Galatians 5:11 And I, brothers, if I yet preach circumcision, why do I yet suffer persecution? then is the offense of the cross ceased. I. WHEREIN LIES THE OFFENCE OF THE CROSS? 1. Its doctrine of atonement offends man's pride. 2. Its simple teaching offends man's wisdom, and artificial taste. 3. Its being a remedy for man's ruin offends his fancied power to save himself. 4. Its addressing all as sinners offends the dignity of Pharisees. 5. Its coming as a revelation offends "modern thought." 6. Its lofty holiness offends man's love of sin. II. HOW IS THIS OFFENCE SHOWN? 1. Frequently by the actual persecution of believers. 2. More often by slandering believers, and sneering at them as old-fashioned, foolish, weak-minded, morose, self-conceited, etc. 3. Often by omitting to preach the Cross. Many nowadays preach a Christless, bloodless gospel. 4. Or by importing new meanings into orthodox terms. 5. Or by mixing the truth of Christ with errors. 6. Or by openly denying the Deity of Him who died on the cross, and the substitutionary character of His sufferings.Indeed, there are a thousand ways of showing that the Cross offends us in one respect or another. III. WHAT THEN? 1. Herein is folly, that men are offended with that which God ordains; with that which must win the day; with the only thing which can save them; with that which is full of wisdom and beauty. 2. Herein is grace, that we who once were offended by the Cross, now find it to be (1) the one hope of our hearts, (2) the great delight of our souls, (3) the joyful boast of our tongues. 3. Herein is heart-searching. (1) Perhaps we are secretly offended at the Cross. (2) Perhaps we give no offence to haters of the Cross.Many professed Christians never cause offence to the most godless. (a) Is this because they bear no testimony to the Cross? (b) Is this because they are not crucified to the world? (c) Is this because there is no real trust in the Cross, and no true knowledge of Christ? (C. H. Spurgeon.) Parallel Verses KJV: And I, brethren, if I yet preach circumcision, why do I yet suffer persecution? then is the offence of the cross ceased. |
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