Guiding Question What does it mean to "die to self," and why is it essential for experiencing the power of Christ in the Christian life?

Summary

This message centers on the theology of the cross—particularly the believer’s need to die to self in order to experience the resurrection life and power of Christ. Drawing from Paul’s letters to the Romans and Corinthians, the sermon emphasizes that surrender, not self-effort or religious performance, is the path to spiritual vitality. Through biblical exposition and a vivid personal story, Dr. Lewis argues that true Christian transformation occurs when we lay down our lives and live by the resurrection power of Jesus Christ.

Outline

I. The Theological Foundation (Romans 6:5–13)

• Believers are united with Christ in both His death and resurrection.

• “Consider yourselves dead to sin, but alive to God” (v. 11).

• Do not let sin reign in your mortal body; live free through Christ.

II. Paul’s Strategy in Corinth (1 Corinthians 2:1–5)

• Paul chose not to use clever speech or worldly philosophy.

• He focused solely on preaching “Christ and Him crucified.”

• Corinthian culture mirrors modern American culture—immoral, materialistic, prideful, yet spiritually empty.

III. The Cost of Discipleship (Mark 8:34–35)

• “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross.”

• Resurrection life is not possible without first dying to self.

• Many desire God's blessings, but not at the expense of personal surrender.

IV. Illustration from Personal Experience

• A difficult trip to Israel revealed the limits of human strength and leadership.

• When the speaker finally surrendered to God amid exhaustion, he experienced supernatural peace and strength.

• The turning point came only after fully dying to self.

V. Paul’s Personal Struggle (2 Corinthians 4:7–12)

• Paul ministered in physical weakness, fear, and trembling.

• Despite suffering and persecution, he continued by dying daily to himself.

• His weakness became a vessel for Christ’s power and life to shine through.

VI. The Real Source of Power (1 Corinthians 2:5)

• Faith must rest not in human wisdom, but in the power of God.

• Christianity is not merely intellectual or theoretical—it is transformational.

Key Takeaways

1. You must die to self to live in Christ.

   • There is no spiritual power without surrendering your will.

2. Christian mediocrity often stems from self-centeredness.

   • We desire spiritual benefits without laying down our lives.

3. Resurrection power follows crucifixion.

   • We cannot know the power of Christ’s life without embracing His death.

4. Paul modeled this principle in weakness and suffering.

   • His effectiveness came from his daily crucifixion of self.

5. God’s power is made perfect in our weakness.

   • The end of self is the beginning of God's strength (cf. 2 Corinthians 12:9).

Scriptural References

Romans 6:5–13 – United with Christ in death and life; dead to sin, alive to God.

Galatians 2:20 – “I have been crucified with Christ…”

Mark 8:34–35 – Take up your cross and follow Jesus.

1 Corinthians 2:1–5 – Paul’s preaching: not in wisdom, but in the power of God.

1 Corinthians 3:3 – “You are still fleshly…”

2 Corinthians 4:7–12 – Dying to self so Christ’s life may be revealed.

Galatians 4:13 – Paul preached due to illness, revealing physical weakness.

Recorded 6/21/81

Is your spiritual pride keeping you from needing a Savior?

Dr. Lewis walks listeners through 1 Corinthians 1:26–31 and 6:9–11, exposing our pride and self-sufficiency. He highlights how God intentionally chooses “the foolish, weak, and despised” to shame the world’s strong and proud. Using vivid biblical examples (Corinthian slaves, thieves, adulterers, homosexuals) and contemporary illustrations (a homecoming queen realizing a humble girl has what money can’t buy), he challenges us to consider: What blocks us from embracing God on His terms? Pride or self-righteousness?

Then, through 1 Corinthians 1:30, Dr. Lewis shows how Christ becomes wisdom from God—giving us:

1. Righteousness – our legal standing before God

2. Sanctification – spiritual transformation

3. Redemption – ultimate hope beyond death

He contrasts the inadequacy of philosophy (“wishology”) and psychology with the life-changing wisdom of Christ.

Finally, quoting Jeremiah 9:23–24, he ties it all together: true boasting is not in our wealth, wisdom, or power—but in knowing and understanding God.

