Thank you for this. It's where I've landed too. I think the tricky part is that it is not a cathartic way of preaching and so many need to vent their fears. Usually, it's done in the name of "speaking up." But I do believe that the way of the cross is the truth and will prevail in the end. We can't abandon our fundamentals because the times of have changed.
Interesting thought, but Christ crucified is not weakness. Its the pinnacle of strength. And He went a little farther, and fell on His face and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as Thou wilt.” Matthew 26:39
That’s strength and courage. Not weakness. Would love your thoughts.
Matthew Harris, I stumbled upon this post doing sermon research online. It appears that Pastor Sanders has yet to reply to your question. I do not want to be presumptuous, but if I may take the liberty of offering a response ...
First, if you click on the hotlink ("In Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians" in blue font) you will find the specific Biblical reference establishing Jesus' "weakness" — 1 Corinthians 1:23-30, if you want to look it up in your own Bible. To this, I would add the Apostle Paul's discussion of his "thorn in the flesh," 2 Corinthians 12:7-10, where he argues that God's strength is made manifest in human weakness. Finally, I would point to Paul's several discussions of the "scandal" or "offense" of the cross (Galatians 3:13-14 and 5:11-12, for example). In the Roman world, crucifixion was the most shameful way a person could die, so the manner of Jesus' death was a public humiliation (in addition to being the most excruciation form of execution ever devised by the perverse human imagination). Pagans worshiped gods they considered powerful, and the idea of a "crucified god" was incomprehensible to them; many of them mocked Christians for worshiping such a ridiculously weak God. Moreover, from the Jewish point of view, death by crucifixion was a sign that the victim was cursed by God (Deuteronomy 21:22-23, which was quoted by Paul in Galatians 3:13-14 which I referenced earlier).
You are correct in identifying Jesus' moral courage in submitting to death on the cross. But the real power of God was shown in Jesus Christ's resurrection.
Thank you for this. It's where I've landed too. I think the tricky part is that it is not a cathartic way of preaching and so many need to vent their fears. Usually, it's done in the name of "speaking up." But I do believe that the way of the cross is the truth and will prevail in the end. We can't abandon our fundamentals because the times of have changed.
Interesting thought, but Christ crucified is not weakness. Its the pinnacle of strength. And He went a little farther, and fell on His face and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as Thou wilt.” Matthew 26:39
That’s strength and courage. Not weakness. Would love your thoughts.
Matthew Harris, I stumbled upon this post doing sermon research online. It appears that Pastor Sanders has yet to reply to your question. I do not want to be presumptuous, but if I may take the liberty of offering a response ...
First, if you click on the hotlink ("In Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians" in blue font) you will find the specific Biblical reference establishing Jesus' "weakness" — 1 Corinthians 1:23-30, if you want to look it up in your own Bible. To this, I would add the Apostle Paul's discussion of his "thorn in the flesh," 2 Corinthians 12:7-10, where he argues that God's strength is made manifest in human weakness. Finally, I would point to Paul's several discussions of the "scandal" or "offense" of the cross (Galatians 3:13-14 and 5:11-12, for example). In the Roman world, crucifixion was the most shameful way a person could die, so the manner of Jesus' death was a public humiliation (in addition to being the most excruciation form of execution ever devised by the perverse human imagination). Pagans worshiped gods they considered powerful, and the idea of a "crucified god" was incomprehensible to them; many of them mocked Christians for worshiping such a ridiculously weak God. Moreover, from the Jewish point of view, death by crucifixion was a sign that the victim was cursed by God (Deuteronomy 21:22-23, which was quoted by Paul in Galatians 3:13-14 which I referenced earlier).
You are correct in identifying Jesus' moral courage in submitting to death on the cross. But the real power of God was shown in Jesus Christ's resurrection.