The Preaching of the Cross

The message was brought by Rev. Tim Powers on Oct 26, 2025.

I Corinthian 1:18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.  23  But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;  2:1 And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. 2 For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. 3 And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling.4 And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s  wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: 5 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.

The church was founded by the cross.  I’m not flowery in speech, but this is where God put me. I want to see people saved; the cross is the power of salvation.  The blood of Jesus Christ saves.  None of us were saved outside of Him and the cross!

It’s now two thousand years since the cross happened. Jesus was in the Garden praying he wouldn’t have to endure the suffering, not just physically but mentally and emotionally. Jesus prayed so intently his sweat became blood. Then Judas came with the kiss of betrayal. Jesus was bound and taken. The disciples abandoned Him. The anguish and suffering began. Beaten. Slapped. Beard pulled out. Spit on. Ridiculed. Taken to Pilate who didn’t want to crucify this just man. So he had Him scourged unmercifully.  It was horrible. All for you and me.  That’s how much He loves us.   Sin–ours, yours and mine–was placed on Him. Most men would already be dead, but God’s plan was the cross. The people released Barabbas instead of Jesus when a choice was given.  He was led away to the cross.  Too weak to carry His cross, Simon was compelled to help.  Jesus willingly laid down to offer himself on the cross.  Nailed to the cross.  Lifted up.  It fell into the ground pulling bones out of joints.  An agonizing death.

And we were on His mind. Why?  The wages of sin is death. All of us are sinners who deserved to die.  Imagine the anguish of His mother, but He was also doing it for her.  It should have been us.  He took our place.  The one malefactor asked for mercy.  Jesus gave it.  At the 12th hour Jesus became sin for us.  Darkness covered the earth. Jesus called out “My God, my God.  Why hast thou forsaken me?”  This became our VICTORY as Jesus bore our sins. Then he cried “it is finished.”  “TETELESTAI” means it is finished.  This is what a conquering general would say.  The one conquered would be paraded naked, dragged by a horse.  As the general claimed his victory he shouted Tetelestai.  Jesus had conquered sin.  It is finished!  TETELESTAI!

The Bible is about Jesus. It is our authority to say what we say and preach what we preach. It brings repentance, not a man.  The cross will lead us home.  You must believe Jesus and what He did on the cross to make it to heaven.  Are you saved?  Do you believe this?