I MUST BE A WOLF OF CHRIST
If you believe these are not the times to live carelessly, how do you feel when you see people dying in sin and heading to hell without knowing Christ? How do you feel when you see Satan’s work flourishing and destroying people? How does that make you feel deep in your heart?
Theological Insight: The Importance of Evangelism
The Bible emphasizes that the mission of the church is to bring the gospel of Jesus Christ to all nations, as commanded in Matthew 28:19–20. The eternal destiny of souls depends on whether they hear the gospel and respond to it in faith. The apostle Paul writes in Romans 10:14–15:
“How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?”
This highlights the urgency of the mission to preach the gospel, and as believers, we are called to be proactive in reaching out to the lost.
Samson’s Anger and Christ’s Redemption Plan
What can we learn from Samson’s anger? When he saw that his wife had been given to strangers by her father, did he stay calm and say, “Well, this is just my fate”? No! Instead, he rose up in anger and said, “I will take revenge on the Philistines.”
In Judges 15:3-5, Samson’s anger leads him to take drastic action:
“Samson said, ‘This time I have a right to get even with the Philistines; I will really harm them.’ Samson went out and caught 300 foxes, tied them tail to tail in pairs, and fastened a torch to every pair. He lit the torches and let the foxes loose in the standing grain of the Philistines, burning up the shocks and standing grain, together with the vineyards and olive groves.”
Samson’s act of destroying the Philistines’ crops was not just personal revenge, but an act of judgment against Israel’s enemies who were oppressing God’s people. This destruction symbolizes God’s justice against the wickedness of the Philistines.
Theological Insight: Divine Judgment and Retribution
Samson’s act of vengeance is a shadow of God’s justice in the world. Romans 12:19 tells us, “Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord.”
God’s judgment is just and will come in His timing. Samson’s actions were a reflection of God’s eventual judgment upon evil.
Christ’s Work: A New Strategy for Warfare
Who is Samson pointing to? It’s Jesus Christ.
When the Lord saw that Satan’s works needed to be destroyed in Israel, what did He do? He took His disciples, sent them two by two, and gave them the power to cast out demons, heal the sick, and preach the good news. And what happened after they returned?
In Luke 10:17-19, we read:
“The seventy returned with joy and said, ‘Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.’ He replied, ‘I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions, and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.'”
This passage reveals the authority Christ grants to His followers to fight against the works of darkness. Just as Samson fought the Philistines, Christians are called to wage spiritual warfare against the forces of evil, with the authority of Jesus.
Theological Insight: Spiritual Authority and Victory Over Satan
Jesus’ statement, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven,” refers to His victory over Satan’s kingdom through His life, death, and resurrection. In Luke 11:20, Jesus says, “But if I drive out demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.”
Through the power of the Holy Spirit, believers can confront and defeat demonic forces. This victory over Satan is secured by Christ’s sacrifice on the cross, as noted in Colossians 2:15:
“And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.”
The Mission of Every Believer: You Are a Wolf of Christ
And now, for those of us who are saved, if you’ve been filled with the Holy Spirit, you are already a wolf of Christ. So what are you waiting for? It’s time to destroy Satan’s works by preaching Christ and His salvation. What are you waiting for, my friend?
The Bible teaches that we, as believers, are called to proclaim the gospel to the world. In Matthew 28:18-20, Jesus gives the Great Commission:
“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.'”
Theological Insight: The Holy Spirit’s Empowerment for Evangelism
When the Holy Spirit fills believers, He empowers them to be effective witnesses. Jesus told His disciples in Acts 1:8:
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
This empowerment enables us to preach the gospel boldly and destroy the works of Satan, just as the disciples did in Luke 10.
The Call to Evangelize: Carry the Fire of the Holy Spirit
Look at what Jesus said in Luke 12:49:
“I have come to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled!”
The fire of the Holy Spirit has already been placed on your tail! Be careful not to let it go out before it has done its work. This fire symbolizes the passion and power of the Spirit, urging believers to spread the gospel and bring others into the kingdom of God.
