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Christ Crucified: The Solution to Self-Dependency

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1 Corinthians 1:17-31

INTRODUCTION

Were you persistently frustrated or discontented over the past year? Did you consistently demand your own way? If you are a believer in Christ, these attributes and other aspects of self-centeredness will increase when the reality of “Christ crucified” diminishes in your life. If that reality diminishes, then human wisdom and its offspring, self-dependency, will rise to prominence.

The battle between human wisdom (man’s way) and divine wisdom (God’s way) has been raging for centuries. The Apostle Paul dealt with this issue in his first letter to the church at Corinth. Paul taught that answers to all problems of life are linked to one’s belief in and relationship with Jesus. Paul admonished the Corinthian believers for their division since they were all followers of Christ. Their arguments consisted of comparing the importance of Paul, Peter, Apollos, and Christ. Even though people today will not argue along those identical lines, personal and inter-personal difficulties continue because of the same root problem—a focus on “self” instead of Christ.

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MANKIND’S ATTEMPTS TO SOLVE PROBLEMS

In today’s world, human wisdom and a reliance on “self” is almost deified. The latest “insight” into behavioral problems is often embraced as an indispensable tool for personal development. New “research” related to understanding one’s self is touted as the pathway to revealing the “real person” residing in the “hidden psyche” of every individual. Sin has been conveniently redefined to achieve acceptability or reclassified into “disease” categories that require “treatment.” Irresponsible behavior is excused and explained by “victimology experts.” The latest technique, philosophy, or supposed insight of human wisdom often receives wide acclaim, since personalities and advertising campaigns claim success even though measurable benefits are sorely lacking.

What are the factual results of all these “breakthrough discoveries” that supposedly benefit personal lives and relationships? Do we live in a more civilized, more caring, and trouble-free world? Are fewer families disintegrating? Are fewer people afflicted with sexual diseases? Is there less child abuse, less crime, and less hatred? Are drug and alcohol addictions declining? Do the characteristics of self-sacrifice and compassion describe relationships between individuals, races, and nations?

Obviously, personal lives and relationships continue to deteriorate. Yet, many return to the same old stagnant, putrefying pool of human wisdom that has promised so much and produced so little with regard to alleviating suffering and increasing peace and joy in people’s lives. This failed promise has been evidenced for centuries.

In his letter to the Corinthians, Paul states the total bankruptcy of relying on human wisdom and compares that to the supreme wisdom and power of God revealed at the cross. Paul began to describe the contrast between the wisdom of God and the wisdom of man in 1 Corinthians 1:17 by mentioning that baptism (one of the arguments the Corinthian Christians were mired in—specifically, who was baptized by whom?) is not why Paul had been called and sent out by the Lord.

1 Corinthians 1:17, For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel—not with words [from the Greek word: logos] of human wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power. [Explanation added]

Paul then presented the crossroad of eternity that is more significant than anything else in life. This crossroad occurred because of Jesus and the message of the cross.

GOD’S CROSSROAD OF ETERNITY

Paul highlighted the reality that God’s message is the logos (the word, the message) of the cross.

1 Corinthians 1:18, For the message [logos] of the cross is foolishness [moronic] to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. [Explanation added]

  • Those perishing view the cross as being only for morons

In verse 18, the logos (message) of the cross contrasts with the logos of wisdom (cleverness of speech) in verse 17. Those who do not believe in Christ will view the cross as foolishness. The word “foolishness” is derived from the Greek term moros, from which we get the word “moron.” Basically, those who do not place their faith in Jesus can easily believe that the cross is for morons.

  • Those being saved view the cross as the power of God

The descriptive terms “are perishing” and “are being saved” in verse 18 are significant. Each person in the world is currently moving in one of these two directions, either perishing or being saved. The direction is determined by a response to the central point of history and the foundation of all the revelation of God—the cross of Christ.

While those perishing may view the message of the cross as fit only for morons, those who are saved know the cross is the power of God.

