All right, if you wish to follow
along turn to of course Galatians again, I Want to read the same passages
I've read for the Past several messages that I've preached from
Galatians Galatians chapter 1 verse 13 through 16 again And Paul of course is continuing
but he says in verse 13 For you have heard of my conversation,
that is my way of life, in time past in the Jews' religion, how
that beyond measure I persecuted the Church of God and wasted
it, and profited in the Jews' religion above many my equals
in my own nation, being more exceeding zealous of the traditions
of my fathers. But when it pleased God, who
separated me from my mother's womb and called me by his grace
to reveal his son in me, now notice what he says next. This
is what I want to try to deal with. That I might preach him. Do you see that? That I might
preach him among the heathen. Immediately I conferred not with
flesh and blood. I suppose My title would be called
this morning, Preach Christ, or Preaching Christ, either one.
Now think about this, God's pleasure that Paul mentions here, but
when it pleased God, God's pleasure, God's separation of Saul of Tarsus
from his mother's womb, he mentions that as well. So God's pleasure,
God's separation of Saul from his mother's womb, God's calling
Saul by his grace, God's revealing Christ in Saul was all culminated
in Paul the Apostle doing this, preaching Christ. That's what he says, preaching
Christ. Now think about this. All truth
about our master, all truth about the Lord Jesus Christ is valid
and is God honoring. but preaching Christ has a foundation
theme, if you will. And you know this, 1 Corinthians,
turn to 1 Corinthians chapter one. I'll give you just a few
passages here pointing this out. Now remember, all truth about
Jesus Christ, his person, his work, who he is, what he did,
what he's still doing for that matter. All truth about the Lord
Jesus Christ is valid and God-honoring. But preaching Christ has a foundation
theme. And we see Paul mentioning that
in two or three places. Let me just give you three or
four of them. 1 Corinthians 1, look at verse 17. For Christ
sent me not to baptize, but to do what? But to preach the gospel,
not with wisdom of words. Now here is the gospel. lest
the cross of Christ, there's the central dominating theme,
lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. For the
preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness,
but unto us which are saved, it is the power of God. And then look at verses 22 and
23, just down a few verses. Verse 22, for the Jews require
a sign, And the Greeks seek after wisdom. But we preach, what? Christ crucified. You see it? Christ crucified
unto the Jews, a stumbling block. And unto the Greeks, foolishness.
Also, turn to 1 Corinthians chapter two. Just turn possibly over
a page, maybe. 1 Corinthians chapter two, and
this is what Paul continues. And I, brethren, when I came
to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring
unto you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know
anything among you, save Jesus Christ and Him crucified." Look
at Colossians chapter 2. Now this, of course, is another
epistle by the Apostle Paul to our brothers and sisters at Colossae.
And I'm gonna read, it's gonna be a little lengthy, but I wanna
just read this and look at what it says. Colossae chapter two,
verse one. For I would that ye knew what
great conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and
for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh, that their
hearts may be comforted, be knit together in love, and to all
riches, and of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement
of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ. In
whom, that is in Christ and God the Father, in whom are hid all
the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Let me stop. Outside of Jesus
Christ, all wisdom is vain in God's sight. Let's continue.
And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing
words. And oh, how we see that in our
day. Radio, online, TV, everywhere. Look, this I say, lest any man
should beguile you with enticing words. For though I be absent
in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding
your order and the steadfastness of what? Your faith in Christ. as ye have therefore received
Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him. Stop a moment, let
me say this. We never grow outside of or above
the necessity of Jesus Christ himself. rooted and built up
in him, and established in the faith as ye have been taught,
abounding therein with thanksgiving. Beware, lest any man spoil you
through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after
the rudiments of the world, and what? And naught. After Christ
for in him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily so turn
to Galatians 6 our Our text letter and listen to what the Apostle
Paul says in Galatians chapter 6 And this is we might say how
he summed up this whole letter to our brothers and sisters there
in Galatia Galatians chapter 6 and verse verse 12 As many
as desire to make a fair shoe in the flesh, they constrain
you to be circumcised, only lest they should suffer persecution,
for what? For the cross of Christ. For neither they themselves,
who are circumcised, keep the law, but desire to have you circumcised,
that they may glory in your flesh. But God forbid, now look at this,
this is strong language too. But God forbid that I should
glory save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ by whom the
world is crucified unto me and I unto the world. For in Christ
Jesus neither circumcision availeth anything nor uncircumcision. What does avail? but a new creature. And as many as walk according
to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel
of God. From henceforth, let no man trouble
me, for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus. Brethren,
the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with yours. Spirit, amen. So, think about it. Paul said all of this, God's
pleasure. God's sovereign pleasure. God protecting Paul and bringing
Paul forth from his mother's womb. God calling him by his
grace. God revealing Christ in him was
all for the purpose of Paul preaching Jesus Christ. Think about it. Christ is the sum and substance
of all gospel preaching. Now I know, Joe's probably said
it, Paul said it, Said it Earl used to say it others have no
doubt said it from here Men talk about some fact Even say a Bible
fact this some fact from the scripture and they'll say that's
the gospel and That fact has nothing to do with the gospel
the gospel has to do with Jesus Christ and And of course, clearly
this is what Paul wrote to our brothers and sisters in Rome,
when he says in Romans chapter one, first few verses, Paul,
a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated under
what? The gospel of God. Now, pass
over the parentheses. The gospel of God, what is it?
