PREACH
CHRIST
"For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not
with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.
For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us
which are saved it is the power of God. For it is written, I will destroy the
wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.
Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world?
hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For after that in the
wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the
foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. 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; But unto them which
are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of
God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God
is stronger than men." 1 Corinthians 1:17-25
The
American Puritan, Cotton Mather, instructed his students with these wise and
needful words of counsel - “Among all the subjects with which you feed the
people of God, I beseech you, let not the true Bread of Life be forgotten; but
exhibit as much as you can of the glorious Christ unto them; yea, let the motto
upon your whole ministry be, ‘Christ is all!’”
What
a blessing it would be if every man who claims to speak for God, who claims to
be a gospel preacher, would heed those words! How blessed the church of God
would be if those who fill her pulpits were determined to preach and teach
nothing but Jesus Christ and him crucified!
That was Paul’s
determination (I Cor. 2:2). It ought to be every preacher’s! Any man who is sent
of God to preach is sent of God to preach Christ crucified, always, in all
places, in all his fullness (I Cor. 1:17-25). Christ crucified is “all the counsel of God” (Acts 20:27).
He is the singular subject
of Holy Scripture. He is the sum and essence of all true doctrine. He is the
life of all gospel ordinances. He is the secret ingredient of all true worship.
He is the mercy-seat in whom God meets with men. He is the motive of all
godliness, obedience, service, and devotion. He is the reward of heavenly
glory. Jesus Christ is our God! Jesus Christ is our Savior. And Jesus Christ is
salvation. He is the Way to heaven; and he is Heaven. He is the Revealer of
truth, and he is Truth. He is the Giver of Life; and he is Life. “Christ is all!”
When we talk about divine sovereignty, we are declaring that Jesus Christ is Lord.
When we proclaim God’s glorious work of predestination,
we are showing how that sinners have been predestinated to be conformed to
the image of Christ. God’s election is
his choice of some to everlasting salvation in Christ and for Christ’s sake. Total depravity, a thoroughly biblical
doctrine, is God’s revelation of our need of Christ. Limited atonement is the biblical assurance of effectual redemption
and grace by Christ, the declaration that all for whom Christ died shall be
saved. Irresistible grace, or
effectual calling, is the almighty, irresistible revelation of Christ in the
soul by the Holy Spirit, which causes the chosen to come to him. Regeneration is the implanting of Christ
in us. Justification is the
imputation of Christ’s righteousness to all his redeemed. Faith is trusting Christ. Sanctification
is Christ being formed in us, begun in regeneration and consummated in
glorification. Perseverance is Christ
holding our hearts by grace and keeping us in life and faith. Baptism is the believer’s public
confession of faith in Christ. Being symbolically buried in the watery grave
and raised with him, we confess our faith in his finished work of redemption as
our Substitute. The Lord’s Supper is
our blessed remembrance of Christ. Eternal
life is knowing Christ. Heaven is
being with Christ and like Christ perfectly and forever. Preaching is telling people about Christ. Anything else is not
preaching. Call it what you may; but it is not preaching! AMEN.
Grace Baptist Church of Danville - Grace For
Today Radio Message #634
2734 Old Stanford Road -
Danville, Kentucky 40422-9438
Donald S. Fortner, Pastor -Telephone 606-236-8235 - Email grace@mis.net