1 Cor. 2:1-5 Preaching 101

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1 1 1 Cor. 2:1-5 Preaching 101 I think it is safe to say that if you were to enter a Protestant Church anywhere on a Sunday morning, you would encounter many of the same things as you would here. There would be an organized gathering, the singing of songs, the reading Scripture, the giving of tithes and offerings, possibly the observance of the Lord's Supper, maybe a baptism. And, there will be some time given to some kind of message, hopefully taken from the Bible. Whether it is good or bad or lively or boring or short or long, there will be what we call "preaching." It is so important! Though I believe Paul's context of "preaching" in Corinth, and in other cities, was different than ours, in that those people had never heard the message of the cross of Christ. It was new to them; with us, this message is not new. Nevertheless, I believe it is safe for us to use Paul's example to show us true preaching, both here in this context, as well as in the context for those who have never heard this message. So, What is Good Preaching? What is so unique about preaching? How do we tell whether what we are hearing in churches all across America and the world is good preaching or not? In this passage, there are at least 3 unique truths about biblical preaching. 1. Preaching is unique in its message. Look at vv And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. 2 For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. Paul is repeating what he said in 1:17: For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power. Paul was saying, it doesn t matter what people say about God. It matters what God says. God s testimony, his message to us about himself is found in Jesus Christ and him crucified. In 2:7 Paul says, We impart a secret and hidden wisdom of God, which God decreed before the ages for our glory. And this is the testimony of Jesus Christ and him crucified. Jesus himself said, And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent (John 17:3). In the first Christian sermon Peter proclaims, Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified (Acts 2:36). In 1 Cor. 15:3 Paul says, For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures... The message of God is the message of the Bible and the message of the Bible is the good news of Jesus Christ. And of first importance to the preacher is the message he preaches. The message must exalt God and his Son, Jesus Christ. And according to Paul, this message is a unique message. This message is not what the world would preach. It is the testimony of God. And what makes it unique is that there is nothing like it in the world. It is the message of the cross, which is the message of God. This is what we proclaim. There are many who preach a testimony about God, but if they leave off Jesus Christ and him crucified, they are not Christian preachers. Here we find a strong implication. Jesus Christ is the ONLY way to God. Otherwise, the message of God would be something else. Or, if the message could be either the message of the cross or another message, I believe God would make this clear. But, there is only ONE message. Therefore, we must preach Christ, and Christ alone, as

2 2 the testimony of God. But what about those who preach the message of Jesus, but do not preach the same message, the same one the Apostles preached, the same ones Paul preached? Let s consider some examples. JWs preach Christ and salvation through him. Mormons preach Christ and salvation through him. Is this acceptable preaching? No! Why? I believe it is because they either leave something out or they add something to the message. JWs and Mormons change the message because of WHO they believe Jesus is. To them Jesus is NOT God in the flesh. If they believe this, the message changes. For salvation can only come through a PERFECT sacrifice. And only God is perfect. Many more liberal churches preach Christ as a good example to follow. And they preach some kind of salvation in Christ. Is this acceptable preaching? Again, I would say, No! Why? Because they leave out the essentials of WHY He came, his death on the cross (not as a good example of someone laying down his life for his friends) but as a wrath-appeasing sacrifice. In this vein of missions, many preach about Christ as good example, building hospitals, schools, providing for the poor, developing culture. These things are good. But, the message of the Gospel of Christ must be a message about ALL the Bible says about him. And if this is so, we have good preaching. Let me give another observation that may help us in our culture. Many health, wealth, and prosperity churches preach about Christ. And some of them even preach the truth about who Christ is, his death and resurrection. But over time, in some of these churches you may see a more fundamental message emerging. And this message (in priority) actually becomes more important than the Gospel itself, namely that God desires you to be prosperous. And when this happens, over time, there is a fundamental shift away from the testimony of God, which is the Gospel of Christ. And this movement away from the message may be difficult to detect when you talk with people about their church. For they profess Christ. They profess the fundamentals of the faith. But, if you were to attend their church for a period of time and listen to the messages week after week, you may very well find what really defines that church is not the message is not Jesus Christ and Him crucified. This is why we do not want to be known as the reformed church, or the dispensational church, or the faith movement church, or the you fill in the blank church. It should be obvious that we preach Christ and him crucified. The single message of the preacher is to preach Christ from every page of Scripture. I will never move on from the message of Christ; if I do, I am not a preacher of the Gospel. Good preaching begins with the right message. Let s move on. 2. Preaching is unique in its presentation. Preaching is unique in the WAY it is presented. Preaching comes from a heart of humility. We see this in v. 1. Paul does not use the world s words of wisdom. He says, I did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. Then again in v. 3 he says, And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. Preaching is unique because it is SO different from the way the world proclaims a message. In the recent presidential debates, we see each candidate trying their best to get one up on their opponents. And their technique is to use words in a clever or creative way that our culture can hold onto and REMEMBER. And honestly, some candidates may be more

