At the Cross

At the heart of the Apostle Paul's preaching is the word,  "...we preach Christ crucified."  (I Corinthians 1:23).  It is a hard word for preachers to preach and for those who listen to hear.  In many ways the message of "Christ crucified" is a counter culture word.  We live in an age that has convinced itself that if something is broken, we can fix it.  The message of the cross points to a brokenness which can only be fixed by external intervention. Preaching "Christ crucified" requires preaching about sin which is an outdated concept for so many who worship the psychological answers and solutions.   

To a larger degree the message of the church no longer has the power of influence as it did in earlier generations.   In an effort to draw more people under the umbrella of the church's influence, preachers are tempted to preach a "feel good" gospel which readily focuses on a loving Savior, but not necessarily a saving One.   People today seem to have an aversion to preaching that calls forth some kind of emotional response.  Sermons that teach or are entertaining have become more the norm.  

The problem is there is no way to go to the cross and see the horror of that day without our heart, the center of our emotions, being touched.  Preaching that overtly seeks an emotional response is regarded as manipulative.  Preaching trends today lean more toward "Christ, the loving Savior,"  or "Christ, the servant," or maybe, "anyone but Christ crucified."  Even as the resurrection message which is according to Scripture the central core of our faith is preached only on Easter so is it true that the only time the message of the cross might be proclaimed is on Good Friday.  What is often forgotten is that without Good Friday and the cross, there is no reason to show up with the crowds on Easter Sunday.