Return to Studies in Corinthians
Presented, August 3, 2008 pm
Studies in 1 Corinthians (7)
DECLARING TO YOU THE TESTIMONY OF GOD
1 Corinthians 2:1-5
Tonight we continue
our study of 1 Corinthians, a book written to a church loaded down with
many problems. At the core
of those problems was a divisive attitude based upon human wisdom.
In chapter 1 we have noted that Paul condemned their division and
identified the source of his gospel as being the wisdom of God which is
foolishness to those of the world, both Jew and Greeks.
We have discussed the folly of worldly wisdom and how God
“through the foolishness of the message preached” can save those who
believe. That salvation is
in Christ.
In our text tonight we notice how
Paul’s preaching was not the wisdom of man but rather preaching “Christ
and Him crucified.”
I.
Paul’s manner of delivery (1, 3-4a)
a.
It
was not in excellence of speech
– smooth and flattering words.
A favorite tool of false teachers is smooth speech.
2 Peter 1:16 speaks of “cunningly devised fables” which he avoided as
they taught the gospel. He
follows this with a warning about false teachers in 2:1-3 noting that
such will, “by covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive workds…”
Paul in Romans 16:18 spoke of those who caused divisions by teaching
false doctrine served their own belly, “and
by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple.”
b.
Nor
of wisdom (worldly) – the
implication here is an attitude of superiority in wisdom.
Paul did NOT think he was better than them.
He did not speak with them if he were their savior and worthy of
praise.
In fact, Paul in humility saw
himself as “least of all the apostles” (1 Corinthians 15:9).
Also, in his second letter, you can see his grief as he is forced
to defend his apostleship and ministry against accusations of arrogance.
In Ephesians 3:8 he described himself as, “Less than the least of all
saints.”
And when you look at his life, you KNOW this was not an act.
c.
But
with them in weakness, fear and trembling (3)
– what he taught was not physically easy and it was with GREAT sacrifice
– both physically and mentally.
Paul had some physical limitations which his critics to this letter used
to exploit him. In 2 Cor.
10:10 he addresses his critics who were saying, “his letters are
weighty, but physically he is weak.” (paraphrase).
Their point was, ‘he talks big when he is not here, but he will
back down if he shows up here.’
Paul challenges that! (11)
Some also note in this Paul’s
apprehension as he writes this letter.
What causes him to fear and tremble the most was NOT a fear of
the gospel (as the text clearly points out), NOR of persecutions for the
cause of Christ, BUT how his message would be perceived by his brethren.
In other words, he cared about how others responded to the truth!
For example, 2 Corinthians 7:8 where Paul speaks of not regretting the
letter he wrote though he did regret it (regret is the best word hear
meaning that in none of this did Paul think he was sinning).
May WE have such an attitude!
d.
Not
of human wisdom (vs. 4a) –
Paul has already debunked the value of the philosophies of men and how
God rejects them in lessons we have already studied.
Galatians 1:10-12 summarizes this point well.
e.
Declaring the testimony of God
– This is what Paul taught.
More on that in a moment.
Lesson:
Attitude is as important as the message in our delivery.
Consider 1 Corinthians 13:1 – without love, our message is NOISE to God.
One can preach the message and have the wrong attitude (cf. Phil.
1:15-17)
1 Timothy 6:3-5 describes the attitudes
of those who do not consent to “wholesome words”, the teachings of
Jesus. Such are described as
proud, obsessed with disputes and arguments over words, etc.
i.
The
importance of the message
– it MUST be the truth.
While attitude IS important, so is the message.
God cares more about what one says than his physical talents to
say it. Some preachers have
great oratory skills, while others have strengths in other areas.
God is not concerned with how eloquent one is, but rather what he
says.
NOTE: This does NOT give free license to say something anyway you want
to as long as it is the truth.
You DO need a proper attitude, as we have just shown, AND you
need ability (cf. James 3:1).
ii.
BUT, where do WE put the emphasis?
People often flock to gospel meetings in the area based on who is
speaking. They go to hear
inspirational and entertaining speakers who have etched a name for
themselves, while they will not put any effort to go hear someone
unknown or one known more for his wisdom and understanding of the truth
than his delivery.
I am not saying that the talented speaker is not teaching the truth
(though often times you will not hear the whole truth from such).
Some men are blessed with both oratory skills and complete
conviction for the whole truth.
