A Proper Perspective on the Cross

1 Corinthians 1:17-18

INTRODUCTION: I fear that very few have a biblical perspective of the cross of Christ. The unsaved world either views it with disdain because of the Christ to which it points or they view it as a religious trinket or good-luck charm. Regardless, neither is accurate. The unsaved world should look on the cross with adoration because it is there that Christ paid the ultimate price to make their salvation possible. Sadly, the error does not stop with the unsaved. Many saved people merely view the cross as a place where a historic event took place and one that bears little-to-no impact on their lives today.

I. THE WORLDVIEW OF THE CROSS

A. As it Was Announced (Mark 8:31-33)

1. The announcement (Mark 8:31)
2. The reception (Mark 8:32-33)

B. As it Occurred

1. The Jews desire for Him to die—“It is not lawful for us to put any man to death” (John 18:31)
2. The Jews cried out—“Crucify him” (Mark 15:14)
3. Then the onlookers called for Him to save Himself
a. The passersby—“Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, save thyself. If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross.” (Matthew 27:40)
b. The chief priests—“He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him.” (Matthew 27:42)
c. The thieves also

C. As it Is Preached

1. “For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness” (1 Corinthians 1:18).
2. Paul spoke of “the offense of the cross” (Galatians 5:11).
3. Paul warned about many who were “the enemies of the cross of Christ” (Philippians 3:18).

II. THE CHRISTIAN VIEW OF THE CROSS

A. As it Occurred

1. The wages of sin—“For the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23)
2. The love of Christ—“For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:” (2 Corinthians 5:14)
3. The outpouring of God’s wrath—“Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand” (Isaiah 53:10)

B. As it Is Preached

1. The demonstration of the power of God—“For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God” (1 Corinthians 1:18).
2. The place of our glory—“But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Galatians 6:14)
3. The means of our sanctification—“by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world” (Galatians 6:14)
4. The ministry we have received—“And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.” (2 Corinthians 5:18-20)

CONCLUSION: What does the cross mean to you? Have you placed your faith in the finished work of Christ for salvation? If so, has the cross of Christ truly changed your life? Has Christ crucified you to the world and the world to you?