Sermons Elsewhere

What are you ashamed of? Perhaps many things, but what about the gospel of Christ? Does it make you feel uncomfortable? You come to worship, but do you know what the gospel is, can you simply explain it? Are you a little ashamed of it in our modern world, perhaps with your friends and colleagues at work or school? Gaining an understanding of the gospel and seeing Paul’s example will help you.

What is your view of the Lord Jesus Christ today? Perhaps you think of the babe in the manger in Bethlehem? Perhaps you think of the teacher with nowhere to lay down his head as he travelled about from place to place, maybe you see him standing there before the crowd as they cried out crucify him crucify him. Perhaps you see him in utter humiliation, helpless on the cross as darkness came upon the face of the earth. He cries out, My God, my God why hast thou forsaken me? He endured such suffering as he laid down his life for the transgressions of his people. Let us see this same Jesus now glorified.

Some things are hard to understand, but Paul wants you to understand and we can. The word of God is perceivable, but It can take hard work. What happened to Paul is not how modern prosperity gospel teachers set it out and, to be honest, is not how I would choose to do the work, but, Isa 55:9 “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

The letter opens with thankfulness and prayer. What a pattern for us to follow in life.