I have heard many preachers over the span of my life. My father said they began attending church assemblies on Easter just a few days after my birth. Over sixty years have I been in an assembly hearing preaching.
Think about the number of years and the many preachers you have heard. You have heard many styles of preachers. Some, perhaps like me, are boring; others very upbeat; and all those in between.
Should any of those preachers have attempted to do any other useful talent in the assemblies? Might they have been any more suited for the work of the Lord in the congregations? Don’t answer that question, It might offend someone. However, I am sure you have had this thought about some preachers.
The Apostle Paul said he was not an elegant speaker; he did not desire to use flattering words to draw attention to the cross. It is a shame too many preachers today feel they must use flattery or jokes to attract or keep an audience.
Paul says that preaching of the cross is enough to show the power of salvation. Let us notice the attitude necessary to convict an erring sinner. Turn to 1 Cor. 1:17.
1 Cor. 1:17-18. 17 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. 18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.
Let’s not take the first phrase out of context. Paul is not saying he was commanded not to baptize. Jesus Christ gave him a specific duty to preach unto the Gentiles. His introductory phrase here is in line with the previous few verses about the division of the congregation over who baptized who and to whom the one baptized followed, causing division in the congregation at Corinth. Paul’s mission and teaching here is to stop the division and show the power of God to draw men to salvation. It would not be flattery, but the cross which attracts a sinner to salvation.
Preaching the Gospel is Paul’s mission. Speaking where God told him to speak utilized the power of the cross to bring men to salvation. However, many found it to be foolish in their minds. Paul did not want to take anything away from God and the power of his son’s death on a cross for the atonement for mankind’s sin. It was God’s plan to use a cross–a despised manner of death–to save man from his sins.
Looking back upon the many preachers you have heard, what kind of audience did you notice? Were all the members of any audience with the same social and economic status? Were they all with the same education? Did any act as if they were above everyone, or, were there any who seemed like they felt they were not elegant or smart enough to participate in any bible class discussion?
You are probably placing yourself into one class of members and recognizing others you believed to be of the same position. This places all others into different classes either above you or below in status. This should not be so. This is what Apostle Paul knows to cause division.
What is God’s plan for the assemblies concerning social status?
1 Cor. 1:19-21. 19 For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. 20 Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? 21 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.
Anyone who feels they are wise and above others will be destroyed by God and his wisdom. Those preachers and teachers who act above everyone show their real objectives. God will expose them. This is why not many come to salvation as they should. They believe the preaching of the cross of Jesus is too foolish to be true. It must be a fable; a superstition. However, God likes putting the wise of this world to shame. If God has a sense of humor, this must be enjoyable to him. God being a jealous person does not like a proud, boastful, arrogant individual. To them the truth cannot be accepted.
Therefore, preaching, preaching about the cross of Jesus, is all that is necessary to convict the humble. In most assemblies of true righteous people, it is the common, humble people who are found to be authentic Christians–believers. This is what Apostle Paul desired for the congregation at Corinth.
What type of person did Apostle Paul seek to preach unto? BELIEVERS!
1 Cor. 1:22-25. 22 For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: 23 But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; 24 But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. 25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
Jews always wanted signs to warn them or to convict them of spiritual things. When Jesus spoke of the end of time, they wanted a sign. When he spoke of his death and resurrection, they wanted a sign. Manu passages can be read about the Jews desiring a sign.
The Gentiles, mostly they of Rome, desired wisdom. They sat down together and discussed all matters to get a full comprehension and full agreement upon the meaning. Apostle Paul speaks of both missing the point. Preaching was for the one who would accept the teaching and come to repentance because of their own convictions. Their want to find salvation drove them to believe. This is called Faith. They believed in what God told them. They believe even though it seems improbable.
Preaching of the Gospel was not a stumblingblock unto them. Their knowledge was not so great that they questioned their belief. It was accepted in faith and humility. They, which were called, recognized the power and wisdom of God. God was stronger than all the wise men of the world. In God’s weakness, he could overcome their weakness and redeem them.
When you look around the audience in any assembly, what class of people do you mostly see? Are they not the more common class? When you saw the triumphant entry to Jerusalem, with Jesus riding upon the colt of a donkey the week before his crucifixion, what class of people believed in him? What class of people followed shouting Hosanna unto the King? It was not the Scribes and Pharisees.
Let’s read the next few verses and see if there is any resemblance?
1 Cor. 1:26-29. 26 For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: 27 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; 28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: 29 That no flesh should glory in his presence.
These classes of people are what God desires to be called His. They do not rely upon the wisdom of this world to save them or to make them acceptable in any earthly noble class. In fact, they feel right at home in God’s world. They can assemble together and not feel out of place; despised. They can feel needed, necessary for the worship. They are vessels unto honor because God has called and chosen them to be saved.
These people are not about their personal glory but about bringing glory unto the one who will save them from all the iniquities of this world, God. They will not boast over God. They will not puff themselves up proclaiming to be something they are not.
These are in Christ Jesus, whom God has made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: so we can glory in the Lord. (vss. 30-31)
True preachers of the Gospel of Christ should strive to be as the Apostle Paul in their preaching. It is a shame some do not allow themselves to do so. Prominence and prestige with earthly pride stand in their way. Here is how a preacher should act.
1 Cor. 2:1-5. 2 And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. 2 For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. 3 And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. 4 And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: 5 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.
A humble heart will attract attention to what is being said. The tone of voice which calls one to knowledge and wisdom shall prosper in the kingdom of God.
Preachers who dispel attitudes of higher status and authority, with show of themselves as being most wise over the common attendee, are not usually accepted by the called. The arrogance dispels their motives and a very short time in their presence lets you see the kind of person they are–one who speaks for the accolades; the pat on the back and the telling them how great they are.
