3, 2014 1 Corinthians 1


A Foolish Message August 2/3, 2014 1 Corinthians 1...

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A Foolish Message August 2/3, 2014 1 Corinthians 1:18-30 How many crosses do you have? In your home? In or on your car? In your office? On your body? Why do you have them? Having so many crosses in our field of vision is a wonderful way to constantly remind us of the depth of meaning behind the cross. So, what does the cross mean to you? What goes through your mind when you see a cross? The Apostle Paul knew exactly what the cross represented—write it down here (1 Corinthians 1:18). The message of the cross is __________________________________________________________. Paul said that the message of the cross is foolish to the wise. He said that it offends the Jews and is foolish to the non-Jews (Greeks or Gentiles). What is this message that causes so much angst among wise and intelligent people? The message of the cross started in the beginning … Using Pastor Matthew’s teaching, summarize the points of God’s Masterplan in your own words: Created for Good: Corrupted by Evil: Cured by the Cross: Confirmed by the Resurrection: Called to Follow: Consummated in the Kingdom: Why are wise and strong people offended by the message of the cross?

2 Have you ever seen or experienced someone react to Christ in an unwarranted expression of anger? Why do you think people react so strongly to the message of the cross? In Galatians 6:14, Paul said that he never wanted to boast about anything except the cross of Jesus. What are some things that people boast about? What does it mean to boast about the cross? If you were to boast about the cross, what you say? Where would be the focus of your boasting? Would it be on you and your efforts? Or would it be on Jesus and his efforts? What did Paul mean in Galatians 6:14, when he said that his” interest in the world had been crucified”? What would be different in your life if your interest in the world was crucified? Paul went on to say that “the world’s interest in him has also died.” How would it change your life if the world was no longer interested in you? Later in Galatians 5:1, Paul wrote: It was for freedom that Christ set you free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to the yoke of slavery. What would you be free from if you were no longer concerned about what the world thought of you? How freely would you be able to share the message of the cross? How can you embrace the freedom that Christ has given you in the message of the cross?