The Christ-Crucified Preacher - 1 Cor. 2:1-10

Introduction We live in a world where image is almost everything. How one looks, how one sounds, is of the utmost importance. Some of the leading pastors in contemporary evangelicalism seem to spend more time on their looks before they preach, than in preparing the sermons (or talks as they refer to them) that they are about to preach.  Looks weren't a big thing with Paul. In one hand he was not the most impressive specimen of humankind. In 2 Cor. 10:10 he says that one of the accusations that the super apostles brought against him was that he didn't very good and didn't sound very nice ("'For his letters,' they say, 'are weighty and powerful, but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible'"). The earliest description of Paul says that he was "a man of small stature, with a bald head and crooked legs, in a good state of body, with eyebrows meeting and a nose somewhat hooked." And this is the opinion of someone who liked Paul! On the other hand, his own personal abilities and looks were that important to Paul because Paul was not all about Paul. Paul was about Christ. He exemplifies for us the Christ-crucified preacher.  This passage helps us see the character, the message, and the goal of the Christ-crucified preacher. I. The Character of the Christ-Crucified Preacher. A. Christ-Centered, 2. B. Determination, 2. C. Plainness, 1, 4. D. Humility, 3. E. Reliance on the Spirit, 4, 10. F. Love for the people, 5. II. The Message of the Christ-Crucified Preacher. A. The testimony of God, 1 B. The person and work of Christ, 2 – Christ and him crucified. C. The wisdom of God, 6. D. This message can only be understood by those whom God reveals it to them, 7-9. III. The Goal of the Christ-Crucified Preacher, 5, 7, 10 A. Paul preaches Christ and him crucified so that faith is not in the arguments about faith, but in the power of God, 5. B. Glory, 7, 10. Conclusion So, here we have the character, the message, and the goal of the Christ-crucified preacher. Christ at the center. Christ at the front. Christ everywhere!

Put the internet to work for you. via Personal Recipe 881887