WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:00.960 1144. 00:00:06.320 --> 00:00:10.380 I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 00:00:10.720 --> 00:00:12.919 that all of you agree with one another, 00:00:13.179 --> 00:00:15.519 so that there may be no divisions among you, 00:00:16.140 --> 00:00:19.300 and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought. 00:00:20.559 --> 00:00:23.339 My brothers, some from Chloe's household, 00:00:23.839 --> 00:00:26.440 have informed me that there are quarrels amongst you. 00:00:26.760 --> 00:00:28.440 What I mean is this. 00:00:28.440 --> 00:00:31.359 One of you says, I follow Paul. 00:00:31.839 --> 00:00:34.439 Another, I follow Apollos. 00:00:34.660 --> 00:00:35.980 Another, I follow Cephas. 00:00:36.460 --> 00:00:38.160 Still another, I follow Christ. 00:00:38.939 --> 00:00:39.859 Is Christ divided? 00:00:40.740 --> 00:00:42.579 Was Paul crucified for you? 00:00:43.640 --> 00:00:46.040 Were you baptized into the name of Paul? 00:00:46.939 --> 00:00:52.460 I am thankful that I did not baptize any of you except Crispus and Gaius, 00:00:52.820 --> 00:00:56.960 so no one can say that you were baptized into my name. 00:00:56.960 --> 00:01:00.880 Yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas. 00:01:01.399 --> 00:01:04.420 Beyond that, I don't remember if I baptized anyone else. 00:01:05.319 --> 00:01:09.180 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel. 00:01:09.180 --> 00:01:15.480 Not with words of human wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power. 00:01:15.480 --> 00:01:20.540 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, 00:01:21.040 --> 00:01:24.140 but to us who are being saved. 00:01:24.700 --> 00:01:26.079 It is the power of God. 00:01:26.079 --> 00:01:28.439 For it is written, 00:01:28.640 --> 00:01:30.759 I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, 00:01:31.200 --> 00:01:33.000 the intelligence of the intelligent. 00:01:33.439 --> 00:01:34.500 I will frustrate. 00:01:35.500 --> 00:01:36.840 Where is the wise man? 00:01:37.560 --> 00:01:38.500 Where is the scholar? 00:01:38.859 --> 00:01:41.060 Where is the philosopher of his age? 00:01:41.739 --> 00:01:45.079 Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 00:01:45.079 --> 00:01:48.760 For since in the wisdom of God, 00:01:48.920 --> 00:01:52.340 the world through its wisdom did not know him, 00:01:52.859 --> 00:01:57.560 God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. 00:01:58.579 --> 00:02:01.599 Jews demand miraculous signs, 00:02:02.140 --> 00:02:03.700 and Greeks look for wisdom. 00:02:03.700 --> 00:02:06.180 But we preach Christ crucified, 00:02:07.260 --> 00:02:08.759 a stumbling block to Jews, 00:02:09.000 --> 00:02:10.420 and foolishness to Gentiles, 00:02:10.759 --> 00:02:13.020 but to those who God has called, 00:02:13.259 --> 00:02:14.460 both Jews and Greeks, 00:02:15.140 --> 00:02:17.039 Christ the power of God, 00:02:17.120 --> 00:02:18.340 and the wisdom of God. 00:02:18.879 --> 00:02:22.099 For the foolishness of God 00:02:22.099 --> 00:02:23.840 is wiser than the man's wisdom, 00:02:24.280 --> 00:02:25.699 and the weakness of God 00:02:26.340 --> 00:02:28.099 is stronger than the man's strength. 00:02:33.699 --> 00:02:38.739 Thank you very much, Maria. 00:02:41.419 --> 00:02:43.159 Well, if you were here last week, 00:02:43.199 --> 00:02:45.159 you'll know that we started our new series, 00:02:45.299 --> 00:02:46.060 our new studies, 00:02:46.719 --> 00:02:47.839 in 1 Corinthians, 00:02:48.159 --> 00:02:49.699 Messy Church, Holy Church. 00:02:50.199 --> 00:02:52.319 And if you haven't yet got a copy of this, 00:02:52.560 --> 00:02:53.719 which I'm holding up here, 00:02:53.799 --> 00:02:55.000 there's some more on the table, 00:02:55.419 --> 00:02:56.819 which is just a little overview, 00:02:56.819 --> 00:02:59.179 and helps you to get a big picture idea 00:02:59.179 --> 00:03:02.060 of what the letter is all about, 00:03:02.060 --> 00:03:03.319 and what we'll be looking at 00:03:03.319 --> 00:03:04.840 over the coming Sundays. 00:03:07.800 --> 00:03:09.900 Well, we need God's help, as always, 00:03:09.979 --> 00:03:10.960 when we look at his word, 00:03:11.640 --> 00:03:14.360 and so we're going to pray for God's help. 00:03:14.780 --> 00:03:15.780 Now, let's do that. 00:03:21.460 --> 00:03:23.319 Our Father God, we thank you 00:03:23.319 --> 00:03:28.539 for this letter of 1 Corinthians 00:03:28.539 --> 00:03:31.979 written centuries ago, 00:03:32.759 --> 00:03:36.419 but a word which comes from you 00:03:36.419 --> 00:03:37.899 to us today 00:03:37.899 --> 00:03:40.560 by your Holy Spirit 00:03:40.560 --> 00:03:42.280 speaking into our lives 00:03:42.280 --> 00:03:44.439 and into our context. 00:03:47.019 --> 00:03:48.639 Father, we do not want 00:03:48.639 --> 00:03:50.060 the wisdom of the world. 00:03:51.039 --> 00:03:53.219 Rather, we want the wisdom of God. 00:03:53.219 --> 00:03:56.859 And we want your power 00:03:56.859 --> 00:03:59.020 to change us 00:03:59.020 --> 00:04:01.759 because we are powerless 00:04:01.759 --> 00:04:04.039 to change ourselves. 00:04:06.159 --> 00:04:08.159 So, as we look at your word together, 00:04:08.280 --> 00:04:10.439 would you please do that work amongst us 00:04:10.439 --> 00:04:12.659 and bring us closer 00:04:12.659 --> 00:04:13.699 to an understanding 00:04:13.699 --> 00:04:14.879 of what it is to be 00:04:14.879 --> 00:04:16.660 a united church 00:04:16.660 --> 00:04:19.899 because of the cross of Christ. 00:04:19.899 --> 00:04:20.019 Christ. 00:04:21.060 --> 00:04:22.620 We pray this 00:04:22.620 --> 00:04:23.919 in his name. 00:04:24.759 --> 00:04:25.259 Amen. 00:04:29.359 --> 00:04:31.599 Well, this church in Corinth 00:04:31.599 --> 00:04:34.299 was a real mess. 00:04:35.579 --> 00:04:36.659 Sinful attitudes, 00:04:37.539 --> 00:04:38.839 immoral behaviours 00:04:38.839 --> 00:04:41.239 were not being dealt with 00:04:41.239 --> 00:04:42.899 and so the church 00:04:42.899 --> 00:04:43.979 was beginning to 00:04:43.979 --> 00:04:44.819 fragment 00:04:44.819 --> 00:04:46.359 and fall apart. 00:04:46.360 --> 00:04:48.259 Have a look at verse 11 00:04:48.259 --> 00:04:50.639 from our reading this morning. 00:04:52.240 --> 00:04:53.780 My brothers and sister, 00:04:54.580 --> 00:04:56.400 some from Chloe's household, 00:04:56.580 --> 00:04:58.139 so this is a family 00:04:58.139 --> 00:04:59.740 within the church, 00:05:00.639 --> 00:05:01.100 he says, 00:05:01.160 --> 00:05:01.980 have informed me 00:05:01.980 --> 00:05:03.319 that there are quarrels, 00:05:03.540 --> 00:05:04.699 that there is arguments 00:05:04.699 --> 00:05:05.379 among you. 00:05:06.780 --> 00:05:08.060 What I mean is this, 00:05:08.240 --> 00:05:08.900 one of you 00:05:08.900 --> 00:05:09.740 or one group 00:05:09.740 --> 00:05:10.300 is saying, 00:05:10.720 --> 00:05:11.939 I follow Paul. 00:05:13.439 --> 00:05:14.840 He's a great speaker. 00:05:14.839 --> 00:05:15.560 I love the way 00:05:15.560 --> 00:05:16.719 he puts his arguments. 00:05:16.859 --> 00:05:17.500 He's brilliant. 00:05:18.919 --> 00:05:20.159 Another group is saying, 00:05:20.459 --> 00:05:21.759 well, I follow Apollos. 00:05:22.659 --> 00:05:23.719 He's much easier 00:05:23.719 --> 00:05:24.419 to understand. 00:05:24.539 --> 00:05:25.039 He's simple. 00:05:25.219 --> 00:05:26.219 I like him. 00:05:27.599 --> 00:05:28.639 Still another group 00:05:28.639 --> 00:05:29.039 are saying, 00:05:29.399 --> 00:05:30.579 we follow Cephas 00:05:30.579 --> 00:05:31.599 or Peter. 00:05:32.099 --> 00:05:33.120 He's direct 00:05:33.120 --> 00:05:33.679 and straight 00:05:33.679 --> 00:05:34.299 to the point. 00:05:36.399 --> 00:05:37.359 People, you see, 00:05:37.419 --> 00:05:37.979 were fighting 00:05:37.979 --> 00:05:39.159 over which leader 00:05:39.159 --> 00:05:40.299 and speaker 00:05:40.299 --> 00:05:41.359 was better. 00:05:41.959 --> 00:05:42.819 So instead of 00:05:42.819 --> 00:05:44.299 one united church, 00:05:44.300 --> 00:05:46.060 they were one 00:05:46.060 --> 00:05:47.800 unholy mess. 00:05:49.020 --> 00:05:49.460 In fact, 00:05:49.560 --> 00:05:50.040 some of them 00:05:50.040 --> 00:05:50.540 even thought 00:05:50.540 --> 00:05:51.000 that they were 00:05:51.000 --> 00:05:52.120 far superior 00:05:52.120 --> 00:05:53.240 to these other 00:05:53.240 --> 00:05:54.740 divided groups. 00:05:55.900 --> 00:05:56.580 Look at the end 00:05:56.580 --> 00:05:57.420 of verse 12. 00:05:57.699 --> 00:05:58.120 It's like, 00:05:58.340 --> 00:05:58.620 you know, 00:05:58.680 --> 00:05:59.600 we don't follow 00:05:59.600 --> 00:06:01.040 Peter or Paul 00:06:01.040 --> 00:06:01.680 or Apollos. 00:06:01.780 --> 00:06:02.580 We're much better 00:06:02.580 --> 00:06:03.040 than that. 00:06:03.360 --> 00:06:04.759 We follow Christ. 00:06:06.759 --> 00:06:07.900 The problem is, 00:06:07.980 --> 00:06:08.740 they've all become 00:06:08.740 --> 00:06:10.180 personality focused, 00:06:11.139 --> 00:06:12.340 not spiritually 00:06:12.340 --> 00:06:13.319 focused. 00:06:13.319 --> 00:06:15.540 instead of being 00:06:15.540 --> 00:06:18.199 united by gathering 00:06:18.199 --> 00:06:19.500 around Christ 00:06:19.500 --> 00:06:20.779 and his cross, 00:06:21.599 --> 00:06:23.259 they have divided 00:06:23.259 --> 00:06:24.219 by gathering 00:06:24.219 --> 00:06:25.159 around people 00:06:25.159 --> 00:06:26.759 and their status. 00:06:28.759 --> 00:06:29.519 Now, 00:06:29.600 --> 00:06:30.579 this kind of behaviour 00:06:30.579 --> 00:06:31.219 that we see 00:06:31.219 --> 00:06:31.860 in the church 00:06:31.860 --> 00:06:32.579 then 00:06:32.579 --> 00:06:34.360 is not a million 00:06:34.360 --> 00:06:35.319 miles away 00:06:35.319 --> 00:06:36.240 today. 00:06:37.300 --> 00:06:37.719 I mean, 00:06:37.759 --> 00:06:38.199 have you heard 00:06:38.199 --> 00:06:39.039 about that new 00:06:39.039 --> 00:06:40.039 pastor in town? 00:06:40.040 --> 00:06:41.600 Apparently, 00:06:41.720 --> 00:06:42.700 he's got an amazing 00:06:42.700 --> 00:06:43.720 gift at speaking. 00:06:44.420 --> 00:06:44.760 Brilliant. 00:06:45.800 --> 00:06:46.800 I think I'll start 00:06:46.800 --> 00:06:47.340 going there. 00:06:47.600 --> 00:06:48.300 All the students 00:06:48.300 --> 00:06:49.220 think he's wonderful 00:06:49.220 --> 00:06:50.379 and they've got 00:06:50.379 --> 00:06:51.120 a great band 00:06:51.120 --> 00:06:51.620 as well. 00:06:52.879 --> 00:06:53.740 Or have you heard 00:06:53.740 --> 00:06:54.480 about the church 00:06:54.480 --> 00:06:55.200 down the road? 00:06:55.580 --> 00:06:56.580 The amount of people 00:06:56.580 --> 00:06:57.080 that are going 00:06:57.080 --> 00:06:57.780 to that church, 00:06:57.860 --> 00:06:58.420 it's incredible. 