For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel! (1Corinthians 9:16).
2 Corinthians 5:19 says "...God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation." God, through Christ, has made peace with all men and is not holding men’s sins against them. This is the message of the Gospel that God has committed to us.
This understanding formed the Apostle Paul’s total commitment, inner fortitude, zeal and motivation to go all out for the Gospel. He knew without a doubt that he was under a divine mandate to preach the Gospel; nothing could deter him from doing it. He said, "necessity is laid upon me to preach the Gospel"; meaning he couldn’t help it; his life depended on it.
The Prophet Jeremiah’s testimony of preaching the Word is equally quite inspiring. Despite fierce oppositions and persecutions for which he almost despaired of life, he just couldn’t hold back from preaching. Read his stirring words in Jeremiah 20:8-9: "For since I spake, I cried out, I cried violence and spoil; because the word of the Lord was made a reproach unto me, and a derision, daily. Then I said, I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name. But his word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay."
I remember travelling on a journey many years ago with two of my associates. Having been there for about a week, I said, "Gentlemen, what are we doing? Look around and let’s start a Church." They went out, located a venue, preached the Word and invited people in; in a matter of days we started a Church in that region, and the Church is still thriving till date. Be constrained from within to preach the Gospel; have a kindred spirit with the Apostle Paul and come to the realization that necessity is laid upon you to preach the Gospel! It’s your reason for being.
Prayer
Dear Father, I thank you for your glorious Gospel that you’ve committed into my trust. I fulfil my ministry as a dispenser of eternal verities and minister of reconciliation as l preach the Gospel and lead many into righteousness today, in Jesus’ Name.
f u r t h e r s t u d y: Mark 16:15; 1 Timothy 1:11
2 Corinthians 5:19 says "...God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation." God, through Christ, has made peace with all men and is not holding men’s sins against them. This is the message of the Gospel that God has committed to us.This understanding formed the Apostle Paul’s total commitment, inner fortitude, zeal and motivation to go all out for the Gospel. He knew without a doubt that he was under a divine mandate to preach the Gospel; nothing could deter him from doing it. He said, "necessity is laid upon me to preach the Gospel"; meaning he couldn’t help it; his life depended on it.
The Prophet Jeremiah’s testimony of preaching the Word is equally quite inspiring. Despite fierce oppositions and persecutions for which he almost despaired of life, he just couldn’t hold back from preaching. Read his stirring words in Jeremiah 20:8-9: "For since I spake, I cried out, I cried violence and spoil; because the word of the Lord was made a reproach unto me, and a derision, daily. Then I said, I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name. But his word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay."
I remember travelling on a journey many years ago with two of my associates. Having been there for about a week, I said, "Gentlemen, what are we doing? Look around and let’s start a Church." They went out, located a venue, preached the Word and invited people in; in a matter of days we started a Church in that region, and the Church is still thriving till date. Be constrained from within to preach the Gospel; have a kindred spirit with the Apostle Paul and come to the realization that necessity is laid upon you to preach the Gospel! It’s your reason for being.
Prayer
Dear Father, I thank you for your glorious Gospel that you’ve committed into my trust. I fulfil my ministry as a dispenser of eternal verities and minister of reconciliation as l preach the Gospel and lead many into righteousness today, in Jesus’ Name.
f u r t h e r s t u d y: Mark 16:15; 1 Timothy 1:11
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