1. The Paradox of God’s Choice (1 Cor. 1:26–31)

   • God chooses the weak and foolish to shame the strong

   • Illustrations from Corinth and modern life

2. Breaking Spiritual Pride

   • Matthew’s Beatitudes: “poor in spirit”

   • William Barclay: “can do nothing” -> real Christianity begins

3. God’s Methods to Reach Us

   • Crisis

   • Emptiness

   • Holy Spirit’s quiet tug

4. Christ: God’s Wisdom in Us (1 Cor. 1:30)

   • Righteousness

   • Sanctification

   • Redemption (eternal perspective)

5. Why We Should Boast in God

   • The emptiness of philosophy and psychology

   • Jeremiah’s command: boast only in knowing God

6. Invitation & Response

   • Personal challenge: Is pride keeping you from Christ?

   • Prayer invitation for forgiveness and new life

• Pride blocks access to God; spiritual poverty opens the door.

• God’s “foolish” servants highlight His power, not ours.

• True wisdom comes from embracing Christ’s righteousness, transformation, and hope.

• Philosophy and psychology may analyze life—they cannot redeem.

• Real boasting is in knowing God’s character and pursuing relationship, not achievements.

• 1 Corinthians 1:26–31 – God chooses the weak and foolish

• 1 Corinthians 6:9–11 – “And such were some of you…”

• Matthew 5:3 – Blessed are the poor in spirit

• 1 Corinthians 1:30 – Christ as our wisdom

• Jeremiah 9:23–24 – Boast only in knowing the Lord

Recorded 5/17/81

Guided Question

In what ways do I view the message of the cross as "foolish"—and how might God be inviting me to experience its transforming power instead?

Summary

Dr. Robert Lewis explores the paradox of the Christian faith: the message of the cross—foolishness to the world but power to those being saved. Using Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians and a story from Isaiah, he shows how human wisdom repeatedly fails to answer life’s deepest questions. Only through Christ's death and resurrection do we find forgiveness, purpose, and power to live differently. The message is not just theoretical—it changes lives.

Outline

1. Introduction

   • Prayer and welcome to visitors

   • Reflections on the presence of God

2. Two Responses to the Cross

   • Story: restaurant encounter shows contrasting reactions to the gospel

   • 1 Corinthians 1:18—"The word of the cross is foolishness to the perishing"

   • Greek word mōria (foolishness, absurdity)

3. God’s Plan for Man

   • Humanity was created for relationship with God

   • Sin as rebellion and separation

   • Only Christ’s sacrifice restores us to God

   • This gift must be personally received

4. Israel’s Mistake: Trusting Egypt, Not God

   • Isaiah 29–30: Historical context—Assyria threatens Jerusalem

   • Israel turns to Egypt instead of repenting

   • God rebukes their reliance on human power

   • Miraculous deliverance follows Hezekiah’s surrender to God

5. Application: When You’re Out of Options

   • We, like Israel, often exhaust all options before turning to God

   • C.S. Lewis: God is not proud—He stoops to conquer

6. The Failure of Human Wisdom

   • Paul asks, “Where is the wise man?”

   • Human wisdom has not improved the human condition

   • Churchill quote: knowledge grows, but virtue does not

7. Real Power: The Gospel Transforms Lives

   • Augustine: from sinful living to radical transformation

   • Gospel isn’t just a theory; it brings power

   • God’s kingdom is about transformation, not just words

Key Takeaways

1. The Cross Offends Human Pride The message of a crucified Savior seems absurd to the self-sufficient and proud.

2. God’s Plan Inverts Human Expectations Salvation comes not through strength, but through what appears weak and foolish.

3. There Is Only One Way Back to God The cross is God's exclusive and sufficient plan for reconciliation.

4. Transformation Is the Evidence Faith in Christ results in real life change, not just new beliefs.

5. God Waits for Our Desperation God often allows us to run out of options so we can finally turn to Him.

6. Skepticism Is Real—But So Is the Evidence From personal stories to archaeology, the gospel is rooted in both power and truth.

Scriptural References

• 1 Corinthians 1:18–25 – The contrast between the foolishness of the cross and God’s power

• Isaiah 29:14 – “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise...”

• Isaiah 30:1–3 – Rebuke of Israel’s alliance with Egypt

• Isaiah 53:6 – “All we like sheep have gone astray...”

• Romans 6:23 – “The wages of sin is death...”

• Acts 4:12 – “There is salvation in no one else...”

• 1 Corinthians 4:20 – “The kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power.”

Recorded 4/19/81