LET’S SPEAK THE TRUTH AS WE SHOULD
By Lay Pastor Kasieli Zebua
Johor, Sunday, January 13, 2019
Shalom,
What a joy we feel when God is present and pleased with the praises of adoration we sing to Him with our beautiful voices. On the other hand, God wants to talk to us and wants us to willingly heed His voice.
What truth is the Word of God going to reveal today? Ephesians 6: 17-20 say,“And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints— and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.”
From the Scripture reading above, we know that God wants us to speak the truth as we should, not only when we preach in the pulpit but also whenever and wherever we are despite the conditions like what the Apostle Paul did.
There are three important things in speaking the truth the way we should:
Speak the truth with the right words.
The Apostle Paul asked the church in Ephesus to pray for him so that he was able to speak the truth. He humbly asked the congregation for their prayer support so that utterance might be given to him. To expose the truth, we ought to speak truthfully so as to avoid the twisted Scripture.
Why did the Apostle Paul need the right words to preach the Word of God? Imprisoned, he was under pressure, going through hardship at the time. It takes a gift to reveal the truth with truthful words to strengthen and comfort others (v. 17). That way, our speech does not spring from our own inspiration, pleasure or self-praise. In fact, it takes a gift and prayer to speak the truth.
James 3:2 says that we all stumble in many things. If someone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man. Are we perfect in our word yet? Not yet. After all, we can learn how to possess what the Word of God says. In doing so, we can speak about it even in a challenging situation.
1 Peter 3: 15-17 also say that we must account for the hope that is in us. But how can we truthfully give an answer to those who call us to account? In times of distress, does our speech voice our hope? Doesn’t a desperate man tend to express his negative and pessimistic opinions? The Apostle Peter advises us to account for our hope in Christ by disclosing the truth truthfully, gently, respectfully, and sincerely.
Besides, we should speak as if we preach the Word of God (1 Peter 4:11), meaning that our words build up and comfort others wherever we may be regardless of our conditions. Like Tychicus, we should bring the truth and consolation instead of empty and hurting words. Let’s pray for each other so that we can speak truthfully. If the truth of God’s Word overwhelms our hearts, we will definitely utter good and truthful words since the mouth speaks something out of the abundance of the heart (Matthew 12: 34).
Though imprisoned, the Apostle Paul prayed that he might boldly spread the secret of the gospel to the hopeless and futureless.
Jesus once warned His disciples to be cautious because they would be delivered to councils, beaten in the synagogues, brought before rulers and kings for His sake. However, they did not need to worry about what to say since the Holy Spirit would guide them to speak the truth (Mark 13: 9-11).
Honestly, we often speak without thinking. We say things point blank without saving others’ feelings. Let’s learn to speak properly when dealing with naughty children, unruly employees, demanding employers, etc. Let’s ask God to give us the right words when advising or reprimanding someone so as to keep disputes or quarrels at bay.
Speak the truth in the right way.
Let’s bring the truth into light without fear, yet we should not reprimand others out of rage. Instead, we should do it out of love. The Bible gives us an example of someone who had the courage to rebuke someone point blank in public. He was the Apostle Paul who rebuked Peter for his wrong behaviour, being a hypocrite (Galatians 2: 11-14). Moreover, the Bible also gives us another way of rebuking someone with patience and teaching (2 Timothy 4: 2).
Sometimes it takes patience to advise and rebuke someone. Somehow, we have to boldly expose the truth. For the sake of the gospel, the imprisoned Apostle Paul was still able to speak the truth brazenly. When it comes to proclaiming the truth, do not compromise even if we have to face the risk of being detested, rejected, expelled and jailed. For instance, John the Baptist was beheaded for speaking the truth by rebuking King Herod who took Herodias, his sister in-law (John 14: 311).
The Apostle Paul asked the Ephesian church to pray for him twice so that he might bravely preach the secret of the gospel (vv.19, 20). He also reminded the young Timothy to advise and rebuke others patiently since there were times when people rejected reprimands unmasking their mistakes; they only wanted to listen to words pleasing to their ears.
The wise King Solomon knew the right moment to speak the truth (Proverbs 15: 23). “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver. Like an earring of gold and an ornament of fine gold is a wise rebuker to an obedient ear” (Proverbs 25: 11-12). Admonition is desirable to better our behaviors. God will bring us joy in due time in the right way if we warmly welcome reprimands.
Speak the truth by living a righteous life.
We can also make the truth known through a righteous lifestyle – an epitome of righteousness. Jesus Himself modeled for His disciples how to be modest (John 13: 14-17); the Apostle Paul boldly challenged the churches in Corinth and Philippi to follow his example (1 Corinthians 4:16; Philippians 3:17). We cannot change others but we can model for them how to live out the truth of the Word of God.
In Ephesians 6: 21-22, Tychicus must have seen the exemplary truth in the Apostle Paul’s personality. Likewise, the Apostle Paul saw Tychicus’ devotion in serving God. That’s why Paul trusted Tychicus to bring his letter to the Ephesian believers so as to comfort their hearts.
Having received the truth of the Word of God, we – pastor and congregation – are reminded of the importance of being models, not only in word but also in many aspects. This complies with the Apostle Paul’s advice for the young Timothy – how to model for the believers in regard to speech, behavior, love, faithfulness and holiness (1 Timothy 4:12).
God wants us to convey the truth as we should in the right way – we utter the right words and walk in the right way. Accordingly, let’s (pastor and congregation) pray for each other as members of Christ’s body so that we are able to manifest the truth in the midst of the evil world. We can serve as reconciliation agents, bringing faith in the midst of doubt, giving light in the midst of darkness, sharing love in the midst of hatred, offering joy in the midst of sorrow and voicing hope to the hopeless (Psallo: Hymn 139). Amen.
