SCRIPTURE READING:  I CORINTHIANS 1:18-25

INTRO:  Paul points out for us the importance of the preaching of the Gospel of Christ.

I. PREACHING CHRIST AND HIS GRACE LEADS TO SALVATION.  I Timothy  1:15

   A. The young preacher Timothy read these words of the older apostle Paul.

   B. Preaching Jesus notes His mission in coming to earth.

II. PREACHING CHRIST LEADS TO POWER FOR THE BELIEVER.  Romans 1:16

   A. Paul notes the true Gospel.

   B. None of us should be ashamed of the Gospel of Christ.

III. PREACHING CHRIST POINTS TO HIS LORDSHIP.  2 Corinthians 4:5

   A. Paul notes here the central message of his preaching.

   B. Many churches today are not preaching the Lordship of Christ.

IV. PREACHING CHRIST POINTS TO HIS SUFFICIENCY.  Acts 8:35

   A. The Ethiopian wanted to know more about Isaiah’s prophecy.

   B. “When Jesus is all we have, He’s all that we need.”

V. PREACHING CHRIST LEADS TO FORGIVENESS OF SIN.  Acts 13:38

   A. Acts 13-14 is the story of Paul’s first mission trip.

   B. The result of the preaching is forgiveness of sins.

VI. PREACHING CHRIST FOCUSES ON HIS LIFE, DEATH, AND

       RESURRECTION.  Acts 4:2

   A. What is the focal point of many sermons in Acts?

   B. The two Scriptural ordinances of the church point to these three major

        points of the Gospel.

VII. PREACHING CHRIST IS STILL THE MESSAGE OF THE CHURCH TODAY.

    Acts 28:31

   A. Luke gets the story of the church up to where Paul is in Rome!

   B. Paul preached the kingdom of God and taught concerning Jesus!

VIII. PREACHING CHRIST’S COMING IS STILL THE TASK OF THE CHURCH. 

         Matthew 24:14

   A. The message of the Second Coming is so neglected in many churches.

   B. No wonder we have such a great task before us.

CONCLUSION AND INVITATION