The Scandalous Truth of the Gospel

 

Summary

In our time together, I sought to address the "Myth of Influence" and the misconception that the gospel can be advanced through public favor and societal influence. The core of the gospel is not about crafting a message that is palatable or appealing to the masses. Instead, it is about the unchanging truth of the cross, which is inherently offensive and scandalous to the natural man. The gospel does not advance through human wisdom or societal acceptance but through the power of the Holy Spirit, often in the face of public hostility.

The gospel's message is hard to believe because it goes against everything natural in man. It challenges our emotional sensibilities, intellectual pride, and self-determining will. The cross is a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, yet it is the power of God to those who are being saved. The simplicity and singularity of the gospel message are profound. It calls for self-denial, a willingness to take up one's cross daily, and a complete surrender to Christ. This is not a message of self-fulfillment but of self-suicide, where one must be willing to give up everything to gain Christ.

The gospel's exclusivity is clear: there is no other way to salvation but through Jesus Christ. This message is not easy to accept, and it is not meant to be. It is a narrow gate that few find, and it requires a total abandonment of self. The myth that we can influence people into the kingdom by making the gospel more acceptable is a dangerous fallacy. True conversion comes only through the proclamation of the true gospel, which is the power of God unto salvation.

Key Takeaways:

1. The gospel does not advance through public favor or societal influence but through the power of the Holy Spirit, often in the face of hostility. The myth of influence suggests that by making the gospel more palatable, we can draw people into the kingdom, but this is a dangerous misconception. The true gospel is inherently offensive and scandalous to the natural man. [02:19]

2. The message of the cross is hard to believe because it challenges our emotional sensibilities, intellectual pride, and self-determining will. It is a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, yet it is the power of God to those who are being saved. The gospel calls for self-denial and a willingness to take up one's cross daily. [05:30]

3. The gospel's simplicity and singularity are profound. It is not a message of self-fulfillment but of self-suicide, where one must be willing to give up everything to gain Christ. This is not about tweaking one's life for success but about the end of self. The gospel demands a total abandonment of self and a complete surrender to Christ. [36:10]

4. The exclusivity of the gospel is clear: there is no other way to salvation but through Jesus Christ. This message is not easy to accept, and it is not meant to be. It is a narrow gate that few find, and it requires a total abandonment of self. The myth that we can influence people into the kingdom by making the gospel more acceptable is a dangerous fallacy. [34:08]

5. True conversion comes only through the proclamation of the true gospel, which is the power of God unto salvation. The gospel is a message of self-denial, and it is hard to believe because it goes against everything natural in man. It is not about creating something that appeals to the emotions, mind, or will, but about proclaiming the truth that leads to eternal life. [50:07]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:28] - Introduction to the Myth of Influence
- [00:57] - Battles for the Gospel
- [02:19] - The Gospel and Public Favor
- [03:37] - The True Way into the Kingdom
- [04:15] - The Scandalous Nature of the Gospel
- [05:30] - The Hard-to-Believe Gospel
- [07:00] - Not Being Ashamed of the Gospel
- [09:18] - The Foolishness of the Cross
- [11:04] - The Power of the Preached Message
- [13:12] - The Stigma of the Cross
- [15:49] - Historical Context of Crucifixion
- [19:11] - Pagan and Jewish Views on Crucifixion
- [23:05] - The Simplicity of the Gospel
- [27:02] - The Gospel vs. Human Wisdom
- [31:12] - The Singularity of the Gospel
- [34:08] - The Exclusivity of Salvation
- [36:10] - The Call to Self-Denial
- [40:18] - The Cost of Discipleship
- [50:07] - The Impossibility of Self-Salvation
- [52:26] - Conclusion and Prayer

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. 1 Corinthians 1:18-25
"For the word of the cross is to those who are perishing foolishness, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written, 'I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the cleverness of the clever I will set aside.' Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not come to know God, God was well-pleased through the foolishness of the message preached 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. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men."

2. Luke 9:23-25
"And He was saying to them all, 'If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake, he is the one who will save it. For what is a man profited if he gains the whole world, and loses or forfeits himself?'"