00:06:58.420 --> 00:06:59.640 There are hundreds 00:06:59.640 --> 00:07:00.000 going. 00:07:00.820 --> 00:07:01.340 And they've got 00:07:01.340 --> 00:07:02.379 a brilliant children's 00:07:02.379 --> 00:07:03.360 programme in creche. 00:07:03.840 --> 00:07:04.560 My kids are going 00:07:04.560 --> 00:07:05.240 to love that. 00:07:06.080 --> 00:07:07.320 I think I'll go there. 00:07:07.319 --> 00:07:10.159 Or did you catch 00:07:10.159 --> 00:07:11.420 that online ministry? 00:07:13.180 --> 00:07:14.000 The lady 00:07:14.000 --> 00:07:14.939 who speaks there, 00:07:15.019 --> 00:07:15.680 she registered 00:07:15.680 --> 00:07:17.079 over 200,000 00:07:17.079 --> 00:07:18.240 downloads last week 00:07:18.240 --> 00:07:18.819 and that was 00:07:18.819 --> 00:07:19.920 just on one talk. 00:07:20.920 --> 00:07:22.060 I get much more 00:07:22.060 --> 00:07:22.560 out of that 00:07:22.560 --> 00:07:23.279 than I ever do 00:07:23.279 --> 00:07:23.920 at church. 00:07:26.100 --> 00:07:26.719 You see, 00:07:26.800 --> 00:07:27.539 the danger is 00:07:27.539 --> 00:07:28.240 we can become 00:07:28.240 --> 00:07:30.000 personality-focused 00:07:30.000 --> 00:07:32.079 rather than 00:07:32.079 --> 00:07:33.439 spiritually-focused. 00:07:34.159 --> 00:07:35.120 Instead of us 00:07:35.120 --> 00:07:35.860 gathering around 00:07:35.860 --> 00:07:36.579 Christ and 00:07:36.579 --> 00:07:37.379 his cross, 00:07:37.560 --> 00:07:38.279 we gather 00:07:38.279 --> 00:07:39.339 around people 00:07:39.339 --> 00:07:40.479 and their 00:07:40.479 --> 00:07:41.259 status. 00:07:43.060 --> 00:07:43.740 But perhaps 00:07:43.740 --> 00:07:44.579 we don't get 00:07:44.579 --> 00:07:45.379 sucked in by 00:07:45.379 --> 00:07:46.479 popularity and 00:07:46.479 --> 00:07:47.060 programmes. 00:07:47.899 --> 00:07:48.699 We think of 00:07:48.699 --> 00:07:49.599 ourselves much 00:07:49.599 --> 00:07:50.379 too spiritual 00:07:50.379 --> 00:07:51.060 to be kind of 00:07:51.060 --> 00:07:51.860 led down that 00:07:51.860 --> 00:07:52.219 road. 00:07:53.180 --> 00:07:54.159 We just like to 00:07:54.159 --> 00:07:54.579 say, oh, 00:07:54.620 --> 00:07:55.639 I follow Christ. 00:07:56.399 --> 00:07:57.360 Me and Jesus, 00:07:58.120 --> 00:07:59.459 we get along 00:07:59.459 --> 00:08:00.120 fine. 00:08:00.959 --> 00:08:01.860 I don't need 00:08:01.860 --> 00:08:02.439 the church 00:08:02.439 --> 00:08:03.419 or its leaders. 00:08:04.000 --> 00:08:04.860 I can just 00:08:04.860 --> 00:08:05.719 stay at home, 00:08:05.720 --> 00:08:07.240 me and 00:08:07.240 --> 00:08:07.680 Jesus. 00:08:09.480 --> 00:08:09.940 Oh, it all 00:08:09.940 --> 00:08:10.720 appears to be 00:08:10.720 --> 00:08:11.280 spiritual, 00:08:11.960 --> 00:08:12.980 but in reality, 00:08:13.160 --> 00:08:13.720 like all these 00:08:13.720 --> 00:08:14.600 other groupies, 00:08:15.140 --> 00:08:15.780 it causes 00:08:15.780 --> 00:08:16.380 unholy 00:08:16.380 --> 00:08:16.840 division. 00:08:18.240 --> 00:08:19.780 So how do we 00:08:19.780 --> 00:08:20.660 maintain 00:08:20.660 --> 00:08:22.620 our unity? 00:08:22.620 --> 00:08:22.699 unity? 00:08:25.500 --> 00:08:26.379 Well, we need 00:08:26.379 --> 00:08:27.000 to go back 00:08:27.000 --> 00:08:27.519 to where 00:08:27.519 --> 00:08:28.199 it all 00:08:28.199 --> 00:08:28.800 began. 00:08:31.939 --> 00:08:32.620 Have a look 00:08:32.620 --> 00:08:32.980 at verse 00:08:32.980 --> 00:08:33.419 10. 00:08:35.419 --> 00:08:36.340 I appeal 00:08:36.340 --> 00:08:36.840 to you, 00:08:37.419 --> 00:08:38.419 I plead 00:08:38.419 --> 00:08:38.799 with you, 00:08:38.879 --> 00:08:39.419 I love 00:08:39.419 --> 00:08:39.759 and I 00:08:39.759 --> 00:08:40.259 care for 00:08:40.259 --> 00:08:40.799 you so 00:08:40.799 --> 00:08:41.340 much, 00:08:41.879 --> 00:08:42.419 brothers and 00:08:42.419 --> 00:08:42.759 sisters, 00:08:42.899 --> 00:08:43.379 in the name 00:08:43.379 --> 00:08:43.700 of our 00:08:43.700 --> 00:08:44.279 Lord Jesus 00:08:44.279 --> 00:08:44.820 Christ, 00:08:45.179 --> 00:08:45.960 that all 00:08:45.960 --> 00:08:46.480 of you 00:08:46.480 --> 00:08:48.039 agree with 00:08:48.039 --> 00:08:48.680 one another 00:08:48.680 --> 00:08:49.460 so that 00:08:49.460 --> 00:08:49.980 there may 00:08:49.980 --> 00:08:50.659 be no 00:08:50.659 --> 00:08:51.620 divisions among 00:08:51.620 --> 00:08:52.320 you and 00:08:52.320 --> 00:08:52.659 that you 00:08:52.659 --> 00:08:53.259 may be 00:08:53.259 --> 00:08:54.580 perfectly 00:08:54.580 --> 00:08:55.379 united 00:08:55.379 --> 00:08:57.299 in mind 00:08:57.299 --> 00:08:57.960 and thought. 00:08:59.259 --> 00:08:59.740 Now, 00:08:59.840 --> 00:09:00.240 perfectly 00:09:00.240 --> 00:09:00.840 united 00:09:00.840 --> 00:09:02.120 is not 00:09:02.120 --> 00:09:02.480 the name 00:09:02.480 --> 00:09:02.740 of the 00:09:02.740 --> 00:09:03.000 local 00:09:03.000 --> 00:09:03.700 soccer team. 00:09:04.440 --> 00:09:05.039 It's what 00:09:05.039 --> 00:09:06.360 God's holy 00:09:06.360 --> 00:09:07.100 church should 00:09:07.100 --> 00:09:07.860 look like 00:09:07.860 --> 00:09:09.019 to a 00:09:09.019 --> 00:09:10.060 watching world. 00:09:11.320 --> 00:09:11.700 Literally, 00:09:12.139 --> 00:09:13.259 being perfectly 00:09:13.259 --> 00:09:14.179 united means 00:09:14.179 --> 00:09:15.220 to knit 00:09:15.220 --> 00:09:16.180 together or 00:09:16.180 --> 00:09:17.120 to mesh 00:09:17.120 --> 00:09:17.539 together. 00:09:17.539 --> 00:09:17.579 together. 00:09:17.679 --> 00:09:17.919 So you 00:09:17.919 --> 00:09:18.279 think of 00:09:18.279 --> 00:09:18.740 a wire 00:09:18.740 --> 00:09:19.319 mesh the 00:09:19.319 --> 00:09:19.699 way it's 00:09:19.699 --> 00:09:20.980 all integrated 00:09:20.980 --> 00:09:21.620 and locked 00:09:21.620 --> 00:09:22.159 together. 00:09:22.899 --> 00:09:23.620 So instead 00:09:23.620 --> 00:09:24.059 of being 00:09:24.059 --> 00:09:25.120 ripped apart, 00:09:26.419 --> 00:09:26.860 they are 00:09:26.860 --> 00:09:28.360 tied together, 00:09:28.799 --> 00:09:29.659 bound and 00:09:29.659 --> 00:09:30.419 strong. 00:09:32.399 --> 00:09:33.079 And what 00:09:33.079 --> 00:09:34.159 ties and 00:09:34.159 --> 00:09:35.139 unites this 00:09:35.139 --> 00:09:36.199 church together 00:09:36.199 --> 00:09:38.779 is the 00:09:38.779 --> 00:09:39.379 cross of 00:09:39.379 --> 00:09:39.839 Christ. 00:09:40.500 --> 00:09:41.279 It is the 00:09:41.279 --> 00:09:42.299 common thread, 00:09:42.599 --> 00:09:43.240 that common 00:09:43.240 --> 00:09:44.179 piece of wire, 00:09:44.299 --> 00:09:44.659 if you like, 00:09:44.719 --> 00:09:45.620 that holds 00:09:45.620 --> 00:09:46.959 everything together. 00:09:48.199 --> 00:09:48.899 Have a look 00:09:48.899 --> 00:09:49.319 down at 00:09:49.319 --> 00:09:50.099 verse 13. 00:09:52.099 --> 00:09:52.759 Here we're 00:09:52.759 --> 00:09:53.199 asked a 00:09:53.199 --> 00:09:53.699 series of 00:09:53.699 --> 00:09:54.179 questions. 00:09:54.980 --> 00:09:55.379 They may 00:09:55.379 --> 00:09:55.980 seem odd 00:09:55.980 --> 00:09:56.439 at first, 00:09:56.539 --> 00:09:57.039 but it 00:09:57.039 --> 00:09:57.399 gets to 00:09:57.399 --> 00:09:57.839 the heart 00:09:57.839 --> 00:09:58.159 of what 00:09:58.159 --> 00:09:58.599 it is to 00:09:58.599 --> 00:09:59.240 be united 00:09:59.240 --> 00:10:00.379 in the 00:10:00.379 --> 00:10:00.799 cross of 00:10:00.799 --> 00:10:01.179 Christ. 00:10:01.480 --> 00:10:02.139 He asked 00:10:02.139 --> 00:10:02.419 us, 00:10:03.019 --> 00:10:03.939 is Christ 00:10:03.939 --> 00:10:04.919 divided? 00:10:06.139 --> 00:10:06.599 I mean, 00:10:06.679 --> 00:10:07.120 can you 00:10:07.120 --> 00:10:08.159 split Christ 00:10:08.159 --> 00:10:08.659 up into 00:10:08.659 --> 00:10:09.139 lots of 00:10:09.139 --> 00:10:09.459 different 00:10:09.459 --> 00:10:10.259 little parts 00:10:10.259 --> 00:10:11.559 and still 00:10:11.559 --> 00:10:12.019 call him 00:10:12.019 --> 00:10:12.480 Christ? 00:10:13.319 --> 00:10:13.579 No, 00:10:13.639 --> 00:10:13.959 of course 00:10:13.959 --> 00:10:14.199 not. 00:10:14.259 --> 00:10:14.659 You can't 00:10:14.659 --> 00:10:15.299 do that. 00:10:16.079 --> 00:10:16.779 So just 00:10:16.779 --> 00:10:17.480 as Christ 00:10:17.480 --> 00:10:18.120 is one 00:10:18.120 --> 00:10:19.600 and just 00:10:19.600 --> 00:10:19.860 as you 00:10:19.860 --> 00:10:20.159 cannot 00:10:20.159 --> 00:10:20.740 divide 00:10:20.740 --> 00:10:21.419 Christ, 00:10:22.699 --> 00:10:23.659 so the 00:10:23.659 --> 00:10:24.079 church, 00:10:24.220 --> 00:10:24.740 the people 00:10:24.740 --> 00:10:25.860 are one 00:10:25.860 --> 00:10:26.699 and cannot 00:10:26.699 --> 00:10:27.439 be divided. 00:10:28.480 --> 00:10:29.139 He actually 00:10:29.139 --> 00:10:29.899 gets back to 00:10:29.899 --> 00:10:30.339 this a little 00:10:30.339 --> 00:10:31.079 bit later on. 00:10:31.179 --> 00:10:31.939 If you jump 00:10:31.939 --> 00:10:32.559 forward to 00:10:32.559 --> 00:10:33.319 chapter 12, 00:10:33.699 --> 00:10:34.240 I think this 00:10:34.240 --> 00:10:35.220 very helpfully 00:10:35.220 --> 00:10:36.179 illustrates what 00:10:36.179 --> 00:10:37.079 he's getting 00:10:37.079 --> 00:10:37.639 at or what 00:10:37.639 --> 00:10:38.339 he introduces 00:10:38.339 --> 00:10:38.919 at the very 00:10:38.919 --> 00:10:39.319 beginning. 00:10:39.919 --> 00:10:40.360 So chapter 00:10:40.360 --> 00:10:42.000 12 and 00:10:42.000 --> 00:10:43.000 verse 12. 00:10:43.000 --> 00:10:47.580 chapter 12 00:10:47.580 --> 00:10:48.200 and verse 00:10:48.200 --> 00:10:48.700 12. 00:10:49.580 --> 00:10:50.299 Here he's 00:10:50.299 --> 00:10:51.080 talking about 00:10:51.080 --> 00:10:52.179 the body, 00:10:52.299 --> 00:10:52.820 the physical 00:10:52.820 --> 00:10:53.220 body, 00:10:53.320 --> 00:10:53.820 and he uses 00:10:53.820 --> 00:10:54.340 it as an 00:10:54.340 --> 00:10:54.919 illustration 00:10:54.919 --> 00:10:56.419 to talk 00:10:56.419 --> 00:10:57.539 about the 00:10:57.539 --> 00:10:57.940 church. 00:10:59.519 --> 00:11:00.039 So do you 00:11:00.039 --> 00:11:00.399 see it there, 00:11:00.480 --> 00:11:01.080 chapter 12 00:11:01.080 --> 00:11:01.600 verse 12? 00:11:01.659 --> 00:11:02.139 He says the 00:11:02.139 --> 00:11:02.480 body, 00:11:02.940 --> 00:11:03.440 he's talking 00:11:03.440 --> 00:11:03.759 there about 00:11:03.759 --> 00:11:04.440 the physical 00:11:04.440 --> 00:11:05.200 body is a 00:11:05.200 --> 00:11:05.500 unit, 00:11:05.879 --> 00:11:06.659 it's one, 00:11:07.500 --> 00:11:08.059 though it is 00:11:08.059 --> 00:11:08.639 made up of 00:11:08.639 --> 00:11:09.519 many parts. 