Upon rising this morning, I began listening to a message by Dr. David Mackereth on John 3:13-21. He discussed that text in terms of his street preaching and shared many thoughts on the matter which I received as excellent reasons to go forth with the gospel when I was given an opportunity. He also spoke on the proper attitude of the street preacher, an attitude that is proper in God’s eyes when considering the lost….
I linked his video below, and a brief bio.
I received that video because I subscribe to the YouTube site, Christian Sermons and Audio Books. I usually listen to the notifications I receive from this site, sermons from C H Spurgeon, Calvin, Luther …and current preachers and evangelists. I have blogged many of those messages.
As I began my morning read of the Bible in Philippians, I went to a commentary on 2:16. I assumed this verse was about God’s word, but there was much more there than I realized; therefore, I thought it worthy of sharing.
Also, it tied in very well with the Mackereth talk to which I had just finished listening.
Philippians 2:16 holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.
The following commentary is by Albert Barnes’ Notes On The Bible, Bible Hub [emboldening is mine]:
[If you click the orange words in the commentary, you will be taken to Bible Hub to those Bible verses, to read commentary on them, click ‘comment’ in the heading of the page.]
https://biblehub.com/commentaries/philippians/2-16.htm
Holding forth the word of life – That is, you are under obligation to hold forth the word of life. It is a duty incumbent on you as Christians to do it. The “word of life” means the gospel, called the “word of life” because it is the message that promises life; or perhaps this is a Hebraism, denoting the living, or life-giving word. The gospel stands thus in contrast with all human systems of religion – for they have no efficacy to save – and to the law which “killeth;” see the John 6:63, note, and 2 Corinthians 3:6, note. The duty here enjoined is that of making the gospel known to others, and of thus keeping up the knowledge of it in the world. This duty rests on Christians (compare Matthew 5:14, Matthew 5:16), and they cannot escape from the obligation. They are bound to do this, not only because God commands it, but:
(1) because they are called into the church that they may be witnesses for God, Isaiah 43:10.
(2) because they are kept on the earth for that purpose. If it were not for some such design, they would be removed to heaven at once on their conversion.
(3) because there are no others to do it. The frivolous ones will not warn the fools, nor will the proud warn the proud, nor the scoffer the scoffer. The thoughtless and the vain will not go and tell others that there is a God and a Saviour; nor will the wicked warn the wicked, and tell them that they are in the way to hell. There are none who will do this but Christians; and, if they neglect it, sinners will go unwarned and unalarmed down to death. This duty rests on every Christian.
The exhortation here is not made to the pastor, or to any officer of the church particularly; but to the mass of communicants. They are to shine as lights in the world; they are to hold forth the word of life. There is not one member of a church who is so obscure as to be exempt from the obligation; and there is not one who may not do something in this work. If we are asked how this may be done, we may reply:
(1) They are to do it by example. Everyone is to hold forth the living word in that way.
(2) by efforts to send the gospel to those who have it not. There is almost no one who cannot contribute something, though it may be but two mites, to accomplish this.
(3) by conversation. There is no Christian who has not some influence over the minds and hearts of others; and he is bound to use that influence in holding forth the word of life.
(4) by defending the divine origin of religion when attacked.
(5) by rebuking sin, and thus testifying to the value of holiness. The defense of the truth, under God, and the diffusion of a knowledge of the way of salvation, rests on those who are Christians. Paganism never originates a system which it would not be an advantage to the world to have destroyed as soon as it is conceived. Philosophy has never yet told of a way by which a sinner may be saved. The world at large devises no plan for the salvation of the soul. The most crude, ill-digested, and perverse systems of belief conceivable, prevail in the community called “the world.” Every form of opinion has an advocate there; every monstrous vagary that the human mind ever conceived, finds friends and defenders there. The human mind has of itself no elastic energy to bring it from the ways of sin; it has no recuperative power to lead it back to God. The world at large is dependent on the church for any just views of God, and of the way of salvation; and every Christian is to do his part in making that salvation known.
That I may rejoice – This was one reason which the apostle urged, and which it was proper to urge, why they should let their light shine. He had been the instrument of their conversion, he had founded their church, he was their spiritual father, and had shown the deepest interest in their welfare; and he now entreats them, as a means of promoting his highest joy, to be faithful and holy. The exemplary piety and holy lives of the members of a church will be one of the sources of highest joy to a minister in the day of judgment; compare 3 John 1:4.
In the day of Christ – The day when Christ shall appear – the day of judgment. It is called the day of Christ, because he will be the glorious object which will be prominent on that day; it will be the day in which he will be honored as the judge of all the world.
That I have not run in vain – That is, that I have not lived in vain – life being compared with a race: see the notes at 1 Corinthians 9:26.
Neither laboured in vain – In preaching the gospel. Their holy lives would be the fullest proof that he was a faithful preacher.
End Barnes’ comments.
STUDY RECOMMENDATIONS:
If you are not clear on the gospel or how to present it, the following video examples may help you.
Posts from this blog on the gospel, from the category of Gospel Message:
https://sheeplywolves.com/the-biblical-gospel-how-to-share-it/
Example of sharing the gospel message by Ray Comfort:
https://sheeplywolves.com/gospel-witnessing-via-the-street-preaching-of-ray-comfort/
Example of sharing the gospel message by Todd Friel:
https://sheeplywolves.com/the-gospel-an-example-of-street-preaching/
The earliest posts in those categories on the gospel message have information about the definition of the gospel and how to share it; latter posts are examples of it being preached by MacArthur and others; and examples of preaching NOT the gospel.
For a better understanding of the attitude of one who shares the gospel, listen to Dr. David Mackereth’s talk linked below; a brief bio follows that.
The Purpose of Gospel Preaching – Dr. David Mackereth (John 3:13-21)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wR6CYX-M5_0&list=LL&index=1
Dr. David Mackereth became a Christian in 1982 whilst studying medicine at the University of St Andrews in Scotland. Between 1990 and 1992 he trained for the Bible preaching ministry at the London Theological Seminary, founded by Dr. Martyn Lloyd Jones. He worked in Accident and Emergency Medicine, but over the years was able to engage in Gospel preaching ministry. In 2018 he hit the national headlines as the Christian Doctor who refused to use transgender pronouns, whilst working for a government agency. This action got him fired, but he does not regret standing up for the truth. With God’s help, he continues to take a firm stand on this, and other issues.
Dr. David Mackereth (video playlist): https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list…