Concerning his son. Now, When I thought about this,
I thought, well, these people have heard this over and over
and over and over again. But as I will try to bring this
together a little later on, it's good that we keep hearing this
over and over and over again. Because I want to thank God publicly
right now for this group of people. because we've never had to struggle
with this desire of we need to go beyond just the preaching
of Jesus Christ. Never had to struggle with that
here. We've had some show up here who
clearly indicated that they thought there was more to be preached
than Jesus Christ, but they're not here now. And that's not
based upon us and our strengths. That's based upon the power of
the preaching of the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. Now, let
me move on. Think about this. Now, before
I say this, turn to Isaiah chapter 52, an astounding passage. I think I preached on this, I
think it may have been Cottageville, but I'm not for sure. I don't
remember correctly, but turn to Isaiah chapter 52. I did say,
yes, 52. I'll read the verse here at a
moment, a couple of verses. I want you to think about this, this
commission. that Paul, would it please God,
who separated me from my mother's womb, called me by his grace,
revealed his Son in me, for what purpose, what was all of that
glory of God exercised toward? Paul preaching Jesus Christ.
All of it was toward Paul preaching Jesus Christ. And then of course,
Paul in our epistle goes on to show that he was taught directly
by Christ himself. But here's the point, this, This
thing of preaching Christ, preaching Christ, preaching Jesus Christ
and Him crucified. This is not an apostolic commission
only. Now look at Isaiah, our brother
Isaiah. There's two verses. Verse seven
of Isaiah 52. And see if this doesn't sound
familiar verse 7 of Isaiah 52 How beautiful upon the mountains
are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings Does that ring a
bell of Romans chapter 10 the Apostle Paul? quoting this concerning
what gospel preachers gospel preachers, that publishes peace,
that bringeth good tidings of good, that publishes salvation,
that saith undesigned. And a man who does not declare
this in the sum and substance of his preaching the gospel is
not God sent. God reigneth. Do you see it? But here, look at this. Thy watchman
shall lift up the voice. This is talking about preaching,
proclaiming Christ. Thy watchman shall lift up the
voice. With the voice together shall
they sing. Look at that next phrase. For
they shall see eye to eye. Do you see that? For they shall
see eye to eye. Now, let me back up a moment.
I do not believe Isaiah was prophesied nor God declaring that all of
his God sent men will agree on every passage in the Bible. But
one thing they do see eye to eye upon is the person and work
of Jesus Christ and the preeminence of that man in all things. That they see eye to eye upon.
And it goes on, when the Lord shall bring again, break forth
into joy, sing together. Do you see it? Sing together.
What's sad? is most people who profess to
be Christians in our day will be totally bored out of their
mind hearing someone like me preach over and over and over. And let me go on to say this.
Now, turn to 2 John, before I say that. Turn to 2 John. Because
this is quite striking from the Apostle John. Let me get to it as well. Now think about this. There are
a lot of places, I mean, I listen to things, people on the radio,
sometimes on TV, not a lot on TV, radio, I see it online. There are a lot of people out
there preaching that men might call Calvinistic. There are a
lot of people out there preaching that men might call Reformed.
But if they're not preaching Christ, I don't care how accurate
their doctrine is, they've missed the sum and substance of God's
message. It's not about mere correct doctrine,
but it's about a person. It's about a person. Now listen to what John said. 2 John, just a few verses, verse
nine, and you're familiar with this as well. Whosoever transgresseth,
and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ. What's that next phrase? Hath not God. This doesn't mean just to throw
Christ in there for a little flavor every once in a while.
