Sunday 8 May 2011

Philippeans 1 - Does it really matter?

Should we really be concerned about the way the message of Jesus is preached or who by?

Our natural instinct is to say yes of course for the main reason is we want to know that it is the Truth being preached and done in a way Jesus would approve of..

But I think we need to look at this from a Scriptural perspective...
Bear any sort of judgement in mind until you have read and prayed over Philippeans 1:15
"15 It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. 16 The latter do so out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. 17 The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. 18 But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice."

I know that this piece of Scripture is a direct letter from Paul, whilst in prison, to the church at Philipi and we should also think of it in that context and we should also think about it in the broader way of the world as it is today. I am certainly not saying that we should warp Scripture to fit our minds.


So does Scripture tell us that we should not be concerned with groups such as the JW's, Catholics and Mormons etc..? this also goes for Christian Churches who both believe in Jesus but have some "doctrine issues".
On the simple view of it, you can only but say yes..

We worry too much about all the wrong things people say about Jesus and his mission of his life. We also focus too much on stopping those who preach the wrong things.. what we really should be looking at is walking through the open door they have put in that person and then showing them the Scriptures to correct their ways of thinking.

Also take the British Humanist Society to which we owe a huge thank you for. They spent so much money on advertising on buses around the country that there is "no God" and then again during the Census 2011 about saying "no to religion". Thank you BHA!
Whilst we are thanking them for their work in helping us we also must ask the question on why they are spending so much time and money disproving something does exist? It would be along the same lines as me spending millions on saying the Easter Bunny is not real. (Of course I am looking at this in a simplistic way)

This once again opened doors for so many Christians to speak openly about God and change the world one person at a time.

For example if you had a person saying God hates everyone, you can show them the Scripture where it clearly states that "God is love" and also then move onto planting the seed of Truth by telling that person that God gave His only begotten Son for THEM so they would have a way back to Heaven.
In this you have not just shown them proof but could have really shaken the foundations in them to why they haven't given themselves to Jesus yet. If no then you have planted the seeds there for them to think and deal with.. Just be patitent.

If the people Jesus spoke to were not able to change their hearts there and then we should not expect the same but we should always be aware of the power of the Holy Spirit and what it can do through you!!

Going back a little in mentioning that it is far easier to approach someone who has questions than it is someone who has heard nothing and is not seeking. Someone with questions is more likely to listen and think about it as it is filling the nagging hole inside them.
So take the time and do not over load them with answers and information. Let them digest it and ask questions on it.

We do see so many in the Christian community saying "oh dont like the them because they have a different way of preaching, its not the truth or the Scripture is taken out of context"

Jesus went around speaking Truths and that is what we should do and really pray for those who speak the message of Jesus for any other reason except for the Glory of God...

So to sum up the simple Sheeps message....

Let the words from your mouth and your actions be of the Truth in Scripture and do not worry about others way or message they are preaching but pray for them and be there if the holy Spirit requires you to be..

Peace be with you!