God’s Calling To Preach in Churches

 

Part of God’s calling us to sell my business and be self funded missionaries involved a call to preach in churches.  The first of four parts of the vision that God gave us when He called us was to preach in churches. It was a part of His calling that I was not particularly wanting to do. Both Nancy and I grew up with a great fear of speaking in front of people. We were basically deathly afraid to speak in front of others.

Despite not wanting to preach in churches, God made it clear that it was part of His vision and calling for our missions ministry. Since 2005 we have preached in and worked with many churches and ministries, to help them to share the Gospel with as many people as possible. And to make disciples – fruitful & faithful disciples. We have had the privilege of preaching in and helping &/or training over 190 churches in 28 countries.

 

Preaching In Churches To Encourage & Challenge More People to Be Faithful Witness For Christ

God not only gave us a clear 4 part vision for our missions ministry that involved preaching in churches, He also made it clear what He wanted me to say and do. Preaching in churches was part of our working with and helping churches to share the Gospel and make disciples. We also have led many missions & evangelism training seminars for churches to equip them to powerfully share the Gospel. I do not just preach in churches that more people need to be actively sharing the Gospel with others, but we also help them to do it. And we also train and equip people if needed.

 

“Follow Me and I will Make You Fishers Of Men”

God has given me several messages that are designed to encourage and challenge more Christians to actively share Christ with others in their daily lives. That is the definition of “fishers of men” in Matthew 4:19. To actively share Christ with others in their daily lives.

Jesus said “Follow Me and I will make you fishers of men.” – Matthew 4:19

People do not have to travel to Africa or China on a mission trip to share the Gospel. There are plenty of lost people who desperately need Jesus right where you are. Sadly there are far too few people in churches today that are following and obeying what Jesus commanded in Matthew 4:19. Statistics show that less than 2% of people in US evangelical churches are actively sharing Jesus with others.

 

Is Sharing the Gospel Only For Pastors, Missionaries, And Church Leaders ?

One could make a case that Jesus was talking to the small circle of his closest disciples and followers when He spoke in Matthew 4:19. These men would become the apostles or leaders of the early church in the book of Acts. When you look in most churches today in the US only the pastors, leaders, and a small number of people are actively sharing Jesus with others in their daily lives. 

Maybe Jesus was just talking about pastors, missionaries, and church leaders when He commanded them to follow Him and be fishers of men. Maybe less than 2% of church members are all that are supposed to be sharing the Gospel with others. What is being practiced today in most churches is not the standard that we need to follow. Neither is church traditions. God’s Word is the standard that we need to follow.

 

Who Was Jesus Talking To & Commanding To Be Fishers Of Men ?

When we look in God’s Word we see that Jesus intended for ALL Christians to follow and obey Him. Acts 8:1 says that a great persecution broke out against the early church. At the time the church was in Jerusalem. It says that all of the apostles stayed in Jerusalem, and the rest of the church, the regular people of the church, were scattered to other places.

Check out what Acts 8:4 says: “Therefore, those who had been scattered went about preaching the word.” The regular people of the church went and preached the word wherever they went. When it says they preached the word, it means they all preached the Gospel. Acts 11:19-21 confirms this.

“So then those who were scattered because of the persecution that occurred in connection with Stephen made their way to Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except to Jews alone. 20 But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who came to Antioch and began speaking to the Greeks also, preaching the Lord Jesus. 21 And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a large number who believed turned to the Lord.” – Acts 11:19-21

 

Follow Jesus And Share The Gospel With Others

I want to encourage you to be a faithful follower of Jesus and tell as many others about Him and the Gospel as possible. Whenever God commands you to do something, especially when it is too difficult for you to do, He will provide the power to do it. That is what Jesus meant in Matthew 4:19 when He said “Follow me and I will make you fishers of men.”

Jesus also says it a different way in Acts 1:8 “you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.”

God has empowered Nancy and I to overcome our fear of speaking in front of others. And He has provided the power and boldness and courage to share the Gospel with others. Whether in front of many people or one-on-one with someone. And He has produced great results and fruit, all for His glory. If He can do it through us, He can and will do it through you also. 

 

 

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Salvation: The Requirements for True Salvation

 

More Links

Preview the Pursuing Intimacy With God Studies Book
God’s Promises In The Bible
God’s Promises In The Bible – Part 2
Seek God With All Your Heart
Seek God With All Your Heart – Part 2
The Names of God & Their Meaning
The Names of Jesus Christ
8 Keys to Intimacy With God
8 Keys to Intimacy With God – Part 2
Read God’s Word The Bible
Read God’s Word The Bible – Part 2
Meditate on God’s Word The Bible
Praise & Worship God
Praise & Worship God – Part 2
God’s Top Priority For The Church
Praise Is A Weapon for Spiritual Warfare