Tag: devotions

Foreshadowing

OLD TESTAMENT: JOSHUA 21 & 22

POETRY: PSALM 51

*NEW TESTAMENT: 1 CORINTHIANS 10

In the Seek Grow Love reading plan, we are given the opportunity to connect with the Old and New Testament each day, and one pro of reading the Bible this way is the opportunity to see connections and  evidence of a sovereign God directing things, weaving things together from beginning to end. It is especially nice for me when the New Testament authors clearly state the connections like we run across today in 1 Corinthians 10. Immediately following a paragraph of Old Testament events from over 1000 years before, we then see several verses connecting the past to the present. Verse 11 makes it very clear that the events of the Old Testament were expected to be studied and known by Christians under the new covenant and had a benefit for their learning:

“These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the culmination of the ages has come. So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. . .” (1 Corinthians 10:11-13)

In this case, it appears the “things that happened” referenced in this verse include the Israelites crossing the Red Sea, being under a cloud, God being displeased with them in the wilderness, eating manna, getting water from a rock, etc.  If we have read the Old Testament stories, these things are familiar to us, but we see in 1 Corinthians that some of the connections referenced are symbolic and a foreshadowing of what is to come when the Messiah comes on the scene, not necessarily the exact same events repeated. For example, the Israelites were not literally baptized in the Red Sea and a cloud. We are told they crossed on dry ground, they were set apart and led by God, and we can certainly identify how that connects to what Jesus brings us in salvation and protection for believers.  The same idea is evident in verse 4 where we are told they drank from a rock and that rock was Christ. They did not literally drink from Jesus, nor was a rock following them around in the wilderness. While Jesus existed in the plan and complete foreknowledge of God at that time, the Messiah was not even born yet, and I feel the need to emphasize this after seeing some very confusing commentaries out there on this passage. It appears that Paul is using a familiar story from the Old Testament as a teaching metaphor comparing what was achieved through the Messiah to the provision and salvation God gave the Israelites. For a lovely chat on this subject, I highly recommend 21st Century Reformation’s video commentary below:

1st Corinthians – 21st Century Reformation (21stcr.org)

I find this to be a good reminder that God has had a plan for all time and His ways are better than ours. I also find comfort that just like the Israelites did reach the promised land, we also have promises yet to be fulfilled for a place even better than Canaan when Jesus comes back as king.

-Jennifer Hall

Questions:

  1. How does it make you feel to know that God has had a plan of salvation for you since the very beginning?
  2. What other examples of foreshadowing can you think of from the Bible?
  3. Since Paul tells us the Israelites were examples for those generations which came later, and warns us not to be cocky in thinking we are standing firm, what can we do to help us not fall?

sglcalendar2024Download

Refuge

Old Testament: Joshua 19 & 20

Poetry: Psalm 51

New Testament: 1 Corinthians 9

In today’s reading in Joshua we see the establishment of cities of refuge for those needing a safe place to dwell, whether Israelite or soujorner. The Israelites had been instructed to sanctify these cities, consecrating them and declaring them cities of refuge for the innocent. I am always impressed in the attention to detail and proactive instructions for so many scenarios when I read through the Old Testament law.  For example, in this chapter we have very concrete directions for what to do for those who “accidentally kill someone.” It is clear God had a detailed plan, and the instructions He gives us are not flippant or derived from the latest child-rearing or leadership self-help book. They are put in place by a holy, sovereign Father who knows all and wants the best for His children.

The Matthew Henry Commentary points out the Hebrew meaning of the names of these cities of refuge we read about in Joshua 20 and some potential correlation to the place of refuge we as Christians find in Jesus.

Kedesh:           holy

Shechem:        shoulder (e.g. the government is upon his shoulder)

Hebron:           fellowship

Bezer:              fortification

Ramoth:          high or exalted

Golan:             joy or exultation

In the same way God planned for safe dwelling places in the time of Joshua, He planned the same for us in the gift of His son who came to preach the gospel of the coming kingdom and died and was resurrected as a sacrifice for us. Not just for those who “accidentally” did something wrong, but for us who have done wrong knowingly. Time and time again. For those like David who plotted a murder, committed adultery, and whose words we read again today in Psalm 51. David seemed to live much of his life seeking safe dwelling places, but he ultimately claimed his safety in God as his refuge. In fact, if you scan the Bible for uses of God as a refuge, you’ll definitely find yourself in Psalms! Like David, we won’t find safe dwelling places regarding what matters to God in the caves, suburbs, America, or by stockpiling weapons and descending into underground bunkers. We find our safe dwelling place in God through Christ.  Hebrews 7:23-25 states this very nicely:

            “Now there have been many of those priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office; but because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.”

