The “Ridiculous” Cure

The Cross of Christ—part 2

Romans 8:26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness.

The cross of Christ tells us...•We have a problem we don’t know we have. •Our predicament is far worse than we imagine.•There is a solution to our human dilemma.•There is a solution we don’t know we need.

1 Corinthians 1:18 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.

1 Corinthians 1:19 For it is written: "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate." 20 Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?

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.

1 Corinthians 1:22 Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles,

24 but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man's strength.

The cross of Christ is...• Counter-intuitive.

The cross of Christ is...• Counter-intuitive. • Counter-cultural.

The cross of Christ is...• Counter-intuitive. • Counter-cultural. • Politically incorrect

The cross of Christ is...• Counter-intuitive. • Counter-cultural. • Politically incorrect • An unwelcome message

The cross of Christ is...• The source of real life.

...A person "could be an atheist and wish that belief in god were correct," but that "an antitheist, a term I’m trying to get into circulation, is someone who is relieved that there’s no evidence for such an assertion….

“The concept of god or a supreme being is a totalitarian belief that destroys individual freedom, and that free expression and scientific discovery should replace religion as a means of teaching ethics and defining human civilization.” —Christopher Hitchens

The cross of Christ is...• The source of real life.• The wisdom of God.

The cross of Christ is...• The source of real life.• The wisdom of God.• Calls for sacrifice.

Phil. 3:18 For, as I have often told you before and now say again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things.

20 But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.

The cross of Christ is...• The source of real life.• The wisdom of God.• Calls for sacrifice.• The power of God.

“I had motives for not wanting the world to have meaning, consequently, assumed the world had none. I was able without any difficulty to find satisfying reasons it had none.”

“The philosopher who finds no meaning in life doesn’t concern himself primarily with metaphysics. He is also concerned to prove that there is no valid reason why he should not do what he really wants to do. For me, the philosophy of meaningless was essentially an instrument of liberation.” (sexual) —Aldous Huxley

Galatians 6:14 May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. 15 Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts is a new creation. 16 Peace and mercy to all who follow this rule...

1 Timothy 1:15 Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners--of whom I am the worst.