Above Only Daily Devotional june 5 2019 By Archbishop Margaret E. Benson Idahosa Topic: Helping People Focus on Christ by Preaching Christ

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Acts 5:42 And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.

1 Corinthians 1:22-24 For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: but we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumbling block, and unto the Greeks foolishness; but unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.

2 Corinthians 4:5 For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake.

One way to help people focus on Christ is by preaching about Christ and all the wonderful things that God has accomplished for us in Christ. If we do not speak boldly about what Jesus has done, many will remain ignorant and miss out on the great salvation, redemption, glory and blessings that God has made available for them in Christ and what Jesus has done for them will be of no consequence. There is so much of God’s wisdom and power hidden in the revelation of Christ. Referring to Christ, Col. 2:3 I the Goodnews Bible reminds us that He is the key that opens all the hidden treasures of God’s wisdom and knowledge.

The Spirit of God wants to reveal these things to you, 1 Cor. 2:9-12. Do not be ashamed of the gospel of Christ. Preach the gospel of Christ and let your life amount to a witness of your faith in Christ. The gospel carries the power of God that saves, heals, delivers, blesses and transforms our lives, Rom. 1:16. The gospel is about Jesus. Do not promote yourself and resist the temptation to only tell people what you want them to hear or what sounds powerful, interesting or popular. Rather, preach Jesus. Tell people what Jesus wants them to know. Do not be deceived into adding anything to the gospel of Christ. Doing so will only dilute its power and effectiveness. As you preach Christ, always remember, it is neither your eloquent words nor human wisdom that make the gospel powerful. It is the simplicity of the gospel and your faith in the power of the Spirit of God that makes the gospel powerful, 1 Cor. 2:1-5.

Prayer:

Dear Lord, I receive Your grace to preach Christ in such simplicity that everyone around me will be focused on Christ and His power.

Bible in one year reading plan: 2 Chronicles 23-24, John 15