The Power of The Cross of Jesus Christ
By: Pastors Rodney & Adonica Howard-BrownePublish date: 04/28/2019
Foundation Scriptures:
And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. 2 For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. 3 And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. 4 And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: 5 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. 6 Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought: 7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: 8 Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. 1 Corinthians 2:1-8 KJV
1. The Cross Was a Mystery.
a. The Cross was a mystery to everyone—including Satan.
b. Jesus was the Lamb, slain from the foundation of the world (Revelation 13:8).
c. He was the Seed of the woman—who would bruise the head of the serpent (Genesis 3:15).
d. From Abel to Jesus—the devil tried to kill everyone he thought was the One.
e. He thought that he had succeeded in killing and getting rid of Jesus, but he did not know that it was God’s plan to defeat him and strip him of his power.
f. If he knew this, he would not have crucified Jesus.
2. The Cross Was a Place of Defeat and Victory.
a. The Cross—Jesus’ death and resurrection—was the place of the devil’s defeat and our victory.
b. Numbers 21:9 KJV — And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived.
c. John 3:14-15 KJV — And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: 15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
d. John 19:30 KJV — When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.
e. Jesus cried, “Tetelestai” which means: it is finished; it is accomplished. It also means: the debt has been discharged.
f. Jesus gave Himself as a sacrifice, poured out His blood and paid the price to redeem you and me.
3. The Power of the Cross.
a. The Cross distinguishes Christianity from any other religion.
b. Religion is mans’ vain attempts to reach God.
c. Christianity is God reaching down to man through the person of Jesus Christ.
d. The Cross would mean nothing without the resurrection.
e. Because Jesus was raised from the dead and He is alive today—we can have and enjoy eternal life.
4. A Stumbling Block and a Rock of Offence.
a. To those, who don’t believe, the Cross is foolishness and Jesus is a rock of offence.
b. 1 Corinthians 1:18-31
c. Verse 1:18 — For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.
d. Verses 22-24 — For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: 23 But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; 24 But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.
5. Walking in the Power of the Cross.
a. Romans 10:8-10
b. Repent of sin; turn from it; come as you are; surrender to Him.
c. Colossians 1:9-23
d. We are delivered from the power of darkness and translated into the Kingdom of light—the Kingdom of Jesus Christ.
e. We have redemption through His blood and forgiveness of sins.
f. We have peace with God, and are reconciled to Him, through the blood of the Cross.
g. We are made holy and blameless in His sight.
h. Continue—be grounded and settled—in the faith; don’t move away from the hope of the gospel.
6. The Cross We Bear.
a. Jesus spoke of the cross we would bear.
b. To take up the cross of Christ means: to confess Him publicly and never deny Him; to not yield to persecution; to not be swayed by the opposition of anyone, even family; to put Him before yourself and your own life; to be willing even to die for Him.
c. Matthew 10:32-42
d. Deny yourself, take up your cross and follow Me.
e. Matthew 16:24-26 KJV — Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. 25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. 26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
f. Luke 9:24-26 KJV — For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. 25 For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away? 26 For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father’s, and of the holy angels.
g. Forsaking all to follow Him and counting the cost.
h. Luke 14:26-35
i. Having the same mind as Christ.
j. Philippians 2:5-13
7. Resurrection Life.
a. You can live in resurrection life every day.
b. Acts 1:8
c. Be a witness to all the world.