Blessed in Christ

December 2, 2012 Background Scripture: Ephesians 1 Lesson Passage: Ephesians 1:3 – 14 Christians often speak of being blessed in spite of situations and circumstances. A few years ago the saying “Too Blessed to be Stressed” was all the rage and brought in plenty of money for retailers. Of course this saying was taken from a book written with that title. What exactly are we talking about when we say that we are blessed? I believe we are suggesting that we see ourselves as being fortunate although situations and circumstances may be interpreted by others as untimely or unfortunate. In times that would otherwise leave us emotionally distressed, we find ourselves overwhelmed with peace and serenity. We realize the surreal nature of it all is beyond explanation aside from that which is spiritual. We call ourselves blessed. Sometimes life seems unbearable, yet we can bear it and even more. We know that we are blessed. Christians talk about this with ease because we have experienced some dimension of it and understand that it is part of who we are. On the other hand, we are challenged to try to interpret it or explain it to non-Christians. What exactly are we talking about when we say that we are blessed? There is no explanation of it outside of our personal relationship with Christ. Christ is everything that he said he would be for us. He is our rest when we labor and become heavy laden by life. He is fulfillment for all who hunger and thirst after righteousness. Paul reminded the Christians at Ephesus of the blessedness of being in Christ. God gives us all spiritual blessings in Christ. Our Heavenly Father adopts us into His family through Jesus Christ and then allows the heavenly blessings to flow to His children through Christ. It is for His own pleasure that He does this and no other reason. Of course our greatest blessing is the forgiveness of sins. Our sins had predestined us to eternal damnation but God interrupted our fatal course and not only spared us (that is mercy) but adopted us into His own family (that is grace). There is only one avenue by which God chooses to do such a thing. That avenue is His son Jesus. Our avenue to avail ourselves of God’s grace is to place all of our trust and faith in the redemption that is available only through the blood of Jesus. Those who put their faith in him are sealed by the Spirit of God as the proof of being children of God. This is manifest every time we become aware of the blessings of God in our lives. None of this happened before we heard and accepted the gospel message of Jesus Christ. But once we believed in Him, our lives were transformed. Have all of our problems gone away? No. Do we still experience pain and loss in our lives? Yes. Is every day a joyous day of nothing but good things in our lives? No. But in spite of circumstances and situations, we have peace and we are able to bear all that life brings our way because we have a burden bearer. If we choose to, we can allow stress to dominate us. But if we choose not to, then in Christ, we are too blessed to be stressed. All of these blessings take place because of the presence of Christ in our lives. Robert C. Hudson November 21, 2012

Paul Evangelizes in Rome

November 25, 2012 Background Scripture: Acts 28:11 – 31 Lesson Passage: Acts 28:16, 17, 23 – 31 Today there are some who look at evangelism as a nice way to be involved in proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ on their own terms. Unlike the work that takes place with a local congregation—such as ushering, singing, and leading various other ministries that take place on the church grounds—evangelism usually takes place away from the local congregation. The absence of the local congregation can afford one the opportunity to work at his own pace and in her own way. Some may see evangelism as a rather carefree way to be involved in ministry. This was not the case for the first century Christian. Evangelism was always on God’s terms and the work was quite hazardous and sometimes fatal. Those who understood this did not volunteer to do the work of evangelism. All of the gospel writers made it clear that evangelism is the will of Christ for the church. This was one of the last instructions Jesus gave prior to his ascension back to Heaven. Jesus did the will of God and before he left he commanded his followers to do the same. God uses all manner of people and circumstances to accomplish His will. The Apostle Paul was a living example of this. Paul was imprisoned in Rome for two years while he awaited trial. During the two years, Paul was permitted to live in a rented house and to freely receive visitors. Three days after his arrival in Rome, Paul called the Jewish leaders together to state his case to them prior to his trial in the Roman court system. Paul assured the Jewish leaders that he had nothing against his people, Israel. The circumstances that led to him being in Rome were caused more by the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem than anyone. The Jewish leaders in Rome informed him that they had not received any communications from Jerusalem concerning him. On the other hand, they had heard about Christianity which the Jewish leaders had declared to be a sect. The Jewish leaders’ report was that it was spoken against by Jews in all regions. In spite of their skepticism, they were still willing to give audience to Paul to hear what he had to say concerning Christianity. On the appointed day, they came to hear Paul’s testimony. Luke recorded that Paul expounded on Old Testament scriptures from morning until evening persuading the Jews thereby that Jesus was indeed the fulfillment of the Law and the Messiah of the Prophets. Some of them believed while others did not. Paul considered their response as confirmation of Isaiah’s prophecy concerning Israel and the gospel message. Paul warned them that their response meant that the preaching of the gospel would be sent to the Gentiles and the Gentiles would readily receive it. Paul received visitors throughout his two year incarceration in Rome. He used those visitations to teach and preach about Jesus and the kingdom of God. Paul continued to do the work of an evangelist throughout the two years. What many would surmise as house arrest for Paul was merely God’s provision of a mission field for the apostle. Paul could have walked the many streets of Rome and preached the message of the kingdom but that might have caused him to think more highly of his own effort than he should. God’s plan for him worked just the opposite. God gathered people from the outside and brought them to Paul and in that setting the gospel was preached and only God could receive the glory for it. In spite of the circumstances, God enabled Paul to evangelize Rome. Robert C. Hudson November 13, 2012