God’s Word tells us in 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.”

I have noticed many churches eliminating their preaching services and replacing them with group lessons, singing services, or just canceling them all together. Church members are told, “People do not want to attend these services like they used to so the we are trying something else,” or, “We just do not want to waste our time holding services that no one shows up for.”

I wonder what that means for I Corinthians 1:18?  It appears some churches today are saying that preaching is simply foolishness. “We have to do some preaching but let’s not over do it. We can create other programs that are more important and can attract more people. We can grow our church numbers if we offer other types of programs and not bash them with preaching all the time.”

Let’s look a little closer at the scripture surrounding the key verse:

¹⁸For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.

¹⁹ For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.

²⁰ Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?

²¹ For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.

²² For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom:

²³ But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;

²⁴ But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.

²⁵ Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

²⁶ For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:

²⁷ But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;

We see God’s Word is pretty clear. His plan was for the Church to Preach the Gospel. Now in case you want to say, “Well, yes but singing is preaching in song,” and “Studying the Word is just as good as hearing someone preach the Word to me”. That is an opinion, so let’s see what the scriptures say. In Romans 10:

⁸ But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;

⁹ That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

¹⁰ For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

¹¹ For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

¹² For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.

¹³ For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Now wait for it!

¹⁴ How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?

¹⁵ And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!

God’s plan is for men to preach the Word! Paul told Timothy in @ Timothy 4:2 “Preach The Word!”

There is nothing wrong with song services, group meetings, or anything else that can bring glory to God through the teaching and sharing of His Word as long as we do not use those activities or programs as an excuse to stop the preaching of His Word. It is the only true power of God unto salvation!

So, let’s reschedule those preaching services so we can let God speak to our souls once again as He planned!