Be Determined, Pt. 4

Paul did not come with excellent speech, worldly wisdom, or persuasive words. He laid those aside. He relied on the Holy Spirit and His power.

Be Determined, Pt. 4

‬"For I determined not to know anything
among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified."

(1 Corinthians‬ 2:2)

I enjoy listening to contemporary Christian artist Lauren Daigle. She competed on American Idol three times but did not make it very far. But she pursued her dream of singing and has become a favorite of many. She has won two Grammy Awards and multiple Dove Awards. Ironically, she was a mentor on American Idol in Season 17 and sang on the show in the finals in Season 18. Her song, "Trust in You" has these powerful lyrics:

Letting go of every single dream
I lay each one down at Your feet
Every moment of my wandering
Never changes what You see

I've tried to win this war, I confess
My hands are weary, I need Your rest
Mighty warrior, King of the fight
No matter what I face, You're by my side

When You don't move the mountains
I'm needing You to move
When You don't part the waters
I wish I could walk through

When You don't give the answers
As I cry out to You
I will trust, I will trust
I will trust in You

You can watch Daigle sing Trust in You here:

We have looked this week at an important aspect of determination, and that is to let some things go. The Apostle Paul said he was determined to be solely focused on Jesus Christ and Him crucified. He told the Corinthian church that he did not come to them with excellent speech, worldly wisdom, or persuasive words. He laid those aside. He was not reliant upon those things but on the Holy Spirit and the power that He gives.

But Paul was not only determined to let some things go; he was also determined to embrace certain things, preeminently, knowing Jesus Christ and Him crucified. Paul had this singular passion to know Jesus and make Him known. The crucifixion of Jesus on the cross for the sins of the world was paramount in his life and preaching. "Paul resolves to provide a transparent window onto the cross: not to parade himself. Hence any "self-preservation" on the part of any "leader or name" has no place in a community founded by and on the Gospel." (Thiselton, A. C. (2000). The First Epistle to the Corinthians: A Commentary on the Greek Text (pp. 211–212). Grand Rapids, MI: W.B. Eerdmans.)

I think the idea of the celebrity pastor would not only make Paul not only cringe but also bring a firm rebuke from him. There are, however, wonderful examples that pastors and evangelists can follow today, like Billy Graham, Jim Henry, Jim Cymbala, Greg Laurie, and a multitude of others who provide stellar examples for pastors on how to be fully focused on Jesus and Him crucified.

Lean on Jesus, rely on Him and not your own abilities, and watch what great things God will do in and through you.

Partner with us in spreading the Gospel!

Will you help fuel our efforts to spread the Gospel
and equip and empower other Christians to do the same?

Count me in! ▶

Podcast of the Week

Christmas Joy

Pastor Danny shares a special message on Christmas Joy, the second of three special Christmas-themed messages he is sharing on the podcast this Christmas season!

Listen on your preferred platform: