I want to begin this article with the following passage: “And when I came to you, brethren, I did not come with superiority of speech or of wisdom, proclaiming to you the testimony of God. For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified” (1 Corinthians 2:1-2 NASB95). The late brother Winford Claiborne wrote regarding this subject, “One of the great problems with preachers who have such a narrow view of what biblical preaching is: they simply do not know what preaching Christ crucified means” (Claiborne 18).[1] It is my purpose to remind us as expositors of the Word of God what it means to preach Christ and Him crucified. We must notice these words from Paul as we begin this article: “For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not come to know God, God was well-pleased through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. For indeed Jews ask for signs and Greeks search for wisdom; but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block and to Gentiles foolishness, but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God” (1 Corinthians 1:21-24 NASB95).
Preaching Christ crucified means preaching the whole counsel of God (Acts 20:27). There should not be one topic that preachers should refuse to address. If we are going to preach Christ crucified, we must preach everything He has instructed us. This would include matters such as: church discipline; marriage, divorce, and remarriage; immorality, etc. If we shy away from certain topics then we cannot say that we have proclaimed Christ and Him crucified. So many people in our churches today prefer watered down preaching and what makes them feel good. What we actually need are sermons that address everything in Scripture. May that be every one of our goals!
Preaching Christ crucified means speaking the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15). Not only must the expositor preach the whole counsel of God, but he must do so with a loving attitude. It is not always what you say but how you say it. We must “restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted” (Galatians 6:1 NASB). If we are not careful, we can do more harm than good. We must address sin, but we must also provide aid to help them out of sin. May our focus and attitude be right in this endeavor!
Preaching Christ crucified means pointing them to be looking forward to His second coming (2 Peter 3:13). Jesus promised that He would return to bring the faithful home with Him (John 14:1-6). Our preaching Christ crucified means that we do not keep Jesus in the grave but to remind our members, as well as ourselves, that Jesus rose on the third day! The resurrection of our Lord gives us the greatest hope as Christians. Our living is in vain had Christ not arose from the dead! His resurrection provided our new birth and our hope (1 Peter 1:3; 1 Peter 3:21). May we be reminded and proclaim Christ’s return!
It is my hope that we will continue to proclaim Christ and Him crucified. No matter what worldly people or worldly-minded members think about it, we must proclaim the whole counsel of God in order to preach Christ and Him crucified. Remember that we will be judged for our messages (James 3:1). I want to recommend a resource for all of you as you seek to preach Christ crucified. It is “Preaching Christ Crucified” by the late brother Winford Claiborne. You will be blessed by His writing. May this enrich your ministry and serve as a grand reminder to proclaim Christ and Him crucified!
[1] Claiborne, Winford. Preaching Christ Crucified. Sain Publications, 2003.