One of the criteria used for the evaluation of sermons is whether the message presented is ‘Christ-centred.’  We insist on this for we are not just followers of Christ, but we believe in Christ.   We firmly believe Scripture to teach that Jesus is the only way for sins to be forgiven and the only ‘Door’ through which all must enter eternal life to glory.    

In fact, all of Scripture and all of salvation history, from Genesis through Revelation, is about Jesus.  It’s about Him coming as the future Messiah from God’s chosen Old Testament covenant people.  It’s about His arrival as the baby in a manger who grew to be the perfect sacrificial Saviour for sinners who repent.  It’s about the future return of the resurrected Jesus as King with whom all the redeemed will share glory.  Therefore, we expect ‘Christ-centred’ messages from God’s Word. 

I emphasize being ‘Christ-centred’ for occasionally Christian messages contain a lot of ‘God’ talk, but every little ‘Jesus’ talk.   I agree that some preachers and other Christian speakers are probably referring to the Triune God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit when they say ‘God.  However, with respect to them, that may be being ‘Triune’ centred, but it is not being ‘Christ-centred.’   

There are many people in society and even amongst other religious groups who are very comfortable with ‘God’ talk.  The modern-day Jew is comfortable with ‘God’ talk, as is the Muslim, but neither believe that Jesus is the Son of God or the Saviour they need.   Sometimes enthusiastic Christians say they have found ‘God,’ – great, but say some more please!  For unless they can say they know Jesus as Saviour and Lord, they cannot know ‘God the Father’ (John 10:30, 1 Jn 1:22-23).

Now some Christians may suggest this is taking ‘Christ-centredness’ too far for Scripture reminds us that everything is done for the glory of God the Father.  Jesus said His goal in coming was to glorify His Father in heaven (Jn 12:28 see also Rom 15.6).   However, by making Jesus and His work of salvation clearly known is the best way of bringing glory to our dear Father in heaven (Phil 2:9-11).  The same could be said about the work of the Holy Spirit who makes Jesus known through God’s Word, again, all to the glory of the Father. 

J.C Ryle, makes the following comment in one of his devotions, “The man who makes much of Christ is a pastor after God (the Father’s) own heart, whom God delights to honour.  The minister who makes little of Christ is one whom God (the Father) regards as an imposter …If we would know the value of a man’s ministry, we must never fail to ask, “Where is the Lamb?  Where is the Door? Does he bring forward Christ and give Him His rightful place?”  (J.C. Ryle Daily Readings from all four gospels May 4 pm) JZ.