Why Christianity Has A Cross
Episode description
How can Paul claim to “boast in the cross”? How can Christians sing “in the cross, in the cross, be my glory ever?” To have the power over death and allow yourself to die is anything but glorious; its an act of insanity to himself and treachery to his followers (who left everything to join him in this crusade). He must be mad, or delusional…or he must know something we don’t know. It’s for the same reason Londoners take pride in the fire of London. How can I glory in the cross? Because his cruel death is my glorious salvation, allowing everything that is decaying in me to die, so that I might—with transformed vision and a transformed life—begin to truly live.
The sermon today is titled "Why Christianity Has A Cross." It is the first installment in our "Matters of First Importance" Series, and also serves as a "Part 2" to The God Who Is Self Sacrificing (Season 2, Episode 23). Scripture reading is from 1 Corinthians 15:1-4. Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on October 9, 2022. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under Learn: Christian Doctrine.
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Footnotes (Sources and References Used In Today's Podcast):
- Fleming Rutledge, The Crucifixion.
- "Dream of the Rood." (8th-10th cen poem), lines 9b-17.
- Timothy Keller, The Reason For God.
- Barry Bearak, "Crisis in the Balkans: Macedonia," New York Times (April 26, 1999).
- N . T. Wright, The Day The Revolution Began.
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