The Preeminent Christ
E.A. Johnston passionately calls believers to restore the preeminence of Christ in every aspect of life and church, urging repentance from worldly compromises and wholehearted devotion to Jesus as Lord.
In this compelling sermon, E.A. Johnston emphasizes the vital importance of restoring Christ's preeminence in the church and in believers' daily lives. Drawing from key biblical passages, Johnston challenges the church to repent from worldly compromises and to fully surrender to Jesus as Lord. He passionately calls for a Holy Spirit revival that reestablishes Christ's rightful place as head of the church and master of every believer's heart. This message inspires a renewed commitment to living a Christ-centered life marked by devotion, obedience, and holiness.
Full Transcript
In Colossians 118 we read, and he is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things he might have the preeminence. The title of my message today, friends, is The Preeminent Christ. What's happened in our churches is a crime, because in our attempt to reach the world, we let the world into the church, and when we did that, we grieved the Spirit of God away.
All of our fleshly efforts and man-centered methodologies haven't made a dent in our communities, which are going to hell by droves. We need to repent, and turn from our wicked ways, and cry out to God for a Holy Ghost revival, to make a way for Christ to have the prominence and preeminence in our sanctuaries once again. Christ's preeminence must be in our daily living.
I've known some men where Christ was prominent in them. When you spent time with them, they made you more thirsty for Jesus. We see the preeminence of Christ, friends, in the following verses of Scripture.
John 3.31 declares, He that cometh from above is above all. He that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth. He that cometh from heaven is above all.
Romans 14.9 states, For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living. His Lordship is an acknowledgment of his preeminence. Go take a walk through the book of Hebrews, and you will soon find that Christ is more excellent than the angels, more excellent than Moses.
The preeminence of Christ runs all the way to the book of Revelation, where in chapter 1 and verse 11 we read, Saint I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last. The preeminent Christ must be Lord of our lives. Self must be dethroned, and another enthroned there, the Lord Jesus Christ.
There must be no compromise on the absolute Lordship of Jesus Christ. Christ must have first place, first call, and first allegiance. We must redirect our all to a Christ-centered life, for if he is not Lord of all, he is not Lord at all.
We must direct all of our talents, and influence, and energies to getting right with the Lord. The risen Christ reproved the church at Ephesus, because thou hast left thy first love. Remember therefore, from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works.
We need to repent, and do the first works as well, and return back to the preeminent Christ, who deserves our all, because he gave his all for us. We need to realize the fact that when we were saved, we were bought with a price, and that price was his blood. Therefore, our time is not our own.
Our money is not our own. Our body is not our own. Christ must be a complete master.
We must redirect all we are, and all we have, so that in all things he might have the preeminence. Let us pray.
Sermon Outline
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I
- Christ's preeminence declared in Scripture
- The loss of Christ's prominence in modern churches
- The need for repentance and revival
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II
- Biblical evidence of Christ's supremacy (Colossians, John, Romans, Hebrews, Revelation)
- Christ as Lord of the living and the dead
- Christ's superiority over angels and Moses
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III
- The call to dethrone self and enthrone Christ
- No compromise on Christ's absolute lordship
- Redirecting talents and energies to Christ-centered living
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IV
- Remembering our salvation price paid by Christ's blood
- The church's need to return to first love and first works
- Living a life where Christ has first place in all things
Key Quotes
“What's happened in our churches is a crime, because in our attempt to reach the world, we let the world into the church, and when we did that, we grieved the Spirit of God away.” — E.A. Johnston
“Christ must have first place, first call, and first allegiance. We must redirect our all to a Christ-centered life, for if he is not Lord of all, he is not Lord at all.” — E.A. Johnston
“We need to repent, and do the first works as well, and return back to the preeminent Christ, who deserves our all, because he gave his all for us.” — E.A. Johnston
Application Points
- Examine your life to ensure Christ holds the highest place in your priorities and decisions.
- Repent from any worldly influences or compromises that have crept into your faith or church community.
- Commit your talents, time, and resources fully to advancing Christ's kingdom and glory.