Sharing Christ by Preaching the Cross

I’ve heard some “interesting” preaching in my day—those-tickle-the-ear sermons that make you feel happy about your own righteousness (which biblically adds up to filthy rags), the entertaining sermons based on movie themes, lovely painted word pictures eloquently delivered and meaning very little, extremely emotional illustrations, and if-you-love-your-mother-please-come-forward altar calls.

The Bible says, For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God (1 Corinthians 1:18).

This verse is not talking about preaching foolishly.

It’s talking about preaching the cross (verse 18), Christ crucified (verse 23), and preaching Christ, made wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption for us (verse 30).

This is serious preaching.

It makes the difference between heaven and hell.

The Apostle Paul is writing to the believers in Corinth, Greece. He clearly understands his audience.

He says the Greeks seek after wisdom. Very true. A simple history lesson will tell us about the all-encompassing search for knowledge in ancient Greece. They must have had a hard time wrapping their heads around Christ’s crucifixion—the Perfect One sacrificing Himself as the substitute for man’s sin. They labeled it “foolishness.” (verse 23)

But, some Greeks believed in Jesus. Paul writes to them: Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men (verses 24b-25).

God chooses to use people to do His work, so that He gets the glory. But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence. (verses 27-31).

By the foolishness of preaching,

            through weak men,

                       relying on God’s power . . . .

                                   What a privilege to share Christ!