The Foolishness Of Preaching!

 

1st Corinthians 1:20-21

"Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe.

Preaching the good news of the Kingdom of God and warning people of the judgment to come is foolishness to so many! Especially the wise and learned of this world, like politicians, government officials, scientists, the rich, and CEO's. They think they have more important things to do than listen to a gospel message being preached about the Kingdom of God and the salvation of their souls. In actuality there isn't anything else more important in the world than hearing a message that can give you eternal life if you believe!

And that's the whole key to the gospel, it's believing the message that you hear and responding to it, with repentance, a change of heart and mind, and a change of your ungodly lifestyle. But so many just brush off the messenger, blank them out, turn their backs and walk away, or call them brainwashed or religious fanatics, Jesus freaks, hypocrites, crackpots, etc...

Jesus said Himself, blessed is the one who hears these words of mine and DOES THEM! You have to respond to the message in order to receive the benefits and blessings of the promises of God! Otherwise the message will be just words on a page or words out of the mouth of the messenger. It's so easy to just ignore the message and close your ears to the voice of God and not allow His word to enter your heart.

That's why God chose the foolishness of preaching to save those who believe. It seems very foolish to go out on a street corner and proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ to whoever will listen, but that's all we have isn't it? Words; to believe or not to believe, to accept the message or reject it, that's called free will, and God never forces anyone to believe the message, it has to be a choice made by each individual person.

It's like the Covid vaccination, you have a choice to take it or not, but then you have the government saying take it and protect yourself, your family, and those around you. But if you're a Christian, the scripture tells us that our bodies are the temple of God in which He dwells by His Spirit. So it's my choice what I put inside my body, not the government's choice, regardless of what anybody says about me or to me!

It will be the same with the mark of the beast, you will have a choice to take the mark and be a part of the world, buying and selling and remaining in the system of man, or not taking it and trusting God for your protection, provision, and salvation. The choice will be yours to make! And the scripture is crystal clear about what will happen to those who take it!

If you listen to the message preached by an anointed man of God, sent by God to proclaim His word, it will change your life, if you don't listen you will never change! Because there is no other way for a soul to be saved, healed, delivered, and transformed into the image of Christ unless they receive and believe the good news of the Kingdom of God! 

The Choice Is Yours!

In Jesus,

Tyrone

Apostles (Ambassadors Of The Lord)

Ephesians 4:11-13

"And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ;"

Some believe that the gift of apostleship is no longer available to the body of Christ. But if that is true, then there are no prophets, evangelists, pastors, or teachers. God is not like man, He doesn't give a gift and then take it back! Verse 7-8 "But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift. Therefore He says: “When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive, And gave gifts to men.”

1st Corinthians 12:28 (YLT)

"And some, indeed, did God set in the assembly, first apostles, secondly prophets, thirdly teachers, afterwards powers, afterwards gifts of healings, helpings, governings, divers kinds of languages;"

Apostle means:

652. apostolos ap-os'-tol-os from 649; a delegate; specially, an ambassador of the Gospel; officially a commissioner of Christ ("apostle") (with miraculous powers):--apostle, messenger, he that is sent.

Delegate means:

A person designated to act for or represent another or others. (Dictionary.com)

Ambassador means:

: an official envoy; especially : a diplomatic agent of the highest rank accredited to a foreign government or sovereign as the resident representative of his or her own government or sovereign or appointed for a special and often temporary diplomatic assignment

2 a : an authorized representative or messenger  (Merriam Webster)

2 Corinthians 5:20

"Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God."

So we see that one who is called to be an apostle is a delegate of Jesus Christ, who will act for or represent Jesus and speak on His behalf as they are led by the Spirit. The apostle is an ambassador of Christ sent out to minister (serve, by doing the ministry works of Jesus, i.e. healing, casting out demons) and preach the good news of the kingdom and reconciliation to God.

