25. In Missions – Send the Light! (3)
Hymns: RHC 452 Rescue the Perishing 454 Make Me a Blessing 524 I’ll Be a Sunbeam
Colossians 4:6
2 Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving; 3 Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds: 4 That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak. 5 Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. 6 Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.
In Missions – Send the Light! (3)
OUTLINE
In Missions – Send the Light! (Col. 4:2-18)
- Pray for Open Door (v2-4)
- Spirit-Led and Urgency (v5)
- Equipping (v6)
- Fellow Labourers (v7-18)
Continued…
(3) Equipping (v6)
6 Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.
Let our words be pious, showing forth the work of God’s love in our lives. How He shows us Who He is, how we come to trust in Him and to obey Him and His commandments. This we want to share with others that they too may experienced the goodness of God.
The work of being a witness for the Lord is alluded here. The Christian has a testimony to share. His life has been transformed because he has come to know Christ.
When Jesus gave the Great Commission, He said in Matthew 28:18-20 (KJV) And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
The going with the gospel and the baptizing is the initial work as we contemplate, the bulk of the work is in verse 20, teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you. Christ and His apostles placed great emphasis upon indoctrination of converts in “the whole counsel of God.” Although the Apostles were evangelizing and winning souls, baptizing them and organizing them into local churches for the purpose of doctrinal and practical edification and the observance of the sacraments – baptism and the Lord’s Supper, there is a great emphasis placed upon feeding those who are already Christians. This is so that they may know how each may know how one ought to answer every man the reason for our faith.
Christian love is always grounded upon obedience to His Word and the keeping of the covenant with God.
John 14:15 (KJV) If ye love me, keep my commandments.
John 15:10 (KJV) If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.
Acts 2:38 (KJV) Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
The commandment of God is that all who will repent of their sins are commanded to be baptized, as an outward sign of inward grace.
Christian love is always founded upon obeying the commandments of God. There is a commitment to love God and love our fellow men.
A true disciple of Christ is characterized by obedience and faithfulness. To abide in God’s Word is not just lip service, or merely raising our hands to say “I believe”, but there is no true commitment to follow the Lord.
Mark 8:34-35 (KJV) And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it.
Love is based on the knowledge and truth. Jesus says He that loves Me, keep My words! He that does not love Him, does not keep His words, be obedient to His will and His commandments.
John 8:31-32 (KJV) Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
If we would continue or abide in Christ’s word, we will be free from the bondage of sin and terro of eternal hell.
This is the Christian’s witness to a dying world.
When we are obedient to God and His truth, He opens a way of witness for us that has a lasting impact upon the world.
This was the testimony of the church in Rome.
Romans 1:8 (KJV) First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.
2 Timothy 1:13 (KJV) Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.
Titus 1:9 (KJV) Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.
Titus 2:1 (KJV) But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine:
Without the truth, love would completely disappear because it will not have any definition, direction, guideline, interpretation and thus evaporates to nothing as God has place His very truth above His very Name.
God’s method is to bring love and truth together in harmony with each other – Paul says love rejoices in the truth!
The Galatian church was not showing deep and sacrificial love towards the Apostle Paul – Galatians 4:14-16 (KJV) And my temptation which was in my flesh ye despised not, nor rejected; but received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus. Where is then the blessedness ye spake of? for I bear you record, that, if it had been possible, ye would have plucked out your own eyes, and have given them to me. Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?
Jesus gives the marching orders to all His disciples without exception to bringing the gospel to all nations and to make them disciples of them and identify them through baptism and to teach them all things teach them so that they become like you that they in turn may make others disciples.
A late minister of the Gospel said well, “This command is preceded. It’s preceded by the promise of His power. It is followed by the promised of His presence. YE shall have the power. “… all power is given unto me…” “You go, and lo, I am with you alway…”
The word “alway” is not “always” but “alway” without the “s” meaning all the way.
His authority will be behind you. His Spirit will be within you as the task is before you, and you’re to go. These are Jesus’ last words to you, practical action that we shall see applied in our text.”
And so, Luke recorded for us in Acts 1:8 “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”
The gospel is the only hope of salvation for sinners. If we will not go, who will?
in Acts 8, we shall see the Philip’s work, recorded for our learning and emulation. It is interesting that there is no record of Philip’s life prior to his choice as one of the seven leaders in Acts 6.
From Jerusalem, he went to through Judaea and to Samaria. He was geographically descending from a higher to a lower place because Jerusalem is situation 2200 feet above sea level.
You recall our Lord Jesus went that way too during His earthly ministry. He ministered to the Samaritan woman at the well. She was converted and many others with her as Jesus continued to minister there.
