THE FOOLISHNESS OF PREACHING
I CORINTHIANS 1:17:25
Zechariah 4:6 “Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.”
Introduction:
Today almost no one puts importance on the preaching of the Word of the GOD. Many times when we preach there are people making fun, thinking that our message is equal to others who preach cures and riches, i.e., a social gospel.
The Apostle Paul found that even among the believers in the Church at Corinth, some played down the preaching of the Word. Let us examine what the Apostle says in defense of the preaching of the truth.
I. THE PREACHING OF THE TRUTH
A. Paul was sent to “preach the gospel.”
1. No one is saved by the word of a preacher. “not with wisdom of words,” Today we have a multitude of “preachers of miracles and cures” and the world continues sick, lost, and heading for hell!!
2. It is not by human strength, Zechariah 4:6. “Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.”
a. During more than twelve hundred years the established religion of Europe tried to force other believers to conform to their religion. More than 50 million people died in Europe at the hands of those fanatical religionist because the Baptist did not believe their false preaching. Much of this is registered in the history books for the world to read. However, the victims were called “heretics.”
b. Our preaching is by the power of the Holy Spirit, v. 21, “it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.”
1) “But we preach Christ crucified,” v. 23 We preach the truth!! Jesus died on the cross to save man from his sins!!!
2) “But unto us which are saved it is the power of God.” v. 18. We know what the LORD did in our lives!
a) He saved us from perdition.
b) Hell has no power over those who are in Christ.
II. THE RESULTS OF THE PREACHING OF THE TRUTH.
John 10:27-30
A. The first result is ETERNAL LIFE, v. 28 “And I give unto them eternal life.”
B. The second result is ETERNAL SECURITY, v. 28, “and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.”
C. The third result is a CONFIRMATION from the Father, v. 30, “But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:”
III. THE PURPOSE OF THE PREACHING OF THE TRUTH – TO BRING GLORY TO GOD,
1 Corinthians 1:29-31.
A. “That no flesh should glory in his presence.” v. 29. It is for this reason that man cannot save himself. Psalms 3:8, “Salvation belongeth unto the LORD.”
B. The believer can glory in the LORD, v. 31, “That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.”
1. Our glorying is not in men, I Corinthians 3:21, “Therefore let no man glory in men.”
2. Even preachers have nothing in themselves to glory in, I Corinthians 9:16, “For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!”
3. Our glory is in our Lord, 2 Corinthians 10:17, “But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.”
4. Our glory is in the cross of the Lord Jesus Christ, Galatians 6:14, “But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.”
CONCLUSION
Thank the LORD that our salvation is by faith in Jesus Christ to the honor and glory of God.
Our salvation does not depend on some religion, but on Christ.
Our salvation is in the hands of Jesus and He is in the hands of our heavenly Father. Everything is perfectly secure!!!!