Preaching the Word: "Simple, plain empowerment from the Holy Spirit."
I Corinthians 2:4 “And my message and my preaching were very plain. Rather than using clever and persuasive speeches, I relied on the power of the Holy Spirit.”
As Paul is writing to the church at Corinth he is reminding them that in his preaching there was no hidden agenda. He didn’t use his mind to persuade people or to put people on any kind of guilt trip just to get some empty confession. On the contrary, Paul relied on the power of the Holy Spirit and spoke plainly to them to explain the gospel of Jesus Christ. As Paul relies on the Holy Spirit he reminds the Corinthians that the power of the Holy Spirit in plain/simple speech is more convincing/convicting then any persuasive orator relying only on human strength.
What a good reminder for me today and my preaching. It is so easy for me to get caught up in coming up with all these clever sermons, illustrations, stories, etc that will help people to respond to the gospel. Not that these things are bad; I actually think they area great tool, but when I spend more time thinking of clever illustrations instead of relying on what the Holy Spirit wants me to say I am way off track. I desire to be the kind of preacher that Paul describes in this text; I want to preach in plain and simple words that the Holy Spirit can best use to communicate the gospel. I desire that my preaching would rely on the power and presence of the Holy Spirit.
Lord, I come to you this morning desiring to be the kind of preacher that is a vessel for the Holy Spirit to communicate your transforming love to your people. I desire more than anything that you would use me to bring people into a saving relationship with you. I pray God that you would shape my preaching to be simple and relevant. May you communicate your truths through me; help me to be attentive to the Holy Spirit’s guidance in my sermon preparation and may this verse continue to shape me as a preacher to your people. Thank you for this awesome opportunity; thank you for reaching me through the cross; empower me to be the most effective communicator of the cross in all of the world; but not this for my glory, but for your glory alone. Give me the grace to live a holy life that will help to empower my preaching. I love you; thank you for saving me! Amen!
The most important detail of my preaching is the presence and power of the Holy Spirit that comes from plain/simple speech.
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