Mark 3:13-15

"And He went up on the mountain and called to Him those He Himself wanted. And they came to Him. Then He appointed twelve, that they might be with Him and that He might send them out to preach, and to have power to heal sicknesses and to cast out demons:"

Matthew 10:5-10

"These twelve Jesus sent out and commanded them, saying: “Do not go into the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter a city of the Samaritans. But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give. Provide neither gold nor silver nor copper in your money belts, nor bag for your journey, nor two tunics, nor sandals, nor staffs; for a worker is worthy of his food."

John 14:12

“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father."

Here is a list of some ministry works the apostles do:

1) Preaching

Mark 16:15

"And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature."

1st Corinthians 1:23

"but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness,"

 2nd Corinthians 4:5

"For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your bondservants for Jesus’ sake."

2) Healing

Acts 3:6-7

"Then Peter said, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.” And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength."

Acts 5:14 -16

"And believers were increasingly added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women, so that they brought the sick out into the streets and laid them on beds and couches, that at least the shadow of Peter passing by might fall on some of them. Also a multitude gathered from the surrounding cities to Jerusalem, bringing sick people and those who were tormented by unclean spirits, and they were all healed."

Acts 9:32-34

"Now it came to pass, as Peter went through all parts of the country, that he also came down to the saints who dwelt in Lydda. There he found a certain man named Aeneas, who had been bedridden eight years and was paralyzed. And Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus the Christ heals you. Arise and make your bed.” Then he arose immediately."

Acts 14:8-10

"And in Lystra a certain man without strength in his feet was sitting, a cripple from his mother’s womb, who had never walked. This man heard Paul speaking. Paul, observing him intently and seeing that he had faith to be healed, said with a loud voice, “Stand up straight on your feet!” And he leaped and walked."

3) Casting Out Demons

Acts 16:16-18

"Now it happened, as we went to prayer, that a certain slave girl possessed with a spirit of divination met us, who brought her masters much profit by fortune-telling. This girl followed Paul and us, and cried out, saying, “These men are the servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to us the way of salvation.” And this she did for many days. But Paul, greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And he came out that very hour."

4) Raising The Dead

 Acts 9:36-42

"At Joppa there was a certain disciple named Tabitha, which is translated Dorcas. This woman was full of good works and charitable deeds which she did. But it happened in those days that she became sick and died. When they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room. And since Lydda was near Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent two men to him, imploring him not to delay in coming to them. Then Peter arose and went with them. When he had come, they brought him to the upper room. And all the widows stood by him weeping, showing the tunics and garments which Dorcas had made while she was with them. But Peter put them all out, and knelt down and prayed. And turning to the body he said, “Tabitha, arise.” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up. Then he gave her his hand and lifted her up; and when he had called the saints and widows, he presented her alive. And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed on the Lord."

Acts 20:7-12

"Now on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul, ready to depart the next day, spoke to them and continued his message until midnight. There were many lamps in the upper room where they were gathered together. And in a window sat a certain young man named Eutychus, who was sinking into a deep sleep. He was overcome by sleep; and as Paul continued speaking, he fell down from the third story and was taken up dead. But Paul went down, fell on him, and embracing him said, “Do not trouble yourselves, for his life is in him.” Now when he had come up, had broken bread and eaten, and talked a long while, even till daybreak, he departed. And they brought the young man in alive, and they were not a little comforted."

Those who are called to be apostles of Jesus can also minister to the body through prophesying, teaching, shepherding, setting order in the assembly, ordination of elders, correction, exhortation, judging spiritual matters between believers and sinful acts in the body, etc....

The apostle is the all around do anything, go anywhere, first one in, last one out, man of God! It's a call with much responsibility, but the Lord is able to take ordinary unschooled men and make them into vessels of honor and pillars of strength for His glory!

Abiding In Him,
Tyrone

Sir, What Must I DO To Be Saved?

Mark 16:14-18

"Later He appeared to the eleven as they sat at the table; and He rebuked their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they did not believe those who had seen Him after He had risen. And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”

These words of Jesus Christ to His apostles should be enough to end this message right here, but unfortunately in these last days of deception and strong delusion these scriptures have been glossed over as if they didn't exist by those who claim salvation is by faith alone, 'you don't have to DO anything', they say, 'Jesus did it all for you on the cross'. No baptism, no Holy Spirit, no righteous works, no obedience, no repentance, no fasting, no ceasing from sin, no holiness, no suffering, no self-denial, no conformation into the image of Christ. Yet this is exactly what many believe inspite of the teachings of Jesus and the word of God that clearly explains to us all what we MUST DO in order to be saved.

