Cultivating Unity of Life around the Cross

Sports - Chelsea vs Iowa State

Ourselves - powerful demonstration of Gods’ power vs. “figured things out”

The next big thing or next new technique

What helps you commit?

Big Idea: Cultivating a unity of life around the cross helps our community flourish.

The priority of preaching Christ crucified

We must prioritize preaching Christ crucified rather than seeking signs or human wisdom to create spiritual unity. (1:18-25)

Jews did receive some signs. The Greeks did have some wisdom. But they were seeking status within the community based on what they could find.

We can fall into the same traps.

The trap of signs

Gideon

This amazing thing happened in the past which means God wants me to...

“God told me...”

The trap of wisdom

What’s the most influential? Liking their preachers

Music

Clickbait… 10 Amazing things God will do for you in 2022…You will be amazed. The Secret Wisdom know one else knows! Find it here.

“Getting to know you”

How is the cross different in power from signs or wisdom?

We must boast in God’s grace to experience unity. (1:26-31)

seeking their status religiously now

World says “Be an a victor and then boast.”

Grace is God choosing…God giving

How is the cross a demonstration of the Spirit and power?

But what I want you to know is what Paul wants you to know. That is, the surpassing greatness of God’s power that worked to raise Christ from the dead, turning death into life, is the same exact surpassing greatness of power available to you today. God flipped the script with Jesus, and He can do the same with you. Are you experiencing a deathly situation in your life? Or what feels like a crucifixion? Have you had a death in your dreams, relationships, home, career, finances, health, or in any other way? The message of the cross is that God has enough power to turn even the seemingly worst scenario into a victory—if you will just trust Him.

Evans, T. (2012). Activating the power of the cross. Moody Publishers.

Hebrews 9:14 ESV

14 how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God.

Isaiah 42:1–4 ESV

1 Behold my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights; I have put my Spirit upon him; he will bring forth justice to the nations. 2 He will not cry aloud or lift up his voice, or make it heard in the street; 3 a bruised reed he will not break, and a faintly burning wick he will not quench; he will faithfully bring forth justice. 4 He will not grow faint or be discouraged till he has established justice in the earth; and the coastlands wait for his law.

2 Corinthians 12:9–10 ESV

9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

We must learn to love the grace of the cross- power in weakness not in signs or wisdom.

God is at work on my behalf especially in my suffering.

We must depend on the Spirit’s work of revelation to sustain unity. (2)

Avoiding alternatives

Not plausible wisdom

Not natural desires

Primary goal - you may know God and have the mind of Christ - loving God and seeking to obey Him

John 16:13–15 ESV

13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. 14 He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. 15 All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.

2 Corinthians 3:17–18 ESV

17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.

Get many friends and then you’ll know you’re friendly. Get many converts and then you’ll know God is on your side. Figure out the secret to being successful and then boast about it and rally people around it.

So we preach the Word about Christ, we focus on the Gospel. It’s an inside out kind of power. We be before we do. We seek everything we do to overflow from that.

Ooverflooding

What things do your friends pursue in their communities (status, recognition, fun)? How is that different from the church’s focus on the cross?

Do you think you would lean more toward pursuing signs or pursuing wisdom? Why?

Why is there so much focus on achievement in human relationships? When is that a good thing? When is it bad?

Give some examples of boasting in the Lord from your experience. What would encourage more of that in your community group? In our church?

What delights you about God’s grace in His choosing of you?

Why does Paul think it’s important to remind us that God uses nothing to bring to nothing the things that are? How does that relate to grace? How does encourage you in your life story?

How would you use the Word to be reminded of God’s grace on the cross? (singing, memorizing, meditating) The more you are in the Word and realize grace, the more you share it.