Not A Very Good Speaker

Not A Very Good Speaker

Last week a guy commented on a post for Seek and Save the Lost. He stated that God should not have put the tree of knowledge of good and evil in the garden of Eden. I tried to explain to the guy that he was basically committing the same sin that Satan committed when he got kicked out of Heaven. I suggested that he repent and put his trust in Jesus. To which this guy replied that his relationship with Jesus was just fine, that I’m “not a very good speaker” and that I should leave the women at Planned Parenthood alone. 

I didn’t even respond to his criticism for several reasons. First and most importantly, he didn’t address his criticizing God about the tree of knowledge of good and evil. How foolish of anyone to think they know more than the great Creator. Secondly, I will not stop preaching the Gospel in front of Planned Parenthood. All abortions are murder. All abortions are an abomination to God. It is the duty of every true disciple of Jesus Christ to proclaim the Gospel. What better place to do so than the baby killing place called Planned Parenthood?

I’m Not A Good Speaker

But the main thing I want to focus on tonight was the guy’s comment that I’m not a very good speaker. I guess I should just turn off my amplifier (it’s only a 25 watt amplifier that keeps me from losing my voice and keeps me from sounding like I’m yelling), pick up my step stool and go home. Evidently, I should let this armchair critic cause me so much distress that I never share the Gospel in public again. I’ve been street witnessing for over 8 years, but I guess all I’ve needed all this time is for someone to lash out at me and tell me that I’m not a very good speaker.

Telling me that I’m not a very good speaker is not going to cause me to pack up and go home and cry in my pillow. The funny thing is him telling me that I’m not a very good speaker is not a put down, it’s actually a compliment. So, thank you sir for complimenting me about my poor ability to speak. I’m really being serious. By stating this, he is putting me in very good company of men that God used throughout the Bible that also weren’t very good speakers.

Moses And Paul

When God first told Moses that He was going to send him back to Egypt to lead the Israelites out, Moses objected. And Moses said unto the LORD, O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant: but I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue (Exodus 4:10). What was God’s response to Moses? And the Lord said unto him, Who hath made man’s mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? have not I the Lord? Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say (Exodus 4:11-12).

Through the power of the Holy Spirit, the Apostle Paul said: For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.

Stumblingblock and Foolishness

For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men. For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:

But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence. But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord (1 Corinthians 1:18-31).

Came Not With Excellency Of Speech

Paul continues: And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God (1 Corinthians 2:1-5).

God Uses The Foolish

God uses the foolish to confound the wise; He uses weak vessels to confound the mighty. Almighty God does this because none of us can glory in His presence. In other words, those of us who God uses to share the glorious Gospel have nothing to brag about. There is nothing special about my friend Kelly or myself. We are merely willing vessels to be used by God so that our Lord receives all the glory. We have nothing to brag about. I’m not a very good speaker? Praise God! If God can use someone like myself who isn’t a very good speaker and doesn’t have a good memory, then Christian, He can use you too.

I have nothing to brag about and I’m not bragging tonight. I freely admit that I’m not a good speaker. I’m not a good speaker and I don’t have a good memory. Praise God that He can use an unworthy person such as me. Praise God that I am weak and He is strong. I love and praise God for loving me and for saving me.

Nothing To Glory In Except For Christ Alone

It is my desire to be used by God for His honor and glory. I have nothing to glory in except for Christ alone. Jesus is the one who deserves all the praise, honor, and glory. Jesus Christ is Lord of all. He is to be glorified and the whole reason for street witnessing is to lift up the precious name of Jesus in the open-air. To proclaim the Lord Jesus Christ to this lost and dying world.

Jesus is the one to be glorified. Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for thy mercy, and for thy truth’s sake (Psalm 115:1). And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him (Colossians 3:17).

Again 1 Corinthians 1:27-31 says:  But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence. But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.

