The glorious gospel comes through weak messengers (Isaiah 20-22; 1 Corinthians 2)

We like impressive people, we follow influencers, perhaps we may find ourselves thinking, if only ‘they’ became a Christian they could have a massive influence!

Our celebrity culture is not too different from the culture in first Century Corinth, they loved public speakers. Such speakers drew followers, crowds and introduced new ideas. The church was in danger of wanting to do the same, but Paul said, he wasn’t like that, he didn’t come with “lofty speech” (1 Corinthians 2:1). Instead he came “in weakness and in fear and much trembling” (2:3).

Paul deliberately distances himself from the impressive speakers, he did not want to woo people to himself but to Christ. The message that Paul brought was not impressive to the world, but foolish, he preached about a man who was spat on, rejected, nailed to a cross! It looked so weak, but actually this is the message that changes lives forever. The wisdom of this age doesn’t last (2:6), but the wisdom Paul preached brings eternal glory (2:7).

When we consider our churches and our ministers, how easily do we fall into the trap that Paul warns about? We want to look impressive to the world, we think this will attract people. Perhaps we want impressive buildings, beautiful music and influential preachers. The danger is that we are just reflecting world’s culture back to itself, such ‘success’ will be short-lived and lives will not be truly changed. The Spirit’s power is not seen in us being like the world, but is seen in the preaching of Christ crucified. This doesn’t look impressive, but it leads to faith that is based not on the “wisdom of men but in the power of God” (2:5).

As we consider our churches, it is worth asking with the writer David Jackman “do we really still believe that it is the power of the cross of Jesus Christ, and that power alone, which will transform people’s lives?”