Man behold my dead brethren, I behold dead man!
A. First of all please do not misunderstand what I mean!
1. This is a literal translation from a Cantonese saying-->
ren kan si wo de di xiong, wo kan si ren.
2. It is not about physical dead man!
It is about man’s character!
It is about a man maintaining his honesty in life.
3. This means I definitely see, others can’t last long in practicing honesty!
This means others see, my brethren can’t last long in practicing honesty!
4. This does not mean I have to be perfect!
I know, I will never be perfect!
I need to be a little bit better and last a little bit longer than others!
5. This means when one want to spell out the wrongs I did in the last 30 years.
I can say, o.k. you are welcome to start spell out all the wrongs I did.
Then I will spell out your wrongs in the last 30 years.
My opponents become silence and talk about other things!
No need to argue!
6. I pray someday, many of my brethren live the same way as I do!
Yes, be good better and last longer than those who are not one of us!
B. What scripture in mind for this sermon!
Matt.5:16-->
Even so let your light shine before men; that they may see your
good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven!
1. This is my life long aspiration!
I hope so much, it is your aspiration too!
Since the first day I decided to follow Jesus.
I pray that I will be one whom God can say to Satan, I am proud of this man!
2. I know, if all who claim to be followers of Jesus really do this, the world would be much different thousand years ago!
3. Too bad, it is the other way around! Satan is happy and celebrating!
Too many who claim to be followers live as enemies of the cross of Christ!
4. This is a 2000 years old problem!
To the Philippians brethren, Paul wrote-->
Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you.
For many walk, of whom I told you often, and now tell you even weeping,
that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ. Phil.3:17-18
It was so sad to a strong man like Apostle Paul!
5. This is why Apostle John said in 1 John 5:19--> We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies in the evil one.
6. This is why Jesus put it bluntly in Jn.8:31-44!
Ye are of (your) father the devil, and the lusts of your father it is your will to do.
He was a murderer from the beginning, and stand not in the truth, because there is no truth in him.
When he speaks a lie, he speaks of his own: for he is a liar, and the father thereof.
C. Conclusion: Matt.5:37
1. Sometimes I come to work at the church building before 7 a.m.
One of this time, Mr. Chen came in before 8 a.m. to chat! He told me, he just like to see me and talk to me!
He feels happy and relax to talk to me!
2. I said, but besides what is in the Bible, I don’t know what to talk about!
He said, o.k. show me the English Bible, I learn the English, you tell me what says in the Bible!
At one point he said--> your God has given you a situation in which you can practice honesty, but in my world, I cannot!
And I don’t know how many others can!
I am happy to see, by talking to me he feel happy for the last few years.
He had learned, in order to be a Christian, one has to practice honesty!
3. My advice to those ask to become a member of the church by baptism is this!
If you can’t practice honesty, please wait for the time when you can!
Jesus made it clear--> Let your speech be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: and whatsoever is more than these is of the devil.
There are too many believers who live as children of the devil already! Please, don’t be one more!
May the Lord bless you always!