The Power of the Simple Gospel
The Apostle Paul was a simple man. To the Corinthians, he said that he had decided that he would forget everything except Jesus Christ, the One who was crucified. He came to them in weakness, timid and trembling. His message and preaching was very plain. Rather than using clever and persuasive speeches, he relied only on the Holy Spirit.
A Simple Man
Paul was not an attractive man; he did not draw crowds because he looked good. When he spoke, he was blunt. He was to the point. People did not gather around him for his charismatic character. It is thought that he may have had a physical deformity, so his appearance likely caused people to avoid him.
Simple Preacher
He was not a big-shot preacher. If he were here today, he probably would not be invited to speak at the annual preaching conference. He likely would not be appearing at the denominational convention either. And yet this simple man, while he was in chains, had the opportunity to stand before kings. He also stood before governors. During these encounters, he preached about the crucified Christ.
Simple Obedience
It is true, that Paul did not have a church growth plan, but everywhere He went strong churches grew. He did not have a disciple-making plan, but his disciples took the Gospel into all the world. He was not a dynamic preacher but his preaching is still impacting the world today.
Simple Life
Paul was an intelligent and highly educated man. However, it was the foolishness of the cross that mattered to him, not the wisdom of man. He gladly poured out His life for the Gospel and counted it a privilege to suffer for the Savior.
A Simple Call
This is my challenge to all of you. I hope you understand that the just shall live by faith. You must never be ashamed of the Gospel of Christ. It is the power of God unto salvation to all who believe. The scandal of the Cross is our only hope of eternal life.
A Simple Purpose
To the preacher who wishes to please God, I say this: put away the how-to preach books. Throw away that resume that you planned to send to the bigger church. Stand wherever you are and preach with the power of the Holy Spirit. Understand this: your purpose and goal is to take the Gospel into all the world. It is not human wisdom but the power of God that will save the
souls of men.
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“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.
However, we speak wisdom among those who are mature, yet not the wisdom of this age, nor of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory, which none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
But as it is written: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”
I Corinthians 2:1-9 NKJV
https://bible.com/bible/114/1co.2.1-9.NKJV
Douglas & Deborah Huff
From Down Where the Pavement Ends
www.pavementendsministry.com
email-douglas@pavementendsministry.com
