Posted By: Abigail
Message of the Cross is Foolishness? By: Franklin Graham - 04/09/10 10:46 PM
--THE MESSAGE OF THE CROSS IS FOOLISHNESS -
TO THOSE WHO ARE PERISHING --By: Franklin Graham
~~~IN the days following the earthquake in Haiti, we all watched a drama unfold on TV, as international search-and-rescue teams worked heroically to pull survivors from the rubble. Panicked parents pleaded for help at the places they believed their children were trapped. Families with no food or water painted signs on ragged bed sheets that said, "Please Help!"
In times of desperation, no ones says "no" to someone who comes on a rescue mission.
Yet that is exactly how the world responded when God sent His only Son on a rescue mission for mankind. Jesus Christ was scorned by leaders of his own own religion, betrayed by a close friend and crucified by the political authorities. They had seen Him heal the sick and heard Him proclaim the truth, yet they rejected Him! How could they be so foolish?
The Apostle Paul ran into similar opposition when he planted churches in cities such as Corinth. He wrote, "For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God" (1 Corinthians 1:18,NKJV).
Why is it so hard to get the lost to listen to the Gospel Survivors trapped deep in the rubble of Haiti knew they needed someone to save them--or else they would perish. Yet people trapped just as deeply in sin don't want to admit that they need a Savior.
Sometimes, a tragedy will get people's attention. In Haiti, thousands of survivors have poured out their hearts in prayer with chaplains from our Rapid Response Team, and more than 340 of those have prayed to accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.
In fact, we were preparing for a 'My Hope' campaign in Haiti before the earthquake hit. Now, church leaders are asking the BGEA to help them minister to their brokenhearted nation. At the proper time, I want to go there to hold a Crusade and preach the Gospel. In the meantime, our rescue team is on the ground, and people are being saved through the power of God.
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