Marks of the Church: Preaching Christ Alone

Acts 18:1-11 and 1 Cor 1:18-25

1. Two type of Apologetics
1. Cultural: preparing the way for those who will believe.
2. Personal: our witnessing to the present reality of Christ.
2. Context: From Athens to Corinth. Acts 18:1-11
1. Corinth: a sea port, valued oratory above all
2. Paul as a “tent-maker”
3. Reasoned to those who shared his worldview - Acts 18:4-5.
4. After resistance, he went to Gentiles.
3. His message: Jesus and the Cross
1. Not human wisdom - What does this mean? Is he Anti-Intellectual?
1. Examples:
1. “God helps those who help themselves.”
2. “Strongest wins.
3. “Take care of #1.
2. People desire “signs and wordly wisdom”. They are saying let’s see it!
3. Message of the Cross: Jesus died.
1. Why? Our sin, our messed up world, our need.
4. The message of the Cross: Jesus rose again.
1. Why? Defeated death, defeated sin, grants real life.
4. come (again) to Jesus in repentance and faith.