00:11:09.700 --> 00:11:10.200 So a body 00:11:10.200 --> 00:11:11.120 has arms 00:11:11.120 --> 00:11:11.779 and legs 00:11:11.779 --> 00:11:12.339 and eyes 00:11:12.339 --> 00:11:12.839 and ears 00:11:12.839 --> 00:11:13.860 and different 00:11:13.860 --> 00:11:14.439 parts. 00:11:15.240 --> 00:11:15.740 And though 00:11:15.740 --> 00:11:16.600 all its parts 00:11:16.600 --> 00:11:17.360 are many, 00:11:18.240 --> 00:11:18.860 they form 00:11:18.860 --> 00:11:19.439 just one 00:11:19.439 --> 00:11:19.759 body. 00:11:19.879 --> 00:11:20.199 So you 00:11:20.199 --> 00:11:20.620 are one 00:11:20.620 --> 00:11:21.019 unit, 00:11:21.139 --> 00:11:21.439 you're not 00:11:21.439 --> 00:11:22.360 all different 00:11:22.360 --> 00:11:22.799 pieces, 00:11:22.939 --> 00:11:23.519 you are one, 00:11:23.899 --> 00:11:24.559 I'm one. 00:11:26.039 --> 00:11:27.039 So it 00:11:27.039 --> 00:11:27.959 is with 00:11:27.959 --> 00:11:28.879 Christ. 00:11:30.299 --> 00:11:30.819 Now look 00:11:30.819 --> 00:11:31.100 at verse 00:11:31.100 --> 00:11:32.159 27 of the 00:11:32.159 --> 00:11:32.860 same chapter. 00:11:34.139 --> 00:11:34.879 What does 00:11:34.879 --> 00:11:35.360 it tell us 00:11:35.360 --> 00:11:35.779 we are? 00:11:36.879 --> 00:11:37.679 Now you 00:11:37.679 --> 00:11:38.439 are the 00:11:38.439 --> 00:11:39.839 body of 00:11:39.839 --> 00:11:40.360 Christ. 00:11:40.360 --> 00:11:40.580 Christ. 00:11:41.480 --> 00:11:42.039 And each 00:11:42.039 --> 00:11:42.500 one of 00:11:42.500 --> 00:11:43.240 you is a 00:11:43.240 --> 00:11:43.960 part of 00:11:43.960 --> 00:11:44.240 it. 00:11:45.440 --> 00:11:46.120 So the 00:11:46.120 --> 00:11:46.720 church, 00:11:47.060 --> 00:11:47.639 that is the 00:11:47.639 --> 00:11:48.399 people who 00:11:48.399 --> 00:11:49.220 have entrusted 00:11:49.220 --> 00:11:49.820 their lives 00:11:49.820 --> 00:11:50.500 to Jesus, 00:11:51.340 --> 00:11:52.019 we are the 00:11:52.019 --> 00:11:52.940 body of 00:11:52.940 --> 00:11:53.480 Christ. 00:11:53.800 --> 00:11:54.419 There's many 00:11:54.419 --> 00:11:55.159 parts to 00:11:55.159 --> 00:11:55.779 that body, 00:11:56.060 --> 00:11:56.680 but together 00:11:56.680 --> 00:11:57.639 we form one 00:11:57.639 --> 00:11:59.200 united body. 00:11:59.919 --> 00:12:00.740 So just as 00:12:00.740 --> 00:12:01.440 Christ is 00:12:01.440 --> 00:12:01.800 one, 00:12:02.399 --> 00:12:03.019 we the 00:12:03.019 --> 00:12:03.980 church are 00:12:03.980 --> 00:12:04.360 one. 00:12:05.879 --> 00:12:07.039 Back to 00:12:07.039 --> 00:12:07.360 chapter 00:12:07.360 --> 00:12:07.740 one. 00:12:07.740 --> 00:12:07.779 one. 00:12:09.139 --> 00:12:09.840 So this 00:12:09.840 --> 00:12:10.419 unity, 00:12:10.960 --> 00:12:11.779 this gathering 00:12:11.779 --> 00:12:12.279 around 00:12:12.279 --> 00:12:13.180 Christ, 00:12:13.899 --> 00:12:14.519 is not 00:12:14.519 --> 00:12:15.399 something that's 00:12:15.399 --> 00:12:16.019 humanly 00:12:16.019 --> 00:12:16.820 manufactured. 00:12:17.019 --> 00:12:17.360 It isn't 00:12:17.360 --> 00:12:17.919 coming from 00:12:17.919 --> 00:12:19.120 our ideas 00:12:19.120 --> 00:12:19.659 or our 00:12:19.659 --> 00:12:20.159 design. 00:12:20.820 --> 00:12:21.639 It is a 00:12:21.639 --> 00:12:22.139 supernatural 00:12:22.139 --> 00:12:23.680 work of 00:12:23.680 --> 00:12:24.060 God. 00:12:25.139 --> 00:12:25.560 And it 00:12:25.560 --> 00:12:26.200 happens in 00:12:26.200 --> 00:12:26.960 two ways. 00:12:28.440 --> 00:12:29.000 Firstly, 00:12:29.200 --> 00:12:29.779 through the 00:12:29.779 --> 00:12:30.220 death of 00:12:30.220 --> 00:12:30.620 Christ. 00:12:31.159 --> 00:12:31.560 So he 00:12:31.560 --> 00:12:32.000 goes on 00:12:32.000 --> 00:12:32.320 with his 00:12:32.320 --> 00:12:33.039 questioning in 00:12:33.039 --> 00:12:33.600 chapter one 00:12:33.600 --> 00:12:34.259 verse 13. 00:12:34.379 --> 00:12:34.659 He says, 00:12:34.740 --> 00:12:35.100 is Christ 00:12:35.100 --> 00:12:35.600 divided? 00:12:35.600 --> 00:12:36.320 No, 00:12:36.360 --> 00:12:36.920 he's not. 00:12:37.500 --> 00:12:38.240 Was Paul 00:12:38.240 --> 00:12:39.300 crucified for 00:12:39.300 --> 00:12:39.540 you? 00:12:41.139 --> 00:12:41.860 What a silly 00:12:41.860 --> 00:12:42.480 question, but 00:12:42.480 --> 00:12:42.899 he's trying to 00:12:42.899 --> 00:12:43.500 make a point. 00:12:43.820 --> 00:12:44.300 Did some 00:12:44.300 --> 00:12:45.220 church leader 00:12:45.220 --> 00:12:45.800 take the 00:12:45.800 --> 00:12:46.500 punishment that 00:12:46.500 --> 00:12:47.060 you deserve 00:12:47.060 --> 00:12:47.440 for your 00:12:47.440 --> 00:12:47.899 sins? 00:12:49.080 --> 00:12:49.399 I mean, 00:12:49.460 --> 00:12:49.879 Ralph is 00:12:49.879 --> 00:12:50.420 sitting over 00:12:50.420 --> 00:12:50.639 there. 00:12:50.879 --> 00:12:51.500 Did he die 00:12:51.500 --> 00:12:52.000 for you? 00:12:53.440 --> 00:12:53.920 No, 00:12:54.460 --> 00:12:55.659 Christ died 00:12:55.659 --> 00:12:56.220 for you. 00:12:57.080 --> 00:12:57.860 He alone 00:12:57.860 --> 00:12:58.500 takes the 00:12:58.500 --> 00:12:59.000 blame for 00:12:59.000 --> 00:13:00.100 our sin so 00:13:00.100 --> 00:13:00.540 that we 00:13:00.540 --> 00:13:01.160 might be 00:13:01.160 --> 00:13:02.580 incorporated 00:13:02.580 --> 00:13:03.740 into his 00:13:03.740 --> 00:13:04.420 body. 00:13:04.419 --> 00:13:05.599 through 00:13:05.599 --> 00:13:06.319 Christ's 00:13:06.319 --> 00:13:06.699 death we 00:13:06.699 --> 00:13:07.159 are now 00:13:07.159 --> 00:13:07.979 included, 00:13:08.379 --> 00:13:08.979 brothers and 00:13:08.979 --> 00:13:09.500 sisters of 00:13:09.500 --> 00:13:09.819 the Lord 00:13:09.819 --> 00:13:10.799 Jesus and 00:13:10.799 --> 00:13:11.479 of each 00:13:11.479 --> 00:13:11.799 other. 00:13:13.459 --> 00:13:14.240 He goes 00:13:14.240 --> 00:13:14.719 on with a 00:13:14.719 --> 00:13:15.559 third question. 00:13:17.240 --> 00:13:18.120 Was Christ 00:13:18.120 --> 00:13:18.659 divided? 00:13:19.439 --> 00:13:19.860 Or is 00:13:19.860 --> 00:13:20.159 Christ 00:13:20.159 --> 00:13:20.579 divided? 00:13:20.679 --> 00:13:21.059 Was Paul 00:13:21.059 --> 00:13:21.860 crucified for 00:13:21.860 --> 00:13:22.019 you? 00:13:22.740 --> 00:13:23.259 Were you 00:13:23.259 --> 00:13:24.620 baptized into 00:13:24.620 --> 00:13:25.219 the name of 00:13:25.219 --> 00:13:25.519 Paul? 00:13:27.179 --> 00:13:27.759 When you 00:13:27.759 --> 00:13:28.559 got baptized, 00:13:28.759 --> 00:13:29.379 if you were 00:13:29.379 --> 00:13:29.919 baptized, 00:13:31.079 --> 00:13:31.759 did somebody 00:13:31.759 --> 00:13:32.259 say, I 00:13:32.259 --> 00:13:33.139 baptize you in 00:13:33.139 --> 00:13:33.599 the name of 00:13:33.600 --> 00:13:34.120 the Father 00:13:34.120 --> 00:13:34.639 and of 00:13:34.639 --> 00:13:35.399 Johnny Grant 00:13:35.399 --> 00:13:35.940 and of 00:13:35.940 --> 00:13:36.300 the Holy 00:13:36.300 --> 00:13:36.720 Spirit? 00:13:38.220 --> 00:13:38.519 Well, it 00:13:38.519 --> 00:13:38.940 sounds a bit 00:13:38.940 --> 00:13:39.840 crazy, doesn't 00:13:39.840 --> 00:13:40.159 it? 00:13:41.040 --> 00:13:41.480 We're 00:13:41.480 --> 00:13:42.500 baptized into 00:13:42.500 --> 00:13:43.779 the name 00:13:43.779 --> 00:13:44.680 of Christ, 00:13:45.600 --> 00:13:46.320 symbolizing 00:13:46.320 --> 00:13:47.000 our being 00:13:47.000 --> 00:13:48.659 united to 00:13:48.659 --> 00:13:50.159 Christ and 00:13:50.159 --> 00:13:51.139 being united 00:13:51.139 --> 00:13:52.159 to his 00:13:52.159 --> 00:13:52.860 church. 00:13:53.540 --> 00:13:54.399 That's what 00:13:54.399 --> 00:13:55.340 baptism is a 00:13:55.340 --> 00:13:56.200 symbol of. 00:13:57.580 --> 00:13:58.160 You see, 00:13:58.279 --> 00:13:59.040 what Christ 00:13:59.039 --> 00:14:00.519 has united, 00:14:01.120 --> 00:14:02.759 we cannot 00:14:02.759 --> 00:14:03.620 divide. 00:14:04.399 --> 00:14:05.099 If Christ 00:14:05.099 --> 00:14:05.599 has died 00:14:05.599 --> 00:14:06.059 for you, 00:14:06.199 --> 00:14:06.699 if you 00:14:06.699 --> 00:14:07.059 have been 00:14:07.059 --> 00:14:08.139 baptized into 00:14:08.139 --> 00:14:08.659 Christ, 00:14:09.379 --> 00:14:09.860 then we 00:14:09.860 --> 00:14:10.539 are one 00:14:10.539 --> 00:14:11.860 in Christ, 00:14:12.139 --> 00:14:12.879 whether we 00:14:12.879 --> 00:14:13.980 behave like 00:14:13.980 --> 00:14:15.299 it or 00:14:15.299 --> 00:14:15.779 not. 00:14:17.539 --> 00:14:18.259 That's why 00:14:18.259 --> 00:14:18.779 Paul has 00:14:18.779 --> 00:14:19.399 been crystal 00:14:19.399 --> 00:14:19.959 clear in 00:14:19.959 --> 00:14:20.759 his task. 00:14:21.539 --> 00:14:21.879 In verses 00:14:21.879 --> 00:14:22.519 14 and 00:14:22.519 --> 00:14:23.039 15, he 00:14:23.039 --> 00:14:23.459 talks about, 00:14:23.559 --> 00:14:23.719 he says, 00:14:23.779 --> 00:14:24.399 yes, I 00:14:24.399 --> 00:14:24.779 baptized 00:14:24.779 --> 00:14:25.740 certain people 00:14:25.740 --> 00:14:26.059 in the 00:14:26.059 --> 00:14:26.500 church when 00:14:26.500 --> 00:14:26.839 I was 00:14:26.839 --> 00:14:27.139 there. 00:14:27.139 --> 00:14:27.840 There were 00:14:27.840 --> 00:14:28.379 some people 00:14:28.379 --> 00:14:29.179 I didn't. 00:14:30.179 --> 00:14:30.620 But that 00:14:30.620 --> 00:14:31.100 wasn't the 00:14:31.100 --> 00:14:31.600 real reason. 00:14:32.759 --> 00:14:33.439 I'm not 00:14:33.439 --> 00:14:33.799 wanting 00:14:33.799 --> 00:14:34.580 followers of 00:14:34.580 --> 00:14:34.980 Paul. 00:14:37.240 --> 00:14:37.980 No, he's 00:14:37.980 --> 00:14:38.539 something much 00:14:38.539 --> 00:14:39.240 more important 00:14:39.240 --> 00:14:39.759 that he's 00:14:39.759 --> 00:14:39.980 about. 00:14:40.080 --> 00:14:40.319 Look at 00:14:40.319 --> 00:14:41.080 verse 17. 00:14:41.439 --> 00:14:41.960 For Christ 00:14:41.960 --> 00:14:42.399 did not 00:14:42.399 --> 00:14:42.980 send me to 00:14:42.980 --> 00:14:43.679 baptize, 00:14:44.000 --> 00:14:44.580 but to 00:14:44.580 --> 00:14:46.419 preach the 00:14:46.419 --> 00:14:46.840 gospel, 00:14:48.720 --> 00:14:49.620 to preach 00:14:49.620 --> 00:14:50.399 the message 00:14:50.399 --> 00:14:51.939 of the 00:14:51.939 --> 00:14:52.539 cross, 00:14:53.600 --> 00:14:54.319 not with 00:14:54.319 --> 00:14:54.939 words of 00:14:54.939 --> 00:14:55.700 human wisdom, 00:14:56.080 --> 00:14:56.480 not by 00:14:56.480 --> 00:14:57.279 telling jokes 00:14:57.279 --> 00:14:58.080 and little 00:14:58.080 --> 00:14:58.580 stories, 00:14:58.680 --> 00:14:59.000 not that 00:14:59.000 --> 00:14:59.200 they're 00:14:59.200 --> 00:14:59.420 wrong, 00:14:59.519 --> 00:14:59.940 but just 00:14:59.940 --> 00:15:00.240 that, 00:15:00.379 --> 00:15:01.139 or clever 00:15:01.139 --> 00:15:01.440 little 00:15:01.440 --> 00:15:01.899 arguments 00:15:01.899 --> 00:15:02.440 and little 00:15:02.440 --> 00:15:03.080 asides. 