To follow up on this. Paul's reference to Christ crucified, to the cross, is not just to the material cross, but to the total theological significance of the cross...the "finished work" of Jesus Christ....inclusive of His death, burial, resurrection, ascension, Pentecostal outpouring and all of our future and last expectations.
"Christ sent me to preach the gospel, not in cleverness of speech, that the cross of Christ should not be made void" (1 Cor. 1:17). "The cross of Christ is made void" when Christ's finished work and it's full theological significance is not recognized. "The cross of Christ is made void" when continuing performance standards are advocated as criteria for sanctification rather than the "saving life of Christ." The "finished work" of God that was set in motion at the cross is intrinsic to the good news of the gospel.