Is it a Christ-Centered Sermon? Part Nine

The Bible identifies idolatry as the sin which is under every other sin. The reason man commits any particular sin is because there is another god before the God (see Exodus 20). Idolatry is not just one sin among many. It is the sin out of which every other sin grows (see David Powlison’s article). It seems to me, therefore, that another way to determine whether a sermon is Christ-centered or not is to answer this question: How does a Christ-centered / gospel-centered sermon address man’s problem with idolatry? If idolatry is man’s foundational problem, then our preaching should address it. So, how might a gospel-centered sermon address man’s problem of idolatry in contrast to a non-gospel-centered sermon? Keller writes:

The “Moralizing” Approach. A very typical approach to personal change among orthodox and conservative Christians can best be called the “moralizing” approach. Basic analysis: Your problem is that you are doing wrong. Repent! This focuses on behavior—but doesn’t go deep enough. We must find out the why of our behavior. Why do I find I want to do the wrong things? What inordinate desires are drawing me to do so? What are the idols and false beliefs behind them? To simply tell a [depressed] person (or yourself) to ‘repent and change [your] behavior’ is insufficient, because the lack of self-control is coming from a belief that says, ‘even if you live up to moral standards, but you don’t have this, then you are still a failure.’ You must replace this belief through repentance for the one sin under it all—your particular idolatry.

The “Psychologizing” Approach. A very typical approach to personal change among more liberal religious groups can best be called the “psychologizing” approach. Basic analysis: Your problem is that you don’t see that God loves you as you are. Rejoice! This focuses on feelings, which seems to be “deeper” than behavior—but it fails to go deep enough. We must also find out the why of our feelings. Why do I have such strong feelings of despair (or fear, or anger) when this or that happens? What are the inordinate desires that are being frustrated? What are the idols and false beliefs behind them? To simply tell an [depressed] person (or yourself) “God loves you—rejoice!” is insufficient, because the unhappiness is coming from a belief that says, ‘even if God loves you, but you don’t have this, then you are still a failure.’ You must replace this belief through repentance for the one sin under it all—your particular idolatry.

The “Gospel” Approach. Basic Analysis: Your problem is that you are looking to something besides Christ for your happiness. Repent and Rejoice! This confronts a person with the real sin under the sins and behind the bad feelings. Our problem is that we have given ourselves over to idols. Every idol-system is a way of works-salvation, and thus it keeps us “under the law.” Paul tells us that the bondage of sin is broken when we come out from under the law—when we begin to believe the gospel of Christ-salvation. Only when we realize in a new way that we are righteous in Christ is the idol’s power over us broken. Sin shall not be your master for you are not under law, but under grace (Romans 6:14). You will only be “under grace” [functionally] and free from the controlling effects of idols to the degree that you have both: (1) repented of your idols, and (2) rested and rejoiced in the saving work and love of Christ instead (Preaching the Gospel in a Post-Modern World, 99-100).

The “moralistic” sermon or the “Christ-as-God-of-Gaps” sermon or the “Christ-as-Example” sermon will only address man’s idolatry on a superficial level. Exemplary sermons do not go deep enough when seeking to provide the hearers with the solution to their sin problems. “Christ was not selfish…You are selfish…So repent of your selfishness” sermons are not the kind of sermons that will shepherd people along the path of substantive spiritual transformation. Only Christ-centered / gospel-centered sermons are able to address man’s real problem, namely, idolatry. Moralistic sermons shoot at the fruit. Christ-centered sermons cut out the root.

This entire series of blog posts thus far can be found here.

*Also, check out this blogger's posts on Gospel-Centered Preaching, here and here.