The Samaritans were not Gentiles but neither were they Jews in religious conviction but viewed by the Jews as half breed, half Jew and half Gentile, a mixed race, descendants of Mesopotamian (Gentiles) colonists who settled in the area and intermarried with the Jews remaining there after the Jewish exile by Assyria (2 Kings 17:24-31). They reject the Jewish Temple worship. Three centuries earlier, they had constructed their own temple on Mount Gerizim. The Jews prohibit intermarriage with Samaritans, but they did not even allow a Samaritan to convert to Judaism.
The Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans. There is great tension and downright hatred that characterised the attitude of the Jews towards the Samaritan and vice-versa.
Acts 8:5 Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them.
In the region of Samaria, there are a number of cities – Shechem, Sychar, Neapolis or another Samaritan city, we are not told.
In a way, we can observe that Philip was in hostile territory for a Jew. What did he do? What was the focus of Philip, He preached Christ unto them!
Acts 8:6-7 (KJV) And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed.
What is the impact or the fruit of soul winning? Great joy verse 8 tells us.
Acts 8:8 (KJV) And there was great joy in that city.
There was a revival that took place in demonstration of the power of the Holy Spirit.
The joy and peace that comes from being freed from the bondage of sin! Christian joy overwhelmed the hearts of the people. There was joy all over. For the Philip and for the converts!
Psalm 126:5-6 They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. 6 He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.
This is the joy of the Holy Spirit, the spirit’s fruit. The joy of seeing sinners saved.
Luke 15:7 I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.
Luke 15:10 Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.
The Christian faith is characterised by joy. The joy of sins forgiven, power to live a holy life and a glad and assured hope of future glory!
Share the gospel to your loved ones, look for opportunities for your loved ones to come in contact with the Word of God – A Christian book, another elderly Christian who speaks the same dialect, learn to witness in their dialect. The workplace and the School is our main area of influence outside the home.
The place where Christians work or study is one of the largest sources of new converts. It is easier to follow up people we bring to Christ in our place of work or study because we see them almost every day.
How do you reach out?
Do not hide your Christian profession, match it with Christ-like conduct, look for opportunities to witness, share the gospel.
We can be also winning souls outdoor. We can distribute tracts discreetly. We can do one-to-one personal evangelism if the opportunities arise. When doing outdoor evangelism, go as a pair and not alone (Luke 10:1).
Luke 10:1 After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come.
Men witness to men and ladies to ladies. Give a tract. Have a variety of tracts for different ages and, ethnic/language group. Do not be discourteous, always end off well. Remember you are a living testimony for Christ whether it be good or bad. Do not consent to go to lonely, quiet places unless you know them or you are in a pair with a brother. Ask for email, handphone, address to follow up if necessary or make an appointment.
We must also be prepared to answer questions, doubts and excuses. We can do door to door evangelism systematically outside public places like the MRT, bus interchange.
6 Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt…
“Salt has value but is inexpensive. Its properties far exceed its value. Salt is used for seasoning, preserving and purifying.” This is observed by a missionary when he shared from this verse. He encouraged each one never to retire from being the salt of the earth even at an old age.
This verse makes the stark comparison between salt that has lost its saltiness and the Christian who has lost his vitality as a witness for his Lord.
Salt as a seasoning enhances the taste when added appropriately in cooking (Job 6:6, Isa 30:24). Salt is used as a preservative to retard decomposition (Lev 2:13, Ezek 43:24). It is used figuratively as an emblem of loyalty and perpetuity in the relationship between God and His people. It is called the covenant of salt (Num 18:19; 2 Chron 13:5). Salt has a purifying or medicinal effect when newborn babies are bathed in it and rubbed with it (Ezek 16:4).
The Christian can in many ways be a worthy witness for his Lord (as the multi-function of salt) in the ministry of encouragement, as a living testimony of the gospel and in the defense of the faith.
To the woman taken in the act of adultery, He said: “Neither do I condemn you: go, and sin no more.” Here we have the grace and the salt. First of all, the grace, “Neither do I condemn thee”; then the salt, “go, and sin no more.”
Then again, the Lord Jesus said to the woman at Jacob’s well: “Give Me to drink…. Go, call thy husband.” The first speaks of grace, whereas the second reminds us more of salt.
That you may know how you ought to answer each one. Perhaps the Apostle Paul is here thinking particularly of the Gnostics who came to the Colossians with their plausible doctrines. They should be ready to answer these false teachers with words of wisdom and faithfulness.
Jesus was a friend to publicans and sinners. May the Lord help us to be more like our Saviour.
To be continued…