Next week I will begin a new sermon series called “Lead Me to the Cross.” I plan to preach six messages in the weeks leading to Easter concerning the meaning of the cross to you and me.

One of the messages will be taken from Galatians 2:20. I see this passage as serving as a theme for the entire series: “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me” (NIV).

Please read the Kings James Version as well and note the bold type. “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.”

The life in Christ is a not I but Christ life. This is what makes all the difference. I want to use these weeks to help us all respond to Christ and learn to live in a not I but Christ way of living.

This is the plan for my messages, including dates and major passages of Scripture:

February 26, Matthew 10:38, Jesus calls us to take up the cross and follow Him.

March 4, 1 Corinthians 1:18, The message of the cross is foolishness to the perishing but the power of God to those who are being saved.

March 11, Philippians 2:5-11, Our example for Christian service is Christ Himself who was obedient unto death.

March 18, Ephesians 2:11-22, Hope and reconciliation come through the cross of Christ.

March 25, Galatians 2:20, Our life is in Christ.

April 1, Colossians 1-2, God’s work on the cross to defeat sin and death.

I hope that you will be blessed as we look at the cross of Christ and consider the implications for the cross on our lives.

Easter Sunday I will begin an exposition of 1 Corinthians 15. This series is “Things To Come.” 1 Corinthians 15 explains what happens when you die.

Paul laid out a detailed argument for our resurrection from the dead based on the resurrection of Jesus. He talks about our resurrection body and the return of Jesus to the earth to gather His own. He persuasively argues for the resurrection of Christ and our resurrection as well. Some of the questions that he raises deal with the nature of our resurrection body, the practice of some people of being baptized for the dead, whether the resurrected body is a physical body, and what the return of Christ will be like.

1 Corinthians 15 is a fascinating chapter of Scripture. You’ll find it helpful for your faithful service to God. We will end with looking at the difference that the resurrection makes in how we live–our behavior.

If you would like to receive my daily posts, you can subscribe to waylonbailey.com at the top of the page. Simply type in your email address, and click subscribe. It’s free and easy. When you receive a return email, confirm your desire to subscribe by clicking on the link.

Waylonbailey.com is my ministry across the Internet. I would appreciate your subscribing and also forwarding this and other posts to your friends. Thank you!