Good afternoon friends,
I hope your weekend has
been wonderful. Despite being a bit wet, the camping trip was lots of
fun. As always, teamwork and community make for a great trip even with
less than perfect weather. In our reading for today, Paul reflects on
being in prison for the sake of the gospel. He says that even his
imprisonment has helped spread the gospel. For one thing, being in
prison has given him the opportunity to share his faith with his jailers
and other prisoners. It has also allowed people to see how deeply he
loves Christ, which might also draw people to salvation.
I
find Paul's devotion inspiring. He doesn't get everything right, but he
sees everything he does as part of his faith. That's an invitation for
us as well. Wherever you are and whatever you are doing, you have the
opportunity to share God's love with others.
God bless,
Sam
Philippians 1:12-21
12 I want you to know, beloved, that what has happened to me has actually helped to spread the gospel, 13so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to everyone else that my imprisonment is for Christ; 14and
most of the brothers and sisters, having been made confident in the
Lord by my imprisonment, dare to speak the word with greater boldness
and without fear.
15 Some proclaim Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from goodwill. 16These proclaim Christ out of love, knowing that I have been put here for the defense of the gospel; 17the others proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely but intending to increase my suffering in my imprisonment. 18What
does it matter? Just this, that Christ is proclaimed in every way,
whether out of false motives or true; and in that I rejoice.
Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, 19for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will result in my deliverance. 20It
is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be put to shame in any
way, but that by my speaking with all boldness, Christ will be exalted
now as always in my body, whether by life or by death. 21For to me, living is Christ and dying is gain.
Showing posts with label sharing the gospel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sharing the gospel. Show all posts
Sunday, July 28, 2013
Thursday, May 12, 2011
Good morning brothers and sisters,
Peter encourages his readers to be known for doing the right thing. That way whether people respect them or abuse them they will know that the Christians are full of love. He also encourages them to be ready to tell others about their hope. In other words, when we put our faith in action by doing good to everyone, people are likely to ask why we do things the way we do. People might ask why we always seem so joyful, or why little annoyances don't get to us the way they get to others, or why we're so generous.
Peter calls his readers to spend some time reflecting on our faith and how we can put it into words so when people ask, we have a good, honest answer that points them to God's love. Evangelism doesn't have to be the guy with a bullhorn in front of the Red Wings game, it can simply mean a simple answer about God's love when people ask why you get up early on a Sunday. We are called to share that love in our words and actions.
How has God blessed you? How can you put your faith into words?
God bless,
Sam
1 Peter 3:8-17
8Finally, all of you, have unity of spirit, sympathy, love for one another, a tender heart, and a humble mind. 9Do not repay evil for evil or abuse for abuse; but, on the contrary, repay with a blessing. It is for this that you were called—that you might inherit a blessing. 10For “Those who desire life and desire to see good days, let them keep their tongues from evil and their lips from speaking deceit; 11let them turn away from evil and do good; let them seek peace and pursue it. 12For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”
13Now who will harm you if you are eager to do what is good? 14But even if you do suffer for doing what is right, you are blessed. Do not fear what they fear, and do not be intimidated, 15but in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be ready to make your defense to anyone who demands from you an accounting for the hope that is in you; 16yet do it with gentleness and reverence. Keep your conscience clear, so that, when you are maligned, those who abuse you for your good conduct in Christ may be put to shame. 17For it is better to suffer for doing good, if suffering should be God’s will, than to suffer for doing evil.
Peter encourages his readers to be known for doing the right thing. That way whether people respect them or abuse them they will know that the Christians are full of love. He also encourages them to be ready to tell others about their hope. In other words, when we put our faith in action by doing good to everyone, people are likely to ask why we do things the way we do. People might ask why we always seem so joyful, or why little annoyances don't get to us the way they get to others, or why we're so generous.
Peter calls his readers to spend some time reflecting on our faith and how we can put it into words so when people ask, we have a good, honest answer that points them to God's love. Evangelism doesn't have to be the guy with a bullhorn in front of the Red Wings game, it can simply mean a simple answer about God's love when people ask why you get up early on a Sunday. We are called to share that love in our words and actions.
