The Community of the Cross
October 30|Culture of the Cross Series
October 30|Culture of the Cross Series
Join us as we focus each day for nine weeks on a different part of 1 Corinthians 13.
Wednesday: It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking.
Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness, and redemption.Therefore, as it is written: “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 1:30b-31
Read: 1 Corinthians 1:26-31
Listen: 1 Corinthians 1
Corinth was destroyed by Rome and later rebuilt by Julius Caesar as a Roman colony. With no established aristocracy, it was ripe for incredible upward growth and social climbing. Every “nobody” wanted to become a somebody through prosperity, education, family connections and seized opportunities that would give them status and recognition
Enter Paul, who capsizes the status apparatus by preaching, “nobodies are somebodies.” God offers salvation to any “nobody” as a gift, completely “works-free.” Everyone is encumbered by sin, and in need of a savior, so no one can boast about their greatness (Ephesians 2:8-9). God wants the community of the cross to be made up of “nobodies” who become “somebodies” by believing Jesus died for their sin. Watch this clip as Pastor Jeff Manion reminds us how we are all “somebodies” because of Christ.
We live in a similar culture. Everybody wants to be “somebody” by having the smartest kids, most expensive vacation, popular friends or impressive job title. Paul says, “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.” One way to boast about the Lord is by being baptized. It’s a public declaration that says, “I was once lost in my sin but have been saved by Jesus’ death on the cross for me.”
We will have baptisms in each of our services at all campuses November 9/10. If you haven’t taken the step of baptism, today is the day to let us know you would like to declare him as your Savior. Go to adabible.org/baptism and begin the conversation. If you have, thank God again for the demonstration of his “amazing grace” in your life.
Download a printable PDF of the BTW week here.