But my point is simply that sometimes man places emphasis is on
physical talent RATHER than the message.
That is the POINT Paul is trying to get at here!
Brethren, you WILL GET OUT OF A SERMON whatever effort you put into it.
You can learn, even from a “boring” speaker if you want to.
NOTE: Just because someone is “boring” is NOT a justifiable reason to
not support your local gospel meeting!
f.
What must
one’s attitude be teaching others?
i.
Humility – the truth must
always be presented with humility.
We are servants planting the seed and watering it.
Let God take care of the big stuff – the harvest.
The biggest problems many preachers face is their own ego.
They think they are it!
Note what Paul said of such an attitude in Romans 2:17-24.
1 Peter 5:5 says that we are ALL to be clothed with humility.
ii.
In
wisdom – knowledgeable.
This is God’s wisdom that we need.
James 3:1 warns that not many should strive to be teachers - WE will
answer. We need wisdom both
in our message and delivery.
We ask for wisdom - James 1:5.
Wisdom comes with study, time and application.
A godly teacher needs to harness all of these.
iii.
With integrity –
consistency in one’s life a must.
We need to practice what we preach.
We need to live so that others have nothing with which to accuse
us.
Paul in Acts 20:18 as Paul spoke with the Ephesians elders he told them,
“You know, from the first day that
I came to Asia, in what manner I always lived among you…”
1 Peter 2:11-12 speaks of living honorably among the Gentiles so that
God will be glorified, even as they speak against you (e.g. you conduct
convicts them).
iv.
Sincerity – not with
ulterior motives. Teachers
and leaders have to be sincere with our message.
We should NEVER say anything that we are not fully convicted of.
2 Corinthians 2:17 Paul said, “For
we are not, as so many, peddling the word of God; but as of
sincerity, but as from God, we speak in the sight of God in Christ.”
II.
What Paul taught (2)
a.
Christ
Jesus and Him crucified – the focal point of his message – and ours!
i.
As you
study the sermons preached in Acts, you find this was the focal point,
especially the resurrection.
And this was also a point of contention.
It attracted attention and led to opportunities for some AND
rejection for others.
ii.
Like Paul,
we must emphasize the preaching of Christ.
Galatians 6:14, Paul said, “But God forbid that I should boast except in
the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ,…”
iii.
How much
do we really emphasize Christ in our preaching and teaching?
b.
What does
preaching Christ and Him crucified involve?
i.
His life –
from the cradle to His ascension.
ii.
But it
involved much more.
Cf. Acts 8:5 – Philip preached Christ to them in Samaria.
It resulted in baptism.
Also the Eunuch – Acts 8:35.
It also involves His church, God’s grace, our need for obedience in all
things, etc.
iii.
Romans
1:16 – the gospel of Christ “is the power of God unto salvation.”
iv.
That which
He taught His apostles and disciples – Matthew 28:18-20, etc.
v.
That which
His apostles teach through His guidance (via the Holy Spirit).
The epistles of the New Testament ARE teaching Christ.
More on this in a future lesson (2:10).
III.
The Source of Paul’s Preaching (4b)
a.
Demonstration of the Spirit and of power
b.
It was the
message delivered by the Spirit – John 16:13, etc. More on this in
another lesson (2:10).
c.
It was
confirmed with might works – Paul had the ability to perform miracles
and thereby confirmed that his message was from God.
Acts 19:11-12 – he worked miracles and thus was able to teach.
Romans 15:18-19 – God worked mighty signs in him, “so that… I have fully
preached the gospel.”
He will deal more with these gifts later in this book.
IV.
The purpose of Paul’s Preaching (5)
a.
To instill
faith in the power of God – to those he preached to.
Paul’s purpose in his preaching was to turn men to Christ (and God) not
to Him.
His goal was that man would put his trust (faith) in God rather than the
ways of man.
b.
Many today
preach a watered down gospel filled with human philosophies,
entertainment, and social issues.
That is NOT what the gospel was OR IS about!
The gospel needs to be ONLY Christ.
Anything more than this will lead to one putting his faith in
something else – such as a specific preacher, or the material
possessions he preaches you can achieve (positive preaching movement),
etc.
c.
So I ask,
WHERE IS YOUR FAITH? If we
will appeal exclusively to the gospel, it will be in Christ only.
And thus we can see
the message of Paul here.
May we always achieve to preach only this.
More as we continue our study of this book.