PUTTING THE CROSS TO WORK IN YOUR RELATIONSHIPS
January 3, 2007
1 Corinthians 1:17-25

Intro:
The blood takes care of what we have DONE
The cross takes what we ARE- we must understand that if we are to have good relationships.

1 Cor. 1:17-25…
I. LET THE CROSS OF CHRIST (simple but hardest to learn)
A. Choose to depend on the cross of Christ & not the wisdom of words. (1:17)

B. Choose God's power in the preaching of the cross (1:18)
- Science & technology have enhanced our society but never will offer to us the answers to what is life all about- "Who am I, why am I here, what is the meaning of my life, what is my purpose???) Can make life easier but can't answer those questions.
- God's answer is amazingly simple… came in an obscure way- birth, life, death…


Second practical application:
II. LET THE LIVING CHRIST BE YOUR (1:19-25 )
Quote Isa. 29:14
A. (1:20) God's wisdom has the answers - 2 Kings 19

B. (1:21) The more a man looks to his own wisdom the farther he gets from God's truth!

C. (1:22) The Jews were looking for God to do to the Romans what had done to the Assyrians but God had another plan. So they missed it.
- The Greek were looking for the intellectual/science for answers to those questions.

D. (1:23-25) See the cross is not only the means to salvation but for power & wisdom!
- (v24) Christ is the POWER & the WISDOM of God!
(v25a) If the world says God's plan of salvation is foolish- then God fine…
so my foolishness is still wiser than your wisdom.
(v25b) "weakness" cp. Phil 2:5-11)

What is the one thing that you will not let go? Come to the cross today!