JRM Sison Chapter - September 20, 2009

What is an epistle? According to Noah Webster’s Dictionary of 1828; it is a writing, directed or sent, communicating intelligence to a person; a letter; a letter missive. It is rarely used in familiar conversation or writings, but chiefly in solemn or formal transactions. It is used particularly in speaking of the letters of the Apostles, as the epistles of Paul; and of other letters written by the ancients, as the epistles of Pliny or of Cicero. Another meaning worth noticing is on what Peter had said in 2 Peter 3:16 that the epistles of Paul are part of the God-breathed scriptures (Vine’s Expository Dictionary).

From pure observation on reading the epistles of the Apostles, an epistle is a letter that is sent with the intention of correction, rebuke, warning, and encouragement. It has a purpose and that purpose leads to glorify God. Thus, an epistle, in totality, is a letter that is sent with the purpose of glorifying God.

You are God’s Epistle
Many Christians have been so zealous in their quest for lost souls that they sometimes forgot who they really are. Some tries so hard to win souls by knocking them down with theological knowledge; introducing highfaluting words that aims to throw the listener off-balance. But such approach leads to a destructive result that either humiliates or insults the listener. Some even tries going house to house with their Bibles in hand. It may be effective to some but to most families that has a fast-paced life and busy lifestyle that strategy may not work at all.

Paul, in his second epistle to the Corinthians, has written “For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God (2 Cor 2:17)”; There were so many that were corrupting God’s word during Paul’s time. According to Matthew Henry’s commentary, “Though many did corrupt the word of God, yet the apostle's conscience witnessed to his fidelity. He did not mix his own notions with the doctrines and institutions of Christ; he durst not add to, nor diminish from, the word of God; he was faithful in dispensing the gospel, as he received it from the Lord, and had no secular turn to serve; his aim was to approve himself to God, remembering that his eye was always upon him; he therefore spoke and acted always as in the sight of God, and therefore in sincerity.” There was a battle going on within the church; a silent battle between those many that corrupted God’s word and them that were sincere. Thus, Paul had written in 2 Corinthians 3:6, “Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.” He was more on walking in the Spirit rather than walking in wisdom or the flesh (Galatians 5:16). He further added that it is not the letter that is important but the man himself bearing the letter, to be known and read by all man (2 Corinthians 3:2)

Paul was emphasizing more on one’s personality and character than wisdom. He said it perfectly well when he said, “Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart (2 Corinthians 3:3)”. We are God’s epistles; we are God’s living testimony about His begotten Son, Jesus Christ; we are the witnesses sent by God not by the letter but by the Spirit of the Lord.

The Flesh and Blood of Jesus Christ
In John 6:54, Jesus had said “Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life.” What does He mean by this? What is the significance of His flesh and blood with eternal life? Isn’t it that eternal life is a gift of God (Romans 6:23)? How then could eating His flesh and drinking His blood be connected with the gift of God?

As shared in the past sermons, we find in Revelations 19:13 and 16 that Jesus Christ is the Word of God. It was even stated in John 1:1-3 and 14 that Jesus is the Word. When Jesus was tempted in the mount, He countered the tempter with verses of Scripture, “It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God (Matthew 4:4).” Thus, the flesh that Jesus was implying was the Word of God; eating His flesh means reading the Word of God.
But reading God’s word is not enough; plain reading leads to the “letter that killeth”. Jesus had said “Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood…” A Christian must not only eat the flesh but also drink the blood of Jesus. What then is His blood? 1 John 5:7 and 8 leads to a comparison with heaven and earth; Father is the Spirit (John 4:24), Word is the Water (John 4:10, 13, 14), Holy Ghost is the blood. Thus, if the blood is the Holy Ghost/Spirit therefore drinking the blood means allowing the Holy Spirit in one’s life. This further strengthens Matthew 5:48 (Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.) and 1 Peter 1:16 (Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy). Drinking the blood therefore is to walk in the Spirit and living a holy life; only there and then will we be the epistle of Christ; we are no longer a “letter that killeth” but an epistle with a “spirit that giveth life”.

