Tag: Weekly

Witnesses for Christ (Part 1)

The Apostle Paul wrote the epistle to the Colossians during his first Roman imprisonment. Epaphras was a faithful minister of Christ to the Colossian church (Col. 1:7). He visited the Apostle Paul and brought him good reports concerning the faith, love and hope of the church at Colosse. The Apostle Paul wrote the epistle to encourage the Colossians to greater service.

Two thoughts – (1) Glowing for Jesus (Col. 1:9-14) (2) Grounded in Jesus (Col. 1:15-23).

(1) Marks of True Faith

Abraham’s faith was characterized by obedience and patience.

(a) Obedience

Hebrews 11:8 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.

Abraham submitted to God’s instruction. He complied and acted upon God’s call. He willingly ventured into the unknown. Despite the uncertainty, he embarked on a spiritual pilgrimage of faith, led by God. Abraham did not go alone. His entire family went with him. He was the spiritual leader of his family and he led his family as God led him. He was already 75 years old at that time. Abraham affirmed his faith by his obedience.

Evangelism at the Beautiful Gate

A lame man above 40 years old sought alms from Peter and John at the gate of the temple called Beautiful (Acts 3:2; 4:22). The man’s limbs were without strength and he could not walk from birth. It was no fault of his. It was sad, but it was for the glory of God.

The Beautiful gate was the main gate at the eastern part of Herod’s Temple. It was the ninth gate and the principal entrance into the Temple. The ascent to the Temple was by 12 easy steps. The gate itself was made of dazzling Corinthian brass, richly ornamented and so massive were its double doors that they needed the united strength of 20 men to open and close them. It was at 3pm, the 9th hour (Acts 3:1). The Jews observed daily three stipulated hours of prayer. These were the 3rd, 6th and 9th hour. It was when Peter and John observed the appointed time of communion with God that they met the lame man.

(1) Stand Up for Jesus

– A Deathbed Challenge

A revival broke out in Philadelphia in 1858 under the powerful preaching of twenty-nine-year old Dudley Tyng. Besides pastoring his own church, he held noonday services at the downtown YMCA that attracted great crowds.

On March 30 of that year, over five thousand men gathered for a meeting during which Rev. Tyng preached from Exodus 10:11, “Ye that are men, now go and serve the Lord.” Over one thousand of those present committed their lives to Christ. At one point in his sermon Rev. Tyng said, “I must tell my Master’s errand, and I would rather that this right arm were amputated at the trunk than that I should come short of my duty to you in delivering God’s message.”