Christ and the Cross

Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 2:2 - "For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified."  The Corinthian church was divided into factions - Paul, Apollos, Peter, and Christ which led to disruption and confusion among the body of Christ.  At times we are tempted attribute the label of "silly and immature" to the Corinthian church.  However, we have a tendency to do the same thing today.  We tend to exalt the messenger above the message of Christ.  Our loyalty and identity must be Christ and Him crucified!

Christ and the Cross must be our message, motivation and mission.

Religious people will mess up the Gospel message by distorting the truth through their creeds, systems, pious regulations and institutionalism.  The message of God's people must always be Christ and the Cross.  Our motivation must be to live at the cross and filter our whole lives through it.  Another words, "we must take up our cross and follow Him!"

Paul told the Galatian church that if they attempted to live by a religious system that they were making the Cross of Calvary ineffective.  Once you leave the embrace of the cross you lose the benefit of it's grace and mercy.

Dr. Tony Evans said,"Many Christians are like submarines - they surface once a week on Sunday - then go back down to the depths of sin on Monday.

Our message and our motivation will compel us to complete our mission and that is to GO INTO ALL THE WORLD AND PREACH THE GOSPEL.

Christ and the Cross is Our Only Hope!