Preach the Epistles as the Voice of Jesus

A word to my fellow pastors in the Crossroads Fellowship

“Teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.” — Matthew 28:20

Pastors, we know these words well. The Great Commission isn’t just about going or baptizing—it’s also about teaching. And not just teaching anything, but everything Jesus commanded. That raises a question we must answer with clarity and conviction: When we preach the Epistles—such as Romans, Ephesians, James, or 1 Peter—are we still teaching the commands of Jesus?

Yes. Without hesitation. When we preach the Epistles, we are not teaching new doctrines from Paul, Peter, or John. We are proclaiming the words of Christ—His truth, His commands, His Gospel—as passed down by the apostles under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.

Let me show you what I mean.

The Epistles Are Not New Teachings—They Are Jesus Applied

Each New Testament epistle is rooted in and flows from what Jesus already taught. The apostles weren’t creating a new faith; they were obeying Jesus’ command to “teach them to observe all that I have commanded you.” The Epistles aren’t departures from Jesus—they’re detailed instructions on how to live out His words in local churches.

Let’s look at a few examples:

Romans: Righteousness by Faith

Jesus said, “Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness” (Matt. 6:33). Paul opens Romans by declaring the Gospel reveals “the righteousness of God” (Rom. 1:17). He explains that this righteousness is not earned by works but received by faith—just as Jesus said of the humble tax collector who “went down to his house justified” (Luke 18:14). Romans isn’t adding to Jesus; it’s explaining Him.

1 Corinthians: Unity, Purity, and the Cross

Jesus prayed, “That they may all be one…” (John 17:21). Paul confronts the Corinthian church’s divisions (1 Cor. 1:10–13) and calls them back to unity in Christ. He centers their faith not on human personalities but “Christ and him crucified” (1 Cor. 2:2), echoing Jesus’ own teaching: “I, when I am lifted up… will draw all people to myself” (John 12:32).

Paul’s instruction on church discipline (1 Cor. 5) reflects Jesus’ command in Matthew 18:15–17 about confronting sin within the community of faith. It’s Jesus applied to church life.

Galatians: Freedom and Grace

Jesus said, “If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed” (John 8:36). Galatians is a passionate defense of that freedom—freedom from legalism, from earning God’s favor through works. Paul’s rebuke of Peter’s hypocrisy (Gal. 2) is not theological rivalry—it’s a defense of the truth Jesus preached: that grace alone saves.

Ephesians: The Church as Christ’s Body

Jesus said, “I will build my church” (Matt. 16:18). Paul describes the church as Christ’s body (Eph. 1:22–23) and urges believers to walk in unity, humility, and love (Eph. 4:1–3), reflecting the heart of Jesus’ command in John 13:34–35: “Love one another, just as I have loved you.”

Even Paul’s teaching on marriage in Ephesians 5 draws directly from Jesus’ own view of marriage as a God-ordained, one-flesh covenant (Matt. 19:4–6).

Philippians: Joy in Suffering and Humility

Jesus taught, “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake” (Matt. 5:10). Paul, writing from prison, rejoices in suffering for the Gospel (Phil. 1:12–18). His call to humility in Philippians 2 mirrors Jesus’ own words: “Whoever humbles himself will be exalted” (Matt. 23:12). The Christ-hymn in Philippians 2:5–11 captures the very spirit of Jesus’ life and ministry.

James: Sermon on the Mount in Action

James almost reads like a commentary on the Sermon on the Mount. He writes, “Be doers of the word…” (James 1:22), echoing Jesus’ “Everyone who hears these words of mine and does them…” (Matt. 7:24). James calls out hypocrisy, warns against favoritism, and elevates mercy—just as Jesus did in Matthew 5–7. When James says, “Faith without works is dead,” he’s not opposing Jesus—he’s expounding on what Jesus taught all along.

1 Peter: Holiness and Hope in Suffering

Jesus told His disciples to expect persecution and rejoice when it comes (Matt. 5:11–12). Peter tells the church exactly that—rejoice in trials, follow Christ’s example in suffering (1 Pet. 2:21), and be holy (1 Pet. 1:15–16), just as Jesus said, “Be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Matt. 5:48).

1 John: Love, Obedience, and Truth

Jesus gave a “new commandment”—to love one another as He had loved them (John 13:34). John says, “Whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked” (1 John 2:6). He emphasizes obedience, truth, and love—the marks of a true disciple, just as Jesus did.

When You Preach the Epistles, You Are Preaching Jesus

This has massive implications for us as pastors.

We are not preaching Paul’s opinion or Peter’s ideas. We are preaching Jesus’ teaching, made plain and applied to the church. That means when we quote from Galatians, we’re quoting Jesus. When we call people to holiness from 1 Peter or to generosity from 2 Corinthians, we are speaking with the authority of the Lord, not just the apostles.

This should give us great confidence and clarity in our teaching. It also should shape how we disciple others. Jesus said, “My sheep hear my voice…” (John 10:27). The Epistles help His voice ring out clearly and powerfully in every generation.

Let’s Teach All That He Commanded

Brothers in the Crossroads Fellowship, let’s recommit ourselves to preaching the Epistles—not as a “second layer” of the New Testament, but as the voice of Jesus Christ to His church.

Let’s say with confidence, when we open 1 Thessalonians or Titus, “This is what the Lord Jesus teaches.” Let’s raise up disciples who know that the words of the apostles are the words of Christ, applied to real-life church and mission.

And let’s be pastors who make much of Jesus, especially when we’re preaching from Paul.

“He who hears you hears me…” — Luke 10:16