In this second segment of a three-part series our speaker Wil Melendrez will be covering “Words of Advice”.

In this sermon by Wil Melendrez, delivered at Calvary Chapel West Jacksonville, Wil continues an exploration of the profound impact of our words. This second installment of Three Biblical Words to Live By.  He begins with his first point, which is we need a Sanctified life. Wil reads from 1 Peter 3:13-15, which tells us even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed.  Also, that we are to sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear.

Brother Wil acknowledges in his message that none of us are perfect but that should not stop us from doing our best to follow the example of our Lord Jesus and to be willing to suffer for the cause of Christ.  Christians must also ensure we go about our duty of spreading the Gospel with humility and love towards those we share it with.  The Lord’s instruction to always be ready to give a defense for the hope that is in you, simply means we should be prepared to share what we know in our hearts to be true which is that Jesus is our hope.  We must be able to share that message and be able to do that with confidence which comes from living a sanctified life led by the Spirit of God.

Wil asked a question: What does it mean to revere Christ?  The answer to that question is to live a humble life while following Christ, while sharing his word intentionally.

In Matthew 5:1-16 we can find the Beatitudes.  Brother Wil explains that these verses are called the Beatitudes because they outline what our attitudes while living a Christ centered life should be.  Among the other promises made by Christ in these verses we see a few imperatives.  The first of these is His instruction that we are to be the salt of the earth.  Salt was used in ancient days to preserve meat by removing the moisture and in so doing the bacteria that causes meat to spoil.  So salt was a preservative, and this metaphor of sorts reminds us that being the salt of the earth gives us the ability to remove that which spoils lives and men’s hearts.  The second imperative mentioned by Wil is that Jesus instructed us to be the light of the world.  We have a duty to let our light shine, to inspire those who do not yet know Jesus to want what we have.  Will points out that salt is our service to God and light is being a witness or testimony of Jesus.   Being poor in spirit is simply being humble.

Brother Wil’s second point in this sermon is that we need a disciplined life in preparation.  We are to be prepared to share the Gospel message and the love that Christ has shown all of us by reading his word and dedicating time to understand what we have read.  Being disciplined in our study and in our sharing what we have learned with those who are not familiar with what the Bible says.  We are to do what we know is right and deny ourselves that which we know does not please God.

Brother Wil’s third and final point of this week’s message is we need to be compassionate towards others.  We must have compassion for our family members and anyone we know needs to hear the word of God.  We must be willing to give of our time and talents.  Being compassionate also includes a willingness to listen to others.  If we truly listen and contemplate what was said before formulating a response, we can be far more effective in sharing what the Spirit would have us say in response.

Wil reminds us that all of this must start in our own homes.  Parents should be ready to testify to their own children.  Wives should build up their husbands and vice versa and Husbands should be in tune with God.  Isaiah 53:14. Brother Wil ends with a question:  Will you be salt, or will you be light, or will you be both?  We need to be intentional in our witness.

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