HE LIVES—AND WE ARE WITNESSES!

We are in the season of STRESSING the Gospel message of the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus. Yet, we must ever be SHARING that redemption story, “In season and out of season,” as Paul told Timothy (cf. 2 Tim. 4:2b). That is, every season is “in season”, even if it is considered by some to be “out of season”!  

The central truth of the Christian faith is that Christ is risen from the dead, for without it we have no hope. Apart from it, we have no message.  Should Christ not be risen, then the preacher should close his Bible, walk out of the pulpit, turn off the lights, lock the doors, and never waste his time, or that of anyone else ever again. Indeed, life itself would be “futile,” as Paul puts it, (cf. 1 Cor. 15:17). 

Yet, as the hymn says, “I serve a risen Savior!”  Every Lord’s Day is a reminder of the reason we gather as the saints of God. That is the day Christ rose from the tomb. We meet not just because of a commandment to do so, but for a celebration in doing so. 

The story never gets old. It must never fail to be told and retold. As witnesses we must be bold!

If the preacher is not faithful to bear witness to the resurrection of Christ consistently, then He is guilty of sermonic malpractice.

HOW MANY FISH DID YOU CATCH?

I must confess straightway that I am not much of a fisherman. I don’t have the patience for it. If I cannot reel in one after another, I get no joy from it. That is not a knock on fishing. It is just the way I am wired.

Those of you who are fishermen are reading this and shaking your head. You love to fish. Had you been there when Peter said, “I am going fishing,” you would have responded as the other disciples and said, “We are going with you also.”

There is nothing wrong with fishing. Yet, I wonder in this instance, if the disciples had misplaced priorities. 

Think of their AUDACITY.  The disciples had been commanded by the Lord to fish—for men. Again, fishing as an industry is commendable and fishing as a hobby may be enjoyable. Yet, think of the timing of this. Jesus had only days ago been crucified. Not long before, His lifeless corpse had risen from the tomb!  The disciples had the most exciting news for sinners that could possibly be told, yet what were their priorities?  Fishing for men?  No—they had the audacity just to fish. 

Please do not miss what I am saying. Gospel workers cannot be on the job 24/7. We all need a break. God ordained one day out of seven as a needful Sabbath. Yet, if we are not cautious, we may fritter away the hours and waste opportunities on the trivial. 

How many men and women did you catch last week for Christ?  Jesus asked them if they had caught anything. If I took no time to share the Gospel last week, it is no wonder I have not caught any souls!

But, listen to Christ’s AUTHORITY. These men knew about fishing. They had failed, however. Then, the Risen Lord told them to cast the net on the right side of the boat. 

What difference would that make? 

To their credit, they obeyed His authority and what a catch!  Peter immediately recognized the One speaking to them—“It is the Lord!” Ever impulsive, he dove in and swam to shore to bow before Christ. 

If we are not being productive in ministry, maybe we are not surrendered to Christ’s authority. We call Him Lord and fail to do what He says. Our time, talent, and treasure have been given to us by God. All we have and all we are belongs to Him. He has the final word. We are simply stewards. The question is, “Am I a faithful steward?”  We exhort the people to be, yet are we exemplifying the pattern for them?

The Lord can bless us ABUNDANTLY. They caught so many fish, they could not haul in the net. They had to drag it along as they struggled to row back to shore. 153 fish were in the net and thankfully the net did not break.

There will be times when we labor in fishing for souls and catch nothing. We must surrender to Christ’s sovereignty. We can cast the net, but only God can save a soul. 

Yet, if we cast the Gospel net faithfully, in His time Christ will enable us to labor fruitfully. Changing the analogy, we can claim this promise: “And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.”  (Galatians‬ ‭6‬:‭9‬‬)

There will be a harvest from our labor—a catch from our fishing—if we persevere. 

So, preacher, perhaps you have labored all week and are worn out. Today, you need a break. You might go fishing or golfing. I am not going to criticize you. Your church members do enough of that. 

All I am challenging us to consider is, “Am I being faithful and trusting God to make me fruitful?”  It is the Lord who gives that ability. What He wants from me is my availability.

Ponder the words of the old Gospel song,

Must I go, and empty handed, 
Thus my dear Redemer meet! 
Not one day of service give Him, 
Lay no trophy at His feet?

O the years in sinnng wasted, 
Could I but recall them now, 
I would give them to my Savior, 
To His will I’d gladly bow.

O ye saints, arouse, be earnest, 
Up and work while yet ’tis day; 
Ere the night of death o’ertake thee, 
Strive for souls while still you may.

