WEDNESDAY November 13, 2024

We Preach Christ

Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. To this end I also labor, striving according to His working which works in me mightily.
Colossians 1:28-29

Who did Paul preach about? Jesus Christ. His preaching was simple, but powerful. He used the wisdom of God to show the futile wisdom of men. Christ crucified was the central theme of his message:

1 Corinthians 1:23-25: ...we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

1 Corinthians 2:2: For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.

To this end, Paul tirelessly labored. He toiled, even though weary at times, striving to do the work of God. The word striving is the Greek word agonizo. He agonized and struggled in his labor of love for the Lord as if contending for a prize.

Interestingly, in Luke 22:41-44, Luke used the same word to help express Jesus’ struggle, as He agonized in prayer, in the Garden of Gethsemane, for the work of the Cross that He knew was before Him:

And He was withdrawn from them about a stone’s throw, and He knelt down and prayed, saying, “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.” Then an angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him. And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.

Listen, we need God’s strength to do the work of God. It is according to His working in us mightily. The work of God is done through the Spirit of God. That's the only way we can do it.

Preach you Christ, and Christ, and Christ, and Christ, and nothing else but Christ.
~C.H. Spurgeon~

For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!