THEME: BEAUTIFUL FEET, ISAIAH 52: 7
TOPIC: A Private in God’s Army
DATE: Sunday, September 2nd, 2007
TEXT: Romans 10: 1-17; 1 Co 6: 9-11
SPEAKER:Dixon Olu. David
OUTLINE:
Introduction
Good news always gladdens the heart of both the bearer and the hearers of such news.
Such news brings with it a sense of reality and the desire to partake of it. Its’ impart, when shared abroad, is always immeasurable.
Such is the good news of Christ Jesus we have been called to bear and proclaim to all men.
We shall do well in proclaiming it as we take time to understand our seven roles as a Private in God’s army:
1. A Witness
2. A Messeger
3. A Follower
4. A Missionary
5. A Farmer
6. A Fisherman
7. A Co-labourer with God
Conclusion
God can use you. In fact, he wants to use you. He has sent you.
Introduction:
1. You are a Witness
A witness is somebody who sees something; somebody who saw or heard something that happened and gives evidence about it.
In the Christian context, a witness is somebody who testifies to Christian beliefs; somebody who publicly testifies to strong personal Christian beliefs.
In law, a witness is a signatory of a document; somebody who signs a document to show that it, or a signature on it, is genuine.
Put together, a witness bears witness to prove or be evidence that something is true or that something happened.
In the light of these, may I today know who among us has experienced Christ Jesus as Savior of her soul?
How many of us can show evidence that Jesus has changed their lives and that they are better of for it?
Who among us can truly declare that Jesus is worth having?
Are you a living witness to these facts? Then congratulations. You have been recruited as a captain in God’s army to tell the world just what Jesus means to you. The good news is not about what you were before, but about whom Jesus is, what he has done, and what he has made of you.
In his first letter to the Corinthians, Paul reminded the Christians in Corinth about this:
Read 1Co 6:9-11
9Or don’t you know that the unrighteous will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Don’t be deceived. Neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor male prostitutes, nor homosexuals,
10nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor slanderers, nor extortioners, will inherit the Kingdom of God.
11Such were some of you, but you were washed. But you were sanctified. But you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and in the Spirit of our God.
Here Paul takes occasion to warn them against many heinous evils, to which they had been formerly addicted.
In the words of Matthew Henry,
I. He puts it to them as a plain truth, of which they could not be ignorant, that such sinners should not inherit the kingdom of God. The meanest among them must know thus much, that:
1. the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God (1Co_6:9), shall not be owned as true members of his church on earth, nor admitted as glorious members of the church in heaven.
2. All unrighteousness is sin; and all reigning sin, nay, every actual sin committed deliberately, and not repented of, shuts out of the kingdom of heaven.
3. He specifies several sorts of sins: against the first and second commandments, as idolaters; against the seventh, as adulterers, fornicators, effeminate, and Sodomites; against the eighth, as thieves and extortioners, that by force or fraud wrong their neighbours; against the ninth, as revilers; and against the tenth, as covetous and drunkards, as those who are in a fair way to break all the rest.
4. Those who knew any thing of religion must know that heaven could never be intended for these. The scum of the earth are no ways fit to fill the heavenly mansions. Those who do the devil’s work can never receive God’s wages, at least no other than death, the just wages of sin, Rom_6:23.
II. Yet he warns them against deceiving themselves: Be not deceived.
1. Those who cannot but know the fore-mentioned truth are but too apt not to attend to it.
2. Men are very much inclined to flatter themselves that God is such a one as themselves, and that they may live in sin and yet die in Christ, may lead the life of the devil’s children and yet go to heaven with the children of God. But this is all a gross cheat. Note, it is very much the concern of mankind that they do not cheat themselves in the matters of their souls.
3. We cannot hope to sow to the flesh and yet reap everlasting life.
In Albert Barnes’ words, the admonition- Be not deceived – is a most important direction to be given to all. It implies:
(1) That they were in danger of being deceived:
(a) Their own hearts might have deceived them.
(b) They might be deceived by their false opinions on these subjects.
(c) They might be in danger of being deceived by their leaders, who perhaps held the opinion that some of the persons who practiced these things could be saved.
(2) It implies that it was of high importance that they should not be deceived. For:
(a) The soul is of infinite value.
(b) To lose heaven - to be disappointed in regard to that will be a tremendous loss.
(c) To inherit hell and its woes will be a tremendous curse. O how anxious should all be that they be not deceived, and that while they hope for life they do not sink down to everlasting death!
