Power Point Show MP3 audio (April 6, 2025)
Scripture Reading: Acts 20:17-27
Cross-Centered Preaching
Intro.
1. For decades, liberally minded brethren have denounced “book, chapter, and verse” preaching, saying it proclaims “an anemic and distorted gospel” (C. Leonard Allen, The Cruciform Church, 113). The “core gospel” concept has led many away from the “word of the cross” (1 Cor. 1:18).
2. Now, some brethren are falling into the same error, saying we miss “the gospel” if we emphasize obedient faith and the “rules” that are necessarily embodied within it (CENI, Rom. 1:5; 16:26; 1 John 5:3).
3. Failing to recognize the balance between God's grace and saving faith (obedience), they emphasize grace and minimize obedience to the pattern of sound words. Furthermore, they judge you as distorting the gospel and judging them when their error is reproved.
4. What is cross-centered preaching? Is the “word of the cross” polluted and distorted by preaching about baptism, the church, the L.S., mdr, or any other doctrinal matter?
I. THE WORD OF THE CROSS INCLUDES THE WHOLE COUNSEL OF GOD, Acts 20:26-27.
A. The Cross of Christ is Central to the Gospel, 1 Cor. 15:1-4.
-So also, are Christ’s life and resurrection . . . and our salvation if we hold fast the word preached to us, 15:2.
1. Because of the cross, the “word of reconciliation” is preached to the nations, 2 Cor. 5:17-19.
2. The word of reconciliation includes God’s grace and man’s faith (repentance, confession of faith, baptism, and faithful living), Acts 2:36-42; 8:35-39.
3. Preaching the cross includes and demands the pattern of sound words, 2 Tim. 1:10-14 (the faith, 1 Tim. 6:20-21).
a. Pattern (form) is also in 1 Tim. 1:16 (how the gospel saves is a pattern for all to follow, Rom. 6:17-18).
b. Paul preached the gospel (pattern) to Christians, Rom. 1:15.
B. We Understand the Gospel (God’s Pattern) by the Commands, Approved Examples, and Necessary Inferences Revealed in the Scriptures by the Holy Spirit, Eph. 3:3-5; 5:17.
-Commands (Heb. 5:9); Examples (Phil. 4:9); Necessary inferences (Luke 12:54-57; Phil. 1:9-11).
II. THE WORD OF THE CROSS (“the gospel which was preached by me”), Gal. 1:11-12; 1 Cor. 1:17-18, 23; 2:2-5; 4:14-17.
A. Includes Baptism, Acts 18:8. Plan of salvation: H-B-R-C-B, Faithful.
1. Baptism for salvation and the cross are inseparable, Rom. 6:3; Acts 22:16.
2. Faith in the cross demands obedience to doctrine, Mark 16:15-16; Rom. 6:17-18.
B. Includes the Church, Acts 20:25, 28; Eph. 5:25-27, 29.
1. One true church, Eph. 4:4 (1:22-23).
2. Worship: cf. Lord’s Supper, 1 Cor. 11:17-20 (23-26).
3. Organization and work, cf. Acts 20:28-32.
C. Includes Moral Issues, cf. Eph. 5:25-27 (1 Pet. 1:13-17; 4:1-3).
1. Marriage, divorce, and remarriage, Matt. 19:3-9.
2. Husband and wife relationship, 1 Pet. 2:24-3:7.
3. Modest clothing, cf. Titus 2:11-12, 14 (1 Tim. 2:9-10).
Conclusion
1. The whole counsel of God includes God’s grace and kingdom – everything profitable to sinners and saints, Acts 20:20, 24-25, 27.
2. Includes how to discern God’s authoritative truth through His commands, apostolic-approved examples, and necessary inferences from the Scriptures, Col. 3:17.
By: Joe R. Price
Posted April 6, 2025