Priority of Proclamation

Scripture

Luke 8: 37-39

So Jesus returned to the boat and left, crossing back to the other side of the lake. 38 The man who had been freed from the demons begged to go with him. But Jesus sent him home, saying, 39 “No, go back to your family, and tell them everything God has done for you.” So he went all through the town proclaiming the great things Jesus had done for him.

Observation

1. The man wanted to follow Jesus, the one who delivered him from a legion of demons.

2. Jesus turned him away.

3. Jesus instructed him to go back and witness to his family, friends, and village.

4. The man obeyed. He proclaimed the great things Jesus had done for him.

Application

This passage emphasized the priority of proclamation and witness.  My goal is not to just live overseas but to be a witness, to tell others about Jesus.  In America there is a movement to make our faith private not public. The tolerance movement, pressure at work, and the media all try to get believers not to share their faith, not to proclaim. That is a scheme of the devil to silence the church.  We must proclaim at home and abroad.  We cannot be ashamed or silent. We must take faith risks and be willing to suffer if necessary but we cannot put our faith in a closet.  We do not hide our light, we let it shine.  

Prayer

Father, give me the courage and boldness to proclaim Jesus regardless of the cost.