GMC Sermon Reading and Writing/typing(66)

29th August, 2010
Written By Rev Law Hui Seng
Posted By Teresa Han

Col 1:28

Main Idea: Read and write to give testimonies

Objectives: To challenge the congregation to read (listen to spiritual talks in DVDs) Christian literature and write testimonies to witness for Christ.

A. Introduction

- Who among us cannot read and write? I think all of you can do both. For the younger ones, I believe you can write in 3 languages (BM, Chinese, and English). For those of you in the 40s and above, you can read and write at least in English. God does not give you the reading and writing abilities just for the purpose of making a living. I pray that today’s sermon will help you to realize that you must use your reading and writing abilities to witness for Jesus.

- Reading and writing are powerful tools that you can capitalize to make a difference for Jesus.

- Paul in Colossians 1:28, exhorted us to claim Christ, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom.

- Reading and writing are part of wisdom given by God for us to proclaim Christ.

- This great letter of apostle tells us how he labored for the Church.

B. How apostle Paul labored for the Church

- In verse 24, chapter 1, Paul suffered for the church. You cannot understand why he still rejoiced when he suffered unless you believe that the presence of Christ with him.

- He said in verse 24, “Now I rejoice in what was suffered for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s affliction, for the sake of his body, which is the church.”

- Next in verse 25, see how he as a tent maker, see how he regarded himself as a servant of the church. The church at that time being young, they did not pay him anything to support. He still labored with strong sense of God’s calling.

- You see what he said in verse 25, “I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness –“ He believed he was called by God to preach His word to the Colossians. Do you think that God only called apostles and pastors or those who so called serve God full time. If you think so, then, it is wrong thinking and you need to repent. Paul was a tent maker and yet he preached the word of God everywhere he went.

- If you do not believe that God also very much calls His disciples and lay people in GMC, then, you cannot explain why He gave the great commission to His disciples in Matthew 28:19, “… go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey anything I have commanded you …”

- Paul took the commission seriously and so must we. He regarded himself as a servant of the church to bring God’s word to the Colossians. He believed that the mysteries of God had been revealed to him and then it was up to him to the mysteries to the Gentiles (verses 26 and 27). That is why in verses 28 and 29 you heard him said, “We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me.”

- Can you think of a way, a wisdom which Paul talked about to present Christ, God’s word to other people? Some of us are actively in missions in long houses, overseas; reaching out to your colleagues and try to invite them to church services; I believe you pray for your friends and relatives for their salvation; etc. Recently, with the visit of pastor Cheli, we receive the inspiration to do reading bus (mobile) at Tudan Methodist Church, among the indigenous people of Tudan. The wisdom that God has given us is teaching children how to read English and preach the gospel using Alpha. The mission committee will begin the project in October. For now, we need people to contribute literature like Lady Bird series. Let us pray that many Indigenous people in Tudan will be blessed with improved English so that they come to know Jesus and become His disciples.

- Today is once a year Christian Literature Sunday. A Sunday we need to emphasize the importance of Christian Literature in our disciple making ministry. May be when you hear this two words, it is all about written words in book form, magazines, newsletters; today you also find God’s word very much typed and found in the internet, websites, blogs, even face books, in electronic forms. Praise the Lord for the word of God is so readily available!

- What you can do with all the numerous of forms of written word of God. God has given us the wisdom of using electronic devices to spread His word. Can you use it?

C. Applications

- First and foremost, you must read the written word of God in the bible. That is most fundamental, only when you are familiar with the word of God, then, you can share it with others. You must do this homework first.

- You can read Christian literature like on a special topics like marriage, raising children, great bibliographies of God’s servants throughout the centuries, prayer, etc.

- You can read Christian literature like Connection, Methodist Message, etc. Very few people become friends of Methodist Message from our church. They are appealing to us again.

- You can also write your testimonies and put articles in websites an face books so that you can proclaim Christ.

D. Conclusion

- Before you go to see Jesus, use your reading and writing abilities to make a difference for Jesus.