May 17, 2026 "We are So Smart That We Miss the Cross" (1 Corinthians 2:1-5)

 

1 Corinthians 2:1-5 

 

We live in an age of information and powerful tools to search and calculate. We can calculate and find the best deals before we make a purchase or decision. We sometimes do this with the word of God. We are persuaded by the wrong influences when hearing the word. 

 

When Paul was in Corinth, he abandoned human wisdom, knowledge and eloquence while preaching the gospel. Paul knew that impressive sermons, strong logic and dramatic performances can blind us to the cross. 

 

We have to be careful when we hear the word. We look towards the human wisdom that makes more sense. We look to strategies that are stronger than what the Word says. We ignore the power of the cross while we seek out worldly ways and wisdom to succeed.  

 

We often seek worldly wisdom to make ourselves look more important, stronger, more intelligent and more independent. The wisdom of the cross makes Jesus look more important.  

 

When the cross is removed, faith becomes something different. Love without the cross, it is something different. Faith without the cross becomes self-sufficient. Sacrifice without the cross is just a personal investment. With the cross, faith becomes love, love becomes sacrifice and sacrifice becomes joy. 

 

Without the cross, we seek more exciting sermons, bigger miracles, deeper wisdom and anything that will stimulate our appetite for the Gospel. The power of the cross is enough and reminds us of our first love. The cross might look weak and repulsive, but it has the power to bring us to God and transform our lives. 

 

No one wants to look weak or be weak and yet, the way if the cross is to admit our dependence and bring our weakness to the Lord. We can lay down all our failures, all our weaknesses, all our faults.  

 

The disciples abandoned Jesus, they did not understand Jesus' words and they even denied Jesus. Yet, Jesus forgave them and restored them. This was the power of the cross. 

 

Looking at our faults and weakness can depress our minds and stop us from trying. We become ashamed and overwhelmed confronting the truth. 

 

By acknowledging our weakness, the cross can restore us and bring us to the place we need to be. 

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