What to Preach

"For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified." 1Corinthians 2:2 (NIV)

"Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah."  Acts 5:42 (NIV)

What was the overwhelming message of these revival preachers who were used so mightily by God? It was the message of Paul and Peter, the message of the early church--repentance and salvation through Jesus Christ. Their passion was to reach the lost and to bring about repentance, and they never failed to see results. Not only did they see results, but peoples' lives were forever changed and they became devoted to God. How different things are today. It seems to me that we don't hear that message much anymore--as if it's too much to expect people to respond to it. And those who do respond, quickly learn that God is just one more thing they have to fit into their busy schedule. Why is this? I think there is something missing in most of today's preaching--it's the Holy Spirit's power and anointing. When He is in control, the pastor doesn't have to convince people to become Christians, or to make Jesus the Lord of their lives. Instead they ask, as the man in Acts did, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?"