1 Corinthians 1:22-25 - Homiletics

Christianity viewed in three aspects.

"For the Jews require a sign," etc. Our subject is Christianity; and here we see it in three aspects.

I. As associated with a GREAT FACT . "Christ crucified." This fact may be looked at:

1. Historically. As an historical fact, it is the most famous, influential, and best authenticated in the annals of time.

2. Theologically. It unfolds the Divine, it rends the veil in the great temple of theological truth, and exposes the inmost and holiest sanctuary; it is a mighty expression of God's idea, government, and heart.

3. Morally. It is fraught with the most quickening, elevating, and sanctifying suggestions.

II. As associated with POPULAR OPINION . It was a "stumbling block" to the Jew; it was "foolishness" to the Greek. It had not sufficient of the gorgeous philosophical ritualism for the speculative and pedantic Greek, nor sufficient of the gorgeous religious ritualism for the sensuous and bigoted Jew. What is it in popular sentiment now? To the millions it is nothing. They have formed no idea of it; they do not think about it. To the sceptic it is a fable; to the formalist it is a creed to be repeated, and a ceremony to be attended to on certain occasions, and nothing more.

III. As associated with CHRISTIAN CONSCIOUSNESS . "But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ, the power of God, and the wisdom of God." The Christian sees the highest wisdom in a system which, in saving the sinner, does four things.

1. Manifests the righteousness of the insulted Sovereign.

2. Augments the influence of moral government.

3. Maintains intact all the principles of moral freedom.

4. Develops, strengthens, and perfects all the original powers of the individual soul.

He sees, too, the highest power in the difficulties it surmounts, the revolutions it effects, the deeds to which it stimulates, the hopes it inspires, and the deep fountains of pleasure which it opens up. He feels it is both wise and powerful. What is Christianity to us? As a fact, there it is in the archives of humanity, for ever independent of us; nothing will ever blot it out from the page of history. As a fact, though centuries old, it is more influential than ever. It will be a fact eternally. What is it to us? Is it folly and weakness; or is it wisdom and power? This is the question.