00:15:03.680 --> 00:15:04.100 No, I 00:15:04.100 --> 00:15:04.519 just want 00:15:04.519 --> 00:15:04.899 to preach 00:15:04.899 --> 00:15:05.899 simply the 00:15:05.899 --> 00:15:06.480 plain and 00:15:06.480 --> 00:15:07.180 simple message 00:15:07.180 --> 00:15:07.860 of Jesus. 00:15:08.899 --> 00:15:09.560 Lest the 00:15:09.560 --> 00:15:10.000 cross of 00:15:10.000 --> 00:15:10.500 Christ be 00:15:10.500 --> 00:15:10.940 emptied of 00:15:10.940 --> 00:15:11.360 its power, 00:15:11.659 --> 00:15:12.259 because that's 00:15:12.259 --> 00:15:12.560 where the 00:15:12.560 --> 00:15:13.200 power is, 00:15:13.220 --> 00:15:13.480 in the 00:15:13.480 --> 00:15:13.960 message. 00:15:16.060 --> 00:15:16.899 So Paul 00:15:16.899 --> 00:15:17.259 is saying, 00:15:17.379 --> 00:15:17.700 when I 00:15:17.700 --> 00:15:18.139 preach, 00:15:18.560 --> 00:15:19.000 I'm not 00:15:19.000 --> 00:15:19.480 looking for 00:15:19.480 --> 00:15:20.180 more likes 00:15:20.180 --> 00:15:21.200 on Facebook. 00:15:22.300 --> 00:15:22.840 I'm not 00:15:22.840 --> 00:15:23.539 interested in 00:15:23.539 --> 00:15:24.220 more followers 00:15:24.220 --> 00:15:24.840 on my blog 00:15:24.840 --> 00:15:25.300 or checking 00:15:25.300 --> 00:15:25.779 how many 00:15:25.779 --> 00:15:26.360 downloaded 00:15:26.360 --> 00:15:27.079 my sermon. 00:15:28.399 --> 00:15:28.799 No, I 00:15:28.799 --> 00:15:29.259 want people 00:15:29.259 --> 00:15:29.679 to know 00:15:29.679 --> 00:15:30.199 Christ, 00:15:31.079 --> 00:15:31.919 because through 00:15:31.919 --> 00:15:32.519 Christ we're 00:15:32.519 --> 00:15:33.100 saved and 00:15:33.100 --> 00:15:33.559 we're brought 00:15:33.559 --> 00:15:34.019 into the 00:15:34.019 --> 00:15:34.539 family of 00:15:34.539 --> 00:15:35.000 the church. 00:15:35.240 --> 00:15:35.819 That's how 00:15:35.819 --> 00:15:36.500 we're united. 00:15:39.839 --> 00:15:40.860 So church 00:15:40.860 --> 00:15:42.299 is not about 00:15:42.299 --> 00:15:42.980 finding the 00:15:42.980 --> 00:15:43.779 most popular 00:15:43.779 --> 00:15:44.299 preacher. 00:15:45.839 --> 00:15:46.539 Or maybe 00:15:46.539 --> 00:15:46.919 you're a 00:15:46.919 --> 00:15:47.579 student here, 00:15:48.199 --> 00:15:48.759 and you're 00:15:48.759 --> 00:15:49.039 thinking, 00:15:49.179 --> 00:15:49.539 well, I'm 00:15:49.539 --> 00:15:49.959 going to be 00:15:49.959 --> 00:15:50.959 leaving soon, 00:15:51.039 --> 00:15:51.319 and I'm 00:15:51.319 --> 00:15:51.620 going to be 00:15:51.620 --> 00:15:51.980 getting a 00:15:51.980 --> 00:15:52.620 job somewhere 00:15:52.620 --> 00:15:53.139 else, or 00:15:53.139 --> 00:15:53.939 whatever the 00:15:53.940 --> 00:15:54.400 case may 00:15:54.400 --> 00:15:54.700 be. 00:15:55.900 --> 00:15:56.480 When you're 00:15:56.480 --> 00:15:56.900 looking for 00:15:56.900 --> 00:15:57.320 a church, 00:15:57.380 --> 00:15:57.680 it's not 00:15:57.680 --> 00:15:58.120 about how 00:15:58.120 --> 00:15:58.720 many people 00:15:58.720 --> 00:16:00.180 go, or 00:16:00.180 --> 00:16:00.700 how cool 00:16:00.700 --> 00:16:01.140 the music 00:16:01.140 --> 00:16:01.640 is. 00:16:02.500 --> 00:16:03.120 It's not 00:16:03.120 --> 00:16:03.560 even how 00:16:03.560 --> 00:16:04.360 dynamic and 00:16:04.360 --> 00:16:05.240 how energetic 00:16:05.240 --> 00:16:06.140 their programs 00:16:06.140 --> 00:16:06.660 are. 00:16:07.500 --> 00:16:08.140 It's not 00:16:08.140 --> 00:16:08.820 about clever 00:16:08.820 --> 00:16:09.820 arguments or 00:16:09.820 --> 00:16:10.200 slick 00:16:10.200 --> 00:16:10.980 presentations. 00:16:12.340 --> 00:16:13.360 It's all 00:16:13.360 --> 00:16:15.480 about the 00:16:15.480 --> 00:16:16.600 cross of 00:16:16.600 --> 00:16:17.120 Christ. 00:16:17.120 --> 00:16:17.200 Christ. 00:16:19.279 --> 00:16:20.039 That is 00:16:20.039 --> 00:16:20.659 what brings 00:16:20.659 --> 00:16:21.460 us, and 00:16:21.460 --> 00:16:21.799 that is 00:16:21.799 --> 00:16:22.460 what unites 00:16:22.460 --> 00:16:23.039 us together, 00:16:23.240 --> 00:16:23.799 and that's 00:16:23.799 --> 00:16:24.080 what we 00:16:24.080 --> 00:16:24.600 should look 00:16:24.600 --> 00:16:25.899 for when 00:16:25.899 --> 00:16:26.240 we are 00:16:26.240 --> 00:16:27.080 looking for 00:16:27.080 --> 00:16:28.039 a church. 00:16:28.840 --> 00:16:29.320 Is the 00:16:29.320 --> 00:16:30.840 message always 00:16:30.840 --> 00:16:31.600 about Christ 00:16:31.600 --> 00:16:32.039 and his 00:16:32.039 --> 00:16:32.480 cross? 00:16:33.679 --> 00:16:34.379 Now, there 00:16:34.379 --> 00:16:34.759 are two 00:16:34.759 --> 00:16:35.779 reasons why 00:16:35.779 --> 00:16:37.340 we need to 00:16:37.340 --> 00:16:38.019 unite around 00:16:38.019 --> 00:16:38.639 the cross of 00:16:38.639 --> 00:16:39.560 Christ, why 00:16:39.560 --> 00:16:40.299 it is so 00:16:40.299 --> 00:16:41.860 important that 00:16:41.860 --> 00:16:42.480 we keep it 00:16:42.480 --> 00:16:44.539 central, and 00:16:44.539 --> 00:16:45.200 he goes on to 00:16:45.200 --> 00:16:46.299 explain the 00:16:46.299 --> 00:16:47.219 reasons why. 00:16:47.799 --> 00:16:48.339 Here's the 00:16:48.339 --> 00:16:48.859 first one. 00:16:50.259 --> 00:16:51.399 The cross of 00:16:51.399 --> 00:16:53.259 Christ is 00:16:53.259 --> 00:16:54.159 God's wisdom 00:16:54.159 --> 00:16:55.659 to save. 00:16:58.179 --> 00:16:59.099 You see, for 00:16:59.099 --> 00:17:00.379 some people, and 00:17:00.379 --> 00:17:01.099 maybe you're a 00:17:01.099 --> 00:17:01.919 person here today 00:17:01.919 --> 00:17:02.719 who thinks like 00:17:02.719 --> 00:17:04.059 this, they see 00:17:04.059 --> 00:17:04.740 the cross of 00:17:04.740 --> 00:17:05.500 Christ as 00:17:05.500 --> 00:17:06.299 absolute 00:17:06.299 --> 00:17:07.279 nonsense, 00:17:08.099 --> 00:17:09.759 silly, not 00:17:09.759 --> 00:17:10.519 important. 00:17:11.799 --> 00:17:12.200 Look at 00:17:12.200 --> 00:17:12.899 verse 18. 00:17:12.900 --> 00:17:16.220 for the 00:17:16.220 --> 00:17:16.940 message of 00:17:16.940 --> 00:17:17.960 the cross is 00:17:17.960 --> 00:17:20.560 foolishness to 00:17:20.560 --> 00:17:21.240 those who are 00:17:21.240 --> 00:17:23.759 perishing, but 00:17:23.759 --> 00:17:24.460 to us who are 00:17:24.460 --> 00:17:25.420 being saved, it 00:17:25.420 --> 00:17:26.220 is the power of 00:17:26.220 --> 00:17:26.560 God. 00:17:28.060 --> 00:17:29.240 For those who've 00:17:29.240 --> 00:17:30.440 rejected Christ 00:17:30.440 --> 00:17:33.540 and have turned 00:17:33.540 --> 00:17:34.440 away from him, 00:17:34.840 --> 00:17:35.360 and their 00:17:35.360 --> 00:17:37.259 eternal destiny is 00:17:37.259 --> 00:17:38.380 separation from 00:17:38.380 --> 00:17:39.380 God, hell 00:17:39.380 --> 00:17:40.940 itself, for 00:17:40.940 --> 00:17:41.840 them the message 00:17:41.839 --> 00:17:42.859 of the cross is 00:17:42.859 --> 00:17:44.399 absolutely stupid, 00:17:45.439 --> 00:17:46.319 a complete waste 00:17:46.319 --> 00:17:46.819 of time. 00:17:49.819 --> 00:17:50.559 There's some 00:17:50.559 --> 00:17:51.059 very clever 00:17:51.059 --> 00:17:51.879 people around. 00:17:53.339 --> 00:17:54.059 One clever 00:17:54.059 --> 00:17:54.919 person, he's 00:17:54.919 --> 00:17:55.980 just recently 00:17:55.980 --> 00:17:56.819 passed away, 00:17:57.359 --> 00:17:57.819 was the 00:17:57.819 --> 00:17:58.279 scholar 00:17:58.279 --> 00:17:59.159 Christopher 00:17:59.159 --> 00:17:59.659 Hitchens. 00:18:00.839 --> 00:18:01.779 He wrote a 00:18:01.779 --> 00:18:02.319 book called 00:18:02.319 --> 00:18:02.839 God is 00:18:02.839 --> 00:18:03.240 Dead. 00:18:04.379 --> 00:18:05.220 A very, very 00:18:05.220 --> 00:18:05.799 clever and 00:18:05.799 --> 00:18:06.579 intelligent man, 00:18:06.839 --> 00:18:07.459 an amazing 00:18:07.459 --> 00:18:08.079 debater. 00:18:08.079 --> 00:18:10.079 God is 00:18:10.079 --> 00:18:10.259 a 00:18:10.259 --> 00:18:12.339 God is 00:18:12.339 --> 00:18:12.720 a wonderful 00:18:12.720 --> 00:18:14.139 mind, but 00:18:14.139 --> 00:18:14.759 this is what he 00:18:14.759 --> 00:18:15.099 thought. 00:18:16.139 --> 00:18:16.639 He said, I 00:18:16.639 --> 00:18:17.399 find something 00:18:17.399 --> 00:18:19.099 repulsive about 00:18:19.099 --> 00:18:20.220 the idea of 00:18:20.220 --> 00:18:21.519 vicarious redemption. 00:18:21.679 --> 00:18:22.240 That's just a 00:18:22.240 --> 00:18:23.419 technical way of 00:18:23.419 --> 00:18:24.079 talking about the 00:18:24.079 --> 00:18:24.879 cross of Christ. 00:18:25.699 --> 00:18:26.879 This impossible 00:18:26.879 --> 00:18:28.139 action of a 00:18:28.139 --> 00:18:29.399 Jesus dying 00:18:29.399 --> 00:18:31.019 robs us of 00:18:31.019 --> 00:18:31.720 individual 00:18:31.720 --> 00:18:32.659 responsibility. 00:18:32.660 --> 00:18:33.920 So the 00:18:33.920 --> 00:18:34.820 whole apparatus 00:18:34.820 --> 00:18:35.779 of absolution 00:18:35.779 --> 00:18:36.519 and forgiveness 00:18:36.519 --> 00:18:37.840 strikes me as 00:18:37.840 --> 00:18:38.460 positively 00:18:38.460 --> 00:18:39.779 immoral. 00:18:41.680 --> 00:18:42.779 Or take 00:18:42.779 --> 00:18:43.880 another person, 00:18:44.000 --> 00:18:45.019 Professor Richard 00:18:45.019 --> 00:18:45.560 Dawkins. 00:18:46.080 --> 00:18:47.120 He's a world 00:18:47.120 --> 00:18:48.019 leader in 00:18:48.019 --> 00:18:48.920 science. 00:18:49.380 --> 00:18:50.060 Again, a very 00:18:50.060 --> 00:18:51.300 capable and 00:18:51.300 --> 00:18:52.400 very intellectual 00:18:52.400 --> 00:18:52.960 man. 00:18:53.920 --> 00:18:54.540 But here's what 00:18:54.540 --> 00:18:55.060 he said, 00:18:55.059 --> 00:18:56.819 you cannot 00:18:56.819 --> 00:18:57.679 be an 00:18:57.679 --> 00:18:58.419 intelligent 00:18:58.419 --> 00:18:59.639 scientific 00:18:59.639 --> 00:19:00.500 thinker 00:19:00.500 --> 00:19:02.000 and still 00:19:02.000 --> 00:19:02.559 hold to 00:19:02.559 --> 00:19:02.940 religious 00:19:02.940 --> 00:19:03.519 beliefs. 00:19:04.460 --> 00:19:04.899 In other 00:19:04.899 --> 00:19:05.799 words, you 00:19:05.799 --> 00:19:06.359 can't say 00:19:06.359 --> 00:19:06.679 you're an 00:19:06.679 --> 00:19:07.139 educated 00:19:07.139 --> 00:19:08.799 person and 00:19:08.799 --> 00:19:09.720 still believe 00:19:09.720 --> 00:19:10.659 in the 00:19:10.659 --> 00:19:11.079 cross. 00:19:12.279 --> 00:19:12.720 Now these 00:19:12.720 --> 00:19:13.240 are world 00:19:13.240 --> 00:19:14.440 thinkers who've 00:19:14.440 --> 00:19:15.000 written many 00:19:15.000 --> 00:19:15.839 things and 00:19:15.839 --> 00:19:16.480 people listen 00:19:16.480 --> 00:19:17.000 to what they 00:19:17.000 --> 00:19:17.720 have to say 00:19:17.720 --> 00:19:18.980 and they're 00:19:18.980 --> 00:19:19.700 telling everybody 00:19:19.700 --> 00:19:20.379 the cross is 00:19:20.379 --> 00:19:21.859 foolish, it's 00:19:21.859 --> 00:19:22.659 silly, it's 00:19:22.659 --> 00:19:23.179 a nonsense. 