THE OFFENSE OF THE CROSS


Text: Gal 5:11 And I, brethren, if I yet preach circumcision, why do I yet suffer persecution? then is the offence of the cross ceased.

I Pet 2:7 Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,
8 And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.

Intro: Offense - Scandal; We might term this the Scandal of the Gospel!

I This scandal shocks the political world.
A. Peace by the cross?
Col 1:20 And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.

Peace with God and with one another through the death of the Prince of Peace!
2 Thess 3:16 Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord be with you all.
It seems shocking that peace could be so simple when the greatest minds among men have failed to achieve it!

II This Scandal causes philosophers to jeer.
A. Some say, “Serve man for happiness”
B. Poets say, “lives of great men all remind us………”
C. This Scandal says, “Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish!”
Lu 13:3,5 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.

III Many ‘Theologians’ are shocked by this concept.
A. One says, ‘keep the Law.”
B. Another, “Follow our (or my) teachings.”
C. Some say, “ We must search for the answer to peace and eternal life through science.”
D. This Scandal says, simply, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved!”

IV Why the Cross is offensive to many today.
A. Because of its simplicity.
1. Not by the Law.
Rom 9:31 But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness.
32 Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone;
33 As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
2. Not by Works
Gal 2:16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.
B. Because it demands humility.
C. Many stumble at the wreckage of someone else’s life.
D. Some are even offended at God’s promises and assurances. (They want to depend on self!)

V. Even Children of God can be offended!
A. At strong Doctrine

Jno 6:60 Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is an hard saying; who can hear it?
61 When Jesus knew in himself that his disciples murmured at it, he said unto them, Doth this offend you?
62 What and if ye shall see the Son of man ascend up where he was before?
63 It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.
64 But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him.
65 And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father.
66 From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.

B. At rebuke of sin and heresy.
C. At being asked to commit
Mark 4:16 And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness;
17 And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word's sake, immediately they are offended.