Sunday School: Again, I was teaching the K-2nd graders.
The lesson was about the last chapter in Acts. Paul has been brought to Rome under guard to plead his case before Caesar. Though a prisoner, he is under 'house arrest', and can thus have any visitors he pleases. He invites the Jewish leaders to present his case to them, assuming they've heard about what happened to him in Jerusalem, but they hadn't heard. They have heard of Christians, and ask for another meeting time to learn more. At that meeting, more reject the gospel than receive it and there is much arguing among them. Paul reminds them of OT Scriptures that many would hear and not receive, and then tells them that he will preach to the Gentiles, and they will hear! The Jews go away angry, and for 2 years Paul is able to preach, unhindered, due to the 'negative' situation of his chains.
What a lesson to learn! First, trust. God promised he would go to Rome and preach the gospel there, and through the many negative circumstances in getting there, Paul believed God's promise. He didn't whine about the negative circumstances He used to get him there.....as a prisoner, through a long winter, stormy seas, and a shipwreck. He simply trusted, and every day bore witness to Christ with joy. Then in Rome, again, he wasn't sad or depressed or beaten down, but instead was all fired up to share Christ still. He saw God's work, even in less than pleasant circumstances to him.
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In the Sunday School room, which is held in a first grade classroom, I saw the words to a familiar hymn on the wall, and was blessed in the reading of it.
"My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus blood and righteousness.
I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus name.
When darkness veils His lovely face, I rest on His unchanging grace;
In every high and stormy gale, my anchor holds within the veil."
How well this ties in with the messages in the Psalms lately. He is our only help and quite sufficient!
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Meditation for worship:
"Evangelism is displaying the universals of God's character--
His love, His righteousness, His justice, and His faithfulness--
through the particulars of everyday life."
Sermon Colossians 4:2-6 The second imperative. Rev. Joseph
"Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you man know how you ought to answer each person."
"walk">>to live among and before them.
Picture a child learning to walk.....it takes concentration. So many things to pull together to be successful at it: balance, strength, coordination, direction, etc. One of the most basic functions of life must be learned with great effort. Eventually it becomes effortless. Automatic. Mindless.....at least in a cognitive awareness mode....but certainly not mindless as in not involving the brain!)
So it is with us as Christians. The 'walk' is a learned thing, that should become easier as time goes on. How do we learn, though? By studying and meditating on God's Word, being in fellowship with other believers and in obedience to His Word. Wisdom comes from God and must be sought.
In order to walk in wisdom with others, one must first walk with God. This is key!
Proverbs tells us that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. James tells us to ask for it, and God will give it freely. He also goes on to tell us what walking in wisdom looks like in James 3.
Wisdom that comes from God looks like this:
Pure, peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere (genuine and not hypocritical).
The fact that we are commanded to 'walk' in wisdom toward outsiders indicates that we are not to keep ourselves isolated, but to be in but not of the world. Do not let opportunities pass by! for they may not come up again!
Also, not that this isn't a suggestion, or an option, or 'if you want to"......but instead it is a command!
I am challenged.......and very aware of my failures in these areas. God help me.
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