What’s At the End of The Road You’re Traveling?

“Enter ye in at the strait (narrow) gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be go in thereat: Because strait (small) is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” (Matthew 7:13-14)

Life is full of choices. In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus is describing some of those choices and their consequences. In describing the choices Jesus is encouraging us to be wise. He tells us that beyond the wide gate and the broad way there is destruction. Going through that wide gate and traveling that broad way are many people. They are the crowd described by the phrase, “Everybody’s doing it.” Or, “everybody likes it, wears it, or thinks it’s great.”

But our Lord tells us that the small gate and the narrow way lead to life. Going through that small gate and narrow way, or road, are very few travelers. It’s just not appealing to the crowds. They are the folks described by the phrase, “Nobody’s going.” Or, “Nobody likes it.” Or, “It’s not fun.”

Everyone is on one of these roads. On which one are you?

What Will You Do With Jesus?

“Pilate saith unto them, ‘What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ?’ They all say unto him, ‘Let Him be crucified.’” (Matthew 27:22)

This Biblical question finds Pilate, the governor, caught on the horns of a dilemma. It was Passover time in Jerusalem. There was a custom that Pilate could release a prisoner to the people at the feast. There was a notable prisoner named Barabbas who was a robber, a seditionist and had committed murder. And there was Jesus in whom Pilate found no fault. If Pilate released Jesus and executed Barabbas he would be out of favor with the Jewish people. If he released Barabbas and crucified Jesus he would be out of favor with his conscience. He desired to remain neutral but could not. He attempted to wash his hands of any responsibility then released Barabbas and had Jesus scourged and delivered to be crucified.

Many people face a similar dilemma today. Your friends may like the bars, the drinking, the sexual “freedom,” the living together without marriage with no thought of church or the hereafter. But those things are done in opposition to the teaching of Jesus.

So the question is, “What shall you do with Jesus?” You cannot remain neutral about Jesus, about His sacrificial death at Calvary, His resurrection, and His claims upon your life.

Where is Jesus?

“Where is He that is born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the east, and are come to worship Him.”   (Matthew 2:2)

"Where is Jesus" is a Biblical question that was asked by the wise men who were led by the star to Jerusalem. This inquiry troubled Herod the king who could not stand the thought of a rival or competing king.

Many people are still troubled by this question. Where is He? He is no longer in Bethlehem’s manger. Nor is He any longer on the cross. Neither is He in Joseph’s tomb. He is alive.

Where is He? He is in heaven at the right hand of God, a place of honor, power and priesthood. He is there making intercession for those who have been saved by grace through faith in Him.

Where is He? He meets with the saints of God, on the Lord’s Day and any other time two or three are gathered in His name. Where is He? He is coming again to resurrect the dead in Christ and to rapture or snatch away the living Christians when He comes. Where is He? Is He abiding in your heart?

The Hairs of Your Head

“But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.” (Matthew 10:30)

Our text is in context with our Savior’s words about an almost worthless sparrow not falling to the ground without your Father. Then he assures us that we are of more value than many sparrows.

God not only knows about us, the Scriptures teach us that He cares about us. He is concerned about you and the things that concern you, that might cause you to lose sleep, or cause you to fret and worry.

As I get older and my hair gets thinner with less for Him to have numbered, God still knows all about me and cares as much as ever. Praise His name.

Speak to the Lord in Prayer

"Our Father, which art in heaven." (Matthew 6:9) 

When Lyndon Johnson was President of the United States they were having an early morning prayer breakfast in the White House for the staff members. Bill Moyers was the press secretary for Mr. Johnson. He was also a seminary trained and ordained Baptist preacher.

President Johnson called on Bill Moyers to lead in prayer before the meal. As he was praying President Johnson broke in and said, "Bill, You'll have to speak up. I can't hear you." Without ever looking up and with only a short pause Bill Moyers said, "I wasn't talking to you, Mr. President."

To whom are we speaking when we pray? The Model prayer in Matthew 6 instructs us to pray, "Our Father, which art in heaven." (Matthew 6:9) When we pray at church are we more mindful of the people around us or of the Lord to whom we are speaking? Sometimes I feel that it is easy to get caught up in attempting to impress the people around us with our prayers. When we pray even the President of the United States is small potatoes compared to the One whom we are addressing.

Ready or Not

“Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as you think not the Son of man cometh.” (Matthew 24:44) 

Do you remember as a child playing, “Hide-and-Seek” or as it was sometimes called, “Hide-and-go-seek?” Someone was “It” designated as the “seeker” to go find the other kids who were hiding. The seeker would count to one hundred while the other kids hid and then call out, “Ready or not, here I come.” The object was to hide and make it back to the base calling out, “Home Free,” without the seeker getting back to base first and calling out, “one, two, three on so and so.” It was a fun child’s game.