How to be the Epistle of Christ
Have you ever read a letter that is encouraging and filled with life? When you have read the letter, isn’t it that it made an impression that even if you see just the back of that letter you felt encouraged and happy? It works the same with Christians; if a Christian makes you feel comfortable, peaceful and happy then you know he has Christ in him. But if he makes you feel restless, uneasy and gloomy then he doesn’t have Christ in him.

During our discipleship we learned about the ABC’s of Christianity. We mentioned, using the alphabet, up to I (having 9 steps of Christianity). We grouped it into three for us to learn more about them.

Early Stage
     ·     Accept Jesus Christ as God and Saviour. Take note that it is not about anything else it is about accepting Jesus first. But accepting Jesus is not enough because Jesus said “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 7:21).”
     ·     Believe in Jesus Christ. The second step is about believing in Jesus. But even if you believe, it still is not enough. James had said “Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble (James 2:19).” This leads us to the last step for salvation…
     ·     Converted for Jesus Christ. Conversion means a complete change (for the good). One can see a true Christian because of his conversion not his belief. A person can believe in Jesus but not converted to Christianity because he still loves the work of the flesh.

Preparation Stage
     ·     Discipling the convert. As a convert begins to walk in his Christian life, he must be discipled as early as possible. Jesus, in His Great Commission in Matthew 28:19 and 20, spoke of 4 commands: Go; Preach/Witness; Baptize; Disciple. Furthermore, Jesus stated firmly in John 15:16 that as we bear fruit, that fruit must remain. A convert will remain to be a Christian when he is discipled properly and effectively.
     ·     Equipping the disciple. Note that not everything is taught by the discipler; the disciple must equip himself by gathering materials to widen his knowledge and further his study in the word of God; learning to defend his faith and Jesus Christ as his God and Saviour.
     ·     Faith of the disciple. As the disciple is being equipped, his faith is being increased, just as a contestant, in a certain competition, developed a strong faith in winning because of being equipped.

Commissioned Stage (Walking in the Spirit)
     ·     Gentle. One of the most neglected affection among Christians is gentleness. In everything, a Christian must be gentle especially when dealing with unbelievers and baby Christians. If a Christian is gentle, many unbelievers will be won for Christ. If a Christian is gentle, many baby Christians become involve with God’s work. But if a Christian is not gentle, unbelievers are not easily won and baby Christians backslide from their faith.
     ·     Humble. The virtue that needs to be perfected by all man is humility. Humility with God first then with men. Note that humility (coupled with the fear of the Lord), as stated in Proverbs 22:4, brings forth riches, and honour and life. Humility paves the way to relationship. Humility heals the broken hearted. Humility patches bruised relationships and heals them. Humility brings people together. Humility brings glory to God.
     ·     Initiator. A discipled Christian is an initiator. He doesn’t need to be reminded so many times. He knows his responsibilities and how to initiate it. A good initiator brings good leadership. He makes people want to work for the Lord. He encourages people to do something for the Lord. A good initiator is a good encourager. He makes hard things easy. He brings people closer to God. A good initiator is the person reading this sermon right now.

Brethren, God has led you here today; to listen to His words. The gift of God is reading God’s Word and living a holy life. And God is telling you that you are His epistle; and His epistle giveth life. Take a step forward and be a good initiator. Don’t wait on what your pastor can do for God. DO SOMETHING FOR GOD.

I’m asking you right now, “What are you doing for God?” Some of you might say, “I didn’t swear or spoke bad words”, “I didn’t bear false witness against my neighbor” or “I didn’t commit anything that will be distasteful for the Lord”. I’m not asking what you didn’t do. I’m asking what you are doing for God. If you want to do something for the Lord, take a step and walk on the path that the Spirit is leading you; a path of victory and blessing; a path where you can glorify the Lord whatsoever you do.