"But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumbling block, and unto the Greeks foolishness; but unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God ... because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men." (I Corinthians 1:23-25)
Sim Kay Tee phrased the point this way: "Paul speaks of different responses to the cross: The Jews expected a mighty deliverer and stumbled over the idea of Christ being crucified. The Greeks laughed at the absurdity of a dead man giving everlasting life. (I Corinthians 1:23) But to all who believe, the cross is the power and wisdom of God that saves. (I Corinthians 1:21, 24)
In other words, for those who know the Most High God as their Redeemer -- Jesus being the Rock -- the good news gospel message of salvation brings life. (Psalm 78:35) Indeed, right from the beginning, man knew that there must be a Shepherd, the Stone of Israel. (Genesis 49:24) The Rock of our salvation whose desire was to fill us with His joy and peace, so that our cup runneth over. (Deuteronomy 32:15)
So that (as the scripture declares) we would have songs as in the night when you keep the festival, and gladness of heart as when one marches to the sound of the flute. (Isaiah 30:29) His grace and mercy brimming over in our verybeing.
Sadly, however, there are many in today's world who have not experienced the Lords gladness in their heart, the Holy Ghost within their soul comforting and leading them in the day to day. Inside, their hearts still asking, "Who is God?"
Well, let me tell you about Almighty God.
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by Him and without Him was not anything made that was made. In Him was life and the life was the light of men, and the light shines in darkness and the darkness comprehended it not." (John 1:1-18)
And the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us. He was in the world and the world was made by Him and the world knew Him not. He came unto His own and His own received Him not ... but as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons and daughters of God -- to them that believe on His name. (John 1:10-14)
His name? JESUS. Jesus is the Word. God manifest in the flesh. (I Timothy 3:16)
Wherefore when He cometh into the world, He saith, "Sacrifice and offering Thou wouldest not, but a body hast Thou prepared Me. In burnt offerings and [sacrifices] for sin Thou hast had no pleasure." Then said I, "Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of Me,) to do Thy will, O God." Above when He said, "Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and [offering] for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure [therein]; which are offered by the law; then said He, "Lo, I come to do Thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that He may establish the second." (Hebrews 10:5-9)
Sim Kay Tee phrased the point this way: "Paul speaks of different responses to the cross: The Jews expected a mighty deliverer and stumbled over the idea of Christ being crucified. The Greeks laughed at the absurdity of a dead man giving everlasting life. (I Corinthians 1:23) But to all who believe, the cross is the power and wisdom of God that saves. (I Corinthians 1:21, 24)
In other words, for those who know the Most High God as their Redeemer -- Jesus being the Rock -- the good news gospel message of salvation brings life. (Psalm 78:35) Indeed, right from the beginning, man knew that there must be a Shepherd, the Stone of Israel. (Genesis 49:24) The Rock of our salvation whose desire was to fill us with His joy and peace, so that our cup runneth over. (Deuteronomy 32:15)
So that (as the scripture declares) we would have songs as in the night when you keep the festival, and gladness of heart as when one marches to the sound of the flute. (Isaiah 30:29) His grace and mercy brimming over in our verybeing.
Sadly, however, there are many in today's world who have not experienced the Lords gladness in their heart, the Holy Ghost within their soul comforting and leading them in the day to day. Inside, their hearts still asking, "Who is God?"
Well, let me tell you about Almighty God.
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by Him and without Him was not anything made that was made. In Him was life and the life was the light of men, and the light shines in darkness and the darkness comprehended it not." (John 1:1-18)
And the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us. He was in the world and the world was made by Him and the world knew Him not. He came unto His own and His own received Him not ... but as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons and daughters of God -- to them that believe on His name. (John 1:10-14)
His name? JESUS. Jesus is the Word. God manifest in the flesh. (I Timothy 3:16)
Wherefore when He cometh into the world, He saith, "Sacrifice and offering Thou wouldest not, but a body hast Thou prepared Me. In burnt offerings and [sacrifices] for sin Thou hast had no pleasure." Then said I, "Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of Me,) to do Thy will, O God." Above when He said, "Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and [offering] for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure [therein]; which are offered by the law; then said He, "Lo, I come to do Thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that He may establish the second." (Hebrews 10:5-9)
So "who is God, save the Lord? and who is a rock, save our God?" (II Samuel 22:32)
JESUS!
Again, "who is God save the Lord? Or, who is a rock save our God?" (Psalm 18:31)
JESUS!
Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. (Acts 4:12)
No other name than JESUS!
This is why Peter (standing with the eleven) declared JESUS to be BOTH Lord and Christ on the day of Pentecost. (Acts 2:36) This is why we are water baptized in the precious name of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Acts 2:37-38)
Jesus said, opening the disciples understanding, so that they might understand the scriptures -- "And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name among all nations, beginning in Jerusalem. And ye are witnesses of these things. And, behold, I send the promise of My Father upon you, but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high." (Luke 24:45-49)
The promise of the Holy Ghost. His name is Jesus. The very reason why we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumbling block, and unto the Greeks foolishness; but unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God ... because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men." (I Corinthians 1:23-25)
One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism.
Therefore, fear ye not and neither be afraid. "Have not I told thee from that time, and have declared it? Ye are even My witnesses. Is there a God beside Me? Yea, there is no God; I know not any." (Isaiah 44:8)
Stand in the offering plate.
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