The Distinctive and Dynamic Message of the Cross

Text: “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God” (1 Corinthians 1:18).

Thought: These words of the Apostle Paul are part of an explanation and defense of the very nature and character of the Christian message and ministry (1 Cor. 1:17-3:4). We must remember that Paul is writing to a carnal and divided church. Part of the problem at Corinth was that the believers were divided by loyalty to different men rather being united in Christ and united by the distinctive and dynamic message of the cross. They were exalting the messengers more than the message. Paul has just stated (1:17) that the essence of his ministry was to preach the message of the cross “not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect.” Now he exalts this message of the cross and the preaching of it especially in the light of the opinion of those who do not believe.  

The Message of the Cross is God’s Distinctive Revelation

The Apostle sets forth in this context the distinctive character of the Gospel by contrasting the wisdom of God with the wisdom of men (1:18-31). The preached message is powerful, it is saving and it reveals the distinctive wisdom of God. Man in his own wisdom does not have the saving knowledge of God. Paul goes even further in his argument when he quotes the Old Testament Scriptures to remind his readers that God said, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.” Not only does human wisdom fall short of the knowledge of God, God Himself has brought man’s wisdom to nothing.  

God has done this by saving people through a preached message of a crucified Christ, not through human wisdom. Despite the scandal and apparent foolishness of such a message (Christ crucified) and such a method (preaching), the preached message of the cross is God’s powerful means of salvation to those who believe. The message, the method, and all that it powerfully accomplishes (in terms of righteousness, sanctification, and redemption) reveal God’s wisdom distinctively.

This wisdom ultimately is wrapped up in Christ Himself, who becomes “everything” for those who believe. As the Apostle writes, “But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption“(1:30). God, therefore, is due all the glory, Christ, therefore, is our sufficient Savior, and the message of the cross is the distinctive revelation that brings salvation to believing men.

The Message of the Cross is God’s Dynamic Invitation

“It pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe…to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God” (1:21,24).

The message of the cross is not only a revelation of God, it is a dynamic invitation from God. It is God’s pleasure that through a “foolish” preached message men and women who believe should experience a powerful salvation. God’s powerful invitation is evident in the fact that the Gospel of a crucified Christ saves fully and eternally those who are called, both Jew and Greek. The philosophies and “power demonstrations” of men will come and go, but the Gospel of Jesus Christ is the unchanging wisdom and “power of God to salvation” for those who believe (Romans 1:16).

Ultimately, that wisdom and that power of God are in Christ, who is everything “to those who are called.” Sadly, for those who reject the message of Christ crucified, who take offense or consider it foolish, there is no other way of salvation. God has revealed His wisdom and power in the message of a crucified Christ distinctively and dynamically. Indeed, the rejection of the message means no salvation to those who are perishing. But, “to us who are being saved it is the power of God” (1:18). Praise His Name!

Thrust: Christ and Him crucified is the only message that brings salvation to sinful men and women. Believe it! Preach it, Invite men and women to be saved by it! Thank God for it!

David Olford teaches expository preaching at Union University's
Stephen Olford Center in Memphis, Tennessee