1 Corinthians 4:20 For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power. The other Saturday evening, feeling tired and overworked, I went to the Turkish Baths to get freshened up for the Sunday services. I sat in the beautifully-furnished heating-room, quietly waiting my turn to go through the mysterious process of cleansing, when my attention was called to two gentlemen, whose conversation I was obliged to hear. "Well," said the shorter of the two, "I don't get much out of his preaching now." "How is that?" asked the other; "does he neglect the sermon preparation?" "No. I think he prepares too much; he says he wants more time for study, and he can't visit the old folks like he did when he came fresh from college." "Perhaps he feels running dry," significantly remarked the little man, as he wiped the perspiration from his face. "I tell you what it is, Mr. S — ," said the first speaker, with emphasis, "our minister thinks a lot too much about polish; he makes splendid sentences, but there's no power in them. He used to quote the Scriptures at first, now he puts in bits of poetry: all are very nice and pretty, but no power. What is the good of preaching when there's no power about it? I like polish, but I like it on something." I went to take my turn in the bath, but not to forget the old man's words about polish and power. (Sword and Trowel.) Parallel Verses KJV: For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power. |
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