I continue to write about the significance of the cross and how we stay relevant in today’s culture with this topic of the cross. Thankfully, Paul gives us great insight in today’s verse.

Wherever the apostle went, he adapted and made himself relevant to the culture. In what I believe is a sincere attempt to become all things to all men, some churches have drifted away from the message of the cross. They value excellence of speech and human physiological wisdom. They know many things but rarely speak of “Christ and Him crucified.”

Churches today have slick marketing and many persuasive words but lack the “demonstration of the Spirit and of power.” As a result, many put their faith in the wisdom of men rather than “the power of God.” We need to change to be relevant to our times, but we cannot change or ignore the message of the cross.

I recently read where Joseph Stowell sat down with an evangelist that has preached throughout this great country and the world, to discuss what needs to be changed in how we preach now, in comparison with the 1950’s. He said he expected some profound analysis and contextualization of our societal shifts.

Rather this evangelist said, “Nothing has really changed in terms of the needs of people. Wherever or whatever you preach, you must remind people of their sin, speak to them of heaven and hell, show them the cross and urge them to come to the Savior” (Shepherding the Church, p.55). Such profound wisdom for all of us!