Nothing But Jesus Christ and Him Crucified
The Cross Is Not a Starting Point — It's the Centerpiece
SCRIPTURE:
1 Corinthians 2:2 NKJV - For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.
OBSERVATION:
Paul was a brilliant man. He studied under the greatest rabbis and excelled them all. He had a voracious appetite for knowledge and knew the law inside and out. He was a Pharisee among Pharisees, an expert according to the law. He was believed to be a part of the Sanhedrin (the supreme religious court). He knew how to be persuasive and how to speak in a way that would draw the Corinthians to his words. But his words were not what they needed. They needed the simple truth of Jesus Christ, and Him crucified—to the Jew, a stumbling block; to the Greek, foolishness.
1 Corinthians 2:2 NKJV - For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.
OBSERVATION:
Paul was a brilliant man. He studied under the greatest rabbis and excelled them all. He had a voracious appetite for knowledge and knew the law inside and out. He was a Pharisee among Pharisees, an expert according to the law. He was believed to be a part of the Sanhedrin (the supreme religious court). He knew how to be persuasive and how to speak in a way that would draw the Corinthians to his words. But his words were not what they needed. They needed the simple truth of Jesus Christ, and Him crucified—to the Jew, a stumbling block; to the Greek, foolishness.
In taking this approach, Paul understood he didn’t cater to what his audience wanted. “Corinth put a premium on the veneer of false rhetoric and thin thinking – William Barclay.
If a preacher is not careful, he will get in the way of the gospel instead of being a servant of the gospel. They can obscure Jesus by their preaching, either in the presentation or the message. Like the little girl, who, when a smaller man was guest speaking, could finally see the stained-glass window of Jesus behind the pulpit, said, “Where’s the man who usually stands there so we can’t see Jesus?” – David Guzik.
If a preacher is not careful, he will get in the way of the gospel instead of being a servant of the gospel. They can obscure Jesus by their preaching, either in the presentation or the message. Like the little girl, who, when a smaller man was guest speaking, could finally see the stained-glass window of Jesus behind the pulpit, said, “Where’s the man who usually stands there so we can’t see Jesus?” – David Guzik.
Let us never get in the way of the simplicity of the Gospel, for it is the POWER of God unto salvation!
APPLICATION:
Even the Prince of Preachers, Charles Spurgeon, when asked to guest speak, would always preach the Gospel. No matter what text he chose, he moved as quickly as possible to the cross of Jesus Christ.
APPLICATION:
Even the Prince of Preachers, Charles Spurgeon, when asked to guest speak, would always preach the Gospel. No matter what text he chose, he moved as quickly as possible to the cross of Jesus Christ.
More and more, I am jealous lest any views upon prophecy, church government, politics, or even systematic theology, should withdraw one of us from glorying in the cross of Christ. Salvation is a theme for which I would enlist every holy tongue. – Charles Spurgeon
Get them in sight of Calvary, pause there… hushed and reverent; enable them to look, to see it, make it real to them, not just an old tale that has lost its wonder and its stab, but a tremendous awful fact. – John Gossip
Calvary is not only the place of atonement; it is also the place of amazement. Are we so familiar with the cross that we no longer pause and wonder and to worship? Are we able to explain Calvary so completely that no mysteries remain? …a crossless Gospel is a powerless Gospel! – Warren Wiersbe
Get them in sight of Calvary, pause there… hushed and reverent; enable them to look, to see it, make it real to them, not just an old tale that has lost its wonder and its stab, but a tremendous awful fact. – John Gossip
Calvary is not only the place of atonement; it is also the place of amazement. Are we so familiar with the cross that we no longer pause and wonder and to worship? Are we able to explain Calvary so completely that no mysteries remain? …a crossless Gospel is a powerless Gospel! – Warren Wiersbe
All three of these men came to the same conclusion, as the Apostle Paul wrote in Philippians chapter three. It would do us well to be reminded of the cross's importance.
Philippians 3:1 NKJV - Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. For me to write the same things to you is not tedious, but for you it is safe.
I have determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. It’s not just an old, old story. It is the power of God unto salvation.
PRAYER:
Thank you, Jesus, for the cross. Oh, the wonderful cross! When I survey the cross on which the Prince of Glory died, my richest gain, I count it but loss and pour contempt on all my pride… Love so amazing, so divine! Demands my soul, my life, my all!
Philippians 3:1 NKJV - Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. For me to write the same things to you is not tedious, but for you it is safe.
I have determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. It’s not just an old, old story. It is the power of God unto salvation.
PRAYER:
Thank you, Jesus, for the cross. Oh, the wonderful cross! When I survey the cross on which the Prince of Glory died, my richest gain, I count it but loss and pour contempt on all my pride… Love so amazing, so divine! Demands my soul, my life, my all!
No matter how gifted or knowledgeable we are, the simple, unobstructed message of Christ crucified is always enough — and always the point.
Posted in 07 - 1 Corinthians
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