How to preach a great sermon?
Many times, we think that we need to prepare an amazing sermon to impact people, to bring them around with regard to follow Jesus and His word. Nevertheless, ponder on what Paul said:
• 1Co 1:17 -> “For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel; not in wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect.”
But, why Paul worried so much about nullify the cross of Christ? What was there in this episode that was so important and impactful?
For this, let’s see the thief on the cross:
• Mat 27:44 -> “And also the thieves who were crucified with Him reviled Him, saying the same.”.
Note that, in the beginning, the two thieves were taunting Jesus. Nonetheless, in less than three hours one of the thieves repented and converted to Jesus:
• Luk 23:39-42 -> “And one of the hanged criminals blasphemed Him, saying, If you are Christ, save Yourself and us. But answering, the other rebuked him, saying, Do you not fear God, since you are in the same condemnation. And we indeed justly so, for we receive the due reward of our deeds, but this Man has done nothing amiss. And he said to Jesus, Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.
And what did it happened so that this miracle could take place?
Well, recollect that, on the Cross, Jesus only said seven sentences:
1º - “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” (Luke 23:34) *- it was about the third hour (Mark 15:25)*;
2º - “Truly I say to you, Today you shall be with Me in Paradise.” (Luke 23:43) *- it was about the sixth hour*;
3º - “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?” (Mark 15:34) *– at the ninth hour*;
4º - “Woman, behold your son!”; “Behold your mother!” (John 19:26,27);.
5º - “I thirst.” (John 19:28);
6º - “It is finished!” (John 19:30);
7º - “Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit.” (Luke 23:46).
If you pay attention carefully, you will see that the only sentence that Jesus said until the thief repents and converts was “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do”; and the time elapsed until this was less than 3 hours.
In other words: just one sentence and nigh three hours of hush (in face of a multitude slandering, acting with disparagement, making persiflage) touched deeply the heart of one of the thieves.
May Jesus able us to hold our peace while He shows through us that He is God (Ps 46:10). This can talk in the heart of those who don’t accept Jesus’ truth in our mouth, more than a great sermon comprised of the more elucidative and well worked words that our mind can formulate in order to convince the contradictors.
So, have a good week knowing that, it isn’t by the multitude of our well elaborated words that we will talk into the person that is disturbing us, let alone the Creator (Mat 6:7).
Many times, we think that we need to prepare an amazing sermon to impact people, to bring them around with regard to follow Jesus and His word. Nevertheless, ponder on what Paul said:
• 1Co 1:17 -> “For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel; not in wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect.”
But, why Paul worried so much about nullify the cross of Christ? What was there in this episode that was so important and impactful?
For this, let’s see the thief on the cross:
• Mat 27:44 -> “And also the thieves who were crucified with Him reviled Him, saying the same.”.
Note that, in the beginning, the two thieves were taunting Jesus. Nonetheless, in less than three hours one of the thieves repented and converted to Jesus:
• Luk 23:39-42 -> “And one of the hanged criminals blasphemed Him, saying, If you are Christ, save Yourself and us. But answering, the other rebuked him, saying, Do you not fear God, since you are in the same condemnation. And we indeed justly so, for we receive the due reward of our deeds, but this Man has done nothing amiss. And he said to Jesus, Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.
And what did it happened so that this miracle could take place?
Well, recollect that, on the Cross, Jesus only said seven sentences:
1º - “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” (Luke 23:34) *- it was about the third hour (Mark 15:25)*;
2º - “Truly I say to you, Today you shall be with Me in Paradise.” (Luke 23:43) *- it was about the sixth hour*;
3º - “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?” (Mark 15:34) *– at the ninth hour*;
4º - “Woman, behold your son!”; “Behold your mother!” (John 19:26,27);.
5º - “I thirst.” (John 19:28);
6º - “It is finished!” (John 19:30);
7º - “Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit.” (Luke 23:46).
If you pay attention carefully, you will see that the only sentence that Jesus said until the thief repents and converts was “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do”; and the time elapsed until this was less than 3 hours.
In other words: just one sentence and nigh three hours of hush (in face of a multitude slandering, acting with disparagement, making persiflage) touched deeply the heart of one of the thieves.
May Jesus able us to hold our peace while He shows through us that He is God (Ps 46:10). This can talk in the heart of those who don’t accept Jesus’ truth in our mouth, more than a great sermon comprised of the more elucidative and well worked words that our mind can formulate in order to convince the contradictors.
So, have a good week knowing that, it isn’t by the multitude of our well elaborated words that we will talk into the person that is disturbing us, let alone the Creator (Mat 6:7).
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