Witnessing because we love

Yesterday we saw how Jesus spoke about God His second commandment and how Jesus ordered us to keep to a Royal Law.

In the readings of this week we can find an other work than the brotherly love we have to do. Though that work should be part of brotherly love. Out of love to others we should go out into the world and proclaim the Good News. Witnessing to others is a way of showing our love to them, because we want them also to be saved.

God’s abundance is for the furthering of His will here on earth. God wants all people to know Him and to worship Him. We, when we are thankful for what God provided for us, will love to serve our God and shall do our best to be workers in the name of Jesus, following his orders to preach.

The Lord Jesus stripped himself of everything save love, that he might more readily meet each human soul on its own level. Jesus emptied himself, humbled himself, only wanted to do the will of God, his heavenly Father and asked us also to put our own selfish will aside. That will demand some work. Like Jesus became obedient unto death, even the death at the stake, for our sakes, we should offer our selves, working hard to bring others also into the knowledge of God.

Jesus was set on proclaiming the Gospel so that even the dying thief might enter Paradise, and that not one prodigal in all the human family should think that he had sunk too low or gone so far as to be excluded from the hope of salvation.

One of the duties of friendship is just to lend an ear to others and our second duty is to try to give them right answers. Those answers are given by God in His Book of books, the Bible, which we should carry in our heart. To keep it only for ourself is selfish. We should share it with others around us.

The first followers of Christ Jesus were very well aware of their responsibility. They also knew it was God Who had given Jesus authority and also given them responsibility of serving His church by proclaiming the word of God in its fullness. Paul wrote.

Colossians 1:21-29 The Scriptures 1998+  (21)  And you, who once were estranged and enemies in the mind by wicked works, but now He has completely restored to favour  (22)  in the body of His flesh through death, to present you set-apart, and blameless, and unreprovable before Him,  (23)  if indeed you continue in the belief, founded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the expectation of the Good News which you heard, which was proclaimed to every creature under the heaven, of which I, Sha’ul, became a servant,  (24)  who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in Messiah’s afflictions, for the sake of His Body, which is the assembly,  (25)  of which I became a servant according to the administration of Elohim which was given to me for you, to fill the word of Elohim,  (26)  the secret which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now has been revealed to His set-apart ones,  (27)  to whom Elohim desired to make known what are the riches of the esteem of this secret among the gentiles: which is Messiah in you,1 the expectancy of esteem, Footnote: 1See Messiah in you in the Explanatory Notes.  (28)  whom we announce, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, in order to present every man perfect in Messiah יהושע {Jehsua},  (29)  for which I also labour, striving according to the working of Him who works in me in power.

Even when the mystery may have been hid from ages and from generations, now for us it should be clear, having been made manifest to the Elohim His saints. When having received the blessings of the offering of Jeshua we, out of thankfulness should be pleased that we got to know what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the non believers. Having Christ in us we do have the hope of glory and should be so overtaken by joy that we shout it out and call others to become partakers of the same joy.

It is that Messiah, given to us, without us having to do something for it, that now our turn has come to do something in return. The Grace is given for free, but now we have to act when we have come into the faith and want to make the faith alive. It is the Messiah whom we should preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus, whereunto the apostles also laboured, striving according to his working, which works in believers of Christ mightily.

The message kept secret for centuries and generations past has been revealed to God’s people. And the secret “Christ in you is the hope of glory!’”  should be sounding all over the earth.

Our task is to get this hope of glory with Christ in us. Having his presence and power in our life, because it is the only way we will ever become all that God has created us to be. That is the great secret that is now made known to all! And this is why we we have to do the work of faith proclaiming Jesus, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully grown, mature and complete in Christ. It is to this end we like the apostle Paul have to labour, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in the followers of Christ.

Like it was the great Life Lesson Philemon learned from Paul, and how it has made all the difference for him in everything he did, we too should be inspired by Jesus’ teachings and by the power of God’s Spirit should inspire others as well.

We were made for a purpose; one that will never be realized apart from our Lord Jesus Christ. Once Christ puts his presence and power into our lives – then we can do whatever Christ can do through us if we are opening ourselves to him! Paul’s timeless words should become our very own,  so that we too can say

‘I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!’

This is our hope of glory!

In Christ – the defeated become victorious; the weak become strong; the poor become rich! In Christ – the lame are made to leap and dance; the blind are made to see; the enslaved are set free and rejoice!

In Christ – the lowly are raised up; the brokenhearted are healed; sinners are forgiven, and backsliders are restored! In Christ –dreamers are envisioned; builders are empowered; and all are strengthened with might in their inner man!

To become in Christ we should give ourselves to him, which demands works.

To bring others to Christ also demands works. Though we do have to show others others that Christ is the Way.

We do have to open our ears so that others can open their hearts. We then should try to show them the answers God provides. Like David did not brood on his problems in solitary bitterness we with those around us should bring them before God.

We ourselves must not be ‘puffed up’ because of the way our careful reading of God’s word has led us to increasingly comprehend the ‘big picture’ of the meaning of life and the spirit of genuine love for God that must be part of this.

