Posts Tagged ‘speaking ability’

Spiritual Training 07 April 2014

Posted: April 7, 2014 in 1 Corinthians, Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command

PAUL ADDRESSES CHURCH PROBLEMS (1:1-6:20)

1 Corinthians 2:1-5 When I came to you brothers, I did not come with eloquence or superior wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. (2) For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. (3) I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling. (4) My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, (5) so that your faith might not rest on men’s wisdom, but on God’s power.

A brilliant scholar, Paul could have overwhelmed his listeners with intellectual arguments. Instead he shared the simple message of Jesus Christ by allowing the Holy Spirit to guide his words.

(4) Paul’s confidence was not in his keen intellect or speaking ability but in his knowledge that the Holy Spirit was helping and guiding him. Paul in not denying the importance of study and preparation for preaching-he had a thorough education in the Scriptures. Effective preaching must combine studious preparation with reliance on the work of the Holy Sprit. Don’t use Paul’s statement as an excuse for not studying or preparing.

Lets Bring it Home: In sharing the gospel with others, we should follow Paul’s example and keep our message simple and basic. The Holy Spirit will give power to our words and use them to bring glory to Jesus.

Spiritual Training 26 March 2014

Posted: March 26, 2014 in 1 Corinthians, Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Proverbs, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command

PAUL ADDRESSES CHURCH PROBLEMS (1:1-6:20)

1 Corinthians 1:17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel-not with words of human wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power. 

When Paul said that Christ didn’t send him to baptize, he wasn’t minimizing the importance of baptism.  Baptism was commanded by Jesus himself (Matthew 28:19) and practiced by the early church (Acts 2:41).  Paul was emphasizing that no one person should do everything. Paul’s gift was preaching, and that’s what he did.  Christian ministry should be a team effort; no preacher or teacher is a complete link between God and people, and no individual can do all that the apostles did.  We must be content with the contribution God has given us to make, and carry it out wholeheartedly.

Some speakers use impressive words, but they are weak on content.  Paul stressed solid content and practical help for his listeners.  He wanted them to be impressed with his message, not just his style (see 2:1-5).  You don’t need to be a great speaker with a large vocabulary to share the gospel effectively.

Lets Bring it Home: Paul was not against those who carefully prepare what they say (see 2:6), but against those who try to impress others only with their own knowledge or speaking ability.