Theological Insight: The Fire of the Spirit in Evangelism
The fire that Jesus refers to is not just a metaphor for passion, but for the power of the Holy Spirit at work in us to spread the message of salvation. In Jeremiah 20:9, the prophet Jeremiah said, “But if I say, ‘I will not mention his word or speak anymore in his name,’ his word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot.”
This burning desire to share the gospel is the fire that every believer should have within them. It is the Holy Spirit’s power working in us, compelling us to take action.
Conclusion: Together, We Can Change the World
Together, we can turn the world upside down. Let’s preach Christ, for that is the great command for all humanity. Each of us is a wolf of Christ. Stand up, receive courage, and preach Christ so that people may be saved.
May the Lord bless you!
This version provides a deeper theological understanding of the message, incorporating Bible verses that align with the concepts of judgment, authority over Satan, the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, and the Great Commission.
If you believe these are not the times to live carelessly, how do you feel when you see people dying in sin and heading to hell without knowing Christ? How do you feel when you see Satan’s work flourishing and destroying people? How does that make you feel deep in your heart?
Theological Insight: The Importance of Evangelism
The Bible emphasizes that the mission of the church is to bring the gospel of Jesus Christ to all nations, as commanded in Matthew 28:19–20. The eternal destiny of souls depends on whether they hear the gospel and respond to it in faith. The apostle Paul writes in Romans 10:14–15:
“How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?”
This highlights the urgency of the mission to preach the gospel, and as believers, we are called to be proactive in reaching out to the lost.
Samson’s Anger and Christ’s Redemption Plan
What can we learn from Samson’s anger? When he saw that his wife had been given to strangers by her father, did he stay calm and say, “Well, this is just my fate”? No! Instead, he rose up in anger and said, “I will take revenge on the Philistines.”
In Judges 15:3-5, Samson’s anger leads him to take drastic action:
“Samson said, ‘This time I have a right to get even with the Philistines; I will really harm them.’ Samson went out and caught 300 foxes, tied them tail to tail in pairs, and fastened a torch to every pair. He lit the torches and let the foxes loose in the standing grain of the Philistines, burning up the shocks and standing grain, together with the vineyards and olive groves.”
Samson’s act of destroying the Philistines’ crops was not just personal revenge, but an act of judgment against Israel’s enemies who were oppressing God’s people. This destruction symbolizes God’s justice against the wickedness of the Philistines.
Theological Insight: Divine Judgment and Retribution
Samson’s act of vengeance is a shadow of God’s justice in the world. Romans 12:19 tells us,
“Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord.”
God’s judgment is just and will come in His timing. Samson’s actions were a reflection of God’s eventual judgment upon evil.
Christ’s Work: A New Strategy for Warfare
Who is Samson pointing to? It’s Jesus Christ.
When the Lord saw that Satan’s works needed to be destroyed in Israel, what did He do? He took His disciples, sent them two by two, and gave them the power to cast out demons, heal the sick, and preach the good news. And what happened after they returned?
In Luke 10:17-19, we read:
“The seventy returned with joy and said, ‘Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.’ He replied, ‘I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions, and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.'”
This passage reveals the authority Christ grants to His followers to fight against the works of darkness. Just as Samson fought the Philistines, Christians are called to wage spiritual warfare against the forces of evil, with the authority of Jesus.
Theological Insight: Spiritual Authority and Victory Over Satan
Jesus’ statement, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven,” refers to His victory over Satan’s kingdom through His life, death, and resurrection. In Luke 11:20, Jesus says,
“But if I drive out demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.”
Through the power of the Holy Spirit, believers can confront and defeat demonic forces. This victory over Satan is secured by Christ’s sacrifice on the cross, as noted in Colossians 2:15:
“And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.”
The Mission of Every Believer: You Are a Wolf of Christ
And now, for those of us who are saved, if you’ve been filled with the Holy Spirit, you are already a wolf of Christ. So what are you waiting for? It’s time to destroy Satan’s works by preaching Christ and His salvation. What are you waiting for, my friend?
