This guest blog comes from Renee Ann Addison Culver (say THAT three times fast!), author of the blog MouseNAround. To Renee “the most important thing …is a person…God, Himself. My prayer is that Christ will be my ever-increasing treasure and that God will use this bent stick to cause others to see and savor Christ. I’ve been a Christian since I was a young girl. I am blessed to be a member of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA).”
Here’s her post:
My husband and I have been looking for a church home for three years. Here’s our problem:
We believe the weekly Christian worship service is primarily for these purposes:
- To receive Christ and His gifts through communion ( we are willing to compromise on weekly communion) and hearing the Word preached… specifically to hear about Christ’s most wonderful work (the atonement) so we can…
- Worship Jesus Christ through song, prayer, and in our hearts
- To participate in corporate confession of sin
We also like corporate confessions of faith, but we hesitate to lengthen our list because we rarely find a church that meets our very first criteria.
Please, someone tell me why I should go to a Christian church service if it is not Christ centered?
Perhaps we would have this problem no matter where we live. I have noticed that many national preachers, who I respect and listen to via podcasts, are speaking very eloquently and doctrinally correct in their “sermons.” But, the setting is all wrong if that is their weekly worship service. Bible and God centered speeches are wonderful. But, if that is what is preached, without Christ and the gospel, during the main weekly worship service, then it might be called Bibli-alatry (idolatry with the object of worship being the Bible). Jesus Christ should be the sole object of our worship. Jesus affirms that the Old Testament testifies about Him.
You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they [the Scriptures] that bear witness about me. John 5:39 (ESV)
Every topic in the Bible should be viewed in light of the finished work of Jesus. It is really all about Jesus. It is about His most wonderful accomplishment: reconciliation of man to God through His atoning death on the cross. I believe that the main weekly Christian worship service should be Christ-centered (Christocentric). Period.
This post was lifted from/ inspired by the following posts :
#1 by Elizabeth Thomas on May 11, 2008 - 4:36 pm
Quote
Renee – I appreciate your comment about the Bible being an idol – that is not one I listed as an idol when I wrote on the subject.
I also like your use of John 5:39. I have been reading Isaiah 40-42 that speaks a lot about idols and about Jesus Christ as our Savior. In fact, the gospel the good news that God sent his son to rescue us is thoroughly examined in Isaiah 40-55.
Elizabeth Thomass last blog post..Back to Idols
#2 by Renee Ann Culver on May 11, 2008 - 5:04 pm
Quote
Elizabeth,
That is a good observation about Isaiah. The gospel really shines in Isaiah… and believe it or not, in Leviticus (the washings, purifications, offerings are shadows of Jesus Christ and His work on the cross).
I think I was perturbed when I wrote this post (that’s my take as I re-read it LOL).
It is so frustrating to live in the Bible-belt and yet have a hard time finding a church that preaches Christ-centered sermons (as opposed to man-centered sermons) on a weekly basis.
Renee Ann Culvers last blog post..links for 2008-05-10
#3 by mlm on May 13, 2008 - 10:23 pm
Quote
Renee,
Interesting thoughts…and thanks for being a guest blogger. I have some questions about your premise though…maybe you can help.
I’ve heard several references (not just from you) about Christ-centered preaching. That all sermons must be Christ centered. What exactly does that mean?
I realize that sermons should come from the Word of God, but what about a sermon on marriage, on family, on worship, etc?
Would those not be considered Christ-centered? What qualifies and what doesn’t? Just wondering what your take is since you’ve probably pondered this more deeply than I. Thanks!
mlms last blog post..Why Are Women So Stupid?
#4 by Renee Ann on May 14, 2008 - 11:55 am
Quote
mlm,
Great questions! I’m afraid the comment would be too long, so I blogged my answer here
http://mousenaround.wordpress.com/2008/05/14/why-christ-centered-sermons/
If there is something that I didn’t address, feel free to ask. I don’t mind at all.
Pingback: Clayton Bell | Online » Blog Archive » Reader Week 2008 Recap