Sermon Central
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The Way Of The Cross Series
Contributed by Joe Rowland on Jun 19, 2012 (message contributor)
Summary: We need to get back to the basics of our faith and talk about the way of the Cross. I saw myself with a laminated Cross in front of me. We need to pick up our cross and follow Jesus.
The Way Of The Cross
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.
19 For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.
I am entitling this today: the way of the Cross
Pr 16:25 There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
We live in a world where there seems to be a right way and there seems to be a wrong way, but if Jesus is not the one leading then they both will take us to the same place. (Hell)
We as a church need to walk in unity and have our minds on what Christ done at the Cross and what was done for us.
15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.
16 Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.
This means that they were otherwise minded, but through the words of Paul the Holy Spirit was going to show them the right way, which was to pull them back to the Cross.
Paul was showing them how to press towards the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
They were making progress as they stay focused on the same thing.
Church let us walk the same path, that of the Cross.
17 Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.
18 (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:
Paul and others were being an example of how to walk this walk of faith.
We need those who know how to really believe to pick up their crosses and follow hard after Jesus this morning.
Verse 18 say, (For many walk, this speaks of those attempting to live for God outside of the victory and rudiments of the Cross of Christ.)
Of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, this is a most serious matter.
That they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: those who do not look exclusively to the Cross of Christ must be labeled enemies.
The world that we live in is fast paste to becoming a big enemy to the Cross of Christ.
We are heading in a direction as a Nation and even as a world that wants to take Jesus out of the equation.
We need to make sure that we as Christians are willing to pick up our Crosses and follow after Him.
We need not to be ashamed or afraid of what He wants us to do.
He will make a way where there is no way.
We need to get back to the basics of our faith and that is the cross of Christ.
1Co 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.
How many this morning is saved?
Then there needs to be a Preaching of the cross because it is the power of God.
The world will never understand the cross and what it represents without us talking about the power that we have received because of Christ and how He died on the Cross but rose again and overcame death, hell and the grave.
19 For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.
This speaks of those who are wise in their own eyes, but in effect have forsaken the ways of the Lord.
27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;
The Preaching of the Cross confounds the wise because it falls out into changed lives, which nothing man has can do.
The Cross from the worlds stand point is looked at as weakness, but it brings about great strength and power, regarding those who accept the finished work of Christ.
1: Corinthians 1:28
28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:
It is God working in the base things and the despised things which brings about miraculous things.
