We Preach Jesus

by Kenneth R. Jenkins
(Savannah,GA)

1 Corinthians 1:20-23

INTRODUCTION
By the help of the Holy Spirit, I would like to leave with you our text for just a little while taking from verse 23 of our Scripture, “We Preach Jesus”. “We Preach Jesus”.

I found a wonderful quote from Bishop Desmond Tutu that I would like to share with you: “I don’t preach a social gospel; I preach the Gospel period. The gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ is concerned for the whole person. When people are hungry, Jesus didn’t say, ‘Now is that political or social?’ He said, ‘I feed you! Because the good news to a hungry person is bread’”.

This is not a social gospel being preached today but a gospel that will save souls and that’s what is in stake in these days and times. God cares about the soul of man and it’s up to those preaching to preach Jesus for He is THE WAY!

This is not a political gospel because it doesn’t involved party lines and party affiliations or if you are on the Left or the Right or Conservative or whatever they “preach” in a political gospel but the gospel I am here to preach ladies and gentlemen is a gospel that let dying men and women that “… for the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life” Romans 6:23.

This is the gospel that preaches Jesus saves, Jesus heals and Jesus delivers! That‘s the Gospel I am preaching to you at this moment.

I. Turn From Your Sins

When Jesus started his public ministry his first message was “Turn from your sins” Mark 1:15. Jesus was just basically telling us then and even now to repent—acknowledging that you are a sinner and you need to change our minds and then change the direction of your life.

We all in our past have been blinded by our sins that causes us to run from God and then change our lifestyle because the Bible says, “God can use sorrow in our lives to help us to help us turn away from sin” 2 Corinthians 7:10. In other words, if you are really sorry for something, it will result in a change in your actions.

We must “turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God. Then they will receive forgiveness for their sins and be given a place among God’s people, who are set apart by faith in me” Acts 26:18.

Remember, there are some things only God can do and some things only you can do; God and only God can remove your sins and my sins and give you and I the gift of eternal life, but only you can turn from your sins and receive Jesus as your Savior.

II. Believe in Jesus and Receive Him Into your Life

A Jewish religious leader named Nicodemus, a Pharisee, came to speak to Jesus at night saying, “Teacher, we know that God has sent you to teach us. Your miraculous signs are proof enough that God is with you.”

Jesus replied to Nicodemus, “I assure you, unless you are born again, you can never see the Kingdom of God.”

“What do you mean?” exclaimed Nicodemus. “How can an old man go back into his mother’s womb and be born again?”

Jesus replied, “The truth is no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit. Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives new life from heaven. So don’t be surprised at my statement that you must be born again. Just as you can hear the wind but can’t tell where it comes from or where it going, so you can’t explain how people are born of the Spirit”

“What do you mean?” Nicodemus asked.
Jesus replied, “You are a respected Jewish teacher, and yet you don’t understand these things? I assure you, I am telling you what we know and have seen, and yet you won’t believe us. But if you don’t even believe me I tell you what is going on in heaven? For only I, the Son of Man have come to earth and will return to heaven again.

And as Moses lifted up the bronze snake on a pole in the wilderness, so I, the Son of Man, must be lifted up on a pole, so that everyone who believes in me will have eternal life.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his only son, so that everyone who believes in him will not parish but have everlasting life. God did not send his Son into the world to condemn it, but save it…” John 3:17.

Nicodemus wanted to know how to be born again so he went to the one who would give the answer to those questions that was burning inside his soul. You must be born again!

This is what is called a “Spiritual Rebirth” which is when we personally believe in Jesus Christ, receiving him by inviting him into our lives, and turning from our sins. We ask Jesus to come and take residence in our lives, making the changes he deems necessary.

A person must take this all important step in order become a child of God and take it very, very seriously.

This offer is yours for the asking and it is free. No, you don’t work for it. And no, you don’t have to clean up your life before receiving this free gift of this life-changing decision like some people think. The Bible says, “The free gift of God is eternal life though Christ Jesus our Lord” Romans 6:23.

Believe it or not, you now can have a relationship with the living God. Jesus said, “Look! Here I stand at the door and knock. If you hear me calling and open the door, I will come in, and will share a meal as friends” Revelation 3:20.

Will you let Jesus into your life? He’s knocking at the “Door of your heart” would you let Him in today?

God is calling . How would I know, preacher? To hear God calling , we must know how He speaks. One way in which God speaks to us as the Bible as a “small still voice”; that tug, that pulling in your heart that is the Holy Spirit you are feeling tugging at you--- WILL YOU RECEIVE HIM TODAY?

III. Receiving Jesus in Your Heart

Jesus is calling,will you except Him today? Jesus can forgive you from your sins if you only believe then reciceve Him.

You’re sitting there saying that my sins are too bad to be forgiven. I’ve done some things in my life Iam not proud of well, well Jesus can forgive you and you can receive Him but you have to BELIEVE that Jesus Christ is your Savior and Lord and He is the ONLY way to eternal life. Do you believe today?

The Bible says, “…if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead,you will be saved” Romans 10:9.

Then say with me this prayer:

• God, I am sorry for my sins. I turn from it right now. I thank you for sending Jesus Christ to die on the cross for my sin.

• Jesus, I ask you to come into my heart and life right now. Be my Lord, Savior, and friend. Help me to follow you all the days of my life as your disciple. Thank you for forgiving and receiving me right now. Thank you that my sins is forgiving and that I am going to heaven. In the name of Jesus I pray, amen.

Welcome to the Family of God. I ask of three things of you:
1) Read your Bible. The Bible has the answers to questions you may need to know. The Bible is The Word of God, read it daily.
2) Pray. Praying is like talking to God. Talk to God daily and He will talk to you.
3) Seek a Church Home. Find a Bible believing church near you. Go to church whenever there is a service be it Sunday or during the week go to Church.

CONCLUSION

You made the most important step of your life. Keep God near you for He’s not far for you’re on your way to a better you.
The road you traveling now as a Christian is the right way so now go tell share what the Lord has done for you.