Reason to preach #4 Informed followers of Christ

In the previous posting, we spoke about the different difficulties we are confronted with in these particular times. For many, the present times in which they live are becoming more and more frightening and give them a very insecure feeling. They notice the increase of violence, but also of matters man does not seem to be able to keep in control, like weather conditions and earthquakes.

Reason for Proclaiming or Testifying

Informed followers of Christ

Informed, understanding followers of Jesus would not be gripped by the “anguish of nations,” neither would their hearts become “faint out of fear and expectation of the things coming upon the inhabited earth.” When we listen to and follow the Word of God we have an excellent Guide to get us through all sorts of times. As such we do not have to let our heads hang down dejectedly, hopelessly. Our attitude to ourselves and to others should reflect a state of mind and heart which is full of trust in God’s promises. When we may be witnesses of these foretold things that start to occur, we should raise ourselves erect and lift our heads up, because we should trust the Elohim that deliverance might be getting near.

“ But when these things begin to come to pass, look up, and lift up your heads; because your redemption draweth nigh.” (Lu 21:28 ASV)

Belonging to this world of the mounting troubles that will culminate in the war at Har–Magedon (Armageddon) the Brothers and sisters in Christ should be persons of strong faith in the Almighty God and His promises to the faithful ones. But as brothers and sisters there should also be the agape love. The love to get as many people save and well, able to enjoy a better world.

Jesus asked his followers to come to maturity and be equipped for the work of spreading the message he was giving them. He told them about what was to come and how people had to prepare themselves. Furthermore he pointed out that God made preparations, so that all people all over the world could come to the knowledge by His given Word, to see the signals and to be ready for when the times would come.

“3  And as he sat on the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? 4   And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man lead you astray. 5  For many shall come in my name, saying, I am the Christ; and shall lead many astray. 6  And ye shall hear of wars and rumors of wars; see that ye be not troubled: for these things must needs come to pass; but the end is not yet. 7  For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; and there shall be famines and earthquakes in divers places. 8  But all these things are the beginning of travail. 9  Then shall they deliver you up unto tribulation, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all the nations for my name’s sake. 10  And then shall many stumble, and shall deliver up one another, and shall hate one another. 11  And many false prophets shall arise, and shall lead many astray. 12  And because iniquity shall be multiplied, the love of the many shall wax cold. 13  But he that endureth to the end, the same shall be saved. 14  And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world for a testimony unto all the nations; and then shall the end come.” (Mt 24:3-14 ASV)

We should take those words of Jesus telling that all during that time to come, the good news — the Message of the kingdom — will be preached all over the world, at heart and become a witness staked out in every country. And then the end will come. (Mt 24:14) So when we help to have the word being preached all over the world we help ourselves to come closer to that prophesied time. When making more people coming to witness about this coming Kingdom of God, we shall be able to say:

“And this good news of the Kingdom will be preached in the whole inhabited earth for a testimony to all the nations. And then The End will come.” (Mt 24:14 mhm)

To do so, we first have to have enough people believing in the matters around that sent one from God, him being authorised by God to speak in His Name and able to act in His Name.

“Upon approaching Jesus he said to them, “All authority in heaven and upon earth was given to me.” (Mt 28:18 mhm)

Believing in Him that sent him we also can show others how we should put our trust in Jesus and his heavenly Father.

“I tell you this truth: The person who listens to my word and continues to believe in the One who sent me possesses endless Life. And so that person does not come into condemnation, but has crossed over from the Death unto the Life.” (Joh 5:24 mhm)

Therefore preaching about what sort of Good News to expect we should have first people coming to see who Jesus really is and what he really has done. First of all we should not be afraid to show people how certain groups or churches mislead people by giving Jesus an other role or function. We should not be afraid to show others who think Jesus is God that according to the Bible God is an all-knowing God Who does not tell lies. When we confront them with the fact that Jesus, in case he would be God, and said he did not know when he would come back or who would be seated next to him, than he would not have told the truth in case he is that all-knowing God.

Confronting others with such contradictions, which are entered in the so called Christian religion, by the human doctrines, we for sure shall not put ourselves in a popular position. But there we need to take a stand and show that we dare to keep our eyes open, holding tight to our convictions. Yes, we should dare to give it all we’ve got, all the time being resolute.

“ Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.” (1Co 16:13 ASV)

Standing firm in the faith we should be courageous, daring to show how we let ourselves be guided, not by human doctrines, but by the words we can have in our hands, in whatever language we can speak or understand.

Not being afraid to take the Book of books, the Bible, showing how we trust that every part of Scripture is God-breathed and useful one way or another, we prefer to go by that Bestseller of all times that is showing us the truth, but at the same time is also exposing our rebellion and correcting our mistakes. Oh, yes, why should we hide it, that we are just human beings, trying to understand and doing our best to follow what that profitable Book for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, brings to us. Though we know that how more people would follow it, and shall try to live according to it, how much better the world would be. Therefore our preaching, our showing the Word of God to others, should help us, as well as those around us, to become children of God who may become completed, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

“16  Every scripture inspired of God is also profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for instruction which is in righteousness. 17  That the man of God may be complete, furnished completely unto every good work.” (2Ti 3:16-17 ASV)

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Preceding

Reason to preach #1 Youth of Christ

Reason to preach #2 Public life of Jesus

Reason to preach #3 Time of increases of bad things

Next

Reason to preach #5 Trained to do it God’s way

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Additional reading

1. Ability
2. Ability (part 2)
3. Ability (part 6) Thought about the ability of God’s Provision Bringing Glory
4. Is God behind all suffering here on earth
5. What is the truth asked also Pontius Pilate
6. The longer you wait
7. Through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe
8. Background of Faith
9. Matthew 24:42-51 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Stay Awake!
10. Making sure to be ready and to belong to the escaped ones
11. Matthew 25 Jesus ministry drawing to its dramatic conclusion and warning to be ready
12. Evangelizing in the “Time of the End”
13. Christianity primarily a matter of imitation
14. Thought for September 8 Weak but standing strong in the ground swell
15. Today’s thought “Being of benefit to God” (December 18)
16. The Prophets Inquire into and Testify About Salvation
17. Ambassadors for our faith in Jeshua