GOD’S CRITIQUE OF WISDOM

  • The wisdom of man brings death

In noting the distance between man’s way and God’s way, Paul uses a quotation from Isaiah 29:14 in
1 Corinthians 1:19.

1 Corinthians 1:19, For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent [or, cleverness of the clever] I will frustrate [or set aside or bring to nothing].” [Explanation added]

The word “destroy” in verse 19 is the same word as “perish” used in verse 18 to describe those who reject the message of the cross. Note that God will set aside the intelligence (cleverness) of the intelligent (clever). Paul then asks about three people of mental prominence.

1 Corinthians 1:20, Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish [moronic] the wisdom of the world? [Explanation added]

How dependable—then and now—are the claims of “the wise” who claim they can provide solutions for poverty, broken homes, marital strife, drug use, sexual diseases, and problem after problem? The undependability of human wisdom does not mean that God is against educational pursuits. When human wisdom, however, is trusted to find ultimate answers that provide lasting peace and joy in life and relationships, is it successful? The question of this verse is appropriate when it asks, “Where is the wise man?”

The phrase “Where is the scholar” referred to the Jewish scribes who copied the Word of God and were supposed to be expert in religious matters. Was their insight helpful? When students of Scripture depend on their own wisdom (then and now), they create greater confusion for those who rely on them to teach accurately.

The “philosopher of this age” was the person who wanted to dispute every issue and solve it by human reason. A philosopher was one who loved to argue and discuss the “love of wisdom” (philosophy).

Recognizing that human wisdom is deficient to provide answers for life’s dilemmas, Paul asked, “Has not God made foolish (moronic) the wisdom of this world (kosmos)?”

Ask yourself: Have philosophers, behavioral scientists, psychologists, economists, scientists, and statesmen schooled in natural wisdom helped us to live in greater harmony? Or is the world, with all the technological and educational advances, more confused and corrupt? Does life have more meaning or less meaning for the majority of people in the world? Are there fewer incidences of crime, hatred, drunkenness, cruelty, and family problems? All of these things have increased and are more complex. Things are not better— things are worse!

The wise, the scholarly, and the “debaters” can often recognize problems of life, but they can never deal with the root of those problems. The Corinthians wanted to believe that the Gospel (Good News of Jesus) itself was a sublime form of wisdom, as the Greeks considered wisdom (sophia). Paul, in essence, responded, “How foolish can you get? What is wise (in the Greek sense of wisdom) about a crucified Messiah? God’s wisdom is not man’s wisdom multiplied to the highest degree—it is of a different order altogether.”

  • The wisdom of God brings life

Paul then reminded the Corinthians of the futility of the world’s wisdom, since it does not lead to the most important matter of life—knowing God.

1 Corinthians 1:21, For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached [or proclaimed] to save those who believe. [Explanation added]

God was pleased that human wisdom did not lead to Himself. God would not get the glory if natural wisdom could lead one to know Him. Notice also that God’s wisdom is not found in “foolish preaching” (or proclamation), but God’s wisdom is discovered in the foolishness of preaching about the cross.

The foolish (moronic) message proclaimed that a man accursed under the Law (according to Deuteronomy 21:23) is, actually, the Messiah who gave His life as a sacrifice for sins. This man, convicted as a common criminal and crucified on a cross, claims that answers to all the problems of life are found in Him.

God saves those who believe in this “foolish” message. Natural wisdom has no part in this. As a result, God alone receives glory for saving those who cannot understand, much less accept, the “foolish” message of Christ crucified.

Paul then mentions the two groups of people (Jews and Greeks) who think they have an excuse for unbelief and contrasts these groups with those who are called by God.

GOD’S CALLING THROUGH CHRIST

1 Corinthians 1:22, Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom,

  • The Jews ask for signs

Since the Jewish people of the first century no longer experienced the power of God in their ritualistic religion, they required miraculous signs to validate God’s direction for them. Many today are just as miracle-oriented as the Jews in Israel were 2,000 years ago. Unless there are “signs and wonders” to authenticate the power of the Cross, this power is suspect.

