I feel as though I should add some provisos concerning my last article in fear that I might be misunderstood. I mentioned five things mistakenly emphasized in Christianity were; Education, Ritualism, Wealth, Crowds and Emotion. I am not against these things per se; I am against an undue emphasis being placed on them.

Education is necessary and good. Get all you can just don’t let it go to your head. {“…Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth”}The Christian life and particularly the Christian ministry is a lifetime of learning.

Some traditions {some might call them rituals} if biblical are warranted.

Wealth is always nice to have. I heard an old preacher say one time “Money can’t buy happiness but it can sure drive misery away”.

Everyone would like to have a bigger crowd, you’d be stupid not to.

We are emotional creatures by design. There is certainly nothing wrong with being emotional.

I am speaking on the subject of the true emphasis of the gospel ministry. People can and usually do go to seed on just about anything.

II. Things the Apostle Paul De-emphasized

A. The wisdom of men. Paul was very intelligent and well educated but he de-emphasized those things. “But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.” One wise old preacher when asked if he was a doctor replied, why goodness no, I haven’t even been a nurse yet.” Knowing Jesus Christ that is what Paul was interested in.

B.  Great speaking ability or enticing words “And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power”

Some at Corinth said, “his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible.”

In other words “he wasn’t very entertaining…he didn’t crank me up”

The apostle Paul wasn’t interested in cranking people up. Preachers are not entertainers. Churches are not entertainment centers. Preachers are not supposed to be stand-up comedians. They stand between the souls of men and an eternal Hell.

…then what was the Apostle Paul interested in?

III. Things the Apostle Paul Emphasized.

A. He emphasized the preaching of the gospel. This is what we are to emphasize.

B. He emphasized the Preaching of the cross. “For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.”

C. He emphasized his dependence on the Spirit of God.

I Thessalonians 1:5 “For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.”

If anything is accomplished it will be because of God not because of man

The Holy Spirit regenerates men.

He opens their hearts.

He opens their eyes.

He guides them into all truth.

The reason men emphasize these other things is because they believe that they must do what only the Holy Ghost can do. I am afraid it is man made, man powered religion and nothing lasting will come of it.

C. H. Spurgeon said, “When I was about fifteen or sixteen years of age, I wanted a Savior, and I heard the gospel preached by a poor man, who said in the name of Jesus—”Look unto me and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth.” It was very plain English, and I understood it, and obeyed it and found rest… if I was saved by a simple gospel, then I am bound to preach that same simple gospel till I die, so that others too may be saved by it.
When I cease to preach salvation by faith in Jesus put me into a lunatic asylum, for you may be sure that my mind is gone.”