We Preach Christ

There is also preaching that is thoroughly rooted in the biblical text. But what we're taught to do is to go to the text and glean a lot of good from it: background, historical and original context, moral and practical application. And then, having done that, we're going to insert Jesus somewhere. We're going to slip Christ in somewhere. But we're not taught to read literally every passage of scripture through the lens of Christ and his redemptive work in place of the sinner. I am saying that is how we should read every page of this book: through the lens of Christ’s work in our place. Some with the best of intentions actually caution against preaching that way. So beloved, let me ask you this question. What is it that we need, particularly when we gather like this? What do we need? We need the glory and the grace and the sufficiency of Jesus Christ heralded to us as much as possible. That's what Paul is doing here in Colossians. I’ve quoted him a lot today and it's okay. Here again, is Calvin: “This is the only means of retaining as well as restoring pure doctrine.” He's going to say it. “To place Christ before the view such as he is with all of his blessings, that his excellence may be truly perceived.” We preach Christ. One may rightly ask, “Brother, what about the law?” I'm glad you asked. We preach the law too. We preach the law and the gospel. We preach the law first and foremost to show us our sin and drive us to Christ in faith. And then we preach the law as the perfect guide for our living in Christ. Do you want to know what righteousness looks like? The law will tell you. Do you want to know what wickedness is? The law will tell you. Do you want to know what will go well for you; what will produce good in your life? Look to the law. Do you want to know what will ruin your life? Look to the law. And we preach Christ as the atonement for our sins and as our whole and only righteousness before God. “Whole” meaning all of it. “Only” meaning there is no other. It's not like we have his righteousness and then we need to add ours. His, is it, in terms of our standing before God received by faith. Everyday Grace 008