MONDAY, APRIL 17
1 Corinthians 1:17
1 Corinthians 3:6

"…lest the cross of Christ should
be made of none effect."

NOT SELF BUT CHRIST

Paul was glad that he only baptised Crispus, Gaius and the household of Stephanas. Otherwise, the people would have compared the number of people he baptised with those of others. Paul abhorred such a game of numbers. He was very much aware that in the work of the Lord, it is God who gives the increase (1 Cor 3:6). He was just an instrument in God’s hand. All glory must go to God, not to Paul.

This selfless attitude of Paul is also reflected in his preaching. It is a common temptation for preachers to demonstrate their oratorical skills and wit. The world often admires such "wisdom of words" (1 Cor 1:17). However, Paul was not interested in such praises of men. Neither did he want to attract attention to himself. Doing so would distract people from the gospel message. That would make Paul’s preaching to be in vain. It is the gospel that saves, not Paul.

All preaching must be Christ-centred, not man-centred. The late Rev Timothy Tow would often draw a cross on the top right-hand corner of his sermon notes. (Read his book entitled My Homiletic Swimming Pool). This was to remind himself that when he preached, it must not be a demonstration of self, but rather a whole-hearted commitment to the Scriptures and the Lord Jesus Christ. The message of the cross of Christ must sound loud and clear!

Similarly, we must be careful not to draw attention to ourselves as we serve our Lord. Our motive for service must be solely the promotion of God’s glory and His Word. Otherwise, we will end up striving for position and power, resulting in disunity within the body of Christ. Moses spent forty years tending sheep before he learnt to say, "Who am I?" Thus our motto must be, "Not self but Christ." Soli Deo Gloria.

THOUGHT: Let all my ways glorify my Saviour.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I surrender my all to Thee.