Be The Best Advertiser Of Our Lord Jesus Christ

The Full Gospel Business Men’s Fellowship’s (FGBMFI) method of spreading the Gospel as envisioned by its Founder, Demos Shakarian, was by personal testimonies by the power of the Holy Spirit on the reality and goodness of God/Jesus Christ in person, in the lives of the members, which is shown or evidenced in their acts of love, words, thoughts and deeds. The Lord Jesus said, “Out of the abundance of the heart, your mouth speaks” (Matt. 12:34).

In this way, others will be persuaded by the Holy Spirit to receive and accept the Lord Jesus Christ as their LORD and only Savior. In advertising business, we term this a “word-of-mouth” advertising, which is the most effective way of encouraging others to buy a certain product or commodity.

A certain smart car manufacturer used a motto in its advertising that stressed the importance of word-of-mouth recommendations. It simply said, “Ask the man who owns one.” There is nothing quite like a personal testimony or word-of-mouth approval from a satisfied customer. For example, in the commercial world, like those advertising a bath soap, a popular beautiful and sexy movie actress with smooth-looking skin is selected to endorse the product, implying that she is a user of the soap.

For Christians, what “product” are we to advertise?

We are called to be witnesses (or advertisers) for Jesus Christ, but with the additional requirement of product knowledge. In other words, how well do we know our “product”? We represent Christ in everything we do and say. Therefore, when we speak out for Christ, we must do so with all boldness and sincerity, accuracy and authority. This means we must be familiar with what Scripture says about sin, salvation, and man’s need for grace through faith. If we do not represent the Gospel accurately, or our acts will not match our talk, our witness for the Savior will be ineffective.

Therefore, we must study and memorize, as much as possible, God’s Word. We should learn by heart its doctrines and put them into practice in our daily walk with God. That will make us a better, perhaps the best, witness or advertiser of God/Jesus Christ in person. This is the primary reason why the organizers of FGBMFI of Davao City conceived of our Saturday morning breakfast fellowship.

One of the first and original disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. He was instrumental in witnessing and bringing his own brother to the Lord Jesus Christ (John 1:35-42 KJV). But before he witnessed to his brother, he first encountered the Lord Jesus in person. Worded differently, he was an eye witness to Jesus’ existence and he experienced himself the reality and goodness of the LORD Jesus. This is true in the courts of law. The most effective witness is an eyewitness of the matter in question or in issue.

Let us strive to be the best advertiser of the LORD Jesus in thoughts, in words and in deeds.

In the gospel as written by John, we read about Andrew, who went to his brother Peter and said, “We have found the Messiah.” He then “brought him to Jesus” (John 1:41-42). Andrew’s personal encounter with Jesus Christ and the realization that He was the Messiah prompted him to introduce Peter to our LORD and Savior. He did not only advertise by word-of-mouth, he persuaded his brother to see and “taste” the “product” he advertised. This is one way by which our chapter will grow not only in “stature” before Christ but also in number. It is not easy to catch fish; it needs hard work and much sacrifice in time and effort. So also in catching men for the kingdom of God. There is a reward reserved for fishers of men. Our Lord Jesus promised: “And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be” (Rev. 22:12 KJV).

One Sunday, many years ago, I invited my own older brother to my Sunday School class. During lunch time, I fed him with sumptuous food. Just as we catch a fish by feeding it, so it is with men. Thereafter, I observed that every Sunday, without absence, he was excited to attend my class. I don’t know then if he was interested with the lesson or in the sumptuous food. But, I am sure that through the working of the Holy Spirit, he became a true disciple of Christ, because later on he asked for a Thompson Chain Reference Bible and he had attended my Sunday school class from Sunday to Sunday although the sumptuous food was no longer served every Sunday.

When we witness to unbelievers or non-believers and tell them what God says about their lost condition and need of a Savior, we should personally recommend the Lord Jesus to them, and spend precious time, effort and even money. We should not worry about the expenses for God will certainly and undoubtedly refund us, even more, sometimes a hundredfold and time spent for the Lord is time well-spent to be rewarded in eternity, and oftentime even within our lifetime on earth. We have to tell them what God has done for us and how He has satisfied our deepest spiritual need. This is the best advertising of all. When witnessing, if people ask, “How do you know it’s true”? Remember that they cannot dispute what Christ has done for you, because it is your personal experience.

We are Christ’s “Letters of Recommendation” to the unbelievers or non-believers.

How Does Heaven Look Like And Who Can Enter?

