司 会 廣橋嘉信牧師
奏 楽 大場かづさ姉妹
ソングリーダー 加治太郎兄弟
前 奏
招きの言葉 ローマ人への手紙 1章16節
讃 美 歌 10 番 わがたまたたえよ
開会の祈り 廣橋嘉信牧師
主の祈り
賛 美 新しいソング 山も海も越え （日英両方）
58頁 罪のけがれを （日英両方）
33 頁 さかえのかむりを
聖書朗読 コリント人への第一の手紙 1章18~25節
聖書の話し 「十字架のメッセージ」
Rev.Peter Tamsett
通訳 加治太郎兄弟
讃 美 歌 511番 みゆるしあらずば
献 金 感謝の祈り ピッツ由起姉妹
執りなしの祈り
頌 栄 讃美歌 541番 父、み子、御霊の
祝 祷 廣橋嘉信牧師
後 奏 567番[V]「アーメン・アーメン」
1 Corinthians 1:18-25
Sermon: For the message of the Cross…
Peter Tamsett Granville 09/05/24
[Introduction]
– The gospel
– This is what we are going to talk about this morning
– The gospel
– It is a word that we use quite a lot
– I’m talking of cause about the gospel of Jesus Christ
– The redemption that came through his death on the cross
– This is the gospel or rather the good news
– This is what we proclaim
– The gospel is simply this: Jesus saves
– But still I would like to offer some further clarification here
– And I would like to do this by looking at the passage here from Paul to the church in Corinth
[1 Corinthians 1.18.25]
– You see those in Corinthian had understood and embraced the gospel
– They had accepted Jesus and his sacrifice for them
– They had been saved
– And yet it seemed as though there was still some misunderstanding
– They had accepted the gospel – but for them it was not enough
– They had to enhance the gospel with human displays of wisdom and power
– Now Paul has already made it clear that Christ did not send him to baptise but to preach – to preach the gospel
– But now he offers some clarification
[Application]
– And I think that it is an important clarification for us all
– I preach the gospel each week
– I’m always talking about Christ and the forgiveness that is found through his sacrifice for us
– I’m always talking about the need to put our trust in him and not ourselves
– We will never be able to save ourselves
– It is Jesus that saves – through the cross
– This is the gospel
– This is what we have heard – it is what we have accepted
– But still it is important to ask ourselves
– Do we really understand what this is all about?
– Do we think that the gospel is enough?
– Do we long for further displays of wisdom and power?
– Well this is the issue that Paul addresses here
1. Is foolishness to those that are perishing [18]
– And he affirms to us that the gospel or rather the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing – but for those that are being saved it is the power of God – verse 18 “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.”
– This is Paul’s definition of the gospel: the message of the cross
– The death of Jesus Christ – wounded – humiliated – killed
– For Paul it was more than merely an understanding of the cross – it is the proclamation of the cross
– It is the message or proclamation of the death of Jesus
– Paul makes it clear that such a message is foolishness to those who are perishing
– He is talking here about those that do not have salvation
– The proclamation of the gospel for them does not make sense
– Jesus is has been defeated – he hangs naked from a cross
– Those that follow him must have something wrong with them
– But for those who are being saved it is the power of God
– The cross is the means though which God saves
– This is where the power of God can be seen – in humiliation and weakness
– Paul confirms what he says here with a quite from the OT – verse 19 “For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.”
