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Tuesday, February 12, 2013

Why Christians need the Gospel


1 Corinthians 1:17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not in cleverness of speech, so that the cross of Christ would not be made void.

When Paul wrote his first letter to the Church at Corinth, he had to deal with quarrels and divisions that had arisen in that congregation. (1 Corinthians 1:11)  In dealing with those issues, Paul proclaimed to the church the only remedy - The Gospel.  As you read 1 Corinthians 1:17-2:5, you quickly discover that the Gospel must not only be heard and believed by sinners in order to be saved, but it must be heard daily by the saints so that they can be more effective in their lives after getting saved.  In todays blog I want you to see the various names the Apostle Paul uses in describing the Gospel that he preaches.  If we can see other names given in scripture for the Gospel message, we can then understand better why as Christians we need to hear the Gospel everyday.

THE GOSPEL....
1. In content "The Word of the Cross."    1 Corinthians 1:18a
2. In its strength "The power of God".     1 Corinthians 1:18b, 24
3. In its resource "The wisdom of God." 1 Cor 1:21, 24b, 30 
4. In its focus "Christ crucified".    1 Corinthians 1:23; 2:2
5. To the world "foolishness of God."     1 Corinthians 1:25
6. To us who believe "testimony of God". 1 Corinthians 2:1
7. Changes lives "demonstration of the Spirit and of Power" 2:4

As Paul preaches this Gospel to these Corinthians, he knows that only the Gospel can change their hearts, call them out of their compromise and reinforce their identity in Jesus Christ.  The purpose of preaching this Gospel and hearing it daily is spelled out in 1 Corinthians 2:5 "so that your faith would not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God." Christians need the Gospel, so that they can operate not on the wisdom and power of men, but of God.