That was the bad news part of the story – bringing out their dirty linens!
Now listen to the good news. He puts them in mind what a change the gospel and grace of God had made in them:
Such were some of you (1Co_6:11), such notorious sinners! Some of the worst classes had been converted.
Is it not true in our midst today that some that are eminently good after their conversion have been as remarkably wicked before? Quantum mutatus ab illo! How glorious a change does grace make! It changes the vilest of men into saints and the children of God.
Such were some of you, but you are not what you were. You are washed, you are sanctified, you are justified in the name of Christ, and by the Spirit of our God.
What does all these portends?
1. It indicates to us that the wickedness of men before conversion is no bar to their regeneration and reconciliation to God. The blood of Christ, and the washing of regeneration, can purge away all guilt and defilement.
2. It shows that we are not to despair of reclaiming the most abandoned and wretched people. If Jesus could save and transform Saul of Tarsus to Paul the missionary, how much more you.
3. It is well for Christians to look back on what they once were. It will produce:
a. Humility,
b. Gratitude, and
c. A deep sense of the sovereign mercy of God. It’s just all of GRACE, lest any should boast.
4. It should inspire an earnest desire in us that others may be recovered and saved in like manner; compare Eph_2:1, Eph_2:2; Eph_5:8; Col_3:7; Tit_3:3, Tit_3:6 – If God could save you, then He can save others as well.
This is the good news we have all been called to be witnesses to.
And such were some of you….
And such was I.
My life testimony:
Oh! What a wonderful, wonderful day
Day I will never forget.
After I wander in darkness away,
Jesus my Savior I met;
Oh, what a tender Compassionate friend,
He met the needs of my heart,
Shadow dispelling with joy I am telling,
He made all the darkness depart.
Heaven came down and Glory filled my soul,
When at the cross my Savior made me whole.
My sins were washed away,
And my night was turned to day!
Heaven came down and Glory filled my soul!
With my heart so overwhelmed, with no regret nor loss, but joy and admiration, now I can say, “Thank You LORD for saving me.”
Yes, just as if it was yesterday, but thirty-two years ago (May 20th, 1975), it happened! Now I have a new way of living. The gospel of Christ performed a heart-transplant in me. I now long after things pertaining to and of God.
Before the change, wickedness describes the type of life being lived. Fighting and disobedience were my hobbies. “AKEREKORO,” meaning, “SMALL AND BITTER,” was the nickname. Going to school on Monday morning with a clean white shirt was a thing worthy of commendations. In fact, “Small and Bitter” was known!
Small wonders then when his life was changed that his teachers could not explain the change. Dad too was embarrassed by the change. The only possible explanation they could give was “He is now ‘an S.U.’”!
If being ‘an S.U.’ (as Christians are derogatorily called,) changes one’s life for the better, what else then does the whole world need? Really, it is an encounter with Christ that changes life for the better.
“Though your sins are as scarlet,” I was assured, “they shall be as white as snow.” I can now with grateful heart to God testify:
My sin – oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin – not in part, but the whole,
Is nailed to His cross, and I bear it no more:
PRAISE THE LORD! PRAISE THE LORD! O my soul.
And such are some of you here today…..
The same old story I bring to you today. I testify to you today that:
Tho’ your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow
Tho’ your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow
Tho’ they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool;
Tho’ your sins be as scarlet,
Tho’ your sins be as scarlet,
They shall be as white as snow
They shall be as white as snow.
Hear the voice that entreats you, O return ye unto God!
Hear the voice that entreats you, O return ye unto God!
He is of great compassion, and of wondrous love;
Hear the voice that entreats you,
Hear the voice that entreats you,
O return ye unto God!
O return ye unto God!
He’ll forgive your transgressions, and remember them no more
He’ll forgive your transgressions, and remember them no more
“Look unto Me ye people,” saith the Lord your God!
He’ll forgive your transgressions,
He’ll forgive your transgressions,
And remember them no more
And remember them no more
Is Jesus saying to you, “. . . You have a name that you live, but you are dead” (Rev.3:1)?
As you respond to the invitation of Jesus today, he’ll give you a new name.
Your new name is Hephzibah,
Your new name is Christian, Acts 11:26
Your new name brings with it
1. a new beginning
2. a new identity
3. a new hope
4. a transformation
Your name is the ONLY thing (may be + Salvation) you got on earth that will go with you to heaven.
I bear witness to you as I invite you to the cross today. There, you shall be given a new name, a new beginning, a new identity, a new hope, and a life transformation.
