21 Nov December 6th Daily Devotion

A SERIES OF DEVOTIONS BASED ON PAUL’S LETTER TO THE  CHURCH AT PHILIPPI

WHAT IS IMPORTANT IS THAT CHRIST IS PREACHED

Philippians 1:15-18 “It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. The latter do so out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.”

There are denominational preachers.  There are independent preachers.  Some preach in the English language.  Many do not.  Some do not always preach the gospel accurately.  Others speak it with great clarity.  St. Paul says, what matters is that “Christ is preached.”

To the Corinthians, Paul wrote,  “Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.” (1 Corinthians 1:24-25) To the Christians in Rome Paul wrote, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel (the message from God about His Son Jesus as the only Savior of sinners), because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.” (Romans 1:16-17)

Paul’s point in today’s devotional verse is preachers may or may not have the right motive for preaching the gospel.  Their motive is not what matters.  What matters is that they preach the gospel.  What is efficacious is that the people are told that their salvation, forgiveness, eternal life is “by God’s grace through faith in Jesus Christ.” (Ephesians 2:8)  What matters is they are told that forgiveness of their sins is given them freely by God out of His undeserved love for them.  They need to hear the Good News about Jesus because He alone is the way to heaven. (John 14:6)

The sainted President of the LCMS, Rev. Dr. Al Barry once wrote, “Keep the message straight. . . For ultimately, the only good news we have to tell is the good news about Jesus.” The world needs to hear the gospel’s message that whoever believes in Jesus shall be saved.

It is not the preacher in whom you place your faith and trust.  Believe in Jesus for forgiveness, life, and salvation.

Prayer:  Holy Spirit, bless my pastor that he preaches the gospel about Christ crucified and work faith in me and all who hear it.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

O God of light, Your Word a lamp unfailing,

Shall pierce the darkness of our earth-bound way

And show Yor grace, Your plan for us unveiling,

And guide our footsteps to the perfect day.

From days of old, through blind and willful ages,

Though we rebelled, You gently sought again

And spoke through saints, apostles, prophets, sages,

Who wrote with eager or reluctant pen.

Undimmed by time, those words are still revealing

To sinful hearts Your justice and Your grace;

And questing spirits, longing for Your healing,

See Your compassion in the Savior’s face.

To all the world Your summons You are sending,

Through all the earth, to ev’ry land and race,

That myriad tongues, in one great anthem blending,

May praise and celebrate Your gift of grace.

(LSB 836)