerless to save ourselves. "You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly" (ROMANS 5:6). “We preach Christ crucified.” Yes, we are the ungodly. Our acts of wickedness, rebellion, and sin are defiant deeds of unbelief. Christ forgives.

E. Can there really be strength in weakness? People look at the cross of Christ and see an instrument of torture and death. Death seems to be the weakest moment in any person’s life. It would seem no different in the life of Jesus, God’s Son. How weak is such a Savior who cannot even avoid death? In that seeming moment of weakness the very strength of God is fully revealed. The voice of God in glory is heard in the words of Jesus on the cross: “It is finished.” The priced has been paid once and for all. The sins of the world are forgiven. "And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spec-tacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross" (COLOSSIANS 2:15). Even the centurion confessed at the foot of the cross. Jesus nailed the law and its effects to the cross. Jesus death becomes our eternal life.

F. Still today one sees and hears the strength and power of God in those things the world calls weak. Small children believe. A child-like faith is faith that completely trusts and believes with question. Jesus quotes the following verse to remind believers that faith begins very early on in life. Theirs is a saving, powerful faith. "From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise because of your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger"(PSALM 8:2). Before being able to read small children sing with faith, “Jesus, loves me this I know…” The devil is silenced. Hearing God’s word small children proclaim the birth of Christ with the angels, “Glory to God in the highest…” Satan falls silent.

CONC: Man’s arrogance is trying to remove the cross from places of worship. How absurd. It is that very cross of Christ that is to be the only foundation of a true Christian church. The cross of Christ is the very heart and soul of each and every true believer. Without the cross of Christ we would be lost and condemned creatures forever. On the cross Christ died. After the cross Jesus rose again. "May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world" (GALATIANS 6:14). “WE PREACH CHRIST CRUCIFIED” This is the wisdom of God for us and for our salvation. This is the power of God for us and our salvation. The cross of Christ is the wise and powerful message for us for our world -- forever! Amen. Pastor Timm O. Meyer