1 Corinthians 1:18-25 (God Loves a "Bad" Sermon)
“For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”
Two weeks ago, David Platt shared with us an incredible reminder of the sufficiency and power of the Gospel. It was an inspiration to be reminded of what God has done for us and why we are living the crazy, family inconveniencing, children suffering, danger facing, contempt inducing lives that we live. To be saved by grace out of no meritorious basis is an incredible thing. To be set apart for this Gospel is an honor.
The Gospel is “the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes,” but after we sat and listened to the inspiring message I was reminded of the other side of story: to those who are perishing, it is foolishness. In a way, that is also reassuring. There is no pressure on the believer to be eloquent, flashy or convincing. That is not our job. We have been commanded to share only, and what we share will not make any sense to those who hear unless God enables them to understand.
That does not mean that believers should not try to be as clear as possible, but it does mean a couple of other things. First, there is no good reason for holding some preachers or teachers up for special praise. Who is Apollos? Who is Paul? They are both simply tools in God’s hands. Second, there is no excuse for not speaking out. Often we second guess and strategize ourselves right out of doing anything. We are so concerned with connecting effectively with people that we fail to even try.
Feel like you don’t know how to share what has happened to you? Remember, “God is well pleased with the foolishness of the message preached.”
Two weeks ago, David Platt shared with us an incredible reminder of the sufficiency and power of the Gospel. It was an inspiration to be reminded of what God has done for us and why we are living the crazy, family inconveniencing, children suffering, danger facing, contempt inducing lives that we live. To be saved by grace out of no meritorious basis is an incredible thing. To be set apart for this Gospel is an honor.
The Gospel is “the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes,” but after we sat and listened to the inspiring message I was reminded of the other side of story: to those who are perishing, it is foolishness. In a way, that is also reassuring. There is no pressure on the believer to be eloquent, flashy or convincing. That is not our job. We have been commanded to share only, and what we share will not make any sense to those who hear unless God enables them to understand.
That does not mean that believers should not try to be as clear as possible, but it does mean a couple of other things. First, there is no good reason for holding some preachers or teachers up for special praise. Who is Apollos? Who is Paul? They are both simply tools in God’s hands. Second, there is no excuse for not speaking out. Often we second guess and strategize ourselves right out of doing anything. We are so concerned with connecting effectively with people that we fail to even try.
Feel like you don’t know how to share what has happened to you? Remember, “God is well pleased with the foolishness of the message preached.”
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