1 Corinthians 1:18-31

What do you do that you are not good at doing? Rubel Shelly reminds us to try new things, to take risks, and to find some things we don't do well rather than falling into stale and boring ruts only doing the things we do well.

"Dear Father, you of whom we boast, Why have you chosen the weak, the foolish, the despised? You have done this so that no human being can boast. And...."

"Dear Father, confounder of worldly wisdom, What you have caused us to preach is "Christ crucified," a stumbling block to tradition-followers, like..."

"Dear Father, author of all true wisdom, You have said, "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the cleverness of the clever I will thwart." Where..."

Why would people hate the Passion so much? We shouldn't be surprised when many people are repulsed or don't like the Passion of the Christ.

Their flesh yearned for a mighty conqueror who would slay their enemies. Jesus made it clear to Peter that he was not that kind of hero! James Nored and Phil Ware remind us of that inner part of us that still bears the stamp of God's divine nature, the part that is touched by stories of self-sacrifice.

"Dear Child of the Father, The Corinthian disciples had forgotten what made them special. Some were arguing that their group of believers was more..."

"...you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God — that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: "Let him....."

"You are God's children. He sent Christ Jesus to save us and to make us wise, acceptable, and holy. So if you want to brag, do what the Scriptures say..."

Inspirational illustration of 1 Corinthians 1:30-31 -- ... you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God--that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: "Let him who boasts, boast in the Lord."

For us, the cross means everything because at the cross God meets us with overwhelming grace and love that know no limit. Phil Ware and Demetrius Collins lead us into worship in song and the Word to experience, proclaim and rejoice in the power of the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.

"Dear Friend, The text in the Verses to Live section comes from two different places. I want you to read them together to help you understand two very..."

"For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God."

"For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God."

"For the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man's strength."

"But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong."

"It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God — that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption."

"Walk the streets by moonlight, if you dare, and you will see sinners then. Watch when the night is dark, and the wind is howling, and the picklock is...."

"Man's intellect seeks after rest, and by nature seeks it apart from the Lord Jesus Christ. Men of education are apt, even when converted, to look upon..."

Inspirational illustration of 1 Corinthians 1:27 -- But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.

Inspirational illustration of 1 Corinthians 1:18 -- 18   For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

Scripture image of 1 Corinthians 1:25 -- For the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man's strength.

Before Jesus’ resurrection, to believe in a crucified savior was a ridiculous and foolish! Demetrius Collins and Phil Ware combine to bless us with a powerful Resurrection Sunday message on Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection and the power God blesses us with to triumph over sin and death.

If only we would trust that the Lord can make us all grow! We've got to believe that God can bring growth out of tough and impossible situations!

"Dear Beloved, As Barnabas and Paul fought for the truth of the gospel against those seeking to corrupt it with doing works based on law, one message...."

Their flesh yearned for a mighty conqueror who would slay their enemies. Jesus made it clear that he would not be that kind of hero! James Nored and Phil Ware remind us of that inner part of us that still bears the stamp of God's divine nature, the part that is touched by stories of self-sacrifice.

Jesus had many opportunities to walk away from the shame and pain of the cross, but he chose the Father's will and our need over his comfort. James Nored and Phil Ware remind us of the dark night that began the long, painful, and lonely journey of Jesus through his Passion to bring us to God.

So when did small get to be so big? Ann Voskamp looks a couple of small things important in the life of kitchen appliances and pots and reminds us that it's the small stuff that counts.

"Dear Child of God, In the aftermath of your big Christmas celebrations, don't forget the words of My servant Zechariah, "Do not despise these small....."

Can you handle this truth? Ron Rose talks about wilderness periods in our lives and God's holy calling for us to live among people and serve them.

Can you communicate love across races, cultures, and language? God communicated his love in a way that people of every language can understand: he did it through Jesus' death on the Cross.

Is there a higher gamble that one can make in life? Phil Ware shares some thoughts on the soldiers who gambled over Jesus' garments as he died and then later came to faith.

Can we really be honest about our weaknesses? God not only makes us strong in our weakness, but he uses our weaknesses to do his work.

What does the Cross mean to you? The Cross must be more than a mere magical symbol to ward off evil, it must be the power of God for our lives.

What does it mean to really be redeemed? Phillip Morrison writes about Cristo Redentor, Christ the Redeemer, the statue and the work of Jesus, about the principle of redemption, and how Jesus saves us and redeems us.

Jesus had many opportunities to walk away from the shame and pain of the cross, but he chose the Father's will and our need over his comfort. James Nored and Phil Ware remind us of the dark night that began the long, painful, and lonely journey of Jesus through his Passion to bring us to God and helped define the way of Jesus through the cross to the empty tomb.