  • The Gentiles search for wisdom

On the other hand, the Greeks (Gentiles) were enamored by human wisdom and philosophy. They thought that “reason” would bring them closer to God.

Typically, “human reason” in the spiritual dimension results in confusion. The more confusion there is, the more likely it is to be embraced by those trusting in human wisdom. There was a Maharishi in Oregon some years ago. This man’s followers were selling their homes and signing over their belongings to this “spiritual leader” who made very little sense in what he taught.

In communities across the world, there are people on local television or radio channels who claim the ability to “see” into the lives of those in their audience. On almost any psychic-oriented program, its host claims to tell others what will happen in the future. Astrological readings and horoscope forecasts are the guideposts that many consult before making personal decisions. Psychotherapy is composed of hundreds of conflicting techniques and psychological beliefs, yet millions trust this arena of human wisdom to answer life questions and deal with unsatisfactory relationships.

In Paul’s day, the message of the cross created a problem for both the Jewish people looking for a sign and the Gentiles looking for natural wisdom.

1 Corinthians 1:23, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles,

For the Jews, the cross of Christ was a “stumbling block.” In the Greek text, “stumbling block” is skandalon, the basis for the English word “scandal.” The cross of Christ was a scandal to Jewish people trusting in human wisdom, because their expected Messiah—their delivering conqueror—could not possibly be someone who died in a manner that brought on a divine curse (Deuteronomy 21:22-23).

For the Greeks (Gentiles) trusting in human reason, the cross of Christ was foolishness, moronic, and an absurdity. No one thought to be divine could die such a humiliating death and, certainly, no “lowly” Jew could reveal divine truth to those steeped in “lofty” wisdom. This belief was visually depicted in an archeological find in Rome some years ago. This discovery was a caricature of Christianity that consisted of a figure on a cross with a donkey’s head.

For those trusting in their own natural wisdom, the rejection of the cross is to be expected. As the noted London pastor, Charles Spurgeon, stated long ago, “It is certain that a blind man is no judge of colors, a deaf man is no judge of sound, and a man who has never been quickened into spiritual life can have no judgment as to spiritual things.”

In spite of their natural tendency to rely on human wisdom, both Jews and Greeks (Gentiles) have been called of God to respond to the message of the cross.

  • The Called (Jews and Gentiles) respond to God’s answer in Christ

1 Corinthians 1:24, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.

For the “Called” (the elect), both Jews and Gentiles, the cross is the power of God and the wisdom of God. Instead of giving the Jews and Greeks what they demanded, God provided what they needed. Their need was certainly unexpected … a crucified Savior. Human wisdom knew that “Messiah” meant power, splendor, and triumph. Human wisdom knew that “crucifixion” meant weakness, defeat, and humiliation. From the perspective of human wisdom, “Messiah” and “crucifixion” did not go together.

Addressing this crucified Messiah dilemma, Paul explained why the message of the cross makes sense and gives power to the Called.

1 Corinthians 1:25, For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength.

According to human wisdom, God was at His “weakest” and most “foolish” with regard to the cross of Christ. Yet the crucifixion of Jesus was infinitely wiser and stronger than anything human wisdom could devise to deal with the problem of evil (including sin) and, simultaneously, provide hope for this life and the life to come.

When the cross is central to one’s message and manner of life, it is not the method of speaking that makes the difference, but the object of the message. It is not verbal skill but the simple ability to point to the Savior.

H. A. Ironside, a trusted Bible teacher of a past era, illustrated this truth with the following story. He said that a man living outside London, England, went to the city to hear some of the great preachers of the day. When he returned home to his wife, he reported, “I was greatly impressed by both speakers. The man I heard in the morning was a great preacher; but Charles Spurgeon, the man I heard in the evening, has a great Savior.”