With current events exploding with more and more people living in such turmoil from the Middle East to every corner of the globe it seems, safe dwelling places are not things to take for granted. If we are a follower of Christ, we have been reconciled to God finding immediate safety today as well as the most beautiful hope in the coming kingdom and eternal life with Jesus. Only then will true refuge be found.

            “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.” – Psalm 46:1-3

-Jennifer Hall

Questions:

  1. Are there things in the world you seek or believe to be sources of refuge outside of God and His sources of refuge?
  2. What encouragement can you find in today’s reading or God’s word regarding His promises to be our source of refuge?
  3. What do you look forward to in God’s coming kingdom where we will have perfect safety and an eternal dwelling place?
sglcalendar2024Download

Creating Memory-Sparkers

OT: Joshua 4

Poetry: Psalm 46

NT: I Corinthians 1

As a history buff, I love touring historical monuments. Even pre-digital-selfie days, I would try to capture a film-based image of myself at national memorials and important sites to remember the adventure. When we’ve studied certain landmarks and events in our homeschool, I’ve proudly shared my visual memories with my (thoroughly unimpressed) children. I’m hoping they will be more impressed when we take them on a historical tour of the East Coast next month, but I’m already preparing myself to accept their inevitable apathy (while I have enough fun for the whole lot of us!). 

In Joshua chapter 4, we find the throng of Israelites having just completed the journey across the Jordan River (no simple task, especially at flood stage). What do you think was of first priority? Moving on to their destination? Getting a snack? Setting up camp for the night?

No, God had bigger plans – plans that might seem trivial to us, but that were much more important in the eternal perspective. He told Joshua to select twelve men (one from each tribe) to select a large stone from the river and bring it to their campsite for the night. They would then stack the stones near the river to build a monument representing the twelve tribes of Israel. “In the future, your children will ask, ‘What do these stones mean?’ Then you can tell them, ‘This is where the Israelites crossed the Jordan on dry ground. For the Lord your God dried up the river right before your eyes, and he kept it dry until you were all across, just as he did at the Red Sea… so that all the nations of the earth might know the power of the LORD and that you might fear the LORD your God forever.’” (Joshua 4:21-24, NLT)

God knew that the Israelites had a tendency to worship other gods and forget His faithfulness. With more challenging battles ahead, God wanted them to have a visual reminder of how He had provided for them in miraculous ways. Not only that, but He wanted the other nations to know the power of God! This monument served as a memory-sparker to help the Israelites pass down the legacy of their God to their children. 

As a parent, I know firsthand how easy it is to get caught up in the day and forget to share about God’s faithfulness. But God, who created children, surely knows that two of the favorite activities of children are 1) playing with rocks and 2) asking a bazillion questions, so a large and unavoidable monument made of rocks was the perfect reminder for parents to share with their children about God’s provision! But God didn’t want them to remember him only when they passed the monument; he wanted his people to remember him all of the time! 

Deuteronomy 6:4-9:  Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.

That section of scripture contains the Great Shema, a major tenet of our faith. Don’t overlook the part about remembering God’s faithfulness! We are called to talk about God constantly throughout our day, remembering Him together from the time we get up until we go to bed and all the time in between. This can even be as simple as praying when we hear an ambulance or thanking God for lovely nature. 

We might feel inadequate for such an important task as helping those around us to remember God throughout the day, but remember the words of Paul from our reading in I Corinthians 1:27-29: “God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things and the things that are not – to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him.” Even Moses, the man chosen to lead God’s people out of slavery, insisted that he could not do it because of a stutter, among other excuses. (We all like to give excuses, don’t we?) But God used Moses in mighty ways, and He has plans for us too – if we will choose to remember his ways and live for him. 

-Rachel Cain

Reflection:
-What are your excuses for not doing some of the things God has asked you to do? Debunk those excuses and pray to God to soften your heart. 

