The Message is Simple

1 Corinthians 2:1-5 NLT
“When I first came to you, dear brothers and sisters, I didn’t use lofty words and impressive wisdom to tell you God’s secret plan. For I decided that while I was with you I would forget everything except Jesus Christ, the one who was crucified. 

I came to you in weakness—timid and trembling. And my message and my preaching were very plain. Rather than using clever and persuasive speeches, I relied only on the power of the Holy Spirit. I did this so you would trust not in human wisdom but in the power of God.”

Sometimes it’s not what we say that leads others to Christ but how we say it and the manner in which we speak. Paul had quite a task in Corinth. It was a vile city and sin was rampant. Layer on, he would become very bold as the the church was established, but in the beginning he took a much different approach.

At this point he had been on the mission field establishing churches and he encountered great opposition from the Jews but was able to win many converts. Paul’s mission had changed, as recorded in Acts 18, he now was concentrating on winning the Gentiles to Christ because of the strong opposition of the Jews.

Paul’s states in this first letter to the church at Corinth, ” I didn’t use lofty words and impressive wisdom…For I decided… I would forget everything except Jesus Christ, the one who was crucified.” Paul was a very wise man. He had the ability and knowledge to stand before kings and be persuasive, but he was able to know his limitations with certain people. In our day we would say, “Read the room.”

Our message of hope and salvation is typically on the same thought line, but using the persuasion that will meet the person we are witnessing to half way. Allowing the Holy Spirit to demonstrate His power to bring the soul to Jesus Christ not our impressive words. That way, the focus is on Jesus and less on us.

Prayer:
Lord, use us, use our words, anoint us to reach souls for the kingdom. Give us boldness but simplicity, giving room for the Holy Spirit to work in lives.