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“Preaching Christ ”
(I Corinthians 1:20-24)
I. Introduction.
A. The central theme of 1st century teaching and preaching
was Jesus Christ. So it must be today.
1. To preach the Gospel then, and now, first and
foremost, we must preach Christ.
2. And, to do that – have to identify Him as Son of
God; have to proclaim Him as Savior; have to talk
about His life, His death, His resurrection, and His
church.
B. Apostle Paul preached Christ – not hesitant nor ashamed to
do so. (Re-Read I Corinthians 1:23-24).
C. On Pentecost, Apostle Peter preached Christ.
1. As church grew from that day, other apostles
preached Christ.
2. As disciples were scattered as result of persecution,
they preached Christ. (Acts 8:4: “. . . those who
were scattered went everywhere preaching the
word.”).
a. In Acts 8:5 we read that Philip “preached
Christ.” In verse 12, told what was included
in that message (Acts 8:12: “. . . he
preached the things concerning the kingdom
of God and the name of Jesus Christ.
b. Later in Acts 8, read of Philip teaching
again; this time to Ethiopian treasurer.
Resulted in his confession and baptism, as
had the teaching in 8:5.
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D. Want to look at the letter Paul wrote to the Colossians and
identify some things he included in his preaching about
Christ, and what we, today, must preach if we are following
in his steps, when we “preach Christ” to others.
II. Points From The Book Of Colossians.
A. First, if Christ is preached, we must preach about the
Kingdom. (Colossians 1:12-13; Read).
1. Paul says the Christians at Colossae had been
delivered from darkness and transferred (conveyed;
brought across) into the “kingdom of the Son of His
[God’s] love.”
a. That kingdom “already” in existence then.
b. Not something yet to come. Christians have
been, are, citizens of that spiritual kingdom.
2. First, John the Baptist proclaimed that kingdom was
at hand. (Matthew 3:2: “. . . ‘Repent, for the
kingdom of heaven is at hand!’”).
3. Then, Jesus taught it would come during lifetime of
some of His listeners and that it would come “with
power.” (Mark 9:1). That prophecy fulfilled at
Pentecost in Jerusalem – first Pentecost after Jesus’
resurrection.
4. Early Christians were in that kingdom.
(Revelation 1:9: “I, John, both your brother and
companion in the tribulation and kingdom and
patience of Jesus Christ. . .”).
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5. Why should we consider it something still in
future? When we encourage someone to obey the
Gospel, are encouraging them to become part of
a kingdom, with Christ as “King of Kings.”
B. Second, if Christ is preached, we must preach redemption
through His blood. (Colossians 1:14; Read).
1. As first Christians did, we must teach about power
of the blood of Christ.
a. It is that blood that washes away sin.
b. It is that blood why which we are cleansed
and reconciled to God.
2. We establish, and then maintain, contact with blood
of Christ; How?
a. When we read, and study, the New
Testament, which His blood sealed.
b. When we are buried by baptism into His
death, where He shed His blood.
c. When we serve faithfully in the church
that His blood purchased.
d. When we observe Lord’s Supper regularly.
e. When we live daily for Christ, walking in
the light of fellowship with Him.
(I John 1:7: The “. . . blood of Jesus Christ
cleanses us from all sin.).
3. If we’re to effectively preach Christ, cannot ignore
salvation by grace through faith.
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4. And, by faith, we understand, and accept, the power
of blood of Christ.
C. Third, if Christ is preached, we must preach about His
church. (Colossians 1:18; Read).
1. Here, Christ is identified as the “head” of the
church.
2. The church of the New Testament has no earthly
head, or headquarters. None has ever been
identified for it.
3. Church is described as “His body.” Both are
singular terms: 1 head, 1 body.
a. This implies necessity for all accountable
individuals to be in His body, the church, to have contact with Christ, its head.
b. With this in mind, remember Acts 2:47 –
saved are in the church. (“and the Lord
added to the church daily those who were
being saved.”)
4. If we’re serious about preaching Christ, should not
minimize value, and place, of that over which He is
head.
5. Preaching Christ certainly means preaching about
the church.
D. Then, consider Colossians 2:12 (Read). If Christ is
preached, we must preach about baptism for the remission
of sins.
1. Baptism, here, is pictured as a burial, or immersion.
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2. This same teaching found in Romans 6, where Paul
tells us how he was baptized: “. . . buried with
Him.” (Romans 6:4).
3. From numerous examples in New Testament, we
can see that the preaching of Christ led to baptism.
(Acts 8:35-36; Read).
E. If Christ is preached, we must also preach the end of the
Old Testament, the first covenant, as a binding authority
today, as Paul did. (Colossians 2:13-14; Read).
F. Paul makes a good summary statement in Colossians 3:17;
(Read). If Christ is preached, we must preach the authority
of His name.
1. (Illust.) If someone knocks on your door and says,
“Open up in the name of the law,” you understand
that they are saying all the authority of the law is
behind that order.
2. But, it’s wrong to presumptuously make such a
claim when we do not have the right to do so.
a. If I put on a uniform, or got flashing red
light for my car, that does not make me a
legal authority.
b. No one has authority to bind, or teach,
anything other than what Christ has
commanded. Even angels cannot do
that. (Galatians 1:8).
3. Christ is the complete, and pre-eminent authority.
He received all authority from God. (Matt. 28:18).
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III. Conclusion.
A. The greatest work in the world is preaching Christ.
B. The greatest blessing in world comes to those who accept
Him when He is preached.
C. When Christ is preached, He then must be obeyed in order
for us to receive blessings.
D. Go back to Acts 8. Look at verse 37: “Then Philip said,
‘If you believe with all your heart, you may [be baptized].’
And He [the Ethiopian] answered and said, ‘I believe that
Jesus Christ is the Son of God.’”
1. Might be called, “the ten most important words
you’ll ever say.”
2. Such a confession is a proclamation of faith. It’s
also a declaration of commitment.
3. Such a confession is not limited to the lips, it
encompasses the life of the individual.
4. Confession is connected to belief, to repentance,
to baptism, and to Christian living.
E. Why not be baptized today and let blood of Christ was
away sins?
Why not be obedient, and be added to Lord’s body?
Why not obey only true authority – in whose name only
is salvation?