Give Them Christ

by Stephen A. Seamands

Publisher:

IVP

, 2012

Overview

Much preaching today begins with the hearer's “felt needs” and then moves to how Christianity can solve those problems. But this approach often results in trite Christologies that merely use Jesus as a means to an end or a vehicle for self-improvement. While preachers might not dispense with Christ altogether, other things subtly take center stage and become more important than Christ himself.

Pastoral theologian Stephen Seamands issues a stirring call to rediscover the centrality of Christ in preaching. Deftly blending doctrine and praxis, he revitalizes preaching by focusing on five key dimensions of Jesus' work: his incarnation, crucifixion, resurrection, ascension and return. Seamands highlights how preaching Christ crucified and risen speaks profoundly to the deepest dimensions of human existence. Addressing both the “what” and the “so what,” this exposition helps church leaders declare afresh that Christ alone is supremely sufficient for Christian faith and practice.

Pastors and preachers will find here significant resources for their churches' worship, life together and mission in the world. Become captivated once again by the glory of Christ and find yourself compelled to proclaim his work anew.

Key Features

• Emphasizes the need for a ground theology of Christ in the task of preaching
• Presents a compelling account of how Christ can be made central in formation and communication of the sermon
• Grounds his theology of preaching in the “Message of the Cross”

Contents

• Christ Above All
• Preaching the Incarnation
• Preaching the Cross: Social Evil, Victory, Dying with Christ
• Preaching the Resurrection: New Creation, Lordship, Vindication
• Preaching the Resurrection: Church, Salvation, Life Everlasting
• Preaching the Ascension
• Preaching the Return of Christ

Top Highlights

“In sorting out this ‘kaleidoscope of images,’ New Testament scholar Joel Green shows how they generally revolve around five spheres of public life: the court of law (justification), the world of commerce (redemption), personal relationships (reconciliation), worship (sacrifice) and battleground (triumph over evil).³ Each sheds light on a different consequence of sin that the cross addresses.” (Page 55)

“The point is, God’s plan of redemption in Christ is not primarily about you and me and our personal redemption. It’s about the redemption of all creation. Our individual future, as significant as that is, must be understood in the context of the whole creation’s future, not the other way around. Understanding this, in turn, has profound implications for our present lives. Our purpose is not only to live righteously so we can attain our personal heavenly reward in the afterlife. Our purpose is to be engaged in preparing ourselves, yes, but also our community and our world—indeed, the whole world—for its destined future.” (Pages 107–108)

“Transforming the present in the light of the future—that’s what we’re called to do, and our Easter preaching should challenge our congregations to think about it.” (Pages 108–109)

“Second, lordship signifies, in addition to God’s unconditional claim, God’s absolute claim on us.” (Page 111)

“Christ is the very image of God. The fullness of God dwells in him. He’s the firstborn of all creation, the head over all things, and the head of the church. In him are all the hidden treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Nothing and no one stands as his rival. No one holds a candle to him. He’s in a league of his own. Why in the world, then, would you even think of looking to anyone or anything else for salvation or knowledge of God? It’s there in Christ alone.” (Page 12)

Praise for the Print Edition

With this book, Steve Seamands calls pastors and congregations to remember that Jesus Christ is the heart of the gospel, and not just a means we use to carry out and advance the mission of the gospel. Guided by his love for both theology and the church, Seamands challenges the contemporary trend to offer "Christianity without Christ" and offers instead a well-argued and clearly articulated presentation of the gospel as it is manifested in the whole witness of Scripture. Seamands thus helps us to see how preaching and theology continue to need each other if the church is to be faithful to its calling. This timely work will provide wisdom and encouragement to all who long to see a renewal of preaching in our time.

—Michael Pasquarello III, Granger E. and Anna A. Fisher Professor of Preaching, Asbury Theological Seminary

As a preacher and a teacher of preachers I am profoundly encouraged by Give Them Christ. Seamands has called the pulpit to meet the needs of a generation largely without knowledge of Christian doctrine. Concentrating on the doctrines related to the person of Christ, he demonstrates not only the importance of doctrine but also how exciting and winsome such preaching can be. He offers sound scholarship delivered with passion.

—J. Ellsworth Kalas, professor of homiletics, Asbury Theological Seminary

Nothing is more important than for pastors to lift up Christ in their preaching. Here is a book designed to help them do exactly that--in a way that will help their congregations understand the significance of what Christ has done for their personal lives and their life together.

—Jim Garlow, senior pastor, Skyline Wesleyan Church

Product Details

• Title: Give Them Christ: Preaching His Incarnation, Crucifixion, Resurrection, Ascension and Return
• Author: Stephen Seamands
• Publisher: IVP
• Publication Date: 2012
• Pages: 192
• Resource Type: Monograph
• Topic: Preaching

About Stephen A. Seamands

Dr. Stephen Seamands, is professor of Christian Doctrine. He has served as a professor at Asbury Theological Seminary since 1983. He received a B.A. from Asbury College, 1970; a M.Div. from Asbury Theological Seminary, 1972; a Th.M. from Princeton Theological Seminary, 1974; and a Ph.D. from Drew University, 1983. Dr. Seamands was the 2005-2006 recipient of the Excellence in Teaching and Learning Award at Asbury Seminary. His book, Ministry in the Image of God: The Trinitarian Shape of Christian Service (InterVarsity Press, 2005), received the 2006 Christianity Today Award of Merit for books in the area of church and pastoral leadership. Engaged in and Conducting events in .

Sample Pages from Give Them Christ