1 Corinthians 2:5 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.
Oh Friends, I know that many of you are singing the TGIF (thank God it’s Friday) song, and imagining yourselves partying and having a good time on the weekend. But please, don’t forget it’s also Sabbath time; time for rest, renewal and fellowship, so that you can go back out strong to fight the enemy on Monday. That means we need to bring some balance to our lives between partying, resting and worshipping. End of sermon for today. (smile) Turning to the Bit, which has Bruh Paul telling the Corinthians that when he first explained the gospel to them, he didn’t come with any fancy words, philosophical ploys or great oratory, but came ‘declaring unto you the testimony of God.’ (1 Cor.2:1) It wasn’t his testimony, but God’s testimony of Himself, referring to the Cross of Jesus. ‘For I determined not to know anything among you, save (except) Jesus Christ, and him crucified.’ (1 Cor.2:2) According to the scholars, this implies that Bruh Paul worked on his approach before hand and resolved not to use his pretty words or high philosophy on the Corinthians, but just to explain Christ crucified in a simple, down to earth manner. And yuh know what Friends? That’s always the best way to explain Christ, for He was a simple, down to earth man who never had much use for great oratory and high philosophy since His ministry was basically among the ordinary, common folk, and you can’t go spouting big words and complicated thoughts to them and expect them to understand. I guess Bruh Paul’s down to earth talk was also partly due to his emotionally and physically strenuous journey. He went through regions like Phrygia, and Galatia, then the Spirit led him into Macedonia, stopping at venues like Troas, being imprisoned and beaten with Silas at Philippi, (Acts 16:23) where he stopped the jailer from committing suicide after the prison doors were miraculously opened by a great earthquake, and then he converted the jailer and his family. (Acts 16:25-34) More awesome drama from the Great Dramatist! Bruh Paul and Silas then moved on to Thessalonica, where he caused a big uproar. What else is new eh? The same thing happened in Berea, but they listened to him a little closer in Athens since they spent most of their time trying to learn about all the new happenings. (Acts 17) So by the time Bruh Paul reached Corinth, he must have been a sad mess, totally worn out, possibly lacking the energy even if he wanted to be highfalutin. As he admits: ‘And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing (persuasive) words of man’s wisdom, but in the demonstration of the Spirit and of power.’ (1 Cor.2:3-4) The scholars claim that Bruh Paul’s mention of the Spirit here is important because the Corinthians seemed to think they knew more about the Spirit than the other churches, since they might have had previous experience with it. In any case, Bruh Paul chose to be down to earth and humble, so ‘That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.’ Bravo Bruh Paul! He didn’t want them to be carried away by his wisdom and oratorical skill, but rather be moved by the unadulterated Word, the wisdom of God. Friends, that’s how we need to hear the Word and also pass it on; in simple, unadorned language, so please be careful of those who are wont to teach and/or preach with big words and much unnecessary talk. Present company excluded of course. (smile) My brethren, if there’s one thing Bruh Paul lived on and died for was the power of the gospel. ‘For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek (Gentile). (Rom.1:16) And that’s the living truth people! The gospel is packed full of power because it’s the Word of God, God’s wisdom, that takes us from sinners to saints, all the way from the depths of Hades to the heights of Heaven. So how can it be other than powerful if it does such amazing things eh? Consequently Friends, we need to take personal inventory to ensure that we’re not allowing our faith to be placed in the wisdom of man, rather than in the power of God, for if we are, then things will be truly sad with us. Hear Bruh Paul’s reasoning: ‘Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect (mature): yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes (rulers) of this world (age), that come to nought (nothing). But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: Which none of the princes of this world knew, for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.’ (1 Cor.2:6-8) Yes Friends, the wisdom of this world is man’s which generally comes to nothing, and often dies with him, while that of God lives on forever. Oh my people, in today’s scary world we desperately need to hear, accept, dwell on and live through the wisdom of God, for it’s only with that unbeatable support can we hope to even survive, much less thrive in the ungodliness that surrounds us. As Bruh Paul wrote to the Thessalonians: ‘For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake. And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit.’ (1 Thess.1:5-6) Even so must we Friends, receive the Word with the power of the Holy Spirit, and hold on to it with much assurance and faith, believing that it will truly take us through whatever problems we encounter along life’s rocky road. It’s why the Lord staged His big, dramatic plan; had Christ die for us, then send the Holy Spirit to lead, guide and protect us. Please, don’t let Christ’s sacrifice go to waste by not accepting Him as your Lord and Saviour and living a life to please Him. It’s the only way to salvation. Much LOVE!…who else has their God dwelling in them…only the followers of Christ…
