“The Message of the Cross”

The book of 1st Corinthians 1:18 says “For the preaching of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” The word “preaching” can also be translated message, word, or teaching. There’s only one foundational message that ought to be preached/taught and it’s the message of Jesus Christ and His finished work. This message is not only for the lost but it’s also for born-again believers. The same way one gets saved is the same way they stay saved.

The Cross not only took away the penalty of sin, but it also gives us victory over the power of sin (the sin nature), and one day it will give us freedom from the presence of the sin nature. The Cross is God’s way of victory and any other way no matter how “good” it may seem will bring about failure and defeat. Unfortunately many born-again believers enter into a works-based relationship with the mentality “through what I do, I’m made righteous with God” but God’s way is “by faith in what Christ has already done, I’m made righteous with God” and as a result of the righteousness given to us by faith, it will bring about a change in our life.

However, good works such as prayer, fasting, Bible study, tithing, church attendance, does not make anyone righteous in the eyes of God, but rather those should be the result of being made righteous through Christ. Many get the cart before the horse. They know “what to do” but they don’t know “how to do the what to do.” All the power we need to live for God was made available at Calvary. It’s through the Cross we have forgiveness of sin, continual victory over the world, the flesh, and the enemy, as well as, the ability to live a life that’s pleasing to God.

Brighton, MI needs the message of the Cross. That’s the only answer for true change. Not religion, not man-made tradition or legalism, but faith in God’s way, i.e. the message of the Cross.