By David Faust
Years ago, a wise older minister gave me some good advice. “Always read the Gospels a lot,” he said, “because in the daily grind of leading a church and preaching week after week, it’s tempting to take your eyes off Jesus.” At first, I didn’t understand what he meant. How could a church called Christian fail to keep Christ central to its faith and practice? But I have seen it happen. Have you?
Would a visitor to your church readily recognize that Jesus Christ is the congregation’s focus—the main reason you gather to worship and scatter to serve? The Bible addresses marriage and parenthood, money management, relationships with friends, managing our emotions, and addressing social ills, and we need to hear sermons about practical topics like these. But a generic, politically correct form of spirituality won’t change the world. The church’s primary mission isn’t merely to “do church” and dole out advice about the pursuit of happiness, but to glorify Christ and help others become his disciples.
The Key Person
Life insurance companies sell “key person” policies that pay if an organization’s CEO or another key leader dies. Let’s be clear: The church’s key person will always be Jesus Christ, who died and rose again. He is the centerpiece of our faith, the heart of our message, and the head of the church. His death, burial, and resurrection are “of first importance” (1 Corinthians 15:3-4).
Christ is the key to understanding the Bible. He declared, “These are the very Scriptures that testify about me” (John 5:39).
He is the key to finding freedom. He promised, “You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:31-32).
He is the key to knowing God. He claimed, “Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father” (John 14:9).
He is the key to a peaceful death. He said, “The one who believes in me will live, even though they die” (John 11:25).
The Great I AM
Charming personalities should never take precedence over Christ. Catchy marketing, trendy programs, and crowd-pleasing preaching must never overshadow the risen Lord or distract people from the gospel. Any religious system that leaves out Jesus ultimately will fail.
I’m not suggesting that we bore people with trite, shallow answers or neglect contemporary issues that need to be addressed. The point is, the gospel is always timely and relevant. In a world that pulls us in a thousand different directions, the church’s compass must always point to Christ.
He is the great “I AM.” “He is before all things, and in him all things hold together” (Colossians 1:17). He is greater than the lawgiver, Moses . . . greater than prophets like Isaiah, Elijah, and Daniel . . . greater than apostles like Peter and Paul . . . greater than Reformers like Martin Luther, John Calvin, and John Wesley . . . greater than philosophers and religious leaders like Confucius, Socrates, Buddha, and Mohammed . . . greater than any of our famous politicians, movie stars, economists, academics, athletes, musicians, and celebrity pastor/teachers. At the name of Jesus, every knee will bow.
Let’s commune with him faithfully in the Lord’s Supper, honor him with our obedience, and unashamedly declare his name. Whatever else happens when Christians gather, may it always be obvious that we have “been with Jesus” (Acts 4:13).
Personal Challenge: When was the last time you read through one of the four Gospels? By reading one chapter per day, you can read Matthew, Luke, or John in less than a month, or you can read Mark in a little over two weeks.
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