We Preach Christ

We all hear sermons on lots of subjects. We hear sermons on marriage and parenting. We hear sermons on finances and giving. We hear sermons on evangelism and missions. We hear sermons on sin and holiness. We hear sermons on love, peace, and joy. We hear sermons on these topics and many more. These are all good subjects and the Bible speaks on these things in depth. We need to know what the Bible says about these things.

But consider these statements from the Scripture.

• And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they kept right on teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ (Acts 5:42).
• Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all openness, unhindered (Acts 28:31).
• But we preach Christ crucified (1 Corinthians 1:23).
• For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified (1 Corinthians 2:2)
• And we proclaim Him, admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, that we may present every man complete in Christ (Colossians 1:28).

Do you detect a pattern? Do you see the focus of the Apostle's teaching and preaching?

Consider the words of Jesus Himself regarding the Old Testament:

• And beginning with Moses and with all the prophets, He explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures (Luke 24:27).
• Now He said to them, "These are My words which I spoke to you while I was with you, that all things which are written about Me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled." The He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures (Luke 24:44-45).
• You search the Scriptures, because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is these that bear witness of Me (John 5:39).

It should seem obvious that Christ is the focus of the Scripture, but the question is whether or not Christ is the focus of our preaching. I am not suggesting that we read Jesus into every text of the Scripture. That's not the the point. But every text of Scripture is part of a larger context which has the focus clearly on the person of Jesus Christ. So we must understand the teaching of Scripture in light of the person of Christ. We are to let the word of Christ richly dwell within us. To take the focus off of Christ in our preaching and teaching will result in legalism or moralism. Let's remember a very important point - We are not preaching principles to be applied, rather we are preaching a Person to be followed. I am not to apply the principles of parenting just for my sake or the sake of my family, but rather because that is a part of my walk in following Christ. The issue is not whether or not I will apply the principles, but whether or not I will follow Christ.

So let's keep the focus on the person of Christ. When you teach others, help them see your instruction in light of Christ. When you disciple others help them learn what it means to follow Christ (1 Corinthians 11:1). Let us magnify the Lord in our preaching.