Our God, through the Apostle John, revealed to us in part what is heaven like, as follows:

“21 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and the old earth had disappeared. And the sea was also gone. x x x

¹⁰ So he took me in the Spirit to a great, high mountain, and he showed me the holy city, Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God. ¹¹ It shone with the glory of God and sparkled like a precious stone—like jasper as clear as crystal. ¹² The city wall was broad and high, with twelve gates guarded by twelve angels. And the names of the twelve tribes of Israel were written on the gates. ¹³ There were three gates on each side—east, north, south, and west. ¹⁴ The wall of the city had twelve foundation stones, and on them were written the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

¹⁵ The angel who talked to me held in his hand a gold measuring stick to measure the city, its gates, and its wall. ¹⁶ When he measured it, he found it was a square, as wide as it was long. In fact, its length and width and height were each 1,400 miles. ¹⁷ Then he measured the walls and found them to be 216 feet thick (according to the human standard used by the angel).

¹⁸ The wall was made of jasper, and the city was pure gold, as clear as glass. ¹⁹ The wall of the city was built on foundation stones inlaid with twelve gems: the first was jasper, the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald, ²⁰ the fifth onyx, the sixth carnelian, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, the twelfth amethyst.

²¹ The twelve gates were made of pearls—each gate from a single pearl! And the main street was pure gold, as clear as glass.

²² I saw no temple in the city, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. ²³ And the city has no need of sun or moon, for the glory of God illuminates the city, and the Lamb is its light. ²⁴ The nations will walk in its light, and the kings of the world will enter the city in all their glory. ²⁵ Its gates will never be closed at the end of day because there is no night there. ²⁶ And all the nations will bring their glory and honor into the city. ²⁷ Nothing evil will be allowed to enter, nor anyone who practices shameful idolatry and dishonesty—but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.” (Rev. 21: vs. 1, 10-27 NLT).

The question is: How can one qualify to enter heaven?

First of all, ones name should be written or be found in the LAMB’s (JESUS’) Book of Life. This means that the Lord Jesus has a list of who are allowed to enter heaven. So, we better be known by, or be a FRIEND of the Lord Jesus. It is somewhat like those close friends and associates of President Noynoy C. Aquino being the ones appointed in his Cabinet.

I remember when then President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo visited Davao City on May 26, 2005 without notice during the height of demonstrations all over the Philippines, almost resulting to her being deposed by people power like the late President Ferdinand E. Marcos and former President Joseph E. Estrada, then Presidential Assistant Jess Dureza invited only ten individuals representing the cross-section of society in Davao City, Philippines, to attend an exclusive meeting in the Board Room at the 17^th Floor of Marco Polo Hotel. 

 Among others, Father Samson of Ateneo de Davao University represented the religious and academe sector; John Y. Gaisano represented the retail business sector, Atty. Lorenzo represented the Agriculture sector; Mr. Vic Lao, representing the construction sector; Mr. Anggie Angliongto, representing the real estate sector; Grace Lim, representing the Import/export industry; somebody by the nickname of “Jun” representing the banana industry; etc.; while I represented the Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (DCCCII), being then its President. 

 Before one could enter the Board Room, his/her name is checked by the receptionist in a certain list. When I went over the list beginning at No. 2 to the last number, I did not find my name. The receptionist noticing my distressed condition asked me, what organization are you representing? After I told her, she said, Sir, you are No. one in the list! I was relieved from distress and embarrassment. When we had a picture taking just before the President bade us goodbye, I stood beside her. Due to lack of notice everybody was in ordinary attire, except myself because I had a court hearing earlier. It will be somewhat like this when we enter Heaven.

Certainly, we would love to enjoy all the blessings beyond compare waiting for those who deserve to enter Heaven. The Bible tells us:

^“3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.

⁴ And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” (Rev. 21:3-4 NLT)

There in Heaven all of us will be healthy and physically trouble-free. No more need for physicians or hospitals. No more need for lawyers and courts. No more hard work to earn a living. Those who married more than once need not fear their first, second or third wife, if all of them will be in heaven. For the Lord Jesus said, “For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven” (Matt. 22:30). Angels are sexless, so no more problem on adultery and fornication! Will you still be interested to be in heaven?

It’s going to be a sinless new world where everything will be a joy and a pleasure and perfect, with peace and harmony and cooperation and love for all.

Everybody in heaven will be like Jesus in character and personality: loving, caring, kind, gentle, faithful, meek, patient, good, honest and you can enumerate all attributes of the Lord Jesus Christ. It will be a perfect society, where everyone will be in perfect fellowship with each other and the Lord.

We will have eternal, wonderful happiness, joy, and paradise regained, and it will be without end. It is a place the beauty and comfort of which is beyond our finite imagination.

Secondly, let us all strive to have our names be written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. How? for lack of space, this will be a good topic in subsequent issues of our FGBMFI Saturday Bulletin. Watch for it in God’s time (in Tagalog, itutuloy; in English, to be continued).

