Dare you preach the truth as Jesus did?
A. Preface:
1. One great blessing in America is one can preach what Bible says! America calls this freedom of speech!
2. Dare you preach as Jesus did?
B. Jesus preached:
1. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. Mk.16:16
2. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life.
But whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on him. Jn.3:36
C. Jesus preached: Matt.12:22-37
1. Then they brought him a demon-possessed man who was blind and mute, and Jesus healed him,
so that he could both talk and see. Matt.12:22
2. All the people were astonished and said: Could this be the Son of David? Matt.12:23
3. But when the Pharisees heard this, they said:
It is only by Satan, the prince of demons that this fellow drives out demons. Matt.12:24
4. Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them: Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined.
And every city or household divided against itself will not stand. Matt.12:25
5. You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good?
For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. Matt.12:34
6. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned. Matt.12:37
D. To the Jews who having believed him, Jesus said: Jn.8:31-59
1. If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples.Jn.8:31
2. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. Jn.8:32
3. You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desire.
He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him.
When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. Jn.8:44
4. Yet because I tell the truth, you do not believe me! Jn.8:45
5. He who belongs to God hears what God says.
The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God. Jn.8:47
6. I tell you the truth before Abraham was born, I am! Jn.8:58
7. At this, they picked up stones to stone him.
But Jesus hid himself, slipping away from the temple grounds. Jn.8:59
E. Woe to you! Matt.23:15-26
1. Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites!
You travel over land and sea to win a single convert.
When he becomes one, you make him twice as much a son of hell as you are. Matt.23:15
2. Woe to you, blind guides! You say: If anyone swears by the temple,
it means nothing; but if anyone swears by the gold of the temple, he is bound by his oath. Matt.23:16
3. You blind fools! Which is greater: the gold, or the temple that makes the gold sacred? Matt.23:17
4. Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites!
You give a tenth of your spices-- mint, dill and cummin.
But you have neglected the more important matters of the law-- justice, mercy and faithfulness.
You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former. Matt.23:23
F. Stephen did and he died for it! Ac.7:51-60
1. You stiff-necked people, with uncircumcised hearts and ears!
You are just like your fathers: You always resist the Holy Spirit! Ac.7:51
2. Was there ever a prophet your fathers did not persecute?
They even killed those who predicted the coming of the Righteous One.
And now you have betrayed and murdered him—Ac.7:52
3. You who have received the law that was put into effect through angels but have not obeyed it. Ac.7:53
4. When they heard this, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him. Ac.7:54
5. Stephen said: Look, I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God. Ac.7:56
6. At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, dragged him
out of the city and began to stone him.
Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul. Ac.7:57-58
7. While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed: Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. Ac.7:59
8. Then he fell on his knees and cried out:
‘Lord, do not hold this sin against them.’ When he had said this, he fell asleep. Ac.7:60
G. Conclusion: Dare you tell your acquaintance:
You must believe Jesus is the Christ in the church of Christ or you will be in hell! Written April 30, 2021.