Putting Christ Back in

Text—1 Tim. 2: 5

Introduction

A. Every December you hear people say, “Let’s put Christ back into Christmas”.

1. Make holiday more meaningful.

2. Less about the gifts, more about the real purpose

3. Can’t put Christ back into something he wasn’t in to begin.

4. No one knows the date of his birth, not our decision to make.

5. Square Peg into a Round Hole

B. Tonight we’ll use the phrase, “Putting Christ back in” for a more biblical use.

Let’s put Christ…

I. “…back into the position of authority.”

A. “All authority”—Matt. 28: 18

1. If has ALL authority, none for others.

2. No pope, Church president, apostles, etc.

B. Conclusion of Sermon on Mount—Matt. 7: 28-29

1. Crowd could tell difference.

2. “You have heard/ But I say unto you”

3. Wasn’t just reciting law; making it.

a. Different—“No one ever spoke like this man”—Jn. 7: 46

b. Even Pharisees spoke from the Law

c. Did not make law.

C. When he speaks, you respond—Jn. 2: 5

1. People listen to everything he said.

2. When he instructed, people followed.

3. Centurion—Matt. 8: 8-10

4. God—Matt. 17: 5, “Hear ye him!” (Segue to next point)

II. “…back in as God’s spokesman.”

A. Matt. 17: 5, “Hear ye him.”

B. Heb. 1: 1-2

1. Prophets of old; God’s spokesman

2. John the Baptist

a. Prophet

b. Hairy mantel; synonymous with Elijah

3. Jesus

4. Mediator between us and God—1 Tim. 2: 5

C. Woman at Well—Jn. 4: 25

III. “…back as the Savior of the world.”

A. Birth—Matt. 1: 21; Lk. 2: 11

B. Heb. 5: 8-9; Lk. 19: 10

C. Paul—1 Tim. 1: 15

D. Many have removed him as savior; relying on gov’t, celebrities, family

E. Must respect and teach his plan for saving man

1. Hear/obey, Believe, Confess, Repent, Baptize

2. Remain faithful and steadfast—1 Cor. 15: 58

IV. “…back in the church as Head.”

A. Eph. 1: 22-23; Col. 1: 18

B. Source of many problems is not recognizing Jesus as head.

1. Decisions made for man’s preference

a. Denominations; different plan of salvation

b. Commanding where not commanded

i. Celebrate Christ’ birth

ii. Take Lord’s Supper monthly

iii. Offering—X amount per year

2. Hope God will approve anyway

3. 2 Jn. 9-11

4. Body can only do as head directs—Eph. 5: 23-24

V. “…back in our homes.”

A. Parents and children must each learn place in the home; get in it and stay in it.

1. Husband is head—Eph. 5: 23

2. Wife is subject to Husband—vs. 22

3. Subject to each other—vs. 21 (United in fear of God)

4. Children subject to parents—Eph. 6: 1-2

VI. “…back in Christians.”

A. “Walk by the same rule”—Phil. 3: 16

B. “Author and finisher of our faith”—Heb. 12: 2

C. “Christ lives in me”—Gal. 2: 20

D. “holy conduct and godliness”—2 Pet. 3: 11

E. “epistle written in our hearts”—2 Cor. 3: 2

F. We need to let the world see Christ living in us—Matt. 5: 16

VII. “…back in the name we wear (Christian)

A. What’s the difference with previous point?

1. In Christians, shown by our lives

a. What we say

b. How we act

2. In the name, shown by who we represent

a. The word “Christian” contains the name Christ.

b. It is the name we need to wear.

c. Acts 11: 26; 26: 28; 1 Pet. 4: 16

B. Most wear the name of a denomination

1. I’m Catholic, I’m Lutheran, I’m Presbyterian

2. Can’t call yourself a Christian if using a manmade name.

3. It’s one or the other, not both.

VIII. “…back in our preaching.”

A. The theme of NT preaching was that of Christ

1. Philip—Act 8: 12 (Also see vs.5, 35)

2. Paul—1 Cor. 2: 1-2; 2 Cor. 4: 5

3. To Timothy—2 Tim. 4: 1-4

B. Today, everything else is preached.

1. Motivational speeches

2. “How to” lessons

3. Acceptance of “alternate lifestyles” (sin)

Conclusion

“Putting Christ back in” is a great idea provided we put him back in the right things”

General Question: Is Christ in your life?

Non-Christians: “Put Christ in your life!”

Straying Christians: “Put Christ back in your life!”

*from an outline by Johnnie Edwards

**Song suggestion—Christ Liveth in Me