“God’s Power through Weak Speakers”
(1 Corinthians 2:1-5)
Series: Chaos & Correction
Rev. Todd A. Linn, PhD
Henderson’s First Baptist Church, Henderson
- Take your Bibles and join me in 1 Corinthians, chapter 2 (page 768; YouVersion).
We are preaching through the book of 1 Corinthians. This is what we do here, verse-by-verse expository preaching, teaching the Bible in the way it comes to us. It comes to us as a book to be read verse-by-verse and so we study it this way and teach it this way.
Since midway through chapter 1 Paul has been contrasting the so-called foolishness of God with the so-called wisdom of the world. He has just finished talking about how God calls foolish people to salvation, foolish people like those comprising the Corinthian congregation. He explains that “God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are (1 Corinthians 1:27-28). He has done this so “that no (person) should glory in His presence (1 Corinthians 1:29),” and so that, last verse of chapter 1, verse 31, “He who glories, let him glory in the Lord (1 Corinthians 1:31).”
So now Paul gives another example of how God uses so-called fools and foolish means to put human wisdom in its place and to bring glory to Himself. Paul uses himself and his preaching as an example and Paul places himself alongside the folks in the Corinthian church. It’s like he’s saying, “Not only are you guys so-called fools, or so-called weak, I join with you as one who is unimpressive in the world’s eyes, and I bring you a message that is unimpressive to the world’s way of thinking.”
And so Paul come back to this statement he had made earlier in chapter 1, verse 17, “For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect (1 Corinthians 1:17).” He picks that truth up again now, speaking about his preaching while he was there in Corinth. He says, “When I was with you and preached the Gospel among you, I did so as someone who had come in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling.”
- Please stand in honor of the reading of God’s Word.
1 And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God.
2 For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.
3 I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling.
4 And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power,
5 that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.
- Pray.
Introduction:
Sometime back I read in the news about a politician’s using the services of a company called, “Crowds on Demand.” Like the company’s name suggests, “Crowds on Demand,” a person can pay for a crowd of people to gather at an event to create the appearance that there is enormous support for the one they are gathering to be around. The company’s website, crowdsondemand.com, asks on their homepage:
Have you ever dreamed of having an adoring crowd cheering your name, proclaiming you a champion and singing your praises through the streets? For most of us, this is only a fantasy. Now, the experience once reserved for Presidents and A-Listers is for sale! Crowds on Demand can organize any group, small or large, within a week’s time. Paparazzi, Reporters, Fans, and Security Guards can all be arranged to spice up your vacation, promote your company, impress a date, or get the word out about yourself.
I’m not really sure what this says about our culture that a business such as this can be profitable, a business that sells only the appearance of support; creating the impression that a group of people support, applaud, and cheer a message or a person when in actuality they are simply being “paid off.” It really is remarkable.
I wonder what the Apostle Paul would have thought of this company! Maybe something like it existed in his day. Maybe, but it is clear from his preaching that he is not after the praise and adulation of adoring and cheering crowds–paid or unpaid. And if ever we were in doubt that Paul relied not on human tricks and gimmickry or even that he cared whether people approved or applauded his message or speaking ability, then our text puts those doubts to rest.
Paul was concerned that the cross be the centerpiece of preaching. And Paul knew that the cross was inherently offensive to the sensibilities of those who heard him. He knew the cross was as unpopular. He knew that the preaching of “Christ crucified” was an offensive stumbling stone to the Jews and a foolish message to the highly cultured Greeks (1 Corinthians 1:23).
But he also knew that the preaching of the cross was the only thing that brought true and lasting transformation of the hearts of those who listened. This morning’s passage teaches what preaching looks like when the cross is central. This passage shows us what happens when we allow the cross to shape the content of our message.
Much of what passes for preaching in many churches is not what we would call Gospel preaching. It may look like preaching, a guy has a Bible and stands in a pulpit or sits on a chair or something. It may even sound like preaching, the guy speaks truth from the Bible or reads stuff on a screen. But it may not be Gospel preaching because there is no cross. What the preacher says could be heard also on a popular talk show, or taught in a synagogue or even proclaimed in a mosque. There is no cross. And if there is no cross, there is no Gospel preaching. If there there is no cross in our preaching then we don’t see our Savior and we don’t see our sin because we don’t really see our selves–at least not as the Gospel requires that we see our selves.
Gospel preaching is the preaching of the cross–wether we are reading from the New Testament or the Old Testament. We understand our nature as sinners and we understand therefore our need for the cross. So Gospel preaching displays our sin, our selves, and our Savior. Gospel preaching allows the cross to shape and form the content of our message.