#### Observation Questions
1. What does 1 Corinthians 1:18-25 say about the perception of the gospel by those who are perishing versus those who are being saved? How does this align with the sermon’s message about the gospel being inherently offensive? [09:55]

2. According to the sermon, what are some of the compromises made in an attempt to make the gospel more palatable to society? [03:01]

3. In Luke 9:23-25, what does Jesus say is required of those who wish to follow Him? How does this relate to the sermon’s emphasis on self-denial? [35:21]

4. How does the sermon describe the societal view of crucifixion during the time of Jesus, and how does this impact the perception of the gospel message? [15:24]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the sermon explain the concept of the "myth of influence" in relation to the advancement of the gospel? Why is this considered a dangerous misconception? [02:19]

2. What does the sermon suggest about the role of human wisdom in understanding the gospel, and how does this relate to 1 Corinthians 1:18-25? [24:55]

3. In what ways does the sermon describe the gospel as being "hard to believe," and how does this challenge our natural inclinations? [05:30]

4. How does the sermon interpret the exclusivity of the gospel as presented in Luke 9:23-25, and what implications does this have for personal faith and evangelism? [34:08]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt the need to make the gospel more palatable to someone. What motivated you to do so, and how might you approach a similar situation differently in light of the sermon? [03:01]

2. The sermon emphasizes self-denial as a core aspect of following Christ. What is one area of your life where you struggle with self-denial, and how can you begin to address this challenge? [36:10]

3. Consider the societal pressures to conform to popular beliefs or practices. How can you remain faithful to the true gospel message in the face of such pressures? [04:15]

4. The sermon describes the gospel as inherently offensive and scandalous. How can you prepare yourself to share this message with others, knowing it may not be well-received? [05:30]

5. In what ways can you cultivate a deeper understanding and appreciation for the simplicity and singularity of the gospel in your daily life? [31:12]

6. How can you practically live out the call to take up your cross daily, as described in Luke 9:23-25, in your current circumstances? [35:21]

7. Reflect on the concept of self-suicide as presented in the sermon. What steps can you take to move away from self-fulfillment and towards a life fully surrendered to Christ? [38:53]

Devotional

Day 1: The Gospel Advances Through the Spirit, Not Influence
The gospel does not rely on public favor or societal influence to advance. Instead, it is the power of the Holy Spirit that propels the message forward, often in the face of hostility. The notion that we can make the gospel more palatable to draw people into the kingdom is a dangerous misconception. The true gospel is inherently offensive and scandalous to the natural man, as it challenges deeply held beliefs and values. It is not about crafting a message that appeals to the masses but about proclaiming the unchanging truth of the cross. [02:19]

1 Corinthians 2:4-5 (ESV): "And my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God."

Reflection: In what ways have you tried to make the gospel more acceptable to others? How can you rely more on the Holy Spirit to share the truth of the gospel?


Day 2: The Cross Challenges Human Nature
The message of the cross is difficult to accept because it confronts our emotional sensibilities, intellectual pride, and self-determining will. To the Jews, it is a stumbling block, and to the Gentiles, it is foolishness. Yet, to those who are being saved, it is the power of God. The gospel calls for self-denial and a willingness to take up one's cross daily. It is not a message that aligns with human wisdom or desires but one that requires a complete surrender to Christ. [05:30]

1 Corinthians 1:23-24 (ESV): "But we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God."

Reflection: What aspects of the gospel do you find challenging to accept? How can you embrace the call to self-denial in your daily life?


Day 3: The Gospel Demands Total Surrender
The simplicity and singularity of the gospel are profound. It is not a message of self-fulfillment but of self-suicide, where one must be willing to give up everything to gain Christ. This is not about tweaking one's life for success but about the end of self. The gospel demands a total abandonment of self and a complete surrender to Christ. It is a call to take up one's cross and follow Jesus, regardless of the cost. [36:10]

Luke 9:23-24 (ESV): "And he said to all, 'If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.'"

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself holding back from surrendering to Jesus? What would surrendering this area to Him actually look like in terms of daily habits?


Day 4: Salvation Through Christ Alone
The exclusivity of the gospel is clear: there is no other way to salvation but through Jesus Christ. This message is not easy to accept, and it is not meant to be. It is a narrow gate that few find, and it requires a total abandonment of self. The myth that we can influence people into the kingdom by making the gospel more acceptable is a dangerous fallacy. True conversion comes only through the proclamation of the true gospel, which is the power of God unto salvation. [34:08]

Acts 4:12 (ESV): "And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."

Reflection: How do you respond to the exclusivity of the gospel in your conversations with others? How can you share the truth of salvation through Christ alone with love and conviction?


