November 7, 2023 NOT IN PERSUASIVE WORDS
1 Corinthians 2:4-5 “And my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power. Yet we do speak wisdom among those who are mature; a wisdom, however, not of this age, nor of the rulers of this age, who are passing away; but we speak God’s wisdom in a mystery, the hidden wisdom, which God predestined before the ages to our glory;”
In our culture, we admire those who have mastered the art of using persuasive words and who are skilled in speech. This indictment is not all inclusive, but often, one main qualification of potential pastors is that they be good speakers. (Don’t misunderstand; it’s a good thing to be a good communicator. The apostle Paul was a good communicator.) What Paul says in the above verse may cause us to ‘scratch our heads,’ as we try to figure what this looks like-and how in stead of relying on persuasive words, we rely on the demonstration of the Spirit and of power. As we meet together at our churches, are we hearing good messages with persuasive words, or are we witnesses to the work of the Spirit among us. To be witnesses of the power of the Spirit does not mean we will be swinging from the chandeliers, but it does mean that we will in someway be impacted by the super-natural work of the Spirit of God. Hear me-I have compassion for pastors and preachers and teachers who stand behind the pulpit; it is a big deal to be the one who proclaims the gospel of God. This does not only apply to pastors and teachers, but also applies to individual believers. As believers, we do not want to be ones who use words only; what we say and what we do should be done under the influence of the Holy Spirit. It’s not that every action and every word we speak should in someway be an obvious supernatural happening; but it should be that we walk according to the Spirit, expressing the supernatural life that flows from God to us. At times we find ourselves in a place of conflict and confusion; such times present the opportunity for us to demonstrate and to speak the words God would have us speak in a spirit of love and compassion. Again, it’s a blessing to be a good communicator. We are to live by the Spirit; but we are also to walk in wisdom; however, this wisdom is not of this world or from the rulers of this age.
True wisdom comes only from God and only those who know Him and love Him can have and can understand His wisdom; Paul calls it the hidden wisdom. One example; the wisdom of the word emphasizes getting, while the wisdom of God says it’s more blessed to give. So, let us walk by the Spirit and be used by Him to demonstrate the power of God, and be ones who know and who express the wisdom of God to those who know Him.
Acts 1:8 “but you will receive power when the Holy Spirt has come upon you; and you be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in Judaea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.”
Blessings, Buddy
1 Corinthians 2:4-5 “And my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power. Yet we do speak wisdom among those who are mature; a wisdom, however, not of this age, nor of the rulers of this age, who are passing away; but we speak God’s wisdom in a mystery, the hidden wisdom, which God predestined before the ages to our glory;”
In our culture, we admire those who have mastered the art of using persuasive words and who are skilled in speech. This indictment is not all inclusive, but often, one main qualification of potential pastors is that they be good speakers. (Don’t misunderstand; it’s a good thing to be a good communicator. The apostle Paul was a good communicator.) What Paul says in the above verse may cause us to ‘scratch our heads,’ as we try to figure what this looks like-and how in stead of relying on persuasive words, we rely on the demonstration of the Spirit and of power. As we meet together at our churches, are we hearing good messages with persuasive words, or are we witnesses to the work of the Spirit among us. To be witnesses of the power of the Spirit does not mean we will be swinging from the chandeliers, but it does mean that we will in someway be impacted by the super-natural work of the Spirit of God. Hear me-I have compassion for pastors and preachers and teachers who stand behind the pulpit; it is a big deal to be the one who proclaims the gospel of God. This does not only apply to pastors and teachers, but also applies to individual believers. As believers, we do not want to be ones who use words only; what we say and what we do should be done under the influence of the Holy Spirit. It’s not that every action and every word we speak should in someway be an obvious supernatural happening; but it should be that we walk according to the Spirit, expressing the supernatural life that flows from God to us. At times we find ourselves in a place of conflict and confusion; such times present the opportunity for us to demonstrate and to speak the words God would have us speak in a spirit of love and compassion. Again, it’s a blessing to be a good communicator. We are to live by the Spirit; but we are also to walk in wisdom; however, this wisdom is not of this world or from the rulers of this age.
True wisdom comes only from God and only those who know Him and love Him can have and can understand His wisdom; Paul calls it the hidden wisdom. One example; the wisdom of the word emphasizes getting, while the wisdom of God says it’s more blessed to give. So, let us walk by the Spirit and be used by Him to demonstrate the power of God, and be ones who know and who express the wisdom of God to those who know Him.
Acts 1:8 “but you will receive power when the Holy Spirt has come upon you; and you be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in Judaea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.”
Blessings, Buddy
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