Chapter 4 Christ-Centered Preaching
Introduction: The Difference Between Bread and Stones
Imagine you walk into a bakery hungry, expecting warm bread. Instead, the baker hands you a basket of rocks. They look arranged, even polished, but they cannot nourish. Preaching that is not Christ-centered is like handing stones to hungry people. It may impress with polish or structure, but it does not give life.
Jesus Himself compared this when He said: “Which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone?” (Matt. 7:9). The church’s greatest hunger is not for clever speeches, moral pep talks, or even doctrinal outlines detached from Christ. It is for the Bread of Life Himself (John 6:35).
For Former and questioning Adventists, this issue is crucial. Many have sat under sermons that either major on rules, end-time charts, or moral scolding, but rarely lift up Christ as the center. The result is spiritual malnutrition. To flourish in the New Covenant, you need preaching that constantly shows Christ as Savior, Lord, and life.
The Biblical Mandate for Christ-Centered Preaching
A. Jesus’ Own Teaching
In Luke 24:27, the risen Jesus interpreted “in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.” Later in verse 44 He said, “Everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.”
Jesus Himself is the interpretive center of the Old Testament. To preach the Bible without Christ is to miss the Author’s intent.
B. Apostolic Preaching
The apostles did not simply preach moral improvement or religious systems. They “preached Christ crucified” (1 Cor. 1:23). Paul summarized his ministry aim in 1 Corinthians 2:2: “For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.”
This doesn’t mean Paul ignored ethics or theology. Rather, he rooted all ethics, theology, and practice in the person and work of Christ.
C. New Covenant Command
2 Corinthians 4:5 declares: “For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake.” A Christ-centered pulpit is not optional; it is the New Covenant mandate.
What Christ-Centered Preaching Is (and Is Not)
A. What It Is
-
Expository preaching that unveils Christ: Taking the text seriously in its context and showing how it points to Christ.
-
Gospel proclamation: Declaring what Christ has done, not just what we must do.
-
Transformative preaching: Applying Christ’s finished work to hearts, producing repentance, faith, and obedience.
B. What It Is Not
-
Moralistic preaching: Sermons that are basically “try harder, do better” without pointing to Christ’s grace.
-
Therapeutic preaching: Messages focused only on self-help, positive thinking, or “tips for living” without grounding in the gospel.
-
Speculative preaching: End-time sensationalism or mystical interpretations that bypass Christ as the center.
A sermon can mention “God” or even quote the Bible, yet still fail to preach Christ. True preaching lifts up the crucified and risen Christ as the heart of the message.
The Historico-Grammatical Method and Christ-Centered Preaching
Some fear that Christ-centered preaching is simply allegorizing every text. But the historico-grammatical method — reading the text in its original context, grammar, and history — actually leads us to Christ when rightly applied.
Example 1: Passover (Exodus 12)
Historically, this event rescued Israel from Egypt through the blood of a lamb. Grammatically, the text commands Israel to apply the blood. Theologically, Paul connects it in 1 Corinthians 5:7: “Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.” The historical event was real, but it was also typological, pointing to Christ.
Example 2: David and Goliath (1 Samuel 17)
Historically, it narrates David’s victory over Goliath. Grammatically, it records details of faith, courage, and God’s deliverance. Theologically, David is a type of Christ, the true champion who defeats sin and Satan on behalf of His people. The point is not “be brave like David” but “trust the greater David, Jesus.”
Example 3: Jeremiah 31 (The New Covenant)
Historically, Jeremiah promises renewal for Israel. Grammatically, the covenant is described as “not like the covenant I made with their fathers.” Theologically, Hebrews 8 applies this directly to Christ as Mediator of the New Covenant.
Thus, faithful historico-grammatical exegesis always presses forward to Christ because He is the goal of the Scriptures.
Why Christ-Centered Preaching Matters for Former Adventists
A. Escape from Moralism
Many Adventists grew up hearing sermons heavy on behavior but light on Christ. This leads to either pride (“I am keeping the rules”) or despair (“I keep failing”). Christ-centered preaching lifts your eyes from self to Savior.
B. Freedom from Fear-Based Preaching
Adventist pulpits often emphasize fear of judgment, “time of trouble,” or end-time scenarios. But gospel preaching offers assurance: “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Rom. 8:1). Fear no longer drives; love compels.
