Preaching: Dispensing Truth to Be Received (5)

Preaching must be of Christ. Some may question, 'But must nothing be preached but Christ?' Yes, nothing but Christ, or that which tends to Christ. Whatever is done in preaching to humble men, it is to raise them up again in Christ. When men are dejected by the law, we must raise them up again in Christ. Whatever we preach, it must lead to Christ. Once men have been taught Christ then they must also be taught to 'walk worthy of Christ, and of their calling' (Col. 1:10), that they may carry themselves fruitfully, constantly, and every way suitable to so glorious a profession. The foundation and graces for these duties must be in Christ; and the reasons and motives of a Christian's lifestyle must be from Christ. This made Paul, when he was among the Corinthians, to profess no knowledge of anything but of 'Christ, and him crucified' (1 Cor. 2:2). He had arts and tongues and abilities. He was a man who was excellently qualified, but he made show of none of these in his preaching. Only Christ, and the good things we have by Christ.
Now christ must be preached wholly and only. We must not take anything from Christ, nor join anything to Christ. The Galatians believed that the old ceremonies were as necessary as Christ; and the apostle tells them, 'You are fallen from Christ' (Gal. 5:4). It is a destructive addition, to add anything to Christ. Away with other means of satisfaction. The satisfaction of Christ is enough. Away with the merit of works in matter of salvation. Christ's righteousness is that which we must labour to be found in, and 'not in our own' (Phil. 3:9). All is but 'dung and dross' (Phil. 3:8), in comparison to the excellent righteousness we have in Jesus Christ. Paul said, he was 'jealous with a holy jealousy' over those he taught. Why? 'Lest Satan should beguile them and draw them from Christ' to any other thing (2 Cor. 11:2, 3). Those who are true preachers, ambassadors, and messengers, must be 'jealous with a holy jealousy' over the people of God, that they look to nothing but Christ.

Devotional Readings taken from Puritan Richard Sibbes 'Refreshment for the Soul.'
The Fountain Opened, Works, vol. 5, pp. 509-10
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