Solus Christus stands at the center of the other four solas. Theologian Michael Reeves said that “the center, the cornerstone, the jewel in the crown of Christianity is not an idea, a system or a thing; it is not even ‘the gospel’ as such. It is Jesus Christ.”

If people will be saved, they need to know Christ—and Him alone—as the only Saviour of sinners. Jesus Himself claimed this: “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6). Paul echoed Jesus’ words when he wrote, “For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus” (1 Timothy 2:5).

1. A Christ-Centered Motivation (v.5)
2. A Christ-Centered Message (v.5)
3. A Christ-Centered Manner (v.5)

Paul writes, “We do not preach ourselves” (v. 5). This was a stinging rebuke against the false apostles. Paul is writing this letter to the Corinthian church. Reluctantly, Paul found it necessary to defend His ministry against false teachers who had been criticising him. Here in verse 5, Paul is denying the false charges of these false teachers, but at the same time accuses his critics who themselves did not preach Christ alone, but instead preached themselves. 

When we pursue Christ alone and preach Christ alone we will desire to please Christ alone as we serve others. Anyone who is in love with Christ and deeply, profoundly devoted to Christ, anyone who has established the Lord Jesus Christ as the object of their affections, the singular object of their love is going to manifest humility. They are going to be a servant of the one they love and a servant of those whom the one they love, loves.  

Paul closes in v.6 by stating his conviction. Paul was convinced that salvation is of the Lord; therefore, according to Scripture alone, he proclaimed salvation is by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone—all to the glory of God alone!

Getting Started                          

1. Can you remember a time when you placed your faith in a team, a person, college or job etc, only to be let down? Share your story.  

 Read 2 Corinthians 4:1-6

2. What insight, principle, or observation from Sunday’s sermon did you find to be the most helpful, eye-opening, or troubling?

Digging Deeper

3. In 2 Corinthians 4, Paul is in the middle of major problems. His health is deteriorating, and his reputation and credibility is under attack. Paul reluctantly defends his ministry against false teachers who had been criticising him. What motives does Paul elsewhere say do not fuel his ministry? Consult 2 Corinthians 2:17 and Galatians 1:10.

4.  Note the parallel phrases concluding 2 Corinthians 4:4,6. Write out these phrases, indicating which words from 2 Corinthians 4:4 are parallel to words in 2 Corinthians 4:6. Jot down a few observations that arise from these parallels.
5.  Paul says in verse 5, that he did not preach himself, “but Christ Jesus the Lord” (v. 5). He preached Christ Jesus as Lord. What other “lords” are we tempted to serve and proclaim?

The Heart of the Matter

6. In 2 Corinthians 4:6, Paul compares Christian salvation to the creation of the universe in Genesis 1. Just as God spoke light into existence, so he speaks the light of the knowledge of Christ into our dark hearts. Salvation is utterly from above—it is only of the Lord. While the Lord uses various means of grace to bring the gospel home to sinners—a sermon, a tract, the Bible, a friend, a neighbour—it is the Lord himself who draws us to himself and who opens our eyes. Share with the group when this happened in your life.

7. Paul tells us in 2 Cor 4:5 and Phil.2:5-8, that we are to live and to minister as Christ did—with the attitude of a servant. What are some ways we can improve on this in NLC?