C. Reframing Obedience
Instead of obedience as a condition for acceptance, obedience becomes a grateful response to Christ’s finished work. Preaching Christ transforms how you see commands: not as burdens to earn favor but as delights to walk in love.
The Marks of Christ-Centered Preaching
How can you tell if a sermon is truly Christ-centered? Here are biblical marks:
-
Text-Driven — The preacher exposes the meaning of the passage, not his own ideas (2 Tim. 4:2).
-
Christ-Exalting — The sermon points to Christ’s person and work as central (Acts 8:35).
-
Gospel-Proclaiming — It announces what Christ has done before urging what we must do (Rom. 1:16).
-
Spirit-Dependent — It comes not only in words but in power and Spirit (1 Cor. 2:4–5).
-
Life-Applying — It calls hearers to repent, believe, and obey in the strength of the Spirit (Acts 2:37–38).
A Contrast: Two Sermons on the Same Text
Let’s test this. Suppose the text is David and Goliath (1 Samuel 17).
-
Moralistic Sermon: “Be brave like David. Face your giants. Try harder, and God will give you victory.”
-
Christ-Centered Sermon: “David was God’s anointed king who defeated the giant for his people. Jesus is the greater David who defeated sin and death for us. Trust in Him, and live in His victory.”
The difference is not subtle. One puts you at the center; the other puts Christ at the center.
Christ in All of Scripture
A. In the Law
-
The sacrifices → Christ’s once-for-all sacrifice (Heb. 10:1–14).
-
The priesthood → Christ our great High Priest (Heb. 4:14–16).
-
The tabernacle → Christ as God’s dwelling with us (John 1:14).
-
The Sabbath → Christ our rest (Heb. 4:9–10).
B. In the Prophets
-
The promise of a new heart (Ezek. 36:26–27) → fulfilled in the Spirit given by Christ.
-
The Suffering Servant (Isaiah 53) → Christ crucified for our sins.
-
The promise of a new covenant (Jer. 31) → Christ as Mediator (Heb. 8).
C. In the Psalms
-
Psalm 22 → fulfilled in the crucifixion.
-
Psalm 110 → fulfilled in Christ’s exaltation at God’s right hand.
-
Psalm 23 → Christ as the Good Shepherd.
Practical Implications for Churches
A. For Preachers
-
Always ask: “How does this text point to Christ?”
-
Do not rush to the application without first proclaiming Christ.
-
Preach the difference between the law and the gospel: the law to reveal sin, the gospel to reveal Christ as Savior.
B. For Listeners
-
Listen with gospel ears: does this sermon lift up Christ?
-
Beware of sermons that only guilt-trip or give life hacks without Christ.
-
Pray for your pastors to preach Christ faithfully.
An Analogy: GPS vs. Road Signs
The Old Covenant laws are like road signs pointing to a destination. Christ is the destination. Preaching that stops at the signs leaves you lost. Christ-centered preaching is like a GPS that brings you to the address: every text, every law, every prophecy leads you to Jesus.
Rhetorical question: Why stare at the signs when you’ve already arrived at the destination?
The Transforming Power of Christ-Centered Preaching
-
It creates faith. Romans 10:17: “Faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.”
-
It creates freedom. John 8:32: “You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
-
It creates love. 2 Corinthians 5:14: “The love of Christ controls us.”
When Christ is preached, people are not merely informed but transformed.
Conclusion: Don’t Settle for Stones
Former and questioning Adventists: Do not settle for sermons that hand you stones when Christ offers bread. Demand the Bread of Life. A true church is one where Christ is preached from all of Scripture.
Paul said in Colossians 1:28: “Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ.”
This is the task of every preacher and the need of every hearer: Christ proclaimed. Anything less is malnutrition for the soul.
Reflection Questions
-
Have you ever sat through sermons that mentioned God but did not truly proclaim Christ? How did they leave you feeling?
-
How does seeing Christ as the center of all Scripture change how you read your Bible?
-
What practical step can you take this week to sit under Christ-centered preaching and grow in grace?
Short Prayer
Lord Jesus, open our eyes to see You in all of Scripture. Make our preachers faithful to proclaim You, and our ears eager to hear You. Feed us not with stones but with the Bread of Life, until we are satisfied in You. Amen.
Email: formeradventist.ph@gmail.com
Website: formeradventistph.blogspot.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/formeradventistph
Phone: 09695143944
No comments:
Post a Comment