It reminds me of a very serious event that is going to happen. The “count down” for the second coming of Jesus Christ started a long time ago and God alone knows when the counting will end. The Bible says, “Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as you think not the Son of man cometh.” (Matthew 24:44) One can almost hear Him say, “Ready or not, here I Come.”

Now is the time to turn your life over to Christ and be ready for His return.

Devotional Guide

"Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve." Matthew 4:8-10

When Jesus was tempted by the devil in the wilderness our Savior fought him with the Word of God, saying on three occasions recorded in Matthew and Luke "It is Written." (Matthew 4:1-11 and Luke 4:1-13) The devil left Jesus and He was ministered to by angels. 

One of the outstanding truths in that confrontation is that Jesus did not have to roll out a scroll of Scripture, search for a good verse and then read it to the devil. The key lies in what the Psalmist said years and years before, "Thy Word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee." (Psalm 119:11) Jesus had hidden God's Word in His heart in preparation for His battle against Satan.

There is no substitute for hiding God's Word in your heart through Scripture memorization. It will help you to always be prepared to give an answer to those who want to know the secret behind your lifestyle. And when the devil comes calling, and he will, having God's Word in your heart will give you victory over discouragement, temptation and sin.

God has blessed me with the privilege of writing and sharing these short daily devotions. I am glad to know people are being blessed and encouraged through the reading of them. I enjoy reading the daily devotions of other writers as they share their insights. However, one’s daily devotional time must consist of more than another person’s thoughts from a devotional guide. God must be personal to you and me. We must experience Him for ourselves and not just read about what He means to someone else. We must read His Word daily and allow the Holy Spirit to make applications in the areas of our lives that need God’s attention.

I fully believe the other devotional guide writers would agree with me on that point. Read God’s Word. There is no substitute for it. Let it be your primary “devotional” guide.

The Potter and the Clay

“And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it.” (Jeremiah 18:4)

Jeremiah, the prophet, had been instructed to go to the potter’s house and watch as the potter shaped a vessel of clay on the potter’s wheel. Then God gave him the message that God is the potter and Judah was the clay and that God had the right to do with Judah as He chose.

The message for us today is that mankind is the clay and God, as the potter, can shape us as He chooses. “God formed man from the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.” (Genesis 2:7) If we are not pliable as clay in His hand, as clay was pliable in the hand of the potter, He has the right and ability to alter our lives with circumstances, brokenness and difficulties and to rework us until we fit His plan.  The old hymn, “Have Thine Own Way Lord” says:

“Have thine own way, Lord. Have thine own way. 

Thou art the potter, I am the clay

Mold me and make me, after thy will, 

while I am waiting and still.”                                                                                                                        Copyright, 1935 by George C. Stebbins

Let us yield our lives to His masterful hand and allow Him to shape us into vessels He can use.

Read the Instructions

"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect (complete), thoroughly furnished unto all good works." (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

Have you ever found yourself trying to put together a new appliance or tool, or attempted to operate a new gadget and discovered that you had left the instructions in the box it came in? That's happened to most of us.  In frustration you get out the instructions and start over.  Now, everything works. As someone said, "When all else fails, read the instructions."

God has given us a book of instructions on how to live here and prepare for eternity.  In the two verses above we are told that these instructions are "God Breathed," or given by inspiration of God.  This book gives us sound doctrine and what we should believe.  It expresses disapproval when our actions are in error.  It corrects us and sets us on a good path.  It states as its purpose that we might be complete and prepared to do good works.

If your life is out of control with no meaning and everything is falling apart, I strongly encourage you to read, believe and practice the instructions the Lord and Master has given us.  After all, God the Creator made us.  He knows what's best for us.

Perfect Peace

“And He shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.” (Isaiah 2:4)

In my lifetime of more than three score years and ten there has not been such a time on earth as Isaiah spoke of. Jesus made the statement in Matthew 24 in the Olivet discourse that there would be wars and rumors of wars, nation rising against nation and kingdom against kingdom.  But, the book of Revelation in chapter 20 speaks of a thousand years of peace on earth when the devil will have been cast into the bottomless pit. And Jesus will be ruling and reigning in what is called the millennial reign of Christ. Just think. A thousand years of perfect peace. Weapons of war will be turned into implements of agriculture. The Bible tells us in other places that the wolf and the lamb will lie down together. A little child can have a poisonous snake for a pet.  There will be unsurpassed agricultural production. 