Jesus COMMANDS His apostles to GO and preach the good news to every creature, he who believes AND IS BAPTIZED will be SAVED. Very clear right? God in the flesh giving a command right? Did the apostles OBEY this command? We have the clear evidence of their obedience recorded in the book of Acts. The only book that records clear examples of converts to Christ and what they DID after they believed  the gospel that the apostles preached.

The same Jesus who said, "He who believes and is baptized will be saved", is the same Jesus who said in:

Luke 6:46

“But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say?

Is Jesus preaching salvation by works? Of course not!

What Jesus is preaching is what we must DO in order to be saved! God is the author of salvation for our soul, not us! Who are we to change what He spoke? And who is man that decides how his own soul will be saved?

Let's break down what Jesus said in Mark 16:16

He who believes and is baptized will be saved

Jesus told His apostles to go into the world and preach the gospel (good news) to every creature. The man or woman who believes the good news and is baptized will be saved.

First the good news needs to be preached by those whom the Lord sends into the world, the person who hears this gospel must believe what they have heard. So what does it mean to believe? The Greek word for believe is Pisteuo.

4100. pisteuo pist-yoo'-o from 4102; to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing), i.e. credit; by implication, to entrust (especially one's spiritual well-being to Christ):--believe(-r), commit (to trust), put in trust with. (Strong's Greek Lexicon)

What does the word faith mean?

4102. pistis pis'-tis from 3982; persuasion, i.e. credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of God or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon Christ for salvation; abstractly, constancy in such profession; by extension, the system of religious (Gospel) truth itself:--assurance, belief, believe, faith, fidelity.

Second, the person who believes needs to be baptized.

What does the word baptized mean?

907. baptizo bap-tid'-zo from a derivative of 911; to immerse, submerge; to make whelmed (i.e. fully wet); used only (in the New Testament) of ceremonial ablution, especially (technically) of the ordinance of Christian baptism:--Baptist, baptize, wash.

What does the word saved mean?

4982. sozo sode'-zo from a primary sos (contraction for obsolete saos, "safe"); to save, i.e. deliver or protect (literally or figuratively):--heal, preserve, save (self), do well, be (make) whole.

Jesus said to His apostles, go into the world and preach the good news, he who has faith in me or is persuaded by your message and is immersed in water will be saved.

What did the the people ask when they heard the gospel preached by Peter on the day of Pentecost?

Acts 2:36-37

“Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.” Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?”

What did Peter tell them when they asked him and the other apostles present, "what shall we DO?", did Peter and the other apostles tell them, "just believe!, that's it, that's all you have to do!", NO THEY DID NOT!. Peter being obedient to the command of Jesus Christ, and in agreement with the rest of the apostles and disciples said to them in:

Acts 2:38-39

"Then Peter said to them,“Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.”

Was Peter preaching salvation by works?

What happened when Philip the Evangelist preached the gospel to the Samarians?

Acts 8:12

"But when they believed Philip as he preached the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized."

What happened when Philip preached the gospel to the Ethiopian Eunuch?

Acts 8:34-38

"So the eunuch answered Philip and said, “I ask you, of whom does the prophet say this, of himself or of some other man?” Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning at this Scripture, preached Jesus to him.  Now as they went down the road, they came to some water. And the eunuch said, “See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?” Then Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.”
And he answered and said, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.” So he commanded the chariot to stand still. And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him.

Was Philip preaching salvation by works?

It is very clear in these scriptures as Philip preached Jesus to the Ethiopian Eunuch, that he explained to him what he must DO in order to obtain salvation for his soul, because the eunuch said, "see here is water, what hinders me from being baptized?" Philip was taught correctly by the apostles, he was filled with the Holy Spirit, and he knew what must be done by the one who believes the gospel. None of the apostles or evangelists in the first century told any convert to Christ that all they had to do was believe, so why do preachers today say this? And why do people believe this inspite of the clear teachings of Jesus and the clear examples of true conversion recorded in the book of Acts?

