Cru Weekly Ministry Tip, Spring 2012, #13
The last two weeks we looked at the Messenger and the Message. This week we want to briefly look at the Method we use as we share the gospel message.
The Method
1 Corinthians 2:1-4
1 And when I came to you, brethren, I did not come with superiority of speech or of wisdom, proclaiming to you the testimony of God.2 For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified.3 I was with you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling,4 and my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power,5 so that your faith would not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God.
Keep The Main Thing, The Main Thing
Jesus is at the center of all we preach. Through a relationship with Him, one will truly experience the forgiveness of sins, and the spiritual blessings of being in His family, and understand our purpose in life. The main thing the Apostle Paul is talking about is seen in verse 2, “For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified.
Let’s be honest, sometimes sharing the gospel message can be intimidating and scary. Maybe we don’t want to feel uncomfortable and make others feel like they’re on the spot. But Paul is telling us to press on, “I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, and my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom…” Paul says, don’t give up, keep going. Jesus is always at the center of our message because, “no one comes to the Father but through Me (Jesus)”. John 14:6.
The Real Power
It is never about how well we can convince someone to become a Christian because God has to change people’s hearts. “…and my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith would not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God.” Vs.4
Every time we share the gospel with someone, our success rate is 100% because it is the power of God and the working of the Holy Spirit that has to move in people’s lives. We simply move ahead out of obedience and leave the results of our evangelism completely to God. It is all about Jesus and about the power of God, not on the wisdom of men.
With a few short weeks left in your spring term, tell at least one person about Jesus. Use the “Knowing God Personally” booklet or some other outline this week to share the gospel with someone. With Easter just a few days away, ask someone if they think that Jesus really died on the cross and what that could mean for their lives. Maybe you’re feeling weak, fearful and trembling, but our faith is not resting on ourselves but on the power of God. You can do all things through Christ who is your strength. We rely on the power of the Holy Spirit working through us.
Are You Ready?
Don’t forget to:
1. Have an Easter evangelistic emphasis both this week and the week after Easter. Use this as a springboard to share the gospel.
2. Be sure your plans for the Fall term are in place or soon to be in place.
3. Plan an end of year party to celebrate what God has done in your ministry.
4. Encourage people to sign up for summer projects, the door for applying is closing soon.
P.S. Last week’s tip I mentioned Esther when I meant Ruth, as part of the messianic line.
Talk to you next week,
Ben Rivera/CruPressGreen Team