Blessed Hope Bible-Presbyterian Church
500 Upper Bukit Timah Rd, Singapore 678106
The Apostle Paul observed insightfully, “Here Paul generously assumes that the Corinthian Christians had been praying for him while he was going through this time of deep testing. Actually, many of the believers had become critical of the great apostle, and there could have been a serious question whether they were remembering him before the throne of grace at all.”
Paul and Silas in Prison
What would you do if you were unjustly thrown into prison? Some would grumble, growl, grouch, grouse, and gripe. Others would fume and fuss, moan and groan.
Paul and Silas were not only cast into prison but were stripped and beaten and severely flogged. They yearned to preach the Gospel. Instead, they were in solitary confinement – beaten and bloody, their feet fastened in tortuous stocks. What could they do?
The account reads: “And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.” (Acts 16:25)Why were death-row inmates singing praises instead of the blues? Because God gave them a song that turned them into a duo with a duet in their dungeon. God was the “choir director” that night who provided the sheet music for his two- midnight minstrels. Paul and Silas had learned with afflicted Job that “God giveth songs in the night.”
Jesus Christ, the Son of God, says, “Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of God”. When a man realises that he cannot order his life and surrenders himself to God through Jesus Christ, he is translated from the kingdom of death to the kingdom of heaven. This was the Apostle Paul’s experience on the road to Damascus when he met the resurrected Christ through a bright light. He was blinded for three days. This Pharisee of Pharisees was struck with the reality of his utter vulnerability.
The Apostle Paul speaks of the danger and the risk that he encountered in the work of the gospel. Many instances, he faced imminent danger to his very life and yet he learned that even in the most dangerous place according to God’s will is but the safest place. He learned to trust God to direct him to accomplish His will for his life. Clearly, it was a life of leaning on the everlasting arms of God’s care and protection.
Hymns: RHC 221 When We See Christ 8 Holy, Holy, Holy 323 Trust and Obey
PSALM 99
1 The LORD reigneth; let the people tremble: he sitteth between the cherubims; let the earth be moved. 2 The LORD is great in Zion; and he is high above all the people. 3 Let them praise thy great and terrible name; for it is holy. 4 The king’s strength also loveth judgment; thou dost establish equity, thou executest judgment and righteousness in Jacob. 5 Exalt ye the LORD our God, and worship at his footstool; for he is holy. 6 Moses and Aaron among his priests, and Samuel among them that call upon his name; they called upon the LORD, and he answered them. 7 He spake unto them in the cloudy pillar: they kept his testimonies, and the ordinance that he gave them. 8 Thou answeredst them, O LORD our God: thou wast a God that forgavest them, though thou tookest vengeance of their inventions. 9 Exalt the LORD our God, and worship at his holy hill; for the LORD our God is holy.
THE BELIEVER’S PRIVILEGE
The Apostle Paul highlighted to the Corinthian church not just of the afflictions and comforts he received in Christ but the fact the persecutions and sufferings became even more severe.
This is the Christian man’s consolation as he seeks to do the will of God in his life. The world is at enmity. As he bears the cross and despise the shame, there is a joy that surroundings him despite sufferings. It is borne out of faith that the gospel work has an eternal value. He can be hopeful for every ounce of suffering and heartache will receive a consolation and reward from Christ at the last day. Its not wasted effort but effecutal in Christ.
The Apostle Paul endured the sufferings of persecution in Corinth. Because he did not give up and was willing to bear with all that befell him, there were those in Corinth who believed. These form the nucleus of the infant church. His message to the Corinthian church was not about him rather it was about them.
These words of the Apostle Paul was a historical testimony to the founding of the church in Corinth in Acts 18:1-11 (KJV) 1 After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth; … 5 And when Silas and Timotheus were come from Macedonia, Paul was pressed in the spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus was Christ. 6 And when they opposed themselves, and blasphemed, he shook his raiment, and said unto them, Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean: from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles. He first preached to the Jews, his own countrymen, who rejected the message and persecuted him.
Matthew 6:11 Give us this day our daily bread.