The term, “Preaching Christ” is something you may often hear in Christian circles. But, what does it actually mean? Some think it means offering a 5-point plan of salvation. However, that’s not actually what it means. For as ubiquitous a term, it is yet less common. The term ‘Preaching Christ’ means to draw out the Christ from the scripture; to lift Him up even as Moses lifted the serpent in the wilderness and to call everyone, believers and non-believers alike to look upon Him and believe, for healing and restoration. To present Him in three dimensions as it were, as the text describes him in his glorious splendor, without wrinkle or spot, the triune God and Son of Man. Preaching Christ does not boast of man’s ability, but rather, of Christs ability, and man’s absolute inability. Preaching Christ does not require an oratory of high stature, high pitch, or high volume. Rather, through gentleness and meekness, even a whisper. When you experience Christ preached; you will know it. It is unlike any sermon you will hear. It is a divine and irresistible grace, a healing balm. Indeed, it really is the way, the truth, and the life.
“for my people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me, the fountain of living waters, and hewed out cisterns for themselves, broken cisterns that can hold no water.”
Jeremiah 2:13
Once you experience it, you realize it is different from any sermon you’ve heard before and you MUST come back for more. There is no substitute, nor can there ever be in all of heaven and earth. It is truly the living water, as Christ shared with the Samaritan woman at the well, over 2000 years ago. We’re all empty vessels seeking to be filled. We are as the prophet Jeremiah 2:13 described, “broken cisterns that can hold no water”. And yet, Jesus Christ offers us not just still water from a well, but rather living water as from a rushing river.
The 16th century puritan, Richard Sibbes wrote: “If we were perfect men, we would not need a mediator. …There is not a Christian, but will be in himself apprehensive because there is a spring of corruption in him. We must live by faith in this branch of Christ – his mediation – and make use of it continually. And if we sin every day, go to God in the name of Christ, and desire him to pardon us.”
Referring to Christ, Sibbes wrote: “He is more ready to pardon than we ask to pardon”. This is, but a tiny glimpse of what it means for Christ to be preached. Seek only truth divine, the perfect Christ who is our eternal savior, brother and friend.
“Preach you Christ, and Christ, and Christ, and Christ, and nothing else, but Christ.”
~Charles Spurgeon
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