“We preach Christ Crucified” 1Cori 1: 23
Introduction:
Today everything is business – one main marketing strategy – give what the customer wants – fulfill his needs and aspirations. Satisfy the customer. Thus business men change products. But Gospel preaching is unique, same, never changes, no one can change.
Paul says, “We preach Christ crucified”
Ob. V. 22
- Jews demand signs – miracles. They asked Christ many times. Cf. Matt 12:38; 16:1; 27: 42; Mark 8:11; Luke 11: 16; 12: 54ff; Jn 2: 18; 4: 48; Luke 24:21. – Even
When Christ was on the cross – they want some spectacular events from heaven to see.
- Greeks seek wisdom – philosophy. New things to debate and argue. Cf. Act 17: 18 – Paul in Athens.
This is the condition of the public. Their demands are different things – still true. Some seek signs, wisdom, entertainment, satisfaction, healings; some others even
prosperity and marriage. – Money, fame, positions etc.
Paul says, ‘I am not here to satisfy you’; ‘I am not here to present what you want’ but – “I preach Christ crucified”.
Result:
Jews: - to them stumbling block. Fall irritated & offended. The message of the cross disturbed them. Why? Preaching Christ / ‘the messiah’ – the anointed one’ as being crucified to face a cursed death is beyond their understanding. Jews looked for a Messiah who is strong, mighty, deliverer who will establish the kingdom. They
could not accept crucified, humiliated, Christ. They were offended, irritated. That’s why Jews persecuted Paul and the preachers. Cf. Act 14: 19; 22: 22.
Greeks: - Foolishness. They could not understand one who died a cursed, shameful death could save and bless mankind. Cf. Act 17: 17:18 – ‘this man does not know anything’ they responded. Some laughed, others mocked. Cf. Act 17: 32.
This is the way public responds to gospel preaching even today.
- Some offended – persecuting the preachers.
- Some mock and ridicule – neglecting the preachers.
Yet Paul preached Christ. Paul has no argument, no debate, and no complaint. He does not stop preaching either.
1Cori 2:2 – purposely avoided any other topics from his sermons. Cf. 2Cori 4: 5:- He did not present even himself. (Some say all kinds of stories about themselves to show them as great, often either exaggerated or full lie!) cf. Act 8: 5, 35; 9:20; 10:36; 17:3 – Throughout the book of Acts we see all apostles preached Christ only.
What are the reasons why Paul & the early church preached Christ alone?
- Even at the demand of listeners or aggression he did not change the topic. We need to notice carefully why apostles preached Christ alone. Three things can be noticed:
1. The uniqueness of His person. – No one like Christ. cf.
- Mat 8:27 And the men marveled, saying, "What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey him?"
- Mat 21:10 And when he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred up, saying, "Who is this?"
- Mar 4:41 And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, "Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?"
- Luk 4:22 And all spoke well of him and marveled at the gracious words that were coming from his mouth. And they said, "Is not this Joseph's son?"
- Joh 7:46 The officers answered, "No one ever spoke like this man!"
Notice, how people marveled at Him. They ask, ‘who is he’; ‘what kind of person he is’. They wonder at his words, deeds, person – He was different, extra-ordinary.
Even the officials say, ‘never man spoke like him’.
In fact everything about Christ is unique and wonderful.
- His birth. Predicted every detail. Cf. Gen 3:15; Isa 7: 14; (: 6, 7; 42:1).
- His life.
People marveled at His life-style. Matthew 13:54 “coming to his hometown he taught them in their synagogue, so that they were astonished, and said, "Where did this man get this wisdom and these mighty works?”
How many benefited from His life and service – healing…comfort…and encouragement etc.
His moral life was perfect….even His foes testified. Pilate says, “I find no fault”. John 18:38;
His wife says, “He was a just man”. Matthew 27:19; Centurion says, “He was truly righteous”. Luke 23:47.
Cf. John 8: 8:46 – Christ challenged the public, “which one of you convicts me of sin”.
- 1Peter 2:22 – Did no sin.
- 2Cori 5:21 – knew no sin.
- 1John 3:5 – In Him no sin.
He had no need to apologize. No need to correct His words or deeds. What is the reason behind this unique personality?
He was perfect God and perfect man in one person. Cf. Psalm 40: 6 – 8; Hebrews 10: 5 – 7. He was not just an ordinary man. He was God Himself who took the form of man yet without sin…that is the reason behind His unique person.
