As disciples of Jesus, imitating him is a key aspect of our faith. Here in Romans 12, the Apostle Paul offers 4 examples of behavior that help illustrate our obligation: (1) sharing/hospitality, (2) blessing those who persecute us, (3) having empathy, and (4) limiting pride to foster harmony.
This blog serves as an outreach for Pastor Randy Powell of the First Baptist Church of Franklin, PA. Feel free to ask questions or send me an e-mail at pastorpowell@hotmail.com
Showing posts with label Giving. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Giving. Show all posts
Monday, September 11, 2023
Tuesday, May 7, 2019
Sermon Video: How Much do we care about the Gospel? 1 Corinthians 9:1-18
Beginning with the remarkable story of Adoniram and Ann Judson who served in the 19th century as missionaries to Burma, this message utilizes the Apostle Paul's willingness to forego compensation as a minister of the Gospel, while at the same time advocating for the command to the Church that those who serve the Gospel be supported, to look at how we (as both a local church and an American Baptist Church) are doing in following this command. After a look at my own experience of the ordeal of being a "free agent" trying to find full-time ministry, the message concludes with a call for each Christian to do more than support those serving as pastors and missionaries, as we all must be willing to sacrifice for the sake of the Gospel.
To watch the video, click on the link below:
To watch the video, click on the link below:
Wednesday, November 8, 2017
Sermon Video: Don't Rob God - Malachi 3:7-12
What do we owe God? That seems like a rather important question. The prophet Malachi warned the people of Israel that they were under a curse for failing to fulfill their covenant obligations to give the tithe that was used to support the Levites (the ministry at the temple and beyond) as well as the vulnerable in society (immigrants, widows, and orphans). The Mosaic Covenant stipulated what the people of God were obligated to give, and they were in violation of that requirement.
As an incentive, God promises to Israel through Malachi that he will richly bless them if they act in obedience to the covenant, turning their land into a blessed place. It is unclear if the people of Israel ever took God up on that offer, it seems as if there were always some who held back from obedience. The promise given here is one of the blessings of the Mosaic (Old) Covenant, and contrary to the teachings of those following the Prosperity Gospel (among others) it is not transferable to the Church, and certainly not to America. The Church is not Israel, and neither is the U.S.A. God's promises to Abraham's descendants are eternal, cannot be revoked, and cannot be transferred to others. And yet, those who falsely teach that the Church (or America) have been promised material blessings for obedience make that assumption, reading Old Testament covenant promises to Israel, in particular regarding the promised land and the people as a nation, as if those promises have also been made to us. What did Jesus promise his followers? Trouble, persecution, hardship, and spiritual blessings in abundance. The Gospel's purpose is not for you to be healthy, wealthy, and happy, but to create disciples who will serve the kingdom of God as they grow ever more Christ-like through self-sacrifice.
To watch the video, click on the link below:
As an incentive, God promises to Israel through Malachi that he will richly bless them if they act in obedience to the covenant, turning their land into a blessed place. It is unclear if the people of Israel ever took God up on that offer, it seems as if there were always some who held back from obedience. The promise given here is one of the blessings of the Mosaic (Old) Covenant, and contrary to the teachings of those following the Prosperity Gospel (among others) it is not transferable to the Church, and certainly not to America. The Church is not Israel, and neither is the U.S.A. God's promises to Abraham's descendants are eternal, cannot be revoked, and cannot be transferred to others. And yet, those who falsely teach that the Church (or America) have been promised material blessings for obedience make that assumption, reading Old Testament covenant promises to Israel, in particular regarding the promised land and the people as a nation, as if those promises have also been made to us. What did Jesus promise his followers? Trouble, persecution, hardship, and spiritual blessings in abundance. The Gospel's purpose is not for you to be healthy, wealthy, and happy, but to create disciples who will serve the kingdom of God as they grow ever more Christ-like through self-sacrifice.
To watch the video, click on the link below:
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