Keep it Simple

Chuckle: To begin a math class, the teacher asked, "What are 3, 6, 27, and 45?" Timmy quickly answered, "NBC, CBS, ESPN, and the Cartoon Network!"

Quote: "Let there be kindness in your face, in your eyes, in your smile, in the warmth of your greeting . . . Don't only give your care, but give your heart as well." --Mother Teresa

"Dear brothers and sisters, when I first came to you I didn't use lofty words and brilliant ideas to tell you God's message. For I decided to concentrate only on Jesus Christ and his death on the cross" (1 Corinthians 2:1-2 NLT).

Many Christians can be classified as brilliant Bible scholars. Their formal theological education, personal Bible study, and rich life experiences have given them deep insights into the difficult to understand Scriptures and the mind of Christ. The apostle Paul was such a man. He was a brilliant scholar and skilled orator who could have easily overwhelmed his listeners with impressive intellectual arguments. But he did not yield to the temptation to bring attention to himself by his impressive knowledge, understanding, and skill in articulating deep spiritual truths.

Instead, Paul kept it simple when conveying the gospel message to those he was trying to reach for Christ. He knew that the simple message of Jesus Christ and the cross expressed with the guidance and power of the Holy Spirit was the most effective way to communicate the gospel. He knew that the simple gospel "is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes" (Romans 1:16b NIV). Paul understood that we must make our message understandable to everyone if we are to be successful as Christ's ambassadors to a lost world.

Jesus made the gospel both profound and as simple as it gets: "For God so loved the world (every human being) that he gave his one and only Son (Jesus), that whoever believes (has faith in, trusts) in him shall not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16 NIV).

We are wise if we follow Paul's example and keep the gospel message simple and basic for those we are trying to reach. Gregory the Great said, "God first gathered the unlearned, afterwards philosophers, nor has He taught fisherman by orators, but has subdued orators by fishermen." We should never depend upon our superior knowledge, understanding, or articulation skills to persuade people to come to Christ. We should use easily understood terms and depend upon the Holy Spirit to add power to our words.

Obviously, Paul does not diminish the importance of formal education and study of the Scriptures for Christians. However, his confidence was not in his superior intellect or speaking abilities, but in the power of the Holy Spirit. Paul's statement about making the message simple and basic should never be used as an excuse for not studying and preparing before preaching or teaching.

 

Love, Jerry & Dotse