Have you ever heard someone say, "preach the gospel at all times, and if necessary use words?" This famous quote is credited to Francis of Assisi. Imagine if I said, "make sick children well, and if necessary use medicine." Those that say that words are not necessary when preaching the Gospel have never read and obeyed the New Testament. Jesus used words, so did the disciples, and the early Church, so why would we not our examples?
I once shared the Gospel with a family following a wedding. Some Christians at the wedding got upset with me because of all the people I shared the Gospel with this one particular family was very offended. Yet this is the method God has implored for His Gospel to go forth. Paul wrote, "For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe (1 Cor 1:21).
Consider the following story from Voice of the Martyrs. "Pastor Stephen Mir was attacked by a mob, angry he had started a small evangelical Church in Bangladeshi village. They beat him and shot him in the face. Through VOMedical, Pastor Mir received reconstructive surgery. With his rebuilt mouth he continues to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ."What would you have done? Would you have continued to preach Christ, with the mouth God gave you?
1 Corinthians 1:21 states the IT PLEASE GOD which is what needs to be the main focus of our lives. We should long to please the God we proclaim to serve. How was God was pleased? God was pleased through the foolishness of the message preached to SAVE those who believe." This world and many even in "churches" or other "Christians" may tell you not to preach because you too may offend someone. Would you rather risk offending a person by preaching the GOSPEL to please God, or would you rather offend GOD, by holding your tongue and seeking to PLEASE people?
Matthew wrote, “Whatever I tell you in the dark, speak in the light; and what you hear in the ear, preach on the housetops. and do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell (Matt 10:27-28)." Who should be our focus God or man? Paul words likewise should pierce our hearts. "How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written:“How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace,Who bring glad tidings of good things!”
Be encouraged! Go and preach what the savior gave you...His Gospel! <><
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Friday, July 3, 2009
The Death of Michael Jackson and eternity!
Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified. 6 But I trust that you will know that we are not disqualified (2 Cor. 13:5-6).
Michael Jackson has died, but was he really ready to go? His music was legendary and his fame extended around the globe earning him the title, “The king of pop.” He had plans to perform a 50 show comeback tour, to represent each of the 50 years of his life. However, his plans were interrupted by death! When the king of pop died, he instantly stood before another King, the King of Kings, Jesus Christ. Was Michael prepared to meet the Savior? Was Michael received into glory or was he sent to Hell? Justin Taylor wrote, “He is dead at the age of 50. He had everything the world offered--but no Jesus.I remember once looking at the liner notes from an album of his, and he quoted the final lines from William Ernest Henley's famous poem, Invictus:
I am the master of my fate:I am the captain of my soul.
Those are not the words you want written on your tombstone.”
Among his many popular songs, one song in particular seemed to send a message for people to examine their lives to see if their lives matched up rightly, and if not people should change their ways. The song I am referring to is called man in the mirror. The following is the chorus of the song:
I’m starting with the man in the mirror
I’m asking him to change his ways
And no message could have been any clearer
If you want to make the world a better place
Take a look at yourself and then make a change
Take a look at yourself and make a change is the particular area I want to focus on. How much can a person change their own life? If you are over weight you can exercise and diet; if you smoke you can quit; if you dislike where you live you an move, etc…. But what can you do about your sin, which is humanities GREATEST problem? One can only change in so many areas. President Obama ran his campaign on the word change, but does he, the government, or anyone else the answer for sin?
How do you look when you gaze into the mirror of God’s Law (The 1o Commandments) do you see a truth-teller, or a liar? If you lied, even once, that makes you a liar. Do you see a giver or a thief (one stolen item irrespective of it’s value, makes you a thief)? Have you always honored God’s name or have you taken it in vain (used it as a swear word to express discuss or used it irreverently in any way)? The Bible says that God will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain (Exodus 20:6).
If and when God judges by the 10 Commandments, will you be innocent or guilty of violating His Law? If you are honest, then you will be and are currently guilty just like the rest of us?
Another famous song has the following words:
Amazing grace! how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see
These words written by an ex slave ship captain which plied the slave trade named John Newton. "Although he had had some early religious instruction from his mother, who had died when he was a child, he had long since given up any religious convictions. However, on a homeward voyage, while he was attempting to steer the ship through a violent storm, he experienced what he was to refer to later as his “great deliverance.” He recorded in his journal that when all seemed lost and the ship would surely sink, he exclaimed, “Lord, have mercy upon us.” Later in his cabin he reflected on what he had said and began to believe that God had addressed him through the storm and that grace had begun to work for him. For the rest of his life he observed the anniversary of May 10, 1748 as the day of his conversion, a day of humiliation in which he subjected his will to a higher power. “Thro’ many dangers, toils and snares, I have already come; ’tis grace has bro’t me safe thus far, and grace will lead me home.” He continued in the slave trade for a time after his conversion; however, he saw to it that the slaves under his care were treated humanely.” The rest of his story can be found at http://www.anointedlinks.com/amazing_grace.html
Although slavery should have never been, there is a greater slavery that still exists, and that is being a slave to sin. If you were honest, the you too realized that the 10 Commandments exposed how you too are a slave to sin. Like Michal Jackson suggests, and John Newton implored, take a look at yourself, and make a change. However, you cannot make this change, only Christ can make the change in you if you repent of your sin and put your trust in Christ. His grace saved a wretch like me and can save a wretch like you too! Call out for His amazing grace to save you today!