Salvation is not the achievement of human wisdom. Instead, salvation involves the embrace of God’s dramatic, unexpected act of love at Calvary, the site where Jesus was crucified. When believers realize this truth, they have no problem saying, “I trust Jesus and rely on Him.” However, when it comes to everyday living, the Bible is the last place many believers look for wisdom. Instead, they seek out others who are “expertly” trained in human wisdom and reasoning. These believers do not appreciate being corrected because they believe their natural understanding is trustworthy.

When believers focus on themselves, it is so easy to rely on human wisdom after being called by God to believe in the message of the Cross. What Paul said to the Corinthian church, he is saying to believers today. God’s ways are so far above our ways and His thoughts are so far above our thoughts (Isaiah 55:8-9). How can we possibly rely on ourselves when we know we should rely on Him and His Word?

Believers should remind one another of the following truths. Don’t try to get your way—seek His. Don’t try to convince others of your plan—live by His. Don’t try to persuade others to go your way—go His. Reject the worldly wisdom that was your habit of living prior to knowing Christ and, as a believer, rely only on godly wisdom that brought you to Christ. The wisdom of God is revealed in Scripture and does not reside in self-centered feelings or mental abilities.

Paul continued to remind the Corinthian believers that it is not natural wisdom that leads one to God. To prove that reality, Paul encouraged his fellow believers to examine themselves.

GOD’S CONSIDERATION OF YOU

  • You have been called…but not on your merit

1 Corinthians 1:26, Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth.

Paul reminded his readers of their true status before they were called. They could not match wits with the intellectuals of the day. Most of them were not influential, which would indicate they were not wealthy, not powerful in politics, and not able to influence people. Not many of them were born into nobility or royalty.

God uses people only AFTER they learn that their usefulness is not derived from their natural abilities or prominence. Instead, their usefulness comes from His presence which guides every aspect of their lives.

Paul then reminded the Corinthian believers of their “plain vanilla” characteristics and that they were in Christ because God chose them … not because of their own worthiness.

  • You have been chosen…but not for your glory

1 Corinthians 1:27-29, but God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong, He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before Him.

Notice the corresponding statements to what Paul mentioned in verse 27 and what he had stated in verse 26:

  • not many wise, according to the flesh (vs. 26) … and “the foolish” (vs. 27)
  • not many influential (vs. 26) … and “the weak things” (vs. 27)
  • not many noble (vs. 26) … and “the lowly, despised things, and things that are not” (vs. 27)

With regard to the wise:

  • In God’s plan, the foolish (moronic) confound (shame) the wise
    but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise,

Natural wisdom would think that eloquence and style of presenting Jesus is the key to effective evangelism, but it’s not. A true believer in the Lord Jesus Christ has more divine wisdom at his/her disposal than the most intelligent unbeliever in the world. Those who are thought to be foolish (“morons”) accomplish great things for God and confound the wise.

The Great Awakening in the 19th Century began at Cambridge University through the ministry of D. L. Moody, a Chicago-based Bible teacher known to have few verbal skills. One man stated that Moody was the only man who could pronounce Jerusalem in one syllable. Cambridge students were going to hoot Moody off the platform because of his known butchering of the English language. Moody began by saying, “Young gentlemen, don’t ever think God don’t love you, for he do!”

D. L. Moody butchered the King’s English, but many in Cambridge turned their hearts to Christ and were instrumental in the great revival in England over a century ago. It was God’s Word that turned their hearts because God’s Word holds the power for salvation.

  • In God’s plan, the weak shame (or confound) the strong
    and God chose the weak things of the world to shame [confound] the strong,

For hundreds of years, weak, oppressed, persecuted, and imprisoned believers have confounded the government officials who persecute them. The helpless believers who are martyred annually around the world (typically 200,000 per year) nullify the continued efforts of their murderers to wipe out the effects of Christianity.

