And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.
I Corinthians 2:1-5 NKJV
I Corinthians 2:1-5 NKJV
Paul resolved to know nothing among the Corinthians except Jesus Christ and him cruxified. Which means, even though he was a learned scholar, he did not use persuasive words of human wisdom.
Which means, he did not use motivational speeches nor artistic illustrations nor feel good seeker sensitive phrases nor soothing worship concerts nor any of these techniques that we typically employ in churches today.
He simply taught the word, not by wisdom of men, but purely the power of the Word of God. Simply put, he didn't have to worry that people would dislike him, detest the message, reject the gospel. He didn't have to try to be popular among the Corinthians (he was glad he did not baptize any of them besides Crispus, Gaius and Stephanus).
Paul didn't have to build the church by making it more comfortable. He simply taught the word as it is, and the Spirit of God does the rest.
Teach the word as it is, and those who wants to listen will listen. There is no point building a Church of tares.
Teach the word as it is, and don't underestimate people's ability to understand, even youths.
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