Lent 3 C - Epistle - 3 11 2012

[chemnitznsasse]

Not yet finished, but here it is so far:
1 Corinthians 1:18-31 ~ 18 For the word of the cross is foolishness to the ones being destroyed, but to us, the ones being saved, it is the dynamite of God. 19 For is stands written, “Will destroy the wisdom of the wise and the understanding of the understanding ones I will reject. 20 Where the wise? Where the scribes? Where the debaters of this age? Has God not made foolish the wisdom of the world? 22 For since then, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, God was pleased through the foolishness of the proclamation to save the faith ones. 22 Since the, also the Jews ask for signs and the Greeks seek wisdom, 23 But we proclaim Christ crucified, on the one hand, a scandal for Jews and on the other foolishness for Gentiles, 24 to the ones who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ, the dynamite of God and the wisdom of God. 25 because the foolishness of God is wiser that of men, and the weakness of God is stronger than of men. 26 For see the called-ones of you, brothers, because not many wise according to the flesh, not many dynamite, not many well-bred. 27 But God elected the foolish of the world in order that He might dishonor the wise and God elected the weak of the world in order that He might dishonor the strong, and God elected the ______ of the world and the ones of no accord, the things not being, in order that the things being might be made idle, 29 that all flesh might not boast before God. 30 From Him, you are in Christ Jesus, who became wisdom for us from God, both righteousness and holiness and redemption, in order that just at is it written, The one boasting, let Him boast in the Lord.
Theme: The foolishness of the cross is the power for our salvation.
In Nomine Jesu
I. What good are words?
A. The Word tells us that there is no power in words.
1. We are told that we need to dress up mere words.
a. We are told that we need to make the words more exciting – add screens, make things more relevant.
b. “This is a new generation and things have changed,” we are told, “and if we don't get with the times, we will die out.”
2. Sometimes, we believe it.
a. Sometimes, we believe that words are powerless, and we get caught up in the game.
b. We throw all we can into making the Gospel more dynamic, looking for exciting people to present it.
3. We sometimes think that is is foolish to trust in mere words.
B. And yet, the Word of the cross is powerful – it is dynamite.
1. It is powerful because Christ Jesus has been crucified.
a. His Word is about Him.
b. He still speaks to us through His Word.
c. Faith comes by hearing, as the Spirit works faith through that faithfully proclaimed Word.
2. With that power, all who trust in Him are saved.
a.
II. Okay – Christians say that God's Word is powerful, but where are the results?
A. The world demands results.
1. The world says, “Without results we can see, you have nothing.”
a. They point to those who have made great changes in their lives as evidence.
b. And they scorn the thought that someone would still struggle with sin.
2. And we listen.
3. It is foolishness to trust in the power of the cross without seeing results.
B. But the proof is found, not in ourselves, but in the cross and the empty tomb.
1. On the cross, our sins were paid for.
2. The empty tomb shows His victory over sin and death.
III..And yet, the cross seems like such a defeat.
A. The world tells us we need to see victory.
1. The cross seems so depressing.
2. Weakness like that displayed on the cross attracts and converts no one.
B. But our victory is found in what seems like defeat.
1. We proclaim Christ and Him crucified.
2. It is His power, through the Holy Spirit, that makes all the difference.
VI. The power of the foolish cross is greater than anything that humankind can come up with.
A. Without it, there is nothing but death.
1. Without the cross, we still are under the wrath our sins have earned.
2. That wrath would completely destroy us.
B In the message of Christ, and Him Crucified – and in that message alone, we have dynamite.
1. It only seems weak to our fallen reasoning.
2. God's wisdom and God's strength are far greater that anything we can come up with.
C. It is precisely in that which the world and our own weakness see as foolish and weak that God's greatest wisdom and power are seen.
1. Our forgiveness is found in the bloody, broken body of our Savior.
2. With that forgiveness, there is life.