Thank You For The Compliment

You say I’m not a very good speaker? To that I say, thank you for the compliment. If you state that I am a really good speaker or a great orator, then the focus would be on me and not on Jesus Christ my Lord and Savior. So, I’m pleased that I’m not a good speaker. I’m happy that God has chosen this foolish thing to confound the wise. Praise God that He uses a weak man such as myself to confound the mighty. Praise God that there is no glorying in me but in Christ alone. I will glory, I do glory, but I glory in the Lord as Paul says we should do.

The Message Is Not About The Messenger

You see the message is not about the messenger, the message is the message! The message is the Gospel and Gospel means Good News. It is not about my friends or myself tonight. We are here to glorify the Lord by lifting up the precious name of our Lord and Savior out in the open. We are not ashamed of Jesus. He bore our shame for us. He took our punishment, the very punishment that we deserved. Oh, we glorify Jesus Christ tonight because He is worthy of all of our honor, praise and glory.

Jesus is the sinless Son of God. He is the one who suffered, bled and died on the cross. He is the one who took the punishment that He did not deserve. The sinless took the place of the sinful. God in the flesh bore the excruciating torture that sinful people like us deserve. Jesus paid the sin debt that He did not owe. Now that is love!  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life (John 3:16). But God demonstrated his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8).

We Hope You Won’t Focus On Us At All

Oh folks, our hope and prayer tonight is that you won’t focus on us at all. Not in the least little bit. We hope and pray that God convicts you over yours sins and you understand that Jesus is the only one who can take your sins away. We’ve all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. We’ve all lied. Most of us have stolen something. We’ve all lusted, coveted and hated someone at one time or another. We have all broken the 10 Commandments. Every one of us.

But Jesus never broke a single commandment. He always did the will of God the Father. Yet, He suffered and died a shameful death – the death on the cross. As Jesus hung there on the cross, He endured God the Father’s righteous anger over sinful man. God poured His wrath out on His own precious Son. He did that in order for us to go free. We are the guilty criminals, but Jesus paid our sin debt for us. He paid our fine that we could never repay. It is the great exchange. Jesus takes your sins and gives you His righteousness.

But you must receive this free gift from God. You can inherit eternal life tonight. You can know without a shadow of a doubt where you are going after you die. If you repent and surrender your life to Jesus. Yes, the Lord Jesus satisfied God’s wrath over sin as He suffered on the cross, but you must receive the gift of salvation. You receive it through repentance and faith in Jesus. Turn from your sins and turn the risen Lord.

We Want You To Be Saved

Oh, we want you to be saved tonight. We want you to admit that you are a sinner. Believe in the Lord Jesus. Believe that He took your sins upon Himself as He was suffering in unimaginable agony on that cruel cross. Oh, believe that He suffered, died and rose from the grave three days later. We want you to believe that Jesus died for you. That He paid your sin debt in full. That you believe this with all your heart. Then confess the Lord Jesus with your mouth.

That if you shall confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and shall believe in your heart that God has raised him from the dead, you shall be saved. For with the heart man believes unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation (Romans 10:9-10). For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved (Romans 10:13).

Call Upon The Powerful Name Of Jesus

Call upon the powerful name of Jesus tonight and be saved. Today is the day of salvation. Don’t put it off. Repent and surrender your life to the Lord Jesus. He is Lord of all and you don’t have to be a good speaker to hear Gods’ truth and it doesn’t take a good speaker to proclaim the Gospel. Because faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God (Romans 10:17). That’s why we are out here tonight sharing God’s truth with you.

Jesus said unless you repent you will all likewise perish (Luke 13:3). Don’t die in your sins. Don’t continue rejecting such a great salvation. Repent and trust Jesus. Receive the free gift of salvation that is offered through Jesus Christ alone and receive eternal life. Jesus constantly said he that has ears to hear, let him hear. It’s not about whether Kelly or I are good speakers. No, it’s a matter of whether or not God is convicting you tonight through the power of the Holy Spirit. If God is giving you ears to hear, don’t resist the Holy Spirit. In conclusion, repent and put your faith in Jesus.

(This message was proclaimed in downtown Springfield, MO on September 22, 2017)