Let us be like the scribe who knew that there is only one God; and there is none other but He and to love Him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength. To love God demands action or work. But when we do love we first of all have to love His creations as well because when we do not love our neighbour as ourself, we do not show appreciation for the creation of God, because each person is a created being, allowed to live here on earth by God.

Mark 12:26-33 The Scriptures 1998+  (26)  “And concerning the dead, that they rise – have you not read in the book of Mosheh, at the bush, how Elohim spoke to him, saying, ‘I am the Elohim of Aḇraham, and the Elohim of Yitsḥaq, and the Elohim of Yaʽaqoḇ’? (27)  “He is not the Elohim of the dead, but Elohim of the living. You, then, go greatly astray.”  (28)  And one of the scribes coming near, hearing them reasoning together, knowing that He had answered them well, asked Him, “Which is the first command of all?”  (29)  And יהושע  {Jeshua} answered him, “The first of all the commands is, ‘Hear, O Yisra’ĕl, יהוה {Jehovah} our Elohim, יהוה {Jehovah} is one.  (30)  ‘And you shall love יהוה {Jehovah} your Elohim with all your heart, and with all your being, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first command.  (31)  “And the second, like it, is this, ‘You shall love your neighbour as yourself.’ There is no other command greater than these.”  (32)  And the scribe said to Him, “Well said, Teacher. You have spoken the truth, for there is one Elohim, and there is no other besides Him.  (33)  “And to love Him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the being, and with all the strength, and to love one’s neighbour as oneself, is more than all the burnt offerings and offerings.”

We should clearly understand what is being said here. There is only One True God the Elohim Hashem יהוה {Jehovah} and this we should believe and practice with all our heart, offering our love for God to others.

Do we feel as thankful as we should for the wondrous blessing of being spiritual children of God – in this godless world? Let us make sure that we do – and then – how soon will we see and experience – for ever – “the salvation of God”.

Paul challenges us when he looks at the call of Christ to go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. He expresses this responsibility in the bluntest terms,

1 Corinthians 9:16 The Scriptures 1998+  (16)  For if I bring the Good News, it is no boasting for me, for necessity is laid on me, and it is woe to me if I do not bring the Good News!

Youngsters listening to a preacher

Let us not overlook that it is for necessity is laid on us as well.  ‘A necessity’, etc.: i.e. having no choice. The compelling force was twofold, love of god and love of Christ plus fear of being held responsible for the loss of souls. Woe: calamity, in this case, eternal death. So explicit and solemn was Christ’s commission that Paul could not retain his favour if he refused to obey it. 1 Corinthians 9:17 shows how this impending woe, and the necessity it laid on Paul, make the mere fact of his preaching no ground of exultation. For if we do this of our own will, we shall have a reward. But if not of our own will, we will have a stewardship entrusted to us.

1 Corinthians 9:17 The Scriptures 1998+  (17)  For if I do this voluntarily I have a reward, but if not voluntarily, I am entrusted with a management.

Stewardship “stresses obligation, responsibility, and faithfulness of the servant to his master in carrying out the entrusted task” (Rienecker and Rogers, p. 415). In other places such as Luke 16:2-4 this same term is used to describe the management of property.
We have to do the preaching or witnessing as a matter of duty, because God has entrusted us with this task.  And this is something too many Christians forget or do not want to see.

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Preceding

Your position about materialistic desires having conquered the world

When believing in God’s existence and His son, possessing a divine legislation

Looking for a shepherd for the sheep and goats

A Royal Rule given to followers of Christ

First man’s task still counting today

He who knows himself, is kind to others

Luther’s misunderstanding

January 27, 417, Pope Innocent I condemning Pelagius about Faith and Works

Our life depending on faith

Romans 4 and the Sacraments

Is Justification a process?

Letter to the Romans, chapter 3

Letter to the Romans, chapter 4

Additional comments to the 3rd Letter to the Romans

Additional comments to the Letter to the Romans 4

Comments to James remarks, about Faith and works

Which is worse–works without faith, or faith without works?

Leading people astray!

Crisis man needed in this world

Preaching Christ Is Not Enough

Beautiful feet of those who announce the good news

Preaching by example

A Christian has to have eyes and ears and a tongue to use in good ways

Daring to speak in multicultural environment

Perishable non theologians daring to go out to preach

What Should I Preach ?

