| “People persecuted the prophets who were before you, you will be persecuted too.” |
Introduction
First I would like to express my great gratitude to God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ for the privilege of preaching His Word. For me this is a huge endeavor and without God’s grace I cannot do it.
I am not writing a book. These are my compiled sermons so I don’t have to have bibliography. Have you heard a preacher that preaches his sermon and quotes specific author or publisher where he got his information? It would be time consuming and it will disrupt the train of thoughts. It is up to my readers or listeners to search (e.g.) book of history, science, almanac, encyclopedia or even the Webster’s dictionary. To check for a subject or specific names I mentioned in my sermons. But most importantly you have to search the Bible to find out if what I have said is true or not.
Preaching God’s Word is not for popularity contest. A lot of preachers you will see on television that have PhD or Master’s degree in theology yet they are preaching different gospel or contaminated gospel just to make money. (Not all because there are few who are honest). But most of them become rich by doping Christians who do not care to read their Bible thoroughly. People had been sucked in to their doctrines.
It is ironic but I would like to thank these preachers for being a direct inspiration to me to preach God’s pure Word.
Just recently a magazine featured a well-known preacher and the title of the article is, “The preacher that makes people feel good.” It is true that God’s Word will inspire and encourage a soul. But that is only a very small percentage to the whole community of people that will listen to what you will preach. When you preach the truth, expect persecution. I will tell you that people will not like you. The truth hurts. Preaching the truth will not make you popular. Preaching the truth will not make you rich. Not only the unbelievers who will persecute you but even Christians who have been self deceived will violently disagree to my conclusions of some of the topics that I will bring out. Persecution is inevitable. Jesus was warning us and said, “People persecuted the prophets who were before you, you will be persecuted too.”
Paul wrote to Timothy and said, “Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort…. Time will come when they will not listen to sound doctrine; they just want to have their ears tickled. They will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their desires.” That means to make them feel good. (11 Timothy 4:1-4) Preaching the Word is not to make people comfortable. To rebuke, to reprove and to exhort is not to make them feel good.
Jesus said, “I will build my church and the gates of Hell shall not prevail against it.” In preaching His Word we are not only in a defensive position but also in an offensively manner. Preaching the Word is to advance. The gates of Hades cannot prevail or cannot over power it. Yes we have to pray hard because this is a spiritual warfare. But if you just pray and will not preach to charge, then you are a coward! Preaching the truth is to attack. If that is your method you will not be famous. You will not have a lot of members. You will not make money. In fact you will be hated for your guts. Even church people will misunderstand you.
My sole purpose in preaching the Word is to tell the truth and to educate Christians. It may hurt people’s feelings but that is what preaching is supposed to be. Paul said to the Galatians, that he was not trying to please men but to please God.
Persecution in my life is welcome. The Lord said, “Blessed are you when men will cast insults at you, and persecute you, and say all kinds of evilagainst you falsely, on account of Me.” (Matthew 5:11)
Bobby Cabonce
