And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! (Romans 10:15).
Someone rightly said that it’s better to light a candle than to curse darkness. Those who haven’t known Jesus are in darkness and that’s why He said, “I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not walk in darkness” (John 12:46). So as Christians we shouldn’t waste time condemning the darkness—just turn on the light and darkness will go! That’s why the Lord Jesus told us to preach the ‘gospel’ which is ‘the good news’ of what His death, burial and resurrection accomplished for humanity. It’s not enough that you’re preaching a message about Jesus Christ; it’s got to be “good news,” for if it’s not “good news” then it’s not gospel. Some folks don’t like it when they hear us preach the good news to sinners. “Why not preach against sin, instead of ‘watering down’ the gospel” they query. It’s obvious that such folks don’t understand the gospel of Christ. Jesus didn’t send us to preach sin to the sinners but the good news.
You don’t have to terrify the one you’re preaching to or condemn him about his sin; he’s a sinner and that’s the only life he knows, which is why he needs a new life. The gospel to the sinner is that eternal life is available to him from God now, and that he doesn’t have to continue to wallow in sin and guilt anymore. Your message should gladden his heart and show him that God loves him in spite of all the wrongs in his life, and sent Jesus to bear the penalty of his sins.
This is the message that turns sinners into saints and melts even the hardest and most callous heart; it’s the power of God unto salvation (Romans 1:16). Remember, it’s the goodness of God that leads men to repentance (Romans 2:4), not the terror or judgment of God. So the next time you open your mouth to preach, make sure you preach the good news.
By Pastor Anita
Best Rhapsodies
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Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord (Colossians 3:18). The responsibility of a wife in marriage ... -
Out the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seet...
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Wherefore the rather brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall (2 Pete...
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For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he... (Proverbs 23:7). Thoughts are pictures of the mind that have constructive or destructive poten...
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And Jehoshaphat stood in the congregation of Judah and Jerusalem, in the house of the Lord, before the new court, And said, 0 Lord God of ... -
A merry heart doeth good like medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones (Proverbs 17:22). I’ve had the opportunity to observe people...
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Then Jonah prayed unto the Lord his God out of the fish’s belly (Jonah 2:1). A young lady had been sick for several years and had been gi...