Must I go, and empty handed? 
Must I meet my Savior so? 
Not one soul with which to greet Him; 

Must I empty handed go?

HE KNOWS MY NAME

I have never wanted to be a ladder-climber or name-dropper. That is not to say that ambition has never aroused temptation. Sadly, I confess there have even been occasions I succumbed and yielded to sin. 

To be well-known, to see your name printed on a program, to be recognized and given an opportunity to preach to thousands of preachers at a conference—that holds a powerful appeal. 

We must purge the urge for a name associated with fame. 

The Lord knows our name. He knows where we are. We need not envy another who may have attained great notoriety among men as a preacher. It may well be that at the Judgment Seat of Christ, those we might expect to be invited to the head table, will need to move back, and make way for some obscure pastor of a tiny country church to be summoned to come sit beside the Lord!

 So [Jesus] told a parable to those who were invited, when He noted how  they chose the best places,  saying to them: “When you are invited by  anyone to a wedding feast, do not sit down in the best place, lest one  more honorable than you be invited by him; and he who invited you and  him come and say to you, ‘Give place to this man,’ and then you begin  with shame to take the lowest place. But when you are invited, go and sit  down in the lowest place, so that when he who invited you comes he may  say to you, ‘Friend, go up higher.’ Then you will have glory in the  presence of those who sit at the table with you. For whoever exalts  himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” (Luke‬ ‭14‬:‭7‬-‭11‬ ‭NKJV‬‬)

The Lord knows our name and that is enough!

I read this from Stephen Olford:

“Jesus said to her, ‘Mary!’” – John 20:16 

Earlier in this Gospel, the Lord Jesus had given expression to these  words, “He who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him  the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own  sheep by name” (John 10:2, 3). 

The Lord Jesus had just opened the door or way to the Father by His  death and resurrection. He now stood before one of His puzzled and  confused sheep. “Jesus said to her, ‘Mary!’” He called His own sheep by  name and the sheep knew His voice and followed Him.

It is grand to know that He has my name carved on the very palms of His  hands.

May I ever be ready to hear my name called, and reply, “Master!”

This is a truth that speaks to all God’s children. Yet, I share it is a particular encouragement for you men of God who labor in obscurity.  The Lord is watching. ”For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister.“ (‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭6‬:‭10‬)

I PRAYED FOR YOU

 

“I prayed for you.”  When someone tells us that, it is encouraging. Though not minimizing that, there is something better. Jesus prayed for you. That prayer is recorded in John 17. 

It is true that He prayed for all believers, but originally He prayed for those He would commission to share His message—and all who would believe from their words. I think for those of us in Gospel ministry, there is a special encouragement in this intercessory prayer of our Lord. 

There is OUR STRATEGIC PLACEMENT. “Now I am no longer in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to You. Holy Father, keep through Your name those whom You have given Me, that they may be one as We are.” (John‬ ‭17‬:‭11‬‬). 

We serve Christ in a fallen world. The ravages of sin are all about us. Our field of service is a battlefield. Each day we face the world, the flesh, and the devil. Satan is out to defeat us, defile us, damage us, disqualify us, and even destroy us.  But, it is no accident—God’s appointment where and when and what we are assigned to do has been selected in His providence. It is a strategic placement. Where else should we be?  The sick need a physician. If we are not among the sin-sick, howA can we help them find healing?

Then, there is OUR SANCTIFIED POSITION. “They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.” (John 17:16-17).  

We are in the world, but not of the world. As a doctor must not be isolated from the diseased, he must, however, be immunized from the disease, else he become sick and unable to fulfill his duty. Before we can dispense the healing Word of God, we must digest it ourselves. Our spiritual health is essential and that comes from taking in the Word of God. Paul put it like this, “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”  (Rom.‬ ‭12‬:‭2‬‬). Our minds are renewed by the Truth and we are transformed into a sanctified servant of Christ, doing His will and work.

Finally, we consider OUR SAVING PROCLAMATION,  “As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. …that the world may believe that You sent Me.” (John‬ ‭17‬:‭18, 21‬‬b). 

Christ declared His redemptive mission thus, “For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost,” (Luke 19:10). He would also say, “As the Father has sent Me, I also send you,” (John 20:21b). We are to extend the ministry of Jesus by seeking the lost and bringing them to Jesus for salvation. We have been entrusted with the Gospel—“the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes,” (Rom. 1:16). Not everyone will take the medicine, but for those who will, it is life giving! Preach and witness with conviction that God can use you to make an eternal difference in someone’s life!

