Continuing from where I left off last time in 1 Corinthians 1:10-17, Paul points to the fact that he did not baptize any of the people of the church at Corinth, except a small number of people. I'm assuming these people he did baptize are not the major divisive members. One of the named people is Crispus, the former leader of the Jewish church. He was mentioned in Acts 18:8, where Paul's fellow writer (Sosthenes) of this letter was mentioned. Paul tells the church, "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." It doesn't take eloquent speech or persuasive words to lead people to Christ; it takes doing.
There is a huge lesson for us to learn here. WE SHOULD BE PASSIONATE ABOUT PREACHING THE GOSPEL TO EVERYONE because it has nothing to do with our ability to preach and persuade. It is the power of the cross that changes lives. If you're like me, the power of persuasion is non-existent in your life because of the complete lack of spirituality and living as an example to those around you. Although my church did something yesterday I don't agree with at a Sunday morning service, I did realize through their "Engage" service that I do not have any kind of witness to those in my life. For me, it comes back to loving others. I don't do it. It's so hard for me. I think it has to become my constant prayer.
And because I'm me, when the word "Engage" appeared on the screen at church yesterday, I thought of Captain Picard from Star Trek TNG.
Also, this word is one of those annoying words at my church. "You've got to engage with God," is one of the leadership's catch phrases. Also, calling us, God's "kids" instead of children is annoying. It seems like they are trying to be more familiar with God, taking away some of God's reverence. Oops, I don't love people. It's going to be a real struggle.
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