– The quote come from Isaiah 29:14
– It is making precisely the same point that Paul is making here
– The “wisdom of the wise” and the “intelligence of the intelligent” are that which is cleaver, insightful and shrewd
– But God will destroy this wisdom
– He will frustrate this intelligence
– It will be brought to nothing – set aside – displaced
– It has failed
– It has failed to restore mankind to God
[Illustration]
– Now the cross has become a symbol of the Christian faith
– There are crosses in nearly every church
– There are crosses in this church
– Some people wear a cross around their neck – perhaps it is even silver of gold plated
– I was driving though Sydney recently
– It was dark – and suddenly I saw this bright blue cross
– I was not having a vision
– It was a church
– Now it is understandable that the cross has become such an important symbol
– It was on the cross that Jesus died for our sin
– It was on the cross that Jesus was reconciling us with God
– Please don’t misunderstand – I have not problem at all with crosses
– I think that a cross in a church or around your neck is quite appropriate
– But at the same time it can give the wrong impression
– Let me tell you: there is absolutely nothing beautify at all about a cross
– There were no crosses in the early church
– They would never have been hung around the neck
– The cross was a horrific image
– It would have brought to the mind the image of disgrace and humiliation
– It involved beatings
– The person was stripped
– The skin ripped
– They nailed Jesus to the cross
– The individual would gasp for breath
– And it all happened in public before a crowd of amused onlookers (the kind of people that enjoy watching others suffer)
– It was horrific
– Now please understand – I do not have a problem with crosses
– But it is important to understand what the cross actually symbolises
– The cross is a terrible image
[Application]
– And yet this is the message of the gospel
– The death of Jesus Christ – wounded – humiliated
– And this what we have come to know
– This is what we proclaim
– We proclaim the death of Christ
– Now as Paul indicates the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing
– I mean once you rid yourself of this popular perception of a beautiful elegant cross it really quite disturbing
– And for those that do not understand there is only one possible conclusion
– Jesus has been defeated
– He has been humiliated
– He is completely ineffective
– He is dead
– There is no point in listening or following him
– Those that look to him must have something wrong with them
– I mean if Jesus appeared with a sword and was able to destroy all his enemies then it would make sense
– This is someone that has achieved something
– If he was a philosopher or a award wining scientist people might listen to him
– If he was a banker or CEO
– But Jesus is none of these things
– He is a man that was humiliated and killed
– It was horrific what happened to him
– It seems as though he achieved nothing in the end
– But for those that have who are being saved this message of the cross is the power of God
– I hope that we have not missed this point
– The cross is the means though which God saves
– This is where the power of God can be seen – in humiliation and weakness
– Jesus was stripped
– He was beaten
– He was killed
– But through his death God was reconciling us to himself
– Jesus died for our sin
– Now there is life with God
– This is where the power is seen – in the cross
– Now there were those in Corinth that longed for further displays of wisdom and power
– The same thing can be seen now
– There are those that consider the message of the cross in itself to be foolish – it must be enhanced – made more presentable
– It is not enough
– There are churches where the message of the cross has been replaced with all sorts of other teaching on psychology and life management
– The cross is conveniently forgotten
– I have visited churches where the name of Jesus is not even mentioned
– I’m not sure if you know but I have a psychology degree – I was enrolled in university four years
– I could spent our time here talking about all kinds of psychological principles
– I would be qualified to do this
– It might even be of some help to you
– There is nothing wrong with psychology or life management
– There is nothing wrong with any form of human wisdom
– (Medicine, science, astronomy, mathematics)
– There is a place for all these things
– But not in the church
– And the reason is really quite clear – none of these things can save us
– God has destroyed the wisdom of the wise
– And the intelligence of the intelligent he has frustrated
– They cannot restore us to God
– It is Jesus that saves
– We preach the cross
– The message of the cross
– For those that are being saved it is the power of God
2. Where is the wise man? [20-21]
– Paul elaborates on this further as he continues – he asks those in Corinth a series of questions – verse 20 “Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom to the world?”
– The wise man here is a reference to the Greek thinkers
– The scholar is a reference to the experts in the law
– The philosopher is a reference to the educated
– Paul is not inviting them debate with him
– He is asking rhetorically – in view of what God has done on the cross what is left for them
– They are considered wise by human standards within this age
– But this age will pass away – and so will its wisdom
– God has made foolish the wisdom of the world
– Paul explains – verse 21 “For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe.”
