Recently, I preached a couple sermons about the cross. Do we, as members of the body of Christ, truly understand and appreciate what the cross means to our lives. I'm reminded of the words of the apostle Paul so long ago. "For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified."{1 Corinthians 2:2}
Earlier in this same book, Paul made a statement concerning his preaching. "For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom; but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God."{1 Corinthians 1:22-24} What does it mean to preach Christ crucified?
Christ's death on the cross is the most important event revealed in the sacred pages. It is the pivotal moment in the history of mankind. No death has ever accomplished more or done more to change the course of this world. (It continues to have an impact on mankind and always will!) "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."{John 3:16} His death has meaning for the whole world, but especially for those who avail themselves of the benefits derived from it. Why? What does the death of God's Son mean to you? What relationship does God sustain with you because of that death? What does it mean for us after all this time? We shall endeavor to answer these vital questions.
His Death is My Identity: (Who Am I?) "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."{1 Corinthians 1:18} The world cannot comprehend the magnitude of this precious gift. The power of that one sacrifice is the difference between life and death! Who do I belong to? "For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's."{1 Corinthians 6:20} Do we not wear His name? Do we not magnify and glorify Him for all He does for us? Do you understand what His death brought you out of? "He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins."{Colossians 1:13,14} As Christians, we are truly blessed people!
His Calvary Is My Destiny: (What Am I Doing Here?) Why did God place us on this earth? "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them."{Ephesians 2:10} We are here to do "good works"-His work! One of the most important aspects of this work is sharing with others the story and message of the cross. Telling men of the wonderful story of love. To show them the love God showed by sending His Son and the love Christ showed when He died for them. Is there a greater work we need to be busy accomplishing?
His Calvary Is My Eternity: (Where Am I Going?) What I do with this wonderful message will have a great impact on where I spend eternity. "For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal."{2 Corinthians 4:17,18} Many people live lives that have no direction whatsoever. Yet, as children of God, the cross points us to our eternal goal. "Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing."{2 Timothy 4:8} Yes, the message of the cross is powerful.
I hope you will be touched and moved to a greater appreciation for that cross and all that it means to us and the world. To preach Christ and Him crucified is to point mankind to Him. It is by Him, through Him, and because of Him any that of us will be saved. All men who will be saved must bow down at the foot of the cross. There is no other way!