The Power Of The Cross

THE MESSAGE OF THE CROSS

1 Corinthians 1:10-18

Introduction

We all have battles to fight, struggles to face, and questions that need answers - and we all have the power of God to see us through. No one gathered today has all of the strength within them on their own to face the struggles of life. Christians know this and confess it. The power that drives us to seek and serve God every day is the message of the cross.

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. - 1 Corinthians 1:18

Today I want to share four things we should do because of the powerful message of the cross.

Trust the Redemptive Work of Jesus Christ in your Life.

When we talk about ‘the message of the cross’ we are talking about what Jesus did and what He is doing. This will include:

-His life and teachings

-What happened at Calvary and three days later

-How the blood of Jesus redeems us and keeps us saved

-That Jesus is coming again one day

Ephesians 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.

That’s the message of the cross that is the power of God to those who are disciples of Jesus. The power of God demonstrated in the cross is what is giving you power today.

- Power to resist temptation.

- Power to produce the fruit of the Spirit

- Power to pray and believe

- Power to feel secure in Christ no matter what else happens

- Power to begin again when we stumble

Rely On God’s Power, Not Your Own

- It is not our own inward strength or power. Even the best of Christians struggles, fails, and has reason to express repentance to God.

Romans 1:16-17 NIV For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”

-We believe God is at work in our lives and we have so much for which to be thankful.

1 Corinthians 15:57 But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Keep Jesus At the Center of Your Life

Keeping the cross of Christ in the center of our lives is key to staying centered in these turbulent times. The problem is that we place so many other things in the center of our lives - and it works against us. We have to be careful not to let other things find their way into the center of our lives.Other people who might have too much influence in our lives. We can easily put people up on a pedestal … we can do this in church … we can do this with

religious leaders or even political leaders. Ourselves - attitudes, old habits, and dealing with our inward struggles.

Anything that has a way of becoming more important to us than our walk with God.

Colossians 1:17-18 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy.

When we became Christians we gave ourselves away to Him, and when we keep the cross at the center place of our lives, we can experience the power of the message of the cross.

Never Stop Bringing the Message of the Cross to the World

2 Timothy 1:7-8a NLT For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. So never be ashamed to tell others about our Lord.

It is our goal to share with others what we heard and followed - how the good news of the gospel was believed and obeyed.Nothing can separate us from the love of God, and nothing should stop us from sharing that love with others when opportunity arises.

Romans 6:3-4 Or have you forgotten that when we were joined with Christ Jesus in baptism, we joined him in his death? 4 For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives.

1 Corinthians 2:9 What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard and what no human mind has conceived the things God has prepared for those who love him (Isaiah 64:4)