"But we preach Christ crucified..." 1 Corinthians 1:23a
If you have watched the movie "The Cross and The Switchblade" there is a scene where David Wilkerson was getting ready to preach to the gang members, he said that he doesn't preach religion, he preaches about a man. The whole theme of his preaching was Jesus Christ. It seems as though today that we hear anything, and everything, else preached about but Jesus. We preach about our religion, our programs, our visions, our philosophies, our convictions, but very little about Jesus.
Without Jesus there is no gospel-- no good news. Without Jesus there is no message. Without Him there is no hope for a lost and dying world, or our own soul. Our church growth sermons won't change the hearts of men. Our sermons on religion won't help the downcast and broken hearted. Our spiritually based motivational speaking won't set captives free. There is only one thing that can break through a heart of stone, a soul in bondage, a ruined life--- His name is Jesus.
The preaching of the cross seems foolish, but it is the power of God that brings salvation, and it is the means in which God chose to save the lost. (1 Corinthians 1:18,21) The cross and Jesus Christ crucifixion is the greatest demonstration of the love of God. The love of God revealed through Jesus at the cross was so great that it forgives to the uttermost-- no sin is too bad that it can't forgive. It reaches into the deepest pit of despair that is present in the heart of men-- no pit is too deep. It can penetrate the grossest darkness in our lives and bring into it the brightest light. It saves so completely that nothing else needs to be added to it. It is able to completely transform a life and make it brand new. Our eloquent, well educated, religious, enticing words of man's wisdom, leaning to our own understanding, faddish, new-fangled methods, flesh filled sermons won't and can't do any of that. Only Jesus can-- He is the Way, the only Way.
Have a great day. Jesus Christ is the theme of our message because He is our only hope.
Without Jesus there is no gospel-- no good news. Without Jesus there is no message. Without Him there is no hope for a lost and dying world, or our own soul. Our church growth sermons won't change the hearts of men. Our sermons on religion won't help the downcast and broken hearted. Our spiritually based motivational speaking won't set captives free. There is only one thing that can break through a heart of stone, a soul in bondage, a ruined life--- His name is Jesus.
The preaching of the cross seems foolish, but it is the power of God that brings salvation, and it is the means in which God chose to save the lost. (1 Corinthians 1:18,21) The cross and Jesus Christ crucifixion is the greatest demonstration of the love of God. The love of God revealed through Jesus at the cross was so great that it forgives to the uttermost-- no sin is too bad that it can't forgive. It reaches into the deepest pit of despair that is present in the heart of men-- no pit is too deep. It can penetrate the grossest darkness in our lives and bring into it the brightest light. It saves so completely that nothing else needs to be added to it. It is able to completely transform a life and make it brand new. Our eloquent, well educated, religious, enticing words of man's wisdom, leaning to our own understanding, faddish, new-fangled methods, flesh filled sermons won't and can't do any of that. Only Jesus can-- He is the Way, the only Way.
Have a great day. Jesus Christ is the theme of our message because He is our only hope.
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