KEEP IT SIMPLE

 

My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power,

 

 

1.       As we have learned in previous messages that when Paul came to Corinth after Athens, he made a conscience decision to do several things.  He decided to reset his life and ministry.  When he arrived in Corinth, he was sick, fearful, and trembling.  He was in a weak period of his life.  He started working in his tentmaking trade with Aquila and Pricilla.  He then went full time when Timothy and Silas arrived.  After persecution and slander from his fellow Jew he decided to go exclusively to the gentiles.  He then decided to preach only about Jesus and his crucifixion, death, burial, and resurrection.  He would emphasize the broken body and shed blood of Jesus and the benefits thereof. 

2.      Paul then focused on making sure that the message he brought and the preaching he delivered was not laced or full of wise and persuasive words.  Paul was an orator.  This training was required to be a rabbi, teacher, scribe, and a member of the Sanhedrin which he was.  In Galatians when we hear his testimony Paul was a student of Gamaliel the foremost scholar and teacher of his day.  Paul excelled and was Gamaliel’s best student.  He was more than capable of delivering a emotional, persuasive and effective message and sermon.

3.      Part of Paul’s reset was to keep his message simple, clear, and concise.  Paul’s decided to tell them his testimony of who he was, how he got saved and why he was doing what he was doing.  This is an excellent preaching style. 

4.      Paul like all the apostles used signs, wonders, and miracles to attract an audience.  This of course was simply following Mark 16:15-18, which states that these signs follow them who believe.  This is a wonderful component of the gospel. 

5.      Paul relied on the demonstration of the Spirit’s power.  It came in the form of the gifts of the Spirit.  Now Paul later in the book gave regulation and order to the practice.

6.      Paul saw the blind eyes open, demonic people freed, in fact aprons and clothes he used were used in healing people and driving out demons.  This brought about a platform for the gospel.  Signs are given to show people the way to Christ.  Healing is designed to show the healer.

 

5 so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power.

 

1.      Paul then reminds the Corinthians that our message must never rely on human wisdom. 

2.      He also understood how the devil operated with accusation, temptation, and deception.  He was keenly aware of the attack of the world with pride, pleasure, and possessions.  He also comprehended our inner struggle with our desires, wants and needs. 

3.      So, faith had to rely on God’s power.  Only resurrection power can fully free and deliver us from our adversaries. 

4.      Here are some wonderful benefits of resurrection power. 

 

a.      When we submit to God and resist the devil, he must flee from us.  Jesus Christ came to destroy the works of the devil. 

b.      We have been born into a new life and all the benefits and resources that come with that.

c.      We have fellowship, friendship, and a relationship with the creator of the universe.  He is our Father, friend, and Lord.

d.      Eph 1:18-20 says we have light, hope, holiness, riches, and an inheritance.  Our faith is based on God’s power and wisdom.