Rsbc

Date: March 6^th 2005

Series: Christ The Sum & The Substance of  The Bible

 

Subject “ What Paul Preached About Christ”

Text: I Cor 2:2 & Chapter 10:4 & Chapter 11:24-26

 

Intro: This is a classic way that Paul had in drawing attention to the Lord Jesus Christ. In all the preachers of the word of GOD, they all drew peoples attention to the LORD JESUS CHRIST no matter what they were preaching on.

 

At the very outset of this book as we seen last week, that Christ is the sum and the substance of it’s teaching. He point out that those whom he is writing to, were sanctified in Christ Jesus, that grace was and is the source of our salvation and in reality our life.

 

Last week we seen that the preaching of the gospel of Christ is mind boggling to the wisdom of men. That it in it’s weakness is greater than the superior strength of men. That GOD in his infinite wisdom and power chose to save a people for his name sake through the preaching of his word.

 

This baffles human nature... in verse 23-25 of chapter 1 this is clearly seen. In the remainder of our studies through this book we shall look and see some highlights of what Paul said about Christ in the midst of all his teachings...

 

I... HE SAID HIS DETERMINATION AMONG THEM “ WAS CHRIST AND HIM CRUCIFIED”... VS 2

 

This did not nor does it mean that he had nothing to say about any other doctrine of the BIBLE, but this was the central theme of his preaching.

 

When we preach Christ crucified we:

 

(1.) Proclaim that he and he alone is the sacrifice for our sins:

 

Pilate ask a question:

 

Matthew 27:22  Pilate saith unto them, What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ? They all say unto him, Let him be crucified

 

We all know this morning that the Father laid on him the iniquity of us all. It was our sins that drove him to the cross, it was his love that caused him to do it, to submit to it, to steadfastly set his face toward Jerusalem.  We proclaim him to be the one that was crucified for us.

(2.) We proclaim him as the only worthy subject of crucifixion...

 

Hebrews 7:26  For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;

 

Later Paul said in:

 

Galatians 6:14  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.

 

(3.) We proclaim him as the divine mystery to this world:

 

1 Corinthians 2:8  Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

 

A. They knew him not so they crucified him:

b. They knew him not so they hated him without a cause:

c. They knew him not so they rejected him, he came to his own they received him not.

d. They knew him not so they lied about him,  found many false witnesses.

e. They knew him not so they tried to discredit him, this man hath a devil.

F. They knew him not so they gave false testimonies about his work, his does this by the devil.

 

G. They knew him not so they refused to follow him and his word, we will not have this man to rule over us.

 

I. They knew him not so they chose Barabbas over him, give us Barabbas and crucify him.

 

God put into their hearts to fulfill his will. Luke said they did it by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of GOD... Realize this morning that I am skipping much to move on to another portion of this book...

 

II... “PAUL SAID THAT CHRIST WAS OUR SPIRITUAL ROCK” CHAPTER 10-3-4

 

No doubt he is speaking of the Israelites when they were in the desert and the LORD feed them and watered them..

 

1^st. This says that we take of Christ in a spiritual feast:

 

Not that we literally take him, we take him by faith, in what he says about himself and what he did on the cross for us.

 

John 6:35  And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.

 

John 6:56  He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him. John 6:57  As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me.

 

David knew something of What Christ was talking about when he said these words in the  Psalms 34:8  O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.

 

The great question then this morning have you tasted that the LORD is good, good enough to save you, good enough to protect and keep you, good enough to present you to his Father...

 

2^nd. Tasting Christ also means that we have a spiritual appetite that needs to be satisfied.

 

1 Peter 2:3  If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious. Nothing or no one can satisfy like Christ...

 

Psalms 73:25  Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee.

 

Let me freely say to any sinner this morning that if there is a longing in your heart, if there is as thirst that needs to be quenched, if there is a hunger that must be filled, then Christ has enlightened you, therefore come to him for the satisfaction.

 

3^rd. Tasting Christ and drinking of that rock indicates a firm foundation to stand on and to live by:

 

Listen to what Matthew and Luke said about this:

 

Matthew 7:25  And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.

 

Luke 6:48  He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock.

 

What Christ meant by this statement:

 

Matthew 7:24  Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: