Sermons
The Stigma Of The Cross
Series: Reflections On The CrossTHE STIGMA OF THE CROSS
Sermon Outline By Terry Siverd
Cortland Church of Christ / October 02, 2016
We are nearing the end of our current series, Reflections On The Cross.
I hope that this series has helped to strengthen our grasp of the greatest event the world has ever known.
Surely we cannot tire of hearing about the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Although this series has not really been that lengthy (just seven lessons, not counting some Sunday PM lessons),
our song leaders have just about exhausted our supply of songs on this topic. Not really, there are many, many, more.
The word, stigma, is often connected with thoughts of dishonor, ignominy and shame. It is defined as:
a mark of disgrace or reproach associated with a particular circumstance, quality or person.
We’ll return to this word stigma in just a few minutes.
There are other somewhat unexpected words that surface when one digs deeper into a study of the cross.
Listen to the apostle Paul in 1Cor.1:18 - -
the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
vss.21-24 / …God was well-pleased by the foolishness of preaching to save those who believe. For indeed Jews ask
for signs, and Greeks search for wisdom; but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block, and to Gentiles foolishness, but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.
In Heb.12:2 the writer says concerning Jesus that for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame.
Both Paul (Rom.8:33) and Peter (1Pet.2:8) speak of the scandal of the cross.
Frequently this word, skandalon, is rendered as a stumbling block or rock of offense.
In his epistle to the Galatians, Paul speaks of both stigma (Gal.6:17) and the scandal of the cross (Gal.5:11).
To the Greeks, who put a premium on reasoning and sophistication and philosophy, the cross was “foolishness”.
How could someone claiming to be God end up being crucified?
(cf. Ravi Zacharias blog on “The Scandal Of The Cross”)
To the Jews, the very idea of a Messiah who was crucified on a cross was a stumbling block and scandalous.
They envisioned a Messiah who would take up their cause and repel their enemies.
How could a crucified Messiah be of any help?
Our culture today is often fed a sanitized version of the cross.
We want to hear of God’s love but not with all the mess and not with all the obligations that accompany the cross.
We prefer not to dwell on the blood and the wrath and the shame and the curse and sin and the need for repentance.
My cousin Ralph, who several years ago ministered with a church of Christ in Concord, NC,
tells the story of the making of the movie, The Handmaiden’s Tale.
The filming took place on the campus of Duke University using the celebrated Duke Chapel as a backdrop.
The Chapel is an ornate gothic cathedral famous for its impressive cross and its beautiful stained glass.
One of the scenes in the film involved the use of a gallows. It occupied the front of the cathedral for several weeks.
Some students and parishioners complained. They found this execution platform to be quite offensive.
It evoked horrid images of people being hanged, squirming as they fought for their last breath.
The director of the film responded to their protests by asking them why they were offended by the presence
of a gallows when there had always been a large cross prominently displayed in the front of the cathedral?
We have discussed the shame and curse of the cross in previous messages.
This morning I want to speak of THE STIGMA OF THE CROSS.
Please turn in your Bibles to Gal.6:17 - -
From now on let no one cause trouble for me, for I bear on my body the brand-marks of Jesus.
Paul’s ministry in the province of Galatia (and in most all regions) was being undermined by false prophets.
The Jewish Christian zealots were declaring Paul to be a sub-apostle compared to Peter, James, John, etal.
Paul becomes exasperated by these attempts to bring his reputation into question and erode his authority
and he essentially tells them - - I’m tired of hearing such and you need to stop this nonsense.
He tells declares rather empahtically: , “I bear on my body the brand-marks of Jesus.”
The word “brank-marks” is the word STIGMA.
In first-century times, servants or slaves were often branded with their master’s insignia.
Paul repeatedly acknowledges that he is a bond-servant of Jesus Christ (cf. Rom.1:1; Gal.1:10 & Philp.1:1).
While this word stigma is used by Paul as a metaphor for his many “brand-marks”,
one could also argue that these brand-marks were l-i-t-e-r-a-l scars that Paul amassed in his service to Christ.
cf. 1Cor.4:9-13; 2Cor.6:4-6 and 2Cor.11:22ff.
Contextually, it would not be incorrect to translate this word stigma as birthmarks.
Paul was a Jew, but he had been born again on the road to Damascus and his full-fledged allegiance was now with Christ.
I want to use this text ask this thought-provoking question:
DO WE BEAR ANY BRAND-MARKS OR BIRTHMARKS OF JESUS?
Before we answer let’s consider a few other brief New Testament citations.
Lk.6:22 / Blessed are you when men hate you and ostracize you, and
cast insults at you, and spurn your name as evil, for the sake of the Son of Man.
1Pet.4:14 / If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of Glory rests upon you.
Heb.10:33-34 / Remember the former days, when, after being enlightened, you endured a great conflict of sufferings,
partly, by being made a public spectacle through reproaches and tribulations, and partly by becoming sharers
with those who were so treated. For you showed sympathy to the prisoners, and accepted joyfully the
seizure of your property, knowing you have for yourselves a better possession and an abiding one.
Heb.11:23-25 tells of how Moses (with a view to the future)
Considered the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt.
Hebrews 13:12-13 / Therefore, Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people through His own blood,
suffered outside the gate. Hence, let us go out to Him outside the camp, bearing His reproach.
I struggle when I read these verses. I know that the first-century was an extreme and unique age, but I also wonder
if our concept of the early days of Christianity has caused us to cubby-hole these texts into a first-century-only setting.
Each one of us could ask ourselves, when have I been hated or ostracized or insulted or spurned for Christ’s sake?
When have I been reviled for the name of Christ? When have I suffered? When have I been made a spectacle of?
When have I been a sharer with those who have been so treated or sympathized with those imprisoned for Christ’ sake?
When have I ever experienced or borne the reproach of Christ in a positive way?
John Stott (The Cross Of Christ, p.351) cites Campbell Morgan (Evangelism, p.59-60) who references the words of Dr. Parker:
It is the crucified man that can preach the cross.
Said Thomas ‘except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails … I will not believe’.
Dr. Parker of London said that what Thomas said of Christ, the world is saying about the church.
To a very large extent (and rightfully so) this is what our world is saying to each of us as Christians.
Unless I see in your hands the print of His nails, I will not believe.
What right do we have to witness on behalf of Jesus Christ if we do not bear His brandmarks?
This stigma is what empowers us and these brand-marks/birthmarks work to capture the attention of those around us.
} Can we honestly declare with Paul, “I bear on my body the brand-marks of Jesus” and if so, how? |
Can others see His prints on us in the way we speak?
Are we patience and kind and longsuffering and loving?
Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned as it were with salt… / Col.4:6
Does our speech attests to our devotion to Christ or does it betray us by revealing that we are but a charlatan?
Can others see His prints on us in the way we walk?
The one who says He abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked. / 1Jn.2:6
The manner in which we walk is often quite readily apparent to those around us, unless we live duplicitous lives.
Do we give others any grounds for accusing us of being a hypocrite - - saying one thing, but doing another.
How we “act” (behave) is vitally important and equally important is how we “react” when things don’t go well.
How do we handle heartaches & calamities? How do we cope with trials & tribulations? How do we handle success?
Can others see His prints on us in the things we value?
Are we as guilty as people of the world who hoard up all kinds of stuff as if “things” are what bring us contentment?
(Jesus) said to them, Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even
when one has an abundance of possessions does His life consist of His possessions. / Lk.12:14
Can others see His prints on us in the way we give?
I’m not talking here just about our church offerings, but they are certainly a legitimate litmus test.
Now this I say, he who sows sparingly shall also reap sparingly; and he who sows bountifully shall also reap bountifully.
Let each one of us do just as he has purposed in his heart; not grudgingly or under compulsion;
For God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, that always
having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good thing. / 2Cor.9:6-8
Our giving is a personal obligation, but it is an obligation nonetheless.
No one has a right to dictate what another gives, but all of us must realize that GIVING REQUIRES SACRIFICE.
Throughout the Old Testament we read of how God expected His people to give of their first-fruits, not their leftovers.
In the New Testament we read often of Christians who sacrificed in their giving so that God’s church could thrive.
And this was true even in the midst of personal hardships. In 2Cor.8:1-2 Paul writes - -
And now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches.
Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled-up in rich generosity.
There is much more that could be said and should be said on this vital topic.
The brand-marks of Jesus go well beyond just these simple four sub-categories.
I would like to invite us all to explore this topic in our mind and heart.
How do we bear the brank-marks of Jesus our daily life?
Can others truly see Christ in me? Do I have the mind of Christ? Is His attitude reflected by mine?
While we not THE SAVIOR, we will undermine the work of our Savior if the world cannot see His prints in us.