He's everything. Paul put it this way. Christ
is all and in all. So if he's not all to you, if
he's not all to you, he ain't in you. He ain't in you. because he is all and in all,
whosoever transgresseth and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ
hath not God. I realize that's strong language,
but it's truth nonetheless. He that abideth in the doctrine
of Christ hath both the Father and the Son. Now look. If there
come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him
not into your house, neither bid him God's speed. Somebody says, but why do you
avoid certain people? Because God says it's best to.
Right? God says that's the thing to
do. And what's the problem if you don't? Look, for he that
biddeth him God's speed. Just God's, have a great day. I hope God blesses you. If he
is not preaching the gospel of Christ, I hope that ain't blessed. Look, for he that biddeth him
Godspeed is partaker of his evil deeds. So again, this is not
just, okay, Paul was to preach Christ, but now we, people like
me or Joe or Paul, we're to deal with all kinds of other things.
Granted, we must deal with everything. in this book, as God's providence
provides. But again, the cross of Jesus
Christ, him and his person and work, is the sum and substance,
Jack, of everything. You remember again, the apostle
John, in the book of the revelation of Jesus Christ, he said this, the testimony of Jesus is the
spirit of prophecy. So when you got a man preaching
prophecy and Jesus Christ is not the sum and substance of
his message, he's not preaching true prophecy. So remember this
is not just an apostolic commission only. Consider Christ's cross
work. Think about it. Consider Christ's
cross work because A man may have a lot of right doctrine,
but if he's wrong about the crosswork of Christ, he will in some way
be wrong about everything else. Consider Christ's crosswork.
Error here, that is error in Christ's crosswork, denotes enmity
to God, no matter how many historical facts are adhered to. Look at
Matthew chapter 16. Just a few verses there. Matthew
chapter 16. And I know when I start to read
this, or you see it before I read it, it'll make the point to you. Matthew chapter 16, verse 23. This is speaking of Christ. But he turned and said unto Peter,
do you see that? And he turned and said unto Peter,
get thee behind me, Satan. Do you see that? See it? Get thee behind me, Satan, thou
art an offense. Whoa, do you see that? This is
even to who? Peter, Peter. This is how serious
this matter is. But he turned and said unto Peter,
yet thee behind me, Satan, thou art an offense unto me, for thou
savorest not the things that be of God, but those that be
of men. And what did Peter just say? Lord, I don't want you to suffer
and die. Isn't that an admirable thing? No. You see, the flesh, but at least
Peter was compassionate. At least he cared about the Lord.
Peter would have damned our souls. He said, look at verse 22. No, I'm sorry, look at verse
21. From that time forth began Jesus to show unto his disciples. How? He didn't just use it in
some enigma. He didn't use it in some hidden
phrase or terminology to show unto his disciples how that he
must go unto Jerusalem and suffer many things of the elders and
the chief priests and the scribes and be killed and be raised again
the third day. He began to tell, another writer
said he began to tell them plainly. Plainly then Peter took him and
began to rebuke him Saying be it far from thee Lord. This shall
not be unto thee The whole thing was about the cross work of Jesus
Christ Jesus Christ So if I forget that think of the danger as I
said the enmity of Error here, error concerning the cross work
of Christ denotes enmity toward God. Even if it comes from me,
Ellen. Even if it comes from me. Matthew,
as I said, Matthew 16, 23. Look at Philippians chapter three.
Look at what Paul said about this matter. Philippians chapter
three. And it'll be the last few verses
of that chapter. Philippians 3, I'll begin in
verse 17. Brethren, be followers together
of me, and mark them which walk, so as ye have us for an example. For many walk, now they walk.
He doesn't say they don't walk. They walk, but look, for many
walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even
weeping. Now look at it, that they are
the enemies, not just of Christ. Now, certainly that's bad enough,
but they're enemies of the cross of Christ, whose end is destruction,
whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame,
who mind earthly things. Now, I'll tell you this. I'm
not really encouraging you to do it But if you did it if you
would and you watch TV and you get on these religious channels
They're not talking about the cross of Christ They're talking
about how God wants you to live well How God wants you to believe
him so strongly that your bills will be paid Health will be better
your family relationships will be better that has nothing to
do it apart from the cross of Christ So you see it? Philippians chapter 3 verses
17, 18, and 19. So let me just go through four things. I'll
try to be fairly brief. Turn to 1 Corinthians chapter
2 again. Before I even make the statement. 1 Corinthians chapter
2. Now think about this. Christ's cross
work. I said it's cross work. You can
believe in the virgin birth, the perfect life, the love and
the compassion of Jesus Christ. If you deny his cross work, you've
denied it all. It's of no value. He did not
come here simply to heal diseases. He came here to save his people
from their sins. Now look at what Paul said, 1
Corinthians 2, verses seven through 10. And I'll make the statement,
then read the verses. Christ's crosswork is God Almighty's eternal
delight. God purposed this before the
world was. 1 Corinthians 2, verse seven. But we speak the wisdom of God
in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before
the world unto our glory, which none of the princes of this world
knew. For had they known it, they would
not have crucified the Lord of glory." Stop for a moment and
think about what Paul's just said. Aren't you glad that some
people didn't recognize him? Well, God wants the whole world
to be saved. God's working to save the whole
world. If he had, he'd have saved no one. Christ had to die on
the tree. There and there only did he bear
our sins in his own body. And Peter puts it this way, on
the tree, on the tree. So again, which none of the princes
of this world knew, for had they known it, they would not have
crucified the Lord of glory. But as it is written, I have
not seen nor ear heard, neither hath entered into the, here's
the point, the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared
for them that love him. But God, do you see that? But God hath revealed them unto
us by God. His Spirit. So again, Christ's
crosswork is God's eternal delight. Now turn to 1 Peter, and I realize
all this is, did we not just sing, I love to tell the story,
the same old story, over, and even to those who know it best,
they like to hear it, over. If you ever get tired of hearing
of the crosswork of Christ, you got reason to fear for your soul. Fear for your soul. First Peter
chapter one, think about this. Christ's cross work was eternally
designed by God to invade time. First Peter chapter one verse
18. For as much as ye know that ye
were not redeemed with corruptible things as silver and gold. And
I know the flesh says, well that's not what you can't buy salvation.
You can't use money to buy salvation. That's certainly a valid, true
point. But think about it. Silver and gold were used in
the worship of God in the Old Testament. There was redemption
by silver. There was the glory of God manifested
in the gold in the tabernacle. But we're not redeemed with those
things. It's not just about what you
got in your pocketbook. We're not redeemed by the Old
Testament economy. Look, for as much as you know
that you are not redeemed with corruptible things as silver
and gold from your vain or empty way of life received by tradition
from your fathers, what's gonna cure my old way of life? What's gonna save me from that?
What's going to deliver from that? Well, we need to have some
laws. Need to have some rules. No, it's not what it says, but
with the precious blood of Christ See this is the problem with
people who think that the law Needs to still be there to keep
God's people in check so that we don't walk untowardly if you
place yourself under the law of God you place yourself under
bondage and Bondage the only thing that liberates is seeing
Christ for who he is and what he's accomplished at Calvary
It says but with the precious blood of Christ as of a lamb
without blemish and without spot who truly Who verily was for
ordained before the foundation of the world? I cannot fathom
that I Cannot really lay my mind around that that Jesus Christ
knew he was going to suffer on the tree of Forever he knew that. Forever. There was never a time
when the Godhead had not considered this, and that may not be the
best language. Never. It was always in the mind
and purpose of the triune God that God the Son is the Lamb,
ordained before the foundation of the world, but then look at
it, but was manifest in these last times for you. You see that for you who by him
do believe in God that raised him from the dead and gave him
glory That your faith and hope might be and who God think about
it. God didn't just come up with
this He's always had this in his heart He had this in his
heart Ellen even knowing what we would do and become in our
daddy Adam He always had this in his heart and mind toward
us, even when he knew how it would be when we came forth from
our mother's womb. When we were metaphorically speaking,
if not literally speaking, we were shaking our fists in the
face of God. I will not bow to Jesus Christ. Had someone that's been in this
assembly, wasn't long ago, says, I will never believe what you
believe. Yeah, you say sad, but you know
what? I like it when I hear people say that. Because I say, oh God,
make them eat their words. I'd love to have the chance to
say, what about that? I will never believe what you
believe. If God ever brings them to it, they'll say, you know
what? I was wrong. Right here stands one before
you. When God first sent me the gospel, I thought with him, I
never said it. Not because I was any smarter than anybody else,
but I never said it, but I'll never believe that. Look at it
here Look at it here Look at it who by him do believe in god
that raised him from the dead And gave him glory that your
faith and hope may be in god like seeing you have purified
your souls and obeying the truth Now look at it. Oh, we did something.
Yeah, we did through the spirit Apart from the spirit of god
jack. I'd be just as spiritually dead as I was when I came forth
from my mother's womb and obeying the truth through the spirit
unto unpretended, unfeigned love of the brethren. I remember Don
Fortner talking about these preachers on TV that you see preaching.
