"Preach Christ"

Romans 10: 14-15

14  How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?
15  And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!"

1 Corinthians 1: 18

18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 

Introduction:

Outside of prayer the most urgent need in the church is Bible preaching 

*Problem - If the message of the cross doesn't dwell in us richly it can't be delivered with power from us! 

1 Corinthians 1:18 -Paul regards the cross as God's saving instrument. The content of Paul's message was the cross, not man's wisdom.

18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 

Note: Paul singles out two groups
1. Those that perish - 
2. Those who are saved - 
Reasons why preaching Christ is no longer the heartbeat of the church

1. Prayerlessness - Acts 6:1-4

1 Now in those days, when [the number of] the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the Hellenists, because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution.
2  Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, "It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables.
3  "Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of [good] reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business;
4  "but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word."

2. The Gap - 1 Corinthians 9:27

27 But I discipline my body and bring [it] into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified. 

3. Popularity - 
4. Laziness - 
5. Misled Affections

Conclusion:

Aimlessness -  Quote by Howard Hendricks, "What in the world are you doing with God's people?"
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