Preaching about the CROSS is Easy!

To preach the Cross is relatively easy, but to be a crucified person preaching the Cross is not so easy.

So often we hear messages on the Cross, especially at the Easter season, that are sound doctrinally, but the messenger lacks the spirit of the Cross. It requires more than presenting a nice teaching with all the tech tapestries of videos or imagery, all trying to fill in a thirty-minute sermon.

As a young minister, I was more consumed with the work of the Lord than with the Lord of the work. Giftings or talents were recognized rather than anointing or the marks of the Cross on my life. In fact, there were no marks. The crucified life was rarely preached or taught. Instead, it was easier to embrace new teachings such as the Word of Faith, Charismatic Renewal, Kingdom Now theology, Demonology, or a slew of other movements that have evolved over the last 40 years. All of these had elements of truth but lacked the fundamental truth that Paul preached… Christ crucified and the Cross at work in our lives.

Let me say that the leaders of many of these movements never denied the necessity of the death of the Cross. The messages from the pulpit and beyond proclaimed that there were great benefits of the Cross of Christ for every believer, such as prosperity and healing. But rarely, if ever, was there a message from these ministers that spoke of a crucified life as described by Paul in his writings. No, what was presented (and still is) was a teaching that Jesus went to the Cross so that believers did not have to. Criticism of Paul's sufferings gave ground for a different gospel. The rejection of the daily work of the Cross as a vital process to His LORDSHIP has given place for confidence in self and the natural life.

This attitude has given way to a man-centered interpretation of God’s Word. Many continue to search the Scriptures in hopes of finding justification for the delusional messages of numerous past and present movements. In their pursuit, they have transformed the Word of God into a law that suits them. As a result, many believers have failed to receive the vital life of the Cross from those who stand in the pulpit Sunday after Sunday. The Word of God has not lost its power; it is the preachers and teachers who have failed. In their desire to become “Corinthian charismatics,” they have bypassed Calvary. They have not embraced a life of crucifixion, which means death. How can they give to others what they themselves do not have? Again, unless the Cross becomes an experience, having done something in them, a drastic thing- death and then life- they will lack anointing and the ability to impart life to others.