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ARISE AND PREACH THE MESSAGE (JONAH 3:1-6)

“Arise and preach the message” is the theme for our reflection. “Arise and preach the message is a command or an order to stand up from our resting place or comfort zone to proclaim God’s message of repentance for the salvation of many. We shall reflect on the fact that God’s plan is to save the world therefore we must arise and preach the Message of repentance and salvation for the redemption of as many who are ready to believe and be saved.

Beloved in the Lord, it is part of God’s plan to save the Jews and then use them as an instrument of transformation to invite the Gentiles to repentance and salvation. The story of Jonah and Nineveh teaches us that we are only vessels or instruments of grace and transformation, therefore, we must arise and preach the message for the salvation of the world. Jonah initially declined to go and preach the message of the Lord at Nineveh because Nineveh was Israel’s enemy, but the Lord made Him understand that grace and salvation belong to the Lord. Jonah was only God’s mouthpiece or an instrument for conveying God’s message to Nineveh. He had no option but to arise and preach the Message! “Then the word of the LORD came to Jonah a second time: ² “Go to the great city of Nineveh and proclaim to it the message I give you.” ³ Jonah obeyed the word of the LORD and went to Nineveh… Jonah began by going on a day’s journey into the city, proclaiming, “Forty more days and Nineveh will be overthrown.” ⁵ The Ninevites believed in God. A fast was proclaimed, and all of them, from the greatest to the least, put on sackcloth. ⁶ When Jonah’s warning reached the king of Nineveh, he rose from his throne, took off his royal robes, covered himself with sackcloth and sat down in the dust” (Jonah 3:1-3,4-6) In other words, when Jonah arose and preached the Message and the people of Nineveh repented and were saved from destruction.

Dear friend in Christ, once upon a time, we were also in the darkness of sin and ignorance but have been saved. Paul reminds us that “All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. ⁴ But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, ⁵ made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions —it is by grace you have been saved. (Ephesians 2:3-5) We  were saved because God sent someone to arise and preach His Message of salvation to us. It is for this reason that Paul confessed “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners —of whom I am the worst. ¹⁶ But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life. (1 Timothy 1:15-16). Beloved in the Lord, God showed us mercy or grace through Jesus Christ “God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. ¹⁷ For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. (John 3:16-17). Indeed, “…God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8).

Dear friend in Christ, having been made beneficiaries of Jesus’s forgiveness and grace through the hearing of His Message, what then is required of us? The answer is simple and concise, we must arise and preach the Message! It is for this reason Jesus commissioned us saying “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. ¹⁹ Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20). Beloved in the Lord, we must arise as individuals and as a Church. Paul greatly encouraged and charged us through his letter to Timothy to arise and preach the Message when he wrote, “Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage —with great patience and careful instruction. ³ For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. ⁴ They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. ⁵ But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry. (2 Timothy 4:2-5).

It is important for the church to arise and preach the Message in the 21st Century. To effectively preach the Message, the Church must prioritise Evangelism and train more Evangelists to ensure that the message reaches every corner of the earth. We are not to build walls around ourselves and turn the Church into a mere social and welfare organisation. The Church and believers therein are called to first and foremost ““Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. (Mark 16:15). Unfortunately, most churches are doing everything except Evangelism. It saddens my heart that most of our congregations and churches have little or no budget for Evangelism. Our budgets are usually about renovations, iron rods, roofing sheets, paint, decorations and chapel beautification. Our Church or congregation budgets are usually about running a business, paying utility bills and funding our mutual welfare schemes. In as much as the aforementioned components of our budgets are important, we must always remember our fundamental calling of preaching the Message for the repentance and salvation of the World. Jesus warns us that “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 7:21). Churches and congregations must always pause and reflect on their budgets, programmes and activities and ask the question, “Are we doing the will of our Father who is in heaven as a Church? Similarly, individual Christians must often pause to ask the question, “Am I doing the will of my Father who is in heaven as a believer in my family, workplace and community? We must learn to arise and preach the Message by investing our time, energy and financial resources in the Mission and Evangelism of the Church. If you cannot actively engage in preaching the Message then you can actively engage in supporting the preachers of the Message financially or with the necessary logistics such as means of transportation, Public address systems, clothing, shelter and all that is required to make the preaching of the Message successful. For instance, NBNB seeks to ensure that the message is preached daily and we are inviting those who are touched to partner with this ministry to support us with data, maintenance of the website and motivation for those who spend endless hours putting together deep reflections and inspiring messages for our edification and spiritual nourishment all over the world. We are also greatly encouraged to support our pastors and preachers in any way we can to make their efforts worthwhile. “Nevertheless, the one who receives instruction in the word should share all good things with their instructor. (Galatians 6:6).

Dear friend, if you cannot actively preach the Gospel then humbly ask your pastor to teach or train you and by the power of the Holy Spirit you will be empowered for Mission. Again, if you cannot actively preach the message then I greatly encourage you to contribute to the welfare of those who are actively preaching the Message. Pay attention to the needs of your pastor or anyone who has dedicated His time, energy and entire life to constantly arise in the morning and usually travel to places to ensure that people are well fed with the Message of God. It saddens my heart that many messengers are busy engaged in other businesses instead of focusing on the Kingdom business. The pews will gradually become empty and souls will continue to perish in their numbers if those who are sent to preach the Message are busy chasing after what they will eat, wear, sleep and save for the future. The Church and its members must take care of the needs of those charged to preach the Message daily. Jesus and His disciples were successful on their missionary trips because they were supported by their followers, family and friends. We are told, “Jesus travelled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with him, ² and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out; ³ Joanna the wife of Chuza, the manager of Herod’s household; Susanna; and many others. These women were helping to support them out of their own means.” (Luke 8:1-3). It is not the duty of preachers of the Message to worry about their needs, for the Lord intends to provide their needs through the Church and believers who continually benefit from their preaching of the Message. It is for this reason that Jesus admonished the preachers of the Message “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field. ³ Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves. ⁴ Do not take a purse or bag or sandals, and do not greet anyone on the road. (Luke 10:2-4). Let us arise and focus on the mission of preaching the Message “… God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. ²⁰ To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.” (Philippians 4:19-20)

In summary, we have reflected on the theme “Arise and preach the Message” We have discovered that we must arise and preach the Message of repentance and salvation for the redemption of as many who are ready to believe and be saved. Shalom.

PRAYER
Holy Spirit, reignite the passion of evangelism in us. Strengthen the Church and believers to remain focused on the fundamental mission of the Great Commission. Empower us to send light to where there is darkness through the endless preaching of the Message of Salvation in every corner of the World. Amen.