Sermon Tone Analysis

*The Community of the Cross*

*January 26, 2003*

* *

*Scripture Reading: *1 Corinthians 1:1-2:5

 

*Introduction:*

 

The fragmentation of the world.

The fragmented community of our culture (gangs, families).

There is even fragmentation (tribalism) in the church.

The Corinthian church and Paul had become crossed up.

He had planted this church on his 2nd missionary journey (Acts 18).

He stayed there for 1 ½ years after some initial trouble because he had a vision from God that "I have many people in this city".

Paul wrote 4 letters (2 are lost) and made 3 visits to Corinth.

1Cor.

was written from Ephesus 4 to 5 years after his first visit.

It was written after a previous letter that was misunderstood.

In 1Cor. he addresses the problems there he became aware of by personal report and by a letter written to him by the church.

The message of 1Cor. is the doctrine of the cross in its social application.

Given the history and setting of Corinth, Paul's letter can be seen as a model on how to do urban ministry in the modern world, since Corinth could be likened to the New York, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and even the Chicago of the modern world.

The first problem he addresses is to give unifying wisdom to the problem of divisions that were leading to fragmentation.

They had a misguided view of their own spiritual maturity (arrogance).

But he follows with his response to many other "hot potato" issues that are still issues today – most notably sexual immorality, lawsuits, leadership, freedom, marriage and divorce, love, women in ministry, spiritual gifts, and the resurrection body.

*Big Question:*

 

/How can the church find a real sense of community?/

We can find a real sense of community when we make the cross our hope.

We can find a real sense of community when we make the cross our confidence.

We can find a real sense of community when we take up the challenge of the cross.

We can find a real sense of community when we take up the power and wisdom of the cross –

          That called the Messiah against all human reason

          That called the Corinthians against all human reason

          That called Paul against all human reason

          And - that even called us against all human reason

         

*I.

Cycle One*

 

*          A.

Narrative *(vv.

1:1-3)

 

*          B.

Implication*

 

We can find a real sense of community when we make the cross our hope.

*          C.

Illustration*

 

*          D.

Application*

 

*II.

Cycle Two*

 

*          A.

Narrative* (vv.

1:4-9)

 

*          B.

Implication*

 

We can find a real sense of community when we make the cross our confidence.

*          C.

Illustration*

 

*          D.

Application*

 

*III.

Cycle Three*

 

*          A.

Narrative *(vv.

1:10-17)

 

*          B.

Implication*

 

We can find a real sense of community when we take up the challenge of the cross.

*          C.

Illustration*

 

Dyson Hague said, "No one has the right to smooth off the corners of the cross."

There are 8 corners of the cross that we dare not smooth off.

Sin

          Repentance

          Confession

          Self-denial

          Discipline

          Holiness

          Stewardship

          Humility

         

The cross was designed to cause Jesus pain.

We might afford to have padded pews in the church, but we cannot afford to have a padded cross.

*          D.

Application*

 

*IV.

Cycle Four*

* *

*          A.

Narrative* (vv.

1:18-2:5)

 

*          B.

Implication*

 

We can find a real sense of community when we take up the power and wisdom of the cross –

          That called the Messiah against all human reason (vv.

1:18-25)

          That called the Corinthians against all human reason (vv.

1:26-31)

          That called Paul against all human reason (vv.

2:1-5)

          And - that even called us against all human reason

 

*          C.

Illustration*

 

/[vv.

18-19]/

 

Khmer Rouge General Now Preaches Gospel of Christ

 

Former Peddler of Porn Paraphernalia Now Sells Bibles as New Christian

 

A Critique of Evolutionary Random Development of Living Systems (by David R. Boylan, Faith Pulpit, Jan. 2003)

 

 

 

 

/[v.

26]/

 

THE EIGHT COW WOMAN STORY \\ \\ Perhaps you've heard the story of Johnny Lingo, a man who lived in the South Pacific.

The islanders all spoke highly of him.

He was strong, good-looking, and very intelligent.

But when it came time for him to find a wife, people shook their heads in disbelief.

The woman Johnny chose was plain, skinny, and walked with her shoulders hunched and her head down.

She was very hesitant and shy.

She was also a bit older than the other married women in the village, which did nothing for her value.