Are you kidding? Jesus was wildly popular, so much so that he began to make the establishment very nervous. He entered Jerusalem with palm fronds to shield his donkey's feet. Trust me here, they didn't do this for people who were unpopular(say...a used camel salesman). They crucified Him to keep Him from overturning the established order.
"The message of the Cross is an offense and pricks the heart."
I have no idea what you are talking about. The message of the Cross is that He died to wash away my(TTTC)and your (RB) sins which is cause for great joy! If the message of the Cross offends you or pricks your heart maybe your heart needs to change.
"If it were only true that the Gospel would attract so many people in Faith, right minded, and in truth."
The Gospel attracts millions of new converts each year. Maybe not your brand, but they are solid converts. Now stop crying in your church lemonade and get out there and hustle! May I suggest Starbucks? I have found it fertile grounds for evangelizing.
Starbucks....really... no kiddin'...
"A Good Sermon should be bringing people to their knees, not their feet."
I will answer this one tomorrow. It's late and I gotta hit the sack. God bless y'all.