| <— Click here for Part 3 |
Is it time to kick back and relax or time to snap to attention? Click image to enlarge.
Have you ever watched a mother ask a young child to help her set the table for dinner? Call to mind the joy and delight written upon the youngster’s face as she proudly goes about doing her mother’s bidding?
Well just as the mother could have set the table herself our Father in Heaven is perfectly capable of achieving everything within His will without human intervention (Acts 17:24-25) and yet it is to our great joy and delight that He has includes us in this task (Mt 28:18 – 20; Acts 1:8).
Paul clearly states in Romans 1 that God reveals Himself to all men, “…that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead;” [emphasis added] (Rom 1:19 – 20a) Yet this general revelation (Ps 8:3; 19:1) only results in their condemnation. (Rom 1:18; 20b)
God desires something more than just an intellectual knowledge of Him, He yearns for a deep intimate relationships (Jn 17:3).
Later in his epistle to the Romans Paul writes, “whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?” [emphasis added] (Rom 10:13 – 15)
“Paul’s main point in this series of rhetorical questions is that a clear presentation of the gospel message must precede true saving faith. True faith always has content – the revealed Word of God.” (MacArthur 2006:1680)
It is this that we’re called to do: Present and teach that which God has revealed to us in His Word to all nations (Mat 28:19). The words, “Jesus died, Jesus rose, repent for the forgiveness of sins,” (Lk 24:46 – 47; Acts 2:22 – 24, 38; 3:13 – 15, 19 , 26; 5:19 – 20, 29 – 31; 10:39 – 40, 43; 13:28 – 30, 38; 26:18 – 20, 22 – 23) are our marching orders. To achieve that goal we’re exhorted to go, baptising, to the uttermost part of the earth (Acts 1:8). What a privilege, that you and I might be joined to so great a task as this. May it be to the glory of Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour! Amen!
| <— Click here for Part 3 |
Because He Lives 