THE WISDOM OF MEN OR THE POWER OF GOD?

 

And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling.  And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.  (1 Corinthians 2:1-5)

We can immerse ourselves in commentaries, seek to excel at homiletics, hone our public speaking by taking courses on communication, search for the best audio-visual aids—in short, do all we can to wow the congregation on a Sunday morning—and it all be so much wood, hay and straw to be consumed at the Judgment Seat of Christ!  While these things are not evil in and of themselves—as an aid they may prove beneficial—but, reliance on them is abominable.  It is to do the people of God a tremendous disservice and worse—it is to lay a foundation for eternal damnation of the hearers who come to have a faith that rests in the wisdom of men and not the power of God!  There are charming story-tellers who would be effective on the stage, and think that ability will carry the day in the pulpit.  There are comedians who masquerade as preachers, offering enticing entertainment.  Here’s the dirty secret—they are often extremely effective in what they do.  They are celebrated in the evangelical world.  Their congregations overflow their buildings.  People wait with eager expectation for the next internet download or the newest book release.  We judge them a success—and perhaps some are, but only the Day we appear before Christ will disclose that.

Again, there is nothing wrong with trying to express yourself more clearly, competently, compellingly—and to use the tools at our disposal to do so.  God never calls us to haphazard preparation, sloth in our study, and carelessness in communication.  It is just so easy to lean on the wisdom of man—when what we must have at all costs is the power of God!  That is the only source that will produce genuine faith—whether for salvation or sanctification.  Paul was determined to preach in utter human weakness, desperate for the Spirit-anointed message to be unleashed.  At the center of that sermon would be the cross of Christ—a scandal to the Jewish audience and foolishness to the Gentiles.  Yet, preach it he would—for that is the Gospel—and the power of God unto salvation.

My dear brother, on what are you leaning, as you move toward that Sunday morning appointment—and all those eternal souls hanging in the balance?  Are you urgently, fervently praying that God would move in power in your preaching and in the hearts of the people?  Will you settle for nothing less and nothing else?  Will you acknowledge that unless there is spiritual power—no matter the commendations of the congregation—that it is all worthless?

Dear Holy God—we are your servants, and have heard your call—yet, we are totally incapable of preaching unless You work.  We want to see a Divine demonstration tomorrow!  We beg you!  For the sake of Your Son who died on that cross, Amen!