How to Preach Christ Correctly
The gospel of Christ is the beacon of hope and salvation. However, the way in which it's preached can either make it resonate deeply, fall on deaf ears, or lead souls astray.
In 1 Corinthians 2:1-2, the Apostle Paul sets a standard for preaching Christ. He clarifies that the gospel's proclamation should not hinge on the grandeur of words or worldly wisdom. The world, with its prideful arrogance, often seeks to dazzle with knowledge, esteem, and rhetoric. However, Paul, in contrast, anchored his message on the testimony of God (Gal 1:1, 1Co 1:6, 22-24, 2Ti 1:8-11).
A good haircut, fit physique, eloquent speech, or titles next to your name don’t give the message credibility. Your resume, how much money you make, your job title, or your past accomplishments mean nothing in light of the gospel. Just like you, they will wither away and be forgotten (1Pe 1:24).
In Paul's assertion, "For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified," there's a profound reminder. The focal point of the gospel is the person and work of Jesus Christ, not you or your good works. Altering this central message – be it portraying a version of Jesus that isn’t God in the flesh or neglecting the complete work of His death, burial, and resurrection to save you from your sin – distorts the gospel's very core (2Co 11:3-4).
As Paul transitions into 1 Corinthians 2:3-5, he sheds light on the demeanor and heart posture of a genuine preacher of the gospel. Despite his apostolic authority, Paul approached the Corinthians in humility, "in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling," reminding us of his challenges in Acts 18:9-12. He was a fallible human just like all of us, yet he was bold in the surety of the gospel because of it’s dependence on Christ’s finished work, not his efforts.
Paul might not have been the most polished or eloquent speaker, but his knowledge of God's testimony was profound and unwavering (2Co 11:5-7, 2Co 10:7-11). His approach was authentic, devoid of any efforts to embellish or contort the gospel with "enticing words of man’s wisdom." This is a stern warning against diluting or twisting the gospel by adding works or presenting it insincerely which sadly, many fall prey to today. Many church pews are filled with unsaved people because of this lack of gospel clarity (2Co 3:12, 2Co 2:17, Rom 16:17-18).
Churches that rely on enticement and showmanship may gain momentary attraction, but they are leading souls astray, either by deceiving people that they are saved or dulling the transformative power of the gospel message (2Ti 4:2-5, Heb 4:12). The explosion of false teachers of the prosperity gospel, like Kenneth Copeland and Joel Osteen, is rooted in materialism and selfish ambition that entices many itching ears. Our focus, like Paul's, should remain on the message of Christ crucified and our desperate need for a savior.
This gospel, Christ's death, burial, and resurrection to forgive us of our sins, is "the power of God unto salvation" (Rom 1:16, 1Co 1:18). As Christians, our soul's salvation and the transformative work of God's Spirit within us, stemming from His word, exemplifies this power. It’s not about the outward appearance or God making your life easy, but rather, our goal is to help other souls be saved from hell and edify other believers in Christ regardless of the difficulty (Rom 15:13, 1Th 2:13, 2Ti 1:7-10, Col 1:9-13, Eph 3:16, Php 4:13).
In the quest to preach Christ correctly, the Apostle Paul provides a timeless blueprint. It beckons for clarity in the gospel's message, sincerity in delivery, and a reliance on God's testimony over worldly allure. As Christians tasked with sharing the good news, our charge is to stay true to this message, always pointing souls to Christ and His finished work on the cross.
