Preach Jesus

"For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake." (2 Corinthians 4:5, NIV)

Preaching is popular. People preach about helping the poor. They preach about the evils of abortion. The need for drug interventions. Voting for the right politicians. Using the right Bible translation. Exercising spiritual gifts correctly. Denominational correctness. Tolerance. Gay marriage – both sides. Global warming. The list goes on.

Including those who preach about how to preach Jesus correctly.

Not the actual preaching of Jesus, but the correct process for verbally sharing Jesus Christ with others. My own technique has been criticized for . . .

“You're not very polished.”

“I don't see how you can tell people about Jesus Christ and not tell them about being baptized.”

“You come on too strong.”

“You are not putting enough focus on the need for true repentance when you share the gospel. I can't support you in that.”

“You are not assertive enough.”

These minor doctrinal issues and preferences become major distractions among Christians. They can keep me from the major task of preaching Jesus. People die and go to hell why we argue among ourselves. Satan is pleased. God is sad.

What did Paul say? “For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scripture,” (1 Corinthians 15:3,4 NIV)

Simple. Nothing about repentance. That comes later. Nothing about baptism. That comes later. The most important thing is that people understand Jesus, first. Their response to Jesus comes later.

And in Paul's statement about what is “of first importance,” there is no “I.”

Preaching Jesus and the “I” Problem

Have you ever shared your testimony with someone?

Have you ever listened to someone else share their testimony with you? Notice how often the word “I” is used.

“I went to church.”

“I read the Bible.”

“I thought about what was said.”

“I accepted Jesus Christ as my Savior and Lord.”

Now, notice how often the words “God,” “Lord,” or “Jesus Christ” are used. The “testimony to what God has done in someone’s life,” should not revolve around the word “I.” What was God doing while “I” was doing so much work?

Most of us know exactly what we did. How we responded to God. But we are a bit fuzzy on the details regarding how God was involved in the whole situation. I think this is a sad reality of people today. When I focus on me, I can not focus on God.

God the Father, the Lord Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit, are pursuing me. They are active in my life. I need to be able to recognize that. When I pray, I ask “God what are you doing in my life?”

If I am not able to recognize His work, then I am not able to give the glory, credit, praise and thanks to Him. And I are not able to preach Jesus to others.

When I preach Jesus, I echo what John the Baptist said, “He must become greater; I must become less.” (John 3:30) The focus is on Jesus. Who He is. What He has done. What He will do.

Go and preach Jesus!

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