They’re everywhere. T-shirts proclaim everything from the beer you drink and the tourist traps you’ve visited the super-star concert you’ve attended. Bumper stickers often tell where you stand politically. Some messages are vulgar, while others are uplifting and encouraging. Whatever the message, it says a lot about the one who wears the shirt or drives the car.

If the message promotes Christ, the person behind the shirt or bumper sticker should represent Christ. If your T-shirt proclaims that you love Jesus, shouldn’t you be forgiving of other people who seem rude or obnoxious? The answer is “Yes.” If your bumper sticker is a little fish symbol, shouldn’t you pray for the person who makes a left turn without using their blinker or cuts you off in traffic? That would be the Christian thing to do. It’s important to live your life for Christ rather than just wear it on your shirt.

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service” (Romans 12:1). It makes a strong statement for Christ if you humbly live for Him.

People do notice your proclamations. My husband, Ron, had a vinyl sticker on the back window of his pickup… a hand with a spike going through it. The caption said, “Body piercing saved my life.” A man in our congregation saw it and reprimanded my husband for promoting body piercing. Rightly so, but this man didn’t get the significance of the hand being pierced as representing Jesus being crucified. Ron explained it to this man, who then thought it was a great message.

A few weeks later, Ron was at work and parked on the main street through town. It was very early in the morning, and he was surprised when the door opened. A very disheveled young woman walked in. Her hair was full of snarls, and she was barefoot with very dirty and tattered clothing. She and her boyfriend were traveling, had a fight, and he kicked her out of the car. She had walked about 10 miles that cold night, barefoot with no jacket. We lived in a very rural area, so there wasn’t much traffic. As she walked through town, hungry with sore and blistered feet, she needed help, saw the body piercing sticker, and went inside the building. She told Ron, “I saw the sticker on the pickup and knew I would find help here.”

She did find help. Ron, who lived his faith, took her to the local diner and bought her breakfast. While she ate, he contacted the youth pastor where we attended services and told him about her plight. The young pastor was able to get her some shoes, clean clothes, and bought her a bus ticket to where she wanted to go.

The point is, if you make statements on your shirt or vehicle, you need to live what you proclaim. Ron was the epitome of the Good Samaritan, which Jesus described in Luke 10:30-37. Both men shared the Gospel with her. James wrote, “Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone” (James 2:17). Works cannot bring salvation, but neither can a bumper sticker. They can open the way to show God’s love and share the Gospel.

Christians are supposed to show kindness and do good in the name of Jesus. Living our faith is an individual work we do. One day, as Peter and John were about to enter the Temple, a crippled man asked for a handout. “Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have, give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, get up and walk” (Acts 3:6). The man was crippled and could only beg for money. More than money, he needed to come to know Jesus as his Redeemer. Peter did a good work in the name of Jesus, and the man stood up on his own two feet. “And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God” (Acts 3:8).

The crowd saw the miracle, and Peter used clear words to tell them about Jesus.

We need to boldly share the Gospel. We need to do good works in the name of Jesus, but if we don’t share the Gospel, we’ve done nothing worthwhile.

Today, it seems Christians have a strange way of sharing the Gospel. T-shirts, bumper stickers, and orchestrated works programs with gimmicks. None of that is found in Scripture. The final instruction that Jesus gave His disciples before He ascended to Heaven was to share the Gospel. “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15).

How did the Disciples respond? Did they put on T-shirts and organize work parties? No. They shared the Gospel. “And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen” (Mark 16:20).

Jesus never sent work parties armed with hammer and nails to repair houses for people who needed salvation. He sent His disciples armed with the Gospel. “Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases. And He sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick” (Luke 9:1-2). Jesus told them to take nothing with them except the power and authority that comes from the Holy Spirit. “And they departed, and went through the towns, preaching the gospel, and healing every where” (Luke 9:6).

After that, He sent 70 out with the same mission. “And heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you” (Luke 10:9). Can you imagine what Christians filled with the Holy Spirit could do in the name of Jesus against a pandemic? When the seventy returned, they were thrilled! “And the seventy returned again with joy, saying Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name” (Luke 10:17). Brothers and sisters, Jesus hasn’t changed His instructions. Preach the Gospel to the lost, armed with the Holy Spirit.

This isn’t to say that God won’t use a t-shirt, bumper sticker, or kindness to open the door for a chance to share the Gospel. But we must be ready to share the Gospel with words. “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ” (1 Peter 3:15-16). In other words, we’re all sinners saved by grace, and people tend to be aware of our wrongdoings, which compromises our witness. “…good conversation in Christ” means to live so others see His mercy and grace in us.

