The cross of Christ is the strength of the minister; it is the heart of the gospel. I would not preach a sermon without preaching CHRIST CRUCIFIED. I would feel like a soldier without a weapon, like an artist without a brush, like a ship without a rudder, like a laborer without tools. Let others, if they will, preach law and morality; let others drench their congregations with baptisms and church laws; but GIVE ME THE CROSS OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST! This is the lever which has turned the world upside down. This is the only gospel that will cause men to repent and forsake their sins. This is the only message which can give peace to a troubled soul. And if the cross of Christ will not do it, nothing will. A man may begin preaching with a perfect knowledge of Latin, Greek, and Hebrew; but he will do his hearers no good unless he knows Jesus Christ and Him crucified. A missionary may go forth with compassion for the POOR, tenderness for the SICK, and pity for the ENSLAVED; but he will never relieve poverty of SPIRIT, sickness of SOUL, nor bondage of WILL unless he takes them the gospel of Christ crucified. This is the preaching the Holy Ghost will bless. HE HONORS THOSE WHO HONOR CHRIST CRUCIFIED!