Why We Must Preach Christ, Not Just Perform: The Power of the Gospel over Personality | Daughter of Delight | Bible Devotions & Tools For Women of Faith

“For the kingdom of God does not consist in talk but in power.” (1 Corinthians 4:20, ESV)

In today’s world, it’s easy to get caught up in eloquence and showmanship, especially when it comes to ministry. We live in a culture where followers are drawn to personalities, platforms, and punchlines. But Scripture reminds us: the power of the gospel does not lie in performance—but in the person of Christ.

“Ministry Gift”: A Modern Term Worth Examining

“Ministry gift.”
It’s a term often used to describe preachers, teachers, and leaders within the body of Christ. But how quickly we forget that these individuals are just vessels. The true gift is not the messenger—it’s the message.

“For when one says, ‘I follow Paul,’ and another, ‘I follow Apollos,’ are you not being merely human?” (1 Corinthians 3:4, ESV)

The apostle Paul urged the Corinthian church not to elevate men above the message. His warning is timely, especially in our era of fandom culture where even the church can fall prey to celebrity followings and divided loyalties.

When Eloquence Replaces the Cross

Because we are so enamored by charisma and creativity, many preachers feel pressured to continually invent new ways to sound impressive:

Punchlines
Catchphrases
Clever metaphors
Trending stories
Bullet points and alliterations
Bright lights, music, and entertainment

While none of these elements are inherently wrong, the danger lies in letting them eclipse the central message of Christ.

“For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.” (1 Corinthians 1:17, ESV)

The Message We Must Never Water Down

The call is clear: we are not commissioned to build attractive churches or motivate crowds with feel-good quotes. We are called to preach the message that confounds the world:

“But we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles.” (1 Corinthians 1:23, ESV)

We preach the cross.
We proclaim that Jesus died and rose again for our justification.
We declare the truth of Scripture without diluting its power to appeal to modern ears.

Power Through the Spirit, Not Human Wisdom

Our message is not meant to be a masterclass in motivational speaking. It is to be a demonstration of the Spirit’s power:

“My speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.” (1 Corinthians 2:4–5, ESV)

The world doesn’t need a better show. It needs the real Jesus.

May We Long to Please God, Not Man

Let us ask ourselves: is our ministry centered on the applause of people—or the glory of God?

“For if I preach the gospel, that gives me no ground for boasting. For necessity is laid upon me. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!” (1 Corinthians 9:16, ESV)

May our desire to please God be greater than our longing for human approval. And like Paul, may we boldly take the message of Christ and Him crucified to the ends of the earth.

When Our Best Isn’t Enough, God Still Is

Even when our best efforts fall short, we can rest assured: the Holy Spirit’s power is more than sufficient. His Word will not return void. Every time the gospel is preached in truth, it accomplishes exactly what He intends.