Peter said we should always be ready to give an answer for the hope within us. What is that hope? The Gospel of Jesus Christ. If someone sees a cute saying on your t-shirt and asks what it means, can you share the Gospel with them? Paul never backed away from defending his faith in Jesus. He is a good example of what missionary work looks like. His first stop on missionary travels was in synagogues. It got him in a lot of trouble at times, but it also brought people to Christ. He didn’t wear a woven message on his robe but spoke boldly to all within hearing distance.

The main mission of a Christian is to bring people to Christ. Speak the Gospel with words. We need to do kind things for people but boldly do kindness in the name of Jesus. Don’t do those good works, hoping maybe someone will ask about Jesus and salvation. If you’re ashamed of Jesus, then shame on you. “For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek” (Romans 1:16). Share the Gospel boldly.

Scripture says crowds would gather when the people knew Jesus was in town. Why? Not because He sold t-shirts saying, “I heard the Sermon on the Mount.” Word of mouth brought people to Him. Though He had created the world and all things in it and was a carpenter by trade, He never built houses nor repaired roofs for people but spoke to them of the love of God.

Peter was a fisherman by trade, not a shepherd, but Jesus told him, “Feed my sheep.” That meant to teach God’s word. Peter spoke openly and eloquently of Jesus. Because of his words, many people came to a saving faith in Christ. Peter gave a beautiful sermon on the day of Pentecost. He used words to point out why the people listening needed salvation that only comes through Christ. He wasn’t shy about pointing out sin, nor was he shy about sharing Christ with the lost.

Study Acts beginning with chapter 2, verse 14, and take Peter’s words to heart. “Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls” (Acts 2:41). T-shirts, bumper stickers, and works cannot accomplish what Peter, allowing the Holy Spirit to speak through him, accomplished that day.

It seems that in today’s world, we’re much more comfortable letting our T-shirts and bumper stickers speak for us rather than sharing the Gospel with our own lips. Try this. Stand in front of a mirror with your “I love Jesus” t-shirt on, and give your testimony to your reflection. Which one is more powerful? Is it your words or your t-shirt that makes it clear who Jesus is and what He’s done for you? Then, share the Gospel with your reflection. Can you explain why you need Jesus in your life? By doing so, you just might bring yourself to a saving knowledge of Christ!

Maybe you believe you’re saved because you were baptized as a baby. Scripture says we have to make our own profession of faith, and baptism alone won’t bring salvation. “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation” (Romans 10:9-10). I have yet to see a baby able to understand anything except their basic needs. They know nothing of the fact that they are sinners and cannot be good enough to save themselves. As precious as a baby is, they have to grow and be taught the Gospel in order to understand they need to confess with their mouth their faith in Jesus.

An observation I’ve made recently is that Christians seem to hide behind t-shirts, bumper stickers, and works while people with a false “gospel” are out sharing their misplaced faith.

During the last year, I’ve received phone calls from a lady with a message of “hope.” As I spoke with her, it became clear she was a Jehovah’s Witness sharing her twisted truth. She couldn’t knock on doors, so she called on the telephone. This gave me an opportunity to share Jesus with her. Did it do any good? I don’t know. All I could do is speak God’s truth. I do know that I used words instead of hiding behind my t-shirt that says, “Jesus Christ is my Life Savior,” or my license plate holder that says, “Know Jesus, know peace, no Jesus, no peace,” or any other works. After all, Jehovah’s Witnesses are sure that if they do enough good works, they can get to Heaven.

The Gospel is really quite simple. “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). All have sinned… you, me, and the most “holy” saint you know. Sin separates us from God. “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23). This death could be physical death caused by disease spread through sin, but the sin of rejecting Jesus brings eternal death. Every human sins and is on the road to eternal death. God doesn’t want that. The only remedy is faith in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

“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. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved” (John 3:16-17).

Repentance is part of salvation. Repent means to change your mind about sin. If you’ve rejected Christ all your life, then change your mind about that. “Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord” (Acts 3:19). Paul described the Gospel this way, “For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:3-4).

Don’t be fearful of speaking God’s truth. T-shirts, bumper stickers, and works might open the door for a conversation, but be sure to have the words to share the Gospel of Salvation.

