The Gospel of the Cross | Sunday | July 5

The Gospel of the Cross

Bible Focus

• 1 Corinthians 1:17–31
• 1 Corinthians 2:2

Spirit of Prophecy Focus

• The Acts of the Apostles, p. 244

Summary

• Paul made the message of the Cross the center of his preaching because God had called him to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ.
• He reminded believers to keep their focus on Jesus instead of the people God uses in His work.
• Human wisdom cannot do what the Cross does.
• The Cross reveals the seriousness of sin, the greatness of God’s love, and the price Jesus paid to save us.
• Many people rejected this message because they trusted their own wisdom instead of God’s wisdom.
• Paul learned that clever arguments could not change hearts.
• In Athens, few accepted the gospel through logic and philosophy.
• In Corinth, many believed because Paul lifted up Jesus Christ and Him crucified.
• Knowledge and good reasoning are useful, but they should never replace the message of the Cross.
• As we share our faith, our greatest message should always be Jesus and His saving grace.

Question

• Why did Paul make the Cross the center of his preaching?

Answer

• Because only the message of the Cross reveals God’s wisdom and has the power to save and change lives.

Reflection

• Is my faith resting on human wisdom, or on Jesus Christ and His sacrifice for me?

Takeaway

• Keep Jesus and His Cross at the center of your life, because only He can save, transform, and give eternal life.