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! <><
Hi. So you have the vision for Christ's true mission. Thank you for proclaiming it here in cyberspace. I grew up in Brooklyn and seek to come back to make disciples. Will you be updating this site with good tools? I have some awesome ones, especially focusing on John's Gospel points, the Story and the Glory of Jesus' signs that authenticate His words, mission and power to save to the uttermost! How else will folks believe apart from the words and works of Jesus Himself! Hope to see updates, here! Praise God.
ReplyDeleteIn Calvary's Love, Roy
pilgrimroy@google.com