Epaggelia

The Spirit’s job, is to convict us of sin. In order for that to happen, we need to talk about sin and how we have all become enslaved to the Kidnapper (Satan). John 16:7-11. Satan makes us spiritually sick. Sin can only be cured by believing and being IN Christ, v9. Satan owns us, we sell our selves out to him with our own sin. The consequences of sin is replaced by the righteousness of Christ, v10. Satan is condemned and we don’t want to be judged with him, v11.

Spiritual, – he came before God among the angels, Job 1:6, 2:1. He is compared to a roaring lion wanting to devour, 1^st Pt. 5:8, but not always getting to, he is not the ruling Lion of the Tribe of Judah, but the ruler of this world.

Accuser – False, This is what the word “Devil” (Diabolos) means, The father of lies, Jn 8:44, Authored sin and deceives, 2^nd Corinthians 4:3-6, blinds the unbeliever from the God of light.

Tempter, 1^st Thessalonians 3:5. Tempted Jesus, Matthew 4:1-10. Tempts us, 1^st John 2;15-16, Satan entices us into sin and breaks off our fellowship with God, Isaiah 59:2, Ezekiel 18:20, Romans 6:23.

Adversary, this is what the word “Satan” means. Matthew 12:24, Jesus taught Satan was the ruler or prince of this world, John 14:30.

Negotiator, Gen. 3:1, Lied to Eve, Gen. 3:4 in telling her, she will “Not die”? Satan often deceives us into thinking that we are getting a great deal if we will indulge in sinfulness. Ananias & Sapphira were both fooled into thinking they would get a great reputation for their deception, Acts 4:32-5:11

A few months ago, I was shocked to learn that my wife met a workmate on the job and discovered on lunch break that her workmate, really and truly did not know that Jesus was a real person. To our surprise, she really thought that Jesus was just a word, to be concise, simply a curse word, or at least that is what she said in all honesty.  What amazing ignorance!

One thing is for sure, our faith is not to be shared in a corner. Never does the New Testament talk about Christians sharing The Faith secretly. Even in the face of persecution, they were open and honest in identifying themselves with Jesus. The apostle Paul warns Timothy to beware of his own timidity and to grow in boldness. (2^nd Timothy 1:6-9). Boldness does not mean brashness. Loving a lost soul will control our boldness to be confident with out being deliberately offensive. One way of ensuring we do not put more people off, than turning people on, is to remember and believe that God is wanting to make known the riches of His glory through you, an object of His mercy, Romans 9:23.

Being ready is being prepared, As shoes for your feet put on what will make you ready to proclaim the gospel of peace, Eph. 6:15.

The beauty and pleasure you and God get from being prepared is known and shown in the Scriptures: And how are they to proclaim him unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” Rom. 10:15.

Have we sanctified Christ as Lord in our hearts beforehand?

Is your defence yours, or does it belong to someone else?

Does The Hope, The Gospel of Peace live in you or just on paper?

Do we make Prayerful preparation for talking about Jesus?

Do we believe the Holy Spirit has written these principles on our heart?

Robert Louis Stevenson once wrote, “Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap, but by the seeds you plant”. More importantly the apostle Paul encourages us to  remember that God’s purpose in giving the world the church is to  MAKE KNOWN the many faceted aspects of God’s wisdom through Jesus.