There is no doubt Paul was a “powerful preacher” but what are some of the things he held within his grasp that made him so? One thing that cannot be denied is Paul had a sharp concept of what his message was to be. From the very beginning what he communicated was clear. Luke puts it this way: “And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues…” (Acts 9:20).

Later, Paul wrote to the Christians at Corinth and stated, “For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified” (1 Corinthians 2:2). What was it about Jesus that set Him apart? Paul endeavored to make that known. This Jesus whom he preached had been crucified. Crucifixion was one of the most horrible means of execution known to man. Jesus was not the only one to suffer that dreadful death. In fact, two men died the same way on the same day Jesus died (Matthew 27:38). What made this Jesus, and thus Paul’s message, different is revealed in the verse regarding what Paul did in Thessalonica. Luke records: “And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures, Opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ” (Acts 17:2-3). Paul not only preached the crucifixion, he preached the resurrection of Jesus.

That brings us back to Acts 9:20. Paul “preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God.” The greatest declaration that Jesus is “the Son of God” is found in the fact that Jesus was raised from the dead (Romans 1:4). That was what Paul wanted everyone to know! That is what he preached to the Corinthians and he called that message “the gospel” (1 Corinthians 15:1-4). The reason the preaching of this gospel was so important is revealed by Paul in his letter to the Romans when he wrote, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek” (Romans 1:16). The message of the gospel is the only message that has the power to save lost humanity! Paul was convinced of this truth and unashamedly adopted it as the center of his preaching.

Paul had such a sharp concept and deep conviction regarding his powerful message about Jesus that he would let nothing deter him from preaching it. To the Corinthians he proclaimed, “For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God” (1 Corinthians 1:18). He went on to say, “But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness” (1 Corinthians 1:23). To some, Paul’s preaching was nothing more than “foolishness.” To others, it was a “stumblingblock.” Nevertheless it was the truth and Paul knew the world had to hear it! Jesus Christ was the crucified, resurrected, Son of God who alone had the power to save a lost and dying world.

Is the concept of our preaching as clear and sharp as that of Paul? Perhaps we would all do well to constantly assess our own preaching to be sure we share his focus.