I Corinthians 2:1-5
"And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God."
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Before arriving in Corinth, Paul had been beaten and imprisoned in Philippi, run out of Thessalonica and Berea, and scoffed at in Athens. I imagine he was a bit tired physically and probably even emotionally drained also. But in the first chapter of I Corinthians, he comes right out of the gate praising and thanking God. Here was a man hated, rejected and abused by the world, and yet he was not discouraged from his mission.
In 1 Cor 1:18, Paul wasted no time in pointing directly to the cross when he said "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". In our passage today from the second chapter, Paul goes on to expand on this theme. He states that he possesses no eloquent speaking abilities, or deep wisdom apart from God. He also says that he was weak, fearful, and even trembling. And Paul continually points us to God as the source of his wisdom and regenerated soul.
And so it is with us. We don't need to be master presenters and speakers to share the word of God and the gospel message with seekers. We just need to talk about how we were lost, and that now we are found in the cross of Christ. I believe that the most effective sermon we can give is our personal testimony. Your testimony highlights your weaknesses (you are not better than the seeker), and at the same time it focused them on the saving and transforming power of the cross. Seekers most often don't need to hear a theology class, they just need to understand and really see the cross.
So, I challenge you to share your testimony from your heart. Just talk about where you have been and where you are now. Talk about how important your faith is and how you would be lost without your relationship with Jesus. And if you bare your soul completely, don't be surprised if you see a receptive heart in the seeker. Then it is time to share the gospel message of Christ crucified on the cross.
...and don't forget to love God with all your heart, love others as He does, and use every minute for His will and to His glory!
Previous Bible Trivia: Both Kay and Sue found the verse (v11) in Ecclesiastes 3 that talks about how God has put eternity in our hearts. And Kay was the only one to identify the 60s song that was based almost solely on Ecclesiastes 3. The song was "Turn, Turn, Turn" written by Pete Seeger and made famous by the Byrds. Great job guys and keep that eternal perspective!
Family Update: We are looking forward to seeing everyone in Ohio this weekend!
"And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God."
----------------------------------
Before arriving in Corinth, Paul had been beaten and imprisoned in Philippi, run out of Thessalonica and Berea, and scoffed at in Athens. I imagine he was a bit tired physically and probably even emotionally drained also. But in the first chapter of I Corinthians, he comes right out of the gate praising and thanking God. Here was a man hated, rejected and abused by the world, and yet he was not discouraged from his mission.
In 1 Cor 1:18, Paul wasted no time in pointing directly to the cross when he said "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". In our passage today from the second chapter, Paul goes on to expand on this theme. He states that he possesses no eloquent speaking abilities, or deep wisdom apart from God. He also says that he was weak, fearful, and even trembling. And Paul continually points us to God as the source of his wisdom and regenerated soul.
And so it is with us. We don't need to be master presenters and speakers to share the word of God and the gospel message with seekers. We just need to talk about how we were lost, and that now we are found in the cross of Christ. I believe that the most effective sermon we can give is our personal testimony. Your testimony highlights your weaknesses (you are not better than the seeker), and at the same time it focused them on the saving and transforming power of the cross. Seekers most often don't need to hear a theology class, they just need to understand and really see the cross.
So, I challenge you to share your testimony from your heart. Just talk about where you have been and where you are now. Talk about how important your faith is and how you would be lost without your relationship with Jesus. And if you bare your soul completely, don't be surprised if you see a receptive heart in the seeker. Then it is time to share the gospel message of Christ crucified on the cross.
...and don't forget to love God with all your heart, love others as He does, and use every minute for His will and to His glory!
Previous Bible Trivia: Both Kay and Sue found the verse (v11) in Ecclesiastes 3 that talks about how God has put eternity in our hearts. And Kay was the only one to identify the 60s song that was based almost solely on Ecclesiastes 3. The song was "Turn, Turn, Turn" written by Pete Seeger and made famous by the Byrds. Great job guys and keep that eternal perspective!
Family Update: We are looking forward to seeing everyone in Ohio this weekend!
