The best way to share the gospel is to live the gospel.
The life you live is the message you preach.
Our problem in the church is not that we fail to argue truth, but that we fail to live it.
Live what you preach: Live the message, that the words you preach would simply be the exclamation mark of your life.
Only preach to the level you are willing to live.
“Let your light so shine before men, that they may…glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16). Light does not make noise. The best message is seen, not heard.
A good teacher gives the lesson. The best teacher was the lesson. Let people judge you as they will, but tell them what the Lord did for you anyway.
Your greatest message to others that Christ changes lives is living a life that proves it. There is nobody that the Lord Jesus cannot change, but the man or woman who refuses.
Only teach what you know, preach what you live and never think yourself above another.
Only the most brilliant minds can argue the complexity of a doctrine, but it takes the simplicity of a child to walk in the truth of that doctrine. “Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers” (1 Timothy 4:16).
Preach the hard truth: Stop preaching messages that make people feel good as they are, and preach ones that will change them.
Soft words never change a man, but makes him happy right where he is. It takes iron to sharpen iron.
Never preach what people want to hear, but what they need to hear. The wisdom of men will tickle their ears, but the words of Christ will kick them in the stomach.
The people don’t need their ears tickled, they need them slapped. Fear God more than the church elders.
Success in preaching is not in how it is received, but in what is delivered. Jesus told Peter to feed His sheep. He never said that they would like it.
Never think it is your popularity with men that matters, but only the approval of God. Be the saint “…whose praise is not from men but from God” (Romans 2:29). Heavenly rewards are never determined by the flock, but the Shepherd.
The reason false teachers are so popular is they speak a popular message. If you make people comfortable in their sin, then you serve the devil.
Stop preaching gimmicks and just preach the truth. Gimmicks are always based on man’s power.
Rely upon God: If you ever feel stressed preparing a message, you are plugged into the wrong power source.
If you only study in the natural then you will only preach in the natural. Spiritual power never comes by man.
If you don’t pray more than you preach, no wonder the Lord is not in it.
The prophets never changed their message by the response, but by the direction of the Lord. Preaching should never be a popularity contest.
The Lord told Jeremiah, “How long will this be in the heart of the prophets who prophesy lies? Indeed they are prophets of the deceit of their own heart” (Jeremiah 23:26). Don’t preach from your heart, but from His.
If you want to be a mouthpiece for God then be quiet and let Him speak.
When you preach the word and feed His children, you are but the spoon in the hand of mighty God.
Blessings to you,
Paul
Note: All Scripture is from the NKJV (New King James Version).
Thank you!
You are most welcome!
Paul thank you for sharing preaching God’s word as you as preach His word not our own . The one on humble ! I am about to step out to minister to youth and teens , I like what you said live what you preach! It is not so much how you preach as it is so you live what you are preaching! Enjoy your posts!! They are down to earth and for every day living in Christ Jesus!!!
Hi Joyce, oh that is so wonderful that you will allow God to use you in this ministry to the youth. They need Jesus so much! The world is in such a mess, and they need to hear the love of Christ on the Cross for them. Thank you for your kind words! I really need this and you are His messenger of encouragement today! May He bless you in reaching out to these kids!
Wasn’t it St. Francis who said preach the word at all times and when necessary use wotds?
I remember hearing that quote! I looked it up and it seems some think he did not say it, but I don’t know. But i think it is a good word. It does not at all mean we should not use words, but that it is the life behind them that will either support our words or ruin our testimony. At the other end of this though is the unrealistic expectation people have on their pastors. They are just men, let us not expect they are anything more. May we afford them the same grace we ourselves need.
That’s because the role of today’s pastor is nowhere found in the new testament. When Paul planted a church he appointed elders and laid hands on them. Leadership was never intended to be a one man show.
We need much prayer for our churches, our leaders and the flocks they are shepherding. I know that men and the institutions they establish will always be imperfect. But we have a perfect God, Who loves us anyways and chooses to work through us, in spite of our flaws.
Words
A thought comes into my head. I consider it for a while and decide that I need to share it on social media because there are all kinds of people that need to consider it also. They need to hear it so that they become aware of areas in their lives that need “changing”. Then one day I realize that the person who really needs the message I am sharing ……..is me!
A thought comes into my head. I consider it for a while and decide that I need to share it on social media because there are all kinds of people that need to consider it also. They need to hear it so that they become aware of areas in their lives that need “changing”. Then one day I realize that the person who really needs the message I am sharing ……..is me!
That is a great word. I can tell you that most things I teach or write on are born out of the necessity that I first and foremost need to hear the message. What a sweet gift from the Lord for us, that in the lesson He would have for us, that He would then choose to use us to share that same lesson for others! One time I was praying to the Lord on why He was so hard on me, always pressing me to change, I mean, what about the other guy? I heard a whisper, “you are the other guy”.