They're always preaching about love and love and they're always
smiling. He said their smile looks like a possum sitting on
a finch post chewing briars. It's as fake as you can get,
yeah. It's unfeigned love of the brethren. See that you love one another
with a pure heart, fervently. And folks, this is not something
we just say, oh, well, if it happens, it happens. This is
something we are to engage in. Engage in. And somebody says,
but if I engage in it, then I get the credit. No, it's through
the Spirit. It's Him that works in us, both
to will and to do of His good pleasure. Being born again, not
of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth
and abideth forever. Now look, for all flesh is what? Grass, it's just grass. And all
the glory of man as the flower of the grass. The grass withereth,
and the flower thereof fadeth away. But the word of the Lord
endueth forever. Now look, and this is the word
which what? by the gospel is preached unto
you. Now let me jump ahead just a
point. I want you to think about this. No, stop, I don't wanna
jump ahead. Let me give you this thing. Turn
to Revelation chapter 13. I'll give you that, I wanna summarize
everything with what I was about to say. Revelation chapter 13,
remember, Christ's cross work is God's eternal delight and
purpose. Christ's cross work was eternally
designed, yes, but it was internally designed to invade time for our
benefit. Now here's the third part. Christ's
cross work determined spiritual life. Look at Revelation 13,
and just one verse. Verse eight. all that dwell upon
the earth shall worship him him who this beast that you'll read
about just in the Preceding verse this beast and all that dwell
upon the earth shall worship him Look whose names are not
written in the book of life of the Lamb slain for the foundation
of the world Do you see it? I looked this up on Google And
they said people debate as to whether it has to do with the
book of life written before the foundation of the world or the
lamb slain from the foundation of the world. Which one? It's
one sentence. There are not even any commas
in it. It's all connected together.
Christ as the lamb slain from the foundation of the world,
the book of life's already written. We used to sing a song, not we
here, but me and people I used to associate with years ago.
There's a new name written down in glory, and it's mine. It's
all mine. That's a lie. That's a lie. What does God say? And all that
dwell upon the earth shall worship him. And I'm going to paraphrase.
If their names are not already written in the Lamb's Book of
Life and the foundation of the world, Anyone whose name's not
already written there will worship the beast and I'm telling you
what they're doing it even today See this is where these prophecy
buffs come is they're there they're so concentrating on who's going
to be the Antichrist that one individual and John our beloved
brother John says even thou are there many Antichrist and And
this whole world is looking for the antichrist, trying to figure
out who he is so they won't believe him, have swallowed up his spirit
already. Already eat up with it. When I first read this message,
Ellen, after God opened my eyes, I was like, wow. And all that
dwell upon the earth shall worship him whose names are not written
in the book of life or the land slain from the foundation of
the world. So remember Christ's cross work
determined spiritual life in two ways Christ cross work had
a specific design. I'm not going to read it. I Know
you're familiar with Isaiah 53 Isaiah 53 actually says that
when the lamb comes and dies he was even as a lab kept his
mouth shut, right? He's going to actually save some
people He's going to actually satisfy God And Christ's work
accomplished this design. Turn to Hebrews 10. You're right
there close if you're in Revelation. Hebrews 10. Verse seven. Then said I, lo,
I come. Now look at it. Talk about this
thing, Christ is everywhere, Christ is everything, Christ
is all. Then said I, lo, I come. And
then look at the parentheses. In the volume of the book it's
written of me. Do you see it? Right here's a testimony from
the Word of God itself that all the Word of God is about Jesus
Christ. And somebody says, but I don't see him in that passage.
That don't mean he ain't there. It just means I don't see him.
Then said I, lo, I come. In the volume of the book it
is written of me. Why did he come? To do thy will, O God. Did he do it or did he not? Okay, look at what it says above.
