The apostle Paul may have been the most effective preacher in the New Testament world, but in the first paragraph of 1 Corinthians 2, he tells us how NOT to do it:
(1) Not depending on eloquence (verse 1).
(2) Not claiming to have superior wisdom (verse 1).
(3) Not with any message other than Christ and Him crucified (verse 2).
(4) Not with any attitude other than weakness, fear, and trembling (verse 3).
(5) Not with wise and persuasive words, but in demonstration of the Spirit (verse 4).
It reminds me of what evangelist Henry Moorehouse told young D. L. Moody: “If you will stop preaching your own words and preach God’s Word, He will make you a power for good.”