The Bible teaches that we, as believers, are called to proclaim the gospel to the world. In Matthew 28:18-20, Jesus gives the Great Commission:
“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.'”
Theological Insight: The Holy Spirit’s Empowerment for Evangelism
When the Holy Spirit fills believers, He empowers them to be effective witnesses. Jesus told His disciples in Acts 1:8:
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
This empowerment enables us to preach the gospel boldly and destroy the works of Satan, just as the disciples did in Luke 10.
The Call to Evangelize: Carry the Fire of the Holy Spirit
Look at what Jesus said in Luke 12:49:
“I have come to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled!”
The fire of the Holy Spirit has already been placed on your tail! Be careful not to let it go out before it has done its work. This fire symbolizes the passion and power of the Spirit, urging believers to spread the gospel and bring others into the kingdom of God.
Theological Insight: The Fire of the Spirit in Evangelism
The fire that Jesus refers to is not just a metaphor for passion, but for the power of the Holy Spirit at work in us to spread the message of salvation. In Jeremiah 20:9, the prophet Jeremiah said, “
But if I say, ‘I will not mention his word or speak anymore in his name,’ his word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot.”
This burning desire to share the gospel is the fire that every believer should have within them. It is the Holy Spirit’s power working in us, compelling us to take action.
Conclusion: Together, We Can Change the World
Together, we can turn the world upside down. Let’s preach Christ, for that is the great command for all humanity. Each of us is a wolf of Christ. Stand up, receive courage, and preach Christ so that people may be saved.
May the Lord bless you!
Why Do We Give Offerings?
Question: Why should we give offerings? Is it mandatory? And if someone doesn’t give, is it a sin?
Answer: Giving whether through offerings, tithes, or acts of generosity is an essential part of the Christian life. It reflects the heart of a true believer. A person who continually withholds and refuses to give demonstrates a lack of transformation, because the Spirit of God, which leads us into the likeness of Christ, is generous by nature.
1. We Give Because God is a Giver
God is the ultimate giver. From the beginning, everything we have life, breath, provision, salvation comes from His generous hand. He gives without expecting repayment. This is seen most clearly in the gift of Jesus Christ:
John 3:16 (NIV): “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
As believers, we are created in God’s image and called to reflect His character:
Genesis 1:26 (ESV): “Then God said, ‘Let us make man in our image, after our likeness…'”
If God is generous, and we are made in His image, then we too are designed to be givers.
2. Giving is an Act of Worship and Obedience
Giving is not merely a financial transaction it is an act of worship. It shows gratitude, trust, and surrender to God. In the Old Testament, offerings were required as part of covenant obedience (see Leviticus 27:30, Malachi 3:10). But even in the New Testament, the spirit of generous giving continues not as law, but as love and devotion:
2 Corinthians 9:7 (NIV): “Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”
Proverbs 3:9 (NIV): “Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops.”
3. Cain’s Example: Giving Without the Right Heart
The story of Cain and Abel (Genesis 4) teaches us that God does not just look at what we give, but how and why we give. Abel gave his best, and God accepted his offering. Cain gave without faith or reverence, and God rejected it.
Genesis 4:4-5 (ESV): “And the Lord had regard for Abel and his offering, but for Cain and his offering he had no regard.”
This shows that giving should come from a willing and faithful heart. When giving feels like a burden or a loss, it reveals a spiritual issue that needs correction. That spirit of reluctance and resentment is what led Cain down a destructive path.
4. Giving is a Responsibility, Not Just a Rule
We don’t give because we’re forced to. We give because we understand it’s our responsibility and privilege. True generosity flows from a heart changed by the Gospel. Jesus calls us to be perfect as our Father is perfect:
Matthew 5:48 (NIV): “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
And perfection, in this sense, includes walking in the fullness of God’s love and generosity.
5. The Consequences of Withholding
Jesus teaches that neglecting to care for others or refusing to be generous has eternal implications. In Matthew 25:41–46, He warns that those who fail to show compassion and generosity are separating themselves from Him.
