Look what Paul, the greatest voice for God ever, said about his preaching It is in 1 Cor 2, (read the whole chapter). First, he said that he had just one message for them: "Jesus Christ and Him crucified." 

Then he said "I came to you in weakness, and fear, and with much trembling. My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words." [Would any church today hire him for senior pastor?] 

But then--- a huge shift..."BUT... with a demonstration of the Spirit's power." And in verse 13 he added some more to the secret of his enormous influence; "This is what we speak not in words taught us by human wisdom, but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truth in spiritual words."

Think about that! The power to change men's hearts and thinking, does not come from human wisdom, higher education, human skill, or charismatic personality! It comes from a "demonstration of the Spirit's power." Paul wanted to speak truth with great clarity so that God could convict people of sin, righteousness, and judgment. 

So, I was thinking: teachers and pastors make a business of it, but all of us teach somebody all the time, whether that is in a class, a home, a church or in the market place. What are we counting on to make our teaching effective? 

How many of us demonstrate the "power of the Spirit"? Is that important?

bh July 5, 2008

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