How to present the Gospel
I Cor. 2:1-5
Plain Speech:
One of the problems with communicating the gospel today is human wisdom, intellect, human reasoning
And our challenge is communicating it in a way that it can be received
This is what Paul continues to argue in chapter 2 when he says “I didn’t come to you with lofty speech or wisdom”
Paul could have chosen to compete with Apollos and other he was certainly capable
Paul could have used an ornate style, having studied secular learning at Tarsus of Cilicia, which Strabo preferred as a school of learning to Athens or Alexandria; here, doubtless, he read the Cilician Aratus’ poems (which he quotes, Ac 17:28), and Epimenide
It would have been impressive but ineffective because it is not Gods method of evangelism
Look at ch 1 verses 27-29
27 But nGod chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; oGod chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; 28 God chose what is low and despised in the world, even pthings that are not, to qbring to nothing things that are, 29 so rthat no human being3 might boast in the presence of God
Then he says in verse 1 and I one of the weak ones came to you
One writer says that the believer should always expect some mystical guidance from above in every situation
Do we rule out or ignore human reasoning, no! We must appeal to it but it can’t be the main objective
Donald trump and others argue that Christianity is for weak people who can’t think for themselves
No Jesus wants you thinking, we just need to realize that human reasoning or thinking cannot comprehend the thoughts of God
Isa 55:8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD.
Isa 55:9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.
Present the Truth of the Gospel:
***When we approach people the thought is that we need to challenge people’s thinking
Example, I am right and you are wrong
The challenge is in the presentation of the truth
Jesus never asked us to try to convince people, just present the truth
Herschel Hobbs says “The Christian’s responsibility is not to win but to witness.”
A farmer does not wrest the plant from the seed. He sows the seed and leaves the result to God. If God’s people are faithful in sowing the seed, God will be faithful in giving the harvest.
Unaided communication/speech will never be enough
For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.
I Cor. 15
This was the message that Paul shared over and over again
Paul reminds that no matter how eloquently the gospel is presented it is the simple truth of Jesus crucified as the substitution for our sins that alone can attract and save the sinner
God uses all that we have to offer, the gift of speech, animated personalities, brilliant minds but only the truth can save humanity
Luther says “he preaches best who aims at being understood rather than being admired”
Present Gods Message Faithfully:
There will always be critics
When you wake up each day what your goal for the day
But Christ and His message must be central to all that we do
We can’t live dual lives; it can’t be the life of Christ and then my life, the Christ like life must be my life
Rely on the Power of the Holy Spirit
4 and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, 5 that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but din the power of God
Persuasion is man’s means of moving his fellow man.
God’s means is demonstration, leaving no doubt, and inspiring implicit faith, by the powerful working of the Spirit (then exhibited both outwardly by miracles, and inwardly by working on the heart, now in the latter and the more important way only, Mt 7:29; Ac 6:10; Heb 4:12; compare also Ro 15:19). The same simple power accompanies divine truth now, producing certain persuasion and conversion, when the Spirit demonstrates by it.
Mat 7:28 And when Jesus finished these sayings, the crowds were astonished at his teaching,
Mat 7:29 for he was teaching them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes.
Stephen
Act 6:8 And Stephen, full of grace and power, was doing great wonders and signs among the people.
Act 6:10 But they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking.
Heb 4:12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
A 15th century preacher named Vincent Ferrier was called to preach to a high dignitary of state he prepared his sermon according to the rules of oratory but the sermon was a failure the next day he preached in his usual style and electrified the group, the dignitary was there and asked him what happened today was so much better that yesterday, Vincent Ferrier responded yesterday I preached, today Jesus was the preacher
