Preaching Of The Cross

I have heard many preachers over the span of my life. My father said they began attending church assemblies on Easter just a few days after my birth. Over sixty years have I been in an assembly hearing preaching.

Think about the number of years and the many preachers you have heard. You have heard many styles of preachers. Some, perhaps like me, are boring; others very upbeat; and all those in between.

Should any of those preachers have attempted to do any other useful talent in the assemblies? Might they have been any more suited for the work of the Lord in the congregations? Don’t answer that question, It might offend someone. However, I am sure you have had this thought about some preachers.

The Apostle Paul said he was not an elegant speaker; he did not desire to use flattering words to draw attention to the cross. It is a shame too many preachers today feel they must use flattery or jokes to attract or keep an audience.

Paul says that preaching of the cross is enough to show the power of salvation. Let us notice the attitude necessary to convict an erring sinner. Turn to 1 Cor. 1:17.

1 Cor. 1:17-18. 17 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. 18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.

Let’s not take the first phrase out of context. Paul is not saying he was commanded not to baptize. Jesus Christ gave him a specific duty to preach unto the Gentiles. His introductory phrase here is in line with the previous few verses about the division of the congregation over who baptized who and to whom the one baptized followed, causing division in the congregation at Corinth. Paul’s mission and teaching here is to stop the division and show the power of God to draw men to salvation. It would not be flattery, but the cross which attracts a sinner to salvation.

Preaching the Gospel is Paul’s mission. Speaking where God told him to speak utilized the power of the cross to bring men to salvation. However, many found it to be foolish in their minds. Paul did not want to take anything away from God and the power of his son’s death on a cross for the atonement for mankind’s sin. It was God’s plan to use a cross–a despised manner of death–to save man from his sins.

Looking back upon the many preachers you have heard, what kind of audience did you notice? Were all the members of any audience with the same social and economic status? Were they all with the same education? Did any act as if they were above everyone, or, were there any who seemed like they felt they were not elegant or smart enough to participate in any bible class discussion?

You are probably placing yourself into one class of members and recognizing others you believed to be of the same position. This places all others into different classes either above you or below in status. This should not be so. This is what Apostle Paul knows to cause division.

What is God’s plan for the assemblies concerning social status?

1 Cor. 1:19-21. 19 For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. 20 Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? 21 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.

Anyone who feels they are wise and above others will be destroyed by God and his wisdom. Those preachers and teachers who act above everyone show their real objectives. God will expose them. This is why not many come to salvation as they should. They believe the preaching of the cross of Jesus is too foolish to be true. It must be a fable; a superstition. However, God likes putting the wise of this world to shame. If God has a sense of humor, this must be enjoyable to him. God being a jealous person does not like a proud, boastful, arrogant individual. To them the truth cannot be accepted.

Therefore, preaching, preaching about the cross of Jesus, is all that is necessary to convict the humble. In most assemblies of true righteous people, it is the common, humble people who are found to be authentic Christians–believers. This is what Apostle Paul desired for the congregation at Corinth.