This perfect peace will not come from peace summits among world powers. It will occur when Jesus comes again. Until then, even though the world is in turmoil you and I can have the peace that passes all understanding by placing our faith in Jesus and following Him.

Why Do Bad Things Happen?

“But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel.” (Philippians 1:12

Evil men may take away everything you have, your goods, your health, your freedom, your reputation and even your life. But, if your heart and your head are committed to heaven God can take the evil and make good come from it.

When Joseph’s brothers so mistreated him no one saw that good would come from it. When their father, Jacob, died the eleven brothers said, “Joseph will hate us and requite us all the evil which we did unto him.” (Genesis 50:15) Joseph’s response to them when they came to him seeking forgiveness was, “Fear not…But as for you, you thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.” (Genesis 50:19, 20)

Many people, including the men guarding him, were saved as a result of Paul’s wrongful imprisonment. Also, fellow believers were encouraged to speak the word with boldness when they saw Paul’s courage in the face of persecution.(Philippians 1:13-14) The crucifixion of Christ and the scourging and beatings leading up to the crucifixion have done far more to encourage and inspire believers to “keep on keeping on,” and to stand steadfast, than there would have been if He had not suffered at the hands of wicked men.

Magnifying Christ

“So now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.” (Philippians 1:20)

When we look through a pair of seven power binoculars, we see things seven times larger than they really are. Turn those same binoculars around and look through the wrong end and objects appear seven times smaller.

Paul says here that he wants to “magnify Christ” in his body. He is not saying that he can make Christ larger, rather his desire is to make Christ more visible and more easily seen in him by others. So whether it is by the way he lives the Christian life or by the way he dies as a Christian, he wants Christ to be seen by those who are watching his life.

We cannot improve on Christ, but we can let others see Jesus in us so they won’t have to guess if we are one of His. By loving God and loving others, Christ can be readily seen. If we profess to be Christian but curse, tell dirty jokes, drink strong drink, seldom attend church, have hatred and malice, are unfaithful to our spouse, we have “the binoculars turned around the wrong way,” and we are diminishing rather than magnifying Christ. The old song says, “Let others see Jesus in you.”

Christian Behavior

“Only let your conversation (conduct, behavior) be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel. (Philippians 1:27)

My wife has told me several times that when she was a child, when her mother took her and her siblings with her for a visit, before arriving she told them to “be on your best behavior.” My wife said she knew that her mother meant exactly what she said.

God is concerned about the behavior of His children. His inspired Book tells us how saved people are to behave in this world. We are not at home here. We are “strangers and pilgrims.” (I Peter 2:11)  In our text the word "conversation" in the KJV means "conduct" or "behavior."  We are to behave in a way that "becometh" or "depicts" the gospel.  

My parents would sometimes say, “Don’t act like the neighbor’s kids.” If I behaved otherwise, they would somehow hear about it. Paul says, “I want to hear that you are behaving as Christians…”

Christian, how is your behavior down here?

Time to get Serious with God

“Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness.” (James 4:9)

While there are those who think Christians are never to smile, laugh or enjoy life, there are others who behave as though Christianity is all fun and games. 

King David came before God with a broken and a contrite heart over his sin with Bathsheba and the murder of her husband. He knew his life was out of the will of God. It was time to get serious with God. (Psalm 51)

The Jews wept when they remembered that their sins and rebellion toward God had resulted in their captivity to the Babylonians. They hung their harps on the willows and could not sing the songs of Zion. Their music had been silenced. (Psalm 137:1-6)

We need to be serious about our commitment to the Lord, about our repentance, about the death of God’s Son, the Lord Jesus Christ for our sins. And yes, we should rejoice over His resurrection and the fact that we are saved, our sins are forgiven and we are going to heaven. But, if you are living outside the will of God as recorded in the Bible, you need to heed James’ counsel found in our text.

Wherever He Leads

"But if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean fruitful labor for me; and I do not know which to choose. But I am hard pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is much better; yet to remain in the flesh is more necessary for your sake.”(Philippians 1:22-24 NASB)

Paul’s attitude is that “if I remain among the living on earth I shall have more opportunities for bearing fruit.” Remember that Paul is in jail and his imprisonment has given him opportunities to witness and lead others to faith in Christ. If Paul dies as a martyr or some other way, it will be better for him than staying here. He has longed to depart and to be with Christ. However, Paul concludes by saying, “I will be of more benefit to others by remaining here.”

It sounds very much like the attitude of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane on the evening before His crucifixion: “Oh, my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.”( Matthew 26:39)   Where the Father uses us is in His hands.

