Home Home Bill's Blotters Archive Paul's big concern was that he not overshadow the Gospel message
Paul's big concern was that he not overshadow the Gospel message PDF Print E-mail
Saturday, 30 May 2009 00:59
My favorite TV show, bar none, is Mythbusters.  Each Wednesday night at 9:00 I tune in to watch Jamie, Adam, Kari, Grant
and Tory test  myths ....and in the process smash and destroy things in gloriously spectacular fashion.   Every episode begins with hosts Jamie Hyneman and Adam Savage warning the viewers: "DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME!" (a warning that is repeated after every commercial break).  Safety is an ever-present concern  and, even though these people are professionals, you get the sense that these folks have a healthy respect..almost a fear...for the subjects they tackle.
The Apostle Paul exhibited that very same type of fear when he presented the Gospel to the people of Corinth:
 1-When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or superior wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God.
2-For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.
3-I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling.
4-My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power,
5-so that your faith might not rest on men's wisdom, but on God's power.
(1 Corinthians 2:1-5)

Paul's big concern was that he not overshadow the Gospel message by drawing attention to himself.  How tempting it is for us
today to think that we have to tamper with the Gospel to make it "more presentable" to the world.   Paul knew that the message of the Cross was powerful stuff (it still is!).   He knew....and we need to re-learn--that the best thing we can ever do when sharing Christ is: preach the simple message, get out of the way, and let the Word do its work!

See you soon!
Bill