I. Suffering A. For Jesus 1. Physical pain 1 Pet. 2:23 2. Mental pain Mt. 26:38 3. Shame Mt. 27:43

I. Suffering A. For Jesus B. For the faithful Mt. 16:24 (11:29-30) C. Avoided by compromise Lk. 14:27; Gal. 6:12

II. Made peace available A. Removing the “handwriting of requirements” Col. 2:14; Eph. 2:15 having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace,

“Colossians 2:11-14 deals in sin and salvation. Contextually verse 14 must mean that sin, NOT any law, was nailed to the cross...” Wallace Little, "Two Basic Errors," Gospel Truths, May 1997, pp (14-19)

II. Made peace available A. Removing the “handwriting of requirements” B. Between God & man Eph 2:16 1. through the cross Col. 1:20; Rom. 6:3 2. in one body v19, 21; 1:22-23

III. Causes offense (stumblingblock, sin) A. God’s will versus Man’s will B. Example: Circumcision 1. A “brotherhood issue” 2. Not taught under new covenant Acts 15:24 3. Forbidden as religious act Gal. 5: Barrier for some Gal. 5:11 5. Affected respected brethren Gal. 2:11, 14

If Peter persisted in hypocrisy, would Paul say: “I suspect that most people who invite Peter to preach do so because they admire his life and are enriched by his preaching, in spite of his persistent failure to be straightforward about the truth of the gospel… brethren have sought to use him and honor him. At this late date, he deserves nothing less.”

III. Causes offense (stumblingblock) A. God’s will versus Man’s will B. Example: Circumcision C. Cross continues causing offense today "I suspect that most people who invite Homer Hailey to preach do so because they admire his life and have been enriched by his preaching, in spite of his views on divorce and remarriage. He is a great and a good man and brethren have sought to use him and to honor him. At this late date, he deserves nothing less.“ {Ed Harrell, Xianity Magazine Nov '88, p.9}

IV. Made enemies A. Among brethren Phil. 3:18; Acts 15:1,6 B. Among the world Jn. 15:18; 1 Cor. 4:9, 13; 2 Tim. 3:12

V. Effect nullified by man’s wisdom 1 Cor. 1:17-21 A. How can man’s wisdom nullify cross? Mt. 13:14-15

V. Effect nullified by man’s wisdom 1 Cor. 1:17-21 B. Human wisdom has produced 1. other creators 2. other revelations 3. other teachings 4. other attitudes * “I don’t __, like they do” (2 Cor. 10:12) * “God knows my heart…”

The Cross of Jesus Is A Cross: 1. Of suffering 2. Making peace available 3. Causing offense 4. Making enemies 5. Nullified by human wisdom

“What Must I Do To Be Saved?” Hear The Gospel (Rom. 10:17) Believe In Christ (Jn. 8:24) Repent Of Sins (Acts 2:38) Confess Christ (Rom. 10:10) Be Baptized (I Pet. 3:21) For The Erring Child: Repent (Acts 8:22), Confess (I Jn. 1:9), Pray (Acts 8:22)