“Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God” I Corinthians 1:22-24).
“Often times we are asked, ‘What do you preach?’. The answer is simple. ‘We preach Christ crucified.’ This lofty theme has ever been the only hope of the world. In the days of the early church it produced a moral revolution. Thrones have vanished and empires have fallen, but the kingdom of Christ endures and is still able to bless those who will believe in Christ crucified, the power and the wisdom of God.
The apostle states, ‘We preach Christ.’ The economic or military condition of the Roman Empire was not a concern of Paul’s preaching. He preached Christ. His preaching was the doctrine of a person. Nothing else in its true sense is preaching.” (John C. Whitehead, Vol. 1, Oct. 1949, The Gospel Guardian)
My father-in-law wrote this 68 years ago. It’s just as true today. It would be wonderful if all preachers would take Paul’s advice and preach Christ crucified. It seems that today’s sermons are more about personal dysfunctions than the function of the cross. Too often we come away from church with paralysis of analysis instead of encouragement from the Word. We dig deeply into “church problems” and pass the cross from the other side of the road.
Sixty eight years ago John C. Whitehead talked about “the doctrine of a person”. Wouldn’t it be great if all of us had planted our feet firmly on that principle instead of fighting over all the concocted doctrines our pea-brains have deduced? If we held up Christ crucified, we would have come together in unity a long time ago.
If you’re preaching this Sunday — preach Christ crucified. If you’re listening to preaching this Sunday — listen for the story of Jesus. If your preacher ignores this doctrine of a person, I’d find out why — and give them what for!
AMEN!!