Matthew 25:45-46 (NIV): “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’ Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”
6. A Heart Check
Ask yourself: if God gives you air to breathe, ground to walk on, sunshine to enjoy, all for free, why is it painful to give back even a small portion? We easily pay for utilities, food, and entertainment, yet struggle to give to the One who gives us everything. That reveals a deeper issue of the heart, not of the wallet.
Final Encouragement:
Don’t run from your responsibility to give. Don’t wait for a command embrace it as part of your new identity in Christ. When we give cheerfully and generously, we not only bless others but align ourselves with God’s nature.
Why Cain’s Offering Was Rejected
(Based on Genesis 4:3–5, ESV*)
Background
Cain (the farmer) brought “some of the fruits of the soil” as an offering to the Lord (Gen 4:3 ESV).
Abel (the shepherd) brought “fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock” (Gen 4:4 ESV).
“The Lord looked with favor on Abel and his offering, but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor” (Gen 4:4–5 ESV).
1. Not Simply Crops vs. Animals
-
Levitical Context (later codified in Leviticus):
- Grain offerings (Le 2) symbolized thanksgiving and consecration, requiring “fine flour” and “firstfruits.”
-
-
Animal sacrifices (Le 1–3) pointed forward to atonement through the shedding of blood (Heb 9:22 NIV).
-
-
The blood principle: Sheep/goat sacrifices anticipated the necessity of “without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness” (Hebrews 9:22 NIV).
Theological note: Abel’s offering foreshadows the greater “Lamb of God” (John 1:29 ESV), whose “firstborn” status (Ex 13:2 NIV) and perfect sacrifice reconcile sinners to God.
2. The Heart of the Giver Matters
-
Quality of Gift
-
Abel: Gave the firstborn (Hebrew bikkurim) and the fat—the choicest parts (Gen 4:4 ESV).
-
Cain: Brought an unspecified portion of his crops—implying leftovers or second-best (Gen 4:3 ESV).
-
-
Attitude Behind Gift
-
Abel’s offering was rooted in faith: “By faith Abel… offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain” (Heb 11:4 ESV).
-
Cain’s offering revealed self-interest—holding the best back from the Lord.
-
Theological note: True worship demands “first fruits” (Prov 3:9 NIV)—our best and earliest—to acknowledge God’s ownership of all (Ps 24:1 ESV).
3. God’s Grace and Cain’s Warning
-
Before judgment, God said to Cain:
“Why are you angry?… If you do well, will you not be accepted?… but if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door… you must rule over it” (Gen 4:6–7 ESV).
-
Opportunity for repentance: God’s question “Will you not be accepted?” underscores His desire for restoration, not mere ritual.
Theological note: Scripture repeatedly shows God’s patience: “The Lord is… patient, not wishing that any should perish but that all should reach repentance” (2 Pet 3:9 ESV).
4. From Offering to Outrage
-
In resentment, Cain “lured Abel… and killed him” (Gen 4:8 ESV).
-
Moral slip: A heart hardened against God quickly turns against neighbor (1 John 3:12 NIV).
Theological note: Sin’s progression—from neglect (offering second-best) to murder illustrates James’s warning: “Each person is tempted… by his own evil desire… and desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death” (James 1:14–15 ESV).
5. What We Learn
-
God examines the heart, not just the ritual (1 Samuel 16:7 NIV).
-
Our giving reveals priorities: “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matt 6:21 NIV).
-
Firstfruits theology: Offering the first and best signifies trust that God will provide the rest (Deut 26:2–4 ESV).
-
Repentance invitation: God’s warnings are rooted in mercy—calling us back to right worship.
Practical Application
-
Give first, not leftover: Bring your best time, resources, and talents.
-
Examine motives: Before you give, ask, “Am I honoring God or preserving my comfort?”
-
Embrace Christ: Jesus, the perfect “firstborn” and ultimate sacrifice (Col 1:18 ESV), secures our acceptance when we trust in Him.
