1 Corinthians 1:18-19 (New Living Translation)
The Wisdom of God
18 The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction! But we who are being saved know it is the very power of God. 19 As the Scriptures say,
“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise
and discard the intelligence of the intelligent.”
As a child, I heard Billy Graham, live in Chicago, present the gospel … very plainly … very simply. Along with hundreds of others, I responded to this simple message.
Earlier this week, I again heard the gospel explained in very basic and simple terms … another very effective presentation.
God has never required that His plan of salvation to be complicated … requiring great intelligence and wisdom. In fact, I think He would support the ‘Kiss’ principle.
Keep It Simple St____ (didn’t want to offend anyone with the last word). How simply can you articulate the gospel message?
Friday, August 13, 2010
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Not for Your Entertainment
1 Corinthians 1:13-17 (New Living Translation)
13 Has Christ been divided into factions? Was I, Paul, crucified for you? Were any of you baptized in the name of Paul? Of course not! 14 I thank God that I did not baptize any of you except Crispus and Gaius, 15 for now no one can say they were baptized in my name. 16 (Oh yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas, but I don’t remember baptizing anyone else.) 17 For Christ didn’t send me to baptize, but to preach the Good News—and not with clever speech, for fear that the cross of Christ would lose its power.
The Apostle Paul made it clear that it was not Paul that hung on the Cross. Only Jesus died for our sin and therefore it is only Jesus who is to be lifted up. No apostle … no pastor … no evangelist … no preacher … no saint … ONLY Jesus.
It doesn’t take fancy words … flashy broadcasts … worldly entertainment. The Good News doesn’t need anything which distract from the Cross. The Cross of Christ alone is the power of salvation.
13 Has Christ been divided into factions? Was I, Paul, crucified for you? Were any of you baptized in the name of Paul? Of course not! 14 I thank God that I did not baptize any of you except Crispus and Gaius, 15 for now no one can say they were baptized in my name. 16 (Oh yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas, but I don’t remember baptizing anyone else.) 17 For Christ didn’t send me to baptize, but to preach the Good News—and not with clever speech, for fear that the cross of Christ would lose its power.
The Apostle Paul made it clear that it was not Paul that hung on the Cross. Only Jesus died for our sin and therefore it is only Jesus who is to be lifted up. No apostle … no pastor … no evangelist … no preacher … no saint … ONLY Jesus.
It doesn’t take fancy words … flashy broadcasts … worldly entertainment. The Good News doesn’t need anything which distract from the Cross. The Cross of Christ alone is the power of salvation.
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
No Division
1 Corinthians 1:10-12 (New Living Translation)
Divisions in the Church
10 I appeal to you, dear brothers and sisters, by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, to live in harmony with each other. Let there be no divisions in the church. Rather, be of one mind, united in thought and purpose. 11 For some members of Chloe’s household have told me about your quarrels, my dear brothers and sisters. 12 Some of you are saying, “I am a follower of Paul.” Others are saying, “I follow Apollos,” or “I follow Peter,” or “I follow only Christ.”
Divisions rightful place is in math class … not in the Body of Christ. The church should have a focus on addition … add souls to the Kingdom. Multiplication also has a place … we should multiply our efforts to live like Christ. Even subtraction … let us take away (subtract) sin, putting off the old man. But NO division!
Divisions in the Church
10 I appeal to you, dear brothers and sisters, by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, to live in harmony with each other. Let there be no divisions in the church. Rather, be of one mind, united in thought and purpose. 11 For some members of Chloe’s household have told me about your quarrels, my dear brothers and sisters. 12 Some of you are saying, “I am a follower of Paul.” Others are saying, “I follow Apollos,” or “I follow Peter,” or “I follow only Christ.”
Divisions rightful place is in math class … not in the Body of Christ. The church should have a focus on addition … add souls to the Kingdom. Multiplication also has a place … we should multiply our efforts to live like Christ. Even subtraction … let us take away (subtract) sin, putting off the old man. But NO division!
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Gifts For the Church
1 Corinthians 1:4-9 (New Living Translation)
Paul Gives Thanks to God
4 I always thank my God for you and for the gracious gifts he has given you, now that you belong to Christ Jesus. 5 Through him, God has enriched your church in every way—with all of your eloquent words and all of your knowledge. 6 This confirms that what I told you about Christ is true. 7 Now you have every spiritual gift you need as you eagerly wait for the return of our Lord Jesus Christ. 8 He will keep you strong to the end so that you will be free from all blame on the day when our Lord Jesus Christ returns. 9 God will do this, for he is faithful to do what he says, and he has invited you into partnership with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Yesterday we focused on Christ’s return in this passage. Today, take note of what you do while waiting … anticipating His return. God has “invited you into partnership with His Son” to use “the gracious gifts He has given you” to “enrich your church”. Your spiritual gift is not give to benefit you. It is given to benefit the Body of Christ. Where will you use your gift this week … today?
Paul Gives Thanks to God
4 I always thank my God for you and for the gracious gifts he has given you, now that you belong to Christ Jesus. 5 Through him, God has enriched your church in every way—with all of your eloquent words and all of your knowledge. 6 This confirms that what I told you about Christ is true. 7 Now you have every spiritual gift you need as you eagerly wait for the return of our Lord Jesus Christ. 8 He will keep you strong to the end so that you will be free from all blame on the day when our Lord Jesus Christ returns. 9 God will do this, for he is faithful to do what he says, and he has invited you into partnership with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Yesterday we focused on Christ’s return in this passage. Today, take note of what you do while waiting … anticipating His return. God has “invited you into partnership with His Son” to use “the gracious gifts He has given you” to “enrich your church”. Your spiritual gift is not give to benefit you. It is given to benefit the Body of Christ. Where will you use your gift this week … today?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
