Blessed Hope Bible-Presbyterian Church
500 Upper Bukit Timah Rd, Singapore 678106
The Apostle Paul understands that he is simply a vessel fully surrendered and given to the Master’s use. He shared that the old Saul has been crucified with Christ. He experienced the power of God when he was struck down by a bright light from heaven and lose his sight for three days. But in that encounter, he learned to fear God. He understood how weak and sinful he is, persecuting his Christ.
Acts 8:26-40 And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert. 27 And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship, 28 Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet. 29 Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot. 30 And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest?
(1) Rescue the Perishing
– A Song from the Slums
At the age of sixty, when many were planning retirement, Fanny Crosby launched out on a new career. She spent several days a week in a mission work in the slums of the Bowery district in New York City. Once, after such a visit among the destitute and derelicts, she returned home and wrote the now-famous hymn:
Rescue the perishing,
Care for the dying,
Snatch them in pity from sin and the grave;
Weep o’er the erring one,
Lift up the fallen,
Tell them of Jesus, The mighty to save.
The Apostle Paul would have failed to qualify for any TED talk. There is a deliberateness on his part that he must not get in the way of presenting the gospel in its fullness and in its simplicity by any of his own wisdom. He does not speak “sleek” words that will attract the people to listen. He instead relied on the power of God’s Word and the mighty Holy Spirit to evangelise and to save.
The Apostle Paul is a witness to the glory and power of the gospel. He was blinded when he first met Jesus on the road to Damascus. Jesus restored his sight (Acts 9:1-22). He beheld the power of God to give and to take away in those three days of blindness. Frightening to experience that momentary wrath of God.
The Apostle Paul preaches the gospel of the crucified Christ. This is the power of God unto salvation. This is the only message that he proclaims. He did not embark on the evangelistic mission that Jesus has called him to do by declaring his own wisdom or his eloquence of speech.
In other words, the Apostle Paul relied upon God, abiding in Christ, through prayer and the power of the Holy Spirit to take the Word of God preached to convert souls.
All that we have comes from our gracious God who freely bestows upon us all spiritual blessings in Christ Jesus. As such, the believer’s response must only be one of gratitude, giving glory to God. There is no room for any pride or boasting for all that we have received comes by the grace of God.
Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Ecclesiastes 5:4-7
4 When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed. 5 Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay. 6 Suffer not thy mouth to cause thy flesh to sin; neither say thou before the angel, that it was an error: wherefore should God be angry at thy voice, and destroy the work of thine hands? 7 For in the multitude of dreams and many words there are also divers vanities: but fear thou God.
The believer has much to give thanks. He has much to give praise to God for all the is freely bestowed by God in Christ Jesus. He is exhorted to give all worship to the Lord. What are the benefits in Christ Jesus? God’s peace!
Indeed, from salvation to glorification, it is all of God through Jesus Christ. Causes us to bow in humble adoration and praise for all the good that we have received and will continue to receive. We are a privilege people with the message of salvation, that only Jesus saves.
May the good Lord help us to proclaim this message far and wide. Amen.