That's what he'd already just written. Above what he said,
sacrifice and offerings and burnt offerings and offering for sin,
thou wouldst not. Neither has pleasure therein
which are offered by the law. That's why I said what I did
for first Peter. This is not about, it's not just
wrong to think you can buy salvation with money. You don't buy salvation
with what men do. Look at it. Then said I, lo,
I come to do thy will. O God, He taketh away the first,
that he may establish the second, by the which will we are sanctified
through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. So when were we sanctified? When
he died on that tree. Who was sanctified? Those for
whom he died, see? by the which will we are sanctified
through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
And every priest standeth daily ministering, offering oftentimes
the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But this
man, after he'd offered one sacrifice, four sins forever, Sat down on
the right hand of God from henceforth expecting Till his enemies be
made his footstool. He's looking for the actual accomplishment
of what he did at Calvary It's total fruition must come. He's
expecting it Jack. He's looking for it and look
For by one offering he hath perfected forever them that are sanctified
now I just want to say this. We'll come back to this later,
God willing, when Paul says, let me read it to you. I want to just whet your appetite. Galatians 3, O foolish Galatians,
who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth,
before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth,
crucified among you. Now here it is. This only would
I learn of you. Received ye the spirit by the
works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Now he's gonna ask
the same question in the next verse, but put it in a little
different language. Are you so foolish? So he's answering
his own. Having begun in the spirit, are
ye made perfect by the flesh? You see, the flesh governs, or
the law governs the flesh. The law deals with the flesh. It has nothing to do with the
flesh. But here's the point I'm pointing
out. How are we perfected? Through Christ. And those who
are perfected are those who are already sanctified. And the sanctification
was to such a degree that it already makes them perfect. So
do I need more sanctification? And do I need more perfection?
If I do, there was no sanctification and there was no perfection.
Just to whet your appetite. Let me move home. Here's the
last point. And I hope to illustrate some
things from scripture. Christ's cross work, God ordained
as we start out. Somebody might say, well, preacher,
you haven't even really been talking about preaching. You
haven't really got into the detail that I might preach him. No,
I haven't. I've just been trying to do it.
Do you hear what I'm saying? I'm not trying to explain the
preaching. I'm just trying to do the preaching. Preachers want to preach about
the preaching rather than just preaching Christ. They want to
explain what it is to preach rather than just doing the preaching.
Somebody says, preacher, you're mincing words. No, I'm talking
about the difference between a man just preaching facts and
a man preaching Christ, preaching Christ. But think, Christ's cross
work, God ordained to be preached. Of course, we've already read
it. 1 Corinthians 1, Christ didn't send me to baptize, but do what? Preach the gospel. You see, preaching
Christ crucified is God's pleasure to do two things. One, to confound
worldly thought. The second one, to save those
that believe it. I mean, you think most people,
you talk about a God up there that just spoke and all this
came into existence, and he is pleased to use the means of just
some man standing behind some podium. and saying words to other
people about another man. That's exactly, for it pleased
God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. And Paul went on to say, let
me read it out. I've fumbled over that way too
badly. First Corinthians. Look at what
it says. For Christ sent me not to baptize,
but to preach the gospel, not with wisdom of words, lest the
cross of Christ should be made of none effect. It's not about
how much language you know, but it's about who you know. For
the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness,
but unto us that are saved is the power of God. Now look at
it, here's the first thing. First reason why God ordained
and pleased in this preaching thing, this means of preaching. For it is written, I will destroy
the wisdom of the wild. Now, human wisdom says, all right,
get up at layout point one, layout point two, Jack make everything
rational and logical, lay it all out where the mind can comprehend
it, and yet Paul tells these same people, man cannot comprehend
this. Look, for it is written, I will
destroy the wisdom of the wise and will bring to nothing the
understanding of the prudent. Where is the wise? Where is the
scribe? Where is the disputer or arguer
of this world? Oh, Thank God Jackie delivered
me from my youth. Because when he first showed
me the truth, you know what I wanted to do? Argue, argue, argue with
people. It's not about arguing. It's
about what? Preaching. It's not about debating. It's
about what? Preaching. It's not about having all the
facts correct. It's about having the truth of
the person and work of Jesus Christ. Look, where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is
the disputer of this world? Hath not God made foolish the
wisdom of this world? For after that, in the wisdom
of God, the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the
foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. For the Jews
require sign, the Greeks seek after wisdom, but we preach Christ
crucified. That ought to just open it up
to everybody. No, it don't. And to the Jews,
it's what? A stumbling block. And to the
Greeks, it's what? Foolishness. But to them, which
are what? Called. Both Jews and Greeks,
Christ, the power of God, and the wisdom of God. Now here's
an astounding statement. Because the foolishness of God
is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
Now that, folks, is a mouthful. All right, having said that,
I'm here to say this according to the Apostle Paul in 2nd Corinthians
1 through 7. He says that preaching Christ
crucified gives God all the glory. First one, those who preach Christ
crucified according to Paul in 1st Corinthians chapter 4 verses
1 through 7, we preach not ourselves, but what? Jesus Christ. Now think about this. You remember
Gideon, I think he was the 10th judge in Israel, and the Midianites
had begun harassing the Israelites, and harassing the Israelites.
