We Preach Christ

The idea of a life verse has always been difficult for me. The idea of picking just one verse to build my life’s values, goals, and ministry around seemed impossible to me. There are just so many good ones! Maybe you’re like me and finding a theme verse for your life is difficult. But take heart, because my perspective was changed on October 12, 2022, when in my daily Bible readings, I read 2 Corinthians chapter 4:5-7.

For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. (2 Cor. 4:5-7)

Now I have read the book of 2 Corinthians and this set of verses countless times. However, on that October day, the Holy Spirit used this verse to open my eyes in a new way on how I ought to see my ministry and my life, and I hope that by sharing this with you, you too may be edified. 

Paul lays out masterfully for us the mandate for any pastor or Christian, for that matter. It can all be summed up in the beginning of verse 5. He writes, For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord.” In other words, “We preach Christ”. A simple yet weighty duty. We couldn’t ask for a more direct order from the Master. Our ministry is to preach Christ in the church, in the home, to the flock, to our families, and to ourselves. Everything we do needs to be aimed towards that goal.

Crucial to this idea is how Paul concludes this section in verses 6-7. He writes, “For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us” (2 Cor. 4:6-7). Paul notes how it is God who shines the light in our hearts. He is the one Who begins the good work and transfers us from the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of Light (Col. 1:13). We serve Him as “jars of clay.” Everything we do demonstrates the power and glory of God. In other words, Paul's ministry wasn't about Paul or any of the other apostles, for that matter. It was about Christ. That picture is the aim of my own ministry and of the ministry of this church. This isn’t about me. This isn’t about what I have to say, or what I can bring to the table. It is all about Christ and His glory alone.

This is our motivation, brothers and sisters. To fulfill our role as an earthen vessel so that the glory of the Light of Christ can be put on display. Everything we do ought to point to Christ. Anything we suffer is for the sake of Christ. Any good we do is to bring glory to Christ. Everything is about Him. “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men” (Col. 3:23). SDG

For the Master

Pastor Matt.