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Hey, everyone. Welcome to another episode of Monday Meditations. To start the week off right. The phrase we're going to be meditating on is the sermon. People never hear your preach. There's something I've been thinking about a lot lately, and we spend a lot of time as Christians talking about truth. We fight for it. We defend it. We post about it. And in a world that's confused and noisy, that's understandable. Truth matters. Doctrine matters. The gospel matters. But here's the question that I can't shake. Does the way we live give our words weight, or do our words collapse under the weight of how we live? What I'm trying to get at here is that there's a kind of preaching that isn't done on stages or podcasts or pulpits. It happens in the kitchens. It happens in hospital rooms or on long car rides with your kids. It can happen in grocery store checkout lines. Whether you're on the phone with someone who's hard to love you, it's the sermon of your life. And most people will hear that long before they ever listen to what you say. It's your actions. It's always your actions. And I once heard someone say, preach the gospel at all times. Use words if necessary. And now there's a debate about who said that and whether it's been overused. But there's still wisdom in that idea. Because the people around you, your children, your co workers, your neighbors, even your critics, are watching something far more powerful than your declarations. They're watching your reactions. They're watching how you respond when things don't go your way, how you treat people who can't give anything back to you, and how you navigate tension, how you navigate forgiveness of offenses and carry burdens that no one else sees. And the truth is, your life is always preaching something. The only question is, what story is it telling? You know, my husband is on college campuses getting screamed at by college kids as he's trying to share with them the truth. And he is so calm. Would I be calm? No, I wouldn't. I barely go to those. Only because I don't trust myself not climbing over the table and like attacking someone in the crowd. Because I'm very protective of my husband, but he is so. It is the Holy Spirit. He is so calm. Calm. And that's a form of what I said earlier. Preach the gospel at all times. Use words if necessary. His actions radiate the Holy Spirit. Jesus didn't come as a religious celebrity. He came as a carpenter. And he spent most of his life doing quiet things in unseen places. He was honoring his earthly parents. He was working with his hands. He was showing up in homes and fields and synagogues and even dusty roads, if you will. And when his public ministry was finally began, it wasn't fueled by marketing and it wasn't fueled by charisma. It was fueled by love. It was fueled by presence and by truth. And, yes, but truth wrapped in kindness and clothed in humility. He didn't rush. He wasn't trying to do a performance. He didn't need to prove himself. He embodied the message, and he invites us to do the same. And so, again, this question. I'm going to ask you the question because it's, you know, still on my heart. What sermon is your life preaching? Is it the gospel of striving? Is it the gospel of self protection or of criticism? Or is it the gospel of Jesus, which is full of grace, full of truth, full of mercy, full of justice, patience and conviction? Because when your child watches how you treat the waitress, what do they learn about God? When your spouse sees how you respond under pressure, what do they believe about love? And when your neighbor watches how you talk about others behind closed doors, what are they being taught about integrity? Because maybe in their mind, they're thinking, gosh, if I wasn't here, and what would they be saying about me? You don't need a platform to proclaim Christ. You just need to live like he's real. And there's something deeply sacred about a faith that doesn't need to shout, that doesn't need to be announced, that simply just shows up day after day without applause and does the next right thing with honesty and humility and love. And it looks like being the one who forgives first, you know, sometimes that's just what it is. Or the one who says, I'm sorry, instead of seizing an opportunity to be defensive. And it's being the one who listens instead of lecturing. Or, you know, the one who chooses patience over proving a point. The one who prays not to just be seen, but to stay near to God. And that kind of life might not draw crowds. And, you know, it's not supposed to. It draws people closer to Christ because it's real and it's radiant in a way that the world can't explain. So just let me be clear here. This is not about perfection. It's not about pretending to have it all together. Get your act together. It's not about that. It's about authenticity and alignment and letting your walk match your Witness. And if your faith never makes it into your habits and how you speak, how you serve, how you show up, then your message will ring hollow. No matter how theologically amazing it sounds, it will be empty. But when you love people who are hard to love, and when