Today many people, even experienced Christians, think there are different classes of people within the body of Christ. In Colossians 1:27-28, the Apostle Paul gives the sure cure for such wrong thinking: "Christ in you, the hope of glory -- Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus."
Everyone needs to be warned. Everyone needs to be taught. Everyone needs to be brought to completion in Him. There are no spiritual elites in the body of Christ. That is why, and how, we must preach Christ in the church.
What does it mean to preach Christ?
The primary focus must be on the person of Christ, on who He is. Jesus Christ could not have done what He has done, unless He is who He is. Only God could create and sustain the universe. Only God could do what was necessary to save sinners. Only God could be the Head of the Church, and bring all of His redeemed people to glory and perfection. No one else could do what Jesus Christ has done, because no one else is who Jesus Christ is. Jesus Christ is God Himself. "Him we preach." He must always be the focus.
And Christ is our focus this week as we continue our series, Christ Above All: Studies in Colossians. |