The Foolishness of the Cross (Contemporary Service)

The cross stands in opposition to all our intuition about the way a victorious story should go. It stands in opposition to everything humankind strives to become. Instead of outperforming expectations and conquering with human wisdom or goodness, the cross requires defeat; death; surrender. Only in suffering and death does Jesus rise from the dead and become victorious over all. 1

o Law: The cross is a stumbling block to Jews (who seek signs), and folly to the Gentiles (who seek wisdom).

o Gospel: To those who are called, Christ [is] the power of God and the wisdom of God. Christ became for us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption!

o Application: The foolishness and weakness of God is wiser and stronger than that of humankind. Let the one who boasts, boast [not in signs, nor in wisdom, but…] in the Lord. 2 3

 Scriptures:

o Micah 6:1-8 – “What does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”

o 1 Corinthians 1:18-31 – “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.”

o Matthew 5:1-12 – “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of God.”