First Corinthians 2 Part 1 Leaning On Our Lord When We Share The Gospel Of Christ

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The apostle Paul was guided by the Spirit of God to start addressing issues within the church at Corinth.

He began by taking on those who were causing divisions and creating cliques in Christ's church because this is something God hates. 

Our evil enemy is having his way when professing Christians follow a man rather than Christ.  

Paul also began contrasting the wisdom that is from God with secular wisdom of philosophers and those who advance traditions of men over the Word of God.

God chose people which are weak, base or foolish in the eyes of the world, in order to save sinners from eternal condemnation.

Thus, while the world mocks Jesus Christ and His cross, it is the power and wisdom of God for our salvation.

Avoid intellectualism and plainly preach the gospel.

1 Corinthians 2:1-2  And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech 2)  For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. 

These two texts complement each other. 

Acts 9:15-16  But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: 16)  For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake. 

The text from Acts contains Christ's mission for the apostle Paul and this is closely correlated with what the apostle says to the Corinthians. 

Paul always remained laser focused on the commission that Jesus Christ gave him to complete. 

Jesus sent Paul to preach the Gospel but not with human eloquence or persuasive reasonings (See 1 Corinthians 1:17). 

Paul always sought to preach the gospel by carefully avoiding the use of flowery rhetoric of philosophers. 

Ancient orators employed excellent speech and logical dialog as a most worthy achievement. 

Yet, the scriptures make it clear such things are vain, empty and nothing before God.

In contrast, the gospel of Jesus Christ is so glorious that preaching it in any language shines God's truth and hope into human hearts.

Paul was satisfied that the Gospel of Christ would make the Corinthians wise unto salvation. 

He determined to cultivate no other knowledge, and to teach nothing else but Jesus Christ, and him crucified. 

Such pure and plain gospel preaching becomes the foundation of all true wisdom, piety, and happiness.

Paul suffered many things for the sake of the gospel.

1 Corinthians 2:3  And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. 

Paul suffered from various injuries sustained when he was violently attacked for preaching the gospel. 

He was given thirty nine lashes with whips on five occasions. 

He was beaten with wood rods three times and stoned and left for dead at Lystra.

He suffered a shipwreck where he spent almost two days in the ocean water before being making his way to shore.

Paul also suffered many times from exposure to the elements and being without food or water for extended periods  (See 2 Corinthians 11:23-28).

All of these things took a physical toll upon the apostle's body. He had chronic pain and discomforts from his sufferings. 

This is why he reminded the Corinthians that he was weak, and had fears and trembled when he was present with them.

{We must not lose sight of the fact that Paul was always joyful in Christ in the midst of his sufferings, as the book of Philippians demonstrates.}

Paul's Spirit inspired words are a balm for those of us who share the gospel of Christ. 

We may be rejected or be persecuted for sharing the gospel, but our love and allegiance for Jesus Christ should outweigh anything we may suffer.

Old Testament prophets received Divine help to preach the Word.

Jeremiah 1:4-9  Then the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, 5)  Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations. 6)  Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child. 7)  But the LORD said unto me, Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak. 8)  Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the LORD. 9)  Then the LORD put forth his hand, and touched my mouth. And the LORD said unto me, Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth.

Jehovah chose Jeremiah as a youth of about 17. In Jewish culture, the older men were esteemed as wiser and must be permitted to have the last word.

Therefore, Jeremiah declared that he was as a child in comparison to the older men. His fear was that they would not listen to him.

Yet, God reminded Jeremiah that He knew him, and set him apart to be His prophet before He was born. 

Jehovah told Jeremiah that he should not be afraid of the hard looks he would get for preaching the Word. 

Then, Jehovah touched the mouth of Jeremiah and put His Word into the mouth of His young spokesman.

In like manner, Paul suffered many things and was rejected by many people. He was fearful that they would not listen to him when he preached the gospel.

Jesus encouraged Paul to preach the gospel without fear.

Acts 18:9-10  Then spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision, Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace: 10)  For I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I have much people in this city. 

Jesus stood by Paul when he was at Corinth and told him that He had many people to save in that idolatrous, immoral city. 

Therefore, Jesus said He would protect Paul so that he could freely preach. 

Just as He encouraged Jeremiah and put His Word into the prophet's mouth, so did Jesus encourage Paul and His Spirit guided what the apostle preached. 

God overrules human frailty so that His Word goes out with power. 

1 Corinthians 2:4-5  And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: 5)  That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. 

Paul refused to use persuasive speculation formed from human wisdom. He left man's wisdom out of gospel preaching so that God might receive all the glory as people responded with repentant faith in Christ.   

Instead, Paul's gospel preaching was a palpable manifestation of Holy Spirit guided preaching. What he preached was infused with the power of God's Spirit. 

The Lord Jesus the Spirit of God would speak through His apostles.

Matthew 10:19-20  But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak. 20)  For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you. 

It is good to bring these texts back in front of us because God sent the Holy Spirit to give His apostles the words to speak at the appropriate times. 

Therefore, these men were not to rehearse beforehand in their mind, what they might say. Why? Human reasonings are flawed but words from the Holy Spirit are flawless.

Jesus said He would give them a mouth with wisdom that cannot be refuted. 

Luke 21:12-15  But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name's sake. 13)  And it shall turn to you for a testimony. 14)  Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer: 15)  For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist. 

Jesus reminded His apostles that they would encounter fierce opposition to gospel preaching. They would be arrested and brought in front of religious leaders, both Jewish and Gentile.

At those points, Jesus said they should not worry about what they would say when accused of heresy or blasphemy. 

Notice the words of Jesus, whose name means Jehovah saves, are well connected to the words of Jehovah spoken to Jeremiah.

There is a common element and a common purpose. Using men set apart by God to proclaim holy truth from God to sinful men.

"I will give you a mouth and wisdom which your adversaries shall not be able to resist."

No doubt, Paul took great comfort in the words from our Lord. Pastors, teachers and evangelists today should also find great comfort and encouragement for sharing the gospel of Christ.

2 Peter 1:16-17  For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17)  For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. 

The apostle Peter also reminds us that we have inspired scripture from God that is holy, infallible and powerful.

We can rejoice because we are not preaching Greek or Roman mythologies like the ancient philosophers did. 

We have a sure Word from God that can break down a sinners resistance and lead him or her to faith and eternal life in Christ. 

The gospel declares the glory of God and the unrivaled excellency of His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. This is what we preach and teach. This is what a corrupt culture and sin darkened world needs to hear.

Let us not be ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God unto salvation to all who hear it and heed it. 

Let us have a voracious appetite to read, study and memorize God's Word.

Let us fill our hearts up with His Word, so that the reservoir of our soul is full of truth.

Then, let us rely on mighty help from the Holy Spirit, who will draw truth up out of the well of our heart, when we share the gospel.

Bob