you serve without recognition, and when you choose holiness in hidden places, you're preaching the kind of Gospel that shakes the gates of hell. And here's the beautiful truth of it all. You don't have to force yourself to preach something profound. You just have to let Jesus shape you. You just have to let him mold you. Because when you stay close to him, when you abide, when you walk in the Spirit, his character becomes your rhythm, his heart becomes your posture, and his humility becomes your strength. And before long, your life starts telling a story you couldn't manufacture even if you tried. A story of grace, story of quiet courage and a faithful presence. Because it's a story that makes people wonder, what kind of God did they know? I want to know that God. So this week, don't worry about saying the perfect thing. Just live in a way that makes the truth visible. Because someone is watching, someone is listening, and your life may be the sermon that opens a heart long before a word ever does. So live authentically. Be steady, be steadfast, love deeply, and please, just let your life preach what your lips haven't even said yet. So let's take a deep breath, posture our hearts to reflect our anointing God, and let's dive into the word. Matthew, chapter 5, verse 16. In the same way, let your light shine before others so that they might see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. This verse reminds us that your life is meant to reflect God's character visibly. First Thessalonians, chapter one, verse three. Remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor, of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. This verse reminds us that faith, when it's real, produces a labor of love. First John, chapter 3, verses 16 through 17. By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him? This verse reminds us that love is proven through action, not just sentiment. James, chapter 1, verse 27. Religion that is pure and undefiled before God and the Father is to visit orphans and widows in their affliction and to keep oneself unstained from the world. This verse reminds us that character is part of our witness. Colossians, chapter three, verses 23 through 24. Whatever you do, work heartily as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. This verse reminds us that every act of service is sacred when done unto Christ. Matthew, chapter 5, verse 14. You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. This verse reminds us that your posture in everyday life sets you apart. Proverbs, chapter 20, verse 11. Even a child makes himself known by his acts, by whether his conduct is pure and upright. This verse reminds us that our actions speak volumes, no matter our age or words. First Peter, chapter 2, verses 16 through 17. Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover up for evil, but living as servants of God. Honor everyone, love the brotherhood, fear God. This verse reminds us that the Gospel shines through humble, consistent honor. 2 Thessalonians, chapter 3, verse 13. As for you, brothers, do not grow weary in doing good. This verse reminds us that quiet faithfulness matters even when it's tiring. James, chapter 3, verse 13. Who is wise and understanding among you by his good conduct, let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. This verse reminds us that meekness and conduct are marks of spiritual maturity. 1 Peter 2, 12. Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable so that they may see your good deeds and glorify God. This verse reminds us that your integrity can awaken someone else to God's reality. Hebrews 6:10. For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name in serving the saints as you still do. This verse reminds us that God sees the unseen life of service. Micah, chapter 6, verse 8. He has told you, O man, what is good, to do justice and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God. This verse reminds us the heart of godly living is quiet obedience. 1 Corinthians, chapter 16, verse 14. Let all that you do be done in love. This verse reminds us that love in action is the mark of a true disciple. Ecclesiastes, chapter 12, verse 13. The end of the matter. All has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. This verse reminds us that at the end of the day, it's your walk with God that matters most. You guys are loved. Go rise up. Thanks for joining us today. I hope that these words encouraged and challenged you and postured your heart for the rest of the week ahead. If you haven't, go to the subscribe and Review section of this podcast and leave us a word or a Bible verse that you've been carrying in your heart throughout the week that really just keeps you encouraged and motivated. I want to make this podcast review space that added bookmark for that simple reminder that we're all in this together and that God's got this. Feel free to share this episode with your friends, family, or on social media. And for more information on Proclaim and to read the Bible with us in A year at Bible in 365, please click the links below. We're so grateful to have you join us right here every Monday on Midweek Rise Up Monday Meditations.