– The world here represents the whole human order – all that is human
– Paul declares that the world though its wisdom did not come to know God
– They failed to know God altogether
– For Paul a person cannot find God – he is limited
– The best he can do is to create his own God in the likeness of the things around him
– The true knowledge of God can come only as revelation through the spirit
– This is how God in his wisdom arranged it
– God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe
– Salvation is not found through wisdom
– It is found in the foolishness of the cross
– It is for those that believe – not the intelligent
[Illustration]
– Now there can be no dispute – mankind as a whole is quite bright and intelligent
– Electronics
– Computers
– Genetic engineering
– GPS navigation
– I’m still impressed with what happened to my son Micah
– He had a problem with his heart when he was born
– And so the doctors cut his chest opened – stopped his heart – and somehow covered a hole that he had with a piece of cloth
– (It is hard to believe that there was anything wrong with him)
– There are machines that are capable of doing almost anything it seems
– The evidence is there – people are generally quite intelligent
– There are all these ideas and methods
– Problems are identified and solved
– And so it can be hard to admit – but this is the reality – when it comes to our relationship with God we have no idea at all what we are doing – we are absolutely hopeless
[Application]
– Paul asks the question “Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age?”
– Now as I have already indicated – there is nothing wrong with the wisdom of this world
– It is something that we can actually be thankful about
– I give thanks to God for the doctors that were able to save Micah – there was a time when nothing could have been done
– I think that computers are a blessing from God that makes life a little easier
– GPS navigation has revolutionised the driving in our household – we never get lost anymore
– But still it does not matter how many advances that are made…what Christ has accomplished for us on the cross is complete and perfect
– There is no more that needs to be done when it comes to our salvation
– It is true: God has made foolish the wisdom of the world
– We make all these advances
– We discover all these new things
– We even launch rockets into space
– Space probes roam around this universe – transmitting images back to earth
– But it does not bring us any closer to God
– The world through its wisdom does not know God
– He is ignorant of God
– The most important question of all regarding our relationship with God can never be answered through our own investigations
– We are unable to determine anything about God
– And so some create there own God from the created world
– Some come to the conclusion that there is no God
– This is what we see – scientists, doctors, professors – separated from God – ignorant of God
– This is a description of us all – blind – ignorant
– We will never of ourselves be able to find him
– But thanks be to God: he has found us
– He has revealed himself to us
– He has reached out to us
– He has made himself know to us
– He has made himself know to us in Jesus crucified on a cross
– It is not about what we can learn about God – it is about what he has taught us about himself
– God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe
– There is no room for boasting
– There is no room for pride
– It is not about what we have done
– It is about what he has done
– We are the believers – in other words we are the ones that have put our faith in the crucified Jesus
– We have accepted the message of the cross
– And so we are saved
– God has saved us
3. Jews demand miraculous signs [22-24]
– Paul is absolutely clear – he preached Christ crucified – verse 22 and 23 “Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles,”
– The Jews and the Greeks reflect two different view points
– The Jews demand miraculous signs
– They already had access to “wisdom” in the scriptures
– But these required signs as a means of confirmation
– And so they demand miraculous signs – powerful display to authenticate the message
– The Greeks had not been given this revelation – and so they sought “wisdom”- that which brings success and honour
– The message for them should be presentable
– But Paul preached Christ crucified
– Now Christ means anointed, splendour, power, triumphant
– Crucified means death, weakness, humiliation, defeat
– Paul preach a crucified Christ
– This was a stumbling block to the Jews – a scandal
– The disgraceful and humiliation execution of a Jewish teacher could hardly seem to constitute a sign of power
– And it was foolishness to the Gentiles
– The suffering and death of Jesus spoke of failure, dishonour, and shame
– But this was were the power and wisdom of God was to be found – (as Paul emphasises again) – verse 24 “But to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.”
