This is the seventh of a series of reflections of gratitude on 20 years of ministry at GBC.
For many years I have been collecting books about the cross of Christ. I am captivated by the cross and find my heart to a love of Christ by these deep reflections on what was accomplished at the cross.
I first read the statement from Jerry Bridges that I now quote often many years ago: “Preach the gospel to yourself every day.”
When I read verses like Ephesians 4:32 (as I did for yesterday’s sermon) — “forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you” and 2 Timothy 2:8 — “remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead…,” I am stimulated to preach that gospel to myself anew. And that’s good for my soul.
When we are suffering and life and ministry are difficult, we do well to remember Christ and His gospel. He is our life and He is our strength and He is our example.
He is risen from the dead and He is the eternal promise to Israel. He is the very gospel and life. As Paul reminded the Colossians, “He is our life.”
This is what makes people quit jobs and leave comfortable surroundings and go to places like Cambodia and Papua New Guinea and Lebanon to serve Christ. Remembrance of Christ is what led David Brainard to go to the Indians and William Carey to go to India. Remembrance of Christ is what stimulates people to leave home and country for Christ’s sake, and remembrance of Christ is what stimulates people to stay in home and country for Christ’s sake.
Remembering Christ is a way of reminding ourselves of the centrality of the gospel and the singular purpose of ministry — to serve Christ and make Him known.
I think often of the favorite verse of our missionary David Gibson. When multitudes were leaving Jesus because of His teaching, He asked the twelve if they too would leave. And they (through the spokesman Peter) replied, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life” (Jn. 6:68).
Our whole world is trying to make life work without Christ, and it can’t work without Him. And much of what is called the church today, is similarly trying to make ministry work without Christ. And ministry just doesn’t work without Christ.
So when I think about our church and I think about 20 years of ministry, I am thankful for Christ and the gospel which has kept us focused on the task at hand. And I am thankful for the many who have served in years past and in the present out of a commitment to our one and only Savior.
I am thankful for Christ.
Words of Grace 