October 16, 2025 - 1 Corinthians 1

“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” (1:18).  Just this thought this morning:  The world simply does not understand.  It cannot understand, and it won’t understand.  How foolish many must think we are.  But the cross is everything, and by that I mean Jesus Christ and all he has done for us and all that he is to us.  Maybe a good illustration of this reality:  At Baxter, last evening, we went walking through our neighborhoods of Phoenix Hill and Irish Hill.  We had some good conversations.  I had been talking with one young man, a member at Baxter, who asked a very legitimate question:  “Why someone acknowledge that the Bible is the Word of God, even being willing to read Scripture, but then not gather with God’s people for worship and fellowship?  The answer, of course, is the human heart:  “The word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing.”  Here’s the thing, though, “but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”  The gospel changes lives.  Many have to hear the gospel over and over before believing it and, so, we continue to go.  We are often disappointed that people do not believe the gospel but we are greatly encouraged to know that it is the power of God and can change even the hardest of hearts.

Jesus, Thou joy of loving hearts,

Thou fount of life, Thou light of men,

from the best bliss that earth imparts,

we turn unfilled to Thee again.

Thy truth unchanged hath ever stood;

Thou savest those that on Thee call;

to them that seek Thee, Thou art good,

to them that find Thee all in all.   -- Bernard of Clairvaux (~1160)