LET’S SPEAK THE TRUTH AS WE SHOULD
By Lay Pastor Kasieli Zebua
Johor, Sunday, January 13, 2019
Shalom,
What a joy we feel when God is present and pleased with the praises of adoration we sing to Him with our beautiful voices. On the other hand, God wants to talk to us and wants us to willingly heed His voice.
What truth is the Word of God going to reveal today? Ephesians 6: 17-20 say,“And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints— and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.”
From the Scripture reading above, we know that God wants us to speak the truth as we should, not only when we preach in the pulpit but also whenever and wherever we are despite the conditions like what the Apostle Paul did.
There are three important things in speaking the truth the way we should:
Speak the truth with the right words.
The Apostle Paul asked the church in Ephesus to pray for him so that he was able to speak the truth. He humbly asked the congregation for their prayer support so that utterance might be given to him. To expose the truth, we ought to speak truthfully so as to avoid the twisted Scripture.
Why did the Apostle Paul need the right words to preach the Word of God? Imprisoned, he was under pressure, going through hardship at the time. It takes a gift to reveal the truth with truthful words to strengthen and comfort others (v. 17). That way, our speech does not spring from our own inspiration, pleasure or self-praise. In fact, it takes a gift and prayer to speak the truth.
James 3:2 says that we all stumble in many things. If someone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man. Are we perfect in our word yet? Not yet. After all, we can learn how to possess what the Word of God says. In doing so, we can speak about it even in a challenging situation.
1 Peter 3: 15-17 also say that we must account for the hope that is in us. But how can we truthfully give an answer to those who call us to account? In times of distress, does our speech voice our hope? Doesn’t a desperate man tend to express his negative and pessimistic opinions? The Apostle Peter advises us to account for our hope in Christ by disclosing the truth truthfully, gently, respectfully, and sincerely.
Besides, we should speak as if we preach the Word of God (1 Peter 4:11), meaning that our words build up and comfort others wherever we may be regardless of our conditions. Like Tychicus, we should bring the truth and consolation instead of empty and hurting words. Let’s pray for each other so that we can speak truthfully. If the truth of God’s Word overwhelms our hearts, we will definitely utter good and truthful words since the mouth speaks something out of the abundance of the heart (Matthew 12: 34).
Though imprisoned, the Apostle Paul prayed that he might boldly spread the secret of the gospel to the hopeless and futureless.
Jesus once warned His disciples to be cautious because they would be delivered to councils, beaten in the synagogues, brought before rulers and kings for His sake. However, they did not need to worry about what to say since the Holy Spirit would guide them to speak the truth (Mark 13: 9-11).
Honestly, we often speak without thinking. We say things point blank without saving others’ feelings. Let’s learn to speak properly when dealing with naughty children, unruly employees, demanding employers, etc. Let’s ask God to give us the right words when advising or reprimanding someone so as to keep disputes or quarrels at bay.
Speak the truth in the right way.
Let’s bring the truth into light without fear, yet we should not reprimand others out of rage. Instead, we should do it out of love. The Bible gives us an example of someone who had the courage to rebuke someone point blank in public. He was the Apostle Paul who rebuked Peter for his wrong behaviour, being a hypocrite (Galatians 2: 11-14). Moreover, the Bible also gives us another way of rebuking someone with patience and teaching (2 Timothy 4: 2).
Sometimes it takes patience to advise and rebuke someone. Somehow, we have to boldly expose the truth. For the sake of the gospel, the imprisoned Apostle Paul was still able to speak the truth brazenly. When it comes to proclaiming the truth, do not compromise even if we have to face the risk of being detested, rejected, expelled and jailed. For instance, John the Baptist was beheaded for speaking the truth by rebuking King Herod who took Herodias, his sister in-law (John 14: 311).
The Apostle Paul asked the Ephesian church to pray for him twice so that he might bravely preach the secret of the gospel (vv.19, 20). He also reminded the young Timothy to advise and rebuke others patiently since there were times when people rejected reprimands unmasking their mistakes; they only wanted to listen to words pleasing to their ears.
The wise King Solomon knew the right moment to speak the truth (Proverbs 15: 23). “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver. Like an earring of gold and an ornament of fine gold is a wise rebuker to an obedient ear” (Proverbs 25: 11-12). Admonition is desirable to better our behaviors. God will bring us joy in due time in the right way if we warmly welcome reprimands.
Speak the truth by living a righteous life.
We can also make the truth known through a righteous lifestyle – an epitome of righteousness. Jesus Himself modeled for His disciples how to be modest (John 13: 14-17); the Apostle Paul boldly challenged the churches in Corinth and Philippi to follow his example (1 Corinthians 4:16; Philippians 3:17). We cannot change others but we can model for them how to live out the truth of the Word of God.
In Ephesians 6: 21-22, Tychicus must have seen the exemplary truth in the Apostle Paul’s personality. Likewise, the Apostle Paul saw Tychicus’ devotion in serving God. That’s why Paul trusted Tychicus to bring his letter to the Ephesian believers so as to comfort their hearts.
Having received the truth of the Word of God, we – pastor and congregation – are reminded of the importance of being models, not only in word but also in many aspects. This complies with the Apostle Paul’s advice for the young Timothy – how to model for the believers in regard to speech, behavior, love, faithfulness and holiness (1 Timothy 4:12).
God wants us to convey the truth as we should in the right way – we utter the right words and walk in the right way. Accordingly, let’s (pastor and congregation) pray for each other as members of Christ’s body so that we are able to manifest the truth in the midst of the evil world. We can serve as reconciliation agents, bringing faith in the midst of doubt, giving light in the midst of darkness, sharing love in the midst of hatred, offering joy in the midst of sorrow and voicing hope to the hopeless (Psallo: Hymn 139). Amen.