00:19:23.700 --> 00:19:24.399 We don't need 00:19:24.400 --> 00:19:25.100 anybody to 00:19:25.100 --> 00:19:26.259 save us, we 00:19:26.259 --> 00:19:26.920 can save 00:19:26.920 --> 00:19:27.800 ourselves. 00:19:28.720 --> 00:19:29.580 Salvation for 00:19:29.580 --> 00:19:31.560 humanity is 00:19:31.560 --> 00:19:32.300 found in the 00:19:32.300 --> 00:19:32.880 wisdom of 00:19:32.880 --> 00:19:33.980 learning and 00:19:33.980 --> 00:19:34.980 of understanding. 00:19:36.060 --> 00:19:36.620 That's how 00:19:36.620 --> 00:19:37.240 we're going to 00:19:37.240 --> 00:19:37.720 better the 00:19:37.720 --> 00:19:38.240 world and 00:19:38.240 --> 00:19:39.160 better humanity. 00:19:40.820 --> 00:19:41.860 But listen to 00:19:41.860 --> 00:19:42.580 what God has 00:19:42.580 --> 00:19:43.060 to say. 00:19:43.680 --> 00:19:44.640 Verse 19. 00:19:46.900 --> 00:19:47.759 He says, 00:19:47.840 --> 00:19:48.240 for it is 00:19:48.240 --> 00:19:48.560 written, 00:19:50.300 --> 00:19:51.280 I will 00:19:51.280 --> 00:19:52.240 destroy the 00:19:52.240 --> 00:19:53.500 wisdom of 00:19:53.500 --> 00:19:54.160 the wise. 00:19:54.400 --> 00:19:55.759 the 00:19:55.759 --> 00:19:57.500 intelligence of 00:19:57.500 --> 00:19:58.440 the intelligent, 00:19:59.660 --> 00:20:00.320 I will 00:20:00.320 --> 00:20:01.140 frustrate. 00:20:02.360 --> 00:20:02.960 So the 00:20:02.960 --> 00:20:03.560 very thing 00:20:03.560 --> 00:20:03.880 that the 00:20:03.880 --> 00:20:04.540 world counts 00:20:04.540 --> 00:20:05.280 as foolish, 00:20:05.660 --> 00:20:06.240 that's the 00:20:06.240 --> 00:20:06.820 message of 00:20:06.820 --> 00:20:07.380 the cross. 00:20:08.060 --> 00:20:08.740 God says, 00:20:08.840 --> 00:20:09.360 I'm going to 00:20:09.360 --> 00:20:09.920 take the 00:20:09.920 --> 00:20:10.500 message of 00:20:10.500 --> 00:20:11.040 the cross 00:20:11.040 --> 00:20:12.380 and it is 00:20:12.380 --> 00:20:12.880 going to be 00:20:12.880 --> 00:20:13.720 the means of 00:20:13.720 --> 00:20:15.180 salvation for 00:20:15.180 --> 00:20:15.600 the world. 00:20:17.180 --> 00:20:18.060 So look at 00:20:18.060 --> 00:20:18.720 verse 20. 00:20:19.519 --> 00:20:20.040 Again, he 00:20:20.040 --> 00:20:20.540 asks a whole 00:20:20.540 --> 00:20:20.759 load of 00:20:20.759 --> 00:20:21.140 questions. 00:20:21.500 --> 00:20:21.940 Where's the 00:20:21.940 --> 00:20:22.560 wise man? 00:20:23.359 --> 00:20:24.019 Where's the 00:20:24.019 --> 00:20:24.379 scholar? 00:20:25.240 --> 00:20:25.879 Where's the 00:20:25.879 --> 00:20:27.099 philosopher of 00:20:27.099 --> 00:20:27.839 this age? 00:20:28.399 --> 00:20:28.839 In other 00:20:28.839 --> 00:20:29.859 words, what 00:20:29.859 --> 00:20:31.179 has all this 00:20:31.179 --> 00:20:32.299 learning done 00:20:32.299 --> 00:20:32.940 for the 00:20:32.940 --> 00:20:33.279 world? 00:20:33.659 --> 00:20:34.299 All the 00:20:34.299 --> 00:20:35.119 great minds 00:20:35.119 --> 00:20:35.519 that have 00:20:35.519 --> 00:20:36.480 ever lived, 00:20:37.700 --> 00:20:38.200 the great 00:20:38.200 --> 00:20:39.259 intellects that 00:20:39.259 --> 00:20:39.639 there have 00:20:39.639 --> 00:20:40.259 been down 00:20:40.259 --> 00:20:40.700 through the 00:20:40.700 --> 00:20:41.139 centuries, 00:20:41.539 --> 00:20:42.359 what has it 00:20:42.359 --> 00:20:43.259 all led to 00:20:43.259 --> 00:20:43.919 for the 00:20:43.919 --> 00:20:44.179 world? 00:20:45.819 --> 00:20:46.539 Well, there's 00:20:46.539 --> 00:20:46.899 been some 00:20:46.899 --> 00:20:47.500 great things, 00:20:47.559 --> 00:20:47.940 hasn't there? 00:20:48.119 --> 00:20:48.759 There's been the 00:20:48.759 --> 00:20:49.659 advancement in 00:20:49.660 --> 00:20:51.040 science, which 00:20:51.040 --> 00:20:51.700 means we all 00:20:51.700 --> 00:20:52.140 live a little 00:20:52.140 --> 00:20:52.620 bit longer 00:20:52.620 --> 00:20:53.200 than before 00:20:53.200 --> 00:20:53.540 and there's 00:20:53.540 --> 00:20:53.980 now more 00:20:53.980 --> 00:20:54.540 cures for 00:20:54.540 --> 00:20:54.960 illnesses. 00:20:55.300 --> 00:20:55.900 That's a good 00:20:55.900 --> 00:20:56.420 thing because 00:20:56.420 --> 00:20:56.960 of learning. 00:20:58.560 --> 00:20:59.120 Yes, our 00:20:59.120 --> 00:21:00.000 understanding of 00:21:00.000 --> 00:21:00.740 physics means we 00:21:00.740 --> 00:21:01.560 can go further 00:21:01.560 --> 00:21:03.759 into space and 00:21:03.759 --> 00:21:04.380 maybe somebody 00:21:04.380 --> 00:21:04.920 one day is 00:21:04.920 --> 00:21:05.400 going to live 00:21:05.400 --> 00:21:05.820 on planet 00:21:05.820 --> 00:21:06.300 Mars. 00:21:06.519 --> 00:21:07.000 Who knows? 00:21:07.060 --> 00:21:07.360 We might 00:21:07.360 --> 00:21:07.840 need to. 00:21:09.360 --> 00:21:10.000 Yes, our 00:21:10.000 --> 00:21:10.800 application of 00:21:10.800 --> 00:21:11.700 mathematics means 00:21:11.700 --> 00:21:12.300 we have better 00:21:12.300 --> 00:21:13.240 technology and 00:21:13.240 --> 00:21:13.720 communication 00:21:13.720 --> 00:21:14.480 systems. 00:21:14.800 --> 00:21:15.340 That's all 00:21:15.340 --> 00:21:16.140 great things. 00:21:16.140 --> 00:21:18.100 But with 00:21:18.100 --> 00:21:18.880 all this 00:21:18.880 --> 00:21:19.580 learning and 00:21:19.580 --> 00:21:20.020 all this 00:21:20.020 --> 00:21:20.900 advancement and 00:21:20.900 --> 00:21:21.600 all the wisdom 00:21:21.600 --> 00:21:22.180 of the world 00:21:22.180 --> 00:21:22.700 down through 00:21:22.700 --> 00:21:23.460 the centuries, 00:21:24.740 --> 00:21:25.320 the human 00:21:25.320 --> 00:21:27.300 heart is 00:21:27.300 --> 00:21:27.820 still the 00:21:27.820 --> 00:21:28.120 same. 00:21:29.440 --> 00:21:30.080 We are 00:21:30.080 --> 00:21:30.860 still broken 00:21:30.860 --> 00:21:32.120 and sinful. 00:21:33.300 --> 00:21:34.360 By nature, 00:21:34.820 --> 00:21:35.640 we specialize 00:21:35.640 --> 00:21:37.480 in unholy 00:21:37.480 --> 00:21:38.360 division. 00:21:39.759 --> 00:21:40.000 I mean, 00:21:40.060 --> 00:21:40.440 look around 00:21:40.440 --> 00:21:40.900 the world. 00:21:41.080 --> 00:21:41.500 How many 00:21:41.500 --> 00:21:42.140 nations are 00:21:42.140 --> 00:21:42.740 fighting and 00:21:42.740 --> 00:21:43.480 at war today? 00:21:44.880 --> 00:21:45.360 Look at the 00:21:45.359 --> 00:21:46.519 pictures on 00:21:46.519 --> 00:21:47.459 our TVs. 00:21:48.519 --> 00:21:49.259 As thousands 00:21:49.259 --> 00:21:50.000 upon thousands 00:21:50.000 --> 00:21:50.639 of people are 00:21:50.639 --> 00:21:51.719 leaving countries 00:21:51.719 --> 00:21:52.439 because they're 00:21:52.439 --> 00:21:53.059 all fighting. 00:21:54.439 --> 00:21:55.179 Or look at our 00:21:55.179 --> 00:21:55.740 communities. 00:21:56.139 --> 00:21:56.639 We've seen it 00:21:56.639 --> 00:21:57.199 again in the 00:21:57.199 --> 00:21:58.279 news this week 00:21:58.279 --> 00:21:58.919 in Northern 00:21:58.919 --> 00:21:59.279 Ireland. 00:21:59.599 --> 00:22:00.259 A community 00:22:00.259 --> 00:22:01.219 again falling 00:22:01.219 --> 00:22:01.659 apart. 00:22:02.839 --> 00:22:03.559 Look at our 00:22:03.559 --> 00:22:04.379 own individual 00:22:04.379 --> 00:22:05.079 families. 00:22:06.039 --> 00:22:06.659 How many of 00:22:06.659 --> 00:22:07.059 them can we 00:22:07.059 --> 00:22:07.659 all say are 00:22:07.659 --> 00:22:08.979 so nicely 00:22:08.979 --> 00:22:09.759 together? 00:22:11.259 --> 00:22:11.939 The reality 00:22:11.939 --> 00:22:12.759 is so much 00:22:12.759 --> 00:22:13.559 is broken and 00:22:13.559 --> 00:22:14.319 falling apart. 00:22:15.359 --> 00:22:16.179 What about 00:22:16.179 --> 00:22:16.779 our friendships? 00:22:17.240 --> 00:22:17.719 How many 00:22:17.719 --> 00:22:18.240 of us have 00:22:18.240 --> 00:22:19.599 lost friends 00:22:19.599 --> 00:22:20.679 because of 00:22:20.679 --> 00:22:21.339 things we've 00:22:21.339 --> 00:22:21.899 said or 00:22:21.899 --> 00:22:22.279 done or 00:22:22.279 --> 00:22:22.699 because of 00:22:22.699 --> 00:22:23.359 something they've 00:22:23.359 --> 00:22:23.979 said or 00:22:23.979 --> 00:22:24.279 done? 00:22:25.279 --> 00:22:26.179 The reality 00:22:26.179 --> 00:22:26.579 is we 00:22:26.579 --> 00:22:27.659 specialize in 00:22:27.659 --> 00:22:28.579 unholy 00:22:28.579 --> 00:22:29.039 division. 00:22:29.939 --> 00:22:30.539 We divide. 00:22:31.419 --> 00:22:32.219 We fall 00:22:32.219 --> 00:22:32.599 out. 00:22:33.119 --> 00:22:33.819 We quarrel. 00:22:36.939 --> 00:22:37.740 Look at the 00:22:37.740 --> 00:22:38.199 end of verse 00:22:38.199 --> 00:22:38.659 20. 00:22:39.859 --> 00:22:40.500 Has not 00:22:40.500 --> 00:22:41.139 God made 00:22:41.139 --> 00:22:41.839 foolish the 00:22:41.839 --> 00:22:42.459 wisdom of the 00:22:42.459 --> 00:22:42.779 world? 00:22:42.779 --> 00:22:44.779 God made 00:22:44.779 --> 00:22:45.139 the wisdom of 00:22:45.139 --> 00:22:45.440 God. 00:22:45.440 --> 00:22:45.680 God made 00:22:45.680 --> 00:22:45.940 the world 00:22:45.940 --> 00:22:46.460 through its 00:22:46.460 --> 00:22:47.119 wisdom did 00:22:47.119 --> 00:22:47.599 not know 00:22:47.599 --> 00:22:47.899 him. 00:22:48.599 --> 00:22:49.319 God was 00:22:49.319 --> 00:22:50.019 pleased through 00:22:50.019 --> 00:22:51.000 the foolishness 00:22:51.000 --> 00:22:51.519 of what was 00:22:51.519 --> 00:22:52.480 preached to 00:22:52.480 --> 00:22:53.119 save those 00:22:53.119 --> 00:22:53.779 who believe. 00:22:54.579 --> 00:22:55.279 The world's 00:22:55.279 --> 00:22:55.960 wisdom says 00:22:55.960 --> 00:22:56.299 this. 00:22:56.599 --> 00:22:57.139 We can go 00:22:57.139 --> 00:22:57.619 it alone. 00:22:58.019 --> 00:22:58.399 We don't 00:22:58.399 --> 00:22:59.039 need God. 00:22:59.259 --> 00:22:59.680 We don't 00:22:59.680 --> 00:23:00.220 need a cross. 00:23:00.379 --> 00:23:00.899 Don't talk 00:23:00.899 --> 00:23:01.399 to me about 00:23:01.399 --> 00:23:01.700 a cross. 00:23:01.799 --> 00:23:02.500 That's nonsense. 00:23:02.700 --> 00:23:03.180 It's foolish. 00:23:03.359 --> 00:23:03.899 It's silly. 00:23:04.579 --> 00:23:04.980 The world 00:23:04.980 --> 00:23:05.619 thinks it can 00:23:05.619 --> 00:23:06.700 save itself and 00:23:06.700 --> 00:23:07.539 save humanity 00:23:07.539 --> 00:23:08.399 along with it. 00:23:08.759 --> 00:23:09.660 But God in 00:23:09.660 --> 00:23:10.200 his wisdom 00:23:10.200 --> 00:23:10.879 comes along 00:23:10.880 --> 00:23:11.240 and says 00:23:11.240 --> 00:23:11.920 what the 00:23:11.920 --> 00:23:12.660 world thinks 00:23:12.660 --> 00:23:13.260 is foolish 00:23:13.260 --> 00:23:14.040 and stupid, 00:23:14.320 --> 00:23:14.760 what the 00:23:14.760 --> 00:23:15.620 world laughs 00:23:15.620 --> 00:23:16.020 at, 00:23:17.120 --> 00:23:18.620 I will use 00:23:18.620 --> 00:23:19.200 that to 00:23:19.200 --> 00:23:20.300 save the 00:23:20.300 --> 00:23:21.120 world and 00:23:21.120 --> 00:23:21.980 save people. 