Millions tuned in to watch the 2010 winter Olympic games hosted in Vancouver, Canada. Folks from almost every nation watched and for a few weeks, the world became a much closer community. A similar event is now underway, creating at least a tidbit of unity in the world, the 2010 FIFA World Cup of Soccer, being hosted in South Africa.
Not many weeks ago, we began a series of lessons through Luke’s gospel. In our first lesson, I asked the question, “How many gospels are there?” That question can be answered in a variety of ways.
Nowhere in the Bible will you see gospel in a plural form; nor will you see it with an indefinite article. The Bible speaks of the gospel, not many gospels or a gospel. Paul spoke to the Corinthian church of
…the gospel which I preached unto you …by which you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you… (1 Corinthians 15:1)
From time to time I go to Bible related chat rooms on Paltalk. In fact, there is one room which I lead a Bible study in each Thurdsay morning. If you are ever on Paltalk, you can look me up with my nickname, Gospel guy.
One night last week, just before heading off to bed, I spent a few minutes in a room. Though there was lots of spiritual talk, there was almost no truth being spoken. One participant challenged another to try something to increase her faith in the Lord and in the work of the Spirit. The challenge was this – every time you come across something that you don’t know the answer to over the next three months, just pray to God for help, opened up your Bible and point your finger. God will lead you to the answer! Hearing such nonsense, while the drivel was still being spoken, I posted, “Ouija Board Bible Study.”
In Acts 8:5 we read, “Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them.” Later, the text records, “But when they believed Philip as he preached the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized” (Acts 8:12).
Sometimes, when we preach on a controversial topic, people object by asking, “Why don’t you just preach Christ?” It is most assuredly essential to preach Christ. Even though some dishonest preachers were trying to increase Paul’s persecution while he was in prison, he rejoiced “that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached” (Philippians 1:15-18).
What, then, does it mean to preach Christ?
