Text: 1 Corinthians 1:17-24

Today and tomorrow our study concludes its look at power. Soon we will move to recognize those principalities and powers that wrongly influence our life which should be devoted to destruction.

In the first chapter of Paul’s initial letter to the Corinthians he is addressing division in the church. There were those who were following human leaders instead of following Christ, which, in turn gave him the opportunity to discuss true Gospel preaching and its power. Notice the two times Paul speaks to the power of God: the preaching of the cross (1 Corinthians 1:18) and Christ, the power of God (1 Corinthians 1:24). What blends the two? The preaching of Christ crucified! (1 Corinthians 1:23). It is Christ crucified who is the power of God!

The supreme power of God is found in obedience unto death, as Christ the Creator became part of the created order to redeem it, “And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross” (Philippians 2:8 KJV). And thus, as related to our study, in Christ’s death “He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him” (Colossians 2:15 ESV).

Know today that Christ crucified is the power of God and that in His death He disarmed the rulers and authorities. These principalities and powers still wage a truly unarmed, yet many times successful, war through lies and deceit. Acknowledge the Lord’s all power over them and their deception and pray His power over your life, family, and church. Pray for those, who like the Jews, see the cross as a stumbling block; intercede for those, like the Greeks, who see the cross as folly as you pray for all to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth (1 Timothy 2:4).