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”
(b) God’s present judgement of the world and
Romans 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; 19 ¶ Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.
God will judge this world and the Holy Spirit testifies of it. Notice that the world will be judged by its works. Presently things happen in this world and many times although we try to blame God the only person that we can blame is ourselves.
(c) future judgement of the entire human race
For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works. (Matthew 16:27 AV)
Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead. (Acts 17:31 AV)
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. (2 Corinthians 5:10 AV)
Thank the Lord, because of his infinite love and mercy there will be a time of future judgment. This is when all will be judged by their works. Ours on the basis of what we have done after receiving Christ. The worlds on what they have done to earn salvation.
B. His transformation
Ro 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed
For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; (1 Corinthians 1:26-27 AV)
Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus. (Acts 4:13 AV)
The holy spirit has transforming power. He can change the life of a person that was a sinner into the life of a Christian now covered by the blood of Jesus.
C. His sanctification (holiness)
Ro 15:16 “sanctified by the Holy Ghost.”
1Pe 1:2 “through sanctification of the Spirit,”
Holiness is not based on what we can do. Or how good we can be but how close we draw to God and how he changes our lives for him. It is being set apart for the work of the master. It is being separated. The Holy Spirit will separate you. He knows the importance of us living the life for the people so that Jesus will be up lifted.
II. Power
Work outside of the believer
It is a common known fact that there will be signs that follow after believers.
And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. (Mark 16:17-18 AV)
Signs that follow believers:
Is there signs that follow believers as we have read?
Jesus said in Matthew 7:20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. Here he is speaking of recognizing and discerning the false prophets. But I believe that we can also apply it to the one that calls him self a follower of Christ.
All these signs can be recognized as happening in the New Testament church except for drinking poison and I guess unless someone did it on purpose (which is odd) then no one would know that God protected them.
a) casting out devils (Acts 5;15-16,16:18,19:11-12)
b) speak with new tongues (Acts 2:4,10:46,19:6,1Cor 12:20,ch 14)
As a matter of fact to go along with this Paul talks of a whole list of gifts that come with the Baptism of the Holy Ghost.
c) take up serpents . . . it shall not hurt them (escaping snakebites) (Acts 28:3-5)
I don’t think this is condoning “snake handling” or “drinking poison”. We are to use common sense and make sure we don’t “Tempt the Lord our God”
d) lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover (Acts 3:1-7,8:7,9:33-34,14:8-10,28:7-8)
There are there for four purposes:
1) to bring glory and honor to God
2) to bring salvation to others as they see these signs
3) to bring healing to the body of Christ and those around
4) to show that one is truly a believer
Although believers should not follow signs, signs should follow believers.
Reason for his being so clear
Why did he make it so clear that it was not by his reasoning or his power that he came and that the signs that follow was only under the power of the Holy Spirit?
That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. (1 Corinthians 2:5 AV)
So that your faith would not rest on mans wisdom but God’s power.
Man will fail you but God will never fail you. Man can try to confuse you but God is always clear.
Conclusion
I believe what we see here in this passage we have found the answer to the question: “How do I make this church grow?” or “How do I see more souls won for the kingdom?” What can I do? The challenge has been laid, the funny part is all the work is on the part of the Holy Spirit all we have to do is be his instrument. Pray ask him for opportunities to witness and let him do the work.
1) Let our message be simple
2) Let our message be Christ-centered
3) Let our message be of concern for the responsibility that we have
4) Let it be of Demonstration of Spirit and power
