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Seeing all of scripture as ultimately pointing to the person and work of Jesus Christ.
Key question: “Where is the "red thread" in this passage that leads us to Jesus?”
24,455 sermon illustrations through the Christocentric lens
"'Through Christ'—here is everything. Not merely by Christ's help from a distance, but through union with Him, through participation in His life. His strength becomes ours because we are IN Him. This is no self-help; this is Christ-help through Christ-union." — Karl Barth.
"Jesus is archegos—pioneer, author, founder. He ran the race first; He blazed the trail through death to resurrection. Looking to Jesus is not mere inspiration but participation: we run in His footsteps, by His power, toward His glory. Christ is...
"'I AM the Vine'—Christ Himself is the source of all spiritual life. Not Christ plus our effort; not Christ and our additions—Christ alone. The branches exist only in relation to the Vine; apart from Him, literally nothing. All Christian existence...
"Christ Himself is the way of escape. He was tempted in every way yet without sin—He knows temptation from the inside. We flee TO Him, not just FROM sin. In union with Christ, His victory becomes ours. The faithful God...
"'Come to ME.' Jesus does not point to rest; He IS rest. The destination is not a state but a Person. We don't find rest and then Jesus; we find Jesus and discover He is rest. Everything is located in...
"To delight in the Lord is to delight in Christ—His person, His work, His presence. Jesus is the Yes to every desire of the human heart. In Him we find what we truly want.
"The peace of God guards hearts and minds 'in Christ Jesus.' Location matters: we are IN Christ. His peace is not a commodity we receive but an atmosphere we inhabit. In Him, anxiety has no final word. Christ is our...
"Jesus said, 'I am the light of the world.' The LORD who is David's light IS Christ. He is our salvation—literally, Yeshua. He is our stronghold—the rock on which we build. In Christ, this psalm finds its fulfillment. Whom shall...
"What does 'good' mean in Romans 8:28? The next verse answers: to be conformed to the image of Christ. God's good purpose is not our comfort but our Christlikeness. Everything that happens serves this goal: making us like Jesus." — Dietrich Bonhoeffer.
"Israel waited for the Lord—and the Lord came in Christ. Our waiting is now defined by Him: we wait in Christ, through Christ, for Christ's return. He is both the one we wait for and the strength we receive while waiting.
"The gift is eternal life IN CHRIST JESUS our Lord. Not life apart from Him but life in Him. Christ is the gift; receiving Him is receiving life. The wages were paid at the cross; the gift was won at resurrection.
"The love from which nothing separates is 'the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.' Not abstract divine love but love incarnate, crucified, risen. Christ IS this love; union with Him IS security. In Him, and only in Him, nothing can separate.
"God's mercies find their fullness in Christ—He is the steadfast love that never ceases. Each morning we wake to Christ, to His finished work, to His living presence. 'Great is Thy faithfulness' is sung ultimately about Him: the same yesterday,...
"To taste the Lord is to taste Christ—He is God's goodness in person. In Him we see and taste what God is like. His life, death, and resurrection are the flavor of divine goodness. Taste Christ crucified and risen; see...
"To be transformed is to be conformed to Christ. The renewed mind is the mind of Christ. The living sacrifice corresponds to Christ's sacrifice. We do not offer ourselves abstractly but specifically: in Him, through Him, with Him. Christ shapes everything." — Karl Barth.
"Scripture is lamp and light because it witnesses to Christ, who is THE Light. The Word illumines by pointing to the Word made flesh. We read Scripture to find Him; finding Him, we find our path. Christ illumines through Scripture;...
"Work 'as unto the Lord'—the Lord Christ. Not a concept but a Person; not a principle but a Master. Discipleship extends to the workplace; following Jesus includes following Him into Monday's labor. Christ is Lord there too, and there too...
"CHRIST died—this is particular, personal, historical. FOR US—this is substitutionary, representative. WHILE WE WERE SINNERS—this is grace. The whole gospel is here: Christ pro nobis, Christ for us, Christ in our place. All theology is footnotes to this verse." — Karl Barth.
"'I am the Light of the world'—Jesus says first. Then: 'YOU are the light.' We reflect His light; He remains the source. The world sees our works but glorifies the FATHER—through us, Christ shines; through Christ, the Father is known.
"The Spirit given is Christ's Spirit—the Spirit of Him who faced cross and grave without fear. In Christ, fear has been conquered. The power is His power; the love is His love; the sound mind is His wisdom.
"We are chosen IN CHRIST—the Chosen One. We are priests THROUGH CHRIST—the Great High Priest. We are holy BY CHRIST—the Holy One. Our identity is derivative, participatory, Christological. Apart from Him, we are none of these things; in Him, we...