The Preacher, The Preaching, And The Power
The preacher of the Gospel is one who has been called of God, equipped by the gift of preaching, and empowered by the Spirit to preach. His calling is specific, for his objective is clear, to make known the saving work of Christ in such a manner that men will believe in Him and be saved. The true preacher is distinguished by blessing of God upon the messages that he preaches, and by the effect of them upon his hearers. He speaks by the power of the Spirit, that men will trust in the power of God, and not in the wisdom of men.
The Gift Of God Today
The greatest gift of God is Himself, by the Spirit, for the glory of Christ. The Lord's desire and will is to give this gift to all men, but not all men will receive it. To the one who will trust God for His grace to turn from that which is not of Christ, of God, then come to Him honestly and whole-heartedly, Christ will certainly come to dwell in the heart, forgiving sin, and bringing new Life to the saved believer.
The Essential Of Daily Bread
As daily bread, or food, is essential for the body, so is spiritual food, or the Word of God. Why? When Jesus said that He was, and is, the Bread of Life, He declared that in the bread which God gives there is Life, Christ's life. To truly live is to do so by the power of His life. When one reads, studies, and meditates in faith upon the word of God, the Lord speaks. The truth that He communicates is life to the soul, by the Spirit of God.
Living In Captivity
It was G. Matheson who wrote: "Make me a captive Lord, and then I shall be free; Force me to render up my sword, and I shall conquered be. I sink in life's alarms, when by myself I stand; imprison me within Thine arms, and strong shall be my hand." Matheson saw, and learned, that to be Christ's captive, living under His authority, that in that place and attitude there was true liberty indeed, liberty to live by the Holy Spirit, knowing Christ's joy, peace, and love.
Glad Tidings To The World
The message of the Gospel, from Heaven's standpoint, is a very good thing, so much so that it is called "glad tidings," or wonderful, joyful news. It is a subject for joy, for by it a lost sinner can be saved from sin and death by believing it, and trusting the Lord Jesus to be one's unique Savior. The result of the Gospel having its desired effect is that God is glorified, and the believer is blessed with eternal Life in Christ, and this, for eternity.
Drawn To Christ
How does an individual come to God, to Christ, in order to receive from Him forgiveness of sins, and a new life by the Spirit? It begins by God drawing him, making him aware of the reality of God, but then, by Christ revealing the truth of God. The revelation of God in Christ, in truth, is the means by which God draws men to Himself, convicting them of sins, and providing them with not only the knowledge of how to know God, but with the power to repent and believe. Who will answer His call?
The Hallowing Of God's Name
It is a very serious thing to use the name of God in a superficial, and mocking manner. His name is that which represents who and what He is. Throughout Scripture He is presented to mankind as HOLY, separate from all sin, evil, and wickedness. He is sovereignly alone, supreme in His beauty and holiness, perfect in every aspect of His eternal goodness. To mock Him is to be very foolish indeed.
The Constant Vision Of God
Why does God continually speak to mankind through nature, and specifically, through His written word? It is because mankind needs first of all to have a vision of Him, or a clear perception of who He is in order to believe, and trust in Him. The knowledge of God is a very precious thing, for by it one can come to faith in Jesus Christ and know His saving strength, grace and mercy.
The Burden Of Preaching The Gospel
When Christ comes to dwell in the heart by His Spirit, He brings with him the knowledge of a message from God. That message is the Gospel, so that by it, men and women can be saved from sin to know life eternal in Christ. There is a burden that comes with the gospel, and it is communicated to us by the Spirit. It is a burden to preach, proclaim, or share the gospel so that many can be saved.
God's Order In A Disorderly World
God is a God of order. He creates order in chaos because He is greater than the chaos. It is for this reason that when a person comes to Christ, and Christ comes to dwell in the heart by His Spirit, He brings order to the life. The more one walks with Christ, communes with Him, the more Christ's order in thought and deed is revealed. The greater is the experience of His peace.