The Work of the Holy Spirit
Scripture Passage: 1 Corinthians 2:1-5 (NASB)
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.
SUMMARY
Apostle Paul states in his writing to the church of Corinth that when he came to them to give the testimony of God, it was without eloquence of speech or wisdom. Paul did not boast of any other knowledge except Jesus Christ crucified, and he was in weakness and much trembling. He says his preaching was the demonstration of the Spirit and power of God so that their faith would rest not on the wisdom of man, but on the power of God.
MEDITATION & REFLECTION
Apostle Paul says he was “in weakness and in fear and much trembling” as he ministered to the Corinthians. His ministry in Corinth was done in spite of hostility from the Jews (Acts 18:1-17), and he was already exhausted from his ministry in Phillippi and Athens. God encouraged him in a vision, “Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent, for I am with you, and no one will attack you or harm you, for I have many in this city who are my people.” (Acts 18:9) I was surprised to read about Apostle Paul’s fear in preaching the gospel in the new territory with the potential for opposition and hostility. He had to overcome his fear with encouragement from the Lord, and he then preached the gospel in fear and trembling in obedience to the Lord.
Although Apostle Paul was well-educated as a Pharisee, well-versed in the Hebrew law as well as Greek culture and language, he “determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified” (v.2). There are some people who say we need to learn more, be more educated and well-mannered in order to preach the message of Christ. However, even Apostle Peter who was an uneducated fisherman, with the power of the Holy Spirit, preached the gospel to bring about three thousand souls to Christ. (Acts 2:41)
APPLICATION
To bring my own father to Christ, I had this great idea to have one of my daughters sing praise songs to him in Korean and my other daughter would read the bible in Korean with him. However, after months of this project, when I asked my father if he believes in Jesus, he says he is more disappointed than ever in Christianity, because the church does not look much like what he is reading in the gospel of John. I realized that the words in the Bible do not mean much unless the Holy Spirit touches the person’s heart. For that to happen, I must pray for the Holy Spirit to encounter my father so that his eyes will open and he may have understanding of the scripture. I realize I must be filled with the Holy Spirit and be filled with the knowledge of Christ crucified, instead of worrying over earthly matters as if my hope is in this world. Our family has to reflect the beauty of God. We must also show His relationship with His Son and the Holy Spirit, which is uplifting, honoring and obedient to each other in perfect unity. Although it is extremely hard to do, I know it is possible through the power of the Holy Spirit.
PRAYER
Thank you Lord, for sending us your only son to die on the cross for our sins. It does not make sense to us and there is no reason for You to do that, except that Your love is greater than what we could ever fathom. We could never fully convey what You have done for us with the eloquence of our speech or our wisdom. We cannot convince anyone to believe in this unfathomable truth, except by the work of the Holy Spirit. I pray that I may be a witness for You, even in my failures and weaknesses, by the Power of the Holy Spirit. Be with me as I encounter my father and mother so they would know You. How awesome You are to extend the gift of salvation which came at such a great price! May this time of quarantine be a time to prepare the harvest of souls for Your kingdom! May more and more come to You Lord, and may many be added to the number that will praise You here on earth as it is in heaven above!
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