“The Important Thing: Preach Christ”

The Apostle Paul wrote, “The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.” (Philippians 1:8). Paul makes it clear that preaching Christ is his, and should be our, central message and ambition. But what does it mean for Christ to be preached?
 
Christ Known
Paul was sent by Christ himself “to preach the gospel” of Christ and about Christ (1 Cor 1:17). He writes that, “It has always been my ambition to preach the gospel where Christ was not known …” (Romans 15:20). We find ourselves surrounded in our everyday lives with people who do not yet know Christ for themselves. They perhaps know about Christ – but this is different from knowing Christ personally. And in an era of misinformation, what is ‘known’ or understood about Christ may be incorrect or deficit anyway. So people may be rejecting a Christ who is not the real one. It is “the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you.” (2 Cor 1:19)
 
It is up to us to present / preach the truth of Christ through our words and also through our deeds to others we meet – that is if we, ourselves, have indeed received the truth. St. Francis of Assisi (founder of the Franciscan Order) put it this way, “All the Friars … should preach by their deeds.” (Rule of 1221, Chapter XVII)
 
Christ Crucified
Paul writes that he and his companions, “preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles …” (1 Cor 1:23) Even the authentic Jesus causes people problems. It is up to us to share Jesus, but not up to us to make people believe or receive – this is not within our power. We pray, yes – prayer is essential if we want to see our families, friends, communities and enemies recognise and receive the real Jesus. But it is up to the Holy Spirit to convict of sin, enable repentance, and gift faith.
 
Christ Raised
The early church preached the resurrection of Christ from the dead - “… it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead …” (1 Cor 15:12). The fact of the bodily resurrection of Christ is vital to our preaching and our living as His disciples, and our life as His church. Paul asserts, “… if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith.” (1 Cor 15:14) Let us present from the scriptures the very real evidence of the resurrection of Jesus – so that folk are able to make an informed choice to receive or reject.
 
Christ as Lord
Paul also wanted to make clear – that the gospel was not just about him, or them (as leaders, church-planters, disciples) but about Jesus – “… what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake.” (2 Cor 4:5) The service of the Church arises out of our accepting Jesus as Lord. We must reject worldly patterns of leadership and outreach - selfish ambition, vain conceit, lording it over others, aggression, manipulation, performance and insincerity. We are saved to serve our Lord and one another.
 
Christ’s Riches
Paul, knew what the Lord had rescued him from (the person he was, and the things he did) and counted himself as “less than the least of all the Lord’s people”. He was grateful that “grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the boundless riches of Christ” (Ephesians 3:8). In Christ is an abundance of blessing and spiritual wealth which cannot be traced out, tracked, explored or fully comprehended. May we take opportunity and courage to preach, share, discuss, chat, testify and live out the Christ Jesus we know and love with all those that the Lord puts before us.
 
Sadly, “It is [still] true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry”– seeking to stir up trouble. However, let us be those who do so “out of goodwill.” (Philippians 1:15,17). May we, as Christ’s beloved church, ensure that we make and keep the important thing as the important thing – Preach Christ through word and deed.
Revd Michael Hogg