The Cross The Christian Symbol

Introduction: Scripture Reading- Galatians 6:12-15

  1. About the text: [Read] vs. 11-18
  2. Where is Paul’s glory?
  3. Do we have something to make a symbol out of; literally or figuratively?
  4. I Cor. 1:18-31 [Read]

Discussion:

  1. The History of a Cross in Paganism
    1. Examples: Ankh- Egyptian; symbol of life and fertility, Triskele- Triple goddess & circle of life, Celtic-symbol of faith and protection [St. Patrick’s Day], and Pentacle- five-pointed star; symbol of protection and power, also represents air, water, fire, and earth
    2. “The original form of the cross symbol is believed to have come from the first letter of the name Tammuz, the capital ‘T’23. Tammuz was worshipped as a god of fertility and agriculture, and his connection to growth and rebirth became intertwined with the cross symbol2. The cross symbol was honored as a religious symbol by the people of Assyria and Babylon more than 800 years before the Christian era3. Over time, this symbol underwent transformations and eventually became a significant emblem within early Christian communities2.” -combination of multiple sources
    3. Ezek. 8:13-15 [Read]
  2. Paganism and Man and Their Connection to the Cross
    1. Numbers 21:4-9 [Read] God commanded Moses
    2. 2 Kings 18:1-7 [Read] Burnt incense to the serpent (Nehushtan- copper serpent of the desert)
      1. Article online- Because God commanded Moses to create the serpent, then the Israelites were justified in burning incense to it because they probably believed “it was a perfectly legitimate way to honor Yahweh.”
    3. John 3:1-21[Read] (What is truth? John 17:17- “Sanctify them through thy truth, thy word is truth.”; 2 Tim. 3:16-17 “All scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect (complete or whole, nothing lacking), thoroughly furnished unto all good works.”
  3. What Did Christians in the First Century Think About the Cross?
    1. Judas Iscariot Matt. 27:3-10 hanged himself for his betrayal to Jesus before Jesus had even died.
    2. Peter Mark 14:72 he wept after he denied Christ 3 times and remembered Jesus’ words that he would do it.
    3. The disciples Mark 16:9-10 they mourned and wept his death and didn’t believe when Mary Magdalene told them he was alive.
    4. Dying on a cross or a tree was considered a curse to the Jews. Gal. 3:10-14 [Read]
    5. I Cor. 11:23-34 [Read]

Conclusion:

  1. Gal. 6:11-18 I glory in nothing save (except) the cross, the Lord’s death.
  2. I Cor. 1:18-31 Glory in nothing save (except) the Lord.
  3. There is no power and no hope in any symbols. Rom. 1:16 and Col. 1:23, there is only power and hope in the Gospel and that is what we should obey to become a Christian and remain a Christian if we wish to make it to heaven.
  4. The question is how will you respond to the Gospel this morning?
  5. Invitation

Author: Patrick King