The Watchman Part 2

What did Jesus say? ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well’ (Mark 16:15-18).

This is a wake up call to every believer (not just evangelists) to stand up as witnesses and watchmen! I believe that the Church was commissioned by our Lord and that commission still stands. The Great Commission didn’t end with the disciples of Jesus and New Testament Church. It is still for believers today. When Jesus gave the disciples the Great Commission He warned them about the opposition they would face when they went out into the world, and in some countries today the Gospel is directly opposed. But that gives believers all the more reason to be bold, particularly as they read about the Church in Acts.

I’ve been challenged by missionaries who gave up everything for the sake of the Gospel and went into the wild parts of the African continent to preach it. Some even went into places where it’s forbidden to speak the Gospel. They were bold for the sake of Jesus. They stepped out in faith.

Paul said that He was not ashamed of the Gospel, ‘for it’s the power of God for salvation’! The world needs this power. The world needs the Saviour. The Church is the satnav to direct people to Him. Though Paul was in chains he wasn’t silent. How can we be silent? The city is in danger when the watchman is silent. When the Church or believers are silent, the world cannot know the Saviour.

`One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: “Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent’ (Acts 18:9). This word should also echo into our hearts ‘DO NOT BE AFRAID, KEEP ON SPEAKING, DO NOT BE SILENT’. It’s our call to arise and intercede for our unsaved family members, neighbours, friend and communities. ‘Whoever is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels’ (Luke 9:26).

Prayer: Lord, please give me the courage I lack. Forgive me where I have hidden from people the precious testimony of Your saving grace. Give me the passion to speak Your word with boldness. Amen.