The Preeminence of Christ in Preaching

 

“And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.” (Colossians 1:18)

 

The Lord Jesus Christ is and must be preeminent in all true preaching. That man must not be considered a faithful gospel preacher who does not preach Christ. Preachers are like the pole to which Moses fastened the brazen serpent. Our only function is to hold up Christ crucified before sinners. The gospel we preach is Jesus Christ. We do not merely preach a Christ centered gospel. Christ is the gospel we preach. There is a huge difference.

            When our Lord himself began his public ministry in the synagogue at Nazareth, his sermon was all about himself. He said, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, To preach the acceptable year of the Lord” (Luke 4:18-19).

            As we read the writings of the Apostle Paul, we cannot help observing that to him the preaching of Christ, the preaching of the gospel, and the preaching of the Scriptures were all the same thing (Acts 20:27; 1 Corinthians 1:17, 23-24; 2:2; 4:5).

 

His Saving Fulness

 

We preach Christ when we preach him in the fullness of his redemptive grace and glory as God our Savior. Let me be explicit and clear. I want no one to misunderstand what I am saying. The preaching of the gospel, the preaching of all the counsel of God, the preaching of Christ of necessity involves the preaching of his...

  • Eternal Deity and Godhead (John 1:1-2).
  • Suretyship Engagements (Hebrews 10:5-10).
  • Supernatural Incarnation (1 Timothy 3:16).
  • Obedience as our Representative (Romans 5:19).
  • Efficacious Atonement (Hebrews 9:12).
  • Sovereign Dominion (John 17:2; Romans 14:9; Philippians 2:9-11).
  • Saving Power and Goodness (Hebrews 7:25).

 

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  • Unfailing Intercession (1 John 2:1-2).

 

Divine Dynamite

 

The preaching of “Jesus Christ and him crucified,” when attended with the power of God the Holy Spirit, is the effectual power of God unto salvation (Romans 1:15-17; 10:13-17). The gospel we preach is the dynamite, the explosive power of God unto salvation. How I wish preachers would use the gospel exactly like men use dynamite. Dynamite needs neither adornment nor defense. You just light it, throw it, and get out of the way.

This same message, “Jesus Christ and him crucified,” is God’s message of grace for the reproof, correction, comfort, inspiration, and instruction of his saints in righteousness.

            Nothing so inspires devotion as the gospel of Christ. Nothing more severely reproves our sin and unbelief. Nothing ministers comfort to our souls like the doctrine of Christ crucified. Nothing promotes holiness like the message of God’s rich, abundant, free grace flowing to us through the blood of our crucified Savior! Christ is our only hope of salvation. Christ is our only rule of life. Christ is our only motive to godliness. Christ is our only inspiration to devotion and consecration Romans 12:1-2; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, 19-20).

 

In Judgment

 

Our Lord Jesus Christ shall be preeminent in the Day of Judgment, too. In that great and terrible day, when the great white throne is set and the books are opened, Christ will be the Judge. He will be the standard of judgment. And he will be the executioner of justice (John 5:22-23; Acts 17:31; 2 Corinthians 5:10-11). In that great and glorious day Christ shall be something more. He will be our Advocate, our Righteousness, our Plea, and our Salvation (Jeremiah 23:6; 33:16; 50:20).

 

In Glory

 

And our Lord Jesus Christ shall be preeminent in the glory of the eternal world to which we are going. The preeminence of Christ shall be our happiness and bliss in the glory world. Search the Scriptures. You will see in those places where the veil is lifted and we are allowed to peek into eternity that Christ has been given the highest place that heaven affords. In the world to come Christ shall be the Object of endless, universal adoration and praise. In him we will see the fullness of the triune God perpetually revealed to our everlasting astonishment. In Christ we will see the purpose of God, in all its wisdom and goodness, fully accomplished. In Christ we will see all the mysteries and wonders of redemption and grace made manifest. In that world to come our Savior’s great prayer of intercession shall be answered perpetually, throughout the endless ages of eternity, to the inexpressible gladness and joy of our souls (John 17:24).

            Then, oh, then, we shall praise, honor, extol, and worship him who loved us and gave himself for us. What an everlasting song of praise we shall sing to him who is the preeminent One of the triune God — Our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ (Revelation 5:9-10; 15:3-4; 19:1-6).

            This is the purpose that is purposed of God in all things: — “That in all things he (the Lord Jesus Christ our Savior) might have the preeminence.” And have it he will! He shall have it! He must have it! And all who love his name love for it to be so.

 

 

 

Don Fortner

 

 

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