What is wrong with preaching that only focuses on Jesus' miracles and earthly ministry?
Preaching that centers only on Jesus’ miracles, signs, and earthly ministry stops before the cross. Paul says we now know no man after the flesh; Christ before the cross was not the object of salvation as He is after. Believers are attached to the risen, ascended Christ, and it is the work of the cross that makes salvation possible.
Les teaches that much preaching today is like what Paul confronts: Sunday after Sunday it focuses on Jesus in His earthly ministry—His miracles, signs, and wonders. But Paul says, “Henceforth we know no man after the flesh.” Les explains that this does not deny it is the same man and same God, but the Christ before the cross was not the object of our salvation as He is after the cross. The work of the cross—His death, burial, and resurrection—makes our salvation experience possible. Now He is ascended in glory, and that is the Christ believers are attached to. So preaching should not stop at the pre-cross earthly ministry but should take Christ after the work of the cross.
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.