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We Proclaim Jesus, Not Ourselves

Posted on January 14, 2026 by Ministry Tools Resource Center — No Comments ↓

We Proclaim Jesus, Not Ourselves

Scripture makes it clear that outreach is about Jesus and what He did, not about us and what we do.

For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. (2 Cor. 4:5)

The Person We Proclaim is Jesus Christ as Lord, Not Ourselves

Consider these important truths:

Jesus is the One who saves. HE is the message. — We’re His messengers.

Christ is the Messiah. HE is the anointed One. — We’re His servants.

Jesus is Lord. HE is the One people should follow. — We’re proclaimers for Jesus’ sake, not to gain a personal gathering.

The Perspective Needed to Keep the Focus of Outreach on Jesus, Not Ourselves

The verses leading up to 2 Corinthians 4:5 help us maintain perspective. The word “for” with which verse five begins, suggests we look at the context.

v. 1 – “Therefore, since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart.”

We have this ministry of proclaiming Jesus as Lord through God’s mercy, not because of how great we are. We therefore persevere when others fail to acknowledge our part in outreach or when we don’t see results. We mustn’t let proclaiming God’s Good News turn into something that puffs us up.

v. 2 – “Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God.”

Proclaimers of Jesus need lives filled with truth, integrity, and pure motives. Selflessness, not self-centeredness, matches the message we bring. We mustn’t look for personal benefit or acclaim but proclaim the Good News in such a way that everything points to and goes to Jesus.

v. 3-4 – “And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.”

We have a message that not everyone will believe because they have been blinded by the “god of this world.” Expect some opposition. We mustn’t take rejection personally as it is not about people following us but Jesus Christ as Lord.

These verses teach that proclaiming Jesus needs to be about Him, not us. Let’s keep this perspective! We proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord, not ourselves.

For this very reason, the sub-title for the Outreach Ministry Manual is “Turning the Spotlight on Jesus” — how we should view outreach. (Click on the link to check out that resource.)

We Proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord

Posted on January 7, 2026 by Ministry Tools Resource Center — 1 Comment ↓

For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. (2 Cor. 4:5)

We Proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord

About the Outreach of Proclaiming

Before thinking this post only pertains to those who preach from a pulpit, consider these truths:

1) The Apostle Paul wrote this post. He did not serve in the manner of a typical preacher in a church as we know today.

2) The word “preach” in this verse means “to proclaim after the manner of a herald” (Thayer’s Greek Lexicon). A herald brings important news — a messenger.

We have the same Good News (the Gospel) to proclaim as the Apostle Paul. — “that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared …” (1 Cor. 15:3-5)

We Proclaim a Person of Great Significance

The message we proclaim is a Person, not a creed or dogma. And, be sure to note that Person isn’t us. We’re merely the messengers. — “For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord” (2 Cor. 4:5) — We proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord, not merely as a good person or prophet.

The names attributed to this Person not only describe who He is but also point to what He did for us.

Jesus: The angel told Joseph, “you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins” (Matt. 1:21). This name means “Jehovah is salvation” and thus points to Him as God come in the flesh to be our Savior. This is of great significance because the death of a mere human would not satisfy the just demands of a holy God.

Christ: This name points to Jesus as the anointed One, prophesied as the Messiah who would come to carry out God’s plan of salvation (Lk. 2:11; 24:46; Jn. 11:27; 20:31; Acts 26:23). How significant that Jesus fulfilled all the prophecies pointing to the Messiah, thus substantiating His claims.

Lord: “He is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy.” (Col. 1:18) Certainly to be able to save and do what He said He would do, Jesus has to have full authority and power.

Is this the message we proclaim? Do we point people to Jesus Christ as Lord?

What Kind of Bulletin Board Are You?

Posted on October 18, 2023 by Ministry Tools Resource Center — No Comments ↓

Remember those church bulletin boards? If not, perhaps it’s because they lacked appeal. Our lives as believers can have a similar effect. People may not even take note that we’re followers of Jesus. — God’s intent, however, is that our lives make people want to stop and investigate further. We authenticate the message when we reflect His light around us (Matt. 5:14-16).

The Kind of Bulletin Boards that Barely Gets Noticed

It’s easy to pass by bulletin boards that are cluttered or outdated.

1) Cluttered bulletin boards make it hard to tell what really matters.

When our lives are filled with so much busyness, stress, or dysfunction, it’s hard to identify what really matters in our lives.

What is most important, or central, in your life?
Can people see Christ in the midst of all the clutter?

2) Outdated bulletin boards, with images and content that rarely change, lose their relevancy.

When our lives and churches get stuck in ruts and we keep repeating what we’ve always done even it it doesn’t work, it’s hard to imagine that being a Christian makes a difference.

What is Jesus doing in your life today?
Can people see the difference He makes in your life?

Just as it is easy for people to pass by these kinds of bulletin boards and barely notice their existence, so people might dismiss our lives in Christ if we live similarly.

What Makes People Stop and Want to Investigate

A document for Bible Teachers, Make Bulletin Boards Super, provides a number of tips for designing bulletin boards that have a greater potential of getting noticed. The following suggestions have parallels to our lives:

1) Have a central theme.

