Blessed Hope Bible-Presbyterian Church
500 Upper Bukit Timah Rd, Singapore 678106
The Apostle Paul speaks concerning the challenge of the gospel work whereby in his travelling and also his ministering, he experiences both hunger and thirst for the gospel’s sake. He is not writing in self-pity but rather he is highlighting the work of the gospel is hard work, self-sacrificial work. It has to roll up his sleeves and be about the Lord’s business in the nurture and care of God’s flock.
The Apostle Paul shared of the physical abuse that he experienced in the work of the gospel. He used the word “buffeted”. It means “to strike with the fist or being treated roughly”. The contention between light and darkness, between the Word and the World, is so great that God’s servants face incarceration for sharing the gospel.
Having no certain home to go back to in the night, the Apostle Paul lived as a missionary for many years carrying the message of the gospel to foreign lands. He came to Corinth, the gospel was preached, souls saved, the church began there!
Study of the Book of Ecclesiastes
(Remember Now Thy Creator)
– Lessons in the House of Mourning (2)
Ecclesiastes 7:1-4
1 A good name is better than precious ointment; and the day of death than the day of one’s birth. 2 It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the house of feasting: for that is the end of all men; and the living will lay it to his heart. 3 Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better. 4 The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning; but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth.
Jesus saw that their faith was not genuine. They were not committed so much to follow Him as Lord or to do the work of the gospel but they are there for the prestige. The scribe was quick to declare his allegiance to Jesus but he did not count the cost of discipleship. Following Jesus involves self-denial, sacrifice and possibly even possibly being homeless. Jesus tested his true loyalty. He was loyal to his own comfort. He was not willing to pay the pace for his faith. He merely wanted to add excitement to his life, to have the prestige of following a popular leader. It was a self-centred objective that our Lord exposed.
The Apostles of Jesus Christ suffered much persecution for Christ’s sake. They willingly suffered fools that the gospel might be proclaimed and souls saved. He contrasted their suffering with the high honour that the Corinthian Christians seemed to be enjoying.
This is not the time to boast when the Apostles’ life is on the line. William MacDonald observed well, “He pictures them as thrown into the arena with wild beasts while men and angels look on. As Godet has said: “It was not time for the Corinthians to be self-complacent and boasting, while the church was on the throne and the apostles were under the sword.”
Acts 10:9-23 On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour: 10 And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance, 11 And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending unto him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth: 12 Wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air. 13 And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat.
Acts 10:24-35 And the morrow after they entered into Caesarea. And Cornelius waited for them, and had called together his kinsmen and near friends. 25 And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him. 26 But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man. 27 And as he talked with him, he went in, and found many that were come together. 28 And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath showed me that I should not call any man common or unclean. 29 Therefore — came I unto you without gainsaying, as soon as I was sent for: I ask therefore for what intent ye have sent for me? 30 And Cornelius said, Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and, behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing, 31 And said, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God. 32 Send therefore to Joppa, and call hither Simon, whose surname is Peter; he is lodged in the house of one Simon a tanner by the sea side: who, when he cometh, shall speak unto thee. 33 Immediately therefore I sent to thee; and thou hast well done that thou art come. Now therefore are we all here present before 34 God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God. 35 Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.
William Mac Donald said well, “The Corinthians had become self-sufficient; they were already full. They prided themselves on the abundance of spiritual gifts in their midst; they were already rich. They were living in luxury, comfort, and ease. There was no sense of need. They acted as if they were already reigning, but they were doing so without the apostles. Paul states that he could wish that the time to reign had already come so that he might reign with them! But in the meantime, “lifetime is training time for reigning time,” as someone has said. Christians will reign with the Lord Jesus Christ when He comes back and sets up His kingdom on earth. In the meantime, their privilege is to share the reproach of a rejected Saviour.”