“Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles,”
1 Corinthians 1:22-23 (NIV)
The gospel message that Paul called the power of God in Romans 1, is encapsulated here in two Words - Christ crucified. These two words are all about a death sentence - the Roman death sentence that our Messiah/Christ willingly took on Himself in our place, for Christ died for our sins. The gospel is all about a death sentence, and this causes the Jews to stumble and the rest of us to laugh.
There is nothing complicated about the gospel message for it is as simple as the message Jonah took across Nineveh. In Nineveh’s case there was widespread belief, whereas in Jesus’ day there were only a few Jews who believed, for not even the disciples thought their Messiah needed to die for them. In Paul’s day the Jews still didn’t believe that their Messiah needed to die and so refused to believe the message, and the Gentiles laughed at the idea of God’s Son who died, coming to life again. Ever had a relative laugh at you, or mock your faith, or your intelligence? Gentiles still think the gospel message is foolishness.
BUT – I love this but – to those who are called both Jews and Greeks – Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God. Paul was not discouraged by the resistance of the Jews nor by the ridicule of the Greeks, he persevered in preaching the gospel message because he knew its power.
Friend don’t be discouraged as you think about those around you would like to invite to the Celebration of Hope event this October, even though they have rejected and ridiculed the gospel in the past. Pray that God would call them, that He would work in their hearts and open their eyes bringing them to a place of belief. And then act in faith believing that you will receive what you asked for and invite them to the Celebration of Hope where they will hear the gospel once more.
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