Heed the Advice of Jesus

“Tell us, when shall these things be?” (Matthew 24:3)

Man has an insatiable appetite for wanting to know when Jesus is coming again. We have heard all sorts of speculative forecasts into future events related to His return and the end of the world. In the mid 1980’s three comets were supposed to line up in perfect order and then, watch out, the following October the second coming would take place. The date came and went and as you know, nothing happened. The forecasters said, “Oh, we miscalculated by a year. But, watch out next year.”  I can almost hear that woman’s voice on my GPS in my car: “Recalculate. Recalculate. Recalculate.”

Jesus gave His disciples two pieces of advice which would serve us well to heed. First, He said, “But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.” (Matthew 24:36) God alone knows the date of the return of Christ. Man’s speculation from ignorance only confuses folks and never helps. The second piece of advice is,“Therefore, be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.” (Matthew 24:44) Our concern is to be ready all the time. Be expecting Him any hour of any day or night.

Could Jesus return in 2018? He could, but I am not speculating. He could return today, tonight, this month, this year or next year. Someone reminded us that we are not on the time and place committee. We are on the welcome committee. We are to be ready.

Have the Mind of Christ

“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. (Philippians 2:5-8)

How do people in a local church achieve the selfless traits mentioned in verses three and four from yesterday’s devotion? The answer is given in the statement, “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.” (Verse 5) We must have the mind or attitude of Christ. He was in the form of God and never stopped being God even when He took on another form, that of being one of us.

• In so doing He expressed the attitude of self denial.  Jesus said we should “deny ourselves and take up our cross and follow Him.” (Matthew 16:24)  
• His was a mind also of service, or servant-hood. See Him as He washes the disciples feet in John 13:1-16.  
• He also humbled Himself. (verse 8)  “God resists the proud and gives grace to the humble.” (I Peter 5:5)  
• He was obedient to the Father’s will. “Not my will, but thine be done.” (Luke 22:42)  
• And finally, His obedience led Him all the way to Calvary and death. If we have been saved “we have been crucified with Christ, nevertheless we live, yet not us, but Christ living in us: and the life which we now live in the flesh we live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved us and gave Himself for us.” (Galatians 2:20) When He died at Calvary we died with Him.

For us to become selfless instead of selfish, we must let Him take over our thinking, our attitude and our very lives. He must live in us.

Practical Christianity

“Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.” (Philippians 2:3-4)

If you were choosing a theme song that accurately describes your church, would it be, “Have thine own way, Lord, have thine own way; Thou art the potter, I am the clay.” Or would it be better described (to the same tune), “I want my way, Lord, I want my way. Nothing else matters, just give me my way.”

Oh, that we church members would follow the teaching of God’s Word as written here by Paul the apostle to the Christians at the church of Philippi. Perhaps it was because they were exemplifying this teaching of putting others before self that he could say of them, “I thank my God upon every remembrance of you.” (Phil 1:3)

Determine that you will be a church member that sets an example for others to follow in this matter of selflessness as opposed to selfishness.

Have a Strong Appetite for the Bible

“…I have esteemed the words of His mouth more than my necessary food.” (Job 23:12)

Well people love to eat. They love to eat good food that is well prepared. Healthy people love food that is tasty and nourishing.

When my younger brother was very sick with cancer he was repulsed by the sight and smell of even his favorite foods. I have known many people who, when diseased or sick, could not eat.

Job was spiritually well and had a strong appetite for the Word of God. That’s the way it is with people toward the Bible. When sin-sick they are repulsed by Biblical truth. They don’t want to hear it. It is sickening to them and they treat God’s Word as though it were poison. The spiritually alive and well are like Job. They want to hear and read what God has to say in His Word.

How is your spiritual appetite? Does the Bible cause you to want more or do you turn a deaf ear and a blind eye to it?

Old but not Useless

“Cast me not off in the time of old age: forsake me not when my strength faileth.”
 (Psalm 71:9)

Failing strength comes with old age. But old age does not mean that one is useless. I bought my first car in 1957 from an automobile salvage dealer who would later become my father-in-law. It was a 1941 Plymouth, business coop. The paint was dull. One of the tires had a “boot” in it between the inner tube and the casing covering a huge cut. All of the rubber seals around the doors and trunk lid were full of holes so you had better not drive it on dusty roads. It rattled. Neither the speedometer nor odometer worked. It dripped oil and smoked. But that old car could take me from point “A” to point “B” as well as a brand new Cadillac. It was my “dream” car. What do you expect for $65.00?

Many an old Christian has been abandoned to the salvage yard, considered useless by everyone except God. God sees some more miles in us. He does not cast us off just because we have gotten old. The Sunday School Director in our church is past eighty. One of our active deacons is eighty-three. Our organist is around eighty. Our Senior Adult Ladies Sunday School class does acts of benevolence for other folks. By the way, wasn’t Moses eighty years old when he started leading Israel? Caleb was past eighty when he assumed his task.

