When one makes a close examination of Paul's attitude about preaching, it should inspire everyone
proclaiming the gospel and it should also be an inspiration to every Christian.  Let's examine this morning his inspired words.

1)  PAUL SPOKE EXACTLY WHAT PEOPLE NEEDED TO HEAR!
     A.  Acts 20: 18-35
          1.  but in humility - vs 19
          2.  "dishing out the medicine" as needed
          3.  whether popular or unpopular - he wasn't a politician, he was a proclaimer of the Truth.
          4.  He didn't shun his responsibility - vs 24  " I shrank not from declaring to you the whole counsel.."
          5.  His attitude was learn it, live it, preach it..- vs 32

2)  PAUL FELT A GREAT DEBT
      A.  Romans 1: 14-17
           1.  He felt a great responsibility
      B.  He knew the hope for the world was in the gospel of Jesus Christ - Rom 10:17
           1.   Paul knew the only way he could repay the debt was by preaching and helping many.
           2.  vs 17 - note this verse

3)  HOW MUCH CONSIDERATION DID PAUL FEEL DISSENTERS SHOULD GET? 
      A.  NONE! - Rom 3: 3,4
      B.  The Word of God is right - even if the whole world dissents.
      C.  Don't give in just to try to please all sides.
      D.  But, we shouldn't be hateful
     

4)  SOME SAY PAUL DIDN'T THINK  BAPTISM WAS IMPORTANT
      A.  1 Cor 1:17 - Is that was Paul was saying?
           1.  He's not discounting the importance of baptism
                a.  Puts one into Christ - Rom 6: 3; Gal 3: 26,27
                b.  Puts one into the death of Christ - Rom 6:3
                c.   Puts one into the body of Christ - 1 Cor 12:13
                d.  Initiates one into a new life - Rom 6:4
      B.  Paul did baptize some at Corinth 14,16
      C.  Some were baptizing into Christ and wearing human names
      D.  We can be so "results" oriented that we forget the primary responsibilty is to preach and God will
           give the increase.

5)  PAUL BELIEVED HIS ONLY MESSAGE WAS THE CRUCIFIED CHRIST
      A.  1 Cor 2:15
           1.  limited in the sense of not preaching the philosophies and opinions of others
                a.  1 Cor 11:23 - "I received of the Lord that which I delivered unto you
                b.  Phil 2:5 - we should have the same mind as Christ
                c.  Paul was not trying to impress with wisdom - great swelling words - no great display
                    of arrogance, no desire to get people to "love" him.  Just to get them to obey and love Christ.

6)  PAUL KNEW SOME WOULD AND SOME WOULD NOT RESPOND
      A.  2 Cor 4: 1-7
           1.  But, it was done in the utmost honesty and sincerity, not in craftiness
           2.  He knew there would be enemies
      B.  Who would receive it?
           1.  some will not learn, willfully ignorant, refuse to be taught.
                a.  God's revelation is not a revelation to that person
      C.  He only spoke what was written