1st Corinthians 2:1-5 And I, brethren, when I came to you, came - TopicsExpress

1st Corinthians 2:1-5 And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. 2 For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.3 And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling.4 And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of mans wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:5 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. One of the beautiful things about the doctrines of grace (Calvinism), is that it understands that salvation is a miracle and not a decision. It realizes that we preach to DEAD men and women, unable to hear the things of God and understand. But it also realizes, that God has chosen the medium of preaching the Gospel, to resurrect the dead and give new hearts to those whom God chooses. NOTHING can stop it. And so we have confidence to preach to all, KNOWING that when God chooses to move through the Word and to open the ears and give them life, its unstoppable. It is not through persuasiveness or charisma. Its not through speaking ability or clear presentations. Its the simplicity of speaking Gods Word and knowing that It has the power to save. Without that, we are left with schemes and plans. If someone is not saved, we feel that we didnt do a good enough job. We werent clear enough or persuasive enough. It makes salvation dependent on the efforts of man. NO! Salvation is of the Lord (Jonah 2:9)! So we can preach boldly to ALL, knowing that God will save His elect. He will open the ears and give the ability to understand. His sheep hear His voice (John 10:27). https://youtube/watch?v=Bu0-cTtl4I4&list=UUO8iXV3kVXKXKP-EjWDaimg