Friday

“For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for necessity is laid upon me; yes, woe is me if I do not preach the gospel!” (1 Corinthians 9:16)

There are 3 things of note in this verse: 1. The gospel keeps the preacher humble. 2. One genuinely called is compelled to preach the gospel. 3. There are dire consequences for those who claim to be preachers but do not proclaim the gospel.

1. When the message preached is the gospel message, then the preacher has nothing but Christ to boast in.

2. There is a distinct difference between a speaker who has the burden of an undelivered message, and a preacher who is compelled to share the gospel because what is on Christ’s heart is on his heart.

3. It is not a preacher but the gospel that is the power of God to save. Moreover, the gospel is not just the beginning of the Christian life, it is the Christian life. One does not wade into Christianity through the shallow end of the gospel. The gospel is the pool in which we can swim deeper for eternity and never touch bottom. To fail to preach the gospel is to leave lost people with no direction and saved people with no discipleship.

If people leave church knowing more about the ways of the world, the news, or politics than the gospel, then the message given was that of the culture and not of Christ.

My prayer as a preacher is that when people leave a service they would not say what beautiful singing or what an insightful message (or lack thereof), but ... The gospel is amazing! What a Savior!