CALL ME CRAZY

That’s the power of the gospel. It’s like a grenade — if you pull the pin, it’s going to explode.

That doesn’t mean that we’re careless in the way we share this potent message. We must be strategic, creative and relational. But it’s not the strategy; the creativity or the relationship that saves . . . it’s the message of the Cross. Sound fanatical?

ME, CRAZY?

Christianity needs crazy. I’m talking about ordinary people with excitement a magnificent obsession with the Cross of Christ.
In our pursuit coolness, have we forgotten that at the center of Christianity is a scary and bloody event that we are commanded to tell everyone about? This message is our one thing to live and give in our lives on Earth.

The crazies of the early New Testament wouldn’t shut up about it. Perhaps the biggest crazy of them all was Paul. He was so committed to preaching this one message that for the 18 months he ministered in Corinth, his one message was Christ and Him crucified. Paul knew that preaching this powerful message would change the church from the inside out. It can do the same for you and me.

“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God” (1 Corinthians 1:18).

Paul tells us to come and join him in his craziness. In 1 Corinthians 1:10-18, he promises that the telling others of the Cross will bring together and change our world.

1. Get-Alongness

The Corinthian church was struggling with get-alongness. There were several groups of friends within the church. Some were followers of Paul, others of the Apollos, and still others followed the apostle Peter. Arguments had started from within the church. This church that was supposed to be working together to tell others about Jesus had been divided. They were more concerned about their own feelings than with the Lord Jesus Christ and what He wanted for them.
Paul had a special gift of cutting through the junk and getting right to heart of the matter. Paul didn't try to take sides. He simply pointed them to the Cross and Jesus.You see, something about the Jesus erases all of our differences.

2. Decide what is Important.

Paul understood the most important thing was to tell people about Jesus. He understood the power of that simple message. As an apostle he had many important responsibilities: to baptize new believers into the faith and to teach Christians to use their spiritual gifts. All of these duties were very important. But to Paul, job No. 1 was to tell people about Jesus!

Maybe we could put it this way, “Christ sent me not to ______ but to tell people about Jesus!”
You fill in the blank:

• Be in the church

• Attend Wednesday nights

• Go on a missions trip

These things should never keep us from job No. 1. So, here’s a question: When was the last time you actually told someone about Jesus?

3. CHANGE OUR WORLD

Never underestimate the power of the message of Jesus Christ to change a life. God loves to use the foolish and crazy people to change lives. He loves to use kids to do great things for His kingdom. Maybe that’s why every big spiritual thing in America has had young people starting it.