Preaching Christ

Preaching Christ

I Corinthians 1: 23

But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumbling block, and unto the Greeks foolishness:

Preaching that is centered on anything other than Christ crucified for the forgiveness of sin is not preaching Christ. Preaching that takes the attention of the hearers off Christ and puts them on their own deeds, their words, their thoughts, their actions, anything of themselves for justification, redemption, sanctification, eternal life, is not to focus on Christ but their own self; and that is to bring destruction to the souls of men. Christ Jesus came into this world to save sinners (I Timothy 1:15) not to help sinners save themselves. Many have been heard saying “I hope I can be good enough” the scriptures deny any such hope; the scriptures declare that “by deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight:” (Romans 3:20). “And enter not into judgement with thy servant: for in thy sight shall no man living be justified.” (Psalm 143:20). “For there is not a just man upon earth, that doth good, and sinneth not.” (Ecclesiastes 7:20). “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” (Romans 3:23). “But the scripture hath concluded all under sin,” (Galatians 3:22). “There is none righteous,  no, not one: there is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.” (Romans 3:10-11 see verses 12-19) Therefore to hope that we may be good enough for justification before God through our own works is hoping against the testimony of scripture. It is contradiction of the scriptures, and the Holy Ghost. The Apostle Paul cried “Oh wretched man that I am!” (Romans 7:23), Isaiah the Prophet of God said “But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away. Isaiah 64:6). Those who preach self help to the helpless are mockers of dying sinners.

Our Lord Jesus Christ is not a savior in part. Salvation by Jesus Christ is not a cooperative effort; but it is salvation by Jesus Christ alone. The church of God, in scripture, is sometimes called the house of God, (Hebrews 3:6) and the habitation of God, (Ephesians 2:20-22) such that the promise of God is fulfilled in that God, dwells in the church; “what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.” (II Corinthians 6:16). Our Lord Jesus Christ is the builder of the temple of God. “Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, Behold the man whose name is The BRANCH; and he shall grow up out of his place, and he shall build the temple of the LORD: Even he shall build the temple of the LORD; and he shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule upon his throne; and shall be a priest upon his throne; and the counsel of peace shall be between them both.” (Zechariah 6:12-13). Christ Jesus Himself is the Chief Corner Stone of the house of God, (Ephesians 2:20) He is the Foundation Stone, The Head Stone of the Corner, (Psalm 118:22; Isaiah 28:16) “In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:” (Ephesians 2:21). The church of God is the house of God and Jesus Christ is the builder of the house; “and He shall bear the glory”. No son of Adam will have anything to boast in when the children of God are brought home to glory, for salvation is “not of works lest any man should boast” (Ephesians 2:9). The anthem of the saints of God in glory will, glory to the Lamb “who hath saved us and called us with a holy calling, not According to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,” (II Timothy 1:9).

“Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee?” (Malachi 3:8) In the apostasy of this day men rob God of His glory by ascribing to themselves; that which belongs to God. The scriptures declare that “it is God that worketh in you to both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” (Philippians 2:13). Men contrary to scripture say, it is in the sinners power, to will to come to Christ; if that is the case then all and every sinner must perish to all eternity. For, “the carnal mind is enmity against God:” (Romans 8:7) and salvation is “not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” (John 1:13). And it is written “Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” And “We love him, because he first loved us.” (I John 4:10, 19). Our Lord Jesus Christ said “I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. (John 10:9) Salvation is by Jesus Christ, and not by the cooperative efforts of sinners.

But let us assume that there may be one who reads these lines who knows that he is unsaved, or that one who reads is not sure if he is saved; what is to be done by that person in order to have assurance of his salvation? What will you do? Where will you go to find peace with “the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God,” (I Timothy 1:17). “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28) saith the Lord of glory, Jesus Christ. The Philippian jailor cried out “Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said (Paul and Silas) Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shall be saved, and thy house. (Acts 16:30-31). To come to Christ Jesus for salvation; one must leave all hopes of righteousness by his own works. Our Lord Jesus Christ in great love and compassion has made full satisfaction to the law and justice of God for sin, through his death on the cross of Calvary. By His death he has put away sin, and brought in everlasting righteousness, (Daniel 9:24) Christ Jesus has by His blood justified the whole family of God, (Romans 5:9; Ephesians 3:15). Come to Christ as the Leper of Matthew chapter eight “there came a leper and worshipped him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. And Jesus put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will; be thou clean. And immediately his leprosy was cleansed.” (Matthew 8:2-3). Trust Jesus Christ alone for the salvation of your soul, cast your body and soul upon him forever for salvation from the wrath to come. Hide in the Rock of Ages, for the only place to hide from God is in God, therefore come into the ark of God the Lord Jesus Christ. See the writers blog at www.hebrews915.blogspot.com and hear a true gospel message at www.13thstbaptist.org  (webcasting live during listed service times)     

 A.J.Ison