Philippians 1:15-18 ESV
15 Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will. 16 The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. 17 The former proclaim Christ out of rivalry, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment. 18 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice.
It’s amazing what the bottom line was for Paul: that Christ was proclaimed! Not that I’m promoting factions or rivalry, but I want to be to that point where if Christ is being preached that I can rejoice.
I don’t want to be concerned with the opinions that can surround church life. We get so bogged down with the “organization” that we forget about Christ proclaimed. So our methods differ from church to church – is Christ being preached? If yes, Praise God!!!
Do sermon styles differ from one preacher to the next? Yes. But does it really matter if Christ is proclaimed? Why get worked up over delivery when Christ is the center of the message?
Are you one who makes issues out of these areas at your place of worship? If yes you may need to check to see if Christ is proclaimed in your life. Don’t get deceived into thinking there is only one way to proclaim Christ. Do pray that you discern Christ when messages are being presented to you. Do proclaim the biblical, the real Christ in your everyday life. Don’t let a matter of taste in delivery prevent you from hearing the truth that can be found in God’s Word.
15 Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will. 16 The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. 17 The former proclaim Christ out of rivalry, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment. 18 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice.
It’s amazing what the bottom line was for Paul: that Christ was proclaimed! Not that I’m promoting factions or rivalry, but I want to be to that point where if Christ is being preached that I can rejoice.
I don’t want to be concerned with the opinions that can surround church life. We get so bogged down with the “organization” that we forget about Christ proclaimed. So our methods differ from church to church – is Christ being preached? If yes, Praise God!!!
Do sermon styles differ from one preacher to the next? Yes. But does it really matter if Christ is proclaimed? Why get worked up over delivery when Christ is the center of the message?
Are you one who makes issues out of these areas at your place of worship? If yes you may need to check to see if Christ is proclaimed in your life. Don’t get deceived into thinking there is only one way to proclaim Christ. Do pray that you discern Christ when messages are being presented to you. Do proclaim the biblical, the real Christ in your everyday life. Don’t let a matter of taste in delivery prevent you from hearing the truth that can be found in God’s Word.
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