Why a Radio Program

Dear Brethren,

Can we really hope to make a difference?  God tells us not to despise the day of small things.  from  our standpoint, we cannot accomplish much on our own, but that is not how God looks at His work.  He expects us to Acts  - and then He will give the increase as it pleases him.  "Who hath despised the day of small things?"  (Zechariah 4:10)  "...but God gave the increase."  (1Corinthians 3:6)

Most of us remember hearing the gospel message and warning going, in great power, to all the world for a witness.  Now, as we come to the end of 2005, there are billions of people who have never heard it.  What should we be doing?  Nations are not receiving the witness of the gospel.  This world is not being sufficiently warned.  Obviously, brethren, we still have our work cut out for us!

The people of God are not yet prepared for Christ's return.  In addition to preparing ourselves to meet Jesus Christ, we must also continue to remember the needs of the world.  We must continue to be the people of God, becoming the holy, loving and caring Christians who Jesus will marry.  "...The marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready... in righteousness... Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb."  (Revelation 19:7-9)

What do we have that we can supply to the world?  They need to hear the fantastic news of a world of Godly peace, and they must be warned of the consequences of rejecting God's way.  There are few who have heard the warning, and few who are truly looking forward to God's Kingdom.  "This good news of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come."  (Matthew 24:14)

Besides, the salvational issue of learning to treat one another as brothers and sisters in Christ, we are reaching out in a small way, to preach the gospel and warn the nations.  The "Proclamation of Jesus Christ" program airs on KAAY radio, as well as on Radio4Living internet.  In the early days of the work, Herbert W. Armstrong spoke over KAAY clear channel radio - preaching the gospel, and warning this nation, in great power.  The purpose of the broadcast is to bring a witness and a warning, not to get members.  Perhaps a few scattered brethren will find the kind of caring fellowship that distinguishes the Body of Christ from those who are less zealous.

The radio format that we follow includes pointing out this nation's rejection of God - and the consequences to follow.  We openly speak out against homosexuality, abortion, and false religion - but we pray God's will be done. "Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and show my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins."  (Isaiah 58:1)  Even though we are very small, God is going to get the job done - that is for sure!  We must speak out - we have to.  "For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise...from another place; ... who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?"  (Esther 4:14)

The "Proclamation of Jesus Christ" holds out the hope of survival during the tribulation ahead, for those who repent.  God is not through calling all those He intends to call at this time.  There will be those He calls at the last hour to be a part of the first resurrection.  "The kingdom of God is like unto a master of the house, who went out early in the morning to hire laborers into his vineyard.  And about the last hour of the day he went out, and found others standing idle, and said unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle? They say unto him, Because no man hath hired us.  He said unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive." (Matthew 20:1,6,7)

Jesus Christ encourages and admonishes us.  "Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown." (Revelation 3:11)  We remember how God restored many great truths to His Church - true doctrine that the world has rejected.  These truths are Scriptural - but so few see them.  How did the original Church forget the truth that we have graciously received by Christ's obvious inspiration?

The process of forgetting starts with compromise.  Some compromise in order to get along with others.  God's children must never compromise with His truth.  Rather, we all must learn, and then teach the truth of God to others.  Forgetting, begins with our failure to hold to, and teach God's truth to others - causing them to look to the world for answers - the wrong answers.  Hence, they cannot learn fully what we were taught, and they, likewise, cannot pass along what they never learned.  In every area that we fail to teach fully, the next generation will not learn, and the Church will begin to forget again - just as the early Church left its first love.

We have the truth this world needs!  Imagine living life not knowing its purpose and that we are born and called to become the Children of God!  Imagine not understanding man's ultimate potential.  Imagine not knowing the Holy Days, which in turn reveal so much of the plan of God.  These and so many other truths are indeed jewels that we must share.

While recognizing the principle of growing in the knowledge of God (2Peter 3:18), we must continue to teach these great truths - not only among ourselves - but also to those whom God appoints to listen.  There is only one set of God's truths.  "There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all." (Ephesians 4:4-6)

Next week's radio program will be, "God Has a People."  Who are they?  Where are they?  Why are they a small flock?  What do they believe?  What do they do?  They are not powerful, and they are not political - because God does not work that way.  What principles do they live?  What truths do they hold?  Why are they so different?  They have the truth this world needs!

Brethren, when we serve the world through our meager efforts over the radio and the internet - we do not only preach the gospel and warn the world - we prepare ourselves and our children for the return of Jesus Christ.

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Sermon:  "Eternal Judgment"

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