THE MESSAGE MISSED

When the plan of salvation is shared or biblical truths taught, the hearer can either focus on the message ... or the messenger. 

John Piper used this word picture: 

Suppose you have a one-year-old child sitting on your lap and suddenly, in the window, there is a beautiful bird, and you hold out your hand to point at the bird and say, "Look, look at the bird." What does the child look at? He looks at your hand and the sign you are making with your fingers. He is excited because you are excited. He joins in imitating the sign as best he can. But the problem is, he never sees the bird. The whole point of the sign is missed. 

Paul was determined to have his audience direct their attention toward the Lord ... not himself. 

And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom, declaring to you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. (1 Corinthians 2:1-2) 

And like Paul, we are called upon to share the Gospel in a manner that keeps us personally out of the limelight. 

For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shone in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.  (2 Corinthians 4:6-7)

When you receive praise from men for something you've done for the Lord, it is tempting to take at least a small portion of the credit. 

Place yourself behind the Cross of Calvary, so as not to distract from its Message.