^“For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel—not with wisdom and eloquence, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power” (1 Cor 1:17).

Let’s shift the focus to the second part of this verse.  Paul is saying that he does not want to preach in human wisdom and words of eloquence.  This is not that these are wrong, but many a leader uses new ideas, brilliant words, and more in order to impress.

But Paul does not want this.  He does not want human elements to distract from the power of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

It’s a strange saying, “lest the cross of Christ be empties of its power.”  The cross can’t be empties of its power intrinsically.  But it can be made less of a point of power when we put the smoke machine of our own eloquence and impressiveness in front of it.

If at the end of a message, someone says, “wow! That guy is amazing!” “What a fantastic preacher.”  It might be a sign that the point was missed.

If at the end of your preaching and teaching someone says, “Wow, Jesus is amazing!”  “Isn’t the cross incredible!” you may have hit the mark.

The goal is not to highlight yourself, but to point people to the cross of Christ.

When the cross is central, the message it brings has power to transform, to save, to redeem, and to bring life.

We can’t do that.  You can’t do that.  Only Jesus can.

Now read this:

^“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God” (1 Cor 1:18).

The message of the cross is the power of God.  Miracles are good.  Deliverance is good.  Healing is good.

But where is the power of God?

In the message of the cross.

It’s why Paul says this:

“For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified” (1 Cor 2:2).