1 Corinthians 1:22-24 For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom:… It is a very strange conjunction of words — the Anointed of God crucified. Yet for this very purpose He was anointed, and our preaching is the preaching of "Christ," that is the glory of His Person; but it is "Christ crucified" that is in the ignominy and shame of His suffering. In dividing the text we will take each word. I. A WORD OF POSITION — "But." 1. It is not everybody that does this; others have other things to do. 2. The "but" seems to suggest opposition, viz., the contentions which prevailed at Corinth. What are we to do when we find people quarrelling? If we are wise we shall let them alone, and say through it all, "But we preach Christ crucified." I have known a Church divided into as many divisions as there were members, and there has come a warm-hearted Christian man who has just preached Christ crucified, and somehow before they knew it the members melted into one. 3. The "but" seems to me, however, to have reference to the very wise people to whom the Cross was foolishness. They were "abreast of the times," they "kept pace with progress," so they preached Christ so improved that it was no longer the gospel, but "another gospel." I like Paul's grand way of teaching the Gnostics, or the knowers; he joined the "know-nothings," for he says, "I determined not to know anything among you save Christ and Him crucified." "Let these Gnostics preach what they like, but we preach Christ crucified." 4. We know some brethren whose religion consists always in mending the religion of others. You may be preaching niceties of doctrine, of theories, of prophecy, &c., while what is wanted is the cure for the souls of men who are perishing for lack of knowledge, and the knowledge that they want is wrapped up in these two words, "Christ crucified." 5. And had Paul been here he would have made some remark about the superstitions of this age, for there be some that seem to think God is best honoured by buildings of gorgeous architecture, and by sumptuous services. Our friend has built a reredos, has decorated a holy table, has prepared the chancel, and thinks he has brought back mediaeval Christianity; but we preach Christ crucified. II. A WORD OF PERSONALITY — "We." Why do we do it? Because — 1. He saved us. We cannot help preaching this, because every day it is the rest and refuge, the joy and the delight of our souls. 2. He inspires us. We preach Christ crucified, because years ago He laid His hand upon us, and said, "Go, preach My gospel." 3. It seems the masterpiece of God. Heaven and earth are full of His majesty, and both in nature and providence we learn to adore the ever-present and eternal One. But in Immanuel, God with us, there is most of God. 4. We are fools, as the enemy says. (1) Any fool can say that which is uppermost; and truly, brethren, I am myself a great fool in that respect, for uppermost with me is Christ crucified. (2) Fools can always say what they are told. They are not great at invention. There are some that carry with them a touchstone, by which they judge inspiration itself — their inner consciousness, and the general tone of public opinion. Paul, of course, did not know much about that, because he was "crucified to the world," and the world to him, and he did not care much about public opinion. (3) Fools generally talk when they are wonder-struck, and we confess that we have been astounded at the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. (4) Fools can generally speak if they are forced, and we do confess that that is exactly one point that accounts for our folly. "Woe is unto me if I preach not the gospel." We cannot take any credit when we preach Christ crucified, because it lies within us like fire, and we cannot help but speak of it. (5) And surely men may speak when there is a great danger. If there were a house on fire, and a poor soul needed to be delivered, I do not suppose that before a man wheeled the fire-escape up to a window you would stop him to see whether he could pass an examination at Oxford. And so we must be permitted while men are perishing to preach to them that alone which will save them — namely, Christ crucified. (6) We are determined, as any other sensible fools would do, to stop by what we know till we learn something better. In the State of Massachusetts there was a resolution passed that the State should be guided and governed by the laws of God till they had time to make some better; and we have determined that we will preach Christ crucified till we find something better. III. A WORD OF ACTION "We preach," or proclaim as heralds. We are trumpeters for Christ, we go before Him to prepare His way. Hence, some have said the preacher ought to preach principally the second Advent. Undoubtedly; but first he should be able to say, "we preach Christ crucified," not "we preach Christ glorified." Because to preach means to proclaim, therefore we proclaim Christ as King. Submit yourselves unto Him. It is not a matter of choice with you. It is not "Will you elect some king?" but "He is King; submit to Him." Neither are we called upon to adorn Christ crucified. I think we are getting into great mistakes about sermons sometimes. Gild gold, and lay your colours on the lily, but let Christ alone, and if you cannot do anything but just tell simply the story of the love of God in providing an atonement, do tell it and leave those fine words at home. IV. THE TWO LAST WORDS — "Christ crucified." 1. Preach all of Christ. When Paul says, "We preach Christ crucified," he seems to me to say, "We preach the most objectionable part of Christ." I like a Christian man that preaches all he believes. "Now, Paul, this is very unwise of you. There is a Jewish gentleman, a man of large means; if we could get him into the Church he might very likely build a chapel, and you preached Christ. And then there was a Greek gentleman. Now, why did you not preach Christ in His glory, or say little about Him? We cannot expect to get these Jewish and Greek friends converted to us, if we will stiffly remain by the old orthodoxy. The whole current of thought leads you to believe that there is a great deal in Mahomedanism and Brahminism, and it is a great pity to push these distinctive points so very far." I fancy I hear anybody saying that to Paul! Did we come here to please men? I charge you never needlessly offend anybody; but if the truth offend anybody, let them be offended; for it is much better to offend all the world than to offend your Master. 2. As we preach all of Christ, so this is all. But we have some other doctrines. Yes; but they are all relating to this. When you have said that, you have said everything. 3. We preach Him as all. That is all. If you are converted, all your salvation lies in Christ crucified. "Oh, but I want a new heart." Go to Him for it. "Oh, but I want to feel my need." He gives you this, as well as all the rest. 4. We will all preach Christ. "But we are not all ministers," saith one. I hope you all preach Christ, you that are not ministers. A minister once said, "Now all of you must teach Jesus, and try to bring others to Christ; you must all tell what you know." There was a black man in the gallery called out, "Dat will I do." But his minister stopped, for Sam was the most ignorant member of the Church, and he said, "Sam, I do not mean you; because you do not know more than your A B C." "Dat's right, sar," said he; "dere be some niggers don't know A B C — Sam teach them dat." You young converts that do not know much about Christ, you know something other sinners do not know. Go and tell that, and each bit you get go and tell them. You will learn it all the better by teaching it yourself. 5. We preach Christ crucified to all. (C. H. Spurgeon.) Parallel Verses KJV: For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: |
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