A popular “Christian” musician caused some circles of Twitter to melt down this week with his posts that questioned the centrality of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. Claiming it was a “very limited metaphor” and inferring there is much more important things we can express gratitude to God for. Rightfully so, this caused some outrage, especially from someone who has such influence on the Christian community with his music.
Yet, we at Highlands and Green Pond would refer to ourselves as a “cross-centered,” “gospel-centered,” or “Christ-centered” church. The point is – as culture changes, the temptation will be to de-centralize those things which the Bible maintains are central to the faith.
Last week, we were in John 3:22-36 where John the Baptizer clearly says that it is not about him, but all about Jesus. “He must increase, but I must decrease.” The center of our ministry, our church, and especially our faith must be none other than the gospel of Jesus Christ, and the ultimate expression of this was in his death and resurrection. These are historical facts and the method in which the Father planned, the Son enacted, and the Spirit applies our redemption. There is nothing more central than this.
One compliment I love hearing at Highlands is that we simply preach the Bible, centering on the gospel, and seek to bring application it to our lives. People are refreshed by the simplicity of it, but let us take note – even this simplicity of the gospel message is being challenged. Let us cling to the centrality of the gospel, as it is the only way to make and mature disciples of Jesus!
