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"In demonstration of the Spirit and of power..."

Text: 1 Corinthians 2:4

A HISTORICAL RECORD

The Prophets had foretold the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. The Lord Jesus Christ prepared His disciples to receive the Holy Spirit. The book of Acts records for us the powerful ministry of the Holy Spirit. Together they help us to understand and appreciate the significance of the ministry of the Spirit of God.

WRITING FROM DEEP KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE

The challenge for the apostles who had a writing ministry was to teach about the ministry of the Holy Spirit so that the Church may continue to grow from strength to strength. The Apostle Paul was eminently qualified to write about the ministry of the Holy Spirit. His life and ministry testified of how Spirit-filled he was.

YOUR FAITH IN GOD

In Paul’s first letter to the Corinthian Church, he addressed the matter of basic faith in the Lord.

“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.
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.”
1 Corinthians 2:1-4

1. Our faith in God

a) What it should not be based on.

i) Persuasive words

ii) Human wisdom

b) What it should be based on.

i) Demonstration of the Spirit

ii) In the power of God

2. Paul’s clear determination

a) He would not depend on excellency of speech.

b) He would not rely on human wisdom.

3. Recollection

a) Weakness, fear and trembling were experienced.

b) Nevertheless, Paul trusted that the Spirit of God would empower him for ministry.

c) Paul founded the Corinthian Church with Silas and Timothy, empowered by the Spirit of God.