The Rev. Paul J Cain
1 Corinthians 1:18-31
The Power of God
Fifth Sunday after Trinity, 26
June 2016
Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran
Church, Sheridan, Wyoming
In the Name of Jesus. Amen.
The cross is offensive. It repels people. Yet, the cross is
where Jesus draws sinners to Himself. The cross is gruesome and gory. Yet, the
cross is beautiful to a believer. The cross was in instrument of horrendous
torture, a cruel and unusual punishment. Yet, the cross is an occasion for our
joy. There forgiveness of sins was won. It doesn’t make sense to reason that
God would allow His Son to die, or for that matter, even suffer. Scripture
calls humanity to more than a rational understanding of the facts about Jesus.
We are called to something higher than even morality. Only faith can see the
purpose behind the blood, sweat, tears, and Jesus’ passion, crucifixion, and
death. Faith is the Power of God at work in you by His gift.
Newsweek religion
editor Kenneth L. Woodward wrote: Clearly, the cross is what separates the Christ
of Christianity from every other Jesus. In [modern] Judaism there is no precedent for a Messiah who dies, much less as
a criminal as Jesus did. In Islam,
the story of Jesus' death is rejected as an affront to Allah himself. Hindus can accept only a Jesus who (passes
into peaceful samadhi,) is a yogi who
escapes the degradation of death. The figure of the crucified Christ, says [one
noted] Buddhist (Thich Nhat Hanh),
"is a very painful image to me. It does not contain joy or peace, and this
does not do justice to Jesus." There is, in short, no room in other
religions for a Christ who experiences the full burden of mortal existence—and
hence [for them] there is no reason to believe in him as the divine Son whom
the Father resurrects from the dead. . . .That most of the world
cannot accept the Jesus of the cross should not surprise, either. Citation: Kenneth L.
Woodward, "The Other Jesus," Newsweek
(March 27, 2000),
p. 50
Jesus Himself declared that He was the Way, the Truth, and
the Life. No one comes to the father except through Him. For a person to claim
that there are many valid ways to salvation is to say at the same time that
Jesus is a liar and a fraud. Faith cannot say that. To reject Jesus as
crucified is to reject the Jesus of the Bible. Faith cannot say that, either.
Today’s sermon text is the appointed epistle reading from 1
Corinthians.
For the word of the cross is folly to those who are
perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is
written, "I will destroy the
wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will
thwart."
Not only is that
word folly, it is reason for some to persecute you. Sometimes, in the face of
trials, tribulations, and persecution, we’re tempted to think that we, the
Lord, and His Word are being thwarted. It only seems that way now. Persecution starts out subtly. Christians are
subject to ridicule for their beliefs. We are tempted to remain silent, afraid
to witness, afraid to call sin what it is, sin, afraid to speak of the power of
God in Christ.
Here’s how it often
happens: Alternative beliefs, that is, false alternatives to God’s truth, ask
only for toleration at first. “Let us live and believe as we wish. In the big
picture, you’re in the majority. We’re no threat to you.” Next comes a desire
for equal footing. “Hey, you’ve enjoyed such benefits for years. Let us in on
it. After all, it’s only fair.” Toleration. Equality. Acceptance. In the next
stage, dissent to the former “alternative” is to be silenced as “hate speech.”
Many evil things can
happen when good people say or do nothing. German pastor Martin Niemoeller is
famous for saying, “First they came for the Jews, but I did nothing because I
am not a Jew. Then they came for the socialists, but I did nothing because I
was not a socialist. Then they came for the [Roman] Catholics, but I did
nothing because I am not a [Roman] Catholic. Finally, they came for me, but by
then there was no one left to help me.”
“They” were the
Nazis. Sadly, some activist groups in America are using such tactics to get you
to support their radical social causes.
For the word of the cross is folly to those who are
perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is
written, "I will destroy the
wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will
thwart."
For the world, the
cross is folly and the sin they advocate is great wisdom. The theology of glory
calls the good bad and the bad good. The theology of the cross calls a spade a
spade. Nations, even great empires, come and go. They are perishing and will be
destroyed. We are being saved. The Church survives. The gates of hell will never prevail against the Church.
The Christian Church
survived underground as an illegal religion for nearly three centuries under
Roman persecution. Then, things changed for the better. Christians in America
have lived under freedom of religion for over two centuries. Things could
change. No matter what happens, the power of God accompanies His Word and
abides with His people. Ultimately, God’s Wisdom and Discernment will triumph
over the so-called wisdom and intelligence of the fallen world.
Where is the one who
is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God
made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the
world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what
we preach to save those who believe. For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek
wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to
Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power
of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and
the weakness of God is stronger than men.
