We Proclaim Christ

Colossians 1:28-29 – “Him [Jesus Christ] we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ.  For this I toil, struggling with all His energy that He powerfully works within me.” 

The other day I was listening to the Frank Pastore Show on the radio (Frank Pastore is a Christian radio talk show host), when a caller began to express his disappointment in the state of the Christian church today.  He began ranting about how the church had failed its mission to preach the Gospel and how it was now more interested in sharing the social gospel of doing good to others, helping the poor and needy, and being a caring hand for those in trouble.  Although I did not agree with the way he presented it, I had to agree that the church today has become quite anemic, in that, we fail to teach and make disciples of Jesus Christ and have often become more interested in church functions and activities that help bring the community together.  To borrow a phrase from another pastor I know, the church has become something sort of a “country club,” where Christians come in to hang out and build friendships.

Fortunately, the church as a whole has not fallen that far off the deep end, at least, I would hope not.  But it is definitely heading in that direction, as more and more churches just preach a gospel that emphasizes good works and a positive attitude, instead of the truth that all Christians must proclaim – Jesus Christ and Him crucified.  Too often we find Christians just pushing their agendas, doctrines, and dogmas, instead of emphasizing the need for Jesus Christ.  Before my recent trip to the Mediterranean, I would have said that the Catholic Church was the best at missing this point, but I was actually pleasantly surprised.  Two Sundays ago, on our last day in Rome, my parents and I visited the Vatican, the papal city which the Pope of the Catholic Church calls his residence.  We arrived around 11:30AM with huge crowds looming in the plaza in front of St. Peter’s Basilica.  We weren’t sure of why at first, but we discovered it was because the Pope was scheduled to speak at 12 Noon like he usually does every Sunday.  Seeing that we were already there, we decided to listen in.  Exactly when the hour hand struck twelve, we saw the Pope come out and begin his discourse in Latin, stating a blessing to the people.  We had no clue what he was saying, but tons of people around us were tearing up as if they had seen something marvelous.  I had no clue what was really going on, but I continued to listen, expecting him to share some Catholic dogma or go through some ritualistic prayers.  But suddenly, he addressed the English-speaking visitors in English.  He began by first welcoming all of us visitors and then said something profound and unexpected to a Protestant’s ears, “Jesus says, ‘Love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, thy soul, thy mind, and thy strength.”  He then finished with a “God bless you.”  I was stunned.  The Pope did not push an agenda that was his.  He did not go through some ritualistic words, but he made the point to emphasize Christ by saying, “Jesus says.”  He had a clear understanding what we as Christians are to proclaim – Jesus Christ.  I will tell you – he has certainly earned my respect.

Paul made it clear to all the believers in the church at Colossae that a Christian’s task is to proclaim Christ.  It has nothing to do with doctrines.  It has nothing to do with a social welfare gospel.  It has nothing to do with being a good person or having a positive attitude.  It has everything to do with Christ.  Paul knew that if a person, whether an unbeliever or a disciple of Jesus Christ, could just realize what Christ had done for him, it could transform his life as it did his.  Paul saw Christ on the road to Damascus, experienced his grace for an ardent persecutor of His church, and recognized His limitless love for him, and it turned Paul into one of the greatest Christians this world has ever known.  If we as disciples of Jesus Christ will just turn our eyes to Jesus and remember that the Gospel is simply put as Jesus Christ loved you, gave Himself for you, and rose again to give you life, what an impact it would have in this world!  Let us stop sharing things that are of no use.  Let us stop wasting our breath on little inconsequential arguments on the Rapture, communion, and church government, and let us instead preach Christ and Him crucified.  We as disciples of Jesus Christ proclaim Christ.