Listen to Me, All Peoples of the Earth
The sermon calls all people to leave sin, follow Christ, and live according to his teachings for salvation and eternal joy.
Michael Schneider, imprisoned in the castle at Passau in Bavaria, preaches about the necessity of leaving sin, following Christ, and living according to His will for salvation. He emphasizes that only through Christ can one be saved, as Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. Those who desire community with Christ and His kingdom must be willing to suffer for His name and die to self, entering eternal joy in the Father's kingdom. Schneider warns that those who do not follow Christ will not be redeemed, and those who fall back into sin break their covenant with God, facing eternal consequences.
Text
Listen to me, all peoples of the earth. Listen to me, young and old, great and small. If you want to be saved, you need to leave sin, follow Christ the Lord, and live according to his will. Christ Jesus came to the earth to teach men the right way to go, to teach them to turn from sin and to follow him. He said: "I am the way the truth and the life, no-one comes to the father except through me."
He who longs for Gemeinschaft (community) with Christ and who wants to take part in his kingdom, needs to do what Christ did while he was on the earth. He who wants to reign with Christ must first be willing to suffer for his name. The man who dies with Christ in this life will enter with him into the Father's kingdom, in eternal joy. But the man who does not follow Christ is not redeemed by the blood of Christ and his sins will never be forgiven. Those whose sins have been forgiven should live no longer in sin. This is what Jesus Christ, our Lord, teaches us. Those who fall back into sin break their covenant with God. Even greater pain and suffering will be theirs -- and their loss will be forever. Not all who say "Lord, Lord" will enter the kingdom. Only those who keep his covenant will be accepted by him. He who confesses Christ before the world and who stands for the truth to the end will be saved.
Help us to that, God, our Lord, that we may stay with Christ -- that we may always walk according to his teachings, that we may commit no more sins, and that we may be an honour to his name, now and forever . . . into eternity! Amen.
-- Michael Schneider, imprisoned in the castle at Passau in Bavaria, Ausbund 82
Sermon Outline
- I points: - Call to listen to the message - Importance of salvation - The need to leave sin
- II points: - Following Christ's example - Understanding Christ as the way - The significance of community with Christ
- III points: - The cost of discipleship - The promise of eternal joy - Consequences of not following Christ
- IV points: - Living a life free from sin - Breaking the covenant with God - The importance of confession and truth
- V points: - Final prayer for commitment - Desire to honor Christ - Eternal perspective
Key Quotes
“I am the way the truth and the life, no-one comes to the father except through me.” — Ausbund
“He who longs for Gemeinschaft (community) with Christ... must first be willing to suffer for his name.” — Ausbund
“Not all who say 'Lord, Lord' will enter the kingdom.” — Ausbund
Application Points
- Commit to leaving behind sinful habits and embracing a life in Christ.
- Engage actively in community with fellow believers to strengthen faith.
- Regularly confess and reflect on one's relationship with God to ensure alignment with His will.