Some act as though
God does not exist, Christ had never come, and that they had never heard of the
Bible. But these same people feel very threatened when Bible verses are quoted,
Jesus is mentioned in public, or someone says something as simple as “In God we
trust.” Interesting, isn’t it?
God gave humanity
the gift of reason. It behaves like a gift of God when it serves Him and serves
His Word. But reason, since the renaissance and enlightenment, is typically
used to doubt, deny, contradict, or change God’s Word. Most often, reason and
faith are at odds.
Reason and Faith see
things through very different eyes. Reason sees a suffering, bleeding man, and
wonders what He did to deserve such horrible punishment. There might be some
compassion mixed in and maybe even some outrage at an unjust punishment. Faith
sees the suffering servant of Isaiah, particularly chapters 52 and 53. Faith
hears “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me,” and thinks, “Hey, isn’t that
the first verse of Psalm 22?” Reason sees an execution with little or no point.
Faith sees in the suffering and blood a cleansing flood that is the double
cure, cleansing the sinner from the guilt and power of sin.
Folly in the eyes of
the world is declared by God to be Truth, and the whole point. …we preach
Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, but to
those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the
wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness
of God is stronger than men.
We have a message
for the culture that surrounds us locally, nationally, and globally. We preach
Christ crucified, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. Luther wrote
about the differences between good works in the world’s eyes and good works in
the Lord’s eyes. Simple and clear: Anything that does not proceed from faith is
sin. That’s what Romans says. In the famous parable, the sheep and the goats
were separated by faith or unfaith before anything is ever said about their
good works.
As we begin to wrap
up, let’s hear the verses immediately after today’s assigned text: For consider
your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly
standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose
what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the
world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world,
even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human
being might boast in the presence of God. He is the source of your life in
Christ Jesus, whom God made our wisdom and our righteousness and sanctification
and redemption. Therefore, as it is written, "Let the one who boasts,
boast in the Lord."
Consider your calling. By water and
the word, you were called to discipleship. You were not called to silence or to
just sit there. The baptized are taught the faith so that they may teach others
and bring them to Holy Baptism. Disciples are made by means of baptizing and
teaching. That is the power of God at work.
The power of God is found where God
told us it would be: the Word, forgiveness, Baptism, Communion. The forgiveness
won on the cross of Christ is given out today in Word and Sacrament. It
shouldn’t be a surprise, but for many, even some raised in the Church, it is.
The power of God is found right where God promised to be. That’s why we go to
Church. That’s why pastors make visits, especially to shut-ins. Salvation is by
grace, through faith, in Christ. The Lord gathers you to Himself and gives you
faith so that you may receive His gifts. We cannot even claim credit for being gathered to Church, believing,
or receiving. Those are all passive acts. He is the giver. The Lord is the one
acting for your benefit. Christ is the power of God.
When a pastor reads the Gospel
lesson of the day, it is one more reminder of the power of God, Christ’s
presence among us. Christ became man, conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of
the virgin. He dwelt among us. Good News! Behold! Your King comes to you!
Early in the fourth century,
Christianity became a legal religion in the Roman Empire. It was of benefit to
be a Christian, not to mention less dangerous, so congregations grew. Roman
money poured into the growing churches and buildings also grew. That became a
problem, albeit a good one, for the clergy. Without pews, the basilicas were
full of people singing psalms. How were the clergy to get through from the back
to the front? Someone came up with the idea of taking a cross, putting it on a
tall pole, and leading a parade through the assembled congregation, officially
starting the service.
Your processional cross is used in
a very similar way. A procession begins special services. In a way, it is a
reminder of Jesus’ procession into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. Blessed is He who
comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the Highest! Behold, your king
is coming to you, humble and mounted on a donkey.
One of the many good things about
being Lutheran is that we “may” do some traditional historical Christian practices.
We don’t have to, but we can, in Christian freedom.
Christ is the
power of God and the wisdom of God. Some ceremonies may be done or may not be
done without any harm to faith. The same ceremonies, when explained, can be of
benefit. The point is not the ceremonies, but what God did for you on the
cross, and that His power is made manifest in suffering. The Lord is with you
when you suffer. He has good gifts for you.
No matter
what this life, our culture, or any activist group, judge, or government throw
at you, remember that the wisdom of this world will pass away. Only the Word of
the Lord endures forever. Even when someone calls you or your Biblical beliefs
“foolish,” remember that the
foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than
men. For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through
wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who
believe. For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, but we preach Christ
crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, but to those who
are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of
God. Amen.
In the Name of Jesus. Amen.