Jesus prayed this for you. Even more, He is still interceding!  “He always lives to make intercession for [us],” (Heb. 7:25b).

GLORIFYING OUR FATHER

 

There is no greater imperative for us than to glorify God. While we know this applies to all believers, the elders of the church must set the example in this. Jesus told us how—abide in Him and bear much fruit.

Christ calls us to FRUITFULNESS, (John 15:1-8). As a branch is connected to the grapevine, life flows into it, and fruit is produced from it. Without this vital connection, there will be no fruit. Abiding in Christ is essential. We can work our fingers to the bone and collapse in exhaustion and all we have done equals nothing!  How much of our effort will go up in smoke at the Judgment Seat of Christ because it was done in the energy of the flesh!

Christ calls us to FELLOWSHIP, (John 15:9-17).  Abiding in Him means abiding in Christ’s love and experiencing His abiding joy. This is the fellowship from being in the Word and on our knees in prayer, along with an ongoing sense of His presence. While it is our duty to serve Him, it is more. Jesus calls us His friends. This elevates our work from duty to delight. Our motivation is not obligation alone. It is passion that comes from devotion to our Friend. This is fruit that remains.  It is of eternal worth.  In the words of the old hymn, “What a fellowship, what a joy divine, leaning on the everlasting arms!”

Christ calls us to FAITHFULNESS, (John 15:18-16:4). This is not the way to becoming popular with the world. When the life of Jesus is manifested in and through us, the world will react to us as it did to Him. There was hate and rejection. They cursed Jesus and crucified Him. We have not signed up for a picnic, but persecution. Christ-likeness ignites the fury of Satan and all his minions.   Will we back down and back up, or will we abide in Him and stand resolute?  In the flesh, we will falter. Yet, we have the Spirit of God as our Helper. By His abiding power we can be faithful.

 “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (John‬ ‭16‬:‭33‬‬).

TRUTH THAT FREES

I was reading this devotional from the late Stephen Olford and wanted to share it with you:

“The truth shall make you free.” – John 8:32 

It is interesting to note the working powers of the Word of God or Truth as revealed in this Gospel. Here are just a few: 

Its Liberating power. “The truth shall make you free.” The Word of God is that which snaps all chains of bondage. 

Its Pruning power. “You are already clean [pruned] because of the word which I have spoken to you” (John 15:3). This is pruning for greater fruitfulness. 

Its Sanctifying power. “Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth” (John 17:17). Herein lies the secret of a sanctified life. 

Its Rejoicing power. “If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them” (John 13:17). The keeping of His commandments has a special reward of happiness for the obedient believer. 

Thank You, Lord, for the liberating power of Your Word.  May Your Word have its way in my life. 

(According to Your Word, p. 76, Kindle Edition)

This is a reminder of another reason to preach the Word of God faithfully and fervently. It is the truth that sets people free!  During almost half a century of preaching, I have seen this again and again in people’s lives. May God give you liberty as you proclaim it with expectancy tomorrow!

A CRUCIAL COMMAND

 

Can you imagine if a preacher dared to enter the pulpit drunk?  It is likely (and likely should be) that he would be fired. Yet, how many preachers will stand before the congregation tomorrow—relying on their study, leaning on their skills, trusting in their strength. It may be that none will confront them—in fact, they may please the people and receive a pat on the back. But, they have sinned as much as the drunken preacher slurring his sermon!

“Be filled with the Spirit,” is as much an imperative as “be not drunk with wine.”  To disobey either is sin. It is just that one would be more obvious.  Yet, because it is not so apparent, the failure to be filled with the Spirit may be more insidious!

From the Day of Pentecost, there was this linkage between being filled with wine and being filled with the Spirit. Why?

One who is drunk is mastered by alcohol. It controls everything about them. It changes their thinking, their vision, their speech, their emotions, their walk. To be filled with the Spirit is to be under the Lordship of Jesus Christ—fully. So much so, that His Spirit affects the way we think, how we see, what we say, how we feel, the way we walk. 

This is a crucial command. Jesus demanded the disciples assemble for prayer after His ascension and not cease seeking the Spirit’s power until He came upon them. They did. He did. There were 3000 added to the church that day!  The world has never been the same. 

Pray!  Seek the fullness of the Spirit. Do not cease asking for His anointing on the preaching of the Word and ministries of the church. Be empty of self, that you may be full of the Spirit.

It is a crucial command!