11-01-2026 Sermon Title: "JUST PREACH JESUS!”
Primary Scripture: 1 Corinthians 2:1–5
Key Verse: 1 Corinthians 2:2 (NIV)
For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.
Supporting Scriptures: John 12:32; Acts 4:12; Romans 1:16; Philippians 2:9–11; Hebrews 13:8
Central Message: The church does not need a different Savior, a different Gospel, or a different foundation. We need to get back to preaching JESUS!
We live in a world where everybody has something to say.
Politicians have something to say. (Especially this time of year)
The news media has something to say. Social media has something to say.
Everybody has an opinion. Everybody has a platform. Everybody has an agenda.
And sometimes, if we're not careful, the church can get so caught up in discussing everything that's happening in the world that we forget the One who came to save the world!
Pastors preach about politics, about problems, about prosperity.
But somewhere along the way, they need to stop and ask
ARE YOU PREACHING JESUS IN YOUR WORLD?
People don't come to church just to hear another opinion.
They can get opinions on Facebook!
They don't need another motivational speech. They can find one on YouTube!
They don't need another political debate. They can turn on the television!
What this broken, hurting, confused, and divided world desperately needs is JESUS CHRIST!
The Apostle Paul understood this.
Paul was an educated man. He knew the Scriptures. He understood philosophy. He could debate with the greatest minds of his day.
But when Paul came to Corinth, he made a decision.
He said in 1 Corinthians 2:2
“For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. In other words, Paul was saying:
"I could impress you with my education. I could entertain you with my knowledge. I could overwhelm you with my arguments. But I have made up my mind.
I'M JUST GOING TO PREACH JESUS!"
And church, that ought to be our determination today!
POINT 1: PREACH JESUS BECAUSE HE IS THE ONLY WAY TO SALVATION
John 14:6 (KJV)
“Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. ”
Notice what Jesus did NOT say.
He didn't say, "I am one of many ways."
He didn't say, "I am a good suggestion."
He didn't say, "I am an option worth considering."
Jesus said, "I AM THE WAY!"
I’ve LEARNED that salvation is not found in a denomination.
Salvation is not found in a church building.
Salvation is not found in a preacher.
Salvation is not found in religious traditions or 50 version of the BIBLE.
SALVATION IS FOUND IN JESUS CHRIST!
Acts 4:12 declares:
“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”
Not another name! Not another Savior! Not another sacrifice! NOT ANOTHER BIBLE BUT JESUS
I want you to understand something this morning.
You can know every hymn in the hymnal and still need Jesus.
You can serve on every church committee and still need Jesus.
You can attend church every Sunday for fifty years and still need Jesus.
AND I KNOW FOR SURE THAT A PERSON CAN GO TO SEMINARY AND BECOME A PASTOR AND STILL NOT KNOW JESUS
Because Christianity is not simply about knowing church traditions.
It's about knowing JESUS CHRIST as YOUR Lord and Savior!
And that is why I/we must keep preaching Him.
POINT 2: PREACH JESUS BECAUSE HIS LOVE CHANGES LIVES
Romans 5:8 (KJV)
“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
Church, this is what makes the Gospel so powerful.
Jesus didn't wait until we got our lives together.
He didn't wait until we became perfect.
He didn't wait until we cleaned up our mistakes.
HE LOVED US WHILE WE WERE STILL SINNERS!
Think about IT..
When we were lost, He loved us.
When we were rebellious, He loved us.
When we were running in the wrong direction, He loved us.
When we had nothing to offer Him, He loved us.
And that love took Him all the way to Calvary.
They placed a crown of thorns upon His head.
They drove nails through His hands and feet.
They mocked Him. They spit upon Him. They crucified Him.
And hanging there on that cross, Jesus prayed:
Luke 23:34 (KJV)
“Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.”
Now that's love!
POINT 3: PREACH JESUS BECAUSE HE CAME FOR BROKEN PEOPLE
Luke 19:10 (KJV)
“For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.”
I love this Scripture because it reminds us why Jesus came.
He didn't come to establish an exclusive social club.
He didn't come to build a religious organization where everybody pretended to be perfect.
He came to seek and save the lost! Look at the people Jesus ministered to.