Our church is better off because of these folks that God has taken from the salvage yard and put to good use. Wave your hand from the back of the salvage yard and let God know you are volunteering your old age for His service.

Oh God, Forsake Me Not

Oh God, thou hast taught me from my youth: and hitherto I have declared thy wondrous works. Now also when I am old and grayheaded, O God, forsake me not; until I have showed thy strength unto this generation, and thy power to every one that is to come. (Psalm 71:17-18)

Many Christians have the same testimony as the Psalmist in that they were taught of God in the days of their youth. Paul wrote to his young Christian friend, “…I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also.( II Timothy 1:5)  It is the testimony of many who grew up in a Christian home. Such Godly training may be attributed to parents who, “knew the way, showed the way and walked in the way.” It may be attributed to Godly Sunday School teachers and pastors.

If we live long enough we will be old and grayheaded. The psalmist made the appeal to God not to forsake him when that time comes. What a joy in old age to know that even in bad health God has not forsaken us. Help us, May God help us not to be placed on a shelf of uselessness but that we may be teachers and examples to the generation coming on.

God’s Word will not return to Him Void

“For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and It  shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.”(Isaiah 55:10-11)

Rain and snow come to us with the purpose of watering the ground so that man, the crown of God’s creation, will have food to eat and seed to grow crops in order that we may have crops next year. The rain and snow perform their intended purpose.

As one reads the Bible, studies it and meditates upon it, one becomes a Christian or an already saved person becomes a better Christian. As we share the Word of God with others, the Word will perform its intended purpose. You and I may not live to see the end result of our sowing, but if we keep on sowing, we can trust God to honor His Word.

Study the word diligently and share it with others just as diligently.

An Incomplete Biography

“And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen. (John 21:25)

God has chosen to give us all we need to know of Jesus in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. If we speculate and add to it we are adding to the Bible, something that is prohibited. There are those who have “manufactured” things that Jesus may have done during the eighteen years between the ages of twelve and thirty. It would be sheer guesswork to add anything to the life of Jesus in the four gospels.

When Paul and Silas were in jail in Philippi they were asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” The message was a simple answer, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shall be saved.” He was to believe on the same Jesus for salvation that we must trust. He is the complete Savior, just as He is, with nothing else needed to be added.

Stewards of God’s Mysteries

“Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.” 
(I Corinthians 4:1-2)

Usually “stewardship messages” are delivered when the church is facing a financial crunch. But these two verses have very little to do with money. Paul saw himself as a minister of Christ and a steward of the mysteries of God.

Every generation of Christians is given the responsibility of stewardship over the mysteries of God. We are ministers of Christ. We are to be faithful in our stewardship over the Gospel. Who will deliver the Gospel message to this generation of lost people if this generation of Christians does not?

When the Lord gave the Great Commission the assignment was to every Christian living in every generation. Let us be faithful.

Nursery Department Christians

“And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.” (I Corinthians 3:1-2)

Paul was in Corinth eighteen months, teaching, preaching and witnessing. Some of those who were truly saved did not grow or become maturing Christians. Billy Graham said that he knew no spiritually mature Christians, including himself. He knew some who were more nearly mature than others. Some in Corinth were babes in Christ when Paul was there and when he wrote back to them they had not grown.

He fed them, but they were still on baby food. They could not eat at the “grown-ups” table. Their spiritual digestive system could not tolerate the meat of the word. They were carnal or fleshly not spiritual.

Corinth is not the last place carnal or fleshly Christians may be found. One of the proofs of their carnality is found in the next verse where we discover envy, strife and divisions. A church where there is ill will, gossip, envy, strife and un-forgiveness is a carnal church.

The Foolishness of Preaching

“…For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.” (I Corinthians 1:21)

My father preached my ordination sermon in 1962 and he chose as his text the verse we are using today. In his sermon he said, “It is not foolish preaching but the foolishness of preaching.” He was like Charles Spurgeon who said, “When I announce my text and read it I make a bee-line to the cross.” That is the kind of preaching Paul is talking about in this verse.

More people are converted by hearing a sermon about the cross than by hearing a sermon on the Ten Commandments. The Ten Commandments will make one conscious of his sin and the need of Christ the Savior.

Only the cross of Christ can explain God’s wrath toward sin and at the same time explain God’s love for the sinner. I heard a man say, “I was brought under conviction by hearing a sermon about the cross and was converted by the same message on the cross."

Praise God for the cross of Christ.