Daily Devotions based on the Sermon Series: “STRANGERS in the World”
Week 5 of 7: “Strangers Speak a Different Language!”
Full Sunday message, CLICK HERE
5 characteristics of God’s Word and why they matter.
1 Peter 1:25 And this is the word that was preached to you.
What comes to mind when I say the word “preach” or “preacher”?
Perhaps you think of a pastor past or present and reflect on his sermons and whether they inspired you or put you to sleep. Perhaps you recall a rebuke of a person you felt was all too pious and condescending in correcting you and retorted, “Don’t preach at me!”
Preaching “at” someone in a condescending way is not beneficial. Peter doesn’t say, “This is the word that was preached AT you…” Rather he says, “This is the word that was preached TO you.” (The enduring word of God we talked about yesterday).
Why can he say this?
The nuance behind the English word “preach” is “announcing good news.” The word that is translated “preach” in this verse is actually the same root as “Gospel” or “good news.” You could read this verse as,” And this is the word that was shared as good news with you.”
God’s word IS good news!
God’s Word does point out our sin and how far we have fallen short of the glory of God, but it shares this hard news to set up the glorious reality that Jesus came and lived, died and rose again FOR you…for me!
The good news that is given to us is the news that we are fully forgiven by the blood of Jesus. It’s the news that when this life ends, we are going to spend eternity in the joys of heaven. It’s the news that while life on this earth can get hard, God will never leave us forsake us. It’s the news that whispers in our ear, “I love you. You are my child.” It’s the good news our hearts need…every day.
It’s the good news that was preached…shared…with you.
Why does this matter? Without someone sharing this good news with YOU, you would not be connected to the saving work of Jesus and life forever in heaven. Consider Romans 10:12-17
Romans 10:12 For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, 13 for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
14 How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? 15 And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”
16 But not all the Israelites accepted the good news. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our message?” 17 Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.
The faith you have is because of the word that was PREACHED to you!
Now it’s your turn. The word that was preached to you is good news for you to preach to someone else. You don’t need to be a pastor, you simply need the good news that has been given to you and take your beautiful feet and share it with someone else.
Apply: Who in your sphere of influence needs some good news today? Find your favorite promise or good news passage from the Bible and send it to them!
Prayer: Lord, thank you for the people in my life that have preached the good news to me. Now use me to preach this same good news to others! AMEN.