Monthly Devotion - December 2024
READY TO UNDERGO THE DUTIES OF EVANGELISM
“For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for necessity is laid upon me; yes, woe is me if I do not preach the gospel!” (1 Corinthians 9:16 NKJV)
After going through the journey of congregational life throughout this year, we have finally arrived at the last month of 2024. As His chosen people, we are called to bring the Gospel of the Kingdom of God in the midst of a world that is increasingly filled with darkness. This month we will commemorate the first coming of the Lord Jesus (Christmas) for the salvation of mankind (Matthew 1:21-23). ??However, what is very important that we need to know is that the Lord Jesus will also soon return to the world as a just Judge. “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due him according to what he has done in the body, whether good or bad. We know what it means to fear the Lord, so we persuade people” (2 Corinthians 5:10-11a). The Apostle Paul was ready to pay the price to carry out Christ’s Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20). In 1 Corinthians 9:16 he said, “For if I preach the gospel, I have no reason to boast. For it is imperative for me. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel.” This became his life principle. And so that this Gospel of the Kingdom can be preached to all people before the end comes (Matthew 24:14), let us also hold the same principle. Our theme throughout 2024 is “Becoming a Church that is ready and watchful” which is based on Luke 12:40 & Matthew 24:42. Let us remember the invitation of our Great Teacher, the Lord Jesus Christ, who said, “We must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; night is coming when no one can work. While I am in the world, I am the light of the world” (John 9:4-5). And as long as we are still living in this world or before the Lord Jesus returns, let us do the work of Him who sent us, namely preaching the gospel. Just like Paul’s principle, if we preach the gospel, we also have no reason to boast about what we have achieved so far. Evangelism must remain our main task. When Jesus saw the crowds, his heart was always moved with compassion, because they were weary and helpless like sheep without a shepherd (Matthew 9:36). And His Word in Proverbs 19:17 also reminds us, “He who has compassion on the poor lends to the LORD, and he will repay him for his good deed”. As His disciples, do we already have the compassion to save the people around us, our families and the nations around us? If not, let us ask the Lord Jesus so that our hearts can also be filled with God’s compassion to go and preach the Gospel of the Kingdom of God to anyone around us. We must complete His work by obeying what is written in His Great Law (Mark 12:30-31); His Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20) and also His Great Prayer (John 17). A strong commitment to carrying out the Great Law, the Great Commission and the Great Prayer of Christ will make us Christians who have the lifestyle of Christ, namely preaching the gospel with a heart full of compassion. With such a lifestyle, we can be a blessing to many people who are "weary and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd". Let us hold on to Paul's principle (1 Corinthians 9:16) by having a compassionate lifestyle and practicing all the principles of His Word into our life journey while we still have time. Merry CHRISTMAS 2024 and Happy NEW YEAR 2025! IMMANUEL,
By Pastor Silwanus Obadja M.Th.
...Monthly
Devotion - November 2024