Fishermen

Good morning and welcome in everybody. Today we are going to take a look at a passage of Scripture from the book of Titus.

Preach is defined in a couple different dictionaries as to try to persuade others to believe and follow a particular way of life. This includes giving earnest advice based on the teachings of scripture or speaking publicly about religious matters. 

Each day, all of us speak publicly about all kinds of different things, such as politics, the environment, or even the weather. You might voice your opinion to your neighbor about certain foods that you don’t like. I might try to convince you about the best chainsaw to buy. All of us have our own opinions about certain issues which we communicate through speech. After all, this began at a very young age when we listened to one another at the supper table. Many times our opinions are formed when we were educated in public schools or went off to college. We are trained at a very young age to accept and believe the things that are taught in society. Although they might have had the best intentions, it doesn’t always mean that they are correct. There is a great difference between worldly opinions and Spiritual ones. Many times, an earthly judge will give their opinion based on the decisions of other judges before them. Men of God are very similar, but they base their opinions on others who were in the faith long before they were. So you see, our opinions are formed by others, whether it’s a parent, a teacher, or a man of Christ. Preaching is simply the public acknowledgment of your own Spiritual beliefs that are based in the teachings of scripture.

“But hath in due times manifested his word through preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour;” Titus 1:3

How can you possibly know that your dad wants the lawn cut, unless he communicates it to you? How are you going to know that your mom wants you to clean your bedroom unless she tells you? Likewise, how are people going to do the will of God, if you never tell them what they need to do? 

Romans 10 ¹⁴ 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? ¹⁵ And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! ¹⁶ But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? ¹⁷ So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

It teaches us in this passage, that faith cometh by hearing. Well, in order for people to hear the Word of God, someone needs to be preaching the Word of God. It’s more than just writing up a newsletter, or publishing an article, preaching is about talking to people about your faith. You don’t have to be a publicly trained speaker. You don’t have to be great at giving lectures. Remember that Jesus chose a group of fishermen to preach. It simply comes down to having a willingness to talk with others about the things that you believe. After all, if you believe it’s going to be a beautiful day, more than likely you’re going to communicate that to someone. With all the negative connotations given to the word “preaching” throughout the years, it simply comes down to visiting with others, and sharing your biblical opinions. Each of us has an opinion about something, and preaching is telling others about what you believe.

“And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.” Acts 5:42

Granted if you were in the gas station and somebody gets contentious with you when you speak about the weather, then move on. If people don’t want to hear about the glorious things that Christ Jesus has done for them, shake the dust off because there are millions of other people in the world.

“Paul also and Barnabas continued in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.” Acts 15:35

The church is a public setting, where men of God instruct and guide others in the teachings of Christ. Everything that the Lord taught to Peter, he was commanded to give to others. 

“So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these?  He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.” John 21:15

1 Peter 5 ¹ The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: ² Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; ³ Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. ⁴ And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.

Although I have worked in radio and many other forms of communication, this is not required to preach the gospel. On my part, it is simply the background from which I came from. But, it doesn’t matter how well we say something, it matters what we say. We are simply carrying a message, no different than telling your mom that your dad wants a certain meal for supper. Scriptures even teach us that the Apostle Paul didn’t speak very well.

“For his letters, say they, are weighty and powerful; but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible.” 2 Corinthians 10:10

Whether somebody can speak well or not, should never hinder someone from communicating to others the truth of our faith. Somebody needs to be preaching.

“Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.” Acts 20:28

2 Timothy 4 ¹ I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;

² Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

Think of the many prerequisites to obtaining a job in this world. Some of them demand a four-year degree, while others won’t hire you without previous experience. But to preach God’s Word only requires communicating with others the teachings of scripture. It necessitates no pulpit, no building, or church pews. It doesn’t need stained glass windows or fancy robes. It only requires a willing heart to share the teachings of our faith with others. 

Just imagine what he could do with you! After all, look at what the Lord did with a group of..

…..Fishermen. 

Let’s think about these things for right now.  We can be found on your web browser by searching, tlkjbc  where you can find our diaries distributed through various platforms. We are not associated, nor affiliated with any other religious groups. You can get our entire podcast feeds directly, along with transcripts at tlkjbc.com or I suppose that you could find us somewhere up here, in the Great Northern Minnesota woods. Peace to you all, and Lord willing, we will talk with you some more tomorrow. Till then, bye bye everybody.♥️