Oh Friends, I know that many of you are singing the TGIF (thank God it’s Friday) song, and imagining yourselves partying and having a good time on the weekend. But please, don’t forget it’s also Sabbath time; time for rest, renewal and fellowship, so that you can go back out strong to fight the enemy on Monday. That means we need to bring some balance to our lives between partying, resting and worshipping. End of sermon for today. (smile) Turning to the Bit, which has Bruh Paul telling the Corinthians that when he first explained the gospel to them, he didn’t come with any fancy words, philosophical ploys or great oratory, but came ‘declaring unto you the testimony of God.’ (1 Cor.2:1) It wasn’t his testimony, but God’s testimony of Himself, referring to the Cross of Jesus. ‘For I determined not to know anything among you, save (except) Jesus Christ, and him crucified.’ (1 Cor.2:2) According to the scholars, this implies that Bruh Paul worked on his approach before hand and resolved not to use his pretty words or high philosophy on the Corinthians, but just to explain Christ crucified in a simple, down to earth manner. And yuh know what Friends? That’s always the best way to explain Christ, for He was a simple, down to earth man who never had much use for great oratory and high philosophy since His ministry was basically among the ordinary, common folk, and you can’t go spouting big words and complicated thoughts to them and expect them to understand. I guess Bruh Paul’s down to earth talk was also partly due to his emotionally and physically strenuous journey. He went through regions like Phrygia, and Galatia, then the Spirit led him into Macedonia, stopping at venues like Troas, being imprisoned and beaten with Silas at Philippi, (Acts 16:23) where he stopped the jailer from committing suicide after the prison doors were miraculously opened by a great earthquake, and then he converted the jailer and his family. (Acts 16:25-34) More awesome drama from the Great Dramatist! Bruh Paul and Silas then moved on to Thessalonica, where he caused a big uproar. What else is new eh? The same thing happened in Berea, but they listened to him a little closer in Athens since they spent most of their time trying to learn about all the new happenings. (Acts 17) So by the time Bruh Paul reached Corinth, he must have been a sad mess, totally worn out, possibly lacking the energy even if he wanted to be highfalutin. As he admits: ‘And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing (persuasive) words of man’s wisdom, but in the demonstration of the Spirit and of power.’ (1 Cor.2:3-4) The scholars claim that Bruh Paul’s mention of the Spirit here is important because the Corinthians seemed to think they knew more about the Spirit than the other churches, since they might have had previous experience with it. In any case, Bruh Paul chose to be down to earth and humble, so ‘That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.’ Bravo Bruh Paul! He didn’t want them to be carried away by his wisdom and oratorical skill, but rather be moved by the unadulterated Word, the wisdom of God. Friends, that’s how we need to hear the Word and also pass it on; in simple, unadorned language, so please be careful of those who are wont to teach and/or preach with big words and much unnecessary talk. Present company excluded of course. (smile) My brethren, if there’s one thing Bruh Paul lived on and died for was the power of the gospel. ‘For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek (Gentile). (Rom.1:16) And that’s the living truth people! The gospel is packed full of power because it’s the Word of God, God’s wisdom, that takes us from sinners to saints, all the way from the depths of Hades to the heights of Heaven. So how can it be other than powerful if it does such amazing things eh? Consequently Friends, we need to take personal inventory to ensure that we’re not allowing our faith to be placed in the wisdom of man, rather than in the power of God, for if we are, then things will be truly sad with us. Hear Bruh Paul’s reasoning: ‘Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect (mature): yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes (rulers) of this world (age), that come to nought (nothing). But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: Which none of the princes of this world knew, for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.’ (1 Cor.2:6-8) Yes Friends, the wisdom of this world is man’s which generally comes to nothing, and often dies with him, while that of God lives on forever. Oh my people, in today’s scary world we desperately need to hear, accept, dwell on and live through the wisdom of God, for it’s only with that unbeatable support can we hope to even survive, much less thrive in the ungodliness that surrounds us. As Bruh Paul wrote to the Thessalonians: ‘For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake. And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit.’ (1 Thess.1:5-6) Even so must we Friends, receive the Word with the power of the Holy Spirit, and hold on to it with much assurance and faith, believing that it will truly take us through whatever problems we encounter along life’s rocky road. It’s why the Lord staged His big, dramatic plan; had Christ die for us, then send the Holy Spirit to lead, guide and protect us. Please, don’t let Christ’s sacrifice go to waste by not accepting Him as your Lord and Saviour and living a life to please Him. It’s the only way to salvation. Much LOVE!…who else has their God dwelling in them…only the followers of Christ…
SCRIP-BITS 