Life Speaking

5For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake.6For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,”^[a]made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.

7But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. 8We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 10We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. 11For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may be revealed in our mortal body.  I Cora 4:6-11

What a great scripture.  God continues to speak and say that we are not to depend on ourselves.  We are not to depend on our talents, our skills, knowledge, or passions.  What we depend on is what we preach on.  We are to preach Christ.

Maybe the greatest method for personal growth is not the latest book or program, but Jesus.  Maybe the greatest church growth plan is not a plan after all.  Maybe it is not a purpose driven, teaching driven, worship driven of whatever driven. Maybe it is just a bunch of people living a life that tells of Christ.  Maybe the Sunday experience becomes a celebration of that. 

Otherwise, we might be in danger of preaching things other than Christ.

God, help me carry around the death of Jesus in my body.  All so that you may be preached.  Help me to die to myself and the dependence on myself.  May my life never preach of me, but only of you.