3 3 qualified than others, but their ability to use human language in making their case is extremely important. And, they aren t coming with fear and trembling, but with great pride in their message. Now, I am only using this as an example to make a point. In that context, this may be ok. They are not preachers of the gospel. They are using the world s wisdom to make their case. But, preaching the Gospel of Christ is another matter altogether. It MUST come from a heart of humility. Now, there are those who believe Paul is STRICTLY speaking of PHYSICAL weakness in this verse. For how many times was Paul beaten, stoned, shipwrecked, suffered with hunger, thirst, and cold as he preached the Gospel? Lots! AND, he had some other kind of physical ailment that he asked God to heal from, but God chose not; which caused him to say in 2 Cor. 12:9: My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. These things were certainly true of Paul. And he did come in physical weakness. But I believe Paul s point in these verses not to point out just physical weakness, but a heart of humility in his preaching. He mentions weakness, fear, AND trembling. This was his attitude, his heart! Now, there are those who preach Christ in a different way (see Philippians). And God uses any proclamation of his Son. But, the day in day out preaching of the gospel whether it is in the pulpit or on the street or at your job or in a Sunday School class, must come from a heart of humility. Why? Let me give a few quick reasons. i. When we preach the gospel we are humble because of WHO it comes from. It comes from God! Job says that God is so holy that even the moon is not bright, and the stars are not pure in his eyes (Job 25:5). Even Hebrew scribes throughout history considered him so holy that they dare not even write his entire name. The message of the gospel is God s message to us that we might share it. With this in mind, how can we ever be proud! ii. We are humble because we know ourselves. When God told Moses to go before Pharaoh with his message, Moses said, I can t. I m not eloquent. I can t speak. But God said, Who made your mouth? I NEVER thought I would preach in this context. But, when I think of myself, my deficiencies, my lack of eloquence, my own sin, How could I ever be proud when I utter the oracles of God?! And what about you? You have the same issues. ii. We are humble because of the importance of the message. Oh what SERIOUS words we speak! When I consider these truths, I do come to you with fear and trembling. iv. We are humble because of its power to save apart from works. It is not about us. It is not about me. It is not about you. The message of the Gospel of Christ is powerful to save. In this case God gets the glory, not us. Where is the room for boasting! There is nothing in preaching that exalts the preacher. Shame on the preacher that thinks his ability to preach is something great. When this becomes the case, there is no fear and trembling. And I would argue that if we lose this humility, this fear and trembling in our heart when we present the message, it ceases to be true preaching. Isaiah 66:2 says, But this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word.

4 4 3. Preaching is unique in its effects. Look at vv. 4-5: Paul says, And my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, 5 so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. Paul continues his emphasis on the power of God to save. Verse 5 is a bookend to 1:17 which says, For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power. Biblical preaching is powerful. It is effectual to do what it is meant to do, which is change the hearts of men and women who hear the message. Is. 55:11 says, So shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it. What happens when we don t rely on the Spirit for his power? What about manipulation? There is a difference in CALLING people to trust Christ after a clear message has been given and manipulation. I will be the first to tell you that I have been manipulated to make decisions. But, you know, those manipulated decisions have meant very little, for they did not last. They have made the preacher look good, or even feel good about his ability to what may consider his ability to persuade. This kind of preaching may make church rolls look good. This kind of preaching will cause others to pat you on the back. But, I am arguing that this kind of preaching does not exalt the power of God. After what we ve read so far in 1 Corinthians, don t you think God can take care of the message of the cross of Christ to save? Of course He can! Of course He will! Spurgeon once said, A lion doesn t need defending, just let him loose (my version). For when He is exalted and His Son is exalted and we give a clear call to those listening, and the come, it will be because of the God s power and his alone. Only in this way does He get ALL the glory! Just a quick application that goes beyond just preaching. We need the power of the message of the Gospel ALWAYS. From beginning at salvation to his coming. Oh, how we need the power of the Gospel to change us! How many times have you considered your sin and then you go to the Word and God speaks and, though you may not see it immediately, you change? How many times have you listened to a sermon and because of the Word of God, you are pricked, you are convicted, you see a truth you ve never seen before? This is the power of God! And when it happens, you know it didn t come from yourself. And day to day, we need Christ. HE is the wisdom and power of God! He is the ONE who died for your sins. HE is the ONE who took the punishment you deserve upon Himself. HE is the ONE who left heaven and humbled himself to serve you. HE is the ONE who rose from the dead and has sent the Holy Spirit to give life and cause you to grow. HE is the ONE who sits at the right hand of God NOW, praying for you as your high priest. HE is the ONE who says, I stand at the door and knock... HE is the ONE who says, Come to me all of you who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest. And He is the one behind the message we preach. At the end of the day, Paul's purpose in preaching is in the result: that God would be honored as men and women trust in God through the Gospel of Christ. If this is our motive, then what is in it for us? From one perspective absolutely nothing. And this is good. For God WILL get all the

5 5 glory! And Paul is not saying anything new! He is quoting the prophet Zechariah, to whom God said, This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the LORD of hosts (Zech. 4:6). In the end, preaching is not a motivational speech. Preaching is not simply the telling of stories. preaching is not merely telling listeners what they should and should not do according to the Bible. Though there are other elements that make up good preaching, we must begin with these three. Preaching must include a clear message. Preaching must be a humble presentation. Preaching must rely on the power of God. These are the unique characteristics of biblical preaching. So when you listen on the TV or visit other churches, or even think about what you do when you speak with those around you remember these essentials. When we do it this way, God will be honored!