  • In God’s plan, the “nobodies” shame the “somebodies”
    He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are,

The “lowly” are those in the lower levels of culture and society. The “despised” are those considered to be contemptible. “Those that are not” are those who do not count at all; they have “no being” in the eyes of others.

God’s basic plan is to use the “nobodies” to accomplish great things for Him. This has always been His plan. We may know of Abraham, Moses, David, all the biblical prophets, and the original twelve disciples of Christ. None of these individuals were looked upon as great or noteworthy until God chose them to accomplish a purpose on His behalf. Believers have to remember that “one person plus God” is more than enough to accomplish God’s purposes.

  • In God’s plan, the boasters shame themselves
    so that no one may boast before God.

Since God’s wisdom has chosen the foolish, the weak, and the nobodies to accomplish His work in the world, then those who have been picked cannot take the credit for doing it. Anything that they are or will ever become is dependent totally on God’s choosing them. They can only boast in God and His goodness to them through Christ Jesus.

Paul then reminds them that they are in Christ for His glory.

  • You have been placed in Christ 1 Corinthians 1:30-31, 
    It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: “Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.”

By HIS doing, you are in Christ.

  • Jesus is our wisdom
    Wisdom is not simply acquiring specific facts or general knowledge. Wisdom allows one to recognize the relationship and interdependence between the varied subjects of God’s truth. True godly wisdom is exhibited in action as a result of an apprehension of divine truth. The wisdom of God addresses every dimension of life from now into eternity. All of the wisdom of God is in Jesus. This wisdom has specific emphasis to one’s relationship with God, the most important facet of life for anyone. Paul elaborates on this truth by describing how God’s wisdom is revealed in Jesus—who is our righteousness, sanctification, redemption, and boasting.
  • Jesus is our righteousness
    Righteousness is through Jesus because He satisfies the demands of the law in relation to sin and judgment. Believers are justified (have a right standing before God Almighty) on the basis of who Jesus is and what He has done, NOT on the basis of who we are or what we have done.
  • Jesus is our sanctification
    Sanctification (being set apart for God’s purpose) is through Jesus. The fruit of the Spirit is His work, not ours. We are not given the freedom to grow in Christ according to our whims, feelings, or plans (all of which are based on natural wisdom). Instead we are to grow in Christ by an application of Scriptural truth to our lives. The truth of Jesus and the truth of Scripture are one and the same.
  • Jesus is our redemption
    Redemption (the price paid to restore a sinner to divine usefulness and to deliver him/her from evil) is only accomplished through the blood of Christ.
  • Jesus is our boasting
    The purpose of God’s wisdom being realized (through Jesus) is for all boasting (glorying) to be focused on the Lord, not ourselves.

YOUR PLAN TO “KNOW NOTHING BUT CHRIST CRUCIFIED” IN THE COMING YEAR

  • Remember the pit from which you were rescued
    If we would remember that we had nothing going for us when we were rescued from the pit of sin, then we will not think ourselves so high and mighty now or in the future. We knew nothing except what God revealed to us. We know nothing now except what God reveals to us. We are former pit dwellers who were removed from the pit by His grace and are sustained in every dimension by His grace.
  • Recognize Jesus is the only foundation for your life
    Since Jesus is our wisdom (revealed in our righteousness, sanctification, and redemption), on what should we base every aspect of our life? The answer is JESUS. The Corinthian believers made the same mistake that many believers make today. That is to begin with Jesus but then rely on one’s own insight, preferences, and natural wisdom. Our life begins with Jesus, is sustained by Jesus, and will continue throughout eternity by the power of Jesus. He is the only foundation for living. He is the Chief Cornerstone. To make sure that we learn about Jesus, we need to study Scripture regularly since that is where He is described and revealed.
  • Refuse any prominence for yourself
    Anything we ever accomplish in any dimension is a result of what Jesus has done for us. Even what we perceive as “natural abilities” were given to us by God for His glory and the exaltation of Christ. Realizing that anything we ever accomplish is a result of His grace, let us make a conscious effort to give glory to Him when any spotlight may come our way. As one person said, “When I am conceited, I am lying to myself about what I am. I am pretending to be God, and not man. My pride is the idolatrous worship of myself, and that is the national religion of hell.”
  • Relax in the abiding presence and power of Christ
    Sometimes, we can get so flustered when things don’t go our way. We can spend all kinds of time trying to rally people to our cause or try to convince others of our perspectives by blatant natural power or subtle persuasion. However, instead of trusting in our own presence and power, we need to believe in His abiding presence and appropriate His power.

