There are numerous descriptive figures used in Scripture to portray God’s revelation to mankind. For example, “the gospel of Christ” (Romans 1:16), “the word of this salvation” (Acts 13:26), “the gospel” (2 Timothy 1:8), “the gospel of the kingdom” (Matthew 4:23) and “the preaching of the cross” (1 Corinthians 1:18). Each of the above phrases refers to the same message, which centers on the death, burial and resurrection of King Jesus (1 Corinthians 15:1-4). This message is so important that Jesus preached it Himself for over three years (Matthew 4:23). He also gave His disciples special instructions so that they would continue to proclaim this message after He returned to the Father (Matthew 28:18-20). “The preaching of the cross” is so vitally important! It must be sounded forth throughout the land so that everyone will be able to hear it (Romans 10:13ff). Why is this message so essential? Why must everyone hear it?
Firstly, the preaching of the cross has a focus – the Savior. Peter’s sermon, which sounded forth on the first Pentecost after the resurrection, focused on the Savior: (1) what the Jews had done to the Savior (Acts 2:22-23), (2) what the Father had done for the Savior (Acts 2:24-36) and (3) what the people must do to gain favor of the Savior (Acts 2:37-38). Those who preach Christ crucified have the most appealing, drawing power in this world, Jesus the Christ (John 12:32). Sadly, some change the focus and preach a perverted Gospel (Galatians 1:6ff), but the true preaching of the cross has but one focus!
Secondly, the preaching of the cross has a figure – a sword. Several years ago, this author heard a fellow Gospel preacher correctly say, “the Gospel of Christ is not for the faint of heart.” How true! In fact, Paul affirmed that God has not given us a “spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7b). Without fear, true soldiers of the cross wield “the sword of the spirit, which is the Word of God” (Ephesians 6:17), realizing that this powerful, active, sharp sword (Hebrews 4:12) is able to pull down strong holds, “casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:4-5). This sharp sword has the ability to convict (Acts 2:37), to cleanse (John 15:3) and to convert (Psalm 19:7)! Thus, we must unashamedly wield this sword to both the lost and the saved (Mark 16:15-16; Titus 2:1ff).
Thirdly, the preaching of the cross has a function – salvation. Salvation is only found in the truth of God’s Word! Salvation can never be found in denominational doctrines or dogmas. It can never be found in traditions, opinions, creed books and confessions of faith, popes, cardinals or any other thing that originates from man! The Gospel is God’s power to save mankind (Romans 1:16)! The Gospel is so powerful that Paul used the word for “power” from which word we get our English word “dynamite”! God has no other means to save mankind; the message of salvation is found in the preaching of the cross (Acts 4:12; Romans 10:13ff). In fact, Jesus affirmed that His words are “spirit and life” (John 6:63). The function of the preaching of the cross is to save those who hear and obey!
The preaching of the cross is so vitally important! Without such preaching, folks wander aimlessly through life enslaved to sin. Without the preaching of the cross, folks have no hope, no purpose and certainly no future! Christians must preach the cross! If we fail in the mission God gave us, who will fulfill it? Is there someone close to you that has never heard the preaching of the cross? Why not tell them about its focus – the Savior, by using its figure – the sword, while sharing its function – salvation?
