Preaching Christian Research Paper

The Apostle Paul’s strategic mission of expanding the church and spreading the Gospel was significant considering the challenges he had to conquer. His life and example was and is applicable to modern cross-cultural leaders and organizations. Philippians 2 is a letter written by Paul to the church of Philippi. It was prepared during his imprisonment in Rome for spreading the Gospel of Christ in an area where people predominately and traditionally believed in Judaism. His writing in this passage highlights Christ as the ultimate example of humility and Paul’s encouragement to his followers to keep the unity, as they are the light of the world.

In 51 AD after visiting Athens, St. Paul visited Corinth, a city founded in 700 BCE and an important location in the development of Christianity. When he was in Corinth, he set up a tent shop, and used it to talk about Christianity with travelers as they passed by and engaged in business. For 18 months, until 52AD, St. Paul used his business to spread the word and convert people to Christianity. When he was in Corinth, his message was focused on “how Jesus had come for all and there was a place in the Christian community for everyone who put their faith in the risen Lord” (Textbook Reference). This is supported in his 1st letter to the Corinthians, which states that " ...that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures…"(1 Corinthians 15:3-4 NRSVCE). Consequently, Corinth was significant in the life of the early church because it was a city of trade and culture. Therefore, Christianity spread faster and more people converted because there were no strict traditions, making it a significant location in the early development of Christianity.

Response: “Alan Potter (2014) wrote that John MacArthur warned us that if we lose the biblical foundation while preaching this will lead to the decline of preaching which will contribute to the weakness and worldliness of the church, so for a church to be spiritual healthy, preaching should return to its proper biblical foundation (https://www.linkedin.com). Paul told Timothy that by preaching the Scripture, man and women could be wise for salvation (2 Tim. 3:15 NKJV). They learn the way of salvation through the Bible which the Holy Spirit taught the preacher to use, they should not use their own words dictated by man’s wisdom (1 Corinth. 2: 13

Paul’s mission’s on reaching the people of God and spreading the word of Christ is driven by the bold spirit imparted to and the rest of the Apostles conducting Christ’s mission. The Holy Spirit speaks to directly to believers guiding them on how to conduct their missions as well as manifesting through speaking in tongues of

King referenced many important figures in the Bible. One of them is the Apostle Paul, whom was a man who spread the gospel of Christ. He traveled far and wide to teach people about Christianity and is credited as the man to bring Christ’s teachings to the first century world (“Paul the Apostle”). King states, “Just as the prophets of the eighth century B.C. left their villages and carried their "thus saith the Lord" far beyond the boundaries of their home towns, and just as the Apostle Paul left his village of Tarsus and carried the gospel of Jesus Christ to the far corners of the Greco Roman world, so am I compelled to carry the gospel of freedom beyond my own home town. Like Paul, I must constantly respond to the Macedonian call for aid.” (University of Pennsylvania) King traveled to spread the message of

Paul begins his letter by saying he is an apostle not from men nor through man, but Jesus

Paul preached about monotheism, Christology, faith, body of Christ, Jewish law and the resurrection and return of the one Lord. This foundation of Christianity that he had laid created faith and belief of Christianity. He influenced people to believe that Jesus died and

There are many Church of Christ, Scientist spread around internationally. The First Church of Christ, Scientist was founded by Mary Baker Eddy in 1879 in Boston, Massachusetts. Ms. Baker was an Influential Author as well as a religious leader. During her time she published “Science and Health” along with launching “The Christian Science Monitor”. Thus inspiring people to become a part of her new profound Church.

Paul was devoted to spreading the gospel to many different people groups. An example from Paul's life that has taught me about spreading God's word is when he preached on his first missionary journey in Acts 13, even after many Jews slandered him and argued against everything he said. Paul’s demonstration of courage in this situation is very inspiring to me. It teaches me to be bold in my belief of the gospel, even when people disagree with me. Another

“When you argue against Him you are arguing against the very power that makes you able to argue at all: it is like cutting off the branch you are sitting on.” I got that quote from Mere Christianity. God is omnipotent and He is all- powerful. He knows and sees everything, God is unlike Santa Claus, God is something to really believe in. God has given C.S. Lewis a very intriguing way to spread his word. Mere Christianity has many ideas on faith and truth that helps my walk with the Lord.

As I approach the end of my high school career, I start thinking if I am prepared and ready to face the next step in my life. College is known to test a man’s responsibility in order to prepare him to face the world alone. Jesuit High School has changed my life throughout the years I have attended the school. Jesuit has prepared me for college and taught me how to become a more responsible man. When I was thinking of where I should apply to high school, Jesuit was not my first option; however, coming from a family of Jesuit alumni, I knew it was the only school for me. Throughout my earlier years at Jesuit, I struggled and was miserable due to the overwhelming work and rules I was required to follow. However, I soon realized what the school was about in its mission in turning its students into men for others. I have found that Jesuit High School has transformed me educationally, has made me a more responsible man, and has taught me to be a man for others.

The final commission of the Lord includes a reminder of His authority and His continuing presence with those who would spread His message. God can and does use the “foolishness of preaching” to accomplish His purposes. The theological realities which saw the first-century church stress the preaching/teaching of the Word have not changed. God still reveals Himself and His will for people through verbal propositions. God’s Spirit still empowers the authentic spokesman

There are many situations where I felt myself and others were treated unfairly; However, I’m going to share the one that struck out to me the most. Growing up, I was raised in a Christian background, specifically Methodist. Even though I respect the views of those who are not Christian, unfortunately not all Christians do that. Some Christians use their Christianity to judge those who are not living up to their expectations or those who are not righteous in their eyes. I experienced it myself because I was in a situation where other Christians were castigating me.

While there is much diversity in the New Testament a repetitive theme that continues throughout it and that is the Christology of Christ. From the four Gospels through Revelations we are reminded that it Jesus Christ is the one that was prophesied to come by the Old Testament Prophets and long awaited by the Jewish civilization as the Messiah. Within each book of the New Testament, from the historical books and especially in the Pauline Epistles, the importance of faith, obedience and knowledge of who Jesus Christ is, His purpose and the legacy of salvation that His death and resurrection is consistently repeated.

The content of preaching has been emphasized and studied in Seminaries, but the method for effective preaching has been treated in generalities. Now it is the time to think more specifically about processes which can help the preacher deliver biblical and powerful sermons that transform the lives of the hearers. One such process is that involving human imagination in relation to the exegesis and exposition of biblical texts for preaching.