The Cross that Divides
A Sermon on 1 Corinthians 2:6-8
Originally preached April 15, 1960
Scripture
6Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought: 7But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world …
Sermon Description
The crucifixion of the Son of God, who the apostle Paul called the Lord of glory, is the most profound paradox in human history. Because it is foolishness to those who are perishing and wisdom to those being saved, it automatically divides the world into two groups. In this sermon on 1 Corinthians 2:6–8 titled “The Cross that Divides,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones elaborates on the mystery of the cross and explains why it divides humanity. The great divide the cross creates comes down to the hidden element in the cross and the necessity of divine illumination produced by the Holy Spirit. While the rulers, princes, authorities, and the natural people see only a failed prophet from Nazareth hung on a tree, revelation given by the Holy Spirit gives spiritual eyes to see it is the God-man Jesus Christ dying for sins in order to bring His people to glory. Hear Dr. Lloyd-Jones challenge the people of God to meditate, spend time on, and “survey the wondrous cross on which the Prince of Glory died”.
Sermon Breakdown
- The cross divides humanity into two groups: those who understand its meaning and those who do not.
- There is an element of mystery in the cross that is hidden and elusive. This mystery cannot be grasped by human wisdom or ability alone.
- The mystery of the cross can only be understood through divine revelation by the Holy Spirit.
- When the cross is revealed, it is seen as the opposite of what it appears to be at first glance. It is seen as the most glorious event.
- There is mystery in the identity of the one crucified. At first, Jesus appears as just a man dying in weakness. With revelation, He is seen as the Lord of glory.
- There is mystery in the identity of those who crucified Jesus. At first, they appear wise, powerful and triumphant. With revelation, they are seen as foolish, ignorant and temporary.
- There is mystery in what was really happening at the cross. At first, it appears as the defeat of Jesus by wicked men. With revelation, it is seen as God accomplishing His eternal plan of redemption.
- The cross reveals the glory of the Son, the Father and the Holy Spirit. It also reveals the believer's eternal glory.
- The only proper response to the cross is to glory in it and count all else as loss.
Sermon Q&A
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones Sermon Questions on the Cross of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:8)
What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones identify as the most striking fact about the cross of Christ?
According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, the most striking fact about the cross is that it "divides the whole world into two groups, those who see what it means and understand what it means. And on the other hand, those who do not." He emphasizes that this division was true in the apostle's day and remains true in our time. Some people may be aware that something happened on Calvary but don't understand its significance, while for others the cross means everything.
How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones explain the "element of mystery" in the cross?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that there is an "element of mystery" in the cross which means that: 1) There is a hidden element in the cross that goes beyond what appears on the surface; 2) This hidden element is inaccessible to human wisdom and understanding; 3) This mystery can only be understood through divine revelation by the Holy Spirit; and 4) When we receive this revelation, we see the cross as something completely different from what we thought, and we see its glory.
Who does Dr. Lloyd-Jones identify as "the princes of this world" who crucified Christ?
The "princes of this world" refers to the leaders, rulers, and authorities who condemned Christ - specifically the Jewish religious leaders, Herod and his party, and representatives of Roman authority. Dr. Lloyd-Jones extends this to include Greek philosophers and all who rejected Christ. He notes that they appeared wise, powerful, and triumphant, but in reality demonstrated "appalling ignorance" as they failed to recognize the Lord of glory.
What paradox does Dr. Lloyd-Jones highlight about Christ on the cross?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones highlights the paradox that the one dying on the cross appeared to be merely a man, weak and failing, but was actually "the Lord of glory" - the highest title Paul gives to Christ. The paradox is that "The Lord of glory crucified the creator and sustainer of the universe. The one in whom and by whom all things consist, expiring and dying." This is the great mystery - that the creator God was veiled in human flesh, dying on the cross.
What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones say was really happening on the cross beyond human actions?
According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, what was really happening on the cross was not merely men putting Jesus to death, but God enacting His eternal plan. He emphasizes that the cross was "not an afterthought" but something "God ordained before the world" - planned in the "eternal council between Father, Son and Holy Spirit" before creation. On the cross, God was displaying His wisdom by solving two great problems: how man can be just with God, and how a holy God can have dealings with sinful people.
How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones describe the wisdom of this world versus God's wisdom?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones describes the wisdom of this world as: narrow, circumscribed, and small; bound only to this physical world; limited to the visible and seen; always changing and unreliable; and ultimately coming "to naught." In contrast, God's wisdom as displayed in the cross is eternal, unchanging, and solves the most profound problems of existence by reconciling God's justice with His love, enabling Him to be "just and the justifier of him that believeth in Jesus."
According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, what should be our response to truly seeing the cross?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones states that our proper response to truly seeing the cross is to "glory in it." He quotes Paul: "God forbid that I should glory save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ." He suggests we should continually return to the cross, survey it from every angle, and make it our central interest and theme. Seeing the cross properly should make us "content to let the world go by, to know no gain or loss," as we recognize that our only glory is in the cross.
What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones mean when he says the cross was ordained "unto our glory"?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that the cross was ordained "unto our glory," meaning that through Christ's sacrifice, believers receive not just forgiveness of sins but "reconciliation unto God, rebirth, adoption, heirship, and in the glorious future, entering into the everlasting kingdom, our final glorification." Christ humbled Himself and laid aside His glory so that believers might be exalted and receive something of His own glory. This is the ultimate purpose of the cross for believers.
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Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899-1981) was a Welsh evangelical minister who preached and taught in the Reformed tradition. His principal ministry was at Westminster Chapel, in central London, from 1939-1968, where he delivered multi-year expositions on books of the bible such as Romans, Ephesians and the Gospel of John. In addition to the MLJ Trust’s collection of 1,600 of these sermons in audio format, most of these great sermon series are available in book form (including a 14 volume collection of the Romans sermons), as are other series such as "Spiritual Depression", "Studies in the Sermon on the Mount" and "Great Biblical Doctrines". He is considered by many evangelical leaders today to be an authority on biblical truth and the sufficiency of Scripture.