“Being Prepared At All Times To Witness For Christ Jesus!”

“Being Prepared At All Times To Witness For Christ Jesus!” (Acts13:26-39).
Paul’s message in the synagogue in Pisidian Antioch is an example of an extempore expositional message. Extempore is defined as “spoken or done without preparation.” So to say, extempore is usually – but not limited to – an inpromptu speech. Extempore can also be understood as presenting a prepared message without a script.
Meanwhile expositional within our context of use here means explaining a Scriptural text through the scriptures according to how God had planned it from the beginning. An expositional sermon includes explanation, illustration, argumentation and application; which can all be deduced in that memorable message of Paul in the synogogue in Pisidian Antioch.
It is not as if when Paul entered the synagogue on that day he had prepared a message for the people. However he had fully interpreted and understood the plan of God from the Scriptures.
After the traditional practice of reading from the Law and the Prophets, the synagogue rulers sent word to them, saying, ‘Brothers, if you have a message of encouragement for the people, please speak'”
Our text for today is part of Paul’s response to the request of the synagogue rulers. When Paul stood up to speak, he started from the known. He recounted to them God’s choice of the ancestors, through Egypt, through the wilderness experience up to their possession of the promised land. He went on to David through whom God brought to Israel a Saviour, Jesus, as he promised.
Unfortunately “the people of Jerusalem and their leaders did not recognise Jesus, yet in condemning him they fulfilled the words of the prophets that are read every Sabbath….When they had carried out all that was written about him they took him down…and laid him in a tomb. But God raised him from the dead, and for many days he was seen by those who travelled with him…We tell you the good news: What God promised our fathers he has fulfilled for us their children by raising Jesus…”
And this is not the end of the story of salvation in the plan of God.
In plain terms Paul continued: “Therefore, my brothers, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. Through him everyone who believes is justified from everything you could not be justified from by the Law of Moses.”
Yes, dear friend; this message is to us today. Jesus Christ has risen from the dead. Many have seen him and have testified that he is alive. Paul who is giving this great testimony was not an eye witness, but he encountered the risen Lord and saw him by faith. We too can see him by faith if we too spend time enough to read through the word of God and ask the Holy Spirit to open our minds to understand that everything that happened to Jesus was in the will of God so that through him we who believe are justified from what could not be achieved otherwise.
Prayer: Holy Spirit guide me through scriptures so that I can always be ready to testify for the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen!
Have a blessed day! Peace be with you!
Rev Babila Fochang.