Why shouldn't Christians emphasize Jesus' earthly ministry as much as His death, burial, and resurrection?
Scripture teaches believers are not to hang as much on Jesus' earthly ministry as on His death, burial, and resurrection, because His shed blood is the power of the Gospel. Since believers are identified with His death, burial, and resurrection, their position is in Christ, and their affection and priorities are to be set above, not on earthly things.
Les explains that from the time of Christ's death, burial, and resurrection, believers are not to hang as much on His earthly ministry as on His death, burial, and resurrection—His shed blood, the power of the Gospel. He then points to being "in Christ" and to Colossians 3, where those risen with Christ are to seek things above, where Christ sits at God's right hand, and set their affection on things above, not on earth. Les clarifies this does not mean being so heavenly minded you're no earthly good or having to live Spartan; it means priorities are heavenward and it is practical Christianity.
Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more.
More Questions
Why shouldn't we only preach about Jesus' earthly ministry, miracles, signs, and wonders?
A lot of today's preaching presents only Jesus in His earthly ministry—His miracles, signs, and wonders—but Paul says that believers are not following any man in the flesh and are not to preach that kind of flesh-based Christ.
What should believers focus on instead of Christ's earthly ministry?
Believers are not to concern themselves that much with Christ's earthly ministry, but rather with the work of the cross, because that is where everything comes to a head.
What are most Christians missing by focusing on the four Gospels?
Most people in Christendom today are doing the exact opposite of what Paul taught: they spend all their time in the four Gospels and Christ's earthly ministry, and they fall short of recognizing that Jesus died the death that had to be died, shed the blood that had to be shed, rose in power over sin and Satan, and is ready to impart it to everyone who simply believes.