With so many preachers with their “hot” sermons all trying to make an impression across the western world one could get quite confused about what makes a powerful message.
In view of that, let me take you back to basics and get you looking at what the Apostle Paul declared was pretty powerful preaching.
The Right to Speak
Paul has the right to tell us what works, since his own preaching was claimed to have “turned the world upside down”. Paul was hunted from city to city through sheer hatred from those who knew the power of his preaching and who didn’t like what he was achieving.
Paul seemed to have a way of getting his message through in city after city and culture after culture. He was able to birth church after church in places where he simply preached his basic message.
In view of the power of Paul’s preaching we ought to pay attention to what Paul instructs. And it is worth noting that Paul instructed the early church to imitate him. I suggest we are well advised to do that in this day, almost two thousand years later.
Paul’s Power Preaching
Paul tells us quite directly that the “Gospel of Christ” is his power message.
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believes; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” Romans 1:16
Paul then explains the two basic truths of his gospel message as he continues his letter to the church in Rome. Those two basic truths are simply that man is a sinner facing judgment and that faith in Christ saves us. Paul was not ashamed to declare those truths.
Sinners Facing Judgment
Paul states the first basic principle of the gospel of Christ just two verses after declaring that the gospel is powerful.
“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness” Romans 1:18
Paul uses the rest of chapter 1 and all of chapter 2 to expand on the fact that man is sinful and thus God’s judgment rests on him. Several verses that state that truth are well known among Christians.
“As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understands, there is none that seeks after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that does good, no, not one.” Romans 3:10-12
“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” Romans 3:23
We later have Paul advising that the penalty for our sin is a death sentence from God.
“For the wages of sin is death” Romans 6:23a
Paul did not shrink from revealing to people that they had a sin problem and that sin brought God’s judgment on them. This is the starting point of Paul’s gospel message. The good news of Christ (the gospel of Christ) is not good news if you don’t first understand the “bad news” of our sin.
Faith in Christ Saves Us
Having established that all mankind is ruined by sin and that God’s wrath rests on the whole human race because no-one can reach God’s holy standard, Paul then testifies to the wonder of forgiveness and salvation we have through faith in Christ.
“But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference” Romans 3:21,22
“Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus” Romans 3:24
“Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.” Romans 5:1,2
It’s a pretty simple message. Our sin separates us from God and brings God’s judgment upon us. Our faith in Christ saves us and brings God’s grace upon us.
Ashamed of the Gospel
The way some preachers preach you could think they are “ashamed” of the gospel Paul preached. Many preachers avoid giving the simple, clear gospel message Paul found so effective.
I talked about this with a Chinese Christian today who admitted that in his youth he heard people preach the simple gospel Paul preached. But today, he said, he does not hear people preach so directly.
He asked me why I thought that was so, and I suggested that many modern preachers are more interested in pleasing their audience than in pleasing God. They preach what they think people want to hear, rather than what Paul says will transform the hearers.
Maybe, too, modern preachers don’t want to risk the opposition and challenge Paul received when he preached that simple gospel.
Fear God of Man
The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom but the fear of man brings a snare.
So who you give respect to impacts who and what you are.
This is important for preachers. If you fear God you will preach God’s truth, no matter whether the audience likes it or not. Some will reject what you say and others will be transformed by the message. The gospel of Christ will release the power of God into their lives to save and transform them.
If you fear man, you will preach what people want to hear, but you will have no impact on their lives. You will also offend God and have none of His blessing and fruit in your ministry. In fact, you will get trapped (a snare is a trap) and maybe mess up the rest of your life. That’s what the fear of man does to you.
“The fear of man brings a snare: but whoever puts his trust in the LORD will be safe.” Proverbs 29:25
“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.” Proverbs 9:10
Let us hear again the simple gospel that transforms lives.