The Message of the Cross

1Corinthians 1:18 "For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." Just what is the word of the cross? What can we express in our message about the cross? What can we truthfully preach about it? This is crucial for the believer to know because the cross is the message of salvation to others and a deeper walk with Jesus for all who believe. We will never outgrow the message of the cross. It is EVERYTHING to us! I would like to point out that it is through the cross of Jesus that we are justified, sanctified and glorified. The message of the cross is justification and not good morals or religion! We want so badly to provide our own way of justification that we can "almost" justify any of our own wrongs by our own reasoning or standard. The problem with that is, we aren't going to be judged according to our own reasoning or standard. God is our judge.  He is righteous, and according to His standard our penalty is death and separation from Him! The Bible says in Romans 3:23, "For all have sinned and fall short of God's glory." Romans 6:23 says, "For the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life." The gift of eternal life came through the cross! The sin debt was paid! We are justified through the Cross of Christ! The message of the cross is sanctification and not self preservation. It's is not a message of safety! Too many believers are trying to live safe and self-preserving lives: bigger houses, nicer cars and more money in the bank.... "The American Dream".  Jesus went to the cross with nothing to gain on this earth. Giving all for the salvation of the world. In Luke chapter nine, He made statements like this: (Verse23) "If anyone would come after me let him first deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me"; (Verse 25) "For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world but loses or forfeits himself." Earlier in the chapter Jesus says that foxes have holes and birds have nest but the Son of man has no where to lay His head. As we give up our lives and take up our own cross then the message of the cross is sanctification as we experience God's incredible provision as we follow Him. Galatians 2:20 says, "I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." It is impossible to experience sanctification and live as though we are in self preservation mode. The message of the cross is to take it up and follow Jesus wherever He may lead. Finally, the message of the cross is Glorification and not lamentation. We tend to look at the cross as something to be sad about. There is an element of dread that comes with the cross and rightfully so. Jesus prayed that the cup of the cross would pass from Him. However, we must remember that it was through His obedience to the Father that victory came by way of His cross! He took our sin. It went to the cross with Him and He took it upon Himself! (2 Corinthians 5:21) We have no reason to morn or feel shame or guilt. Jesus took it on the cross! Jesus knew something as He endured all of this pain and suffering! He had an assurance. In Hebrews 12:2 the Bible says, "looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God." Jesus had joy in front of Him. He would provide a way for us to be with Him and He would be seated at the right hand of the Father! This gives us great hope in the cross. We can take it up knowing that we have a home in Heaven. It won't always be like this! We won't always deal with the pain and suffering of this world. One day we will be glorified with Him. He will redeem what He has paid for with His own blood! Take up your cross with confidence and not dread. One day He is coming oh glorious day! I want to challenge every believer to preach the message of the cross. Through the cross of Jesus we are justified, sanctified and we will be glorified! Be bold for the message of the Cross!