January 7, 2000 am

Voiding the Cross

TEXT: 1 Cor. 1:17

INTRODUCTION:

A. "FOR CHRIST SENT ME NOT TO BAPTIZE, BUT TO PREACH...." EXPLAIN.

B. "NOT WITH WISDOM OF WORDS" HUMAN vs. DIVINE WISDOM.

1. Paul made no attempt to impress with wise words( 2 Cor. 10:10 ).

2. The wisdom of words lies in direct contrast with God's wisdom revealed in words( 1 Cor. 2:13 ).

C. "LEST THE CROSS OF CHRIST SHOULD BE MADE VOID."

1. Paul's show of wisdom would have detracted from his great mission.

2. God offers hope to us thru the cross( 1:22-24; Eph. 2:16 ).

D. THE CROSS CAN BE MADE VOID, OF NONE EFFECT TODAY? HOW?

I. BY WISDOM OF WORDS.

A. THIS EXPRESSION REFERS TO THE ELOQUENCE OF HUMAN LOGIC. THIS IS WHAT THE GENTILES SOUGHT( 1 Cor. 1:22; Eph. 4:17 ).

B. SOME PEOPLE DON'T CARE ABOUT SUBSTANCE( Acts 17:21 ).

C. BUT FOLLOWING SUCH A COURSE LEADS ONE FROM GOD( Col. 2:8 ).

D. NOT JUST A DANGER FOR THE GENTILES( 2 Tim. 4:3-4 ).

II. BY FALSE TEACHINGS.

A. ERROR MAKES WORSHIP VAIN( Matt. 15:7-9 ).

B. RECONCILED THRU THE CROSS( Eph. 2:16 ), BUT ( 2 John 9 ).

C. ONE BIT OF ERROR( Gal. 1:6-9; Eph. 5:11 ).

III. BY OUR CONDUCT( Phil. 3:18 ).

A. WE ARE TO "WALK" WORTHILY( Eph. 4:1 ).

B. HOW CAN I MAKE THE CROSS VOID BY MY MANNER OF LIFE?

1. By neglecting the assembly( Heb. 10:19-20, 24-25 ).

2. By neglecting our duty in giving( 1 Cor. 16:2; 2 Cor. 9:7 ).

a. The cross is the essence of sacrifice( 2 Cor. 8:9 ).

b. One is demanded of us( 2 Cor. 8:5; Rom. 12:1 ).

3. By failing to teach others( Matt. 28:19-20; 2 Tim. 2:2 ).

4. By sowing discord.

a. What does God hate?( Prov. 6:12-19 ).

b. Discord is the result of a bad attitude( 1 Cor. 3:1-3 )

c. The sower is willing to do anything( James 3:16 ).

5. By living ungodly lives( Phil. 3:18-19; Titus 2:6-8 ).

CONCLUSION:

A. A CHRISTIAN CAN ACTUALLY WORK AGAINST GOD.

B. IF A PERSON NEVER OBEYS THE LORD, THE CROSS WILL NOT BENEFIT HIM EITHER( Heb. 5:8-9; 2 Cor. 6:1).