“July 10, 2024 - Eager to Preach the Gospel”

Tuesday, July 09, 2024

Eager to Preach the Gospel

Reading:  Romans 1:1-15
    
    Paul begins his letter to the church at Rome by focusing on their common allegiance to Jesus.  He is the subject of the promises of the prophets (Rom 1:2), the heir of David (Rom 1:3), and his resurrection emphatically identifies him as the Son of God (Rom 1:4).  Paul himself has been blessed by Jesus:  “through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all nations, including you who are called to belong to Jesus Christ”(Rom 1:5-6).  Paul has not only received grace to forgive his sins, but also apostleship to help others find that forgiveness.  Even though Paul has not met the Romans in the flesh, his goal as an apostle is to produce “the obedience of faith” in them as well.

    He is encouraged that their “faith is proclaimed in all the world”(Rom 1:8) and wants to come see them “that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you”(Rom 1:11).  He explains that he has long been intending to travel to them “in order that I may reap some harvest among you as well as among the rest of the Gentiles”(Rom 1:13).  What explains Paul’s passion here?  “I am under obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish.  So I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome”(Rom 1:14-15).  While Paul certainly feels obligation to preach to all people, his eagerness springs from knowing the great power of the gospel to change lives (Rom 1:16-17).

    We may not be apostles, but we can share Paul’s eagerness to preach the gospel.  We know what Jesus has done in our lives and we know what he can do for others.  The deeper our conviction, the more eager we become to talk about him—even without being prompted.  We feel compassion for those around us who have wrecked their lives or been harmed by others; we know that Jesus can help them.  We are confident in what God can do even for people we do not yet know.  We become “eager to preach the gospel.”

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One Thing to Think About:  Am I eager or reluctant to tell others about Jesus?

One Thing to Pray For:  Eagerness to tell others what I have found in Jesus
 

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