Until the Whole World Hears

Yesterday Paul shared an inspiring story about his friend Tammy. Tammy has a heart for the lost and I love how creative she will get to reach just one person with the message of Jesus. This week we have been reading a lot about the Apostle Paul, who also did whatever it took to reach the lost for Jesus.

These past weeks have shown us how fragile life is. We have witnessed consuming fires blaze across the west, earthquakes in Mexico, hurricanes, and violence in Las Vegas. So many lives lost and I can't help wondering how many never knew the saving love of Christ. 

As inspiring as Paul is, we don't have to be a missionary across the globe to tell people about Jesus. We can do it right where we are.

My son just recently joined Taekwondo and I have met several of the parents watching their child. Evan asked me the other night if I talk to the parents because I am looking for a friend for him to meet. He still does not have any friends since we moved this past June. I kinda felt bad, but I had to answer him honestly and say, "no."  I hadn't even thought of it. I explained to him that I am meeting people so that I can start a conversation about our church and invite them to come and check us out.

Luckily Evan was happy with my answer. He said that that was more important because there are so many people who don't know Jesus.

In our passage today we learn that Paul, "witnessed to them from morning till evening, explaining about the kingdom of God, and from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets he tried to persuade them about Jesus. Some were convinced by what he said, but others would not believe."

Some were convinced, others would not believe.  It is not our job to convince everyone, but there are so many people who do not know Jesus and it is our job to tell them about him. Whether you are a global missionary or a soccer mom, we don't know what tomorrow will bring let's not waste another moment.

Read today entire passage here Acts 28: 23-30

What Happens in Vegas…

1 Corinthians 16:1-4

Have you ever heard the phrase, “What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas”? If it helps you to understand what it means, Vegas is also known as “Sin City”.

Like Vegas, Corinth was not an ordinary city. The citizens were affluent, well educated and highly religious. It was a thriving city at the time when Paul arrived. Corinthian believers had all the trappings of success, and yet their problems festered just below the surface. They were self-sufficient and needed to learn to be God-sufficient.

Because of the immaturity of the believers, Paul had to address many problems which included incest, sexual immorality, idol worship and divisions. Even when it came to the practice of the Lord’s Supper they couldn’t get it right. It became a party of gluttony, excessive drinking and exclusion.

 Although the Corinthian believers seriously struggled in many areas of life, there was still hope. God was at work in them and through them.

The same is true for us. Despite our struggles, God is at work in our lives. In fact, God has a history of working through those that struggle; the weak, the unqualified, the broken, the hopeless and the ordinary.

 “You’re blessed when you’re at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule. “You’re blessed when you feel you’ve lost what is most

dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you.     Matthew 5:3-4 MSG

“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”              Luke 4:18-19 NIV

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.           2 Corinthians 12:9-10 NIV

 “What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas” is a catchy little phrase. But for those of us who are followers of Jesus Christ, we are bound to share the Good News, not keep it to ourselves.

Despite their problems, the Corinthian church gave generously to the Jerusalem church. In the same way, we are called to give of our time, talent and treasure for the advancement of God’s Kingdom.