“The Scandal of the Gospel” Isaiah 8:14 12/14/2008 Dr. Dane Boyles

“The Scandal of the Gospel” Introduction There is a strange confluence of attraction and repulsion contained in the gospel. 14 a stone that causes men to stumble and a rock that makes them fall (Isaiah 8:14). Introduction There is a strange confluence of attraction and repulsion contained in the gospel. 14 a stone that causes men to stumble and a rock that makes them fall (Isaiah 8:14).

“The Scandal of the Gospel”  The Greek word is skandalon, “a stumbling stone, a cause of offense or revulsion.”

“The Scandal of the Gospel” The image we present can be stepped over. 24 I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. (John 12:24) The image we present can be stepped over. 24 I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. (John 12:24)

“The Scandal of the Gospel” 25 The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. (John 12:25)

“The Scandal of the Gospel” It is in the context of these verses, that the Cross is to be interpreted. 23 but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, (1 Cor. 1:23) It is in the context of these verses, that the Cross is to be interpreted. 23 but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, (1 Cor. 1:23)

“The Scandal of the Gospel” Unless you’re scandalized by the gospel message, you can never embrace it with authentic faith. But when we avoid the scandal, we also avoid the possibility of authentic faith. We cannot have authentic faith in the gospel if we don’t have an authentic gospel to have faith in. Unless you’re scandalized by the gospel message, you can never embrace it with authentic faith. But when we avoid the scandal, we also avoid the possibility of authentic faith. We cannot have authentic faith in the gospel if we don’t have an authentic gospel to have faith in.

“The Scandal of the Gospel” How did something so scandalous become so mundane?  It’s the product of spiritual agnosticism, which comes from our North American culture.  The driving impulse of our culture: believe that no single way of describing reality’s unseen dimension can be trusted. How did something so scandalous become so mundane?  It’s the product of spiritual agnosticism, which comes from our North American culture.  The driving impulse of our culture: believe that no single way of describing reality’s unseen dimension can be trusted.

“The Scandal of the Gospel”  To refrain from “imposing our religious beliefs on others.” The church’s mission  The church exists bear witness to the grace and glory of God in Jesus Christ.  To refrain from “imposing our religious beliefs on others.” The church’s mission  The church exists bear witness to the grace and glory of God in Jesus Christ.

“The Scandal of the Gospel” 1 The Pharisees heard that Jesus was gaining and baptizing more disciples than John, 2 although in fact it was not Jesus who baptized, but his disciples. (John 4:1-2) 1 The Pharisees heard that Jesus was gaining and baptizing more disciples than John, 2 although in fact it was not Jesus who baptized, but his disciples. (John 4:1-2)

“The Scandal of the Gospel” 3 When the Lord learned of this, he left Judea and went back once more to Galilee. 4 Now he had to go through Samaria. 5 So he came to a town in Samaria called Sychar, near the plot of ground Jacob had given to his son Joseph. (John 4:3-5) 3 When the Lord learned of this, he left Judea and went back once more to Galilee. 4 Now he had to go through Samaria. 5 So he came to a town in Samaria called Sychar, near the plot of ground Jacob had given to his son Joseph. (John 4:3-5)

“The Scandal of the Gospel” 6 Jacob’s well was there, and Jesus, tired as he was from the journey, sat down by the well. It was about the sixth hour. 7 When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, “Will you give me a drink?” (John 4:6-7) 6 Jacob’s well was there, and Jesus, tired as he was from the journey, sat down by the well. It was about the sixth hour. 7 When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, “Will you give me a drink?” (John 4:6-7)

“The Scandal of the Gospel” 8 (His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.) 9 The Samaritan woman said to him, “You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?” (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.) (John 4:8-9) 8 (His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.) 9 The Samaritan woman said to him, “You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?” (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.) (John 4:8-9)

“The Scandal of the Gospel” 10 Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.” (John 4:10)

“The Scandal of the Gospel” 11 “Sir,” the woman said, “you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water? 12 Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did also his sons and his flocks and herds?” (John 4:11-12) 11 “Sir,” the woman said, “you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water? 12 Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did also his sons and his flocks and herds?” (John 4:11-12)

“The Scandal of the Gospel” 13 Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, 14 but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” (John 4:13-14) 13 Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, 14 but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” (John 4:13-14)

“The Scandal of the Gospel” 15 The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water so that I won’t get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water.” 16 He told her, “Go, call your husband and come back.” (John 4:15-16) 15 The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water so that I won’t get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water.” 16 He told her, “Go, call your husband and come back.” (John 4:15-16)

“The Scandal of the Gospel” 17 “I have no husband,” she replied. Jesus said to her, “You are right when you say you have no husband. 18 The fact is, you have had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband. What you have just said is quite true.” (John 4:17-18) 17 “I have no husband,” she replied. Jesus said to her, “You are right when you say you have no husband. 18 The fact is, you have had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband. What you have just said is quite true.” (John 4:17-18)

“The Scandal of the Gospel” 10 “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.” (John 4:10)

“The Scandal of the Gospel” Where is Jesus’ sense of moral propriety? The scandal comes to us when we realize that Jesus has no quality control.  He has no minimum entrance requirements. Where is Jesus’ sense of moral propriety? The scandal comes to us when we realize that Jesus has no quality control.  He has no minimum entrance requirements.

“The Scandal of the Gospel” 27 Just then his disciples returned and were surprised to find him talking with a woman. (John 4:27)

“The Scandal of the Gospel” They were just coming to see that Jesus had no quality control. The human scandal:  setting minimum standards.  Imposing quality control. They were just coming to see that Jesus had no quality control. The human scandal:  setting minimum standards.  Imposing quality control.

“The Scandal of the Gospel” 18 Do not deceive yourselves. If any one of you thinks he is wise by the standards of this age, he should become a “fool” so that he may become wise. (1 Cor. 3:18)

“The Scandal of the Gospel” 26 Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. (John 12:26)

“The Scandal of the Gospel” Conclusion Jesus’ ways and thus ours are to always take the low road. This is where the scandalous gospel will be enacted right before your eyes. Conclusion Jesus’ ways and thus ours are to always take the low road. This is where the scandalous gospel will be enacted right before your eyes.

“The Scandal of the Gospel”  You see, this Christ, this image, cannot be stepped over. 13 “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.” (Gal. 3:13)  You see, this Christ, this image, cannot be stepped over. 13 “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.” (Gal. 3:13)

“The Scandal of the Gospel” 21 God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. (2 Cor. 5:21)

“The Scandal of the Gospel” Isaiah 8:14 12/14/2008 Dr. Dane Boyles