2 Things You Need to Know

"For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified."

1 Corinthians 2:2 (NIV)

There are two things you need to know in this life…

Jesus Christ and who he was.

 Jesus Christ and what he did.

The people in first century Corinth were wildly impressed with one's speaking skills.  A good public speaker was admired, respected and listened to regardless of what he might be saying.  It wasn't as much about what was said as it was about how it was said.  Some days it feels like not much has changed.  

We are a society who greatly values image.  We like our political representatives, our leaders and even our pastors to be well spoken, to carry themselves well and to have a certain persona.  Too often this is more important to us than what they might actually be saying.  In general we are easily swayed by a pretty face and smooth tongue.  

In 1 Corinthians 2:1-4 Paul informs the people of Corinth that he did not come to them with eloquent words or superior wisdom, two things the people of Corinth highly valued, two things WE highly value.  Rather he came with the intention of sharing 2 things… Jesus Christ and who he was… and Jesus Christ and what he did.  

Lest we ever forget, let me tell you real quick who Jesus Christ was.  He was the one and only Son of God.  He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary.  He was, is and always will be.  He took on human form and lived a perfect life.  He ministered on this earth for 3 years, changing the rules of religion forever.  He healed the sick, raised the dead and gave the blind their sight.  He drove out demons, found the lost and fed the hungry.  He forgave sin.  He was a teacher, a prophet, a priest and a king. 

He was hated by his own, betrayed by a loved one, and arrested on a dark night.   He was beaten, mocked, spit on and slandered.  Though he was innocent he was sentenced to death.  The worst kind of death imaginable.  A kind of death one didn't talk about in polite company in first century Corinth.   

Yet that is exactly what Paul came to tell them.  Paul came to Corinth for the specific purpose of telling these people who Jesus was, and what he did.  

But Jesus story doesn't end there.

He was crucified.  Dead.  Gone.  For three long days.  And then, on the third day, Jesus conquered death.  He rose again.  He walked, he talked, he shared.  He was seen, touched and experienced.  And he still lives today, sitting at the right hand of God!

In Jesus, sin is forgiven, we are set right before God, and we have the chance to live eternal life!

There are a lot of things you will learn in this life.  

There are hundreds of people more eloquent and talented than I, who will tell you what you need to do to be happy, thin, healthy, rich, wise, content, loved… you name it.  But there are only 2 things in this world you need to know.

Jesus Christ and who he was.

Jesus Christ and what he did.