The Importance of Christ-Centred Ministry
"For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, and will turn away from the truth and will turn aside to myths." 2 Timothy 4:3-4
We live in a day when Christ-centred 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."
Perhaps some of us have been distracted from seeking Christ-centred ministry and have instead 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-centred ministry always faces and have sought to offer a more palatable style. 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 Christ-centred ministry is important? Christ-centred ministry is Biblical. We read that "daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ" (Ac 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 here 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-centred 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 "convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgement" (Jn 16:8). When Peter was confronted with Christ he was brought to his knees crying, "Go away from me Lord; 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-centred ministry. Christ-centred ministry is the only truly practical ministry. As we consider the sin in our own lives we probably realise 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. 2 Corinthians 3:18 teaches us that as we "with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed 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-centred ministry is the only truly practical ministry because it is the only ministry that changes us. Christ-centred 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 along the way home, He is the One who can "sustain the weary one with a word" (Isa 50:4). If the issue is joy, He is the one that 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-centred 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-centred 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-centred 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-centred 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 centres on no less a topic than our glorious Lord. "And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to Myself." (Jn 12:32)
Written by James Martin