What a difference it makes when everything we do is because of, for, according to, and through the Lord, to show love to Him and bring glory to His name.

Does your life reflect Jesus in all you say and do? (Matt. 5:14-16)

2) Keep changing.

When people see the transformation Jesus makes in us, they can’t help but notice. They will be drawn to Christ in us. Our lives will make the message look attractive (Titus 2:10).

Are you yielding to the Spirit so you’re becoming more and more Christ-like? (Gal. 5:13-26)

How Bright Is Our Light?

Posted on March 22, 2023 by Ministry Tools Resource Center — No Comments ↓

Sometimes as Christians we act like a light with a dimmer switch. We shine bright when it feels comfortable or convenient, maybe based on the mood we want to set or what people might think about us. But, if we want people to truly see the Light of Jesus in us, that light needs to penetrate the darkness, consistently shining fully. So, the question we must ask ourselves is, “How bright is our light?”

3 Ways to Let Our Light Shine Bright

Our light shines brightest under the following conditions:

1) We must make sure Jesus is our Light Source.

Being a light in the world isn’t something we’re trying to self-generate. Jesus called His followers “the light of the world” (Matt. 5:14-16), the same terminology He used of Himself. When we put our trust in Jesus, we no longer walk in darkness but “will have the light of life” (Jn. 8:12). He gives us His light. — “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light.” (Eph. 5:8) — We cannot generate the kind of intensity of light that truly reflects all goodness, righteousness, and truth” (Eph. 5:9). We just don’t have it in us (Rom. 3:10-24).

2) We must experience His light in the core of our being so it radiates out.

It’s not just about “doing” good deeds but rather those which flow from a heart filled with light (2 Cor. 4:6). When our own hearts are warmed by the light of God’s love and grace, we can rise above the embittered, antagonistic, discontent in this world. That’s when our light has the potential to truly attract people. — “A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart …” (Lk. 6:45)

3) We must let the fullness of who He is shine through us.

When we focus on primarily one aspect of the Lord, it’s like we’re only shining a small ray of light. Jesus came full of both grace and truth (Jn. 1:14). He is a loving God but He is also holy and righteous. To be sure, some will hate the Light in us (Jn. 3:19-20) when the full brilliance of who He is shines through. But, since it is His light in us, they’re offending our Lord, not us. Let’s keep perspective.

When we reflect the Lord from the core of our being in the fullness of who He is, we are letting our light, which is really His light, shine brightly. We might call it lifestyle evangelism which then backs up what we say when we have opportunity to verbally share the Gospel.

Living as Christians in a Fallen World

Posted on September 7, 2022 by Ministry Tools Resource Center — No Comments ↓

As the Church, we need to lay aside our differences and stand as one voice in our Lord, especially as we see the liberal and immoral influences and agendas in our world increase. It’s about living as Christians in a fallen world — the Christ-followers we’re intended to be. Jesus said, “You are the salt of the earth” and “the light of the world” (Matt. 5:13-16).

The world so desperately needs us
to live as salt and light.

It’s About Who We Are Not Just Who We Should Be as Christians

In looking at Matthew 5:13-16, I was struck by how Jesus said we are the salt and light — present tense. He didn’t say we should be or could be. The tense of the verb “are” in the original language is present indicative which indicates a simple statement of fact. We are inherently salt and light because of our life in Him. It is part of who we are as His children.

Now it is possible for salt to lose its saltiness and for light to be covered over so it is not seen. But, salt is still salt and light is still light. Remember, we are salt and light in Him.

Living as Christians Means Living as Salt and Light in Today’s World

To be the salt and light that we are is to be an influence for good in our world. As the light of the world, we will reflect the Lord before others in all His fullness. As salt, we will season the earth with His grace and truth.

Because we are salt and light, we already have what we need to live that way. As 2 Peter 1:3 informs us, we have “everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him.” — No exceptions! No excuses! So, let’s rely on His grace and power to live as Christians.

Here are some posts that give some thoughts on what it looks like for a believer to not just BE but to LIVE as salt and light in today’s world:

Results of Making Outreach a Priority

Posted on September 8, 2021 by Ministry Tools Resource Center — No Comments ↓

God sent Jesus “to seek and save the lost” (Lk. 19:10). The results of making outreach a priority, of making His mission our mission, are significant — the difference between life and death for those who put their trust in the One we proclaim. As we reach out with His heart for the lost, people gain a better understanding of His desire that everyone comes into a relationship with Him so they experience eternity with God rather than apart from Him (2 Pet. 3:9).

3 Results of Making Outreach a Priority

1) People become disciples of Jesus.

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age (Matt. 28:19-20)

2) Fellowship with those who become Jesus’ disciples is made possible.

We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. (1 Jn. 1:3)

3) God is glorified.

All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God. (2 Cor. 4:15)

These results are listed in the Church Purpose Ministry Manual which looks at outreach as one of the ways we fulfill our purpose to love people. The manual also provides some questions to reflect on about your approach to outreach.

Learn More: Resources for Outreach Ministry