Title : Preaching the Gospel
Scripture :
Date : January 23, 2009
Last Updated : N/A
What to teach
Titus 2: 1 NIV
You must teach what is in accord with sound doctrine.
We must not teach people our own ideals or opinions, but teach the Word of God. We must not lead others astray. Read the Bible to gain more and more knowledge about God, His love for us and His Salvation.
How you teach
Titus 2: 7-8 NIV
In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.
Some people may not accept God's word if we do not set the proper example. They may say, "Why should I believe, or why should I obey if you do not obey?" If we live according to His word, if we are not only hearers, but doers of the Word, they will find no fault.
Usefulness of what you are teaching
2 Timothy 3:16-17 NIV
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
The Bible is God's word, not those of men.
Why you teach
2 Timothy 4:2-5 NIV
Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. For, the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, and discharge all the duties of your ministry.
Always be armoured, equipped and prepared with the word of God. Read your Scriptures and memorize them. Tell others about God's salvation and of His love for mankind. We are already living in the times when people do not live according to the Scriptures because it contradicts their own desires. So they teach of a way of life which suits them. They teach what people want to hear, rather than God's truth. Continue to live a life pleasing to God. Hard times may come but continue to look up to God, continue to trust and obey Him for the furthering of His kingdom.
To whom you teach
Matthew 28: 18-20 NIV
Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 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."
Jesus has authority over all things. So I'm pretty sure that if Jesus tells us to do something, we should do it. He tells us to make disciples of all nations. Yes, evangelism is good, and necessary, but it is not over after they receive the word of God. It's not like, "Ok, they became a Christian, that's it, my work is done". If we are to also make them disciples of Jesus, we should stay with them, mentoring them and teaching them how to preach to others so that His word may spread throughout the world.
Do not be afraid
Matthew 10: 28 NIV
Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.
Some may not accept the Gospel right away, and some may never accept it, but don't be afraid of them. Don't be afraid of what they may do, or say to you. Men can destroy the body, but they cannot destroy the soul.
Do not be ashamed
Matthew 10: 32-33 NIV
"Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven. But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven.
Do not be ashamed of being a Born-Again Christian. There is no shame in being a Christian. Jesus says that if we are ashamed of Him here on earth in front of our friends, He will be ashamed of us in front of the Father in the time of judgement.
Do not be ashamed
Matthew 10:39 (The Message)
If you don't go all the way with me, through thick and thin, you don't deserve me. If your first concern is to look after yourself, you'll never find yourself. But if you forget about yourself and look to me, you'll find both yourself and me.
Paul was not ashamed
Romans 1:16-17 NIV
I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. For in the gospel righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: "The righteous will live by faith."
Do not be ashamed of His word. If we don't tell people about Christ, how can we lead them to Christ? How will they be saved too?
God will protect you
2 Timothy 4:16-17 NIV
At my first defence, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them. But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was delivered from the lion's mouth.
There is the saying, "Stand up for what is right, even if it means standing alone." We may have other Christian friends who are not bold enough to share their faith, but don't worry, because God is by your side at all times.
What to expect; God will direct you
Matthew 10:19-22 NIV
But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. "Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death. All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.
There are places in the world where people are imprisoned for teaching the Gospel, and there are other parts where people are teased and made fun of when they teach the Gospel. In 1 Corinthians 1: 18, it is written, "For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." In the process, you may make friends, lose friends, save family members, or lose them. Though it may seem hard, just imagine this: You both were to die today and both of you receive your judgements. You're going to heaven, and they are going to hell. What would you tell them, should they turn to you and say, "You knew about Jesus and His salvation all this time, and you never told me?"
Final Remarks
Preaching the word of God is like planting a seed. We may not see results immediately because seeds take time to grow. Some may totally reject it, but for others, what you will tell them will stick with them. And every now and then, it will come back to them. Sometimes it takes a personal experience, or more preaching to make sense of what you said. But just do the work of God. If they do not respond to it right away, (I don't mean the same day, but within days, or weeks; it depends on each person), continue to be patient, loving and to set a good example, and let God take care of the rest.
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