Christ-centered preaching Archives

Are We Allowed to Use OT Figures as Moral Examples?

January 14, 2019

For years, I have heard people say it. In books, in articles, in podcasts. Again and again, we are told that preachers cannot use OT stories as moral examples.

Why? Because it breaks the rules of Christ-centered preaching. If we talk about OT figures we can only discuss how they point forward to Christ. If we use them as a moral example then we have simply become moralists.

Or so we are told.

Now, it should be acknowledged that the motivation here is commendable. Yes, we want to preach Christ (though we need to define what that means more carefully). And yes we don’t want to advocate some sort of moralism from the pulpit.

But does that mean we are forbidden from using OT stories as moral examples? I think not. And here’s why: The NT authors used OT stories as moral examples.

There are numerous instances of this, but just consider one passage from Paul. After recounting the numerous stories of Israel in the desert—parting of the red sea, eating manna, water from the rock—Paul says: [Read more…]

Note to Aspiring Preachers: Here are Seven Key Pitfalls to Avoid

May 25, 2016

Preaching is hard work.

To those sitting in the pews, preaching can look relatively effortless–especially when it is done well. But do not be fooled. Preaching exhausts the body and the soul in ways that are incommensurate with its duration. I could work in the yard all day in 90 degrees of heat and (somehow) feel less exhausted than preaching two services.

But, it is not just the physical/spiritual toll that preaching takes. What makes it hard is the complexity of the task. Just standing up and talking for 30 minutes (and making any sense at all) is tough enough for most folks. But, on top of this, preachers have to navigate a complicated passage, balance sensitive doctrines, weave together a coherent message, apply the message to people’s lives, and do all of this in a manner that is compelling, engaging, winsome and never boring or dull.

No wonder James said, “Not many of you should become teachers” (Jas 3:1)!

Indeed, because of the complexities of preaching there are a number of pitfalls that all preachers (especially aspiring ones) risk falling into. I thought it might be helpful to highlight some of these possible pitfalls that I have noticed over the years:

[Read more…]

Justification and Sanctification at T4G

April 14, 2014

Last week I was privileged to participate in a panel discussion at T4G with my fellow RTS professors Chad Van Dixhoorn, Derek Thomas, and Scott Swain. The panel was chaired by RTS’s chancellor, Ligon Duncan.

The topic was the relationship between justification and sanctification and how that relationship is played out (in good and bad ways) in the modern reformed and evangelical church. In particular, the focus was on how many churches (and pastors) today offer what could be called a “justification only” model of ministry. In an effort to protect and preserve the gospel of grace (a worthy goal), some churches significantly limit (if not cease entirely) any discussion of holiness, ethics, or morals.

I was especially grateful for this topic because it has been a concern of mine for years. I have offered several prior posts on it here, here, here, here, here, here, and here.

There were a lot of helpful points made in the discussion, but let me highlight a few principles that emerged:

1. Christ is glorified not only in our justification. He is also glorified in our sanctification. Thus, sermons on sanctification can also be “Christ-centered.”

2. Our holiness is not an obstacle to the gospel of grace, but the purpose of it. We are created for good works.

3. There is not just a single motivation for our obedience (such as looking back to our justification). There are multiple motivations that the Bible offers, including gratefulness, the joy and blessing offered in obedience, the promise of rewards, and the threat of discipline.

4. It is not illegitimate to have sermons/messages that are largely focused on the ethics of the Christian life. Examples of this abound throughout Scripture, such as the Sermon on the Mount, the book of James, and the book of Proverbs. The indicative is the foundation for the imperative, not contrary to it.

5. The book of 1 John provides a wonderful balance between justification and sanctification by offering two seemingly contradictory declarations: (a) If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves ( 1 Jn 1:8); and (b) No one who keeps on sinning has either seen him or known him (1 Jn 3:6). But, these are not contradictory. The former is the foundation for justification, the latter the foundation for sanctification.

6. Balanced Christ-centered preaching means we can (and should) preach Christ in all his offices, prophet, priest and king. If we preach Christ as king, for example, we might naturally call our congregations to follow, submit, and obey his commands. Thus, “Christ-centered” preaching does not mean only preaching Christ in his priestly office.

In addition to these principles, several books on holiness/sanctification (and the relationship to justification) were mentioned that are worth checking out:

Holiness, by J.C. Ryle
The Mortification of Sin, by John Owen
Antinomianism, by Mark Jones
The Christian in Complete Armour, by William Gurnall
Redemption Accomplished and Applied, by John Murray
The Gospel Mystery of Sanctification, by Walter Marshall

Preaching Christ Only as Frodo: Reflections on Christ-Centered Preaching

October 17, 2013

Although Tolkien was always quick to declare that The Lord of the Rings was not an allegory (like Lewis’ Chronicles of Narnia), it is still evident that the figure of Christ is prevalent throughout the books. But, this raises the question, which figure is the Christ-figure? Frodo? Gandalf? Aragorn?

One of the wonderful complexities of Tolkien’s work is that the answer is: all three. Unlike Lewis, Tolkien does not take all of the characteristics of Christ and pour them into a single character, but rather spreads out those characteristics (albeit unconsciously) over what are arguably the three main characters.

And when you consider these three characters in tandem, it is clear that they line up rather nicely with the three offices of Christ: prophet, priest, and king.

Gandalf is the prophet: Middle Earth needs a wise teacher who can bring counsel, instruction, and guidance. Gandalf is the one who proclaims truth—often when no one else will.

Frodo is the priest: Middle Earth also needs someone willing to sacrifice themselves for the sake of everyone else. Frodo offers his own life, and suffers greatly, in order to save others.

Aragorn is the king: In addition, Middle Earth needs a warrior; one who can fight and defeat the enemies and who can guard, protect, and lead the people.

Tolkien’s vision in Lord of the Rings is a wonderful reminder that Christ is a complex, deep, and multi-faceted character. He embodies not a single office, but three. And they are all related and intertwined with one another.

The three offices of Christ, thus provide a helpful framework as we consider what is (or should be) meant by the idea of “Christ-centered preaching.” Certainly Christ-centered preaching is a good and wonderful thing. But, what exactly counts as Christ-centered?

Some today will say that the only thing that counts as Christ-centered preaching is if we talk about how Christ has suffered and died to save us. But, this would, in effect, limit our preaching to just a single office of Christ. It would be like preaching Christ only as Frodo.

As wonderful as the priestly role might be, one can quickly see how limited and one-dimensional such preaching might become. It would be a Christ who saves but doesn’t rule. A Christ who suffers but does not reign. A Christ who redeems but not a Christ that instructs. It would be a Christ who is only the lamb, and not also the lion.

It would be like having Lord of the Rings and no Gandalf and no Aragorn. Only Frodo.

Thus, Christ-centered preaching cannot be restricted to just preaching the priestly office of Christ as is so often done in pulpits today. If we are going to preach Christ, let’s preach all of him.