Preaching Christ: The Heart of Christian Ministry

 

Summary

In our gathering tonight, we reflect on the profound nature of the Christian ministry, drawing from the Apostle Paul's words in 2 Corinthians 4:5, "For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord." This passage serves as a reminder of the true essence of Christian preaching and the responsibilities that come with it. Paul, unlike many in his time and ours, did not preach himself because he recognized his own unworthiness and the inadequacy of human effort in addressing the spiritual blindness and bondage of humanity. Instead, he focused on the glorious message of the Gospel, which is the only true light in a world shrouded in darkness.

Paul's humility stemmed from his past as Saul of Tarsus, a persecutor of Christians, and his transformation was solely by the grace of God. He understood that the task of the preacher is not merely to address moral failings but to confront the spiritual ignorance and enslavement to sin that grips humanity. The Gospel is not about self-promotion or personal charisma; it is about the transformative power of Christ's death and resurrection, which offers salvation and eternal life.

The glory of the Gospel lies in its divine origin and its power to illuminate the darkness of human hearts. It is a treasure beyond measure, revealing the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. This message is not just for preachers but for every believer, as we are all called to reflect this glory in our lives and to share it with a world in desperate need of hope.

As we consider the state of the world and the church today, we must recognize the spiritual battle we face. The forces of darkness are real, and our reliance must be on the Holy Spirit's power to convict and transform. Our prayer should be for a revival, a fresh outpouring of the Spirit, to awaken us to the glory of God and to empower us to be effective witnesses of His grace.

Key Takeaways:

- The true Christian ministry is not about self-promotion but about preaching Christ Jesus as Lord. Paul exemplifies this by focusing on the Gospel rather than his own abilities or achievements, recognizing that all he is comes from God's grace. [12:46]

- The task of the preacher is to address the spiritual ignorance and bondage of humanity, not just moral failings. The Gospel is the light that dispels darkness, revealing the truth of our spiritual condition and the hope found in Christ. [19:54]

- The glory of the Gospel is its divine origin and transformative power. It is a treasure that reveals the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ, offering salvation and eternal life to those who believe. [35:06]

- The spiritual battle we face is real, and our reliance must be on the Holy Spirit's power to convict and transform. We must pray for a revival, a fresh outpouring of the Spirit, to awaken us to the glory of God and empower us to be effective witnesses. [50:44]

- Every believer is called to reflect the glory of the Gospel in their lives and to share it with a world in desperate need of hope. Our responsibility is tremendous, and we must seek to make known the glory of God in all we do. [54:36]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:14] - Introduction and Personal Reflections
- [02:15] - The Nature of Christian Ministry
- [03:10] - Paul's Unique Approach
- [06:00] - The True Christian Message
- [11:35] - Why Paul Didn't Preach Himself
- [17:25] - The Inadequacy of Human Effort
- [19:02] - The Spiritual Condition of Humanity
- [25:22] - The Influence of the God of This World
- [29:27] - The Eternal Consequences
- [33:22] - The Glory of the Gospel
- [38:37] - The Glory of the Trinity
- [45:12] - The Glory of Christ's Sacrifice
- [50:44] - The Power of the Holy Spirit
- [54:36] - Our Responsibility and Call to Prayer

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. 2 Corinthians 4:5 - "For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake."
2. Ephesians 2:1-2 - "And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience."
3. Genesis 1:3 - "And God said, Let there be light: and there was light."

