Thursday, Jul 31, 2008

Christ is Preached – Rejoice with Us!

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Christ is Preached – Rejoice with Us!

Some indeed preach Christ even from envy and strife, and some also from goodwill: The former preach Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my chains; but the latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel. What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice. Php 1:15-18

Often when preaching the gospel open air the preacher is heckled by those who oppose the gospel. It is not uncommon to hear people openly blaspheme the name of Jesus Christ in response to the good news. It’s very common that professing Christians approach the preacher and say things like, “your only pushing people away from God,” or, “you are making Christians look bad.” I must admit, the latter can be a bit disheartening.

For they speak against You wickedly;
Your enemies take Your name in vain.
Ps 139:20

Think about that phrase for just one second Christian! ‘An enemy of God.’

It causes me to shutter to think of being separated from the Lord Jesus. God stirs compassion in my heart for those who are in this state. Remember Christian, “and such were some of you.” It’s so true. On this side of the Cross, a Christian knows that their sin is exceedingly sinful and deserving of eternal condemnation. But we rejoice and thank God that there is no condemnation (Rom 8:1). We are “washed,” “sanctified” and “justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.” 1 Co 6:11

Understanding our former state, we see why the unconverted person can be so hateful towards God and His gospel. A hateful response towards God, His gospel and His people is to be expected. Jesus said, “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. Jn 15:18 Paul told Timothy, “Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. 2 Ti 3:12

So yes – we expect the world to hate it when the Name of Jesus is proclaimed. We must expect their response to be hateful just as it was towards our LORD. But what should be the Christian response when the Name of Jesus Christ is proclaimed outside the walls of the church?

What’s your response? Do you worry about what people will think of ‘Christianity’? Christian, what’s your heart attitude toward God when you hear the Name of Jesus Christ proclaimed with authority – openly – for all to hear?

What was Paul’s response in Php 1:18? “Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice.”

“The preaching of Christ is the joy of all who wish well to his kingdom among men. Since it may tend to the good of many, we ought to rejoice in it, though it be done in pretence, and not in reality. It is God’s prerogative to judge of the principles men act upon; this is out of our line. Paul was so far from envying those who had liberty to preach the gospel while he was under confinement that he rejoiced in the preaching of it even by those who do it in pretence, and not in truth. How much more then should we rejoice in the preaching of the gospel by those who do it in truth, yea, though it should be with much weakness and some mistake!” – Matthew Henry

Paul rejoiced when others preached the gospel of Christ. Why? Because he understood that God saves the souls of men when the gospel is heralded and it would turn out to the glory of Christ. Christian, is that your attitude toward the public proclamation of the gospel of Jesus Christ?

When we hear the gospel (anytime any place) heralded, our heart attitude should be like that of John the Baptist, "…this joy of mine is fulfilled. He must increase, but I must decrease.” Jn 3:29-30

Another Matthew Henry quote for your consideration.

“This is one of the things which accompany salvation—to be able to rejoice that Christ is preached, though it be to the diminution of us and our reputation.”

You know what? Although we take a little heat when preaching in the streets, God provides much encouragement too.

I can’t count how many times a brother and/or sister, whom I have never met is drawn in to come and listen to the gospel being preached. Sometimes they just pass by and yell, “AMEN” or “THAT’S RIGHT” or “PREACH IT!” This is very encouraging.

I can’t say that just because they say things like this they are saved BUT their attitude toward the proclamation of the gospel is like that of Paul’s and John the Baptist is it not? “Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice.”

There have been others who rejoice with us when Christ is preached.

Just the other day, a young man named Joey came up to me while I was preaching. His face was glowing with enthusiasm. Before I even talked to him it was clear to see that this guy really loved to hear the Name of Jesus lifted up. We had the most wonderful time of fellowship, talking about our Lord Jesus. He encouraged me very much.

Again, I could share so many stories of God encouraging us in this awesome labor of sowing the seed of the gospel.

We’ve seen brethren whom we’ve never met before be so encouraged that Christ’s Name is being lifted that they were compelled to get up and preach too.

Please listen to one such young man named Aaron (Top picture). Aaron is a sixteen-year-old Christian from Texas who was visiting with family. He too was so excited about the proclamation of the gospel. He stood and listened to Brother Robert preach for quite awhile before he came up and started talking to us – expressing his gratitude to God for the gospel going out. This kid was beside himself with excitement about the preaching. Robert and I asked Aaron if he wanted to get up on the stool and read from God’s Word. He said, “I can’t do that. I’m scared.” Hey that’s a reasonable first response. We encouraged him by ensuring him that we would be standing right with him and that no one would hurt him. Without hesitation he asked if he could use my Bible. He jumped up on the stool and with a very authoritative voice read from John chapter three. After he read a passage, he looked up at Robert and I with the biggest smile on his face – you’ll actually hear him laughing at the end and saying, “I love that verse.” He was so excited, he read it again, this time, with even more enthusiasm – if it were possible. Oh that all Christians were as enthusiastic about the proclamation of God’s Word…

Right after Aaron finished, another brother in Christ (middle picture) got up and preached for a bit. We wasn’t with Aaron or us but he too was so encouraged by the preaching that he wanted to preach.

In the second half of this short podcast you’ll hear a bit of preaching from the 4th of July in Pismo. There were hundreds standing just in the plaza area where we normally preach. But the sidewalks and pier area were packed as well. Brother Robert and I witnessed 1-2-1 for most of the day and we also did a bit of open air together. At some point, Robert had to go home. But there were so many people there that I couldn’t get myself to leave – so many could hear the Good News! However, it’s a bit unnerving to preach ALONE – even though we know God never leaves us. Anyhow, I prayed and then preached for maybe forty minutes, the whole time knowing that Robert had left and that I was going it alone. You’ll hear me finish up, calling sinners to repentance and faith in Jesus Christ, then you’ll hear another man (bottom picture) preach for a bit.

I didn’t know him. I have never seen him and to this day have never met. After he finished, I got into a really solid 1-2-1 so I wasn’t available to go and meet him. But you know what? I was so encouraged! This kind of thing just makes my heart rejoice in the goodness of God.

Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice!

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