Inspiration for Today's World
Mark 3:13-15 Jesus went up on a mountainside and called to him those he wanted, and they came to him. He appointed twelve designating them apostles that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach and to have authority to drive out demons.
Commentary:
This scripture gives us Christ’s model for discipleship. Discipleship begins with association, grows through invitation and culminates in duplication. Discipleship is to win, build and send.
1 Thessalonians 2:2-6 We had previously suffered and been insulted in Philippi, as you know, but with the help of our God we dared to tell you his gospel in spite of strong opposition. For the appeal we make does not spring from error or impure motives, nor are we trying to trick you. On the contrary, we speak as men approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please men but God, who tests our hearts. You know we never use flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed God is our witness. We were not looking for praise from men, not from you or anyone else.
Commentary:
As we see in the words of the Apostle Paul, the motives of those who share the Gospel are always in question. The correct motive, however, is to please God, not men. This is done by sharing the Gospel’s truth, not a sugar coated facsimile. Good evangelists are not necessarily popular people. The message must be founded soundly on scripture and not a message designed to create popularity.
1 Thessalonians 2:9 Surely you remember, brothers, our toil and hardship; we worked night and day in order not to be a burden to anyone while we preached the gospel of God to you.
Commentary:
The Apostle Paul and his followers knew that their motives would affect how others related to their message. So Paul went out of his way to work and not take from those gathered to hear his message.
1 Thessalonians 2:13 And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is at work in you who believe.
Commentary:
The Apostle Paul never took credit for success. He knew that his role was only to share the Gospel and leave the results to God. Paul never took credit for his own efforts.
John 6:37 All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away.
Commentary:
Thank goodness, Christ is not just a man. Here we have one of our assurances. While our salvation is extended to us because of the grace of God, we are also given the assurance that Christ takes his role most seriously. We are assured that when we humbly seek God (by repentance) and accept Christ (by faith), we are unconditionally forgiven and accepted into the everlasting kingdom of God. Why? Because of Christ’s work on the cross. Christ removed the key barrier between mankind and God, our past, present and future sins. We are assured that if we come, we are not driven back.
Hebrews 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
Commentary:
Faith is the cornerstone of every Christian walk. There is no substitute. Eventually, each of us must pick up the Bible and decide for ourselves, it this book the inspired word of God? Facts will not give us the answer.
Hebrews 11:1-3 Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for. By faith, we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.
Commentary:
God’s perfect plan is the answer to why we have so many remaining questions about God. Faith is our salvation. To be created without the freedom of choice would make man no different than the animals of the earth. But through our acceptance and faith, we freely choose to serve our God. Faith is believing even when we don’t see every fact spelled out. If God gave us every answer, then the concept of faith and choice would not matter. We would be robots.
1 Thessalonians 2:8 We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well because you had become so dear to us.
Commentary:
If faith is invisible, something we cannot see, then how is it that faith is understood and passed on to others? The Apostle Paul shares a key element in faith-building. He tells us that besides the Gospel, the message of Christ, and salvation, we share our lives. By reflecting our faith against worldly problems, others see the invisible become visible. There is no more powerful presentation of the Gospel than the one given without the use of words.
Romans 10:17 Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.
Commentary:
All of us struggle at one time or another with the depth of our faith. While we believe in Christ, worldly problems can attack and weaken us. The Apostle Paul tells us that our faith emanates from our exposure to the Gospel and is strengthened through the study of the Word.
1 Timothy 5:8 If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
Commentary:
The Apostle Paul leaves little doubt on our responsibilities regarding the care and well-being of our families and relatives.
Luke 12:5 But I will show you whom you should fear; Fear him who, after the killing of the body, has power to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him.
Commentary:
In our lives, we will have many challenges. One challenge is the call of Christ’s Great Commission to go out and share the gospel. One of the key reasons for our reluctance is our fear of failure, what others may think and do, the fear of rejection. etc. Christ, however, tells us that the only thing we should fear is that which can cause us to pursue the path to hell. We have nothing to fear in doing the will of God.
Matthew 6:14-15 For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.
Commentary:
It seems quite clear through Christ’s own words that to hold a grudge or to withhold your forgiveness of your enemies is not acceptable. We are to forgive others as God has forgiven us.
2 Corinthians 2:5-8 If anyone has caused grief, he has not so much grieved me as he has grieved all of you, to some extent not to put it too severely. The punishment inflicted on him by the majority is sufficient for him. Now instead, you ought to forgive and comfort him, so that he will not be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. I urge you, therefore, to reaffirm your love for him.
Commentary:
The Apostle Paul shows us an important attribute when someone has given us cause to be upset (sinned against us), and that is compassion for the individual. How many times have we seen a person punished by the results of his or her own actions, yet we somehow hold on to a continued “you deserve it attitude.” Again, we are reminded that we are to love one another (all of us, not just some of us) and treat each other as we would like to be treated. To fail to forgive someone could also cause him or her to become disheartened and loose hope. In God’s eyes we are like the sinner. However, our God provided us Christ. Christ not only loved us as sinners, He died for us so that we may be considered by God as worthy members of His kingdom. This is forgiveness.
Hebrews 10:17 The he adds: “Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more.”
Commentary:
Of the many assurances given to us by God, this is one of the most important. He has a short memory and does not remember our sins. This is a key attribute to hone in our own personalities if we are to grow in the image of Christ.