SCRIPTURE: Lev. 15-17; Acts 18
5-6When Silas and Timothy arrived from Macedonia, Paul was able to give all his time to preaching and teaching, doing everything he could to persuade the Jews that Jesus was in fact God’s Messiah. But no such luck. All they did was argue contentiously and contradict him at every turn. Totally exasperated, Paul had finally had it with them and gave it up as a bad job. “Have it your way, then,” he said. “You’ve made your bed; now lie in it. From now on I’m spending my time with the other nations.“
OBSERVATIONS: Paul found himself preaching to the already convinced. They had their answers and they weren’t interested in hearing about any messiah. Paul discovered that there were entire fields white for harvest, and set his eyes upon the task of reaching the nations.
APPLICATION: Protestant churches spend an inordinate amount of time swapping members. How many new members are professions of faith? Very few. The time has come to seek out and offer salvation to those who are brand new to the faith–any faith.
PRAYER: God, your mercy extends to the sinner of every stripe. There are none who are beyond your reach, none who are beyond the power of your forgiveness. Empower me to preach good news to those who have made bad decisions. Encourage me to share this fresh love of your Son Jesus Christ with those who are outcast, ignored, forgotten, and abused. For the sake of Christ I pray. Amen.
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