JAN 20

Acts 2:37-42
Memorise Titus 1:9
“Holding fast the faithful word…”

The book of Acts records the Apostolic age and the birth of the church, setting out, through His apostles, Christ’s pattern for the church. At Pentecost, there were wonderful and amazing signs and wonders, yet there were people who did not believe. They made fun of the believers and even accused them of being drunk! Amidst the throng of thousands, a fisherman with no formal education arose and spoke boldly and with authority. Quoting Scripture, he preached Christ and their sin – the sin that had crucified Christ. It was the words of this sermon, along with the mighty working of the Holy Spirit, that led about 3000 hearts to gladly accepting the charge that they were murderous sinners and repent! It was what they heard, not what they saw, that caused their hearts to be “pricked” (katanusso, which means to pierce thoroughly). Peter continued with “many words” to ‘testify’ (present evidence as a witness) and ‘exhort’ (strongly encourage) them to live transformed lives. Peter and the apostles preached doctrine - objective Biblical principles. Faithful preaching of the apostles’ doctrine is as vital to the church today as it was then.

Dear Teen, do you underestimate what the preaching of sound doctrine can do in your life and in the lives of others, especially unbelievers? What do you desire from the weekly Sunday sermon? Have you often wished the sermon were shorter and found doctrine boring? Have you wished there were more personal stories and pop psychology to help you survive the stresses of studying and get ahead in this world? Perhaps you wish for healing sessions to convert unbelievers and strengthen your faith. Do you wish to return to the pre-reformation days when church was full of grand but empty rituals; the Word distorted and out of access to ordinary people? Or to be in many a contemporary churches to be entertained and fed meager and adulterated spiritual food by fame-seeking leaders promising a health and wealth message that is only temporal? Understand the importance of godly preaching and sound doctrine!

Thought: How were you saved? (Romans 10:17)

Prayer: May I hold fast the faithful word as I have been taught, that I may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince those who do not believe. (Titus1:9)