Matthew 3
Bible Passage: Matthew 3
As part of his ministry, John the Baptist preached the word of God and exhorted the people (ref Luke 3:2-3, 18). He testified about Jesus Christ (ref Jn 1) and bore witness to the Truth (Jn 5:33).
One area that I’ve gained and learnt so much during the past few years of my stay in Singapore is the matter concerning personal evangelism.
In my early youth, I had been involved mostly in the music and literary ministries. My ‘personal best’ on evangelical work involved tracting on my own accord and inviting friends to the evangelical services, and then a little bit of follow-up thereon. All in all, I did not pay much attention to the efforts and resources required in this area of work.
Preach the Word!
One of the most important tasks that Jesus has commissioned us is exactly on preaching the gospel. “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature”, He commanded (Mark 16:15).
One key area that I’ve learnt to put a lot of effort into is prayer. Even though I do not usually shy away from talking to people (or a stranger), telling someone about the word of God is not so “relaxing” as chatting about the weather of the day.
So, I prayed for the faith in the power of His word so that I could share with my friends and colleagues with such a conviction, and that I will speak as I should (Col 4:3-4).
I have heard and read countless testimonies about how a schoolmate, colleague or friend came to the church (and many who subsequently came to believe) after witnessing the conduct of our brethren.
In fact, our conduct, (work & personal) attitudes and way of life bear the greatest testimony for Jesus Christ. It does not mean that I’ve lived so perfectly, but through prayers, I asked God for the strength and wisdom to strive for that perfection, just as how He wants us to shine before men (Matt 5:16).
The weekly prayer session (on Sabbath, between 1:30-1:45 p.m.) dedicated for the door-to-door (“D2D”) initiative and evangelical work has been very important to me at a personal level. It was a (short!) time that I could allocate to pray, with other brethren, and whole-heartedly, for the similar purpose. It was usually during these sessions that I really cried out for the lost souls who had yet to believe.
During the weekly prayers, we pray for the door of gospel & salvation be opened, just as Paul encouraged the members in Colosse (Col 4:3). Paul also requested the members in Thessalonians to pray such that the “word of the Lord may run swiftly and be glorified, and that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men” (II Thess 3:1-2).
Quite a number of D2D group members have encountered unpleasant, intimidating and even threatening situations. While adversary and oppositions may at times be unavoidable, we can only ask for God’s guidance and mercy. Through prayers, the word of God and the work of the Apostles serve great comfort to us (Acts 4:31, 41-42).
As the timing of the D2D prayer is fixed (rain or shine), I find this a good motivation to keep up with this ministry. Even though many a time we may be away traveling thus not able to be there physically during the session, we could offer support through prayer at the said timing.
Last but not least, just as prayer is important, our knowledge of God’s word and understanding of church’s basic beliefs are equally important. We must equip ourselves adequately for the spiritual battle through constant searching of the Scriptures and receiving the word with all readiness (Acts 17:11). This exercise confirms our understanding of the truth and that gives us further conviction when we preach.
It is painful to think of all the lost souls out there (including our loved ones who have yet to believe) while time is running out. If you have not already involved in this area of work, I humbly invite you to start by joining the weekly prayer, or distributing the basic belief leaflet / evangelical invite to at least one of your friends.
“Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season…” (II Tim 4:2)
May you have a blessed week ahead.
2 Comments
biblereadingcompanion
Thanks LittleDust for the encouragement. Indeed, preaching the news that the Kingdom of God is at hand is the duty of all of us… but somehow we still lack the urgency, love and compassion that Jesus showed us in His ministry on earth.
Last night, I was reading Matt 3 with my eldest and what struck us a lot were the words of Jesus directed at the Pharisees and Sadducees (see verses 8-10)….
“Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance, and do not think to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones. And even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. ”
Some of us have been in Church since birth. We are the 3rd, 4th or even 5th generation (as my eldest reminded me) of believers and we are very comfortable in church. Perhaps too comfortable….
Last week in Matt 2, I spoke about the passing of faith likened to the relay runners handing over the baton. And that the runners must be able, willing and determined to first receive the baton and then hand over the baton of faith.
This passage reminds me that we who have been in church a long time, that we should not be complacent thinking all is well, but must also work at ensuring that we bear fruits worthy of our repentance. I am sure, like me, we all have many areas of weaknesses that we still fall far short of God’s glory.
We fail in many ways to do the right thing but like the Pharisees and Sadducees, we think we are alright and do not need any changes in our lives.
We must strive to bear good fruits.
When John the Baptist questioned Jesus as to the necessity of baptizing Him, Jesus answered… “Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” (Matt 3:15).
Let this be our goal as well in our lives of faith… that whatever we do, we do it as it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.
PS
Matthew 3:2 and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!”
Then Jerusalem, all Judea, and all the region around the Jordan went out to him and were baptized by him in the Jordan, confessing their sins. (Matthew 3:5)
Matthew 3:11-12 “I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I…He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.”
When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place…Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. (Acts 2:1, 3-4)
Matthew 3:8 “Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance,..”
(1 of the actions to do, ie fruit to bear, is to accept baptism in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins)
And there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven…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?” (Acts 2:5,37)
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.” (Acts 2:38)
Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. (Acts 2:41)
However the brood of vipers, the Pharisees and Sadducees, did not accept the baptism for remission of their sins.
They bear no fruit after their baptism of repentance by John the Baptist.