I was preparing a message about rejoicing using the book of Philippians for my references. The apostle Paul had a lot to say to the Philippian church about the subject of rejoicing. One of the reasons that he gives for his rejoicing in Jesus Christ is a fact that he was happy that the gospel of Christ was preached regardless of whether the preacher’s agreed with Paul, received his ministry as an apostle or even liked him.
In the early church the Ministry that Paul had was quite controversial. Some of the believers received him as spiritual oversight and some did not. Many believers disagreed with his teachings and many believers didn’t understand what he had to teach. Even the apostle Peter says that Paul’s writings can easily be misunderstood. In my own experience I’ve had many believers tell me that they don’t like reading the writings of the apostle Paul because, frankly, they say, “there is too much use of the word “I” in his writing”.
Many believers criticised Paul and seemed quite happy that he was now in prison. Paul notes that some are preaching Christ through contention. Paul is rejoicing that no matter what, the fact was that, Christ is preached.
I’m so glad that there are so many people who are spreading God’s news near and far. The people who may not be united in every doctrine and organisational affairs are sending out in faith the power of the gospel the newws of God that is the Paris salvation. We can pray for a general revival in this country of ours. By that I mean that people get burdened with a consciousness of sin and turn to the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation enjoying forgiveness and the power to serve the Lord Jesus Christ.
People need to be saved and if they are hungry for God God will save them and he will use any means available. I have a friend who, in the 70s, was in a picture theatre . He was coming down from a heroin high and was enjoyingthe cool darkness while watching the movie BeHur. As a Roman soldier looks up at the cross in that movie and says “surely this man is the son of God” my friend said to himself ” yes he is” and immediately he received the forgiveness of sins in the power of salvation.
Am I concerned about doctrinal issues? Of course I am. But I also know that if someone is hungry for salvation even if they don’t know what they are looking for in Bible language terms, they will find the Lord Jesus Christ. On becoming a Christian in the true sense of the word, if they hunger and thirst after righteousness and the things of God, they will be filled. The spirit of God will lead them to find out the truths that they will need to live a righteous, godly and happy life in the Lord Jesus Christ.
We need to see people escaping from the wrath to come by hearing God’s news about the sacrifice of his son the Lord Jesus Christ and the resurrection of the son of God. There is no greater aim all vision in life than to spread God’s news about his salvation that is only available through believing and receiving the Lord Jesus Christ.
Tags: apostle Paul, Church, GOD'S NEWS, King James Bible, SALVATION, the gospel
