WHAT DO YOU PREACH?

WHAT DO YOU PREACH?

Josimar Salum

   The Lord is showing me the importance of saying what He is saying. A long-time friend wrote to me in the last morning of 2023.

   Truly preaching the Word of God means exactly that. Say what He is saying. 

   That's why a long time ago I said many times to my friends Paul Taylor and Bill Biconson when we were traveling together: I have a Bible verse for this or that. 

   Anything they use to say I had a verse about it. I mean, everything. They would say something and ask: Do you have a Bible verse for this? I said: Yes, I do and I would recite a Bible verse!

   And Bill Niconson was mad about it. And he didn't understand me. 

   Many would say: “You are uncompromising, radical, insufferable!” 

   Although I closed a lot of doors by doing this, and by preaching the Word without compromise I think it was worth it, because you raise up a generation of true prophets from those who hear you. 

   You should not preach what you believe, you should preach what the Bible says.

   The main reason people turned away and became very angry with the prophets Elijah and John is that they were unbearable to listen to and to be with.

   “Although John never performed a sign, everything John said about Jesus was true.” And in that place many believed in Jesus.” John 10:41-42 NIV

   “To this John replied: “A person can only receive what is given to him from heaven. For he whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God gives him the Spirit without masure.” John 3:27, 34 NIV

   #ASONE

THREE ADVICES FOR A YOUNG PREACHER. By Dr Josimar Salum

THREE ADVICES FOR A YOUNG PREACHER. By Dr Josimar Salum

 My nephew Andre solemnly asked me today:

 What three pieces of advice would you give to a preacher who is just starting out?

 First, I would recommend he just preach what he actually lives. You will initially only preach five minutes, but it will be a preaching bursting with authority. 

 Secondly, live a life of intense prayer and intercession.  At all times speak with the Father.  Walk with the Father.  Don't do anything without praying first.  If you speak more with God than to men, when you speak to men it will be God speaking.

 And third, with all your effort, seek the anointing.  You have to have a deep despair inside you: Oh!  God, give me Your anointing.  And only then will everything you say in preaching be the result of the manifest presence of God in your life.

 #ASONE

WHAT ARE WE CALLED TO PREACH IN THE CHURCH IS THE KINGDOM OR SALVATION? By Josimar Salum

WHAT ARE WE CALLED TO PREACH IN THE CHURCH IS THE KINGDOM OR SALVATION? By Josimar Salum 

We are not “called” to preach salvation anywhere, we are commanded by Jesus to preach the Gospel of the Kingdom. 

“And this Gospel of the Kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭24:14‬ ‭NIV‬‬

People receive Jesus as Lord and King not to be saved, to receive eternal life, but to become son of God, born into His Kingdom to live for Him, to die for him. Wait ! They are not saved to be blessed, not to be healed, not to be delivered. They are saved, healed, delivered, blessed as a consequence of being brought into the Kingdom, but it is not the goal. 

“For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.” Romans‬ ‭8:29‬ ‭NIV‬‬

You were predestined, called, justified also glorified to become like Jesus is. To become a son of God, because He is a son. To be called, justified, glorified, become righteous, holy, priest, king as Jesus is. 

‭‭

“And those He predestined, He also called; those He called, He also justified; those He justified, He also glorified. ‭‭Romans‬ ‭8:30‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Heaven is not their final destiny and salvation is just the door, just the first step. Salvation is the beginning, but to be a disciple is for life. 

“Then He said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self? Whoever is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. “Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God.””Luke‬ ‭9:23-27‬ ‭NIV‬‬

We are not commanded to preach to the people to accept Jesus as Savior so they can go to heaven. This is not the message of Jesus. This is a religious message that is not taught in the Bible. Salvation is just a small part of the message, a small part of the Gospel.

