The Preaching of the Cross

1 Corinthians 1:1-31

Two missionaries who had never previously met found themselves riding together on a train. One man asked the other, "What are your theological beliefs?" He appeared startled when his traveling companion replied, "I'm determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified." See 1 Corinthians 2:2.

The preaching of the cross was the major occupation of the apostle Paul. The crucifixion of Jesus Christ is the most defining event in the history of the world. At the cross God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself. This is the message which was preached by the apostles, and needs to be proclaimed everywhere today.

The preaching of the cross is pleasing to God. Preaching is His idea, His mandate. Jesus said, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature." Mark 16:15. Praise the Lord for those who faithfully preach the good news. Not everyone is pleased with gospel preaching, but God is.

Unfortunately, many pulpits across America are silent when it comes to the preaching of the cross. Preaching is found by many churchgoers to be boring, unmoving, and void of any eternal value.

The preaching of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing. The intellectual Greeks of Paul's day considered such preaching as foolishness. Some people ever learning never come to a knowledge of the truth. Bill Bright, the founder of Campus Crusade for Christ, found this ignorance even among faculty and staff members of America's leading colleges and universities. The wisdom of this world is foolishness with God.

The Jews also had intellectual problems with the crucifixion of their Messiah. He wasn't supposed to die such a shameful, horrible death. They had trouble understanding the Old Testament Scriptures that foretold the sufferings of Christ. To the Jews a crucified Christ was a stumbling block.

The preaching of the cross is salvation to those who believe. We are saved by faith in our crucified Savior, our living Lord. This is why the preaching of the cross is so important. Apart from the cross there isn't any salvation. If sinful men and women could have been saved any other way, Jesus would not have gone to the cross. He died in our place, as our substitute. How foolish to substitute anything else for Him!

It pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save those who believe. Are you a believer? Today what does the cross of Christ mean to you? Think about it.

Heavenly Father, thank You for the cross. Thank You for the salvation that You freely give to those who believe. Help us as we participate in the preaching of the cross. In Jesus' name. Amen!

Spiritual Discernment - 1 Corinthians 2

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