1 Corinthians 2
June 16, 2022
“For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.” (v2)
Paul, one of the greatest preachers and church planters ever, and author of half the New Testament, was a one-trick pony. He had one message that was baked into every sermon: Jesus and the cross. Really, all Biblical preaching – no matter where we are in the Scriptures – is centered on Jesus and the cross. And that’s because, as the Jesus Storybook Bible explains, woven throughout every story, command, and promise of the Old Testament – is Jesus and what He would do for us at the cross. Jesus isn’t just the Hero who shows up at the end of the Story. He’s the Hero throughout the Story, the One who’s at work from the very beginning of the Story, calling out to Adam and Eve, “Where are you?” all the way to the climax of the Story: at the Cross, where He forgives and reconciles us to Himself. Everything in the Scriptures points to Jesus and the Cross.
Father, I praise You for the beauty of Christ and the simplicity of the cross. The longer I walk with You and shepherd Your people, the more I realize this is where the power of salvation and transformation lies. Forgive me for ever trying to get too clever in my preaching of the Word. Like the Apostle Paul, keep me focused on Christ and in proclaiming His saving work on the cross - so that You can do all that You want to do to build up the Trinity family and advance Your Kingdom in our community.
— Pastor Joshua Brooks
Use the following steps to guide your daily time with the Lord…
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Start with prayer. Ask God to open your heart to help you understand and receive His Word.
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Read and observe the passage carefully. As needed, read a second Bible version to help with understanding.
➡️ What does it say?
What does this passage teach me about God? What does it say about my sinful nature and my need for God’s grace? How does this passage point to Jesus?
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➡️ What am I going to do about it?
Does this passage include a promise to claim, an action/attitude to avoid/embrace, or a principle to apply? How can this truth apply to my life? What could my next step be? How can I share this with others? Is there a verse or section of Scripture I need to memorize?
