WE PREACH CHRIST

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by David G. Rose

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When I was a young minister, the challenge of preparing three or four Bible studies or sermons each week was a daunting task that never ended. When one week passed, more were coming! It became apparent that I would have to work ahead in order to keep pace. Even then, a funeral, wedding, or other special event would beg quality time from my routine studies. Having a fresh word from the Lord was overwhelming.

One day I met an older ministry for breakfast, and poured out my dilemma. He listened intently, and then shared that he totally understood. He said that this challenge would only end when I either retired or died. But then he said there was another option. It is the one I chose.  

He took out his Bible and read from 1 Corinthians 1:22-23 KJV, “For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness.” He told me to always preach Christ and this will help settle my angst. He was right!

When you study this passage, you see that Paul had learned that the Jews would not believe the preacher unless a miracle was created right in front of them. One the other hand, the Greeks would not accept any truth unless it was sanctioned by their former sages and philosophers. To the Greeks, no new truth was possible. 

Paul knew that the Jews had seen many miracles of Christ, but still did not believe. Both Christ and the Apostles had worked wonders that should have satisfied their insatiable hunger for the supernatural. Instead, they wanted miracles on their own terms. But appeasing them would change the whole moral and spiritual purpose of the miracles of Christ. Miracles would just be performances.

The Greeks required secular approval of spiritual teachings. But Jesus did not come to fulfill human philosophies. Jesus came to fulfill the Law and to bring salvation through His finished work on the Cross. The Apostles would have preached heresy if they tried to conform the teachings of Christ to the philosophies of man.

Therefore, while they were rejected by many, the Apostles preached the Virgin Birth, the teachings and miracles, the suffering, death, and burial of Christ. Then, without hesitancy, they taught the resurrection of Jesus from the grave, and that He sits at the Father’s right hand. Paul clearly stated in 1 Corinthians 2:2 KJV, “For I determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ, and Him crucified.” 

And this is the expectation of spiritual preaching and teaching: PREACH CHRIST! When you preach for miracles, you have missed the point. When you preach intending to conform Christianity to this modern culture, you have neglected the Calling of God.

All human education and theories fall well below the knowledge and wisdom of Christ. There is no need to quote Socrates, Plato, or Aristotle, when you have the words of Christ in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7), the Parables of the Kingdom (Matthew 13), and the Olivet Discourse (Matthew 23-25). 

The is no need to ever be without an inspired message, as long as we are reading the Bible instead of social media and digital news. People are hungry for the Truth, not the opinion of experts. Few lives are changed by listening to politicians banter and candidates making promises. Too many people today are laying in the spiritual pig pen with the Prodigal Son, swallowing “the husks that the swine did eat” (Luke 15:15). Godly people don’t eat with swine and partake of their junk food!

Preach and teach Christ!

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Next week – Real men – Isaiah 43:7
 

If you would like a free digital copy of this study, send your request to parsonrose@aol.com.