Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-

Apostle- A Man with a Message
Romans 1:1-7
From Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus and an apostle chosen and called by God to preach His Good News" (Romans 1:1)
The book of Romans was written to the Christians in Rome by the apostle Paul. The primary theme of the Book of Romans is Salvation. In verse one of our text Paul introduces himself to the people of Rome in two ways:
1. As a Servant of Christ: Paul is a "bond slave" - a person owned by another. Paul belongs to Jesus Christ, and he was obligated to serve Him.
2. As an Apostle Called by Jesus Christ: An apostle is one who has been sent forth with a message, one delegated with authority to proclaim that message and for Paul it was the Good News. When he addresses the Ephesian believers also, he introduces himself as an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God. In both the cases he is an apostle- a spokesman for God. How did Saul the persecutor became Paul the apostle? It was through a confrontation with the resurrected Jesus Christ on his way to Damascus. During that meeting Saul asked two questions to the Lord.
(1) Who are you, Lord? (Acts: 22:8) (2) What shall I do, Lord? (Acts: 22:10) He got specific replies from the Lord for his questions, which made him to surrender his life to Jesus Christ.Have you surrendered your life to Jesus Christ as a consequence of a confrontation with Him? If not, the word for you today is to do that.
Thus Paul became an apostle- a messenger to convey the Good News of his master, which is the Gospel. Our text for reading referred to above clearly informs that the Gospel of God was not something added along the way by accident. It was planned and prepared by God through His prophets in many ways. The Gospel of God concerns the Son of God, Jesus Christ our Lord, who has two natures- the human nature as the son of David and the divine nature as the son of God (V.3). God's unique commandment in this age is that man should believe in His son Jesus Christ, for salvation. God is looking for messengers to carry his Gospel today. We who are foolish, weak, and lowly are chosen by Him to fulfill this task. Are you ready to proclaim this Gospel to others?
Prayer:
Merciful Lord, make us your messengers of Good News today, like you had chosen your servant Paul. We surrender our lives to your Holy will. Amen.

Popular posts from this blog

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
  Constant, patient and welcoming love of God   St. Luke 15: 11-32  V.21: And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ The parable of the ‘Prodigal son’ is one of the most frequently quoted parables that Jesus told His disciples. The parable contains the rich mine of human virtues and emotions. This parable is lived and re-lived in progressing civilizations from time immemorial and continuing. It brings out in vivid detail the pathetic depth of human sinfulness and the glorious heights of God’s forgiveness.      As a story of human nature, fathers are generally merciful to their children in any circumstance. They are very protective and are eager to provide for and secure the lives of their offspring. Jesus is telling this parable to underscore the superlative love of God to His children. The nature of such love is reiterated by Jesus in Matthew 7:11. Humankind who are evil by nature, give good gifts t
Read more

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
Revelation for Liberation Acts 27:18-26 Sherine Thomas Long Island MTC, NY 20  When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest raged, all hope of our being saved was at last abandoned. “After winter comes the summer.  After night comes the dawn.  And after every storm, there comes clear open skies” so said a Scottish clergyman from the 1600s. It’s been said, that hope can sometimes be the most dangerous weapon.  However, it’s sometimes the hardest weapon to carry when you’re living with the loss of a loved one, something that almost feels like a terrible nightmare that’ll never go away.  It’s a weapon difficult to carry when day in and day out no one seems to hear or see those tears that are shed or silent cries that are made during a heartfelt prayer. It’s a weapon difficult to carry as you see your loved one lying on that hospital bed.  It’s a weapon difficult to carry as you search and seek out answers to tell a child as to why they’ve been a
Read more

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
PRIESTHOOD: THE ANOINTED MINISTRY Exodus 40:12-16 Bring Aaron and his sons to the entrance to the Tent of Meeting... wash them with water. Then dress Aaron in the sacred garments, anoint him and consecrate him so he may serve me as priest (Exodus 40: 12-13). Priesthood among the people of God was a divine command and initiation. God wanted some people to be separated for the special ministry among his people. God appointed Aaron and his descendants to take up this kind of ministry among the people of God. Priests are always separated and appointed as channels that connect God with his people. All throughout the history of Israel, priests played an important role in connecting people with God and to lead and guide them in the statutes of God. But there are incidents in the Bible where the priests failed in their duties and that led the people to go away from God. So the priests have a special and significant ministry to perform in this world among his people. Two important things
Read more