1 Corinthians 2:1-5
The Only Thing I Have to Offer
The best thing any of us can offer people is not our strengths but Jesus. In 1 Corinthians 2:1-5, Paul resolves to know nothing among the Corinthians except Jesus Christ and him crucified, coming in weakness so their faith would rest on God’s power. When pleasure disappoints and pain overwhelms, Jesus is the only thing we have to offer, and baptism pictures dying to self and rising to new life in him.
Message notes
Pastor Pat preached this message on the last day of the church’s 21 days of prayer and fasting, a Sunday with baptisms. The church reads 1 Corinthians 2:1-5 together, where Paul says he resolved to know nothing among them “except Jesus Christ and him crucified.”
Pastor Pat asks what the best thing is that you can offer someone. Most of us start with our strengths: education, leadership, humor, charm. He remembers freshman year of high school, when all his friends suddenly grew and he didn’t, and he wondered what he brought to the table. Adults carry the same question at work and in relationships. The church can even try to market away the cost of following Jesus, as if dying to yourself isn’t as hardcore as it sounds.
Paul came to Corinth in weakness, fear and trembling. Pastor Pat says Corinth looks a lot like us: a wealthy trade city with temples, philosophy and business. He walks through its values. Speech was supposed to be lofty, but Paul kept it plain. Wisdom meant philosophy, but Paul’s only wisdom was Christ crucified. Power meant clout and networks, and Pastor Pat jokes about “who’s your father?” and asking what school you went to. Paul boasted in weakness. Pleasure was a sign you were winning at life, and suffering was a sign of failure. Paul counted it all as trash next to knowing Jesus. Pastor Pat has seen God heal, and he has also seen God show his glory through chronic illness to the very end.
Paul wasn’t being clever. He had met Jesus on the road, and nothing else mattered. “When pleasure disappoints and when pain overwhelms, Jesus is the only thing that I have to offer.” The church can give answers, meals and hospital visits, and at some point even the best solutions fall short. Better music, a dynamic speaker or a great youth ministry won’t save anyone. “It’s not my responsibility to prove Jesus. It’s my responsibility to witness to his power in my life.”
Then the hard part: “The only thing I can offer is death.” Jesus calls us to pick up our cross. The gospel is simple enough for children: we are sinful and separated from God, Jesus died so whoever believes in him has eternal life, and nothing can separate us from his love. Baptism is a symbol of death, resurrection and new life, being buried with Christ and raised through faith. Those being baptized share why, and Pastor Pat reminds everyone, “Baptism doesn’t save us. Jesus saves us.” He then invites anyone ready to take that step.
From the message
When pleasure disappoints and when pain overwhelms, Jesus is the only thing that I have to offer.
It’s not my responsibility to prove Jesus. It’s my responsibility to witness to his power in my life.
The only thing I can offer is death. I’m sorry. I know. Not a great selling point.
Baptism doesn’t save us. Jesus saves us.
Life Group discussion guide
The Only Thing I Have to Offer, 1 Corinthians 2:1-5. January 25, 2026.
Start here
If you had to list the best things you bring to a team, what would make the list?
Read 1 Corinthians 2:1-5
Open your Bibles and read it out loud together before you start.
What does it say?
In 1 Corinthians 2:1-2, how does Paul describe the way he came to Corinth, and what did he resolve to know?
According to 1 Corinthians 2:4-5, what did Paul’s message rely on, and why?
What does it mean?
Pastor Pat compared Corinth’s values of eloquence, power, status and pleasure to Honolulu’s. Which of those does our culture prize most, and how does “Christ crucified” challenge it?
Why would Paul boast in weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9) instead of in his strengths?
Colossians 2:12 says we were buried with Christ in baptism and raised with him through faith. What does baptism say about where our new life comes from?
What do we do with it?
Where are you tempted to lead with your strengths, at work, at home or in your friendships, instead of pointing people to Jesus?
When pleasure has disappointed you or pain has overwhelmed you, what did you reach for, and what would it look like to reach for Jesus first?
Pastor Pat said our job is to witness to Jesus’ power, not to prove him. Who is one person you could simply tell what Jesus has done in your life this week?
Pray
Thank Jesus that he is enough when your strengths run out. Ask him to help you die to self and walk in new life, and pray for everyone who was baptized, that their faith would rest on God’s power.
New Hope Hawaii Kai. Watch the message and read the notes at newhopehk.org/sermons/baptism-the-only-thing-i-have-to-offer/