Paul's conversion:

Acts 9:17-18

"And Ananias went his way and entered the house; and laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” Immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he received his sight at once; and he arose and was baptized."

The conversion of the gentile Cornelius and his household:

Acts 10:42-48

"And He commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that it is He who was ordained by God to be Judge of the living and the dead. To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins.” While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word. And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God. Then Peter answered, “Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then they asked him to stay a few days."

Again we clearly see Peter being obedient to the commands and teachings of Jesus Christ, what kind of minister would Peter have been if he were disobedient? He probably wouldn't have been the Lord's apostle very long!

The conversion of Lydia in Philippi:

Acts 16:13-15

"And on the Sabbath day we went out of the city to the riverside, where prayer was customarily made; and we sat down and spoke to the women who met there. Now a certain woman named Lydia heard us. She was a seller of purple from the city of Thyatira, who worshiped God. The Lord opened her heart to heed the things spoken by Paul. And when she and her household were baptized, she begged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.” So she persuaded us."

The conversion of the Philippian jailer:

Acts 16:29-34

"Then he called for a light, ran in, and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. And he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.” Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their stripes. And immediately he and all his family were baptized. Now when he had brought them into his house, he set food before them; and he rejoiced, having believed in God with all his household."

Some use this scrpture as proof text of just believe and you are saved, but how could the jailer believe on the Lord Jesus Christ without first hearing the gospel preached? This is why the scripture goes right on to say, "then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house". Then we see the jailer and his family respond after they heard the word and believed it, they were immediately baptized.

Did the jailer receive salvation by works? Or was he and his family being obedient to the words of Paul and Silas?

Paul said to the Roman saints about the Israelites in:

Romans 10:14-15

"How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!”

In conclusion:

Jesus Himself taught His disciples the plan of God for the salvation of the soul, He appointed them, commanded them, and empowered them to go out into the world and preach the gospel to all nations. Those who believed this gospel were to be baptized, and because of their belief in the gospel, and the Lord Jesus Christ, the actions that followed their belief would lead to the salvation of their soul.

Abiding In His Love,
Tyrone

Is The Bible Your Idol? (Dream 6-4-2010)

John 5:39-40 (NKJV)

“You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me. But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life.”

1st Corinthians 1:20-21 (YLT)
 
where [is] the wise? where the scribe? where a disputer of this age? did not God make foolish the wisdom of this world? for, seeing in the wisdom of God the world through the wisdom knew not God, it did please God through the foolishness of the preaching to save those believing.

The Lord gave me a dream last night concerning the scriptures and the preaching of the gospel (good news). In this dream I saw two people sitting down at a table and studying an old worn out King James Version bible. They were diligently studying, clutching, and leaning over this bible as if it were their be all and end all, to them it was their god, and nothing else mattered to them. I walked over to the table and said, "I have something that is gonna make you think", I told them to go to, Acts 9:7, Acts 22:9, and Acts 26:13-14. (In these scriptures there is a discrepancy with the testimony of the writer of Acts (Luke) and the testimony of Paul concerning his road to Damascus experience with Jesus). Then I said to one of the people in the room, "God annoints a man to preach His gospel, and His gospel is simple." I asked, "what is the gospel?", and the person answered, "good news", and I asked, "good news of what?", the person answered after thinking about it, "the kingdom", and then I asked, "what did Jesus say we must do to enter the kingdom?", the person answered, "be born again", I said, "that's right, we must be born of water and Spirit". (end)

Jesus chose twelve disciples whom He taught, appointed, anointed and sent out as His apostles to preach the gospel (The New Testament scriptures were not written until at least twenty years after the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus), God never meant for the bible to replace His true ministers, otherwise He wouldn't have ever used man, and when we make the bible our god we deceive ourselves and miss the simple but powerful way God chose to save those who believe in Jesus. The scripture doesn't say He chose the bible to save those who believe, but the preaching, and we should never put the written word above the Living Word!
 
In Jesus,
Tyrone