1 Corinthians 1:22-24 For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom:… I. WE PREACH, i.e., proclaim, herald. Commonly, however, in the N.T., voice, in contradistinction to other agencies, is usually intended. "Faith cometh by hearing." There are additional instrumentalities which have been greatly honoured. For instance, the gospel is printed. The press is a mighty power for good. Again, the gospel may be painted. Sermons have proceeded from studios as well as from studies, and the picture-gallery has illustrated impressively the glorious work of grace. Zinzendorf traced back his deepest convictions to the effect produced upon him by a representation of the crucified Saviour. And this is not marvellous. Look at the "Last Supper" of Leonardo; the "Transfiguration" of Raphael; or, the "Light of the World" by Holman Hunt. Are you unmoved by them? Nevertheless, it is chiefly by speech that the mind is reached and the heart touched. "It pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe." An experienced missionary has remarked, "I have never seen a Chinaman weep over a book; but I have seen a Chinaman weep under a sermon." We have the sermons of George Whitfield and the orations of Edward Irving, and the reason why you are not affected as others were is because they heard, whereas you only read. II. WE PREACH CHRIST — Paul habitually called the attention of his hearers to a Person. "We preach Christ": Christ as He was, the one perfect and finished offering for human sin: Christ as He is, the Mediator between God and man; Christ as He will be, the Judge of every creature. In adopting such a course the apostles followed the Master Himself. Christ preached Christ. "I say," "I am," "I do," "I will": how often did these words fall from His lips! No prophet dared to speak as He spoke. The power of this Christian ministry is in the presentation, not simply of great truths, but of the truth as it is in Christ Jesus. III. WE PREACH CHRIST CRUCIFIED. Because — 1. Christ crucified reveals God. "Hereby perceive we the love of God." Write the biography of Columbus and say nothing of America, speak of Caxton and be silent about printing, allude to Wyckliffe and ignore the Reformation, then may we preach Christ and forget Christ crucified. 2. Christ crucified restores man. So Paul found. He spoke from experience. A North-American Indian was asked the means by which he and his brethren became Christians. The answer was: "A preacher came once, and desiring to instruct us, began by proving that there was a God. On which we said to him, 'Well! and dost thou think that we are ignorant of that? Now go again whence thou earnest.' Another preacher appeared and said, 'Ye must not steal, ye must not lie,' &c. We answered him, 'Dost thou think that we do not know that? Go and learn it first thyself, and teach the people that thou belongest to not to do these things.' Some time after this, Christian Henry, one of the brethren, came to me in my hut, and sat down by me and said: 'I come to thee in the name of the Lord of heaven and earth. He acquaints thee that He would gladly save thee, and rescue thee from the miserable state in which thou liest. To this end He became Man, hath given His life for mankind, and shed His blood for them!' Upon this he lay down on a board in my hut, and fell asleep, being fatigued with his journey. I thought what manner of man is this? There he lies and sleeps so sweetly. I might kill him immediately, and throw him out into the forest, and who would care for it? But he is unconcerned. However, I could not get rid of his words; and though I went to sleep I dreamed of the blood which Christ had shed for us. Thus, through the grace of God, the awakening among us took place." What a lesson to all Christian workers! Behold the secret of power. Christ crucified is the world's hope. (T. R. Stevenson.) Parallel Verses KJV: For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: |
    |