00:23:23.020 --> 00:23:23.640 That's what 00:23:23.640 --> 00:23:24.060 he's saying 00:23:24.060 --> 00:23:24.480 at the end 00:23:24.480 --> 00:23:24.760 of verse 00:23:24.760 --> 00:23:25.320 21. 00:23:26.180 --> 00:23:26.860 That God 00:23:26.860 --> 00:23:27.520 was pleased 00:23:27.520 --> 00:23:28.120 through the 00:23:28.120 --> 00:23:29.040 foolishness 00:23:29.040 --> 00:23:30.600 of what was 00:23:30.600 --> 00:23:31.720 preached to 00:23:31.720 --> 00:23:32.580 save those 00:23:32.580 --> 00:23:34.020 who believe. 00:23:36.420 --> 00:23:37.240 In the 00:23:37.240 --> 00:23:37.940 first century 00:23:37.940 --> 00:23:39.700 there was 00:23:39.700 --> 00:23:40.180 a piece 00:23:40.180 --> 00:23:41.720 of graffiti 00:23:41.720 --> 00:23:42.220 that was 00:23:42.220 --> 00:23:42.779 found on 00:23:42.779 --> 00:23:43.220 a wall 00:23:43.220 --> 00:23:44.820 and it's 00:23:44.820 --> 00:23:45.080 a little 00:23:45.080 --> 00:23:45.460 picture, 00:23:45.620 --> 00:23:45.860 it's just 00:23:45.860 --> 00:23:46.279 kind of like 00:23:46.279 --> 00:23:46.820 a chalk 00:23:46.820 --> 00:23:47.420 kind of 00:23:47.420 --> 00:23:48.500 drawing and 00:23:48.500 --> 00:23:48.779 there's a 00:23:48.779 --> 00:23:49.160 picture of 00:23:49.160 --> 00:23:49.640 a man 00:23:49.640 --> 00:23:50.320 spread like 00:23:50.320 --> 00:23:50.799 this as 00:23:50.799 --> 00:23:51.140 if he's 00:23:51.140 --> 00:23:51.420 on a 00:23:51.420 --> 00:23:51.799 cross. 00:23:52.920 --> 00:23:53.580 But for 00:23:53.580 --> 00:23:54.059 a head 00:23:54.059 --> 00:23:54.600 is a 00:23:54.600 --> 00:23:54.960 donkey, 00:23:56.080 --> 00:23:56.660 an ass. 00:23:57.420 --> 00:23:57.860 And there's 00:23:57.860 --> 00:23:58.080 a little 00:23:58.080 --> 00:23:58.980 caption underneath 00:23:58.980 --> 00:23:59.299 and it 00:23:59.299 --> 00:23:59.500 says, 00:23:59.900 --> 00:24:00.220 Alex 00:24:00.220 --> 00:24:00.940 Amenos 00:24:00.940 --> 00:24:02.080 worships 00:24:02.080 --> 00:24:02.500 his 00:24:02.500 --> 00:24:03.360 God. 00:24:04.160 --> 00:24:04.519 So 00:24:04.519 --> 00:24:04.880 obviously 00:24:04.880 --> 00:24:05.240 in the 00:24:05.240 --> 00:24:05.779 first century 00:24:05.779 --> 00:24:06.080 there was 00:24:06.080 --> 00:24:06.320 a little 00:24:06.320 --> 00:24:06.860 guy called 00:24:06.859 --> 00:24:07.240 Alex, 00:24:07.539 --> 00:24:08.179 a Christian 00:24:08.179 --> 00:24:09.259 who had 00:24:09.259 --> 00:24:09.599 heard the 00:24:09.599 --> 00:24:10.079 message of 00:24:10.079 --> 00:24:10.459 the cross 00:24:10.459 --> 00:24:10.859 he'd come 00:24:10.859 --> 00:24:11.479 to believe 00:24:11.479 --> 00:24:12.479 and other 00:24:12.479 --> 00:24:13.039 people thought 00:24:13.039 --> 00:24:13.279 it was 00:24:13.279 --> 00:24:13.719 stupid. 00:24:13.979 --> 00:24:14.500 Maybe a 00:24:14.500 --> 00:24:14.759 neighbour, 00:24:15.119 --> 00:24:15.519 maybe one 00:24:15.519 --> 00:24:15.759 of his 00:24:15.759 --> 00:24:16.240 mates in 00:24:16.240 --> 00:24:16.539 school, 00:24:16.779 --> 00:24:17.219 who knows, 00:24:17.439 --> 00:24:17.759 but they 00:24:17.759 --> 00:24:18.119 draw a 00:24:18.119 --> 00:24:18.579 little picture 00:24:18.579 --> 00:24:18.879 and say, 00:24:19.099 --> 00:24:19.519 what a 00:24:19.519 --> 00:24:20.099 stupid 00:24:20.099 --> 00:24:21.740 boy to 00:24:21.740 --> 00:24:22.059 follow 00:24:22.059 --> 00:24:22.479 that. 00:24:23.919 --> 00:24:24.359 And maybe 00:24:24.359 --> 00:24:24.819 that's what 00:24:24.819 --> 00:24:25.419 people think 00:24:25.419 --> 00:24:25.779 of you 00:24:25.779 --> 00:24:26.240 and me. 00:24:26.679 --> 00:24:27.099 Why would 00:24:27.099 --> 00:24:27.539 you follow 00:24:27.539 --> 00:24:28.359 such a 00:24:28.359 --> 00:24:28.959 simple and 00:24:28.959 --> 00:24:29.439 stupid 00:24:29.439 --> 00:24:29.879 message? 00:24:30.139 --> 00:24:30.599 A man 00:24:30.599 --> 00:24:31.240 dying on 00:24:31.240 --> 00:24:31.599 the cross, 00:24:31.719 --> 00:24:32.339 how utterly 00:24:32.339 --> 00:24:32.859 pathetic. 00:24:32.859 --> 00:24:35.939 But that 00:24:35.939 --> 00:24:36.619 is God's 00:24:36.619 --> 00:24:36.979 wisdom, 00:24:37.879 --> 00:24:38.319 to take 00:24:38.319 --> 00:24:38.899 something the 00:24:38.899 --> 00:24:39.539 world thinks 00:24:39.539 --> 00:24:40.279 is foolish, 00:24:41.119 --> 00:24:41.759 to save 00:24:41.759 --> 00:24:42.399 people like 00:24:42.399 --> 00:24:42.719 you and 00:24:42.719 --> 00:24:42.959 me. 00:24:44.159 --> 00:24:44.479 Let me 00:24:44.479 --> 00:24:44.839 try and 00:24:44.839 --> 00:24:45.799 apply this 00:24:45.799 --> 00:24:46.559 through to 00:24:46.559 --> 00:24:47.459 some situations 00:24:47.459 --> 00:24:47.959 today. 00:24:48.359 --> 00:24:48.779 Look for 00:24:48.779 --> 00:24:49.359 example at 00:24:49.359 --> 00:24:50.039 Northern Ireland. 00:24:50.339 --> 00:24:50.819 We've seen 00:24:50.819 --> 00:24:51.259 it on the 00:24:51.259 --> 00:24:51.659 news, 00:24:52.119 --> 00:24:52.599 the Northern 00:24:52.599 --> 00:24:52.919 Ireland 00:24:52.919 --> 00:24:53.479 Assembly. 00:24:54.740 --> 00:24:55.679 The world 00:24:55.679 --> 00:24:56.059 in its 00:24:56.059 --> 00:24:56.599 wisdom has 00:24:56.599 --> 00:24:56.919 put in 00:24:56.919 --> 00:24:57.699 millions of 00:24:57.699 --> 00:24:58.379 dollars into 00:24:58.379 --> 00:24:58.759 that. 00:24:59.759 --> 00:25:00.279 There's been 00:25:00.279 --> 00:25:01.299 thousands of 00:25:01.299 --> 00:25:01.859 hours around 00:25:01.859 --> 00:25:02.659 the negotiating 00:25:02.659 --> 00:25:03.159 table. 00:25:03.779 --> 00:25:04.519 The world's 00:25:04.519 --> 00:25:05.180 brightest and 00:25:05.180 --> 00:25:05.859 most talented 00:25:05.859 --> 00:25:06.899 politicians of 00:25:06.899 --> 00:25:07.720 lawyers have 00:25:07.720 --> 00:25:08.460 been employed. 00:25:08.980 --> 00:25:09.519 Nothing has 00:25:09.519 --> 00:25:10.359 been spared to 00:25:10.359 --> 00:25:11.159 make it work. 00:25:12.659 --> 00:25:13.339 But where are 00:25:13.339 --> 00:25:13.960 we at again 00:25:13.960 --> 00:25:15.099 this week? 00:25:16.299 --> 00:25:16.779 Division, 00:25:17.859 --> 00:25:18.539 brokenness, 00:25:19.259 --> 00:25:19.859 distrust, 00:25:20.619 --> 00:25:21.680 falling apart. 00:25:22.799 --> 00:25:23.539 What if I 00:25:23.539 --> 00:25:24.159 were to go to 00:25:24.159 --> 00:25:24.399 them or 00:25:24.399 --> 00:25:24.940 somebody else 00:25:24.940 --> 00:25:25.200 and say, 00:25:25.419 --> 00:25:26.019 why don't we 00:25:26.019 --> 00:25:26.599 sit them all 00:25:26.599 --> 00:25:27.119 down round 00:25:27.119 --> 00:25:28.039 the table and 00:25:28.039 --> 00:25:28.539 we'll preach 00:25:28.539 --> 00:25:28.899 them the 00:25:28.899 --> 00:25:29.399 message of 00:25:29.399 --> 00:25:29.960 the cross? 00:25:31.299 --> 00:25:33.859 What kind 00:25:33.859 --> 00:25:34.419 of response 00:25:34.419 --> 00:25:34.740 would you 00:25:34.740 --> 00:25:35.059 get? 00:25:35.480 --> 00:25:36.000 Don't be 00:25:36.000 --> 00:25:36.940 so foolish. 00:25:37.619 --> 00:25:38.139 Don't be 00:25:38.139 --> 00:25:39.099 so stupid. 00:25:40.000 --> 00:25:40.519 What an 00:25:40.519 --> 00:25:41.119 ignorant and 00:25:41.119 --> 00:25:42.639 uneducated idea 00:25:42.639 --> 00:25:43.659 to do that. 00:25:45.339 --> 00:25:46.299 But I could 00:25:46.299 --> 00:25:47.079 take you to 00:25:47.079 --> 00:25:48.019 churches today 00:25:48.019 --> 00:25:49.619 where the 00:25:49.619 --> 00:25:50.119 cross of 00:25:50.119 --> 00:25:50.899 Christ has 00:25:50.899 --> 00:25:51.519 been preached, 00:25:51.639 --> 00:25:52.119 the message 00:25:52.119 --> 00:25:52.539 has been 00:25:52.539 --> 00:25:53.039 proclaimed, 00:25:53.379 --> 00:25:53.980 and in 00:25:53.980 --> 00:25:54.940 those churches 00:25:54.940 --> 00:25:55.940 are people 00:25:55.940 --> 00:25:56.659 from either 00:25:56.659 --> 00:25:57.319 side, 00:25:57.940 --> 00:25:58.480 nationalist 00:25:58.480 --> 00:25:59.759 and unionist. 00:25:59.759 --> 00:26:01.240 I even 00:26:01.240 --> 00:26:01.640 think if 00:26:01.640 --> 00:26:01.879 you were 00:26:01.879 --> 00:26:02.259 to dig 00:26:02.259 --> 00:26:02.740 around here 00:26:02.740 --> 00:26:03.000 you would 00:26:03.000 --> 00:26:03.559 find people 00:26:03.559 --> 00:26:04.059 on different 00:26:04.059 --> 00:26:04.579 sides. 00:26:06.339 --> 00:26:07.000 I could 00:26:07.000 --> 00:26:07.359 take you 00:26:07.359 --> 00:26:07.900 to churches 00:26:07.900 --> 00:26:08.440 where there 00:26:08.440 --> 00:26:08.799 are people 00:26:08.799 --> 00:26:09.240 from a 00:26:09.240 --> 00:26:09.500 Jewish 00:26:09.500 --> 00:26:10.119 background 00:26:10.119 --> 00:26:10.819 and a 00:26:10.819 --> 00:26:11.440 Palestinian 00:26:11.440 --> 00:26:12.180 background 00:26:12.180 --> 00:26:13.000 united 00:26:13.000 --> 00:26:13.660 together, 00:26:14.319 --> 00:26:14.720 Muslim 00:26:14.720 --> 00:26:15.359 backgrounds 00:26:15.359 --> 00:26:16.099 united 00:26:16.099 --> 00:26:16.700 together. 00:26:17.420 --> 00:26:17.680 Why? 00:26:17.940 --> 00:26:18.559 Because they 00:26:18.559 --> 00:26:19.000 have come 00:26:19.000 --> 00:26:19.579 to hear the 00:26:19.579 --> 00:26:20.119 message of 00:26:20.119 --> 00:26:20.539 the cross 00:26:20.539 --> 00:26:21.099 and they 00:26:21.099 --> 00:26:21.440 have been 00:26:21.440 --> 00:26:22.240 saved because 00:26:22.240 --> 00:26:22.599 they've 00:26:22.599 --> 00:26:23.279 trusted in 00:26:23.279 --> 00:26:23.640 Jesus, 00:26:23.980 --> 00:26:24.379 they've been 00:26:24.379 --> 00:26:25.079 forgiven of 00:26:25.079 --> 00:26:25.500 all their 00:26:25.500 --> 00:26:26.259 sin and 00:26:26.259 --> 00:26:26.519 they are 00:26:26.519 --> 00:26:27.140 now together 00:26:27.140 --> 00:26:27.599 as one 00:26:27.599 --> 00:26:28.000 people. 00:26:28.000 --> 00:26:29.799 the cross 00:26:29.799 --> 00:26:30.440 of Christ 00:26:30.440 --> 00:26:31.420 is God's 00:26:31.420 --> 00:26:31.859 wisdom 00:26:31.859 --> 00:26:33.400 to save. 00:26:35.480 --> 00:26:36.480 So that's 00:26:36.480 --> 00:26:36.819 what he 00:26:36.819 --> 00:26:37.480 says to 00:26:37.480 --> 00:26:38.240 the church. 00:26:39.099 --> 00:26:39.700 Guys, 00:26:39.819 --> 00:26:40.160 if you're 00:26:40.160 --> 00:26:40.500 going to 00:26:40.500 --> 00:26:41.119 be perfectly 00:26:41.119 --> 00:26:41.660 united, 00:26:42.680 --> 00:26:43.259 it's got 00:26:43.259 --> 00:26:43.819 to be 00:26:43.819 --> 00:26:44.740 the cross 00:26:44.740 --> 00:26:45.359 of Christ. 