Let’s go through this passage again, verse-by-verse, and consider these truths about Gospel preaching. First:
I. Gospel Preaching focuses on the right Person (1-2)
Look again at verses one and two:
1 And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God.
2 For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.
Paul’s message was a focus not upon himself but upon the Lord Jesus Christ. In fact, of himself Paul goes on to say in verse 3, “I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling.”
So the focus was not on the messenger, but on the message. The focus was on the right person. Paul first mentions this truth back in chapter 1 and verse 17, “For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect (1 Corinthians 1:17).” And he says again later in chapter 1 and verse 23, “but we preach Christ crucified (1 Corinthians 1:23).”
Look again at verse 1. Paul says, “And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God.” Paul says, “My preaching was not marked by ‘excellence of speech or of wisdom.”
Now think about this: What would that kind of preaching do? What would be the result of a preaching marked by “excellence of speech or of wisdom?” The result would be a focus upon the wrong person. The focus would be upon Paul. People would applaud Paul for his excellence of speech and wisdom. That’s what the Greeks in Corinth were accustomed to. They loved flowery oratory and speeches adorned with words that tickled the ear and made hearers laugh, cry, and cheer.
Paul says, “I want nothing of that. I so want the focus to be upon Jesus Christ that I am willing to be scorned, ridiculed, and run out of town for being a weak speaker.” That was his modus operandi. It had pretty well happened in Athens just before he arrived at Corinth. Paul had addressed the crowd at the Areopagus in Athens. He was preaching Jesus Christ and Him crucified and when Paul mentioned Christ’s being risen from the dead, some in the crowd mocked him. They laughed at him. Paul was more concerned, however, that some of that same crowd had joined him and believed in Christ (Acts 17:32-34).
Gospel preaching brings a laser focus upon Jesus Christ. Gospel preaching, then, avoids the use of words that get in the way of the cross. Gospel preaching does not seek applause. Gospel preaching does not seek the approval of men and women who may be judging the preacher by human standards: “Is he funny? Does he have an impressive vocabulary? Is he hip or cool?” All of these standards bring a focus upon the one preaching.
Preaching should focus on the One preached, not the one preaching. Let me say that again: Preaching should focus on the One preached, not the one preaching. Christian preaching is about the message, not the messenger.
So Paul says in verse 2:
2 For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.
This verse does not mean Paul spent his 18 months in Corinth just going around saying, “Jesus Christ and Him crucified.” It’s not like he just went around Corinth and said that over and over again. Rather, it means that the cross formed and shaped the content of his message. Everything Paul said was shaped by the cross. Everything Paul lived and breathed was shaped by the cross. So if you were to ask Paul a question about nearly anything, he likely would answer in a way that reflected his thinking upon the cross. He says, “I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.”
Now this also does not mean that Paul was against intellectual study or even that human wisdom was unhelpful. Not at all! This refers rather to Paul’s wanting to keep the focus upon the One preached not the one preaching. Paul did not wish to showcase his giftedness for oratory, nor draw attention to his vast intellect. He did not preach so that others might tell him later, “You really are a gifted speaker.” He did not speak in such a way as to earn praise, adoration, or applause.
In fact, Paul indicates that he really took some time to think this over. In verse 2, he says, “For I determined” this. That is, before he even came to Corinth, Paul came to a settled conviction about his preaching. It is as though he might have said to himself, “You know, I could really wow this crowd. I know a lot of stuff that would impress these Greeks and Jews in Corinth. I know how to work a crowd. I don’t need, ‘Crowds on Demand!’ I can do this with my own giftedness for oratory but”–he says– “I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.” I made this a point of my preaching. I determined this before I even opened my mouth in Corinth. I do not want the focus to be upon me, but upon Jesus Christ.
Gospel preaching focuses on the right person. This point is related to the second truth. Number two:
II. Gospel Preaching flows from the right Power (3-4)
Look at verse 3 and following:
3 I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling.
4 And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power,
Paul’s preaching flowed from the right power, not the power of human strength and ability, which would be the case were Paul to focus upon his use of “persuasive words of human wisdom.” No rather, Paul says he came to the Corinthians “in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling” and that his preaching was a “demonstration of the Spirit and of power.”
Paul’s preaching flowed not from human power, but from divine power. His preaching was not derived from the power of human self, but the power of the Holy Spirit.
Paul did not come to the Corinthians with the common characteristics that marked the gifted and cultured orator of his day: strength, courage and confidence. He came rather “in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling.” Were someone to ask Paul before his speech, “What have you got for us today, Paul?” He would say, “I’ve got weakness, fear, and much trembling.” Pretty impressive, huh?!
Paul was not like many preachers today. He did not strut. He wasn’t cool. He didn’t have swagger. He says, “I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling.” In Paul’s second letter, he interacts with those in Corinth who ridiculed his physical presence and speaking ability. Don’t turn there, but you may recall 2 Corinthians 10:10, where Paul’s enemies say, “For his letters,” they say, “are weighty and powerful, but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible.”
