“For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power. For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” (1 Corinthians 1:17-18)
Paul had words of correction for those saints at Corinth who were creating division in the church through pride and politics. Many were extremely enamored of a preacher named Apollos because he was a good-looking, charismatic, powerful and articulate speaker. They rejected Paul’s authority and his teaching because his preaching and demeanor were judged to be mediocre. Paul adds that the power of the gospel is in the proclamation of the Word of God centered on the cross of Christ not in the charisma or power of the preacher or the musicians.
Today many Christians shop around looking for preachers who will move them with their eloquence. They will find such preachers usually in churches that ignore the need for confession of sin and repentance while focusing on making individuals feel good about themselves. What is valued are preachers who do not speak about the gospel of grace and law, but speakers who possess good looks, personal charisma, and powerful eloquence. These preachers are often accompanied by loud and extravagant multimedia presentations, elaborate programs and flashy, upbeat music so that Church resembles more of a concert or motivational seminar rather than a service of word and worship that centers on what Christ has done.
But, as Paul reminds us, what is considered weakness in the world is considered by God to be strength. The cross, the death of Jesus, is not based on human power or wisdom, but on a demonstration of God’s power in man’s weakness. It is the weak people of the world, the lowly, the despised, who are called by God to faith and changed by their encounter with Christ. None of us can claim to have attained our salvation or spiritual gifts by self-effort human wisdom and power. We cannot boast in ourselves. We can boast only in the Lord who gives us all salvation, faith and all good things. We rejoice not in our talents and deeds, even those done in His name, but in Jesus and His ministry in and through us.