00:26:46.440 --> 00:26:47.299 The second 00:26:47.299 --> 00:26:47.819 big thing 00:26:47.819 --> 00:26:48.220 he says 00:26:48.220 --> 00:26:48.700 is this, 00:26:49.440 --> 00:26:50.039 the cross 00:26:50.039 --> 00:26:50.539 of Christ 00:26:50.539 --> 00:26:51.140 is God's 00:26:51.140 --> 00:26:51.839 power to 00:26:51.839 --> 00:26:52.700 unite. 00:26:53.900 --> 00:26:54.299 You see, 00:26:54.400 --> 00:26:55.039 those God 00:26:55.039 --> 00:26:55.700 saves, 00:26:56.160 --> 00:26:56.539 he doesn't 00:26:56.539 --> 00:26:57.039 just save 00:26:57.039 --> 00:26:57.519 individually 00:26:57.519 --> 00:26:57.899 and say 00:26:57.899 --> 00:26:58.240 there you 00:26:58.240 --> 00:26:58.619 are all 00:26:58.619 --> 00:26:58.940 on your 00:26:58.940 --> 00:26:59.240 own. 00:26:59.799 --> 00:27:00.500 He saves 00:27:00.500 --> 00:27:00.980 to bring 00:27:00.980 --> 00:27:01.879 them into 00:27:01.879 --> 00:27:03.000 a community, 00:27:03.399 --> 00:27:04.099 into a 00:27:04.099 --> 00:27:04.440 family, 00:27:04.700 --> 00:27:05.159 into a 00:27:05.159 --> 00:27:05.339 church. 00:27:05.440 --> 00:27:05.720 There's no 00:27:05.720 --> 00:27:06.180 such thing 00:27:06.180 --> 00:27:06.440 as an 00:27:06.440 --> 00:27:06.859 individual 00:27:06.859 --> 00:27:07.359 Christian. 00:27:07.700 --> 00:27:07.960 You are 00:27:07.960 --> 00:27:08.639 brought in. 00:27:09.019 --> 00:27:09.420 So let's 00:27:09.420 --> 00:27:09.779 have a look 00:27:09.779 --> 00:27:10.000 at how 00:27:10.000 --> 00:27:10.480 this works 00:27:10.480 --> 00:27:10.680 out. 00:27:10.759 --> 00:27:11.440 Verse 22. 00:27:12.460 --> 00:27:12.819 Jews 00:27:12.819 --> 00:27:13.460 demand 00:27:13.460 --> 00:27:14.019 miraculous 00:27:14.019 --> 00:27:15.740 signs and 00:27:15.740 --> 00:27:16.059 Greeks 00:27:16.059 --> 00:27:16.579 look for 00:27:16.579 --> 00:27:16.920 wisdom. 00:27:18.500 --> 00:27:19.299 So some 00:27:19.299 --> 00:27:19.879 people are 00:27:19.879 --> 00:27:21.039 like Jews 00:27:21.039 --> 00:27:21.779 and they 00:27:21.779 --> 00:27:22.200 look for 00:27:22.200 --> 00:27:22.839 proof of 00:27:22.839 --> 00:27:23.240 God's 00:27:23.240 --> 00:27:23.720 power. 00:27:24.759 --> 00:27:25.220 So they 00:27:25.220 --> 00:27:25.740 say something 00:27:25.740 --> 00:27:26.240 like this 00:27:26.240 --> 00:27:26.680 to God 00:27:26.680 --> 00:27:27.019 or to 00:27:27.019 --> 00:27:27.500 the church 00:27:27.500 --> 00:27:27.799 or to 00:27:27.799 --> 00:27:28.240 the teacher. 00:27:28.580 --> 00:27:29.019 Do some 00:27:29.019 --> 00:27:29.500 miracles. 00:27:30.640 --> 00:27:31.100 Go on, 00:27:31.340 --> 00:27:32.220 heal somebody, 00:27:32.620 --> 00:27:33.299 raise somebody 00:27:33.299 --> 00:27:33.700 from the 00:27:33.700 --> 00:27:33.980 dead, 00:27:34.400 --> 00:27:34.960 change my 00:27:34.960 --> 00:27:35.620 circumstances 00:27:35.620 --> 00:27:36.200 and get me 00:27:36.200 --> 00:27:36.539 a job. 00:27:36.759 --> 00:27:37.320 If you do 00:27:37.320 --> 00:27:37.820 all of this 00:27:37.820 --> 00:27:38.180 then I'll 00:27:38.180 --> 00:27:38.700 believe in 00:27:38.700 --> 00:27:39.039 God's 00:27:39.039 --> 00:27:39.380 power. 00:27:41.259 --> 00:27:41.980 Then there's 00:27:41.980 --> 00:27:42.519 another group 00:27:42.519 --> 00:27:43.039 of people 00:27:43.039 --> 00:27:43.799 like the 00:27:43.799 --> 00:27:44.180 Greeks 00:27:44.180 --> 00:27:45.720 and they 00:27:45.720 --> 00:27:46.080 look for 00:27:46.080 --> 00:27:46.580 proof in 00:27:46.580 --> 00:27:46.880 clever 00:27:46.880 --> 00:27:47.380 arguments 00:27:47.380 --> 00:27:48.640 and they 00:27:48.640 --> 00:27:49.320 say give 00:27:49.320 --> 00:27:49.820 us something 00:27:49.820 --> 00:27:50.480 deep and 00:27:50.480 --> 00:27:51.200 philosophical, 00:27:51.820 --> 00:27:52.259 something that 00:27:52.259 --> 00:27:52.740 we've never 00:27:52.740 --> 00:27:53.360 heard before, 00:27:53.640 --> 00:27:54.240 some new 00:27:54.240 --> 00:27:54.779 kind of 00:27:54.779 --> 00:27:55.200 teaching. 00:27:55.200 --> 00:27:56.039 Tell us 00:27:56.039 --> 00:27:56.360 something 00:27:56.360 --> 00:27:57.100 different that 00:27:57.100 --> 00:27:57.600 we've never 00:27:57.600 --> 00:27:58.080 ever heard 00:27:58.080 --> 00:27:58.519 before. 00:27:58.920 --> 00:27:59.400 Then I 00:27:59.400 --> 00:27:59.900 will believe 00:27:59.900 --> 00:28:00.440 in God. 00:28:03.220 --> 00:28:03.900 But look 00:28:03.900 --> 00:28:04.100 at the 00:28:04.100 --> 00:28:04.440 answer, 00:28:04.559 --> 00:28:05.279 verse 23. 00:28:06.799 --> 00:28:07.640 We don't 00:28:07.640 --> 00:28:08.080 do those 00:28:08.080 --> 00:28:08.380 things, 00:28:08.539 --> 00:28:08.920 Paul says. 00:28:09.019 --> 00:28:09.620 We preach 00:28:09.620 --> 00:28:10.980 Christ 00:28:10.980 --> 00:28:11.779 crucified, 00:28:13.180 --> 00:28:13.740 a stumbling 00:28:13.740 --> 00:28:14.259 block to 00:28:14.259 --> 00:28:14.779 Jews and 00:28:14.779 --> 00:28:15.640 foolishness to 00:28:15.640 --> 00:28:16.279 Gentiles. 00:28:17.380 --> 00:28:18.039 Instead of 00:28:18.039 --> 00:28:18.779 just throwing 00:28:18.779 --> 00:28:19.580 them miraculous 00:28:19.580 --> 00:28:20.200 healings, 00:28:20.500 --> 00:28:20.940 instead of 00:28:20.940 --> 00:28:21.680 just firing 00:28:21.680 --> 00:28:22.279 out new 00:28:22.279 --> 00:28:23.100 philosophies and 00:28:23.099 --> 00:28:23.779 new teaching, 00:28:24.919 --> 00:28:25.639 God says, 00:28:25.980 --> 00:28:26.539 here's what I 00:28:26.539 --> 00:28:27.000 give you. 00:28:27.659 --> 00:28:28.439 I give you 00:28:28.439 --> 00:28:29.359 my crucified 00:28:29.359 --> 00:28:30.579 son. 00:28:31.740 --> 00:28:32.319 If you 00:28:32.319 --> 00:28:32.779 want to 00:28:32.779 --> 00:28:33.199 see the 00:28:33.199 --> 00:28:34.079 power of 00:28:34.079 --> 00:28:34.699 God at 00:28:34.699 --> 00:28:35.099 work, 00:28:36.839 --> 00:28:37.459 if you 00:28:37.459 --> 00:28:37.819 want to 00:28:37.819 --> 00:28:38.219 see the 00:28:38.219 --> 00:28:38.639 greatest 00:28:38.639 --> 00:28:39.439 display of 00:28:39.439 --> 00:28:39.839 God's 00:28:39.839 --> 00:28:40.639 power that 00:28:40.639 --> 00:28:41.079 the world 00:28:41.079 --> 00:28:41.439 has ever 00:28:41.439 --> 00:28:41.799 seen, 00:28:42.000 --> 00:28:42.339 then I 00:28:42.339 --> 00:28:42.619 want you 00:28:42.619 --> 00:28:42.919 to look 00:28:42.919 --> 00:28:43.179 at the 00:28:43.179 --> 00:28:43.599 cross. 00:28:45.019 --> 00:28:45.539 And look 00:28:45.539 --> 00:28:46.240 carefully at 00:28:46.240 --> 00:28:46.679 the cross. 00:28:47.039 --> 00:28:47.359 Look at 00:28:47.359 --> 00:28:48.259 this broken 00:28:48.259 --> 00:28:49.139 God 00:28:49.139 --> 00:28:49.919 man. 00:28:49.920 --> 00:28:52.100 beaten, 00:28:52.960 --> 00:28:53.460 crushed, 00:28:54.120 --> 00:28:54.560 naked, 00:28:55.019 --> 00:28:55.980 hanging on 00:28:55.980 --> 00:28:56.380 a cross 00:28:56.380 --> 00:28:56.920 to die. 00:28:58.400 --> 00:28:58.860 Look at 00:28:58.860 --> 00:28:59.560 those nails 00:28:59.560 --> 00:28:59.920 that have 00:28:59.920 --> 00:29:00.420 been driven 00:29:00.420 --> 00:29:00.920 through his 00:29:00.920 --> 00:29:01.500 hands and 00:29:01.500 --> 00:29:01.779 feet, 00:29:02.140 --> 00:29:02.740 ripping and 00:29:02.740 --> 00:29:03.600 tearing flesh 00:29:03.600 --> 00:29:04.039 apart. 00:29:05.340 --> 00:29:05.820 Look at 00:29:05.820 --> 00:29:06.519 the crown 00:29:06.519 --> 00:29:07.240 of thorns 00:29:07.240 --> 00:29:08.100 as it is 00:29:08.100 --> 00:29:08.900 crushed into 00:29:08.900 --> 00:29:09.580 his skull, 00:29:10.640 --> 00:29:11.080 blood 00:29:11.080 --> 00:29:12.100 pouring down, 00:29:12.259 --> 00:29:13.039 blinding his 00:29:13.039 --> 00:29:13.620 eyes and 00:29:13.620 --> 00:29:14.220 dripping from 00:29:14.220 --> 00:29:14.920 his side. 00:29:16.240 --> 00:29:16.820 Hear the 00:29:16.820 --> 00:29:17.420 cries of 00:29:17.420 --> 00:29:18.180 agony and 00:29:18.180 --> 00:29:18.580 pain, 00:29:18.579 --> 00:29:19.740 the grasping 00:29:19.740 --> 00:29:20.460 for breath 00:29:20.460 --> 00:29:21.079 as his 00:29:21.079 --> 00:29:21.980 life edges 00:29:21.980 --> 00:29:22.439 away. 00:29:23.259 --> 00:29:23.839 Listen to 00:29:23.839 --> 00:29:24.500 his shouts 00:29:24.500 --> 00:29:24.939 from the 00:29:24.939 --> 00:29:25.240 cross, 00:29:25.539 --> 00:29:26.139 my God, 00:29:26.240 --> 00:29:26.740 my God, 00:29:26.799 --> 00:29:27.199 why have 00:29:27.199 --> 00:29:27.879 you forsaken 00:29:27.879 --> 00:29:28.159 me? 00:29:29.179 --> 00:29:29.919 Watch the 00:29:29.919 --> 00:29:30.699 scene around 00:29:30.699 --> 00:29:31.179 the cross 00:29:31.179 --> 00:29:31.500 as the 00:29:31.500 --> 00:29:32.259 crowds jeer 00:29:32.259 --> 00:29:32.819 and taunt 00:29:32.819 --> 00:29:33.159 and they 00:29:33.159 --> 00:29:33.759 spit and 00:29:33.759 --> 00:29:34.399 laugh and 00:29:34.399 --> 00:29:35.019 the so-called 00:29:35.019 --> 00:29:35.799 followers all 00:29:35.799 --> 00:29:36.419 run away in 00:29:36.419 --> 00:29:36.720 the other 00:29:36.720 --> 00:29:37.299 direction. 00:29:38.919 --> 00:29:39.399 Look at 00:29:39.399 --> 00:29:39.879 the cross 00:29:39.879 --> 00:29:40.460 of Christ. 00:29:41.099 --> 00:29:41.539 It's a 00:29:41.539 --> 00:29:42.279 picture of 00:29:42.279 --> 00:29:42.839 weakness. 00:29:43.379 --> 00:29:43.740 It's a 00:29:43.740 --> 00:29:45.039 bloody mess, 00:29:45.819 --> 00:29:46.279 foolish, 00:29:46.699 --> 00:29:47.819 stupid and 00:29:47.819 --> 00:29:48.399 pathetic. 00:29:48.579 --> 00:29:53.779 verse 24. 00:29:55.659 --> 00:29:56.319 But to 00:29:56.319 --> 00:29:57.179 those whom 00:29:57.179 --> 00:29:57.819 God has 00:29:57.819 --> 00:29:58.419 called, 00:29:59.759 --> 00:30:00.599 both Jews 00:30:00.599 --> 00:30:01.279 and Greeks, 00:30:02.480 --> 00:30:03.199 Christ the 00:30:03.199 --> 00:30:04.240 power of 00:30:04.240 --> 00:30:06.559 God and 00:30:06.559 --> 00:30:07.199 the wisdom 00:30:07.199 --> 00:30:07.839 of God. 00:30:08.960 --> 00:30:09.740 He is 00:30:09.740 --> 00:30:10.199 saying for 00:30:10.199 --> 00:30:10.819 those who 00:30:10.819 --> 00:30:11.579 would dare 00:30:11.579 --> 00:30:12.839 to look at 00:30:12.839 --> 00:30:13.439 the cross 00:30:13.439 --> 00:30:15.099 and dare 00:30:15.099 --> 00:30:15.799 to listen 00:30:15.799 --> 00:30:16.319 to its 00:30:16.319 --> 00:30:16.960 message, 00:30:16.960 --> 00:30:18.259 for those 00:30:18.259 --> 00:30:18.600 who would 00:30:18.600 --> 00:30:19.319 believe that 00:30:19.319 --> 00:30:19.960 this God 00:30:19.960 --> 00:30:20.980 man crucified 00:30:20.980 --> 00:30:21.539 on the 00:30:21.539 --> 00:30:22.360 cross that 00:30:22.360 --> 00:30:23.079 looks foolish 00:30:23.079 --> 00:30:23.880 and stupid 00:30:23.880 --> 00:30:24.539 to everybody 00:30:24.539 --> 00:30:25.120 else, 00:30:26.500 --> 00:30:27.299 is God's 00:30:27.299 --> 00:30:28.200 means for 00:30:28.200 --> 00:30:28.880 taking the 00:30:28.880 --> 00:30:29.420 sin of the 00:30:29.420 --> 00:30:29.940 world on 00:30:29.940 --> 00:30:30.420 himself, 00:30:30.860 --> 00:30:31.600 punishing it 00:30:31.600 --> 00:30:32.480 and judging 00:30:32.480 --> 00:30:33.400 it so that 00:30:33.400 --> 00:30:34.380 messy, sinful 00:30:34.380 --> 00:30:35.360 people like you 00:30:35.360 --> 00:30:36.460 and me can be 00:30:36.460 --> 00:30:37.460 forgiven of all 00:30:37.460 --> 00:30:38.539 of our sin and 00:30:38.539 --> 00:30:39.579 united together. 