EMPOWERED TO PREACH!!!

WHAT IS PREACHING?

Preaching is announcing God’s good news of salvation and calling hearers to turn from sin and experience the freedom of God’s acceptance and love (Acts 8:4) “Therefore those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word.” Occasionally, the New Testament distinguishes preaching from teaching (1 Tim 4:13) “Till the Lord Jesus comes; we should give attention to reading, to exhortation and to doctrine.”  The latter being further instruction for those who are already believers.  The Bible presents several Old Testament persons as preachers, such as Noah, Moses, Jonah and Isaiah. In the New Testament, preaching is not limited to such people as, John the Baptist, Jesus, Peter, John, Philip and Paul, for many believers preached wherever they went.  The responsibility to preach the good news now belongs to all Christ’s followers, and not just to those ordained to the ministry of the Word. All believers can testify to the facts about Jesus Christ, and more than that, to His power to change lives.  The core message proclaimed in the New Testament,  in such sermons as Acts 2:14-36; 4:12-26; and 13:16-41, is this: the Scriptures are fulfilled, the new age has come through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and Christ will become as judge; therefore repent and believe. Are you a Jesus follower? Then purpose in your heart to change and transform at least one soul to cause the angels in heaven to celebrate.

WHAT DOES THE WORD EMPOWER MEANS?

To empower is derived from a Greek word Endunamoo’ (en- doo-namo’o) which means “To make strong and enable” not a self-made strength, but strength given or shared.  The power, might and strength is given by the source Himself (Matt. 28:18) Jesus told His disciples that, “All authority has been given to Him in heaven and on earth. And commanded His disciples to go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." The disciples were given power available for action and it is only to be used when needed." From the story of the woman who was twelve years with the issue of blood healed. (Matt. 9:20-22) It is in His power, and only from this place of strength where life can be empowered and transformed. We can tap into His power, for it is “Christ who dwells in our hearts through faith” (Eph.3:17) "that Christ may dwell in our hearts through faith; that we rooted and grounded in love". Therefore my brethren, the power is available to provide the capacity that we need to make the ongoing, wise and healthy choices, even when we think we cannot.

Biblical Examples of Empowerment:  Finally my brethren, be strong and in the Power of His Might. (Eph. 6:10); He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God. (Rom.4:20); I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (Phil. 4:13); Apostle Paul, thanked Christ Jesus our Lord who enabled him, counted him faithful, and putting him into the ministry, but he was formerly like any one of us; a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man; but obtained mercy and preached the gospel with power and boldness when encountered with the Lord Jesus because he realized his sin were done in ignorant and disbelieve. And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus and Paul was ready and willing to pay the price. (1 Tim. 1:12-14).  Paul’s faith and obedience in Christ gave him the opportunity to strengthened his friend, brother and fellow core worker and son Timothy to be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. (2 Tim. 2:1).  When all forsook Paul and no one stood with him at his first defense, only the Lord stood with him and strengthened him, so that the message might be preached fully through him, and that all Gentiles might hear. He was also delivered from the mouth of the lion. (2 Tim. 4:17). And 2 Cor12:19, we are reminded by God that, “His grace is sufficient for us, for His power is made perfect in weakness.” And so we find that it is not in our strength, but His strength that enables and empowers us. It is His might available to us so that we can act in wisdom, wellness, love and strength. His might provide the needed capacity for the ultimate feeling of being empowered.

APOSTLE PAUL EMPOWERED TO PREACH

In 2 Cor. 4:3-4 Paul says, “But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them.”  Apostle Paul was an explicit and forthright preacher of Christ’s gospel, backing up his words by a consistently Christian life. He proclaimed Jesus without fear or favor yet was atypically oriental teacher in using allegory, metaphor and poetic imagery. He thus ran the risk of being misunderstood as Christ’s was when He taught in parables.  Jesus taught in parables because seeing they did not see, and hearing they did not hear, nor did they understand (Matt. 13:13). Or metaphors, Jesus charged His disciples saying,” Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.”  And they reasoned among themselves saying, "It is because we have no bread.” But Jesus being aware of it said to them, “Why do you reason because you have no bread? Do you not yet perceive nor understand?  Is your heart still hardened? Having eyes, do you not see? And having hears, do you not hear? And do you not remember? When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets full of fragrance did you take up?” They said to Him, “Twelve,” “Also, when I broke the seven for the four thousand, how many large baskets full of fragments did you take up?”  And they said “Seven.” So He said to them, How is it you do not understand?” Even the written Scriptures read aloud in the synagogues, would remain obscure to many who are dying in sin because they lack spiritual discernment. But the great Apostle did not lose heart, for he knew the One he preached. It was His Lord, not his circumstance or condition, who empowered his service. Likewise for us, we need to stand firm and steadfast  in preaching the gospel with power, might and strength without ceasing putting in mind that it is for the greater Glory and Honor of our Lord Jesus Christ and God our Father. For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shown in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge  of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.(2 Cor. 4:6).

THE SPIRIT EMPOWERS

In Luke24, Jesus meets with His disciples and summarizes the gospel message. He goes on to tell them that repentance for forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed to all nations, and that they are witnesses of these things. Then He tells them that, He is sending forth the promises of the Holy Spirit, and they are to stay in Jerusalem until they are clothed with power from on high.  They were to wait in Jerusalem until they have been empowered to carry on the mandate of preaching the gospel to all the nations. The empowering by the Holy Spirit gives the church the necessary tools or Spiritual gifts to effectively preach the gospel.  We have the tools of, word of Wisdom, word of knowledge, faith, gifts of healing, working of miracles, prophesy, discerning of spirits, different kind of tongues, interpretation of tongues.(1 Cor. 12:4-11). But one and same Spirit works all these things , distributing to each one individually as He Wills and the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all but not for self-benefit.  It is very unfortunate that there are many who operate in these gifts but only few of us seem to understand that they operate in God’s Spirit given gifts. Especially the gift of healing and working  of miracles, many regard them as out dated or rather there are some underworld powers behind these two gifts;  personally as Grace Favor I would say. “There are those that are genuine but some seek the underworld powers to manipulate God’s people (but let me worn such acts that the wrath of God is against this and I would boldly say, there is no difference between them and the witches; they are as brothers and sisters). The empowering of the Holy Spirit also gives the church the boldness to share the gospel as Jesus has empowered the church to carry out the mandate to preach the gospel to the whole world. (Acts 1:8) “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria and even to the uttermost parts of the earth.

In conclusion, one of the rules of good leadership is to give people freedom, necessary training and tools to carry out the responsibilities that are assigned to them as ministers of the gospel.  Abba Father May You help us to be Christians that are constantly tapping into You Power. Holy Spirit, fill us and empower us so that we can effectively and zealously preach the gospel to the uttermost parts of the earth with power and boldness. Extend Your Hands to perform miracles, signs and wonders and confirm the gospel message as many are in doubt if there still a God concerning the uncertainties and pandemic that has befallen on this world. In Thy Name Lord I do ask believing and trusting Amen, And Amen and Amen.

“Grace to you and Favor from God our Father and  the Lord Jesus Christ be with you all, Amen, and Amen, and Amen.”