For now, let us imagine and compare the “Beginning and the End of the Age”.

Genesis (Beginning)	Revelation (End)
The sun is created	The sun is not needed
Satan is victorious	Satan is defeated
Sin enters the human race	Sin is banished
People run and hide from God	People are invited to live with God forever
People are curse	The cursed is removed
Tears are shed, with sorrow for sin	No more sin, no more tears or sorrow
The garden and earth are cursed	God's city is glorified; the earth is made new
Paradise is lost	Paradise is regained
People are doomed to death	Death is defeated; believers live forever with God

To Be Like Jesus: Christlikeness

The beauty and image of our Lord Jesus Christ is revealed in the Gospels (the Good News, the Bible, principally in the gospel written by Matthew, Mark, Luke and John). The manner and way of the Lord Jesus in expressing his thoughts, through direct statements of truths or through parables (earthly stories with heavenly meaning); the love, concern and compassion He had shown to the rich and poor, to the influential and powerful and to the peasants alike, man or woman, young or old, are examples for us to emulate.

If we have received Jesus as our Lord and savior and have the love of God in our heart, we become like Jesus or we become Christlike. And if we want to know what Jesus is like, read the Gospels (the Bible).

If we study the Gospels, we can see how Jesus did things. The Lord Jesus, a master teacher, only taught and lived love and sharing, who came for love and lived in love and died for love that we might live and love forever.

Jesus went about everywhere doing good (Acts 10:38), striving to lead God’s children back to true worship of the triune God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit, to the way of simple truth and love and peace, the true kingdom of God.

Love is the most important thing in life. Jesus taught: Love your God with all your heart, soul, spirit and strength, and your neighbor as yourself (Matt. 22:37-39).

The words of Jesus are the most beautiful, inspired, and encouraging part of the Bible. He is always the peacemaker. When people did not like or refuse to accept His message, He did not force it on them. He wants only voluntary acceptance of His offer of salvation through confession and repentance of sin and by grace through faith in Jesus Christ (Rev. 22:17; Eph. 2:8-9).

Jesus was very patient, loving, kind, sympathetic, and forgiving, always leading and feeding and encouraging and strengthening His flocks (believers). For unbelievers they need only to repent and receive Jesus as their Lord and Savior. He was the greatest of all examples of love, humility, and mercy, even to the sinners.

For example as recorded in John 8:3-11, when a woman who was about to be stoned to death for having been caught in the very act of adultery (in flagrante delicto), He did not say, “Sorry, Madam, Dura lex, sed lex” (Hard may be the law, but it must be followed or enforced).

Since the Word of God is true that “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23), the woman deserved to be stoned to death. However, by infinite wisdom, the Lord Jesus told her accusers, “He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her”. She was afforded a second chance, for every one left the woman alone untouched. When Peter asked Him, “How many times will I forgive my brother?” He answered: “Seventy times seven” [or 490 times] (Matt. 18:21). He further said, “If your brother trespass against you seven times in a day, and he asks for forgiveness, forgive him” (Luke 17:4). This is for God’s sake, for God is Love. Let us be like Jesus: be Christlike.

The Blessed Man

      The Word of God says, “Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who delights greatly in His commandments (Psalm 112:1).

Blessedness always originates from the “fear of the Lord”, and in delighting in the Lord so that the Lord will give us the desires of our heart (Psalm 37:4).

The complete scriptural description of a blessed man is found in Psalm 112. He is the man (or woman) who enjoys the approval of God: He/She fears the Lord (v.1); he/she finds delight in God’s commandments (v.1), he/she is righteous in all his/her dealings with others especially spiritually (v.3); he/she is gracious and full of compassion (v.4); he is generous and lends [not a borrower of money and does not pay]; he/she will guide his affairs with good discretion (v. 5); he/she will never be shaken (or steadfast); his/her heart is established, and always trusting in the LORD, and not afraid of evil tidings (vv. 6-7); he/she gives to the poor and needy; he/she acts with honor and dignity (v. 9). These are the marks or characteristics of a blessed person.

These lofty character qualities would be an effective checklist for all of us as we strive to live as God would have us live, and be a blessing to others and to the invisible kingdom of God on earth.

By the Holy Spirit’s enablement, may we all live in a way that marks us as true disciples of God/Jesus Christ. When we exhibit or execute such characteristics, others will notice, and then as we reflect Christlikeness, others will be blessed and would like to be like us. In this way God is glorified in our lives. If we are a businessman, professional or any other class of person, many will appreciate us, trust us, and this will lead us to prosperity and good success, like the way Joshua of old was prospered and had good success in his God-given mission (Joshua 1:8). So, ask yourself, what is the mission entrusted to me by God? Be a blessed man and surely you shall succeed in your mission.