不变的信息──十字架的信息
哥林多前书一章17至24节
17基督差遣我，原不是为施洗，乃是为传福音，并不用智慧的言语，免得基督的十字架落了空。
18因为十字架的道理，在那灭亡的人为愚拙；在我们得救的人，却为神的大能。
19就如经上所记：我要灭绝智慧人的智慧，废弃聪明人的聪明。
20智慧人在哪里？文士在哪里？这世上的辩士在哪里？神岂不是叫这世上的智慧变成愚拙吗？
21世人凭自己的智慧，既不认识神，神就乐意用人所当作愚拙的道理，拯救那些信的人；这就是神的智慧了。
22犹太人是要神迹，希腊人是求智慧，
23我们却是传钉十字架的基督，在犹太人为绊脚石，在外邦人为愚拙；
24但在那蒙召的，无论是犹太人、希腊人，基督总为神的能力，神的智慧。
信息分享
基督的十字架，乃是福音的核心信息。我们所传的信息，必须包括基督的受死和复活。基督的十字架，亦是神用以处理人类问题的核心方式。当我们求取救恩的时候，圣灵会引领我们走到十字架的面前。当我们渴求过得胜生活的时候，圣灵亦会引领我们走到十字架的面前。而且，圣灵又会主动引领我们去瞻仰十字架，为的是让我们再次默念神的大爱。
保罗在这里对哥林多信徒说：「你们自此至终最需要认识的信息，乃是十字架的信息。它已经是完整的信息，不用再加添甚么或删减甚么。」
犹太人所求的是神迹(22节)，所以，这信息不能取悦他们。今天同样有不少人祈求肉眼看得见的神迹，他们会说：「你说有神，就证明给我看吧！」然而，神却另设了信心之途：「只要你相信十字架的故事，且接受我的儿子为你罪牺牲，那么，我就会向你证明我是真实存在。」
犹太人渴望看见神迹。甚至连撒但，也提议基督用神迹来吸引人信祂。基督的弟弟也作出过类似的建议。我们经常听见今天的人说：「让我经历到神的真实，我就会相信。」但神却提议人说：「你相信我，接着就会经历到我的同在。」
保罗说：「希腊人寻求智慧。」希腊人试图用自己的方式来寻求神。他们拒绝接受十字架这个简单的信息。他们说：「我们会用自己的方法来寻求神。」但神却指出，人只可借着十字架的道路来寻见祂。这个方式未必人人喜爱；有些人认为它太简单或太愚昧。然而，神却坚持它是唯一的道路。
相信这信息的人，会在生活中经历它的能力。可是，拒绝它的人，当将来发现它是唯一的得救之途时，便只有懊悔为时太晚。
THE CROSS-OUR UNCHANGING MESSAGE
1 Corinthians 1:17-24
17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect.
18 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.
19 For it is written:“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise,And bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.”
20 Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?
21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe.
22 For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom;
23 but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness,
24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.
Message
The cross of Christ is the central point of the Gospel. Our message must always include both Christ's death and his resurrection. The cross is also the central point of God's dealings with us. When we ask for salvation, the Holy Spirit leads us to the cross. When we realise the need for victory, the Holy Spirit leads us to the cross. When we need to be reminded of the love of God, the Holy Spirit tells us to look again at the cross.
This is what Paul is saying to the Corinthians, 'The message you needed was the cross. You still need the same message. Don't add anything to it. Don't take anything from it. Let it stand alone.'
That message did not please the Jews, however. They asked for signs (v.22). A sign is something we can see. Many people still ask for the same proof today. 'How can you say there is a God? Show him to me', they say. But God says that is not the way of faith. God says, 'You believe the story of the cross and accept that my Son died for you, then I will prove myself to you'.
When the Jews asked for a sign, they usually wanted to see a miracle. Satan even suggested this to Christ. His brothers also gave the same advice. People today often say, 'Give me an experience and I will believe'. God says, 'You believe and experience will follow'.
Paul said, 'the Greeks search for wisdom'. They were men who tried to work out for themselves how they could find God. They rejected the simple message of the cross and said 'we will find our own way to approach God'. God says the only way to come is by way of the cross. Men may not like it.They may think it is too simple or even silly. God says it is the only way.
Those who believe in this message find out its power in their lives. Those who reject it discover too late that it was the only way they could be saved from sin for all eternity.