II Corinthians 4:5 “For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake.”
While preachers ought to present themselves as pleasantly as possible and their messages clear and understandable; the true quality of preaching must not be measured by the etiquette or style or sophistication of the preacher. It must be measured by what the preacher says about “Christ Jesus the Lord” and his humble and submissive demeanor before our Lord. Notice that true preaching is centered around three words: “Christ” and “Jesus” and “the Lord”. As with all words in the Word of God, these words are used with intent and should be carefully considered. The name “Christ” literally means the Anointed, which is the same as the Old Testament “Messiah”; both refer to the act of “God”; for, “God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power” (Acts 10:38). I’m certain that there is more to this anointing than I am aware of, but we do know that at His baptism “the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased” (Luke 3:22). We also know that He held at least two anointed offices; for after the similitude of “Melchisedec” He is both King and High Priest (Hebrews 6:20-7:1). Actually, He “is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords” (I Timothy 6:15). Paul also calls Him, “Jesus”, which means ‘Jehovah Is Salvation’. Through his angel, our Lord defined His name this way, “thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21). That is, His very name declares that He alone is our salvation and the He alone has accomplished every requisite to secure it. Furthermore, our Blessed and Holy “Jesus” authoritatively declared, “this is the Father’s will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day” (John 6:39); that is, NONE LOST! Then, Paul calls Him “Lord” which literally means master and owner! Thus, all that the Father “hath chosen … in him before the foundation of the world” (Ephesians 1:4) are those that the Father “hath given” Him and He call us “My sheep” and tells us that “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me” (John 10:27); that is, “follow” Him in loving obedience. Ultimately, our “Lord” Jubilantly declares, “And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.” (John 10:28)! Such preaching moves us to daily cry, “What shall I render unto the LORD for all his benefits toward me?” (Psalms 116:12)!