00:30:39.579 --> 00:30:43.659 Paul knew that 00:30:43.659 --> 00:30:44.359 he had a hard 00:30:44.359 --> 00:30:45.259 job to try and 00:30:45.259 --> 00:30:46.099 pull this church 00:30:46.099 --> 00:30:46.579 together, 00:30:47.179 --> 00:30:48.000 the Jews and 00:30:48.000 --> 00:30:48.559 the Greeks. 00:30:50.299 --> 00:30:51.039 Well, trying to 00:30:51.039 --> 00:30:51.799 get them together 00:30:51.799 --> 00:30:52.619 was like trying to 00:30:52.619 --> 00:30:53.579 get Sinn Féin and 00:30:53.579 --> 00:30:54.740 DUP to talk. 00:30:56.419 --> 00:30:57.159 It would be like 00:30:57.159 --> 00:30:58.419 the GAA trying to 00:30:58.419 --> 00:30:59.399 join forces with 00:30:59.399 --> 00:31:00.439 the IRFU. 00:31:00.440 --> 00:31:02.600 It's like trying 00:31:02.600 --> 00:31:03.340 to make Russia 00:31:03.340 --> 00:31:04.000 and Ukraine 00:31:04.000 --> 00:31:04.360 one. 00:31:06.039 --> 00:31:07.080 It's impossible 00:31:07.080 --> 00:31:07.880 from a human 00:31:07.880 --> 00:31:08.580 point of view. 00:31:09.600 --> 00:31:10.120 Jews and 00:31:10.120 --> 00:31:10.779 Greeks, they just 00:31:10.779 --> 00:31:11.480 didn't get on 00:31:11.480 --> 00:31:12.039 with each other. 00:31:12.299 --> 00:31:13.220 They didn't fit. 00:31:13.920 --> 00:31:14.720 And here they are 00:31:14.720 --> 00:31:15.420 now clumped 00:31:15.420 --> 00:31:16.200 together in this 00:31:16.200 --> 00:31:16.539 church. 00:31:16.799 --> 00:31:17.799 But through the 00:31:17.799 --> 00:31:18.680 cross of Christ, 00:31:18.960 --> 00:31:20.200 every barrier has 00:31:20.200 --> 00:31:21.240 been broken down. 00:31:21.559 --> 00:31:22.700 Every division has 00:31:22.700 --> 00:31:23.840 been healed because 00:31:23.840 --> 00:31:25.180 their every sin has 00:31:25.180 --> 00:31:25.980 been forgiven. 00:31:25.980 --> 00:31:28.140 And that's how 00:31:28.140 --> 00:31:29.460 God united them 00:31:29.460 --> 00:31:30.799 together as his 00:31:30.799 --> 00:31:31.220 church. 00:31:31.660 --> 00:31:33.519 Not in miraculous 00:31:33.519 --> 00:31:34.880 healings, not 00:31:34.880 --> 00:31:35.620 through clever 00:31:35.620 --> 00:31:36.799 arguments, but 00:31:36.799 --> 00:31:37.779 through the simple 00:31:37.779 --> 00:31:39.400 preaching of the 00:31:39.400 --> 00:31:40.299 cross of Christ. 00:31:42.220 --> 00:31:43.660 Because that is 00:31:43.660 --> 00:31:45.559 God's power and 00:31:45.559 --> 00:31:47.860 the only power to 00:31:47.860 --> 00:31:49.279 unite the people 00:31:49.279 --> 00:31:49.799 of God. 00:31:51.960 --> 00:31:53.460 As I look out on 00:31:53.460 --> 00:31:55.620 this church, the 00:31:55.619 --> 00:31:56.639 people who trust 00:31:56.639 --> 00:31:58.399 in Jesus, as 00:31:58.399 --> 00:31:59.259 we're gathered here 00:31:59.259 --> 00:32:00.379 this morning, I 00:32:00.379 --> 00:32:01.339 see, myself 00:32:01.339 --> 00:32:02.279 included, people 00:32:02.279 --> 00:32:02.779 of different 00:32:02.779 --> 00:32:03.579 backgrounds and 00:32:03.579 --> 00:32:04.000 cultures. 00:32:05.239 --> 00:32:05.839 But we're a 00:32:05.839 --> 00:32:07.459 diverse, motley 00:32:07.459 --> 00:32:08.159 crew, aren't 00:32:08.159 --> 00:32:08.379 we? 00:32:09.779 --> 00:32:10.899 Different ages. 00:32:11.579 --> 00:32:12.339 Some are single, 00:32:12.500 --> 00:32:13.159 some are married. 00:32:14.079 --> 00:32:15.219 We speak different 00:32:15.219 --> 00:32:15.699 languages. 00:32:16.359 --> 00:32:17.179 Even the colour of 00:32:17.179 --> 00:32:18.019 our skin can be 00:32:18.019 --> 00:32:18.459 different. 00:32:19.099 --> 00:32:20.199 Our incomes and 00:32:20.199 --> 00:32:21.019 our jobs are 00:32:21.019 --> 00:32:21.399 different. 00:32:22.359 --> 00:32:23.299 We've got different 00:32:23.299 --> 00:32:23.979 hobbies and 00:32:23.979 --> 00:32:24.919 different interests. 00:32:25.619 --> 00:32:26.399 We're at 00:32:26.399 --> 00:32:27.719 different stages of 00:32:27.719 --> 00:32:29.019 life, with kids, 00:32:29.139 --> 00:32:30.000 without kids, 00:32:30.419 --> 00:32:31.379 looking for work, 00:32:31.539 --> 00:32:32.639 retired from work. 00:32:33.259 --> 00:32:34.219 But we're all kinds 00:32:34.219 --> 00:32:35.299 of different people. 00:32:36.099 --> 00:32:36.939 And if we were to 00:32:36.939 --> 00:32:37.559 meet each other 00:32:37.559 --> 00:32:38.319 walking down the 00:32:38.319 --> 00:32:39.159 street, there might 00:32:39.159 --> 00:32:40.339 be not one thing 00:32:40.339 --> 00:32:41.000 that would have 00:32:41.000 --> 00:32:42.059 anything in common 00:32:42.059 --> 00:32:42.739 that would connect 00:32:42.739 --> 00:32:43.579 us to each other. 00:32:43.919 --> 00:32:44.219 Nothing. 00:32:45.019 --> 00:32:46.039 We just pass each 00:32:46.039 --> 00:32:47.079 other as we pass 00:32:47.079 --> 00:32:47.839 by lots of other 00:32:47.839 --> 00:32:48.159 people. 00:32:48.959 --> 00:32:49.599 So what are we 00:32:49.599 --> 00:32:50.219 doing here? 00:32:50.639 --> 00:32:51.759 This mixed bunch 00:32:51.759 --> 00:32:52.960 that we are. 00:32:53.480 --> 00:32:54.440 Why do we meet 00:32:54.440 --> 00:32:55.259 each other with 00:32:55.259 --> 00:32:56.059 each other here 00:32:56.059 --> 00:32:57.460 on a Sunday and 00:32:57.460 --> 00:32:57.980 Wednesdays? 00:32:58.079 --> 00:32:59.000 Why do we gather 00:32:59.000 --> 00:32:59.480 together? 00:32:59.779 --> 00:33:00.599 Why do we love 00:33:00.599 --> 00:33:00.940 and care? 00:33:01.039 --> 00:33:02.119 What's brought us 00:33:02.119 --> 00:33:02.740 all together? 00:33:03.740 --> 00:33:05.099 From all our vast 00:33:05.099 --> 00:33:05.740 backgrounds. 00:33:07.140 --> 00:33:09.599 The cross of Christ. 00:33:10.740 --> 00:33:11.640 Because what the 00:33:11.640 --> 00:33:12.920 world sees as foolish, 00:33:13.299 --> 00:33:14.240 we have come to see 00:33:14.240 --> 00:33:15.619 as incredibly wise. 00:33:16.579 --> 00:33:17.759 What the world sees 00:33:17.759 --> 00:33:19.579 as weak, we have come 00:33:19.579 --> 00:33:20.859 to see as power. 00:33:22.220 --> 00:33:23.439 Look at verse 25. 00:33:25.000 --> 00:33:26.299 For the foolishness 00:33:26.299 --> 00:33:27.939 of God is wiser 00:33:27.939 --> 00:33:29.119 than man's wisdom, 00:33:29.839 --> 00:33:30.939 and the weakness 00:33:30.939 --> 00:33:33.439 of God is stronger 00:33:33.439 --> 00:33:35.559 than man's strength. 00:33:37.179 --> 00:33:39.119 In Christ, we have 00:33:39.119 --> 00:33:40.259 been saved from all 00:33:40.259 --> 00:33:42.599 our sin, and in Christ 00:33:42.599 --> 00:33:43.679 we have been united 00:33:43.679 --> 00:33:44.220 together. 00:33:45.419 --> 00:33:46.899 So how do we remain 00:33:46.899 --> 00:33:48.599 perfectly united to a 00:33:48.599 --> 00:33:49.439 watching world? 00:33:49.579 --> 00:33:52.539 not by gathering 00:33:52.539 --> 00:33:53.419 around people and 00:33:53.419 --> 00:33:55.379 their status, not by 00:33:55.379 --> 00:33:56.139 running here and 00:33:56.139 --> 00:33:56.819 there to different 00:33:56.819 --> 00:33:57.659 things and other 00:33:57.659 --> 00:34:00.639 situations, but by 00:34:00.639 --> 00:34:01.439 gathering around 00:34:01.439 --> 00:34:03.179 Christ and his 00:34:03.179 --> 00:34:05.399 cross and pointing 00:34:05.399 --> 00:34:06.439 each other to there 00:34:06.439 --> 00:34:08.099 every single day. 00:34:09.579 --> 00:34:11.219 Let's pray together. 00:34:11.219 --> 00:34:24.639 our Father God, we 00:34:24.639 --> 00:34:27.659 come to you with a 00:34:27.659 --> 00:34:30.339 confession and in 00:34:30.339 --> 00:34:33.799 repentance for thinking 00:34:33.799 --> 00:34:35.739 that our ways are better 00:34:35.739 --> 00:34:38.480 than your ways, or 00:34:38.480 --> 00:34:39.380 thinking that we know 00:34:39.380 --> 00:34:42.659 and we know how to do 00:34:42.659 --> 00:34:44.280 things and how to save 00:34:44.280 --> 00:34:45.280 and how to unite. 00:34:47.119 --> 00:34:48.400 But we humbly come 00:34:48.400 --> 00:34:50.900 before you and we 00:34:50.900 --> 00:34:53.699 stand at the cross and 00:34:53.699 --> 00:34:56.019 we look at the cross and 00:34:56.019 --> 00:34:57.320 we listen to its message 00:34:57.320 --> 00:35:00.120 and we say thank you God 00:35:00.120 --> 00:35:02.800 for your amazing power, 00:35:03.160 --> 00:35:04.860 for your great wisdom 00:35:04.860 --> 00:35:07.600 to send your son to us 00:35:07.600 --> 00:35:09.660 so that we could be 00:35:09.660 --> 00:35:11.320 forgiven, incorporated 00:35:12.080 --> 00:35:13.280 into your family, 00:35:13.280 --> 00:35:16.160 to love you, to belong to 00:35:16.160 --> 00:35:18.660 you, and to belong to 00:35:18.660 --> 00:35:19.340 one another. 00:35:19.340 --> 00:35:21.840 Father, we praise you for 00:35:21.840 --> 00:35:23.940 all that we have and we 00:35:23.940 --> 00:35:24.940 pray your continued 00:35:24.940 --> 00:35:26.260 protection upon this 00:35:26.260 --> 00:35:28.900 church family from every 00:35:28.900 --> 00:35:29.960 squabble or every 00:35:29.960 --> 00:35:32.820 disagreement that we 00:35:32.820 --> 00:35:34.000 would not divide over 00:35:34.000 --> 00:35:35.640 personality or program, 00:35:36.559 --> 00:35:38.160 but that we would be 00:35:38.160 --> 00:35:41.300 united around Christ and 00:35:41.300 --> 00:35:42.220 all that he has done. 00:35:43.600 --> 00:35:45.180 Please help us to go on 00:35:45.180 --> 00:35:46.340 showing this wonderful 00:35:46.340 --> 00:35:48.340 unity to the world and 00:35:48.340 --> 00:35:51.039 the hope that the cross 00:35:51.039 --> 00:35:52.079 brings to broken 00:35:52.079 --> 00:35:54.019 nations, broken 00:35:54.019 --> 00:35:56.000 families, and divided 00:35:56.000 --> 00:35:56.640 communities. 00:35:57.800 --> 00:35:59.340 We pray this in Jesus' 00:35:59.539 --> 00:35:59.760 name. 00:36:00.820 --> 00:36:01.160 Amen. 00:36:05.579 --> 00:36:07.039 We're going to sing 00:36:07.039 --> 00:36:08.860 together a song that 00:36:08.860 --> 00:36:10.140 does what we've been 00:36:10.140 --> 00:36:11.280 thinking about and that 00:36:11.280 --> 00:36:11.800 is to...