1 Corinthians 1:18-19 – “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written:

“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.”  NKJV

I love the message of John the Baptist and his strong affirmation that he was simply “a” or “the” voice of one crying in the wilderness.  He was a forerunner to announce the coming of the Christ.  He declared in John 3:30, “He must increase, but I must decrease.”  That should be the heart of every child of God to LIFT UP CHRIST, not recognition, acclaim, accolades, position, prominence, or power.  We are MESSENGERS, not the MESSAGE.  He is the FOCUS, not we.  As Jesus declared, in John 12:32, “…if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself.”  He is the MESSAGE.  He is the FOCUS.  He is the one with the Words of Eternal Life.  He is the Door to Salvation.  He is the WAY, the TRUTH, and the LIFE.

We must never forget the commission given in Mark 16:15-18, “And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.  16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.  17 And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; 18 they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”   Nor dare we forget the words of the apostle Paul to the believers in Corinth in 2 Corinthians 5:20-21, “Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God. 21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”

I have always been disturbed when a man, any man, is elevated to the place of worship and especially so in those preaching the Gospel of Christ.  In my years of Christian service and ministry, I have encountered people so enamored with a particular preacher that they could hear nothing other than that minister’s message and method.  I appreciate Paul telling those following his ministry and the Christian walk in 1 Corinthians 11:1, “Imitate (follow) me, just as I also imitate (follow) Christ.”  We dare never allow any man, ministry or fellowship to descend to the state of the Church in Corinth which Paul addressed in 1 Corinthians 3:4 where they were becoming sectarian and virtually idolizing men, methods and styles.  We are Christians, followers of Christ and should NEVER elevate any human or their message above Christ and the Word of God.  Men/Women are simply MESSENGERS they are not the MESSAGE.

The Spotlight that draws people to the Cross and brings salvation is the GOSPEL not oratorical ability and personalities.  I heard a man tell a senior minister once, I follow you because you saved me.  The minister responded, “If I saved you, we are both in trouble because I then become responsible for you and I am not God.”  He continued, “I can save no one, I am simply the messenger, not the message.”  He then taught the man and all who would hear that their loyalty and devotion was not to be him but God and there would come a time he would no longer be their pastor and if they made him their focus they would hinder the progress of the local fellowship and potentially become roadblocks to people receiving Jesus.  He quoted John the Baptist’s declaration and admonished the crowd, “Make God and the Gospel the Spotlight of all you do not a man, men, or earthly ministries.”  Gold cannot save you, personality cannot buy you entrance into heaven for ONLY JESUS can SAVE.

Therefore, please always guard and pray that the Spirit of God will help you to guard against allowing anything or anyone, even your own ego become the Spotlight.  It must be, “…seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness…”  [Matthew 6:33].

            God bless you as you go through this beautiful day in Christ!