Hope and the Scandal of the Cross
Scandalous Hope • Sermon • Submitted
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· 1 viewThe dictionary defines the word "scandal" as an action or event regarded as morally or legally wrong and causing general public outrage." What is the biggest scandal in the Bible, and how does it make a difference in our lives? We have been exploring scandals in the Bible surrounding Jesus' birth, and how Jesus came to overcome scandal. Today, we will look at the biggest scandal that Jesus experienced and how it gives us so much HOPE as we start 2023. We will also be taking communion together.
Notes
Transcript
Please turn to 1 Corinthians 1:18 and following.
Happy New Year! Welcome—my name is Pastor Rick, Senior Pastor here, and we are thrilled you joined us to worship Jesus Christ, and if Jesus Christ is new to you—or you are investigating, we are so honored that you came to join us.
Today is the last sermon in a series called “Scandalous Hope,” our Christmas series.
and next week, we will return to the book of Revelation and finish it over the next several weeks.
We have been saying that so much of the events of Jesus’ birth came in scandal—his family tree, Mary and Joseph having a baby out of wedlock, King Herod and what he did.
Let’s think of Jesus’ life now—turn to your neighbor...
What is the most scandalous thing about Jesus’ life? Think of all his miracles—think of his teachings, his actions—and examples. What is it?
Turn to your neighbor...
The Apostle Paul actually gives us an answer...
he is writing to a church in Corinth that is majorly divided.
They are dividing over human leaders—some say they follow “Paul, I follow Apollos, or Peter...”
and here is how he addresses it...
18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
19 For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.”
20 Where is the wise person? Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?
21 For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe.
22 Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom,
23 but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles,
24 but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.
25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.
I want you to reflect back on 2022 for a moment....
What went well? What did not?
(just take a moment)
and look at next year....what do you want next year to be about...
What is the most scandalous thing in Jesus’ life? I would argue it is the CROSS.
I would argue that you should make this next year about scandal...
now, certainly not as we usually define scandal as an outrage to an immoral or legal even that we didn’t expect…but what we see here.
Verse 23—actually uses the word scandal
23 but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles,
stumbling block—the Greek word is skandalov where we get our word scandalous. and it means: that which causes offense or revulsion and results in opposition, disapproval, or hostility, fault, stain
Arndt, W., Danker, F. W., Bauer, W., & Gingrich, F. W. (2000). In A Greek-English lexicon of the New Testament and other early Christian literature (3rd ed., p. 926). University of Chicago Press.
The cross of Jesus Christ is scandalous to the world — both Jews and Greeks.
—it is weakness to some
—it is foolish to some
but to FOLLOWERS OF JESUS it is precious—the power of God and the wisdom of God.
why is the cross so scandalous to the world and why is it so precious to us:
why should 2023 be the year of the scandalous cross:
b/c though it seems weak and foolish, it is the very means by which we are put right with our heavenly Father (vs. 18-25)
we have a hard time seeing how scandalous the cross is. we decorate with it. see it in churches—we have one up here. it’s beautiful...
but to help us grasp it a little bit…one writer says it like this: “WHAT WOULD YOU THINK if a woman came to work wearing earrings stamped with an image of the mushroom cloud of the atomic bomb dropped over Hiroshima in WW2? What would you think of a church building adorned with a fresco of the massed graves at Auschwitz, concentration camp? Both visions are grotesque. They are not only intrinsically abhorrent, but they are shocking because of powerful cultural associations.
The same sort of shocked horror was associated with cross and crucifixion in the first century. Apart from the emperor’s explicit sanction, no Roman citizen could be put to death by this means. Crucifixion was reserved for slaves, aliens, barbarians. Many thought it was not something to be talked about in polite company. Quite apart from the wretched torture inflicted on those who were executed by hanging from a cross, the cultural associations conjured up images of evil, corruption, abysmal rejection.”
back then, you might see people crucified, from a young age, lining the streets—it was a powerful reminder from the Roman Empire that they were in charge—not you. and this was the most horrible, shameful way to die.
Carson, D. A.. The Cross and Christian Ministry (pp. 12-13). Baker Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.
look at verse 22-23 again
22 Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom,
23 but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles,
the Jews back then, were waiting for a promised king and Messiah, a leader who would come in power. in fact, we see some of his people ask for that
38 Then some of the Pharisees and teachers of the law said to him, “Teacher, we want to see a sign from you.”
39 He answered, “A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a sign! But none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah.
48 “Unless you people see signs and wonders,” Jesus told him, “you will never believe.”
certainly, Jesus’ power and miracles drew up to himself. why should Jesus object to giving signs?