The Midianites had an army, according to scripture, of around 135,000
men. Gideon, being moved by the spirit
of God as a judge, gathers up an army of Israelites, 32,000
strong. That's almost already about five
times to one. But he has 32,000. I can see
it now. Okay, we're low in number. But
God's able, right? 32,000 against 135,000. But look
at what God's done before. And I can see Gideon's in. Okay,
32,000. And you know what God says? Mm-mm, that's too many. Tell everyone that wants, that's
afraid. Now this says a lot for the men
in Israel. Tell everyone that's afraid,
go on back home. 22,000 left. 22,000 said nope, okay, you give
me the out, I'm out. They went back home. Gideon's
left with 10,000. Okay, God said do this. But look at what our God's done
for us before. Let's get ready, fellas. God said, nope, 10,000
is too much. You getting the point? 10,000's too much, okay. Maybe half of that, no. He whittled
it down to 300. 300 against 135,000. I didn't get out my computer, but that's
a lot of odds to a little bit of nothing. And those 300 didn't even have
to fight. They broke pitchers and blew
horns. And the Midianites started fighting
amongst themselves. And the Israelites, by the power
of God, put them into flight. Now, who do you think got the
credit for that win? God Almighty did. You see, Maimai says, well,
the more the merrier. Not always. Think about it. Preaching Christ crucified if
God ever saves anybody really saves anybody it gives God all
the glory You remember Moses rod He touched the Red Sea with
it. What that Red Sea do? That rod was nothing but a stick
That rod had no mystical power. I If the Egyptians had got a
hold of the rod, it wouldn't have mattered, because they had
their own rods. Remember, when the plagues come
down? They had their own rods, and
they were mystical and magical. But Moses' rod turned into a
snake and ate their rods. But it's just a stick. What made
it of any value? God said, Moses, take your rod. It was just a shepherd's stick.
It was just a stick. But when God said use that, that
makes it worth everything. Do you get the point? There's
a couple more. What about trumpets? Just walking
around a place called Jericho, marching around, marching hour
after hour. day after day, and all you do,
you don't show your swords, you don't show your spears, you don't
show your bow, you just blow trumpets. Rams, just blow those
horns. Those horns were just Rams horns. But it's the means God ordained
to tear down the walls of Jericho. What about clay and spit? You remember Christ, there's
a man blind, He could have just said, see. Jack, he could have
said, see! And he'd have seen. But you know
what Christ did? Got him a little bit of clay. Made some mud out
of it. Put it on his eyes and said,
now go wash in the pool of Siloam. How important was Siloam? It
was just another pool like every other pool. But if Christ tells
you to wash in it, wash in it. Remember when the prophet told
Naaman the Syrian, Go duck in that old dirty Jordan River.
Why the, if he'd have told me some great thing. What's up with
the Jordan River? Nothing. But if God ordains the
means, we best use it. And when it says it pleased God
by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe, look
here. Look. I know this is just one
little small, but look. Look, you remember one day, our
Lord changed his direction. He told the disciples, I must,
needs, go through Samaria. Starting out, it was for who?
One woman. One woman. Let me try to sum
this up. God ordained means so that God
might get the glory. and he ordained us everyday common,
sometimes uncommon practices amongst men. Let's you and I
rejoice that God has so indelibly impressed upon us Jesus Christ
and him crucified. Let us never think we've done
this in our own power. But God, by his grace, has thwarted
off error after error after error in this small place. And Jackie didn't do it because
we got great numbers and great backing. He did it by men being
faithfully moved and supported by men and women being faithfully
moved to support them of standing behind this podium and just preaching
Christ, Christ, Christ, and Christ. And when by His grace we won't
back up, they will leave. They will realize they have no
inroad. Again, I say let us rejoice that God has so indelibly impressed
Christ crucified upon our hearts and minds. We know this. We need
nothing else. Have we ever, and God help us,
God keep it up, God work in us to will and to do of your good
pleasure, have we ever had to sit down and have a big vote
on, we think we ought to take up this. Let's have this program. And let's advertise and let's
get people a little something on the side Tommy just to get
him interested in coming and then when they come then we'll
sneak Christ in and we'll preach Christ It was just preach Christ
preach Christ preach Christ Here's a group of people that when it
comes to numbers and power and and and influence we're nothing
And yet we spend our money to have two TV broadcasts we preach
we preach and and we preach, and for all basic points, you
know what we see? Nothing. Nothing. But remember, it pleased God
by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. We know we need nothing else. And if you ever start getting
to that place where you think, but I think we need something
else, you better Do a 180 degree turn. Just turn around from it.
