1_Corinthians 1:1~31
The Message of the Cross, Ron Ward
CHRIST JESUS: WISDOM FROM GOD
Passage: 1_Corinthians 1:18~31
Key verse: 30
1. The power of God (18-25)
The message that Paul preached was the gospel. The gospel is a message that is foolishness to those who do not believe. But to those who do believe, the gospel is the power of God, 'the salvation of everyone who believes.' (Rom 1:16) The message of the cross has power. It has the power to save people from sin and death. People look for and rely on wisdom or miraculous signs. Neither of these can save us from our sins. None can give us new and eternal life. Only the gospel, the power of God, saves us and gives us life.
2. Jesus Christ: our righteousness, holiness, and redemption (26-31)
Paul reminded his readers what they were before they received the gospel. They were called from ordinary people. They were not geniuses. They were not famous. They were not powerful. But they were the one's God called. He chose the weak and uninfluential things of this world to send the gospel to. He did this so that people would have nothing to boast about. We can only boast in the Lord.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for calling me in your wisdom. Help me to be humble, remembering what I was before you called me.
One Word: Only Christ Jesus is my righteousness
The message that Paul preached was the gospel. The gospel is a message that is foolishness to those who do not believe. But to those who do believe, the gospel is the power of God, 'the salvation of everyone who believes.' (Rom 1:16) The message of the cross has power. It has the power to save people from sin and death. People look for and rely on wisdom or miraculous signs. Neither of these can save us from our sins. None can give us new and eternal life. Only the gospel, the power of God, saves us and gives us life.
2. Jesus Christ: our righteousness, holiness, and redemption (26-31)
Paul reminded his readers what they were before they received the gospel. They were called from ordinary people. They were not geniuses. They were not famous. They were not powerful. But they were the one's God called. He chose the weak and uninfluential things of this world to send the gospel to. He did this so that people would have nothing to boast about. We can only boast in the Lord.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for calling me in your wisdom. Help me to be humble, remembering what I was before you called me.
One Word: Only Christ Jesus is my righteousness
