What does the Bible say about preaching Christ?

The Bible emphasizes that we preach Christ crucified, which is central to true religion. In 1 Corinthians 1:22-24, the Apostle Paul states that while the Jews seek signs and Greeks seek wisdom, Christians preach Christ crucified, which to some may appear as foolishness. However, for those who are called, Christ is the power and wisdom of God. This underscores the heart of the Gospel: Christ's crucifixion is not just an event but the foundation of our faith and the essence of preaching. Genuine preaching glorifies God by declaring the unsearchable riches found in Christ alone, rather than relying on human wisdom or eloquence.

How do we know that Christ is the power of God?

We know Christ is the power of God because He embodies God's wisdom and strength, as revealed in Scripture. In the sermon, the preacher reflects on the truth that Christ serves as the embodiment of God's wisdom and power, especially in 1 Corinthians 1:24, which states, 'Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.' This declaration provides assurance to believers that God's ways, though they may often seem foolish by human standards, surpass earthly wisdom. By choosing what is weak and despised in the world, God demonstrates His sovereign grace, ensuring that no flesh may boast in His presence (1 Corinthians 1:29). Thus, the efficacy of the Gospel lies not in human strength but in the transformational power of Christ.

Why is knowing our weaknesses important for Christians?

Recognizing our weaknesses draws us closer to God and emphasizes our reliance on His strength. The sermon highlights that acknowledging our weaknesses is crucial for our spiritual growth. The Apostle Paul demonstrates this by confessing, 'I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling' (1 Corinthians 2:3). This acknowledgment is humbling and serves to remind believers that their strength comes not from their own abilities but from dependence on God's power. By admitting our weakness, we can rely more fully on God's grace and power, as exemplified in the assurance of Philippians 4:13, 'I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.' Thus, understanding our limitations directs our hearts to seek help from God.

What does it mean that God reveals His wisdom to us?

God reveals His wisdom through the Holy Spirit, allowing us to understand spiritual truths. In 1 Corinthians 2:10, it is stated that 'God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit.' This emphasizes the special role of the Holy Spirit in understanding God's mysteries and wisdom, which remain inaccessible to the natural man. The sermon explains that true understanding comes not from human reasoning but through divine revelation, indicating that spiritual discernment is a gift from God. This revelatory work of the Spirit deepens our relationship with Christ and enhances our appreciation of the Gospel. Believers are thus encouraged to seek the Spirit’s guidance to comprehend the deep things of God, which far exceed human knowledge or wisdom.

Paul Preaching Christ - Stephen Hyde | Full Transcript & Audio

May it please Almighty God to bless us this evening as we meditate for a few moments in His Holy Word. And this evening, what's on my mind is the words that we read in the first of Corinthians, and really the second chapter, where the Apostle Paul was so determined to preach Christ. and how wonderful it is if we have that same desire to hear Christ being preached. So let's turn to the first of Corinthians and we'll read a few verses in the first chapter and then the second. I don't intend going right through this tonight but just to give a little glimpse into the reality of true religion. So, the first chapter in the first epistle of Paul to the Corinthians, and we'll commence reading at verse 22.

For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumbling block, and unto the Greeks foolishness, but unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.

Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men, For you see, O calling brethren, how that not many wise men are to the flesh, not many mighty are called, not many noble are called, but God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise, and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty. and base things of the world, and things which are despised hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to naught things that are, that no flesh should glory in his presence. But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption. that according as it is written, he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord. And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God, for I determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the spirit and of power, that your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.

Howbeit, we speak wisdom among them that are perfect, but not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world that come to naught, but we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory, which none of the princes of this world knew, For had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

But as it is written, I hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit, For the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the Spirit of man which is in him? Even so, the things of God knoweth no man but the Spirit of God. Now we have received not the Spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is of God, that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God, which things also we speak, not in words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness unto him. Neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. For who hath known the mind of the Lord, but that he may instruct him?

But we have the mind of Christ. It is very wonderful that God, in his love toward his church, has given us a record of those heartfelt desires and concerns that the Apostle Paul had. as he was called to preach the unsearchable riches of Christ. And he tells us, as we've already read, the Jews require a sign and the Greeks seek after wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified. That was his love. That was his great desire.

Unto the Jews a stumbling block, and unto the Greeks foolishness, but unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God because the foolishness of God is wiser than men and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

Well how true that is and what a blessing when God proves it to us and shows it to us. so that we understand the power of God and the wisdom of God, how superior it is to the wisdom and power of poor sinful men. And so God has recorded this for our encouragement and for our instruction.

He goes on and says, for you see your calling brethren, Yes, how that not many wise men are to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble are called. But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise, and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty. And that should be an encouragement to us, as we look at ourselves, and see our failings so often, our foolishness, our ignorance, to realize that the true religion which God gives comes from Him.

