Demonstration Of Spirit And Power Series

Title: Demonstration of Spirit and Power

Theme: To show the importance of letting God do the work.

Text: 1 Corinthians 2:1-5

¶ And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. (1 Corinthians 2:1-5 AV)

Four things that Paul tells us how he came when he went to preach the gospel. I also believe these are excellent ways in which we should set our mind to be a witness for the Lord.

1) Let our message be simple

“when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech (brilliant words, big

words) or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God (God’s message)”

The story of the cross is as simple as it has ever been. We don’t have to use great words or these great theological terms just be simple. Sometimes we dump the whole load on people when we just need to give them a little taste.

If a starving person eats too fast in a short period of time it will kill them.

2) Let our message be Christ-centered

“For I determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ”

“For I decided that I would speak only of Jesus Christ and his death on the

cross” LB

In all things when you preach Christ let it be about Christ. Christ life, Christ death (crucifixion), Christ resurrection.

3) Let our message be of concern for the responsibility that we have

“And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling”

He knew his responsibility as the minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He knew that if did not do the job that he had to do then the blood of the souls that were lost would be on his hands.

4) Let it be of Demonstration of Spirit and power

“And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but

in demonstration (evidence) of the Spirit and of power:”

Demonstration apodeixis {ap-od’-ike-sis} showing forth, a demonstration, proof, evidence

It is God’s power to save man and give a new direction to his life.

I. Holy Spirit

Work inside of the believer

A. His conviction of

John 16:7 ¶ Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. 8 And when he is come, he will reprove (convict, expose, refute, and convince) the world of (1) sin, and of (2) righteousness, and of (3) judgment:

(1) 9 Of sin, because they believe not on me;

The Holy Spirit will expose and reprove sin and unbelief in order to awaken a consciousness of guilt and the need of forgiveness. Conviction also makes clear the fearful results if the guilty persist in their wrong doing. After conviction, a choice must be made. This will often lead to true repentance and a turning to Jesus as Lord and Savior.

¶ Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. (Acts 2:37-38

(2) 10 Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more;

The Spirit convinces people that Jesus is the righteous Son of God, resurrected, vindicated, and now the Lord of all. He makes them aware of God’s standard of righteousness in Christ, shows them what is sin, and gives them power to overcome the world.

¶ For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: (1 Peter 3:18 AV)

(3) 11 Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.

The Spirit convinces people of:

(a) Satan’s defeat at the cross.

Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out. (John 12:31 AV)

Satan has been defeated and was judged on the cross. The cross put the final nail in the coffin. It put the final touches on ending the game. The king has been trapped and all that is wanting is the final call of “Checkmate”