In this lesson you will learn that you are called to go and demonstrate the power of the gospel.  By design the gospel is intended to not only be proclaimed but to be demonstrated, not only in word but also in works, not just in a message but also in miracles.

 I.                    How Paul approached the culture in his world – I Corinthians 2:1-5.

A.     The Greeks honored the wisdom of men and human philosophy.

B.     The Romans honored power and might and rule by domination.

C.     Paul tells them how he will not address them in verses 1-3 – “And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God.  For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling.”

D.     Paul addresses how he will come to them in verses 4-5 – He said, “And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.”

 II.                 Today’s culture.

A.     The Greek and Roman cultures have invaded our world today.

1.       Today people still worship human philosophy, man’s thoughts, and man’s opinions apart from God.

2.       There is another world that worships the power of finances, of real estate holdings, of the corporate world, political power, and military power.

B.     The issue is, when Jesus was crucified and buried He faced death, hell, and the grave.  The Greek wisdom couldn’t deal with that and the Roman power could not conquer it, but on the third day Jesus was raised from the dead. He is God’s wisdom and God power and God will demonstrate all over the earth that Jesus is the wisdom and power of this universe.

III.               Paul defines how to fully preach the gospel – Romans 15:18-19.

A.     Paul said he fully preached the gospel in mighty signs and wonders by the power of the Spirit of God in word and deed.

 DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

• Was there a time when you believed in human philosophy and man’s wisdom?
• Do you believe in the power and might of God?
• Where is the place Jesus has assigned you to make an impact in the earth?

 BE A DOER OF THE WORD

This week begin to fully preach the gospel of Christ with mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God in both word and deed.

 scr i ptURE MEMORY VERSE: Romans 15:19 – “I have fully preached the gospel of Christ.”