Welcome!
Date: Wednesday, June 02, 2010
Today: Preach it anyway!
Passage: 1 Cor 9: 16-18 NIV
16Yet when I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, for I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! 17If I preach voluntarily, I have a reward; if not voluntarily, I am simply discharging the trust committed to me. 18What then is my reward? Just this: that in preaching the gospel I may offer it free of charge, and so not make use of my rights in preaching it.
Paul puts himself in a humble state of preaching the gospel out of compulsion, not taking any credit for doing it (voluntarily)
What compelled Paul was nothing other than his love for Christ
In the whole chapter, Paul speaks about his rights to boast, yet not boasting
He considers preaching the gospel as a duty, and did it with all sincerity
He was a strong defender of the gospel, as wee see in Acts 17, at Mars Hill
Paul was a man with many gifts of the Holy Spirit, and many miracles happened through him
Yet he believed in the power of preaching the word, and defending the gospel-in the importance of Christian apologetics
Miracles, signs and wonders can confirm the gospel
But don’t forget that miracles can be found in other places also, not only within the church or related settings
So people going after miracles alone can finally end up even in the hands of the devil, because antichrist will also come with lot of miracles (2 Thess 2)
That is why, preaching the truth of the word is important
We should know what we believe, and why we believe what we believe
Reason is not against faith, nor is science against faith
Paul as well as Peter believed in the importance of defending the gospel, rather than blindly saying, “just believe; don’t ask questions”
I was watching a video clip yesterday, about a healing that happened in a certain “feast” church in Kerala, India
That church had recently caught much attention, as the government got involved
When the importance of sound teaching and doctrine are ignored, there is a problem
When you say, “we believe only in the New Testament and not in the O.T, that sounds like a bigger problem
With all love and respect, we must speak the truth
Otherwise, Paul and Peter had no need to defend the gospel. Lot of miracles had been happening through them
We need to be very careful and prayerful
The work of the Lord that we are doing, is not ours; it is the Lord’s
See the following scripture references:
(Paul)>> 1“Brothers and fathers, listen now to my defense.” (Acts 22:1, NIV)
(Paul)>> 16The latter do so in love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel.(Phil 1:16 NIV)
But then, Paul says, “Preach it anyway” (because you and I are sleeping)
18But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice. (Phil 1:18 NIV)
See what Peter has to say:
15But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. (1 Peter 3: 15-16 NIV) -emphasis added
I believe in the God of miracles. I believe that gifts of the spirit are for today, as they were for yesterday
But the 66 books of the Bible and the fact that Jesus Christ came into the world, lived among us, died and resurrected, and is still living, is foundational to our Christian faith
No miracle should ever be placed above that fact
God bless us
BG
Prayer: Lord, thank you for the greatest miracle in my life, saving me from the wretchedness of sin and making me a candidate for heaven. Amen
Please continue praying for the friends & families related to Pr & Mrs. V.J Thomaskutty, who ended their earthly race in the early morning hours of May 30, 2010, as their house in Houston burned down.