Christ Crucified-Pastor Noah Cappon
Scroll to read a recap of Pastor Noah Cappons’ sermon from May 25, 2025
Lets Break it Down
In our self-reliant culture, we often strive to impress others with our abilities and knowledge, even in spiritual contexts. However, God deliberately chooses what is foolish and weak to shame the wise and strong, ensuring no one can boast in His presence. The kingdom operates in this upside-down manner where our weakness becomes the vessel for God's strength.To 'behold' Jesus means to intentionally focus on Him, not merely glance casually. Like Paul who 'decided to know nothing except Jesus Christ and him crucified,' we must keep Christ central. When we rely on our own strength, we inevitably come up empty. It's often in our moments of greatest weakness that God's power shines most clearly. The church at Ephesus was commended for their hard work and doctrinal purity, yet rebuked for abandoning their first love. This serious condition required immediate repentance. We must honestly evaluate what's preventing us from knowing Christ intimately—whether sin, career ambition, unhealthy relationships, or treating Jesus as a weekend hobby rather than our source of life. True faith means remembering, repenting, and returning to our first love, allowing Christ to have preeminence in every area of life.
Key Takeaways
Our strength comes from our weakness when we rely fully on Christ
We must guard against abandoning our first love for Jesus
Everything we do should flow from beholding Christ, not our own abilities
The Christian life is about knowing Jesus intimately, not just religious activities
Tap to watch Pastor Noah’s full sermon on YouTube
Here's a 5-day Bible reading plan and devotional guide based on this sermon:
Day 1: Embracing Our Weakness
DevotionalIn a world that celebrates strength and independence, it can be challenging to embrace our weaknesses. Yet, the kingdom of God operates differently. God deliberately chooses what is weak to shame the strong, ensuring that no one can boast in His presence. Our weaknesses become the vessel for God's strength to shine through. When we acknowledge our limitations and rely on Him, we experience His power in ways we never could on our own. 'For when I am weak, then I am strong.' - 2 Corinthians 12:10 Reflect on areas in your life where you feel weak or inadequate. How can you invite God into those spaces to demonstrate His strength? Lord, help me to embrace my weaknesses and rely on Your strength. Teach me to depend on You in every area of my life. Amen.
Bible Verse
'For when I am weak, then I am strong.' - 2 Corinthians 12:10
Reflection Question
What areas of your life do you feel weak or inadequate, and how can you invite God into those spaces to demonstrate His strength?
Quote 'For when I am weak, then I am strong.'
Prayer
Lord, help me to embrace my weaknesses and rely on Your strength. Teach me to depend on You in every area of my life. Amen.
Day 2: Beholding Jesus
DevotionalTo 'behold' Jesus means to intentionally focus on Him, not merely glance casually. In our busy lives, it's easy to get distracted and lose sight of what's truly important. Like Paul, who decided to know nothing except Jesus Christ and Him crucified, we must keep Christ central in our lives. When we fix our eyes on Jesus, we find the strength and guidance we need to navigate life's challenges. 'One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple.' - Psalm 27:4 What steps can you take to intentionally focus on Jesus in your daily life? Lord, help me to fix my eyes on You and keep You at the center of my life. May I seek You above all else. Amen.
Bible Verse
'One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple.' - Psalm 27:4
Reflection Question
What steps can you take to intentionally focus on Jesus in your daily life?
Quote We don't look to Jesus. We don't behold him because it's trendy and it makes us feel good and it gives us godly goosebumps. We look to him because he's the source. He is the way, the truth, and the life.
Prayer
Lord, help me to fix my eyes on You and keep You at the center of my life. May I seek You above all else. Amen.
Day 3: Returning to Our First Love
DevotionalThe church at Ephesus was commended for their hard work and doctrinal purity, yet they were rebuked for abandoning their first love. This serious condition required immediate repentance. We must honestly evaluate what's preventing us from knowing Christ intimately—whether it's sin, career ambition, unhealthy relationships, or treating Jesus as a weekend hobby rather than our source of life. True faith means remembering, repenting, and returning to our first love, allowing Christ to have preeminence in every area of life. 'Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first.' - Revelation 2:4-5 What is preventing you from knowing Christ intimately, and how can you return to your first love? Lord, help me to identify and remove anything that hinders my relationship with You. May I return to my first love and make You the center of my life. Amen.
Bible Verse
'Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first.' - Revelation 2:4-5
Reflection Question
What is preventing you from knowing Christ intimately, and how can you return to your first love?
Quote Jesus is saying, repent, Come back to the love that you had at first.
Prayer
Lord, help me to identify and remove anything that hinders my relationship with You. May I return to my first love and make You the center of my life. Amen.
Day 4: Surrendering Our Idols
DevotionalIn our journey of faith, we often encounter idols—things that take the place of God in our hearts. These idols can be anything from career ambitions to unhealthy relationships or even our own self-reliance. It's time to put these golden calves on the altar and surrender them to the Lord. When we do, we make room for God to work powerfully in our lives and draw us closer to Him. 'But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ.' - Philippians 3:7-8 What idols are you holding onto, and how can you surrender them to God? Lord, I surrender my idols to You. Help me to let go of anything that takes Your place in my heart. May I find my true worth and satisfaction in You alone. Amen.
Bible Verse
'But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ.' - Philippians 3:7-8
Reflection Question
What idols are you holding onto, and how can you surrender them to God?
Quote I'm putting my golden calves of idols on the altar and I'm saying, lord, have it all. Have me, have everything, have my family.
Prayer
Lord, I surrender my idols to You. Help me to let go of anything that takes Your place in my heart. May I find my true worth and satisfaction in You alone. Amen.
Day 5: Living a Life of Dependence
DevotionalIn a culture obsessed with independence and self-strength, it's countercultural to live a life of dependence on God. Yet, this is exactly what we are called to do. True faith means recognizing our need for God in every aspect of our lives and allowing Him to be our source of strength and guidance. When we live in dependence on Him, we experience the fullness of life that He promises. 'For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.' - Colossians 3:3 How can you cultivate a life of dependence on God in your daily routines and decisions? Lord, help me to live a life of dependence on You. Teach me to trust You in every aspect of my life and to seek Your guidance in all that I do. Amen.
Bible Verse
'For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.' - Colossians 3:3
Reflection Question
How can you cultivate a life of dependence on God in your daily routines and decisions?
Quote In a culture that is obsessed, and make no mistake about it, America is obsessed with independence and we are obsessed with self strength. We're obsessed.
Prayer
Lord, help me to live a life of dependence on You. Teach me to trust You in every aspect of my life and to seek Your guidance in all that I do. Amen.
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