Why are You not Preaching Christ and Him Crucified?

The short answer is that you do not believe in the message and the power of the cross of Christ.

In fact, silence suggests shame. Preaching another subject suggests a lack of value. Neglecting the Gospel is not new; but Christians, especially pastors, need to be constantly challenged to be faithful to the Word of God.

Unbelief is the curse upon humanity, and it is the nemesis of true believers. Sheep are easily distracted from the Gospel of grace. This is the message of who God is, and what He has done, in saving His elect people.

Sinful humans want to be God and King. They exercise their will in an attempt to control others and put them into their own compliance. This is why people reject the Lordship of Jesus Christ. They will not have this man to rule over them. This is sometimes true for the church, too.

The litmus test in a sermon is whether it is tethered to Christ and His Cross, as the subject of our preaching and teaching. How much of what we teach is Christ? How close to the Cross is our preaching?

Christ came to save His people from their sins (Mt 1:21). He bore the sins of His people in His body on the Cross (1 Pet 2:24). In suffering death and burial, He appeared to have failed in His mission, but His resurrection from the dead demonstrated His victory over sin, death, the devil, and this world.

Here is the crux of the Christian message. His bloody death is precious blood shed for His beloved bride, the church. His blood has atoned for sin and propitiated God’s wrath against saved sinners. By the Spirit of Christ, the Gospel message is proclaimed to all peoples where it is sent.

To not preach Christ and His crucifixion, on a consistent basis, is simply disobedience. There is no other power of God unto salvation, and therefore, every sermon void of the Savior and His salvation is suspect. Christians must have a discerning Spirit to know they are in a good place to hear Gospel preaching.

Unbelief is treason; and Christians must be vigilant to attend church where the only expectation is an open Bible, with a preacher who truly loves the Word of God. You will know your pastor by His fruit — faithfulness to God’s Word is conjoined with the fruit of love for God’s Word. The pastor, filled with the fruit of joy, will show forth the praises of Him who called him out of darkness and into His marvelous light (1 Pet 2:9).

Here is the wisdom of God: Christ sent from heaven to fulfill the Law of God, including the necessary sacrifice for sins; the unblemished Lamb of God slain, in the role of a scapegoat, and in the place of His people; Christ, the Redeemer, actually paying off the debt of sin and saving His chosen bride, the church. None of God’s elect are lost, but each one is saved by the substitutionary atonement of the One and only Savior.

This is the wonderful Gospel of salvation in Christ, preached by the Spirit of Christ through the redeemed vessel, called to proclaim the excellencies of Him who gave Himself for the ones He loved.

Let us be found faithful to preach Christ, teach Christ, and speak of Christ with every opportunity afforded us by His grace and good pleasure. If you truly believe Him, then proclaim Him.

David Norczyk

Spokane Valley, Washington

July 24, 2021