January 1st, 2026
I confess. I gave up on New Year’s resolutions years ago. I long suspected what has now been verified: most resolutions have either been broken or discarded by the second weekend in January! But I went out on a high note, keeping my two last resolutions for the entire year. I resolved to eat more chocolate and to lose weight – and I did it! How, you may ask? The chocolate was Hershey’s and the weight loss catalyst was Ozempic, but it still counts.
The Apostle Paul also made a decision he resolutely kept. He wrote this to the Corinthians: “For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified” (I Corinthians 2:2). Let’s unpack that.
As a culture, the Corinthians prided themselves on their wisdom and their eloquent articulation of that wisdom. Paul rejected this as a means to proclaim the gospel (cf. I Cor. 2:1). He would simply declare the testimony of a loving, faithful and unchanging God. Paul spoke from a wisdom based on divine revelation and not human astuteness. He would express clearly if not eloquently one central truth – Jesus Christ and him crucified.
The truth of Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection was the lens through which Paul viewed all of life. He made it the core of his message, even knowing it would make the gospel more difficult for people to embrace. “The message of the gospel is its most repelling aspect. Paul did not proclaim Jesus Christ as a great teacher, example, or leader; he proclaimed him as the one who had been crucified” (Fischer). It was, in Paul’s words, “a stumbling block” (I Cor. 1:21).
The adage says, “the more things change, the more things stay the same.” We see that clearly in people’s response to the gospel. The Jews in Paul’s audience stumbled over the shame of a cursed death on the cross (cf. Gal. 3:13). The Gentiles in his audience stumbled over the sheer folly of declaring crucifixion as the chosen method of salvation (I Cor. 1:23). The cross was and is a stumbling block. A loving God seems more acceptable than a crucified one.
Do we downplay the cross because it is objectionable to our audience? I think Paul would answer, “By no means!” (Rom. 6:2, 6:15, 7:13, 11:1). Instead, we embrace the stumbling block with the same resolve Paul evidenced. He resolved; he decided (note past tense) to have no other focal point to his message. It is not that he erased all else from his mind but would preach about the centrality of Jesus Christ.
My history with New Year’s resolutions was a checkered one. Perhaps that explains why I gave up on them. But I think I'm ready to make one again – to lift up Jesus to this generation. This resolve comes with a promise: “But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself” (John 12:32). This resolution won’t reduce my waistline but will expand the kingdom of God. That's a benefit lasting forever!
Happy New Year,
Pastor David
The Apostle Paul also made a decision he resolutely kept. He wrote this to the Corinthians: “For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified” (I Corinthians 2:2). Let’s unpack that.
As a culture, the Corinthians prided themselves on their wisdom and their eloquent articulation of that wisdom. Paul rejected this as a means to proclaim the gospel (cf. I Cor. 2:1). He would simply declare the testimony of a loving, faithful and unchanging God. Paul spoke from a wisdom based on divine revelation and not human astuteness. He would express clearly if not eloquently one central truth – Jesus Christ and him crucified.
The truth of Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection was the lens through which Paul viewed all of life. He made it the core of his message, even knowing it would make the gospel more difficult for people to embrace. “The message of the gospel is its most repelling aspect. Paul did not proclaim Jesus Christ as a great teacher, example, or leader; he proclaimed him as the one who had been crucified” (Fischer). It was, in Paul’s words, “a stumbling block” (I Cor. 1:21).
The adage says, “the more things change, the more things stay the same.” We see that clearly in people’s response to the gospel. The Jews in Paul’s audience stumbled over the shame of a cursed death on the cross (cf. Gal. 3:13). The Gentiles in his audience stumbled over the sheer folly of declaring crucifixion as the chosen method of salvation (I Cor. 1:23). The cross was and is a stumbling block. A loving God seems more acceptable than a crucified one.
Do we downplay the cross because it is objectionable to our audience? I think Paul would answer, “By no means!” (Rom. 6:2, 6:15, 7:13, 11:1). Instead, we embrace the stumbling block with the same resolve Paul evidenced. He resolved; he decided (note past tense) to have no other focal point to his message. It is not that he erased all else from his mind but would preach about the centrality of Jesus Christ.
My history with New Year’s resolutions was a checkered one. Perhaps that explains why I gave up on them. But I think I'm ready to make one again – to lift up Jesus to this generation. This resolve comes with a promise: “But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself” (John 12:32). This resolution won’t reduce my waistline but will expand the kingdom of God. That's a benefit lasting forever!
Happy New Year,
Pastor David
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