Definition One: One such as a spokesperson, through which views are expressed
Definition Two: a person, newspaper, etc., that conveys the opinions or sentiments of others; spokesperson
In order to convey the opinions, sentiments or views of Christ, I believe we must do three things:
1. Know who we are speaking for
a. Exodus 4:16
“So he shall be your spokesman to the people. And he himself shall be as a mouth for you, and you shall be to him as God.” (NKJV)
i. God has asked Moses to be His spokesman.
b. Numbers 23:5
“Then the Lord put a word in Balaam’s mouth…” (NKJV)
i. The Lord has given Balaam something to say. Earlier (Numbers 22) we see Balak has asked Balaam to curse the people of Israel. Yet Balaam says he will only say what the Lord tells him.
c. Romans 1:1
“Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God” (NKJV)
i. Paul is speaking to the Romans and telling them who he is. He starts by telling them not only is he a servant of Christ, but he has been called. He has been separated, by Christ to be an apostle.
ii. He knows that Christ is who he will be speaking for.
d. Jeremiah 1:9 (the first part)
“Then the Lord put forth His hand and touched my mouth….” (NKJV)
i. Jeremiah acknowledges the Lord is the one speaking to him and who will give him what to say.
Can you identify who you are speaking for?
2. Know what to say
a. Exodus 4:12
“Now go! I will help you as you speak, and I will teach you what to say." (NKJV)
b. Numbers 23:5 (latter part)
“…and said, “Return to Balak, and thus you shall speak.” (NKJV)
c. Deuteronomy 18:18
“I will raise up for them a Prophet like you from among their brethren, and will put My words in His mouth, and He shall speak to them all that I command Him.”
i. God telling Moses He will appoint a new prophet, (Jesus)
d. Jeremiah 1:9 (latter part)
“…and the Lord said to me: “Behold, I have put My words in your mouth.” (NKJV)
e. Let’s turn to Matthew 4:1-10 Jesus is in the wilderness and Satan is tempting. Him after His fast. Q: How does Jesus respond?
i. He speaks not from His flesh, but He speaks the word.
Having a relationship with Christ, makes us a mouthpiece. The Lord will ask us to speak for Him. We see in the NT the call to make disciples, how can we do that if we don’t speak?
3. Speak What was Spoken
As we have seen in scripture, the Lord put His words into the mouths of those who He asked to speak for Him. Imagine a sock puppet, we put the sock on our hands and open and close our hand. That image is an image we should associate with being a mouthpiece. The Lord should be the one to move us.
Let’s consider Jonah, another mouthpiece. Jonah tried to outrun the presence of God, hoping that would absolve him of going to Nineveh. He did not think them worthy of hearing the word of God, much less receiving the forgiveness of the Lord.
Have you ever withheld a word for someone because you felt they did not deserve forgiveness?
If we are to be spokesmen and women for Christ, we must put ourselves aside. Our flaws, judgments, and our own thoughts, that we may remember we have been chosen by God to speak.
When we look at these examples, we see people who had flaws, had their own issues, had a past less than stellar, yet they were chosen and used.
· We have been chosen to be used to speak for Christ
Conclusion:
Being in relationship with Christ makes us a mouthpiece. It comes with relationship. At some point in our walk, Christ will ask us to speak. The question is, will you?
I will leave us with a prayer,
Father I thank you for your son Jesus. I thank you that He died for me and rose again that I might be free from sin. I ask Lord for your help in being a mouthpiece for your kingdom. I ask that you would help me to hear when you speak, I ask that you would help me to know when you are speaking to me. I ask that you would increase my discernment and that you would give me wisdom. I ask that you would help me to know that I speak for you, that you would help me trust that you will give me the words to say and I ask for your help to only speak what I have heard. I ask that as I grow deeper in relationship with you, that I would grow to be more willing to be a mouthpiece for you. In Jesus' name, amen.