To those that have experienced salvation, if your salvation is worth having, then it’s worth sharing. So, go out there where the sinners are and tell them that Jesus wants them. Remember, you are a witness and not a Judge.
2. You are a Messenger
If a messenger, then you have been sent.
The one who sent you is greater than you and those he has sent you to. Hence, there is no cause to fear or shirk in your given assignment.
Will it not be a disrespect and dishonor to him who recruited you a captain in his army if you fail in your duty as a messenger?
How will you stand before him that you failed to run his errand for one reason and or the other?
How can you afford to be an unprofitable messenger upon all he endowed you with!
Why not remember that you were bought with a price, hence you are no more of your own. Therefore, be an obedient messenger.
If a messenger, then you have been sent with a message.
The message you have is the good news of Jesus.
Many are yearning or longing to hear it, even for the first time!
How beautiful are your feet as you run with the message!
You’ve got to run, for the message is urgent!
The message is urgent because the time is short!
The time is short because time will soon be no more!
The time will soon be no more because the judgment day will soon dawn!
The Judgment day will soon dawn because eternity is sure!
Eternity is sure because God is eternal!
Lift up your eyes and see the multitude waiting for the message you bear!
Can you imagine what will become of them if you fail to deliver them the message!
Can you imagine the multitude they would have passed the message to if only they have received it from you!
If a messenger sent with a message, then you are not the message.
The message is not yours; hence it should not be altered.
The message is as old as Ancient.
Your method of communicating it may vary, but the message remains the same.
While you may use tracts, others may use books.
While some may use drama or films, others may use the internet.
While some may use text mails, others may use handwritten letters.
In all these, the message remains the same old foursquare gospel:
a. Jesus Christ the Savior
b. Jesus Christ the healer
c. Jesus Christ the baptizer with the holy Spirit, and
d. Jesus Christ, our coming king
If a messenger sent with a message, then your life must agree with the message.
If you do not agree with a message, the likelihood of distorting the message is high.
If you are not in terms with a message, the will and enthusiasm to tell others will be very low.
When a church or group of people won’t share her faith, the cause could be that their lives does not agree with the message, hence cannot be witness or signatory to the genuineness and the life-transforming ability inherent in the message.
For the message to be acceptable to others, it must first have profited you.
One thing therefore that should motivate the church to share its faith is the genuineness of the verifiable evidences of transformed lives.
Rom 10: 14-15
14How 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?
15And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
Can we answer these five questions today?
Q1. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed?
Ans. ???
Q2. How shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard?
Ans. ???
Q3. How shall they hear without a preacher?
Ans. ???
Q4. How shall they preach, except they be sent?
Ans. ???
Q5. Have we been sent?
Ans. ???
The last question is the only one we can answer in the affirmative. We have been sent.
Q1,2,3 and 4 cannot be true except the conditions are fulfilled.
Since you are a messenger sent, then you can tell the message
As you tell the story of Jesus, they will hear and receive the message.
As they hear and receive the message, they will believe on him in whom they have not heard.
As they believe on him in whom they have now heard, they will call on him
As they call on him, He shall hear them and save them.
Then it shall be said of your feet:
“How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!”
In view of the time, we shall continue the message at an opportuned time on the remaining part of the outline:
3. A Follower
4. A Missionary
5. A Farmer
6. A Fisherman
7. A Co-labourer with God
CONCLUSION
God can use you. In fact, He wants to use you. He has sent you. It is a personal call you must answer daily.
The next time you feel like GOD can’t use you, just remember...
Noah was a drunk
Abraham was too old
Isaac was a daydreamer
Jacob was a liar
Leah was ugly
Joseph was abused
Moses had a stuttering problem
Gideon was afraid
Samson had long hair and was a womanizer
Rahab was a prostitute
Jeremiah and Timothy were too young
David had an affair and was a murderer
Elijah was suicidal
Isaiah preached naked
Jonah ran from God
Naomi was a widow
Job went bankrupt
Peter denied Christ
The Disciples fell asleep while praying
Martha worried about everything
Mary Magdalene was...
The Samaritan woman was divorced, more than once
Zaccheus was too small
Paul was too religious
Timothy had an ulcer..AND
Lazarus was dead!
Now! No more excuses!
God can use you to your full potential.
Besides you aren’t the message, you are just the
messenger.
Tract distribution by Dad and Son – Rhino
Dedication Hymn: RH. 739: There’s a call comes ringing o’er the restless wave