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Observation Questions:

1. What does Paul mean when he says, "we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord"? How does this reflect his approach to ministry? [03:10]

2. How does the sermon describe the spiritual condition of humanity, and what role does the "god of this world" play in it? [25:22]

3. According to the sermon, what is the significance of the "glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ"? [34:26]

4. What are some ways mentioned in the sermon that preachers might inadvertently preach themselves rather than the Gospel? [08:19]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. Why does Paul emphasize the inadequacy of human effort in addressing spiritual blindness and bondage? How does this perspective shape the role of a preacher? [17:44]

2. The sermon mentions the transformative power of the Gospel. How does this power manifest in the life of a believer, according to the sermon? [35:06]

3. How does the sermon describe the spiritual battle that believers face, and what is the role of the Holy Spirit in this battle? [50:44]

4. In what ways does the sermon suggest that every believer is called to reflect the glory of the Gospel in their lives? [54:36]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your own life: Are there areas where you might be promoting yourself rather than Christ? How can you shift your focus to reflect the glory of the Gospel more effectively? [03:10]

2. The sermon emphasizes the need for reliance on the Holy Spirit's power. How can you cultivate a deeper dependence on the Holy Spirit in your daily life? [50:44]

3. Consider the spiritual condition of those around you. How can you be a light in their darkness, sharing the hope found in Christ? [19:54]

4. The sermon calls for prayer for revival and a fresh outpouring of the Spirit. How can you incorporate this prayer into your daily routine? [54:53]

5. Think about a recent situation where you faced a spiritual battle. How did you rely on the Holy Spirit, and what might you do differently next time? [50:44]

6. Identify one person in your life who is in need of hope. What specific steps can you take this week to share the Gospel with them? [54:36]

7. Reflect on the glory of the Gospel as described in the sermon. How can this understanding transform your approach to worship and service in the church? [35:06]

Devotional

Day 1: Preaching Christ, Not Ourselves
The essence of Christian ministry is to preach Christ Jesus as Lord, not to promote oneself. The Apostle Paul exemplified this by focusing on the Gospel rather than his own abilities or achievements. He recognized that all he was came from God's grace, and he understood the inadequacy of human effort in addressing the spiritual blindness and bondage of humanity. The true Christian message is about the transformative power of Christ's death and resurrection, which offers salvation and eternal life. This focus on Christ rather than self is a powerful reminder of the humility and dedication required in ministry. [12:46]

"For we are not proclaiming ourselves but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake." (2 Corinthians 4:5, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you shift your focus from self-promotion to promoting Christ in your daily interactions and conversations today?


Day 2: Addressing Spiritual Ignorance and Bondage
The task of the preacher is to address the spiritual ignorance and bondage of humanity, not just moral failings. The Gospel is the light that dispels darkness, revealing the truth of our spiritual condition and the hope found in Christ. Paul understood that the real issue is not merely moral but spiritual, as humanity is enslaved to sin and in need of the liberating power of the Gospel. This understanding calls for a deeper engagement with the spiritual needs of those around us, recognizing that only the Gospel can truly transform lives. [19:54]

"For the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God." (2 Corinthians 4:4, ESV)

Reflection: Identify one person in your life who seems spiritually blind or bound. How can you pray for them and share the light of the Gospel with them this week?


Day 3: The Divine Origin and Transformative Power of the Gospel
The glory of the Gospel lies in its divine origin and transformative power. It is a treasure that reveals the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ, offering salvation and eternal life to those who believe. This divine message is not just for preachers but for every believer, as we are all called to reflect this glory in our lives and to share it with a world in desperate need of hope. The Gospel's power to illuminate the darkness of human hearts is a testament to its divine nature and the profound impact it can have on individuals and communities. [35:06]

"For God, who said, 'Let light shine out of darkness,' has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ." (2 Corinthians 4:6, ESV)

Reflection: How can you actively reflect the glory of the Gospel in your actions and words today, especially in challenging situations?


Day 4: Relying on the Holy Spirit in Spiritual Battles
The spiritual battle we face is real, and our reliance must be on the Holy Spirit's power to convict and transform. We must pray for a revival, a fresh outpouring of the Spirit, to awaken us to the glory of God and empower us to be effective witnesses. The forces of darkness are real, and it is only through the Holy Spirit that we can overcome them and be effective in our ministry. This reliance on the Spirit is crucial for personal and communal revival, as it is the Spirit who convicts, transforms, and empowers us to live out our faith boldly. [50:44]

"Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts." (Zechariah 4:6, ESV)

Reflection: What specific area of your life do you need to surrender to the Holy Spirit's power today? How can you invite Him to work in that area?