He spoke to a Samaritan woman at a well who had a complicated past.
He ate with tax collectors
He touched lepers whom others avoided.
He showed compassion to those who were hurting.
He forgave sinners. He welcomed children.
He restored people whom society had written off.
Let me SAY THIS!
THE SAME JESUS IS STILL CHANGING LIVES TODAY!
MOST OF THE TIME, PEOPLE KNOW WHEN THEY DONE SOMETHING WRONG, THEY DON’T NEED TO COME TO CHURCH AND FEEL CONDIMED….
They need us to point them toward Jesus!
Because Jesus said in Matthew 11:28
“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”
JUST COME TO JESUS!
POINT 4: PREACH JESUS BECAUSE THE CROSS IS STILL POWERFUL
1 Corinthians 1:18 (NIV)
“18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. ”
WE cannot tell people about Jesus without pointing them to the CROSS.
Because the cross is where God's love and justice meet.
The cross reminds us that sin is serious.
The cross reminds us that forgiveness is costly.
The cross reminds us that we could never save ourselves.
And the cross reminds us that God loved us enough to give His only begotten Son.
But here's something we must never forget.
THE CROSS WAS NOT THE END OF THE STORY!
They took Jesus down from that cross.
They placed His body in a borrowed tomb.
They rolled a stone across the entrance.
The religious leaders thought they had silenced Him.
The Roman authorities thought they had finished Him.
Satan thought he had won.
But early on the third day— THE STONE WAS ROLLED AWAY!
And Jesus Christ rose from the dead! The tomb was empty!
Death was defeated! And the Savior was alive!
Church, we don't preach a dead religious leader.
WE PREACH A RISEN SAVIOR!
Jesus declared in Revelation 1:18:
18 I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.”
That's why I preach Jesus!
THE NAME ABOVE ALL NAMED ……JESUS!
CONCLUSION: CHURCH, LET'S GET BACK TO TALKING ABOUT JESUS!
I want to close with a question.
If someone visited our church for the very first time, would they leave knowing more about my/our opinions—or more about our Savior?
Would they hear more about what's wrong with the world, or about the One who came to save the world?
Would they hear more about our disagreements, or about the love of God that can bring people together?
Church, I believe it's time to get back to the heart of the Gospel.
BACK TO JESUS!
WHAT THE WORLD NEEDS NOW IS TO SEE JESUS LIVING THROUGH HIS US!
And let our message always be—
JESUS CHRIST! CRUCIFIED! RISEN!
LIVING! AND COMING AGAIN!
And all God's people said, AMEN!
CLOSING PRAYER
Heavenly Father,
We come before You today with grateful hearts, thanking You for the greatest gift this world has ever received—Your Son, Jesus Christ.
Lord, forgive us for the times we have allowed distractions, disagreements, traditions, and personal opinions to become more important than sharing the Gospel.
Remind us that the church belongs to Jesus.
The message is Jesus. The hope is Jesus.
And the salvation of the world is found in Jesus.
Father, revive our hearts.
Restore our passion for Your Word. Renew our love for one another.
Help us continue to be a church where people experience the love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness of Jesus Christ.
We ask all these things in the precious, powerful, and matchless name of Jesus Christ.
AMEN AND AMEN!
I realize that everyone is comfortable with a public profession of faith in Jesus. If you want the opportunity for salvation is a small intimate environment
Reach out to us by calling of texting 336-338-8037 or southplainfieldfriends.org/ click on contact us and we will guide you through the next steps.
If you’re ready to surrender your life to Christ and to be a part of a loving community of people (THAT AREN’T PERFECT) But will Love you
COME TO JESUS RIGHT NOW………
Say this prayer with me
Jesus,
I know that I need You.
I believe You died for my sins
and rose again to give me new life.
Today, I turn from my old ways
and give my life fully to You.
Please forgive me of my sins,
change me,………and lead me ……from this day forward.
I trust You as my Savior,
Thank You for loving me and saving me.
Amen.
If you said this prayer and truly believe it in your heart, we believe that you are a Christian.
Luke 15:10
10 In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”
Reach out to us 336-338-8037 southplainfieldfriends.org/ click on contact us and we will guide you through the next steps.
Invite someone to come with you here.