For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables (2 Tim. 4:3-4).
We live in a day when Christ-centered ministry is viewed as boring or impractical. (Actually, we suspect that many people who say the latter mean the former but don’t wish to say so.) Like the children of Israel before us, we long for the tastes of Egypt. And so, today, many Christians expect that the speakers they hear or the magazines they read will provide them with the entertainment, psychology, and self-esteem they crave, with just enough of the Bible thrown in to ease the religious conscience. Serious Bible teaching and preaching of any kind, but particularly that about Christ, is unpopular. In fact, the time HAS come when “they will not endure sound doctrine.”
Some of us may have been distracted from seeking Christ-centered ministry and instead have pursued the more popular trends of the day. Or perhaps some of us who have opportunity to speak or write have become discouraged by the constant opposition that Christ-centered ministry sometimes faces and have sought to offer a more palatable diet. In either case, it is hoped that the following thoughts might turn our hearts and minds away from the folly of the crowd and upward to the bright and morning Star.
What are some of the reasons that show us Christ-centered ministry is important?
CHRIST-CENTERED MINISTRY IS BIBLICAL
We read that “daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ” (Acts 5:42). Whether in public or in private, whether to the saved or to the lost, Christ was the sole subject of the ministry of the New Testament church. They had one glorious topic that was enough to satisfy both sinner and saint, and they refused to be distracted from it.
A LACK OF GOOD DOCTRINE ABOUT CHRIST WILL LEAD TO BAD DOCTRINE ABOUT CHRIST
It is sometimes assumed that as long as nothing bad is taught, we’re safe. But 2 Timothy 4:2-4 warns us of a slippery slope to doctrinal destruction that starts with, not bad doctrine, but simply a desire not to hear sound, serious doctrine. Once sound doctrine is avoided, we are on a path through entertaining ministry to false doctrine. It’s not enough to refrain from teaching bad doctrine about Christ. If we ignore sound, complete doctrine about Him for long enough, we will end up with bad doctrine. Refrain, for example, from teaching the truth that it is impossible for Christ to sin and you can be sure that the enemy will take the opportunity to teach that He could have sinned.
CHRIST-CENTERED MINISTRY CONVICTS US OF SIN
Being brought face to face with the Light exposes our sin. It is no coincidence that the Lord Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit would testify of Him (Jn. 15:26) but then goes on to say that the Holy Spirit would “reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment” (Jn. 16:8). When Peter was confronted with Christ, he was brought to his knees, crying, “Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord” (Lk. 5:8). In order to show the lost their need of the Saviour or to expose sin in our own lives, we need Christ-centered ministry.
CHRIST-CENTERED MINISTRY IS THE ONLY TRUE PRACTICAL MINISTRY
As we consider the sin in our own lives, we probably realize that the vast majority of it is wilful sin. When we are tempted to lie, do we ever think to ourselves, “I don’t know if I should lie or not. If only I’d had some practical ministry about whether or not lying is bad.” Generally we know full well what we should or shouldn’t do, but we lack the power to obey. What we need, then, is not so much teaching about what is a sin and what isn’t, but ministry that will change us internally. Once again, the answer is Christ. Second Corinthians 3:18 teaches us that as we “with open face” behold “as in a glass the glory of the Lord,” we are “changed into the same image from glory to glory.” As we see Christ, we become more like Him. In fact this is the ultimate hope of every Christian: “we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is” (1 Jn. 3:2). Ministry divorced from Christ may tell us what to do, but Christ-centered ministry is the only truly practical ministry because it is the only ministry that changes us to be like Him.
CHRIST-CENTERED MINISTRY ADDRESSES THE REAL ISSUES OF LIFE AND ETERNITY
There are lots of Christians for whom the real struggle in life isn’t interest rates or even the occasional temptation to lose their temper. These are Christians who are struggling to cope with overwhelming discouragement or grief. They need encouragement that isn’t superficial–and only Christ can give it. If the issue is sustenance on the way home, He is the One who can “speak a word in season to him that is weary” (Isa. 50:4). If the issue is joy, He is the One Who can make our joy complete (Jn. 15:11). If the issue is peace, He offers us His peace, not as the world gives (Jn. 14:27). If we desire true satisfaction, what better place to find it than in the One who satisfies the infinite heart of God (Isa. 42:1)? All of the real issues of life and eternity are met in Christ.
CHRIST-CENTERED MINISTRY PROMOTES LOVE FOR CHRIST AND THEREFORE CHRISTIAN SERVICE
Every aspect of the person and work of Christ is lovely. As we learn about Him, we can’t help but love Him more. And love for Him will spur us on in our service for Him. If we love Him, we won’t be able to help telling others about Him; if we love Him, we will long to read His letters to us; if we love Him, we will be eager to speak with Him in prayer; if we love Him, we will be happy to spend time with those whom He loves.
CHRIST-CENTERED MINISTRY PROMOTES WORSHIP
Like His followers before us, when we see Him we can’t help but fall at His feet in worship (Mt. 28:9, 17). In the end, Christ-centered ministry is important not for what we receive from it, as splendid as that might be, but for what He receives from it. Every time He is presented to us, we are given a little taste of eternity, and we have the opportunity to worship Him and bring joy to the heart of the One who died for us that we might live with Him.
Christ-centered ministry ought to be the standard in every life, in every family, and in every assembly. We ought to ensure that Christ is the focal point of the literature we read and the ministry we seek. May we be encouraged to always give and receive ministry that exalts and centers on no less a topic than our glorious Lord.
“And I, if I be lifted up from the earth,” He said, “I will draw all men unto Me” (Jn. 12:32).