Day 5: Reflecting the Glory of the Gospel
Every believer is called to reflect the glory of the Gospel in their lives and to share it with a world in desperate need of hope. Our responsibility is tremendous, and we must seek to make known the glory of God in all we do. This calling is not limited to preachers but extends to every follower of Christ, as we are all witnesses of His grace and truth. By living out the Gospel in our daily lives, we become beacons of hope and light in a world that desperately needs to see the love and power of Christ. [54:36]

"In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." (Matthew 5:16, ESV)

Reflection: What is one practical way you can let your light shine before others today, so they may see the glory of God through you?

Quotes


Paul never forgot that he was once Saul of Tarsus; he never forgot it. It followed him through his life. There he was. What was he? He was a blasphemer. He was a persecutor of Christ and the Christian faith. He was an injurious person. That's what he was, and he would have continued like that were it not that the Risen Lord had dealt with him and had apprehended him. [00:12:12]

Paul says of himself, "I am what I am by the grace of God." Well, therefore, I have nothing to boast of. I was all wrong and would have remained all wrong. All that I am is due to him, so I don't talk about myself. I'm ashamed of that. I talk about him and about him alone. [00:13:06]

The task of the Evangelist, well, the Apostle tells us here quite plainly. Let me show you some of the terms which he uses. He says, "If our gospel be hid, if there are people who don't believe it and who don't see it, it is hid to them that are lost, in whom the God of this world has blinded the minds of them that believe not." [00:18:01]

The man who is not a Christian is ignorant. It's a gross darkness, and he's ignorant of the most important things of all. He's ignorant of the fact that he has a soul. He never thinks of that. He thinks of men as an animal whose cerebrum is more highly developed than that of most animals. [00:23:20]

The Apostle gives us the answer: it is, he says, in a state of darkness. This is his comparison. He says, "What's happened to me is comparable to what happened at the creation of the world." You read about it in Genesis 1. There was a gross darkness, and the Spirit of God brooded over the vast deep darkness. [00:21:26]

The problem is not to persuade men intellectually. We are not up against men. Paul was more than equal to any man alive. What do we wrestle against? Principalities and powers, the rulers of the darkness of this world, spiritual wickedness in high or heavenly places. Christian people, are you aware of this? [00:27:45]

The glory of the message. Did you notice the terms? Have you ever noticed it when you read this passage? Do you always notice it? Listen to this: if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost, in whom the God of this world blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest what? The light of the glorious gospel. [00:33:58]

The glory of God. God the Father, what is it? Well, he's the great Creator. He's Jehovah, the Great I Am. We've been singing of him, the God of Abram, the God of Isaac, the God of Jacob, the God who said, "Let there be light." God is the creator of the universe. He's the sustainer of the universe. [00:40:19]

The glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ, my friends, was truly a man, but as so many are saying today, he was only man. It's a lie. He was also truly God. He's co-equal and co-eternal with the Father, is the express image and the likeness of the Father himself. This is his essential glory. [00:44:27]

The glory of his death and the glory of his resurrection. Aren't you thrilled by it? Aren't you moved by it? These people in Corinth thought philosophy was superior to this kind of thing. What about you? Do you glory in the cross? Do you glory in the resurrection when he burst asunder the bands of death and rose triumphant over the grave? [00:47:06]

The business of the ministry and of preaching is to make known that glory, and every church member is to make the same glory known. And that's why if you see this, you won't go in for ministers who've got a long string of academic qualifications. You will seek men who are filled with the spirit and of power. [00:54:05]

The moment you see that the real task is the condition of men and women as they are by nature, you realize that men can't do it. And then you know you'll begin to pray for revival. Are you praying for revival? Do you pray every Sunday that the Spirit of God may come down upon your preachers? [00:56:36]

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Transcript
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