Feb 20, 2010

What on Earth Should be Preached?


Many times I have read the book of Philippians, yet after a space of over a year of looking at it God opened my eyes to yet something that was hidden from me before. I would like very much to share that here, though there be not many who may read this.


"Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will: The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds: But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defense of the gospel. What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretense, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea and will rejoice."

- Philippians 1:15-18


When you read this text, what do you think of? What is your focus? Usually it is used lead into a sermon or conversation about boldness, or the struggle of desiring to be with God or to continue laboring in love among the assembly. Yet there is an absolute truth here that I am afraid is so often overlooked.


I ask you now, did you ponder why Paul rejoiced? Did you conclude that because some preach Christ in love, Paul's soul leaps with joy? You are very correct in that deduction, yet now I ask what of those who add affliction to his bonds? We think so very often that someone preaching should be doing so with consideration and love regardless and thus we generally read over this portion quickly, anxiously driving toward meat a few verses on. At this moment, stop and consider Paul's words.


"....whether in pretense, or in truth, Christ is preached;"


For someone who had become so caught up in, I am afraid to say, legalism and binding the gospel to certain points that must be understood before conversion, these words from Paul came as a shock! Paul is actually without doubt saying that he rejoices even in the fact that many preach Christ only to add to his affliction, to torture him, and dare say to kill him! Why? What force (other than God) would drive a man so mad to rejoice when his misery increases? I tell you that Paul was more than satisfied, yea he rejoiced, that Christ was preached!


You see, the theological groupings need not be applied in giving the gospel. Though theology has it's rightful place and is a good thing of study, how dare we learned fellows interject these into the gospel to unawakened ears. How do we dare introduce the subject and terminology of Sovereign Grace and such doctrines to those who are not yet even sheep lest we be the tool of God that drives them farther away? I see now that the gospel is very simple: preach Christ! According to Paul, he rejoiced greatly and was not ashamed as long as Jesus Christ was preached, knowing that when it is Jesus that is preached God's Word will go forth and accomplish all that it is meant by God to do.


Within the statement, "Preach Christ," I would wrongfully infuse things (though they may be true and needful to know down the road) that were of no place to and unbelieving heart. Even if someone preaches errant doctrines along with Christ, as long as Christ is preached we should rejoice that God is being glorified! Are men called unto Baptist religion or to God? Does denomination save men or is it Christ? These are things taught to awakened spirits which turns them into disciples according to God's plan.


During this time I was blessed to have Gospel in it's simplicity preached to me also and I would like to share that ever so briefly now.


"And the Lord said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live. And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived."

- Numbers 21:8,9


"Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else."

- Isaiah 45:22


"And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

-John 3:14-16


For such is the simplicity of the gospel, that we look to Christ. The explanation of God's mercies and wonders, of which we call doctrine, should only come after Christ has been revealed.