THE MESSAGES EVERY CHRISTIANS SHOULD PREACH
Scripture Text: Mark 7:31-37
Introduction: We may preach message after message but the greatest message that people read and study is our lives itself. The greatest messages that every Christians could preach to this dying world is the story of our life in Christ Jesus. Christians, our walks talks louder than our talks. Be wacthful and prayerful to guard your life because your life is a message itself!
In Mark 7:31-37, the more they were charge by the Lord, "Tell no man about this miracle that happen in your life", the more they publish it with joy and gladness in their heart! If you really experience a life changing salvation through the Lord Jesus Christ and how you continually experiencing the work of God in your life, you can't help but to magnify God and publish it to others! (Acts 1:8).
Messages we need to preach to others:
1. OUR SALVATION STORY. (Acts 26:1-28 esp. 2, 4, 11, 14-15, 28)
Paul in his privilege to speak before King Agrippa defend himself for his case, he told them very clearly and chronologically how he come to know the Lord Jesus Christ as personal Savior. He stated his former belief and zealousness to persecute Christians but then he encountered the Lord Jesus Christ that change his life. King Agrippa was almost persuaded to become Christian because of his salvation story. I believed that some people among them who heard this salvation story got saved.
I cannot forget that wonderful moment that I got saved (Aug. 26, 1995 at Bayambang Baptist Church, Bayambang Pangasinan, Philippines).
My curiosity in the Bible started when I was fourth year high school. I became active in youth group in a church where I grew up but one time I encounter the verse about idol worship that making an idol and worshipping it was a great sin and was the second in the ten commandments (Exodus 20:4-6). That causes me to look for another church then I was then invited to a certain church that do not worship an idol. I thought it was the right religion, but then I heard them teaches that the Lord Jesus Christ is just only a man exalted by God. That's not what the Bible says, even I don't know a lot of verse that time but John 3:16 clearly state that Jesus Christ is the only begotten son of God! Out of a seeking heart, I read books and listen from different denominations. But I still feel that emptiness.
One time my two classmates Debbie & Virgie invited me to attend Sunday Church Service at Bayambang Baptist Church. As Pastor Gilbert Toquero preached I know this is the thing that I'm looking for, when he asked during invitation, "Who among you are not sure if you die today that you are going to Heaven, raise your hand and I will pray for you and share to you how?" I raised my hand and he talked to me afterwards. I tell him, "I'm really searching for the right religion, but something is lacking". He shared Colossians 2:10 - "And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power." He further told me, “There is no religion that could save you, only Jesus Christ. I can't forget that verse, then he started to share me from the Bible how to trust God.” That day I got saved by the saving grace of God!
Tell others your wonderful story on how you got saved, they need to hear a living proof of God’s grace. If you are really saved, even you are commanded by other people not to speak about Christ, you will say "For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard." - Acts 4:18-20
2. OUR NEW LIFE STORY. (2 Cor. 5:17; Eze. 36:26-27; Rom. 6:3-4)
The Lord Jesus Christ will not cast out anyone who comes to Him (John 6:37). Whoever you are, whatever your background is, He will not cast you out. As a church we do not criticize people, we loved them, we invite people to go to church and bring them to the saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. But do not used verses from the Bible to defend your sinful habits or lifestyle. God loves you whoever you are. God loves you and wants to free you from sin and it's penalty. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." People who encountered the Lord Jesus Christ and accepted Him as Savior was all changed by God! A man of Gadara was naked and out of his mind before but when he encountered Jesus Christ was clothed and in his right mind (Luke 8:27-35). A covetous Zacchaeus gives half of his goods and return fourfold what he takes wrongfully (Luke 19:8). A woman caught in adultery was forgiven by the Lord but charged her, “go and sin no more.” (John 8:11). If you accepted Him as personal Savior you will discover this kind of life, a life of thankfulness and real contentment. You are not hiding yourself from the dark but enjoying the light of God.
Every people who encountered the Lord was changed by God. Preached your life changing story through the Lord Jesus Christ and let others be blessed!
3. OUR LEARNING STORIES. (Ps. 51:10-12; Prov. 5:12-14)
In Christian life, sin still comes occasionally, that’s why we need to take the whole armor of God (Eph. 6:11-167). But once we fall we need to take responsible and admit it like David said, “I have sinned against the LORD.” These were our learning stories. You will never learned life important lessons when you don't know how to accept your wrong doing. It is easy for us to pinpoint others than just to admit our mistakes. Humility, meekness and tender heart are results of admitting sin if you commit it (Prov. 24:16; Luke 22:31). Lost and saved people needs these kind of stories for them to learn. Be a blessing as you shared our humbling story of how we take responsible of our sin because we magnify the grace and mercy of God. That God is a God of second chances! Young people listen to us when we teaches you a valued lesson from our mistakes.
4. OUR GROWING STORIES (Job 23:10)
Christian life ought to be a continuous growing life in the Lord Jesus Christ. A lot of promises that we could claim from God’s Word. A Christian who determines to grow in his/her obedience to principle of God would have a lot of personal life stories that they could share to others. Growing through Trials & Testing. (Job 23:10); Growing through Waiting. (Ps. 27:14); Growing through Trusting. (2 Sam. 22:31); Growing through Giving. (Acts 20:35); Growing through Winning others. (John 1:41); Growing through Obeying. (1 Sam. 15:22); Growing through Serving. (Ps. 100:2).
CONCLUSION: This life of mine is worthless life before but I found the real source of meaningful life and that is the Lord Jesus Christ! I pray that you will experience this life also!
