THE DESIRE FOR ELOQUENCE IN THE PULPIT NULLIFIES THE CROSS OF CHRIST: 1 Corinthians 1:17-18 17 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. 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. 1 Corinthians 1:17-18 (The Amplified Version) 17 For Christ (the Messiah) sent me out not to baptize but [to evangelize by] preaching the glad tidings (the Gospel), and that not with verbal eloquence, lest the cross of Christ should be deprived of force and emptied of its power and rendered vain (fruitless, void of value, and of no effect). 18 For the story and message of the cross is sheer absurdity and folly to those who are perishing and on their way to perdition, but to us who are being saved it is the [manifestation of] the power of God. Speaking the Word of God is not a PERFORMANCE! It is ministry! It is NOT supposed to attract attention to ourselves, to create a fan base or personal following, and/or to be entertaining. Trying to appeal to those who are not hungry for God by entertaining them with our verbal gymnastics is an insult to God, the blood, and the cross (1 Cor 1:17). Consequently, much of todays preaching produces NO CHANGE in peoples lives because there is NO conviction manifested as a result of our ministry. We Men of God will stand accountable before God for this! Saving souls is not dependent upon the class, persona, and charisma of the speaker! It is dependent upon the Word (Rhema) of God being faithfully delivered by humble Servants of God who are more concerned about peoples opinion of God than they are about peoples opinion of them. Jesus, please help us and the souls whose salvation is dependent upon being able to hear the Word of God delivered to them faithfully, with pure motives. The Living Word is supposed to be delivered by vessels that are dead to self. In Jesus Name! 1 Corinthians 1:21-25 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. Grace and peace from the Father be upon you, in Jesus name! (If you agree with this post and/or it has helped you, please dont just like it, please share it. Thanks!) Bishop Chester M Wright, ThD Antioch, The Apostolic Church Arnold, Maryland Twitter: @thebishop7
Posted on: Wed, 29 Oct 2014 17:46:30 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015