How has God blessed you? How can you put your faith into words?
God bless,
Sam
1 Peter 3:8-17
8Finally, all of you, have unity of spirit, sympathy, love for one another, a tender heart, and a humble mind. 9Do not repay evil for evil or abuse for abuse; but, on the contrary, repay with a blessing. It is for this that you were called—that you might inherit a blessing. 10For “Those who desire life and desire to see good days, let them keep their tongues from evil and their lips from speaking deceit; 11let them turn away from evil and do good; let them seek peace and pursue it. 12For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”
13Now who will harm you if you are eager to do what is good? 14But even if you do suffer for doing what is right, you are blessed. Do not fear what they fear, and do not be intimidated, 15but in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be ready to make your defense to anyone who demands from you an accounting for the hope that is in you; 16yet do it with gentleness and reverence. Keep your conscience clear, so that, when you are maligned, those who abuse you for your good conduct in Christ may be put to shame. 17For it is better to suffer for doing good, if suffering should be God’s will, than to suffer for doing evil.
Friday, April 15, 2011
messengers of the good news
Good morning brothers and sisters,
Paul makes two important points today. The first is that even though God's grace saves us, people can't usually come to Christ without hearing the good news about Jesus. That's our role, telling the story and inviting people into that story with love. The second point he begins here but finishes a bit later. Israel has heard the message about Jesus, but mostly hasn't responded. He quotes Isaiah here to say that part of what God is doing by allowing gentiles to respond to Christ's call while allowing most Jews not to is making Israel jealous. We'll see how that argument progresses. For us today the more important piece is to own our role as messengers while remembering that we don't harass people to believe, we simply present the story. Our message will be much more appealing if (as we talked about on Wednesday) it shows through our lives; if they "know we are Christians by our love."
God bless,
Sam
Romans 10:12-21
12For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all and is generous to all who call on him. 13For, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” 14But how are they to call on one in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in one of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone to proclaim him? 15And how are they to proclaim him unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” 16But not all have obeyed the good news; for Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our message?” 17So faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the word of Christ.
18But I ask, have they not heard? Indeed they have; for “Their voice has gone out to all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world.” 19Again I ask, did Israel not understand? First Moses says, “I will make you jealous of those who are not a nation; with a foolish nation I will make you angry.” 20Then Isaiah is so bold as to say, “I have been found by those who did not seek me; I have shown myself to those who did not ask for me.” 21But of Israel he says, “All day long I have held out my hands to a disobedient and contrary people.”
Paul makes two important points today. The first is that even though God's grace saves us, people can't usually come to Christ without hearing the good news about Jesus. That's our role, telling the story and inviting people into that story with love. The second point he begins here but finishes a bit later. Israel has heard the message about Jesus, but mostly hasn't responded. He quotes Isaiah here to say that part of what God is doing by allowing gentiles to respond to Christ's call while allowing most Jews not to is making Israel jealous. We'll see how that argument progresses. For us today the more important piece is to own our role as messengers while remembering that we don't harass people to believe, we simply present the story. Our message will be much more appealing if (as we talked about on Wednesday) it shows through our lives; if they "know we are Christians by our love."
God bless,
Sam
Romans 10:12-21
12For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all and is generous to all who call on him. 13For, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” 14But how are they to call on one in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in one of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone to proclaim him? 15And how are they to proclaim him unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” 16But not all have obeyed the good news; for Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our message?” 17So faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the word of Christ.
18But I ask, have they not heard? Indeed they have; for “Their voice has gone out to all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world.” 19Again I ask, did Israel not understand? First Moses says, “I will make you jealous of those who are not a nation; with a foolish nation I will make you angry.” 20Then Isaiah is so bold as to say, “I have been found by those who did not seek me; I have shown myself to those who did not ask for me.” 21But of Israel he says, “All day long I have held out my hands to a disobedient and contrary people.”
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