The preaching of the cross is the power of God for those who are saved and foolishness to those who perish.
Paul's core message is the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ, including His shed blood. Les Feldick emphasizes that this event from 2,000 years ago has everything to do with us today because it is the power of God to save and set free from sin.
1 Corinthians 1:18 — This verse directly contrasts how the world and believers respond to the preaching of the cross.
1 Corinthians 1:18 declares, "For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God." This verse shows two different responses to the same message: it is foolishness to those who are perishing, but it is the power of God to those who are saved.
Les Feldick teaches that "the preaching of the cross" is Paul's one and only message: the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ, including His shed blood. Paul never mentions Bethlehem, Christ's birth, His earthly ministry, or His miracles because his message is focused exclusively on the cross and resurrection.
Les Feldick explains that the preaching of the cross simply means that Christ died, was buried, and rose again. He notes that Paul never mentions the birth of Christ, His earthly ministry, or His miracles, because Paul's only message is the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ, including the shed blood.
Les Feldick observes that the world sees the preaching of the cross as foolishness because people cannot comprehend how an event that happened 2,000 years ago could have any effect on them today. He points out that this was already true in Paul's day, and that people today ask the same question. Les answers that it has "everything" to do with us today.
Les teaches that to believers, the preaching of the cross is the power of God. It takes God's power to save us and set us free from the shackles of sin, and that power can only be released when we believe the gospel. Salvation is an exercise of God's sovereign power, which is why good works can never save anyone. Les illustrates this with Israel at the Red Sea, where God told them to stand still and see His salvation.
Paul's One Message
Paul never mentions Bethlehem, Christ's birth, earthly ministry, or miracles because he preaches only the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ with His shed blood.
Foolishness to the World
The world sees the preaching of the cross as foolish because it can't understand what someone did 2,000 years ago has to do with today, but to believers it is the power of God.
Power to Set Free
The preaching of the cross is the power of God that saves us and sets us free from the shackles of sin, but that power is only released when we believe the gospel.
The Cross Defined
The preaching of the cross is simply that Christ died, was buried, and rose again.
Sovereign Salvation
Salvation is the sovereign power of God, not human works; only God can accomplish the salvation of the spiritual.
Everything for Today
Though people ask what someone who died 2,000 years ago has to do with them, the answer is 'everything'; for the saved it is the power of God.
Christ the Power of God
In 1 Corinthians 1:24, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God for those who are called.
Red Sea Illustration
God's power is illustrated at the Red Sea where Israel was told to stand still and see the salvation of the Lord.
1 Corinthians 1:18: For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.
This is the central verse Les Feldick uses to explain the two different responses to the preaching of the cross.
1 Corinthians 1:24: But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.
This verse reinforces that Christ Himself is the power of God for those who are called.
Exodus 14:13: And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever.
Les Feldick uses this passage to illustrate that God's salvation comes by His power, not human effort.
The preaching of the cross is the message that Christ died, was buried, and rose again, including His shed blood. Les Feldick says this is Paul's only message.
Yes, Les Feldick says it has everything to do with us today, even though it happened 2,000 years ago. To those who are saved, it is the power of God.
It is God's power to save us from sin and death. Les explains that salvation requires God's sovereign power, not human works, and that power is released through belief in the gospel.
Watch the Teaching: The 3 Requirements for Redemption: Person, Blood, and Power