We Are All Preachers

In The Word

Read: Luke 9:1-17

 

 

Ministry of the Twelve

Now He called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all the demons, and the power to heal diseases. And He sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to perform healing.And He said to them, “Take nothing for your journey, neither a staff, nor a bag, nor bread, nor money; and do not even have two tunics.And whatever house you enter, stay there until you leave that city.And as for all who do not receive you, when you leave that city, shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.” And as they were leaving, they began going throughout the villages, preaching the gospel and healing everywhere.

Now Herod the tetrarch heard about all that was happening; and he was greatly perplexed, because it was said by some that John had risen from the dead, and by some that Elijah had appeared, and by others that one of the prophets of old had risen. Herod said, “I myself had John beheaded; but who is this man about whom I hear such things?” And he kept trying to see Him.

10 When the apostles returned, they gave an account to Him of all that they had done. And taking them with Him, He withdrew privately to a city called Bethsaida. 11 But the crowds were aware of this and followed Him; and He welcomed them and began speaking to them about the kingdom of God, and curing those who had need of healing.

Five Thousand Men Fed

12 Now the day was ending, and the twelve came up and said to Him, “Dismiss the crowd, so that they may go into the surrounding villages and countryside and find lodging and get something to eat; because here, we are in a secluded place.” 13 But He said to them, “You give them something to eat!” But they said, “We have no more than five loaves and two fish, unless perhaps we go and buy food for all these people.” 14 (For there were about five thousand men.) But He said to His disciples, “Have them recline to eat in groups of about fifty each.”15 They did so, and had them all recline. 16 And He took the five loaves and the two fish, and, looking up to heaven, He blessed them and broke them, and gave them to the disciples again and again, to serve the crowd. 17 And they all ate and were satisfied; and the broken pieces which they had left over were picked up, twelve baskets full.

New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation


Walking In The Word

 

Jesus anointed the disciples to go out, preach the kingdom of God, and heal people. They did just as He had commanded. They were going from village to village sharing the good news that the kingdom of God had come. Having completed the mission, they returned to Him with glowing reports. It seemed like that was all they had, testimonies. But those who heard the disciples’ testimonies began to seek out this man called Jesus the Christ; He was sought out by the thousands. 

The scriptures tell us that it is important we preach the good news of Jesus Christ. Romans 10:14 says, “How then shall they call upon Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?” You see, as followers of Jesus Christ, we are commanded to go out and preach the good news. Sometimes, the best way to preach is with our words and, in most cases, with the way we live our lives. Like the disciples, we have been given the power and authority to tell this world about the love of Jesus Christ. Like the disciples, you are the greatest witnesses that God has to send out. Yes, He will use pastors and leaders, but we are all preachers of the gospel to our circles of influence and in the marketplace. You can reach people they may never see. It will be by your testimony that people will be drawn to Jesus. Go out and compel them to come in!

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