It’s not like Paul had a huge fan base or anything. He wasn’t very popular then and probably wouldn’t be too popular today. I doubt he would have owned a Twitter account! I mean it’s hard to tweet something without bringing a focus upon yourself. If Paul had Facebook, how many friends would he have? Something to think about. Paul’s preaching was not to win the applause or to seek the approval of others.
I am saddened by so much of what I see even among many of my preaching colleagues. There is this sort of, “Go get ‘em” spirit in contemporary preaching where sermons are referred to as “home runs” and preachers referred to as “rising stars.”
Gospel preaching is preaching shaped by a cross. Says one writer, “It is in the nature of the cross that it cannot be preached elegantly and brilliantly, only in weakness (Hans R. Weber).”
Gospel preaching focuses on the right person and flows from the right power. Thirdly:
III. Gospel Preaching fulfills the right Purpose (5)
Verse 5 is what grammarians call, “a purpose clause.” Verse 5 gives the purpose for what Paul has been saying in the preceding verses. Paul has been saying that Gospel preaching focuses upon the right person, flows from the right power, so that–number three–it fulfills the right purpose. And what is the purpose of Gospel preaching? Verse 5:
5 that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.
Gospel preaching is distinguished from every other form of speaking in this way: it is the aim and purpose of Gospel preaching that hearers place their faith not “in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.”
A preacher can stand up here and speak in such a way that the hearers “misplace” their faith. That is, rather than placing their faith “in the power of God,” which is to say, placing their faith in Jesus Christ–remember back in chapter 1, verse 24, where Paul refers to Christ as, “the power of God and the wisdom of God (1 Corinthians 1:24),”–rather than placing their faith “in the power of God,” hearers may be tempted to place their faith “in the wisdom of men.” It is a “misplaced faith.”
Faith in a preacher is a misplaced faith, a focus upon the wrong person. It is, to recall from chapter 1, it is to say, “I am of Paul,” or “I am of Apollos,” or “I am of Cephas (1 Corinthians 1:12).” Well if that is the case, then your faith is misplaced. It is a faith in the wrong person.
Paul says in chapter 2 the reason, “I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling, and the reason my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, was SO THAT–verse 5–so that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.” He’s like, “I don’t want you to misplace your faith.”
If I get up here and speak in such a way that you don’t see the cross then I have blown it. If I get up here and speak so that you say, “What a speaker!” Instead of, “What a Savior!” then I have blown it. And I have blown it because your faith rests in the wisdom of men rather than the power of God.
How is the power of God revealed in Gospel preaching? How is God’s power revealed through weak speakers?
Shouting may be mistaken for divine power. Sweating profusely is also no guarantee that the preaching is “in demonstration of the Spirit and of power.” Often shouting, sweating, stomping, and snorting is merely cultural preference. It is popular, for example, in the deep South. That doesn’t make it right or wrong, it’s just to note that it is often a cultural preference.
At the same time, just because I occasionally get a little excited when I preach is also no guarantee that I am preaching “in demonstration of the Spirit and of power,” nor does it mean that you are experiencing vicariously some kind of divine power.
So when is preaching “in demonstration of the Spirit and of power?”
Well, often it’s like this: People gather to hear a message preached. They may or may not like it. It may be a sermon that engages all the human senses or hardly any of them. It may be a sermon that contains humor, or it may not. It may be memorable, it may be forgettable. It may not be anything particularly special, at all.
But when the sermon is over and people are leaving and getting into their cars and driving home, the message keeps playing. They keep hearing the words of Scripture. The text keeps talking. And they cannot escape it. They seem to hear the Lord say to them, “What will you do with that sermon? Don’t you realize you will give an account for having heard it?” And God is gripping their heart. The Holy Spirit is working that Word down deep in the heart and in the head. The Holy Spirit is bringing conviction of sin and powerfully changing hearts in conformity to Christ.
So preaching is not effective because it moves people to cry, to laugh, or even to shout, “Amen.” Preaching is effective when God works through it to change the hearts of those listening.
Gospel preaching is what happens when the Spirit of God takes the Word of God preached by the man of God and changes the people of God.
- Stand for prayer.
There is a sense in which every one of us is a preacher. This very week God will use you to speak wisdom into the lives of others. You need not be an expert at sharing your faith. Just share as the Apostle Paul shared. Focus on the right person–Jesus, see that you rest in the right power–not your clever arguments, but in the power of the Holy Spirit, so that your sharing the Gospel fulfills the right purpose–that your friend places his or her faith in Jesus Christ.
Some of you need to place your faith in Christ this morning…
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