Sunday, June 10, 2007

 

Synopsis of the Armenian Message

1 Corinthians 2:1-9

“Demonstrating God’s Spirit”

 

This is the second part of “Life after Pentecost” according to 1st Corinthians. We are in the 2nd chapter.  Today the world’s population is 6 billion.  It is estimated that if we grow at this rate, the world’s population will be 7.2 billion in the year 2040.  Although we have new technologies to help make life smoother, yet life is becoming more complicated.  If some countries are becoming richer, other countries are rarely making it.  In the year 2050, 150 million people will die from natural and unnatural causes.

 

This week G8 meetings were held in Germany.  World leaders discussed important issues like anti missiles, global warming, world economy, terrorism… Outside the secure rooms, there were demonstrations against these leaders saying that these meetings are just talk, talk, talk and not enough action.

 

Persuasion is an important word in our world.  For the 2008 elections, every candidate is trying to persuade why he or she should be the next president of the USA.

 

Paul was an educated intellectual.  He was an expert in political talk, philosophical debates, and persuasion.  Yet, listen to what he is saying to us this morning.  “When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or superior wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God.” (1)

In order to understand why he saying these words one has to read Acts 17:16- 18:8.

 

Paul spoke in Athens about the “unknown god”.  He used his persuasive methods, which are fine.  Some became Christians.  We read in Acts 17:32 that when they heard about resurrection of dead, “some sneered,” but others wanted to hear more later on.  Paul did not stay in Athens any longer.  I don’t know why he did not stay more.  I know one thing that Paul was a man of God.  He walked close to God.  It seems God’s Spirit led him to leave Athens and go to Corinth.  There he first went to the Jewish synagogue.  When they did not listen to him, he washed his hands and said he needed to move on to the gentiles next door.

 

Paul is fed up with rhetorical speeches; Paul is fed up with debates; therefore he uses these words.  I did not come to you with “eloquence or superior wisdom.”  Thus his main message is this: “For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.” (2:2)

 

I am a person who does not want to argue about his faith.  Sometimes we Christians do that.  Debates are OK as long as they lead the people to light of Jesus.  Paul, a leader in the field of argument and debate, is saying, “I feel weak; I feel I know nothing; my message does not have persuasive and wise words.  However, one thing is very clear to me.  I know one thing:  I have faith in Jesus Christ, who was crucified for us.  The Spirit of God will help me to DEMOSNTRATE God’s Power.”   Why?  “So that your faith might not rest on men’s wisdom, but on God’s power.” (2:2-5)

 

What  happened to all techniques of persuasion?

There is nothing wrong if we can learn how to use our language and reasoning wisely.  Paul used those in Athens.  However, he realized if one spends too much time in worldly wisdom to persuade people about Jesus, it will not work.  He came on his knees learning that nothing happens without the work Spirit of God. WATCH IT.  Let me give good advice:  “don’t let your intellect crowd out Jesus.”

There is a very meaningful verse in Zechariah.  He was teaching the Israelites to rebuild the temple.  These are his words:  “Not by might nor power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord Almighty” (4:6).

 

I wish we could learn this.  I wish we Christians learn this just as Paul did.  This does not mean Paul was silent when there was injustice.  This does not mean that Paul was passive when there was danger.  This does not mean Paul did not use intellectual methods to persuade people about Jesus Christ and his cross.  A good example will Paul’s letter to Philemon which we studied in some of our Bible Study groups.  Paul used the right words to persuade Philemon to accept Onesimus, the slave who ran away from Philemon.  Even there, in that letter, he says things to show to Philemon that Paul is not using a disciple’s rights, or “worldly wisdom.”   No, he is asking him in the name of Jesus to accept Onesimus not as a slave but as a new brother in Christ.  Paul learned that nothing can happen if one is not equipped with the Holy Spirit.  “My message and preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power.” (4)

 

We will continue in the English sermon.