Luke writes, “Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord (Acts 3:19).” “Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved (Acts 4:12).” John writes, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. “18 “He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. 21 But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been vdone in God (John 3:16-21).”
Just as death seized Michael and came unannounced so too death will one day grab you. Don't be caught unprepared without the Savior, Jesus Christ.
Until the nets are filled....
By Phil Sessa <><
v [John 15:4, 5]; 1 Cor. 15:10
Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified. 6 But I trust that you will know that we are not disqualified (2 Cor. 13:5-6).
Michael Jackson has died, but was he really ready to go? His music was legendary and his fame extended around the globe earning him the title, “The king of pop.” He had plans to perform a 50 show comeback tour, to represent each of the 50 years of his life. However, his plans were interrupted by death! When the king of pop died, he instantly stood before another King, the King of Kings, Jesus Christ. Was Michael prepared to meet the Savior? Was Michael received into glory or was he sent to Hell? Justin Taylor wrote, “He is dead at the age of 50. He had everything the world offered--but no Jesus.I remember once looking at the liner notes from an album of his, and he quoted the final lines from William Ernest Henley's famous poem, Invictus:
I am the master of my fate:I am the captain of my soul.
Those are not the words you want written on your tombstone.”
Among his many popular songs, one song in particular seemed to send a message for people to examine their lives to see if their lives matched up rightly, and if not people should change their ways. The song I am referring to is called man in the mirror. The following is the chorus of the song:
I’m starting with the man in the mirror
I’m asking him to change his ways
And no message could have been any clearer
If you want to make the world a better place
Take a look at yourself and then make a change
Take a look at yourself and make a change is the particular area I want to focus on. How much can a person change their own life? If you are over weight you can exercise and diet; if you smoke you can quit; if you dislike where you live you an move, etc…. But what can you do about your sin, which is humanities GREATEST problem? One can only change in so many areas. President Obama ran his campaign on the word change, but does he, the government, or anyone else the answer for sin?
How do you look when you gaze into the mirror of God’s Law (The 1o Commandments) do you see a truth-teller, or a liar? If you lied, even once, that makes you a liar. Do you see a giver or a thief (one stolen item irrespective of it’s value, makes you a thief)? Have you always honored God’s name or have you taken it in vain (used it as a swear word to express discuss or used it irreverently in any way)? The Bible says that God will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain (Exodus 20:6).
If and when God judges by the 10 Commandments, will you be innocent or guilty of violating His Law? If you are honest, then you will be and are currently guilty just like the rest of us?
Another famous song has the following words:
Amazing grace! how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see
These words written by an ex slave ship captain which plied the slave trade named John Newton. "Although he had had some early religious instruction from his mother, who had died when he was a child, he had long since given up any religious convictions. However, on a homeward voyage, while he was attempting to steer the ship through a violent storm, he experienced what he was to refer to later as his “great deliverance.” He recorded in his journal that when all seemed lost and the ship would surely sink, he exclaimed, “Lord, have mercy upon us.” Later in his cabin he reflected on what he had said and began to believe that God had addressed him through the storm and that grace had begun to work for him. For the rest of his life he observed the anniversary of May 10, 1748 as the day of his conversion, a day of humiliation in which he subjected his will to a higher power. “Thro’ many dangers, toils and snares, I have already come; ’tis grace has bro’t me safe thus far, and grace will lead me home.” He continued in the slave trade for a time after his conversion; however, he saw to it that the slaves under his care were treated humanely.” The rest of his story can be found at http://www.anointedlinks.com/amazing_grace.html
Although slavery should have never been, there is a greater slavery that still exists, and that is being a slave to sin. If you were honest, the you too realized that the 10 Commandments exposed how you too are a slave to sin. Like Michal Jackson suggests, and John Newton implored, take a look at yourself, and make a change. However, you cannot make this change, only Christ can make the change in you if you repent of your sin and put your trust in Christ. His grace saved a wretch like me and can save a wretch like you too! Call out for His amazing grace to save you today!
Luke writes, “Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord (Acts 3:19).” “Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved (Acts 4:12).” John writes, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. “18 “He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. 21 But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been vdone in God (John 3:16-21).”
Just as death seized Michael and came unannounced so too death will one day grab you. Don't be caught unprepared without the Savior, Jesus Christ.
Until the nets are filled....
By Phil Sessa <><
v [John 15:4, 5]; 1 Cor. 15:10
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