Last month Emmanuel rolled out “Operation 3:16”. We were challenged to commit to prayer every day at 3:16pm in preparation for Easter; praying for unsaved friends, family members, or coworkers and committing to inviting others to church. Just curious, how did that go? Did you attack this with a sense of urgency, boldness and hopefulness? Or maybe you threw in the towel thinking that there is no hope for “that” person, maybe they’re just too far gone so what’s the point?
Guess what? There is still hope! Because of the sacrifice, because of the finished work on the cross, and because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, there is hope, the hope of salvation for all. And yay, we are celebrating that tomorrow!!! Happy Resurrection Day. And although Easter is on the calendar one day a year, we get to celebrate God’s boundless love every day.
Today we are going to camp on one sentence, one verse, penned by the Apostle Paul while he was imprisoned and what he wrote demonstrates how God's grace can reach even the most unexpected people and places, and it encourages us to be bold in sharing our faith, even in times of bleak circumstances or to those who we think are a lost cause.
Philippians 4:22 “All God’s people here send you greetings, especially those who belong to Caesar’s household.”
So, what’s going on here? Be prepared for one of those, “are you kidding me” moments and hold tight, this is an incredible part of the Joyride. Paul is in prison; a Roman prison but he continues to live the Gospel. While doing so, those around him; maybe prison guards, maybe other prisoners are hearing and seeing the gospel lived out in Paul’s life. Paul is preaching and teaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ to whoever he could. Wow, are you kidding me? The gospel has penetrated Caesar's household. Paul might have been bound by chains, but the gospel is not. Hallelujah!!
This is exciting and encouraging that there are Christians within Caesar's household. Historians, theologians, and commentators believe that this “Caesar” was none other than Nero. So, why is it so amazing that the gospel was spreading? To help with the amazement, we need to know what kind of person, or should I say monster Nero was. History records some of his cruel and wicked acts; he had his own mother murdered, he allegedly kicked his pregnant wife to death, he married a man then years later married a boy. I don’t need to share any of the grotesque details of these accounts . . . just know that it is sickening. You might be thinking, “are you kidding me?”.
Are you kidding me? The Gospel has gone beyond Paul’s dire circumstance, beyond the prison walls, into the palace, and beyond, and continues today. It was true for Paul and it’s true for us that when we are bold in our faith, it has an inspiring effect on the next generation and those who are watching.
Don’t miss out on this amazing joyride. Pray. Go. Tell.
Guess what? There is still hope! Because of the sacrifice, because of the finished work on the cross, and because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, there is hope, the hope of salvation for all. And yay, we are celebrating that tomorrow!!! Happy Resurrection Day. And although Easter is on the calendar one day a year, we get to celebrate God’s boundless love every day.
Today we are going to camp on one sentence, one verse, penned by the Apostle Paul while he was imprisoned and what he wrote demonstrates how God's grace can reach even the most unexpected people and places, and it encourages us to be bold in sharing our faith, even in times of bleak circumstances or to those who we think are a lost cause.
Philippians 4:22 “All God’s people here send you greetings, especially those who belong to Caesar’s household.”
So, what’s going on here? Be prepared for one of those, “are you kidding me” moments and hold tight, this is an incredible part of the Joyride. Paul is in prison; a Roman prison but he continues to live the Gospel. While doing so, those around him; maybe prison guards, maybe other prisoners are hearing and seeing the gospel lived out in Paul’s life. Paul is preaching and teaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ to whoever he could. Wow, are you kidding me? The gospel has penetrated Caesar's household. Paul might have been bound by chains, but the gospel is not. Hallelujah!!
This is exciting and encouraging that there are Christians within Caesar's household. Historians, theologians, and commentators believe that this “Caesar” was none other than Nero. So, why is it so amazing that the gospel was spreading? To help with the amazement, we need to know what kind of person, or should I say monster Nero was. History records some of his cruel and wicked acts; he had his own mother murdered, he allegedly kicked his pregnant wife to death, he married a man then years later married a boy. I don’t need to share any of the grotesque details of these accounts . . . just know that it is sickening. You might be thinking, “are you kidding me?”.
Are you kidding me? The Gospel has gone beyond Paul’s dire circumstance, beyond the prison walls, into the palace, and beyond, and continues today. It was true for Paul and it’s true for us that when we are bold in our faith, it has an inspiring effect on the next generation and those who are watching.
Don’t miss out on this amazing joyride. Pray. Go. Tell.