The message matters. And not just any message. There is only one that will save and that is the message concerning Jesus Christ. This is never more clearly stated than in the first several chapters of 1 Corinthians.

Paul had been very exact in his presentation of the Gospel to the Corinthians. He didn't use fancy words or persuasive tactics in his communication. He simply preached the death, the burial and the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Add to this message or take away from it and you have emptied it of its power.

The Corinthians were doing just that. Many of the Corinthians believed water baptism was part of the Gospel story. Others relied on the wisdom of man as the way and means of knowing God. These additions caused all kinds of confusion and even divided believers to the point that Paul called them mere babes in Christ.

There is nothing we can add to the Gospel that will make it more powerful or valuable. It is all of Jesus and none of us. He is the one who saves. Think about it. What could you add to the death that he died? What could you add to his resurrection? As Paul wrote to the Romans: "Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ (Romans 10:17).

It is the message concerning Jesus Christ that matters. The death he died took away your sin once and for all. And the resurrection he experienced is what gave you new life. This sounds like foolishness to "those who are perishing." But to us who are saved, it is "the power of God."

Don't let anyone tell you that the message doesn't matter. The message does matter. And the message that saves is this: "that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures..." (1 Corinthians 3:4).