PREACHING CHRIST 1 Corinthians 1:18-23

18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written: "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, And bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent." 20 Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? 21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. 22 For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom; 23 but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness,

What does it mean to preach Christ? To many in our world preaching means: Entertainment Foolishness “Make me feel good” “Help with my problems” Reach the lost / Restore the erring Comfort the afflicted / Afflict the comfortable

What does it mean to preach Christ? Some think that we should not preach the Old Testament For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope. Romans 15:4 You can not preach the NT without the OT It means preaching The Old Testament

What does it mean to preach Christ? The Gospels need to be read, studied and learned. I once began a series of sermons from Mark (the shortest gospel) and finished it with 100 sermons from that gospel We need to know the miracles, parables, teachings, example and events in the life of Christ. It means preaching The Life of Christ

What does it mean to preach Christ? Without the church – the mission and purpose of Christ is lost The church is the means of preaching Christ To the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church Ephesians 3:10a Preach the worship, work, organization, doctrine, membership, and fellowship of the church It means preaching The Church

What does it mean to preach Christ? Christ dealt with – marriage, divorce, illness, death, jealousy, anger, grief, joy Christ taught about – morals, work ethic, honesty, fornication, obedience to the law Preaching must bring the message of God into application for our lives We must preach Ethics – Morals – Values It means preaching Personal Issues

What does it mean to preach Christ? There are several major themes woven through the Bible God, Christ, Holy Spirit, trinity, godhead Creation, Fall into sin, God’s plan of redemption Salvation, Redemption, Eternal Life Judgment, Heaven, Hell, Hades Obedience, Plan of Salvation It means preaching Great Themes