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Additional reading

1. A god who gave his people commandments and laws he knew they never could keep to it
2. Bible in the first place #2/3
3. Hope by faith and free gift
4. Salvation, trust and action in Jesus #3 as a Christian
5. The Right One to follow and to worship
6. Illuminating our minds and watching out
7. Those who love Jesus
8. Follower of Jesus part of a cult or a Christian
9. Paulus to Philemon
10. Bringing Good News into the world
11. Proclaiming shalom, bringing good news of good things, announcing salvation
12. First Century of Christianity
13. Looking on what is going on and not being of it
14. Let us make sure we are not stiff-necked
15. Priest, scribes and others with authority
16. Breathing to teach
17. Witnessing
18. How should we preach?
19. Showing by the scriptures that …
20. Necessary to be known all over the earth
21. Church sent into the world
22. How do I know if I’m called to ministry?
23. Not all ability to preach
24. A Synod to speak freely and to listen without reservations
25. Preachers should know and continue the task Jesus has given his followers
26. Necessity of a revelation of creation 10 Instructions for insight and wisdom
27. Risen With Him
28. Looking for True Spirituality 7 Preaching of the Good News
29. Missionary action paradigm for all endeavours of the church
30. Engaging the culture without losing the gospel
31. Counting sands and stars
32. The Big Conversation
33. The Big Conversation – Christadelphians in the United Kingdom
34. The Big conversation – Antagonists
35. What Should I Preach ?
36. How to Choose a Bible for Preaching
37. Positive Preaching Day 2015
38. Soviet Witnesses
39. Using the name Jehovah but not a witness of that name
40. Why we do not have our worship-services in a church building
41. Why we do not keep to a Sabbath or a Sunday or Lord’s Day #5 Not law binding
42. Sunday 7 September service: Imitate prophets and Paul
43. Begin by carrying away small stones to remove a mountain
44. Signs of the Last Days

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2. The Gospel Addresses the Culture
3. Baptism and Temptation
4. Are You Ready For Jesus’ Return?
5. Can you be faithful?
6. Learn It, Do It, Teach It …Preach it?
7. Preaching on the Subject of Heaven
8. John Newton on the Practical Effects of Faith
9. “forgiveness is not a legal action”
10. Into the Wilderness
11. 1 Peter 2:1-3, What about Milk?
12. Preaching
13. The Power of Place and Story in Preaching
14. Consecutive Expository Preaching
15. Stop Teaching
16. What’s red and furry and climbs trees? (avoiding the Sunday School answer)
17. Train of Thanks 14-15
18. ‘Body Language’ in 1 Corinthians
19. Sound Bytes or Substance? (Part 2)
20. The Essential Element to Church Health and Success
21. Sermon in a Sentence
22. What’s Pastor Kevin Reading: Will Willimon’s “How Odd of God”
23. Dulcis Loquela, Dulcis Oratio, or Un-Umming Your Speech
24. Preaching – Prof K J Mathew – Shalom Night Vigil – February 2016
25. Preaching – Fr. Roy Palatty – Shalom Night Vigil – February 2016
26. “Today You Will Be With Me” – A Sermon Starter
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28. Expository Preaching
29. New Network Show; Preachers of Infernum
30. Dressing for Church: Which Way Does One Go?
31. How Will You Listen to Your Pastor This Weekend?
32. 3 Essentials of A Good Sermon
33. QotD – Speaking from the Heart – 2.11.2016
34. Almost Spiritual, Almost Revived
35. My Library // Dangerous Calling: Confronting the Unique Challenges of Pastoral Ministry
36. One Anothering – The Ministry of Mutuality
37. “Powerful Preacher”
38. 6 Ways Bible Reading Enhances Your Church Experience
39. One wild preacher!
40. The Dilemma of Balance in Preaching
41. Unlawful Arrest for Preaching Gospel
42. Post-Preaching Inscape
43. Benefits of Expository Preaching
44. 4 “Non-Sin” Sermon Practices
45. Are Red Letters More Important than Black Letters?
46. Preacher, Do You Tremble before the Word You Preach?
47. A Christ-Centred Life And A Christ-Centred Ministry
48. The Ministry of Reconciliation
49. Acts 4
50. Acts 10
51. Challenge: Find Somebody to Love
52. Time for a Great Poem (evangelism)
53. Don’t just give up, give out! #Lent
54. Faith’s Checkbook: A Constant Witness
55. Simon Peter
56. When We Struggle
57. February 8th-Love your neighbor as yourself. And, our unruly society has about as much difficulty with that as did His chosen people back then. Yet, as His children, we are required to be different.
58. Leading Souls to Christ, Part 6 (Onward Christian Soldiers #116)
59. Are You Sitting?
60. We Are The Body!
61. Equipping the Saints (Part 2)
62. Life Expectations
63. Rude Witnessing
64. Feb 4 – That’s What Friends Are For
65. Thankful
66. How evangelism rests on trust and what you possess
67. Eleven Trust in Jesus
68. So, What Is Good News?
69. Parking Lot Salvation
70. My Utmost For His Highest: The Key To The Missionary’s Message
71. Friendship Born By God
72. He Died For Us Let’s Live For Him
73. Is being a humanitarian enough to convey the full love of Christ?
74. Go Ye!
75. Let’s Proclaim The Gospel to The World
76. 1 John 1:3 What To Proclaim
77. 2016- A year to teach the masses about our Lord!
78. Rejoice, Not Criticize
79. εὐαγγέλιον – And God Ordained Encounters
80. The Work of God
81. #AdventWord #Proclaim
82. Get The Word Out
83. Joy Never Goes Silent
84. Good News From The Bad News
85. Walk before many people with good tidings and the gospel of peace
86. There Is A Fire
87. God Energizes Our Efforts August 27
88. Refusing to Be Silent
89. How Beautiful
90. A Passion To Proclaim Him

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