Wrong Reactions by Pastor Bob Coy of Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale

Wrong Reactions by Bob Coy

For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom; but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness.... 1 Corinthians 1:22-23 (NKJV)

As we examine the topic of evangelism and being a witness for Christ, we first need to turn our attention to the cross of Jesus Christ, which is exactly what the apostle Paul does as he begins his letter to the Corinthian church. In proclaiming the power of the cross, he mentions two different reactions that people can have toward the message of the cross.

The Jewish community reacted to the cross in a way that requested (or more literally required) a sign. They were so accustomed to walking by sight that they couldn't handle the concept of the cross without personally seeing and touching all it represented. They wanted God's salvation to appear to them on their own tangible terms. But Jesus rebuked the Jewish leaders for their insistence on seeing signs (Matthew 12:39).

The Greeks generally reacted in a different way. Rather than getting caught up on external signs, they were preoccupied with an internal struggle to have the cross all figured out before believing in it. Have you ever met people who are never satisfied with your answers to their questions? No matter how much time and energy you spend on clearing up a matter for them, they always have another one lined up for you. It becomes an unending search for a perfect understanding of the unfathomable ways of God (Isaiah 55:8-9).

Two different reactions, two different hearts. One says, "I must see it all before I can believe." The other says, "I must understand it all before I can believe." The cross doesn't cater to either but requires a measure of faith in order to be effective in a person's life. In our attempts to share the gospel with others, we need to anticipate these two reactions from people and then point them to their need for faith.

Think About It
What does this passage reveal to me about God?
What does this passage reveal to me about myself?
Based on this, what changes do I need to make?
What is my prayer for today?

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