Meditation

01/05/2021

“For since in the wisdom of the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and he weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength” (1^st Corinthians 1:21-25)

Christian preaching has a basic content summarizing he gospel. The Greek word “Kerygma” is used to indicate this basic core of what is preached. It centers on Jesus Christ. The kerygma has several vital elements: 1) Jesus is the Messiah; 2) He lived a marvelous, victorious sinless life doing good; 3) He died on the cross in our place to pay the penalty of our sins; 4) He was bodily raised from the dead; 5) He is coming again to end this present evil age.

Continuing, 6) He calls all people to repentance and faith; and 7) He promises forgiveness, redemption, the gift of the Holy Spirit, and eternal life. The world calls the kerygma foolishness. Believers know it is God’s wise way leading to salvation.

PRAYER FOR THE DAY:

Precious Abba, what You and Jesus taught us was clear and understandable. Continue to guide us through Your Word, which is also for us to challenge anyone teaching what satan wants and is, therefore, as obscure as possible so that those who do not know Your Word will be drawn in, that he might “steal” God’s people from their promised lives in forgiveness and redemption. You love all of us and do not what to lose a single persons. We must become evangelists, sharing the Gospel message of forgiveness and redemption to all who had not heard it before, so that they too, will find You and Your promise in their own lives. Amen

THOUGHT OF THE DAY:

“The Truth Fears No Investigation!”

KNOWING GOD:

“As soon as it was night, the brothers sent Paul and Silas away to Berea. On arriving there, they went to the Jewish synagogue. Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day a to see if what Paul said was true. Many of the Jews believed, as did also a number of prominent Greek women and many Greek men.” (Acts 17:10–12)

Beloved, when people honestly search the Scriptures, they discover the gospel (John 5:39 “You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life.”).

The Word of God is powerful. It reveals a person’s need of Christ (Hebrew4:12-13 “For the Word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edges sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul, and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.”). In Berea, this openness to God’s truth resulted in many conversions!

I AM:

“Then I saw another angel flying in midair, and he had the eternal gospel to proclaim to those who live on the earth—-proclaim to those who live on the earth—-to every nation, tribe, language and people. He said in a loud voice, ‘Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come. Worship him to made the heavens, the earth, the sea and the springs of water.’” (Revelation 14:6-7)

The gospel means “good news.” It has a definite content. It is eternal truth that is the power of God unto eternal salvation for all people from all parts of the world if hey will believe. God’s mighty authority is shown by His power to judge and to create. His authority strikes fear into the hearts of people.

The eternal gospel calls for all persons everywhere to fear God and worship Him. God the Redeemer is also the Creator and Judge. There is an awesomeness about salvation which we dare not overlook. The approaching judgment should lead all people to reverent worship and faith. The heavenly messenger proclaimed an awesome moment. Fear really should produce a glorifying of God in such a moment. All are called upon to worship God as Creator.

SECOND THOUGHT of the DAY:

“He also said, ‘This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground. Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed know sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. All by itself the soil produces grain—-first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head. As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come.” (Mark4:26-29)

Beloved, the Gospel is “the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes.” In Romans 1:16 it says: “I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone ho believes; first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.

The message of the Kingdom is a small seed, but when planted in an open heart, it produces salvation. Our role is to take the gospel, plant it in lives, and watch God grow it. It truly is awesome to watch the individual/s as they grow in their faith! Have you experienced this? I pray so.