We don't produce it ourselves. It is a gift of God. And He comes and says, and God has chosen the weak things of the world. Sometimes we may feel weak indeed. And it is to confound the things which are mighty. Those who are not strong in themselves, what do they do? They look to the Lord for all the help, for all their strength. Their confidence is in God, not in their own ability. They realize how weak and foolish and ignorant they are.

And so the apostle goes on, and base things of the world and things which are despised hath God chosen Yahweh and things that are not, to bring to naught things that are, that no flesh should glory in his presence. What a mercy it is if you and I are brought there to realise that he must have the honour and the glory. And we must bow down before our God and acknowledge that he is the only one that can do these things for us. and bring into our hearts that amazing favour and that love of the Saviour which you and I can't produce ourselves. But how good it is to know that we have a God who is compassionate, He knows about us and He deals with us in love to our souls. And how true it is that no flesh should glory in His presence. Left to ourselves, my friends, we would glory in what we'd done But as the Holy Spirit comes and touches our heart, we can't glory in ourselves. We glory in His presence. But of Him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom and righteousness and sanctification and redemption. What a wonderful and complete statement that is.

Made unto us wisdom, righteousness, sanctification and redemption but according as it is written he that glorieth let him glory in the lord and then just a few verses perhaps in this second chapter and i brethren he tells us now about himself and i brethren when i came to you came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. Now we know that the Apostle Paul was a learned man, he'd been brought up at the feet of Gamaliel, he knew the Old Testament law well, and yet he doesn't claim any ability himself. He comes and tells us he came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. And he tells us this great and wonderful truth.

For I determined. I like that word. I determined. That's what the apostle really wanted. And he wasn't going to let anything stand in the way. For I determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. That was his heartfelt desire. And what a blessing if that's our heartfelt desire to know nothing among men save Jesus Christ and him crucified. And then he explains about himself.

He tells us, and I was with you in weakness. and in fear, and in much trembling. Perhaps we wonder, is it really the Apostle, that man of God, wonderfully blessed, glorious conversion, and yet we see him here confessing the situation that he was in. I was with you. In weakness. Yes, he didn't claim any strength himself. He knew where his strength lay because he tells us in the Philippians, and I can do all things through Christ that strengtheneth me. But here we have him writing to the Corinthians, confessing his weakness. And I was with you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling.

And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the spirit and of power. It was the power of God, the application of God's word, which had the effect. It wasn't Paul's clever analysis, his clever words, his ability to remember much of the law. No, it was none of that. What was it? It was a demonstration of the spirit and of power.

And how encouraging that is for you and me today, when we understand and appreciate and observe and know the demonstration of the Spirit. It's not of the flesh, it's of the Spirit, and of power, the power of God. Oh, my friends, how great and wonderful it is. No man can stop it, because it comes from God, it emanates from Almighty God, the Creator and Ruler of all things.

And then he tells us the reason that our faith, your faith, should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. So to think of that this evening, in our little lives, we're not reliant upon what men say. We're reliant upon the wisdom of God. We're not reliant on the wisdom of men, but the wisdom of God and in the power of God.

The power of God breaks down all barriers. The power of God lifts us above earthly things. The power of God directs us to heavenly things. Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect, yet not the wisdom of the world, nor of the princes of this world that come to naught, but we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world and to our glory, which none of the princes of this world knew, For had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. And then he comes and tells us, speaks to us about the glory set before the church of God. And he says, but as it is written, I have not seen, our natural eye does not see, nor ear heard, our natural ear does not hear. neither have entered into the heart of man the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. What a prospect is set before the true Church of God. Something indeed to look forward to, something indeed to anticipate, not because of what we've done or what we've said or our wisdom or our skills, but because of the power of Almighty God.

And so he comes and says, but God, but God. There's a number of times in the Word of God, I think it's 17 times where we read, but God. It's a wonderful word. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit. Yes, not by men, by the Spirit of God. Isn't that humbling to think of that? Almighty God. look down upon us, reveals these things for us. For the Spirit searches all things, yea, the deep things of God. This is the God, my friends, that you and I are privileged to deal with. And He comes and deals with us in love to our souls and sets our feet upon a rock and establishes our going, and enables us to truly set our hearts and our affections upon things above, and to truly come and praise our God from whom all blessings flow. Well, we'll leave these few comments there this evening.

Paul Preaching Christ

Key Quotes

What does the Bible say about preaching Christ?

How do we know that Christ is the power of God?

Why is knowing our weaknesses important for Christians?

What does it mean that God reveals His wisdom to us?

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Paul Preaching Christ

Key Quotes

What does the Bible say about preaching Christ?

How do we know that Christ is the power of God?

Why is knowing our weaknesses important for Christians?

What does it mean that God reveals His wisdom to us?

Sermon Transcript

Comments

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