There are two readings for today.
SCRIPTURE: 1 Corinthians 9
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
Even though I am free of the demands and expectations of everyone, I have voluntarily become a servant to any and all in order to reach a wide range of people: religious, nonreligious, meticulous moralists, loose-living immoralists, the defeated, the demoralized—whoever. [1 Corinthians 9:19-22, The Message]
Why am I a pastor, what compels me to share my faith?
Do I do what I do to please people, or to earn a living?
Is it right for me to draw a salary for being a pastor?
Should church leaders and workers be reimbursed for their work?
What motivates us as Jesus-followers to share the love of Jesus?
We ought to share the same motivation as Paul, and as Jesus.
We do whatever it takes to reach others for God… we even make sacrifices!
For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost. [Luke 19:10]
Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice in being human, and dying a horrible death, in order to reach and rescue us.
His love and sacrifice extended to all people – the whole world – to those lost in sin and destined to perish.
This needs to be our motivation as well.
Not to earn God’s favour, not to earn a salary, not to impress people, not to feel better about ourselves – but to reach as many people as possible with the Message.
Driven, compelled, motivated by passion and compassion.
When I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, for I am compelled to preach.
Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! [1 Corinthians 9:16]
Who are the people that God is putting in my path?
What price am I willing to pay to reach and bless them?
Will I put myself out?
Will I sacrifice the time and energy?
Will I adjust my schedule for them?
Will I forfeit a freedom or an opportunity, if it will help them experience God’s love?
Do I see them just like me, lost and destined to perish, apart from God’s mercy and love?
As the Father sent Jesus, He also sends me.
PRAYER:
Lord, open my eyes to see the people around me as God-ordained opportunities to share Your love in word and deed.
The Olympics are on. All the years of practice comes now to the finish line. And the purpose is . . . .
As so too I, Christian, am coming to the finish line. What is the purpose of m life? How have I accomplished it? How did I go in training to get on my way. And in my training and in my preparation for living for Jesus – how have I influenced those around me? Was I a living letter – a witness for my Saviour? What set me apart?
And so as I prepare to return to Haiti this Wednesday, how am I God’s ambassador – His champion there?
Lord help me each day anew to stand up for Jesus and be an aid to all who need a hand whether student, parent, teacher, the national workers or the projects we are involved in. May I continue to share Your blessings to those around me and may they continue to see You in Me – a living letter – Christian by name in all I do and say.
Ready to serve.
Lord, help me on my way each day as I continue to walk in Your SonShine.
Stand up, stand up for Jesus! ye soldiers of the cross;
Lift high His royal banner, it must not suffer loss:
From vict’ry unto vict’ry, His army shall He lead,
Till every foe is vanquished, and Christ is Lord indeed.
Stand up, stand up for Jesus! The trumpet call obey:
Forth to the mighty conflict, in this His glorious day;
Ye that are men now serve Him against unnumbered foes;
Let courage rise with danger, and strength to strength oppose.
Stand up, stand up for Jesus! Stand in His strength alone,
The arm of flesh will fail you, ye dare not trust your own;
Put on the gospel armor, and watching unto prayer,
Where calls the voice of duty, be never wanting there.
Stand up, stand up for Jesus! the strife will not be long;
This day the noise of battle, the next the victor’s song;
To him that overcometh a crown of life shall be;
He with the King of glory shall reign eternally.