Day 5: The Power of the True Gospel
True conversion comes only through the proclamation of the true gospel, which is the power of God unto salvation. The gospel is a message of self-denial, and it is hard to believe because it goes against everything natural in man. It is not about creating something that appeals to the emotions, mind, or will, but about proclaiming the truth that leads to eternal life. The gospel's power lies in its simplicity and its ability to transform lives through the work of the Holy Spirit. [50:07]

Romans 1:16 (ESV): "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek."

Reflection: Think of someone in your life who needs to hear the true gospel. How can you share the message of salvation with them this week, relying on the power of the Holy Spirit?

Quotes

"The myth of influence is that the gospel advances on the back of public favor. The myth of influence is that we can somehow influence people into the kingdom of God if we can create a pop gospel, a designer gospel, if we can create alliances, if we can posture ourselves and position ourselves in places of influence and authority and impact in the world around us, if we can stylize our churches to eliminate consumer resistance, we can sort of influence people into the kingdom." [00:02:19]

"There's only one way into the kingdom, and it is through the gate of the gospel and the gospel alone. The cruel irony is that after everybody has done all of that and created all those machinations and all those marketing things, at the end of the day people will only enter the kingdom when they understand and believe the true gospel, the word of the cross as revealed in Scripture." [00:03:37]

"The gospel does not advance on the back of public favor; it advances on the back of the Holy Spirit in spite of public hostility. The myth of influence is sort of, 'If they think we're cool, they'll think Jesus is cool too.' Serious worship disappears along with the public ordinances. Biblical-theological exposition of Scripture vanishes. Transcendence and profundity are exchanged for mimicking, shallow, worldly styles, church discipline is non-existent, holiness minimized, and sin normalized." [00:04:15]

"To believe the gospel goes against everything that is natural in man -- everything. And that's why the word of the cross is so shameful, so shameful, so antagonizing that even faithful Christians struggle to proclaim the true gospel because of the rejection, the ridicule, and the embarrassment it brings. I think many people alter the gospel not to make it easier for people for believe, but they alter the gospel to take the heat off themselves for presenting it." [00:05:49]

"Paul preached in that shame-sensitive culture, shamelessly proclaiming what people thought was a shameful message about a shamed man. It was foolish, it was scandalous, it was offensive, it was shameful, but it was the only way that sinners could come into the kingdom." [00:09:18]

"The gospel has no sensitivity to that. It has no sensitivity and no interest in Gnosticism. It has no interest in what he's into, Kabbalism. It has no interest in the complex, esoteric human wisdom and insight. And it is just offensive. Look what it says, 'I will destroy the wisdom of the wise.' It's just too simple. 'I will destroy the cleverness of the clever,' set it aside." [00:27:02]

"All spiritual truth is bound up in one reality, and that is faith in Jesus Christ. There were around the time of Paul, as best we can count, about 50 philosophical parties and movements in the first century. Love of wisdom was their passion. Professing themselves to be wise, they actually had become what? Fools. Human wisdom, all set aside." [00:29:12]

"And in the wisdom of God, verse 21 says, this wasn't some concession, but in the wisdom of God, He planned it this way that through human wisdom no one would come to know Him. No one. Jeremiah said, 'The wise men are put to shame. They are dismayed and caught. They have rejected the Word of the Lord, so what kind of wisdom do they have?'" [00:30:07]

"The cross assaults your emotional sensibilities. Then the cross collides with your intellectual pride, and then it crushes your self-determining will. You want to be a Christian, do you? It's the end of you. You're done. Try to sell that. This is not -- listen, this is not the gospel of self-fulfillment. This is the gospel of self-denial." [00:36:10]

"This isn't about tweaking your life to make you more successful or to help you hit more home runs. This is about the end of you. This is about, 'Woe is me, for I am undone,' Isaiah 6 right? This is the beatitude attitude, 'Blessed are the bankrupt in spirit, mourning over their sin, meek over their condition, starved spiritually and hungering for a righteousness they don't have.'" [00:37:02]

"The gospel is a gospel of self-denial. The message is clear. Why is it so hard? Why do many seek to enter and they can't? Because self-denial is so hard. Because self is all the sinner knows and all the sinner loves." [00:50:07]

"When you look at evangelicalism, what are they doing? They are trying to create something that appeals to the emotion, the mind, the will, the relationships of people so they can hold onto all of that stuff and still come into the kingdom, and somehow we'll influence them in. No, the only way into the kingdom, forget the influence, nobody gets saved by influence. They get saved by the gospel, and this is the gospel." [00:50:47]

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Transcript
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