THE CENTER OF OUR FAITH

1 CORINTHIANS 1:18-2:5
“For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written, "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart."
20 Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?
21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe. 22 For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, 24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. 26 For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; 28 God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, 29 so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. 30 He is the source of your life in Christ Jesus, whom God made our wisdom and our righteousness and sanctification and redemption. 31 Therefore, as it is written, "Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord."
And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. 2 For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. 3 And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, 4 and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, 5 that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.” (ESV)

A collage drama group presented a play in which one character would stand on a trapdoor and announce, “I descended into hell!” A stagehand below would then pull a rope, the trapdoor would open, and the character would plunge through. The play was well received. When the actor playing the part became ill, another actor who was much heavier took his place.
When the new actor announced, “I descended into hell!” the stagehand pulled the rope, and the actor began his plunge. But as he plunged, he became hopelessly stuck half way down. No amount of tugging on the rope could make him descend any further. One student in the balcony jumped up and yelled: “Hallelujah! Hell is full!”

Do you remember the old “Peanuts” cartoon in which Lucy says to Charlie Brown, “I would have made a great evangelist.”
Charlie Brown answers, “Is that so?” She says, “Yes, I convinced that boy in front of me in school that my religion is better than his religion.”
Charlie Brown asked, “Well, how did you do that?” And Lucy answers, “I hit him over the head with my lunchbox.”

4 Things Everyone Needs to Know About Salvation;
1. We are one in our need of Salvation.
1 Corinthians 1:18-21
“For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written, "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart."
20 Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?
21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe.”

Romans 3:23
“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (ESV)

2. There is just one means of Salvation.
1 Corinthians 1:22-25
“For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, 24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.”

John 3:3
“Jesus answered him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God." (ESV)

3. There is just one way to be Saved.
John 14:6
“Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father" except through me.” (ESV)

4. There is just one Salvation. (The Cross is the center of our faith.)
1 Corinthians 2:2,
“For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.”

2 Corinthians 5:15
“and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.” (ESV)

Robert Ingersoll was a noted infidel from the state of Illinois. He would preach all across the Midwest on subjects such as, “Why I Am So Sure There Is Not A God,” “The Mistakes Of Moses,” “Why Only A Fool Would Believe In Hell.” In turn he would build up straw men and proceed to tear them down. One night in a midwestern city after Ingersoll had supposedly exploded any possibility that there might be validity in the Christian faith, he offered a challenge to his audience. He spoke something like this, “I am aware that many Christians come to hear me speak. I would like to ask who in this audience tonight after I have spoken would still claim to be a Christian. After hearing what I said tonight, is there anybody here who will testify, ‘I still believe’?” not a soul stirred. Ingersoll put his hands on his hips and laughed uproariously. He offered the challenge the second time. “Isn’t there even one Christian here who will stand tonight and say, ‘I still believe after hearing the great Ingersoll’?” nobody responded. Again, Ingersoll laughed. He offered the challenge a third time. This time from one of the back rows of the theater two teenage girls stood and began to move out of the row and slowly down the aisle singing, “Stand up, Stand up for Jesus, ye soldiers of the cross, life high his royal banner, it must not suffer loss.” As they walked, others slipped out from their rows and followed them until ultimately almost the entire audience was standing as one great throng in front of the stage singing in Ingersoll’s face, “Stand up, Stand up for Jesus.”
Romans 9:27
“Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment”.
Luke 13:3
“But unless you repent, you too will all perish”.
Revelation 3:20
“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me”.
Acts 3:19
“Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out”.