We'd love to receive your on this article! Watching and listening to New Zealand's TV christian channels over recent years, has lead me to this simple but vital topic … what or rather WHO is preached ?
Television ministers speak on a wide variety of emphasis and subjects, and invariably end with a plea for funds ! Few, very very few, concentrate solely and simply on JESUS CHRIST and his GRACE
Most ministers of a so called 'holiness' theme speak against sin and extol the 10 commandments, but this is OLD Testament to the Jews stuff. And focuses on the inward ! Simply preaching against sin, takes the focus away from the real New Testament message … the saving GRACE of GOD towards us !
The NEW Testament ministry to the whole world and to us Gentiles, is rather to present JESUS CHRIST and his GRACE. This focuses beyond us to God and results in repentance ( a change) liberty and personal deliverance !
Repentance Yes, but a continual grubbing on our inward state is not healthy or beneficial to us at all !
We become like WHO or what we focus on … it's as simple as that !
LAW condemns the best of us GRACE saves the worst of us
Paul knew this … listen to him … !
We preach JESUS CHRIST and him crucified 1 Corinthians 2:3
Paul, who had so persecuted believers, and consented to the martyrdom of Stephen. Immediately after his life-changing experience on the road to Damascus …. immediately he preached the Christ in the synagogues, that He is the Son of God. Acts 9:20
The glorious Gospel of CHRIST who is the image of God 2 Corinthians 4:4
We preach, not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your servants for Jesus sakes 2 Corinthians 4:5
all they that dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks, Vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying we adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preaches Acts 19:10- 13
Peters message also, was that simple ...
let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here before you whole. This is the ‘stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.’ Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:10-12
The High Priest knew the message, and responded to Peter and the other apostles …
threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name and they called them and commanded them not to teach nor preach in the name of Jesus Acts 4:14, 15
did we not command you that you should not teach in this name Acts 4:28
they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus Acts 5:40
and daily in the temple. and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach JESUS CHRIST Acts 5:42
The evangelist Philip knew what worked to bring revival
Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them. Acts 8:5
when he met the Ethiopian eunuch, he only had the same simple message topic …
Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning at this Scripture, preached Jesus to him Acts 8:35
the mystery among the Gentiles – which is CHRIST in you, the hope of glory WHOM WE PREACH Colosians 1:27, 28
and this book of Colosians is full of the same topic …
the mystery of God is CHRIST
Christ … in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge Colosians 2:3
as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him Colosians 2:6
in him dwells all the the fullness of the Godhead bodily. and you are complete in him, who is the head of all principality and power Colosians 2:8.10
risen with Christ ... you are dead and your life is hid with Christ in God …
when CHRIST WHO IS OUR LIFE shall appear Colosians 3:1-4
Christ is ALL and in all Colosians 3:11
and what so ever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by HIM Colosians 3:17
W O W
Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. Colosians 2:8
G R A C E as someone has observed … God's Riches At Christ's Expense
let us come boldly to the THRONE OF GRACE and find help in time of need Hebrews 4:16
the GRACE of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men Titus 2:11
Paul … the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the GOSPEL OF THE GRACE OF GOD Acts 20:24
and now brethren , I commend you to God, and to the word of his GRACE that is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among them that are sanctified Acts 20:32
the OLD TESTAMENT LAW to Israel & the JEWS
SIN Conscious Thou Shalt NOT Animal Sacrifices continually
the NEW TESTAMENT GRACE to the GENTILES & the whole WORLD
CHRIST Conscious Believe / Faith JESUS Sacrifice Once for all
The entire Old Testament looks forward to the Messiah, to JESUS
It was our School-Master to bring us to CHRIST Galatians 3:24
The greatest 'revelation' of my later years is simply the realisation that Jesus sacrifice was not only for my PAST SINS, but also for my present DAILY SINS and for my FUTURE SINS ... the lot !
But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. 1 John 1:7
This word CLEANSES here is present tense – active - continually ACTIVE – for my daily walk and stumblings – like a fountain that keeps on flowing over me, cleansing, refreshing me continually
What a load lifted !
What a JOY unspeakable and a deeper freedom this has brought to me recently.
Not Sin conscious but CHRIST conscious
Not freedom to sin but freedom FROM sin
RIGHT BELIEVING that results in RIGHT LIVING
K I S S Keep It Simple Saints !
By looking to Jesus like HIM we shall be
Our friends in our conduct HIS likeness shall see !
Amen and AMEN ! |
