Dr. Barclay- Something to think about:
We all have defining moments in our lives for Christ.
Many of the disciples were low income labourers, mainly uneducated. Yet Christ gave the Great Commission to these men, to go out into all the world and preach the gospel, their lives were changed and they changed the world as a result. As we study history we know that all the disciples were martyred except John the revelator who was exiled to the Isle of Patmos.
Paul, known as Saul was a zealot Jew who was involved in the stoning of Stephen. Saul did not recognize Jesus as the messiah and divine. Yet after Saul’s conversion on the road to Damascus, where he was renamed Paul, he preached the gospel of Jesus Christ as messiah and Lord with evangelistic zeal, amid great persecution.
Another unlikely champion of Christ was Emperor Constantine. Constantine and his army were at battle when he saw a vision of a cross in the sky and underneath was written “In this sign, conquer”.He stopped the persecution of Christians and the church, that had been going on under Emperor Diocletian. Constantine built churches everywhere. Constantine was a battle hardened commander who ruled the Roman Empire, yet sat down and discussed the bible with the clergymen.
Paul and Constantine and the disciples all had defining moments with God and changed the world as a result. Paul had a defining moment on the road to Damascus, when he was temporary blinded when the Lord called out to him. Constantine had his defining moment when he saw the vision of the cross at the battle of Milvian Bridge.
We all have defining moments in our lives, the question how will we respond? and what will we do? God puts evangelism in our hearts, if each one of us spread the gospel to just another person, what a difference it would make.
Pastor Joseph Johnson
Theme- Set Your Sights On Things Above
Colossians 3:1-2 If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.
We can not have our affections on the things of this world. This world is not perfect and it will let us down. That is why God warns us to focus on what is eternal and what is to come, not on what is temporary and what is external. God has clearly warned us in his word, what leads to life and what leads to death.
Deuteronomy 34:7 Moses was one hundred and twenty years old when he died. His eyes were not dim nor his natural vigor diminished.
Age is on our side, we never knew more than we do today. We need to be more active for God than ever before and include the Holy Spirit in each hour of the day. We need to be continuously calling people out of the world and calling them to Christ. The power of God is to lift us up and set us free and not hold us down or be afraid. God has given us all gifts such as being a helper, teacher, prayer warrior etc. Even if our gifts are not visible, we need to step up use our gifts and let others know about it and not be shy or hide them in any way. God wants us to do the best we can with what we have.
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