The American Puritan, Cotton Mather (1663-1728), instructed his students with these wise and needful words of counsel, “Among all the subjects with which you feed the people of God, I beseech you let not the true Bread of Life be forgotten; but exhibit as much as you can of the glorious Christ unto them; yea, let the motto upon your whole ministry be ‘Christ is all’!” What a blessing it would be if every man who claims to speak for God, who claims to be a gospel preacher would heed those words. How blessed the Church of God would be if those who fill her pulpits were determined to preach and teach nothing but Jesus Christ and Him crucified! That was Paul’s determination, “And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ and Him crucified” (I Cor.2:1-2). It ought to be every preacher’s determination! Any man who is sent of God to preach is sent of God to preach Christ crucified always, in all places, in all His fullness (I Cor.1:17-25). Christ crucified is “all the counsel of God” (Acts 20:27). He is the sum and essence of all true doctrine. He is the life of all gospel ordinances. He is the secret ingredient of all true worship. He is the mercy seat in whom God meets with sinners. He is the motive of all godliness, obedience, service, and devotion. He is the reward of heavenly glory. When we talk about divine sovereignty we are declaring that Jesus Christ is Lord. When we proclaim God’s glorious work of predestination, we are showing how sinners have been predestinated to be conformed to the image of Christ. God’s election is His choice of some to everlasting salvation in Christ and for Christ’s sake. Total depravity, is God’s revelation of our absolute need of Christ. Limited atonement is the biblical assurance of effectual redemption and grace by Christ, the declaration that all for whom Christ died shall be saved. Irresistible grace, or effectual calling, is the almighty, irresistible revelation of Christ in the soul by the Holy Spirit, which causes the chosen to come to Him. Regeneration is the implanting of Christ in us. Justification is the imputation of Christ’s righteousness to us. Sanctification is Christ being formed in us, begun in regeneration and consummated in glorification. Perseverance is Christ holding our hearts by grace and keeping us in life and faith. Baptism is the believer’s public confession of faith in Christ. The Lord’s Supper is our blessed remembrance of Christ. Eternal life knows Christ. Heaven is being with Christ and like Christ, perfected forever. Preaching is telling people about Christ. Anything else is not preaching. Call it what you may, it is not preaching.
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