2. The uniqueness of His death. "We preach Christ Crucified” 1Cori 1: 23
Paul not only preaches about the person of Christ, but His death as well. ‘Christ crucified’.
People look at a crucified one as a bad….shameful…cursed person. But that’s what makes Christ’s death unique.
Why / how should such a Holy, just God – man die – ‘crucified’? It’s not logically fitting. Many are confused how can God die? Natural doubt. That’s why we say Christ’s death also was unique. Notice unique features of His death.
a. It was a voluntary death. – Not by force or even chance. Cf. John 10: 17, 18. Cf. Luke 23: 46 – gave up life.
b. It was the most painful death yet consciously suffered. Matthew 27: 33, 34. He did not want to be unconscious to avoid pain…and die slowly..He wanted to taste pain and death in full consciousness. Cf. Heb 2:9 – tasted death.
c. It was a graceful death. Luke 23: 34, 43. No hatred, no vengeance, no regret….even as they beat, removes cloth, spat upon etc….still loving…forgiving. Is there any other death!
d. It was a victorious death. Hebrews 2:14, 15. Many thought…even devil….with death story of Christ finished. That’s what happens to man….But Christ not only He raised again….v.15 …delivered those who were under the bondage….cf.v. 10 – Leading many sons to glory…Death could not keep Him..in grave…
Two main topics of Paul:
- Person of Christ…
- Death of Christ. – Both unique.
Yes, no one like Christ – among all the great men of history.
- No one was born like Him.
- No one lived like Him.
- No one spoke like Him.
- No one did like Him.
- No one sinless like Him.
- No one died like Him.
- No one rose again from the dead like Him.
- No one influences the each generation like Him.
Because of the above mentioned two reasons Paul preaching Christ crucified.
3. The uniqueness of His contribution. 1Cor 1:24
“but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.”
What does He give to people? How do the public saw Him? He is God’s power and wisdom for Jews and Greeks. What does it mean?
Paul’s argument….though many do not value ………understand Him…in Him we find two precious needs of man…..power and wisdom…….both man needs desperately….power to save…change…transform….wisdom to open eyes….of divine knowledge…to make one wise….. thus He is the provision…He is the answer…or He can satisfy the aspirations…needs of man... by being the ‘power’ and ‘wisdom’ of God. In Christ you find power, and wisdom. Sad only few are able to recognize the real need of man.
What is the real need of man?
Sin affected every area of man. He is blinded spiritually….not able to see the real need…he is in dark…do not know the truth…the light etc. In such circumstances…men fail to understand his real need. His value is different…So, fallen man think…his need is food, shelter, companionship etc…not more than that…even today it is so…he needs such things…entertainment…satisfaction ….philosophy…physical well-being…etc. But Bible reveals man has some other needs too.
i. Man needs a saviour. Psalm 118: 25 – ‘save us’ – cf. Isa 33:32; 37:20; 25:9; Jer 2:7 .
Man drowning in sin…is going to the eternal hell…..needs a saviour…not a lecture on salvation….cf. Luke. 1:71 – at His birth it was announced, “He will save” – that’s why name ‘Jesus’ – the savour. Cf. Luke 19: 10 – He came to seek and save the lost…He alone saves man from sin, punishment and guilt.
- Not just any one…but victorious. Cf. John 16:33. – able to deliver. Heb 7:25
ii. Man needs a mediator. Job 9:33 cf. 1Timothy 2:5; Heb 8:6; 9:15; 12:24 – He is enemy to God….
iii. Man needs a redeemer. Psalm 49: 7, 8; Matt 20: 28 – gave life as a ransom. Cf. Gal 4:5; Tit 2:14. – He is a slave.
iv. Man needs a pattern – a guide….He does not know…ignorant….cf. john 10: 4, 11, 14 – He is the good shepherd. Goes before us. Cf. 1Peter 2:21.
v. Man needs hope…someone to give hope..future…in this hopeless world. cf. 2Thess 2:16 – in Christ hope. 1Tim 1:1 – Christ our hope.
He is everything….cf. Col 2:10 – complete in Christ.
Rom 8:37 – more than conquerors
2Cor 2:14 – always triumph.
Conclusion:
All who have come…realize…
- He is the power…dynamic.
- He is the wisdom of God.
What is your need? Do you know?
What’s Christ to you?
Is He your saviour – Lord?
Is He your redeemer….receive Him.
(Prepared by Nelson Thomas Mumbai. For details contact: gracepeaceu@gmail.com visit: gracepeace.net)