God bless you all,

Nathele Graham

twotug@embarqmail.com

ron@straitandnarrowministry.com

PLEASE NOTE: Friends, I am having some trouble with my email. For some reason, my Inbox is not allowing any emails to come in. If you have written to me in the last few weeks and I haven’t responded, I apologize. Until I get this problem solved, please email me at nathele@embarqmail.com.

All original scripture is “theopneustos,” God-breathed.

If you’d like to be on my mailing list to receive the commentaries, just drop me an email and let me know.

Many people won’t study the Old Testament. I’m not sure why. They might read Psalm 23 just for comfort, but other than that and a vague knowledge of the creation account and the flood, they turn right to the New Testament. The Gospel of Matthew begins with the genealogy of Jesus, but did you ever wonder who those people are? Then, when you get to the Gospel of Luke, the genealogy seems different than listed in Matthew’s account. If you understand who the people are by studying all of Scripture, you will understand that both Joseph, Jesus’ stepfather, and Mary, Jesus’ human mother, descended from King David but through two different sons of David. The story behind each person is very interesting and can be read in the Old Testament.

Each of their stories will help you to understand that God uses people in spite of our imperfections.

“For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope” (Romans 15:4).

There are many lessons to be learned in Old Testament Scriptures, and prophecy has been given for us to understand the times in which we live. Do you base the future on a fortune cookie or on God’s truth? Nostradamus was no prophet of God Almighty, so turn to Scripture and learn truth.

The world today is a very scary place. In this time of crisis, the Old Testament will make it clear that persecution isn’t new. Read about how Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego chose to obey God rather than bow down to false gods of gold. They faced death rather than bow their knees to heathen gods.

“If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up” (Daniel 3:17-18).

They knew God was able to deliver them from death, but even if He allowed them to die in the furnace, they wouldn’t serve demon gods. God did deliver them, and their testimony was powerful.

Daniel wouldn’t compromise his faith either. The political advisors of the day were corrupt. Does that sound familiar? They hated Daniel because of his faith. They plotted against him and came up with a law making it illegal to ask anything of any god or man; the man asking would be thrown into a den of lions. Daniel loved and served God Almighty, and he openly continued to pray to the only true God in spite of the evil decrees of men.

“Then these men assembled and found Daniel praying and making supplication before his God” (Daniel 6:11).

They went and tattled to the king and had Daniel thrown to the lions. But God had a greater plan. Daniel’s life is a testimony to the power of God, and even the king knew the penalty would be useless.

“Then the king commanded, and they brought Daniel, and cast him into the den of lions. Now the king spake and said unto Daniel, Thy God whom thou servest continually, he will deliver thee” (Daniel 6:16).

Today, as Christians are being told to compromise our faith and stop worshipping openly, the faith these men had is encouraging. Daniel wouldn’t stop worshipping God and praying to Him in spite of man’s laws forbidding it. Study all of Scripture and be sure that your choices are consistent with Scripture, then stand firm on God’s word.

Another example of faith from the Old Testament is Job. He faced the loss of his children, his fortune, and disease riddled his body. All evil comes from Satan. God may allow bad things to happen, but Satan is always to blame. Job never lost faith in God Almighty. Job heard no encouraging words from his wife.

“Then said his wife unto him, Dost thou still retain thine integrity? Curse God, and die” (Job 2:9). Then a group of friends came to visit him, and they went on and on about how all of Job’s troubles were his own fault. Job finally listened to God and was able to say, “For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: and though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me” (Job 19:25-27).

That’s faith we can admire. Long before Jesus walked the earth and gave His life to redeem humanity, Job knew his redeemer lives. Do you have that faith? Do you profess it with your mouth but deny Him by your actions? Take a lesson of faith from Job.

Old Testament Scripture gives examples of faith. In the letter to the Hebrews, there is a long list of people who accomplished great things because of their faith.

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good report. Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear” (Hebrews 11:1-3).

The author of Hebrews starts at the beginning and tells us that by faith we believe God created all things. The creation account is found in Genesis chapter 1, and John chapter 1 reveals that Jesus is the Word made flesh and the Creator of all things. Then the writer of Hebrews goes through a long list of men and women who lived their lives day by day but had faith in God and served Him. Abel offered a more excellent sacrifice than Cain; Enoch was Raptured prior to God’s judgment; Noah took God seriously and built an Ark. The list goes on, but if you read the history of each person listed in the “Hall of Faith,” you will learn more about your own faith and how believing God is always better than believing sinful man.