– The cross coveys the power and wisdom of God
– For those that are perishing it appears foolish and weak
– But for those God has called this Christ crucified is the power and wisdom of God
[Illustration]
– Now nothing much has changed – the same sorts of demands can be seen even now – even those that are not from Jewish or Greek descent
[Application]
– There are those that demand miraculous signs
– There are those that demand manifestations of power
– The message must be confirmed
– Then they will believe
– This is an attitude can be even be seen in the church
– There are those that place a great deal of emphasis on healings and miracles
– Others demand wisdom – success – honour
– This confirms the message for them
– The benefits must be clear
– For some Christianity is mere a way of living well – a lifestyle that brings success and honour
– Now I’m not saying that we be no healings and miracles
– I’m not saying that we will not experience success and honour
– God is good
– He blesses us
– There are times when he heals
– There are times when there are miracles
– There are times when we are successful
– There are times when we are given honour
– But if we demand for miraculous signs and look for wisdom then we will never be able to see the power of God
– The power of God is not found in these things
– The power of God is found in the cross
– Paul preached Christ crucified
– This is a stumbling block for those that demand miraculous signs
– Jesus was not saved
– There were no angles that came and rescued him
– He died
– This is a stumbling block for those that look for wisdom
– Jesus was humiliated – defeated
– He appears weak
– There was no honour
– The people hurled abuse at him
– He was completely ineffective according to our stand of success
– But for those whom God has called Christ is the power and wisdom of God
– He is the means through which we are saved
4. For the foolishness of God is wiser than mans wisdom [25]
– Paul explains further- our final point – verse 25 “For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength.”
– Paul brings his argument to a close
– This foolishness of God seen in this crucified Christ is actually wiser than man’s wisdom
– This weakness of God seen in this crucified Christ is actually stronger than man’s strength
– Christ appears foolish and weak
– But in him is found the greatest wisdom and power
[Application]
– The church that I minister in Granville has stood a long time
– The building is perhaps one of the oldest in the areas
– It is a special place for many
– But let me tell you what I think it is that people see when it comes to the church
– I’m talking about the people in the community
– Well, I think for many people they see nothing
– The majority of people in Granville probably do not even realise that there is a church there
– For many the church is irrelevant – they do not care – it is not something they give any attention
– For many the church has become outdated in this modern and scientific world
– Some will want to blame the us for all the troubles that we see in society
– I think that the majority of people in Granville think that we are just one big car park – free parking
– (They park over the pathways and right in front of our door)
– (They do not care about us at all)
– We are nothing
– We are weak
– We are pathetic
– We are foolish
– People have there own views about what constitutes wisdom and power
– Education is priority for many people
– We see this in Granville
– If you drive around the main streets in Granville each morning you will see hundreds if not thousands of people walking from the station to the college
– This is were you go to learn about the world – electricity, plumbing, hairdressing – this is where you find wisdom
– Education leads to work – and work leads to money
– And money is what gives us power
– It brings us comfort and security and influence
– But Paul challenges all this
[Application]
– Let me read to you again this final verse here: For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength
– Let me ask you: What is the foolishness of God?
– What is the foolishness of God
– I’ll tell you: we are the foolishness of God
– You
– Me
– This church
– Jesus
– Weak
– Humiliated
– Ridiculed
– Ignored
– Rejected
– But be encouraged
– This foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom
– There is a wisdom to this world
– But it does not save
– It does not lead us to life
– It does not restore
– It does not make us whole
– It lead to death and destruction – sin and misery
– But this foolishness of God found in Christ Jesus is wiser and stronger
– It is here in this church that people are saved
– It is here in this church that people are restored to God
– It is here in this church that people are given eternal life
– It is here in this church that the power of God made know
– It is here in this church the message of the cross is proclaimed
– This is the gospel – the cross
– There is no need for further displays of wisdom and power
– The message of the cross is foolishness to those that are perishing
– But for us who are being saved it is the power of God