“How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, *who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!””Isaiah‬ ‭52:7‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea and saying, “Repent, *for the kingdom of heaven * has come near.”” Matthew‬ ‭3:1-2‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”” Matthew‬ ‭4:17‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people.” Matthew‬ ‭4:23‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: “Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.” Matthew‬ ‭10:5, 7-8‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”” Matthew‬ ‭28:18-20‬ ‭NIV‬‬

The message of the Kingdom is not primarily to save people, mas to make them disciples of Jesus. You are saved to become Jesus disciple. You are disciple of Jesus, therefore, you are saved. 

“Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.” With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.” Acts‬ ‭2:38-44, 47‬ ‭NIV‬‬

They were saved to become disciples. 

Since the beginning John the Baptist preached the Kingdom. 

Jesus came preaching the Kingdom. 

The disciples went on, preaching the Kingdom. 

The apostles of Jesus preached the Kingdom. 

It is about the Kingdom not about salvation. The salvation message is a reduction of God’s message. If you preach only salvation you are not preaching the Gospel.

 

““Therefore I want you to know that God’s salvation has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will listen!” For two whole years Paul stayed there in his own rented house and welcomed all who came to see him. He proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ—with all boldness and without hindrance!” Acts‬ ‭28:28, 30-31‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“For He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” Colossians‬ ‭1:13-14‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit,” Romans‬ ‭14:17‬ ‭NIV‬‬

The Kingdom of God brings salvation because it is righteousness. Only righteous people live in the Kingdom.

 “Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.” 1 Corinthians‬ ‭6:9-11‬ ‭NIV‬‬

When Paul is talking that “if only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied.” (1 Corinthians‬ ‭15:19‬ ‭NIV‬‬) he is not taking about heaven. He is talking about the Kingdom. 

“For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. But each in turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him. Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet.” ‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭15:22-25‬ ‭NIV‬‬

““When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’” Matthew‬ ‭25:31-40‬ ‭NIV‬‬

I encourage you to look into all verses of the New Testament that the Kingdom word occurs and meditate upon them all, asking the Holy Spirit to reveal to you the mysteries of the Kingdom, because these mysteries are not for all men and women. 

“Jesus said, “The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of God has been given to you, but to others I speak in parables, so that, “ ‘though seeing, they may not see; though hearing, they may not understand.’ Luke‬ ‭8:10‬ ‭NIV‬‬

#ASONE

WHAT DO THE MILLIONS OF SERMONS PREACHED FOR YOUR COUNTRY? Josimar Salum

WHAT DO THE MILLIONS OF SERMONS PREACHED DO FOR YOUR COUNTRY? Josimar Salum 

Imagine: If we have 100,000 churches, we have 100,000 preachers who preach 100,000 sermons every Sunday. If these churches have two services a week it's 100,000 churches with 100,000 preachers preaching 200,000 sermons a week. At the end of the year, 10,400,000 sermons are preached each year. Where are the deep changes and transformations in the cities and towns where all these preachings are proclaimed?

This church of prosperity preaching, of giving campaigns on the radio, on TV, on the internet, of the millions of evangelical deals is lost, powerless, and cannot save itself.

It is necessary to humble ourselves and recognize that we are poor in the Power of God.

I hate poverty and misery in people's lives. I hate the sin that causes people to live like wanderers. But I also hate oppressive wealth, which makes others miserable.

Don't say that I'm against believers giving up their tithes and offerings, that I don't believe in the God who gives power to acquire wealth, that I don't believe in the God who wants me to be a head and not a tail, that teaches to lend instead of borrow and allows me to eat the best of this earth.

This insistence on asking for money non-stop in the lives of many leaders is only a symptom of an upcoming downfall. The answer they get from thousands is the reason they live: to enrich themselves and continue to despise the poor, the widow, the missionary work and the causes of the Kingdom of God.

We must recognize that we are in a terrible crisis of legitimacy in evangelical leadership, that this avalanche of leaders who get divorced, become involved in scandals, who live in unbridled competition among themselves, who build ever-larger empires around themselves, are symptoms of an apostate church that lives the manifestation of the antichrist in its bosom.

A church that needs to turn totally to God and His Word, to the simplicity of the Gospel, to the exclusive Preaching of the Message of the Cross.

