Many modern preachers craft their messages to get particular responses from the congregation. They judge the effectiveness of their messages by the number who accept Christ. But the Bible emphasizes and focuses on the message instead.

In 1 Corinthians 1:18, “preaching” is to declare the message of the cross, i.e. what the Lord Jesus had accomplished on the cross. To the Jews, the cross is for criminals, and is an emblem of shame. But for those who believe in the Lord Jesus, the cross is an emblem of His love and sacrifice for them.

We must recognise the following three points when we preach the cross:

1. It is the power of God (1 Cor 1:18-19)

The preaching of the cross is the only way for souls to be saved because it is the power of God. 1 Corinthians 1:19 is a quotation of Isaiah 29:14. During the time of Isaiah, there were people who wanted to approach God. But their hearts were not right with God, and they were idolatrous. They could not come before God with their own wisdom. We can only approach God in His prescribed way. The cross is the only way that we can be reconciled to God.

2. It is the wisdom of God (1 Cor 1:20-21, 24)

Man cannot know or approach God through worldly wisdom. In 1 Corinthians 1:20, the wise refers to the Greek philosophers. The scribes refer to the Jewish scholars and lawyers. The disputers refer to debaters who take pride in their intelligence and eloquence. The wisdom of the world is foolishness to God, and likewise, to the world, the Word of God is foolishness to them.

3. It is relevant for all (1 Cor 1:22-24)

The preaching of the cross is given to all relevant and is for all. The Jews did not believe in the gospel because they expected a sign from the Messiah. They failed to see that the Lord Jesus was the sign. Likewise, the Greeks sought wisdom. To them the preaching of the cross is foolishness because they did not seek the wisdom that is from God’s Word. But to all who believes, the preaching of the cross is the power of God unto salvation. And it is relevant for all because we are all sinners alike. It is the only message that can save.

Many have departed from preaching the cross, but let us return to preaching the cross. Because it is the power of God that can save all.