1 Corinthians 1:18-31.
Introduction.
Paul was sent to preach the gospel (v. 17; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4), which is foolishness to the world (vs. 18, 21). Gospel preaching is “not with enticing words of man’s wisdom but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power” (1 Corinthians 2:4), a power not understood in natural terms. The foundation of its power is the crucified but living Christ (1 Corinthians 15:14).
The message of the preaching is “Christ crucified.”
We preach Christ. Christ is the promised Messiah, the Anointed, the One Sent. Jesus is that Christ, the one sent, the God born of a virgin, manifest in the flesh, who came to seek and to save that which was lost.
We preach Christ crucified – not just Jesus the prime example, the great teacher, or the principal prophet. Jesus became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross, that he might reconcile man unto God by his death. He made peace through the blood of his cross. Without shedding of blood – the blood of Jesus shed on the cross – there is no remission of sins. The blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth us from all sin. A message stripped of the atoning sacrifice of Jesus on the cross is diluted, debilitated, and – ultimately – dead on arrival!
The meaning of the preaching divides in twain, and unites in one.
The preaching of the same “Christ crucified” has different effects. To the lost it was foolishness. The things of the Spirit of God are foolishness to the natural man (1 Corinthians 2:14), but the wisdom of the world is foolishness to God (1 Corinthians 3:19). To the saved it was the power of God.[i] The gospel of Christ is the power of God unto salvation to salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek (Romans 1:16). To the Jews it is a stumblingblock.[ii] To the Greeks it is foolishness.[iii]
The Jews wanted a temporal deliverer. Jesus did not suit their case. They sought a sign.[iv] We see it demonstrated in those scribes and Pharisees who demanded, “Master, we would see a sign from thee.” Jesus responded plainly, “An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas.”
The Greeks exalted “wisdom.”[v] Matthew Henry points out, “They laughed at the story of a crucified Saviour, and despised the apostles’ way of telling it.” We see this demonstrated in the philosophical seat of Athens. “And some said, What will this babbler say? other some, He seemeth to be a setter forth of strange gods: because he preached unto them Jesus, and the resurrection…And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked.”
“but unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God” (v. 24). Those who reject the preaching of Christ crucified are divided from those who receive it. Those who receive the message of Christ crucified are united in one, whether they be Jews or Greeks.
The method of the preaching is the same message for all.
The message is universal, keyed to the same one truth for all, whether Jews or Greeks. It is not chameleon-like, changing to blend to its environment, or a menu filled with sweets to suit the tastes of the shopper, mutating to fit the market.
The Jews require a sign, but Paul did not adjust his message to suit them. He preached Christ crucified. It was a stumblingblock to those who would not receive it. The Greeks seek after wisdom, but Paul did not adjust his message to suit them. He preached Christ crucified. It was foolishness to those who would not receive it – yet it was one and the same message for all.
God does not change his message to fit the man; the man must be changed by God’s message.
Conclusion.
May we, with the apostle, ground our ministry in the preaching of Christ crucified. Modern church theory advises us to appeal to the expectations and interests of the hearers. Give them what they want. From this modern mentality derives the pablum of parachurch entities, elaborate programs, and entertaining “pack-the-pews.” Games and gimmicks carry the day. Smoke and mirrors. Flashing lights and loud music. The idol of “success” rules and reigns in many churches.
Many 21st-century churches in the West have either intentionally or unwittingly swallowed a consumer mentality (hook, line, and sinker). They proceed as though they are selling a product rather than preaching a Christ. “Coming to our church” becomes the ultimate product for sale, and the churches must convince buyers why their product is the best buy among all the competition. The facilities must be state-of-the-art; the preaching must be relevant, smooth, and polished; the music must be energetic and entertaining; the events must keep attendees on the edges of their seats.
In contrast, biblical church truth teaches us to appeal with Christ crucified. Give them what they need whether or not they want it. The message of Christ crucified arrests the foolishness of man and promotes the power of God. What we say and what we do will be grounded in the word of God, where there is power (Ecclesiastes 8:4; Luke 4:32; 2 Corinthians 6:7; 1 Thessalonians 1:5). The acceptable way of worshipping God, to preach his word, and to serve him faithfully, is instituted by God himself, and is limited by and within his revealed will.
Our message is Christ crucified. May we preach it faithfully. Where it unites, let us dwell together in unity. Where it divides, let us be satisfied with and stand on God’s revealed will. May we not compromise the message or our methods to give people what they want. What folks want might be a varied as the terrain of Texas. What they need is the gospel, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures, and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures, and that he was seen alive by many infallible proofs. This is the power of God unto salvation.
[i] Power,
δυναμις, strength, ability (to do, cf. Philippians 2:13). Sometimes “power” is “authority,”
but here it is strength.
[ii] A
cause or occasion of stumbling or falling. Cf. Romans 14:13.
[iii] Absurbity,
folly. Cf. Proverbs 15:2.
[iv] A
wonder or miracle, as proof. Cf. Acts 2:22.
[v] True
wisdom is the right use or exercise of knowledge (Psalm 111:10).
