Preaching the Crucified Christ

Text: I Corinthians 1:17-31

 

I.         What does it mean to “preach Christ crucified”? - I Corinthians 1:23

            A.        The message of the cross is the power of God - I Corinthians 1:18

            B.        The message of the cross is God’s means of salvation - I Corinthians 1:21

            C.        Therefore, it is the gospel (good news) of Christ - Romans 1:16

            D.        How can talk of the cruel death of one man be declared as good news?

                        1.         That message tells us about the righteousness of God - Romans 1:17

                        2.         A righteousness that allows sinners to be saved through the sacrifice of Jesus - Romans 3:21-26

II.        It is the fundamental message - I Corinthians 2:2

            A.        Does this mean that Paul only spoke of the life and death of Jesus?

                        1.         Some do argue this. They will go so far as to declare that Jesus is more important than doctrine, including the doctrine that Jesus taught.

                        2.         “Just preach the man.”

            B.        But you cannot separate Jesus from his doctrine - John 14:6

                        1.         Jesus is the truth. That’s doctrine!

                        2.         And the doctrine taught by Jesus was the doctrine of God - John 7:16-17

            C.        Why de-emphasize doctrine?

                        1.         Because it allows each individual to select his own doctrine.

                        2.         So long as he claims to be following Christ, then, well, he’s all right.

                        3.         The very idea that there is just one truth for everyone leaves these folk uncomfortable - John 17:17

                        4.         “Just preach Christ, and leave others alone!”

III.       What does the message of the cross include?

            A.        Philip preached Christ - Acts 8:5

                        1.         He preached concerning the kingdom of Christ - Acts 8:12

                                    a.         In other words, preaching Christ includes teachings concerning the church Christ established - Matthew 16:18-19

                                    b.         Such makes sense. The church is Christ’s body - Ephesians 1:22-23

                                    c.         How could a person preach about Christ and not about Christ’s body, the church?

                                    d.         Isn’t it important for people to know that Jesus is the savior of his body? - Ephesians 5:23

                        2.         He preached concerning the name of Jesus Christ - Acts 8:12

                                    a.         In other words, Philip declared Jesus’ authority, his Lordship, his right to rule - Matthew 28:18-19

                                    b.         To preach Christ is to preach that Christ must be followed and his will must be obeyed - Colossians 3:17

                                    c.         Thus preaching Christ is teaching people how to determine Christ’s will, how to establish God’s authority through the Bible.

                        3.         He preached about baptism - Acts 8:12

                                    a.         This is how men and women responded to the preaching of Christ

                                    b.         Therefore, Philip taught as Peter did about sin and the need to be saved - Acts 2:36-41

                                    c.         In other words, in preaching Christ Philip taught God’s plan of salvation for mankind

                                                (1)       It was to be preached - Mark 16:15-16

                                                (2)       Philip as part of the scattering to Samaria did so preach - Acts 8:1, 4

                                                (3)       Those who heeded - Acts 8:6

                                                (4)       Those who believed - Acts 8:12-13

                                                (5)       Did what was taught and were baptized - Acts 8:12-13

            B.        Jesus is the truth - John 14:6

                        1.         In that truth is the hope of heaven - Colossians 1:5

                        2.         Originating from Jesus - Hebrews 1:1-3

                        3.         The teachings of the apostles was the revealing of that truth by the Holy Spirit - John 16:13

                        4.         And in such teaching, a man is made complete - II Timothy 3:16-17

                        5.         That teaching would include man’s moral responsibilities - Colossians 2:6-7; Romans 12:1-2

            C.        Preaching Christ is preaching about fulfilled prophecy - Acts 8:30-35

                        1.         Notice that here, too, salvation and baptism was discussed - Acts 8:36

                        2.         Preaching Christ is to tell the world about how God made promises in the Old Testament that He then fulfilled in Jesus.

                        3.         People need to hear that Christ’s sufferings was a part of God’s plan - Acts 17:2-3

IV.      The preaching of Christ established Christians - Romans 16:25

            A.        This was not the apostles’ imagination. It was given to them - John 16:12-15

            B.        It was not cunning fables - II Peter 1:16-21

            C.        It came straight from Christ - Galatians 1:11-12

            D.        It is the word of Truth - I Thessalonians 2:13

V.        This then is the gospel preached to each Christian - I Peter 1:22-25

            A.        To preach Christ is to declare the whole counsel of God - Acts 20:24-27

            B.        Anything less is to not tell the world of Christ and the reason for his suffering