Think of it, no tweaking the message. I'm not even talking
about bringing something up. No tweaking the message. No soft
pedaling the message. You can do it. And I don't mean
this to be mean, but there's a man on TV, he's well known
all over the United States and probably the world. He couches
the truth and phrases it terribly. He gets to go have debates in
front of big TV stations. I'll mention his name to you
in private. I'm not gonna do it here. I'm not here to tear
him down. You don't tweak the message. You don't soft pedal
the message. You don't trim the edge off the
gospel sword. If you trim the edge off the
gospel sword, it's not just a watered-down gospel. It is no gospel at all. Paul, in this same book, declares
clearly that the gospel of Christ is meant to be offensive to the
human flesh. It's meant to be offensive. And
look at the writer of Hebrews. Let's turn to that one. I think
it's Hebrews 4. Yes. Hebrews chapter 4. Hebrews chapter 4. And look at
verse 12. For the word of God is quick
and powerful. and sharper than any two-edged
sword. Look at it, piercing even to
the dividing asunder. Here it is, of soul and spirit. It goes further than just the
emotions. Now granted, it can affect the
emotions, and men and women may make professions, but it never
lasts. But when it divides us under
what? The soul and the spirit and of the joints and marrow. In other words, this sword, this
gospel, this word of God cuts all the way to the deep. Join
tomorrow. It is a discerner of the thoughts
and intents of the heart. Neither is there any creature
that is not manifest in his sight. Why does so many people have,
far more than have remained here, why have so many people come
here and then left? Because this gospel will cut them to the quick
and they'll say, I'm not gonna put up with that. I'm not gonna
deal with that. I can find what I want somewhere
else. Look at it. Neither is there
any creature that's not manifest in his sight, but all things
are naked and open under the eyes of him. Because this word
is not just a book, it's a person. But let me tell you, this book
is his word. It's his word. Open under the
eyes of Him with whom we have to do. Now turn to 2 Corinthians
2 and I will wind this down. You ever get discouraged? You ever just say, but what's
it all about? You know? Jack, where's the evidence? Where's
the outcome? Where's the numbers? Why is the glass almost empty? They're not full and running
over. It's always full and running over. It's just we look at it
from the flesh rather than the spirit. And I have the right
to say that based upon this, 2 Corinthians 2, verse 14. And when we're done, you get
your songbooks, we'll stand and sing this one, God willing, here
in just a moment, number 220. I like that song, but that song
goes along with what I'm about to say. Number 220 is what we'll
sing. Look at it, verse 14, 2 Corinthians
2. Now thanks be unto God. Do you see that? Now thanks be
unto God, which, what's that next word? A-L-W-A-Y-S. Now you may not feel it, and
I may not always feel it, but it's true nonetheless. And we
ought to thank God for it. Look, now thanks be unto God,
which always causes us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest
the savor of his knowledge by us in every place. Wherever the
gospels preach, God is manifesting himself. He's manifesting himself. Wherever Christ crucified is
preached, God's manifesting his way of redemption. And somebody
said, but why don't hordes just come? Well, look, for we are
unto God, that's the main thing, is it not? For we are unto God
a sweet saver of Christ in them that are saved and in them that
perish. Do you see it? To the one we
are the saver, the snail. We are the savor of death and
the death. And to the other, the savor of
life and the life. You know, you got a good old
Gentile, likes to smell that pork cooking on the grill, you
know? And that fat's beginning to cook.
That smell comes up and you, ah, I love that. But then at
the same time, I'm not trying to be anti-semitic But same time
you got that old fellow from over there near Jerusalem got
them spit curls. He smells that same pork roasting
You know, I think no That's unclean That's nasty. I hate that smell. Hmm That's just the illustration
When the gospels preach when Jesus Christ crucified is preached
those that God has saved here's how you tell the difference those
that God has saved say That sound, I hear it, it sounds
good. That smell, it smells great. But then you have somebody show
up and say, I'll never believe that. All right, guess what?
They're perishing. They're perishing. For we are
unto God a sweet saver of Christ in them that are saved and in
them that perish. To the one we're a saver of death
and to death and to the other the saver of life and to life.
And then look at this question. And who is sufficient for these
things? None of us are. You know what
makes it do that? It pleads God by the foolishness
of preaching. One, to save them that believe.
And the other thing is to bring the things that are, to bring
them to what? Nothing. Heavenly Father, Lord,
as we've heard thy word, not my words, Lord, but your word,
take your word and apply it to our hearts and minds. Encourage
us, Lord, in spite of our downtroddenness, Lord, even those down thoughts
we have, Lord, encourage us by the truth of thy word, in Christ's
name, amen.