A church that needs to abandon the fads, the exotericisms, the mysticisms, the amulets, the brightness of the stage and the platform and turn to the knees of the dark rooms, to the hills where broken hearts meet the Spirit, to live today as if Jesus was going to come today and work to earn resources to do His work while He is not coming.

 

A Church that is concerned exclusively with what it is in Christ – its identity – and not with what it has or what it wants. A church that learned only to seek the Kingdom of God and His Justice for what God is, and not for the things that will be added. Yes, a Church that seeks the face of Jesus more than it seeks his Hands. Because success with God is measured by who one is in Christ and NOT by what one has.

#ASONE

PREACHER OR WITCH? Josimar Salum

PREACHER OR WITCH?

Josimar Salum

 Don't be offended by me.  I'm sorry if I offend you by saying things you don't normally hear.

 I would like to suggest that when you listen to a preacher or teacher, study the Bible alone to check what you have heard, and sincerely ask the Holy Spirit to personally teach you His Scriptures and guide you in all Truth instead of relying on  someone, especially if that person is already dead or instead of relying on books you read.

 That's why I like to remind my listeners and readers.  Examine everything by Scripture and not by your creed or your confession of faith, think for yourself, think for yourself, whether what I teach is biblical or not, whether it glorifies Jesus only or not and you decide what to believe.

 A spiritual leader who doesn't offer you that option, but requires blind obedience, is a wizard and not a preacher.

 #ASONE

About a wife who supports her husband service to the King Jesus!

I have to tell, you must say to your wife about what you are going to do. That you will start meetings at your house and at some friends' house to disciple them. 

If she doesn't understand you have to "teach her about the Kingdom" first and this may take time. You have to talk to her without quarreling. 

If you're going to do what you believe God put in your heart you will need your wife by your side. 

Believe me, this is extremely important! If she is by your side - it doesn't mean she will be always in the meetings or involved directly with "ministry" - her ministry is you and the kids - you will have the authority to talk to other couples, to teach the young people and to talk about authority of the Kingdom.

Of course, if she loves the Lord and you, even she doesn't understand now, she will give you support, because as a wise woman the building and edification of your house is her priority. No house can be build up if any of the family members are rebellious to God's will. 

It is you who must be sure what the will of God is. It is your responsibility. And it is your wife responsibility to follow you. Her personal fulfillment as a woman, a wife and a mother is in fulfilling what God delineated for her. 

As woman what will always matter above all will be her relationship with the Lord Jesus, her Master, Savior, Friend and King. 

As a wife, her support and total commitment with her husband, to be the one who will always be by his side.

And as a mother, an example to her children of submission to the Lord and to her husband, both of them who love her so much that she is willing to honor them all times.

I do believe that though you want to do this with a heart full of fire, if there is a resistance, you have to wait God to move your wife's heart. God is able to do that. That is the wisdom of His Kingdom.

If she says “no” to the will of God she will put in risk the whole family. It will be a foolish thing to do. But if she truly has a servant heart she will desire with all her strength that her house be positioned to serve the Kingdom of God.

As a man of God you must have Kingdom core beliefs unquestionable, untouchable and indestructible. You must be an old oak, well rooted, with no scandal or offense; if you go forward with these principles not well established in the character of the Lord you will be caught and destroyed. 

When you preach the Kingdom the whole hell will oppose you. 

You may preach like everybody else and fall in a scandal or offense like many others. The system will crush you or will tolerate you. 

But don't think that you will destroy the very foundations of hell and it will be easy, soft. Oh! No! Definitely not!  Satan himself may oppose you.

Your guarantee though is the King Himself is by Your side and angels of God will be around you and the Holy Spirit will keep you from stumble.

Just one more thing: 

People don't understand the Kingdom like we didn't before. We were no different from who they are today. It is only God's Grace. 

In Mathew 11 Jesus says that the Father is the One Who reveals. That is it! 

We still have a lot to learn. We still have a lot to go. 

We must humble ourselves and see always ourselves just as mud pots in God's hands. 

The day we just think a little bit we are something we are done, we are gone.

To God be all The Glory, only and exclusively to Him.