I would argue that there is a longing to see Jesus move in power that is entirely appropriate, godly, full of surrender, that cries out in desperation seeking to glorify him…it’s all about God.
but there is another kind of request that demands it of Jesus so we can look down on Jesus and evaluate Jesus on OUR terms. We are kings demanding God be our servants. Jesus does not respond to that—he is not a good luck charm or a genie.
sometimes, we bargain with God with this- “God I will follow you if you answer this prayer—or God I will follow you if you heal or do this for me...” but we don’t get to negotiate the terms with God—He defines them. when we do this, we are acting like the Jews in this text—demanding that God respond to our terms. but the cross challenges that thinking.
and Greeks or Gentiles on the other hand in that day—loved public speaking. they loved creating entire systems of thought where they could explain everything. it was this desire for academic and intellectual philosophy that could explain everything and fit into this nice system.
but the cross shatters both power and our wordly pursuit of wisdom. it seems weak. a crucified Messiah. a crucified Savior, bloody, naked weak.
it seems foolish. how does this fit in with the brightest thinking of our day? how can a Savior be crucified?
and yet Paul says—it’s very different for Christians.
24 but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.
look at that carefully—those God has called…that is a strong word that bothers us sometimes. the main reason that followers of Jesus are different is because God has called them. He has taken the initiative to save them. God has reached out and saved them. certainly we respond from a human perspective, but at the end of the day—it’s God’s doing.
and for those God has called—Jesus Christ on the cross—the cross is so precious—because on the cross, Jesus Christ who knew no sin, became sin for us. He didn’t die for His sin. He was sinless. He died for ours in our place, so that what seems weak was so powerful, actually accomplishing the way for us to be put right with an awesome and holy God.
it seems foolish, but it’s wisdom—because on the cross, God accomplishes and punishes sin. Justice is paid, but He is gracious—because He is able to save sinners like us.
and it seems scandalous b/c of the cross, b/c of expectations, and b/c we don’t work for it.
it’s all God’s initiative, his doing, and we simply receive it....it’s the sign of Jonah—where Jesus died and 3 days later rose.
if you are not a believer, you need to start here—it is the cross that enables you to be forgiven by God, given a new start, born again—and have a relationship with Him. (more than turning a new leaf) struggling with truly changing? look to the cross.
struggling with pride? look to the cross. it humbles us.
struggling with insecurity? look to the cross. we are so secure and loved in Christ b/c of the cross.
and if you are, you need to come back to it again and again. it would have helped them with divisions in the Corinthian church—it can unify us—around the cross. b/c before the cross, we are all equally sinners, and all equally saved the same. make 2023 the year of the scandal of the cross…
and here’s the 2nd reason why it is scandalous yet so precious
#2 — it becomes our very identity (vs. 26-31)
26 Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth.
27 But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.
28 God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are,
29 so that no one may boast before him.
30 It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption.
31 Therefore, as it is written: “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.”
Paul reminds them and us—that we are proof that God’s definition of wisdom and power are different than the world!
and he reminds us about how we are to boast...
now, how many of you know if you hang out with someone who brags and boasts—it’s kind of annoying isn’t it?
if they are always talking themselves?
bragging about what they accomplished—some people just don’t know they do that, do they? one reason we don’t like it is because it elevates themselves—it makes them seem like they are filled with pride...
but the sad reality is we all struggle with boasting in ourselves in some way—whether we do it before others, or just in our hearts. we do it puff ourselves up and make ourselves feel good.
23 This is what the Lord says: “Let not the wise boast of their wisdom or the strong boast of their strength or the rich boast of their riches,
24 but let the one who boasts boast about this: that they have the understanding to know me, that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,” declares the Lord.
wisdom, strength, and riches…
but Paul quoting Jeremiah—says let us boast in the Lord.
we boast in what we value most.
God’s most incredible act of kindness, justice, and righteousness were displayed at the cross.
Christ is our wisdom—he secures our right standing before God.
Christ is our holiness—we belong to God.
and redemption—we are set free.
you see if your life in 2023 comes back to the cross of Jesus again and again...
you don’t have to prove yourself to others—Jesus did the ultimate proving—of his love for you—and you can rest in that.
you don’t have ultimately have to worry about the future—it’s ok to be concerned—but God has secured the greatest status possible
riches don’t have to define you b/c Jesus is your #1 treasure
you don’t have to hang out with those who are the top b/c Jesus, the #1 at the top, came and is hanging out with you
the cross changes everything....the scandal of the cross. Let’s pray
make 2023 about the cross.
call up Myra
introduce her — tell us what you and Mark do for a living
introduce your family
2 questions:
1. How has Jesus Christ and His cross made a difference in your life? (any examples, stories, etc.?)
2. What would you say to someone who is struggling with the idea of following or surrendering to Jesus (whether they are a non-believer or a believer)? What advice or encouragement would you have?
communion
23 For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread,
24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.”
25 In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.”
26 For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.