Old Testament Scripture is very important for examples of holding fast to faith in spite of what our eyes can see.

Elisha, a prophet of God, and his servant were in a bad situation that brought fear upon the servant. Elisha had thwarted the plans of the king of Syria to destroy Israel because he listened to God. The king of Syria came after Elisha with an army. The servant saw the army and felt fear.

“…Alas, my master! How shall we do? And he answered Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them. And Elisha prayed, and said, LORD, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire around about Elisha” (2 Kings 6:15b-17).

Elisha kept his eyes on God and saw His power. What about us? We have more than chariots of fire; we have Jesus. Keep your eyes on Him, and fear not.

Jesus was Jewish and mostly spoke to a Jewish audience, so as Gentiles, we need to study the Old Testament to gain understanding of the New Testament and what Jesus accomplished for us.

“Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill” (Matthew 5:17).

The Law was given by God to teach about sin and sacrifice. Blood had to be shed in order to cover sin, but animal blood could never take sin away. Read about Passover in Exodus and understand that Jesus, God incarnate, was the Lamb of God who shed His blood for our salvation. Faith in His death, burial, and resurrection takes sin away. We have the fulfillment of Job’s words and know that our Redeemer lives. Jesus fulfilled hundreds of Old Testament prophecies by His birth and by His death. We should never take His sacrifice for granted. Like Daniel, we should never stop openly worshipping our God.

Paul’s letter to the Romans contains about sixty quotes from the Old Testament. This letter was written to a Gentile congregation, but still the Old Testament was cited. Scripture, from Genesis through Revelation, is inspired by God. Men wrote the words that the Holy Spirit dictated.

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works” (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

Unless you study all of Scripture, you’ll miss many important points in New Testament teaching.

The letters written to the congregation in Corinth contain a long account of Jewish history. Paul talks about their wandering in the wilderness. Why would this bit of Jewish history be important to a Gentile congregation? The Old Testament is filled with many “pictures” for us to see Christ more clearly.

“Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come” (1 Corinthians 10:11).

The Greek word translated “ensamples” is “typos,” which here means to show a pattern or a picture of something. The Israelites wandered for 40 years because of their lack of faith, but God was always there to lead them and care for them. God provided manna, which is a type of Christ.

“Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world” (John 6:32-33).

When Moses struck the rock, and life-giving water flowed from it, that was a picture of Christ.

“And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ” (1 Corinthians 10:4).

If you still have doubts as to the importance of Old Testament Scripture, listen to Jesus. On the day of His resurrection, His disciples were extremely confused and fearful. Two of those men left Jerusalem, walked to Emmaus, and discussed the events of the past week.

“And it came to pass, that while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them” (Luke 24:15).

These men had great sorrow, and instead of looking for Jesus, their grief blinded them. The Living Lord was walking with them, but they couldn’t see. Makes me think of Elisha’s servant. Jesus asked what they were talking about, and they gave an account of the problem; they thought Jesus was the One who would deliver them, but He was crucified.

“But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, to day is the third day since these things were done” (Luke 24:21).

Some women had been to the tomb, but it was empty. These men forgot Old Testament prophecy… they forgot to study things written before. Jesus called them fools.

“Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory? And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scripture the things concerning himself” (Luke 24:25-27).

What a Bible study that must have been! It’s found in the Old Testament, but we have to study things written before in order to understand.

We live in a time of great turmoil and uncertainty. There are many “experts” who confuse us with secular answers to a spiritual attack. How will it all end? The book of Daniel gives a very concise answer that Jesus confirmed. There will be a final 7-year period of time in which God’s wrath will be poured out upon non-believers. The only way to avoid this time of tribulation is to put your faith in Jesus Christ. He is our Redeemer. In Him there is forgiveness of sin and the hope of eternal life.

The signs of the times are becoming very clear, and if you haven’t given your life to Jesus yet, do it today. If you have accepted His sacrifice for redemption, then don’t take your eyes off of Him. Find God’s peace in Scripture… both the Old and New Testaments.

God bless you all,

Nathele Graham

twotug@embarqmail.com

ron@straitandnarrowministry.com

PLEASE NOTE: Friends, I am having some trouble with my email. For some reason, my Inbox is not allowing any emails to come in. If you have written to me in the last few weeks and I haven’t responded, I apologize. Until I get this problem solved, please email me at nathele@embarqmail.com.

All original scripture is “theopneustos,” God-breathed.

If you’d like to be on my mailing list to receive the commentaries, just drop me an email and let me know.