CONCLUSION

The concept of “Christ crucified” is more than a subject to be studied. It is a way of life that depends solely on Jesus with no reliance on “self.” When that happens, then the words of the Apostle Paul will also become ours:

1 Corinthians 2:2, For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.

Galatians 2:20, I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

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CHRIST CRUCIFIED

1 Corinthians 1:17-31—Study Outline

God designed every dimension of a believer’s life to be focused on “Christ crucified.” If you fail to maintain that perspective, various aspects of your life—such as lack of contentment, frustration, or demanding your own way—will reveal that lack of focus.

Spiritual growth correlates to how a believer understands and integrates the reality of “Christ crucified” into everyday life. Hopefully, believers will encourage one another to progress in the reality of every believer’s “purpose verse,” stated first by the Apostle Paul in the first century— “For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified” (1 Corinthians 2:2). This spiritual truth reminds us that it’s all about Jesus, not us.

MANKIND’S ATTEMPTS TO SOLVE PROBLEMS

1 Corinthians 1:17-31

17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel-not with words [logos] of human wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.

18 For the message [logos] of the cross is foolishness [moronic] to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

19 For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent [cleverness of the clever] I will frustrate.”

20 Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish [moronic] the wisdom of the world?

21 For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached [the message for “morons”] to save those who believe.

22 Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom,

23 but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles,

24 but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.

25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength. 26 Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth.

27 But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.

28 He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things-and the things that are not-to nullify the things that are,

29 so that no one may boast before him.

30 It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God-that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption.

31 Therefore, as it is written: “Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.”

[Explanation added]

GOD’S CROSSROAD OF ETERNITY (verse 18)

  1. Those perishing view the cross as being only for morons
  2. Those being saved view the cross as the power of God

GOD’S CRITIQUE OF WISDOM (verses 19-21)

  1. The wisdom of man brings death
  2. The wisdom of God brings life

GOD’S CALLING THROUGH CHRIST (verses 22-25)

  1. The Jews ask for signs
  2. The Gentiles search for wisdom
  3. The Called (Jews and Gentiles) respond to God’s answer in Christ

GOD’S CONSIDERATION OF YOU (verses 26-31)

  1. You have been called . . . but not on your merit
    • Not many of you can match wits with the intellectuals of the day
    • Not many of you are influential or have the ability to sway people
    • Not many of you are members of high society
  2. You have been chosen . . . but not for your glory
    • In God’s plan, the foolish (“moronic”) confound the wise
    • In God’s plan, the weak shame (or confound) the strong
    • In God’s plan, the “nobodies” shame the “somebodies”
    • In God’s plan, the boasters shame themselves
  3. You have been placed in Christ . . . for His glory
    • Jesus is our wisdom
    • Jesus is our righteousness
    • Jesus is our sanctification
    • Jesus is our redemption
    • Jesus is our boasting

YOUR PLAN TO “KNOW NOTHING BUT CHRIST CRUCIFIED” (APPLICATION)

  1. Remember the pit from which you were rescued
  2. Recognize Jesus as the only foundation for your life
  3. Refuse any prominence for yourself
  4. Relax in the abiding presence and power of Christ

CONCLUSION

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Christ Crucified: The Solution to Self-Dependency (Outline) © 2009 WordTruth, Inc—http://www.wordtruth.net Scripture taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society