Verse of the Day 1/31

Verse of the Day 1/31

1 Corinthians 2:1-2

English Standard Version

2 And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. 2 For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.

Our Tuesday Men's Bible Study went through 1 Corinthians 2 this morning, in it Paul describes his purpose and method of proclaiming the gospel, It is not with a cleverly orchestrated sermon filled with persuasive word, but it is the message of the cross and Christ crucifed.  This message, in the power of the Holy Spirit, hits people in different ways, it meets them at the point of their need.

Pastor James Smith puts it this way, "What an honor God confers upon you, by sending a message to you at all, especially such a message. It is . . .

a message of mercy, to miserable sinners;

a message of grace, to unworthy sinners;

a message of provision made, for very poor and needy sinners;

a message of comfort, for desponding sinners;

a message to alarm, for careless sinners;

a message to solemnly warn, for obstinate sinners;

an invitation to backsliders to return, that they may once more be happy and holy;

a message of encouragement, direction, and winning love--to those who believe in Jesus.

"I determined to know nothing while I was with you, except Jesus Christ and Him crucified."

As you read through the list, how did you receive the message Jesus Christ and His crucifixion?  A message of mercy, of grace, of provision, of comfort, or was it alarm or as a warning?  Not matter what it was, it was the Holy Spirit breaking through to you.  Praise Him for it and share the message with someone else that needs it for the same reasons.

Blessings,

Mike

Folllow the Verse of the Day blog at http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com

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

1 Corinthians 2:1-5

English Standard Version

Proclaiming Christ Crucified

2 And I, when I came to you, brothers,[a] did not come proclaiming to you the testimony[b] of God with lofty speech or wisdom. 2 For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. 3 And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, 4 and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, 5 so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.