Lesson 29: The Cross, the Shepherd, and the Flock

Question 5

Oh, friend, a glorious day is coming when our Chief Shepherd will appear, and a crown of glory that never fades will be given to those who humbly serve others with the gospel. We look back to Christ’s death and also forward to His return when we share in His glory so that we do not grow weary in our service. We remember Jesus receiving the crown of thorns that we might receive the crown of glory. We give thanks that Jesus wore our shame that we might wear and share in His glory.
Through it all, our goal is to preach Christ and Him crucified, buried, and raised from the dead to forgive sins and set captives free. In continually focusing on the humility of Jesus, who sank to death and back, and on the love of Jesus that moved Him to die for us while we were still His enemies, and on His suffering at Calvary, we learn how to minister to the sheep God has entrusted to us.
As we noted at the beginning of this lesson, “the word of the Lord remains forever.” And this word is the good news that was preached to you” (1 Peter 1:25). We have received the good news of the gospel; now, we must live, preach, teach, and counsel with the powerful message of the cross. The gospel must be our theme in every sermon, every teaching, every counseling session. For this gospel is the power of God (Romans 1:16; 1 Corinthians 1:18) both for the world and the Church.
This gospel must not be assumed, hinted at, suggested, or inferred; rather, it must be proclaimed boldly, articulated clearly, and repeated often. The gospel is the reason the Scripture says:
“Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, 23 “but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, 24 but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.” 1 Corinthians 1:22-24

Question 5. Please summarize the teaching of this lesson, and share what you, personally, got out of it:

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