“And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.” (Acts 5:42)

The modern-day world of Christian ministry has taken on many dynamics as a multitude of ministers have entered into the field to labor in various areas of ministry. We hear preaching emphasizing the goodness of God; claiming His Promises; promoting ecumenical causes; etc. While there is need for addressing certain issues, it appears that the one subject which burdened the preaching of every New Testament sermon was the Lord Jesus Christ.

The word “preach” means “to make known”; “to tell out”; “to communicate”; “to proclaim.” To preach Christ is to proclaim the Truth of His glorious Person and the finished work of redemption on Calvary’s cross, making Him known as He is set forth in the entirety of Scripture. The Gospel message is God’s saving purpose in Christ. One of the purposes of preaching is to make Christ known to fallen humanity – those estranged from God.

This declaration of Christ is the central duty of the man of God. The New Testament evangelists, apostles, pastors, teachers did not preach philosophy, politics, social change, or “positive thinking” psychology. They preached a Person; a living Person; the Source of Life; the Incarnate Son of God; the Redeemer of God’s Elect. Jesus Christ was the sum and substance of the message proclaimed.

Christ preached Christ:

“Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.” (John 5:39)

“And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.” (Luke 24:27)

Paul preached Christ:

“And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God… proving that this is very Christ.” (Acts 9:20, 22)

“…this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ.” (Acts 17:3)

Peter preached Christ:

“Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.” (Acts 2:36)

The Bible is a closed book to those who do not comprehend its main focus. Christ is the sum of the whole Bible, prophesied, typified, and preached. He is the very substance and scope of the whole Scriptures. The key to Bible knowledge is Christ.

Without Him, the Gospel has no meaning. Without Him, it has no power. Without Him, it has no purpose. Without Jesus Christ, there is nothing to preach. To preach Jesus Christ is to say that preaching is to always be anchored on the Rock of His Person and on His work as set forth in the Word of God – for salvation as well as for daily sanctification.

There is nothing in the Christian’s life that does not concern, consist, or depend on Jesus Christ. Every subject arising; every trial we face; every issue that is raised; has its answer in the Lord Jesus. Whatever text or topic a preacher has as his focus in preaching must be displayed so that Christ is in view as an abiding life principle. Christ must be brought before our eyes in all His grandeur; all His splendor; all His glory.

Christian, are you sitting under a Christ-centered ministry? Are you beholding the Head as He is preached to you as the Source of Life and the only Remedy for your soul’s striving? Is the focus of your pastor’s preaching to point you to Christ? Or is it to entertain you with philosophies and witticisms that tickle your ears but starve the spirit?

Friend, the example of apostolic preaching is to set forth Christ; explicitly and implicitly; as the Root, the Ground, and the Center of our life. Christ must be all in all (Colossians 3:11).