A mainline denominational church where Jesus Christ was never mentioned during the sermon! I was disappointed. A minister for 26 years, before he came to know Christ! I met this pastor years ago while distributing Gospel tracts.
The Apostle Paul tells us that before he met Christ, “I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man; but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.” [1]
“The wicked covet the catch of evil men, but the root of the righteous yields fruit.” For some, the catch of dishonest income is weightier than Christ. Paul urges us to be rooted and built up in Christ. [2] Christ yields good fruit in our lives.
Early on in our marriage, I read in the Bible... “God did not spare the ancient world, but saved Noah, one of eight people, a preacher of righteousness.” [3] Afterwards, Sherry would hear me praying, “Lord, make me a preacher of righteousness.” Jesus Christ is the only source of righteousness for every sinner. Only He forgives sins! Only He gives us the HOLY Spirit. It is by faith in Him that we receive God’s approval. I must preach Christ to be a preacher of righteousness.
The Corinthians forgot who their rallying point was. Paul wrote to them, saying, “Let no one boast in men. For all things are yours: whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas, or the world or life or death, or things present or things to come—all are yours. And you are Christ’s, and Christ is God’s.” Spiritual pride led them to pit church leaders one against another. Paul wrote to them, “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.” [4]
Paul urges us to focus on Christ. When he speaks of being an apostle, he is an apostle of Christ. When he writes, he writes to us who have been sanctified by Christ. When wishing us grace and peace, it is grace and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. When Paul thanks God for us, it is because of the grace that has been given to us in Christ Jesus. He always exalts Christ. [5]
Paul reminds us that only Jesus was crucified for us. Our whole eternity depends on what Jesus did for us on the cross. If Christ had not died on the cross for our sins, we would have died in our sins and perished forever.
It may be foolish to those around us, but for us who believe, the cross of Christ is the power of God unto salvation. Paul wrote, “He who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all—how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things?” [6] All good things come from God to us through His Son. So, let us rally around Christ.
[1] 1 Timothy 1:13, 15
[2] Proverbs 12:12; Colossians 2:7
[3] 2 Peter 2:5
[4] 1 Corinthians 3:21-23; 1 Corinthians 1:31
[5] 1 Corinthians 1:1-3
[6] 1 Corinthians 1:18; Romans 8:32
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