Preaching Christ and Him Crucified

Preaching Christ and Him Crucified

April 1, 2007

Introduction

Two weeks ago today, I started a series of sermons based on Paul’s statement to the church at Corinth, as he said, “For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.” (1 Cor 2:2 NKJV) We also noted that the preaching of Phillip to the Ethiopian was described as preaching Jesus, “Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning at this Scripture, preached Jesus to him.” (Acts 8:35 NKJV)

At Christmas time, we sometimes say that the Christ of Christmas gets lost in the commercialization of Christmas. Is it possible to lose Christ in our preaching the church? When we knock doors to talk to people, what do we do? What do I do? We invite them to church. I must confess that it is much easier to talk about the church, and I can understand that to a certain extent, but has Christ been lost in the church.

What is the logo of the church? Behind me is the logo if you will, of the church. It’s really the logo of what Paul was talking about as he said, “For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.” (1 Cor 2:2 NKJV)

This morning, we continue our study of preaching Christ and Him crucified.

Body

I. When Jesus came, things changed.

A. John was impressed by the difference.

(John 1:16-17 NKJV) And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace. {17} For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

a. A change took place, but do we understand it?

b. Jesus came preaching grace.

c. He illustrated it in the examples we have covered during the last two weeks.

B. The people were impressed with His gracious words.

(Luke 4:22 NKJV) So all bore witness to Him, and marveled at the gracious words which proceeded out of His mouth. And they said, "Is this not Joseph's son?"

C. The graciousness of our Lord aught to change our lives.

(1 Pet 2:1-3) Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking, {2} as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby, {3} if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious.

a. Paul also emphasized that we are saved by grace.

(Eph 2:7-8 NKJV) "that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. {8} For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,"

1. We are not saying by grace only or by faith only, but by grace.

2. We need to learn a “graciousness” to others as we have Christ as an example.

(John 8:10-11 NKJV) "When Jesus had raised Himself up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, "Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?" {11} She said, "No one, Lord." And Jesus said to her, "Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.""

II. Jesus placed a great deal of emphasis on love.

A. He came to earth because of the love of God.

(John 3:16 NKJV) ""For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."

B. Jesus spoke of the love that He had.

(John 15:13 NKJV) ""Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends."

C. What does it take to be a disciple of Jesus?

1. It takes abiding in His teaching.

(John 8:31 NKJV) "Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed."

2. It takes loving others.

(John 13:35 NKJV) ""By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.""

III. Christ apostles were also impressed with the importance of love.

John was impressed with the importance of love.

1. He said that God is love.

(1 John 4:16 NKJV) And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him.

2. He said that we are to love if we are to be in God.

(1 John 4:8-12 NKJV) He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. {9} In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. {10} In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. {11} Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. {12} No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us.

Paul spoke of love as the fulfilling of the law.

(Gal 5:13-16 NKJV) For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. {14} For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." {15} But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another! {16} I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.

Conclusion

I. Paul preached Christ and Him crucified, but what does that mean?

A. It means that Christ was the theme of His preaching.

1. The early church grew.

2. Nothing could stop the early church: not the Jews, not the Romans.

B. It means he lived the message he taught.

(Acts 20:17-21 NKJV) From Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called for the elders of the church. {18} And when they had come to him, he said to them: "You know, from the first day that I came to Asia, in what manner I always lived among you, {19} "serving the Lord with all humility, with many tears and trials which happened to me by the plotting of the Jews; {20} "how I kept back nothing that was helpful, but proclaimed it to you, and taught you publicly and from house to house, {21} "testifying to Jews, and also to Greeks, repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.

II. What does it mean to be a Christian?

A. In short, to be like Christ.

B. It means to obey Him—to do His will

III. Have you put on your Lord in baptism?

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