Foolish Preaching

(You can listen to the audio commentary by double clicking here http://hometown.aol.com/traqair/Todaysdev.mp3 - if you get a page of symbols, don't worry, just double click the link again)

1 Corinthians 1:21 For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe.

It never ceases to amaze me how preaching affects different folk. There are lots of jokes about people sleeping through sermons, and some comedians have made their name by mocking preachers, but when all is said and done, preaching is a foolish vehicle that God uses to change and transform lives every day and every week.

After the worship service on Sunday, different people have different things to say about the sermon. Somehow the Word of God has mysteriously made a connection with what’s happening in their lives, which means that they feel aware of God’s presence and His interest in what they are presently enduring.

A lot of media folk are saying that we should use video screens, computer graphics, and the latest sound systems to get the message across. That may be the wisdom of the high-tech world, but God has used the simple voices of preachers for thousands of years to make millions upon millions of Christians. What seems foolish in the eyes of the world is completely effective to God. He is still pleased to use the foolishness of simple preaching to save those who believe.

Now, being a preacher, someone may say that I am biased; but without someone else’s preaching, I would never have become a Christian. Perhaps as we reflect upon our own journey of faith and the scripture today, we should all ask ourselves this question: if I were to take out the preaching and preachers that I have heard in my life, would I still know Christ?

Prayer: Lord God, how foolish of You to use the mere voices of men and women who preach to us on Sundays, at weddings, at funerals, and at other times! How foolish it is in the world’s eyes, and yet how profound it is in Your own. How could we have known Christ without the preaching of Your Word? How could the church have grown in ministries and missions without Your preacher servants? Bless those among us who are called to preach; guide their hearts and thoughts this week, as they prepare to preach to Your people this coming Sunday. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.