-How can you help pass along the message of God’s faithfulness? What memory-sparkers would God like to see you create? How can you remember and speak of God and His faithfulness more throughout the day?

sglcalendar2024Download

Thankful for Their Legacy

OT: Joshua 3

Poetry: Psalm 45

NT: Romans 16

Last Friday marked one year since my father lost his battle with a terrible neurodegenerative illness. My sisters and I had helplessly watched him decline for over a decade, advocating intensely during that time to help him get the complex care he desperately needed while grieving the slow waning of our once-healthy father. Then, three days after Easter, our dad succumbed to his illness and was finally able to rest from this broken world. 

We sisters all shared a lot of our fond memories of our dad at his memorial service: his love for the color yellow, his affinity for hiking in nature, his proclivity to play practical jokes on unsuspecting coworkers and family members, his devotion to his daughters. As I remembered his life, I also considered what I would want written in my epitaph. What do I want people to say about me at my memorial service? What kind of legacy do I hope to leave? While considering my own funeral might sound a bit morbid, it is important to remember that we are mortal, our actions in this lifetime can have consequences (for the good or the bad), and we need to be focused on our mission for Christ. 

Perhaps, like me, you tend to skip over chapters like Romans 16, in which Paul is just thanking and saying hello to some random people with difficult-to-pronounce names, much like we might skip over the Acknowledgements section of a book. However, I encourage you to read it again, focusing on how all of these people were important to Paul and his work in some way. They all left a legacy, built a foundation for the early church. Paul didn’t complete his great missionary journeys alone; there were countless people supporting him in various ways the whole time. Some of the people were mentioned elsewhere in scripture; some of the others we have never heard of before, but they were all instrumental in the ministry work that Paul was doing, so he wanted to thank them publicly. (This is a good reminder to me that we need each other for help and encouragement, and we should offer gratitude to those people who have made a difference in our lives, especially those who encourage us in the ministry.) This chapter is a testament to the devotion of the early believers who helped spread the message of Jesus so we can all be believers today! And even though these are just names to us now, they were real people doing real work for the Kingdom, and their names are still being read thousands of years later. What a great legacy!

As followers of Jesus, we also have a hope beyond the grave. This life is not all that there is! We have a hope for resurrection and eternal life in the Kingdom with God and Jesus, and we are called to share that hope with others during our lives. Take another peek at the poetry reading for today. The explanation under the heading of Psalm 45 states that it was a wedding song, but many scholars also believe that it actually has some parallels to our Messiah and the hope of the coming Kingdom, the wedding feast of the Lamb (Jesus) with his Bride (the Church). What comparisons do you notice between the poem and the coming Kingdom? 

So, let’s keep living with an eternal perspective, focusing on the work God has called us to do, leaving a legacy for Him by contributing to the work of His Church. 

-Rachel Cain

Reflection questions:

-Who has been an encouragement and support to you as you seek out and pursue the work God has for you? How can you thank them?

-What do you hope is written in your epitaph? (What kind of legacy do you want to leave?)  What can you do this week to further develop or strengthen your legacy?

sglcalendar2024Download

A Living Sacrifice

Old Testament Reading:  Deuteronomy 32

Poetry Reading:  Psalm 42

*New Testament Reading:  Romans 12

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind…”   -Romans 12:2a (ESV)

Pleeeeease!  Can you hear a child begging their parents for something.  Maybe for a treat, or a toy, or to stay up later? 

Romans 12 begins with Paul begging us to follow his advice.  Different versions use appeal, request, plead, urge, or beseech.  These words all tell us one thing:  that it is our choice.

So, who is Paul begging and what is he asking of them?   He is speaking to his brothers in Christ, and that includes all Christians then and now.  He is asking us to live a life worthy of claiming the name of Jesus Christ.  He asks us to “present our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God”.  Then he tells us this is our “spiritual worship”, or our “spiritual service of worship”, or our “true and proper worship”, or our “reasonable service”.  In other words, it is reasonable for us to live as God desires us to because He has done so much for us (“by the mercies of God…”).  True worship involves all of us – our heart, soul, strength, and mind (Luke 10:27). 

One of my frequently used phrases is, “What does that look like?”.    Well, fortunately, Paul tells us in the very next verse, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind”.  Conform means to be in agreement with, or to adopt the form of those around you.  Transform means to change in character or to change the appearance of.   Both are verbs – action words.  Both of them require us to change.  This is what Paul is pleading with us about – we will either be conformed by the world or we will be transformed to be holy and acceptable to God.  Our world was created perfect but sin corrupted it.  Until Jesus returns to restore it to perfection, we must live in it.  We are warned several times in Scripture not to love the world, become like the world, think like the world. 

It sounds like an easy choice, and it is.  The hard part is choosing it every minute of every day.  Choosing to live it with our whole body – heart, soul, strength, and mind.  Every time we make a choice about our attitudes, actions, words, thoughts, etc.  This requires humility and being humble requires us to let go of our pride, arrogance, and egos.  Not so easy. 

Paul then goes on to warn us not to think of ourselves more highly than we ought.  Sounds like more humility. 

This chapter is full of godly advice; here are just some pieces of that advice.  Believe God has given you a gift, figure out what yours is, use it.  A healthy body (church) needs every member to be using their gifts.  Genuinely love one another.  Be constant in prayer.  Hate evil.  Contribute to the needs of the body.  Show hospitality.  Live in harmony with one another.  Do not be haughty.  If possible, live peaceably with all.  Never avenge yourself. 

Chapter 12 concludes with this, “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”.  This brings us full circle.  The world is evil; if we are conformed to the world, we will be overcome by evil.  If we choose to be transformed, we will be able to overcome evil with good. 

Amy Blanchard


Reflection Questions

  1. What of the world draws you toward conforming?  Maybe it’s always wanting your way, viewing yourself as right all the time, or not determining what is evil so you can detest it.  Maybe it’s good things like family, showing hospitality, or volunteering.  Be aware of what messages are out there trying to turn your attention away from God.  Family, showing hospitality, and volunteering are good; but the place you give them shouldn’t be ahead of God.
  2. Transformation begins in your mind.  Paul says that it happens by the renewal of our minds.  What changes do you need to make to renew your mind?  It is our will to make the choice to be transformed, but God does the transforming.  We need to humble ourselves and let Him.  We are told that then we will be able to know God’s will.                
sglcalendar2024Download

By No Means!

Old Testament: Deuteronomy 21 & 22

Poetry: Job 38

New Testament: Romans 6

Today, we get to say hi to the same hypothetical objector that Paul seems to address in the first handful of chapters in the book of Romans.  Paul opens up chapter six with the question, “Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound?” (Romans 6:1 ESV).  He asks the same question in verse 15 as well.  In chapter 5, Paul talked about the great work that God and Jesus were able to accomplish through the cross.  The cross is only needed because of sin in the first place.  If there was no sin, then there would be no need for Jesus to die on the cross.  Therefore, in a sense, our sin led to the incredible, world-altering power that was experienced on the cross of Jesus.  Should we continue in that sin then to show the incredible power and grace of God?  Paul’s answer is quite clear both times this question is raised: “By no means!” (Romans 6:2,15). 

Paul goes on to talk about the baptized believer being united with Christ Jesus in his death and resurrection.  While being united with Jesus in his death, “our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin.  For one who has died has been set free from sin… Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body,” (Romans 6:6,7,12).

We live in a broken world that is cursed and broken by sin.  It seems everywhere we turn we can see sin.  Since we live in a world that is broken by sin, sin is to be expected in the life of a Christian, right?  Well, that’s what many may expect, but that is not what Paul seems to indicate in chapter six.  Paul states on multiple occasions in chapter six that we are both set free from sin and that we are dead to sin.  This does not sound like someone who just expects a Christian to keep on with their sinful ways.  Paul expects the Christ follower to no longer be enslaved to the great enemy of sin.  Christ Jesus has set us free from that strong entanglement!

For too long, too many Christians have had a lax stance towards sin.  When we expect a Christian to continue in sin, I believe that we are belittling the work that was accomplished on that cross.  Before chapter 6, Paul has showed us that Christ’s death enabled us to experience forgiveness, justification, and reconciliation with God.  From my personal experience, these seem to be the central focus of the church when discussing the salvation that is offered to us through the cross.  However, it does not stop there.  Christ didn’t die just so that we could be forgiven of our sins; it’s bigger than that.  Christ didn’t die just so that we could be justified; it’s bigger than that.  Christ didn’t die just so that we could be reconciled to God; it’s bigger than that. 

I appreciate the work of Alva Huffer in his book Systematic Theology.  In his book, he details the “Seven Doctrines of Salvation”.  Huffer advocates for the fact that through Christ’s death, we have been saved seven-fold from the consequences of our sin.  On top of forgiveness, justification, and reconciliation, we also experience sanctification, adoption, redemption, and newness of life.  It is the newness of life that Paul describes here in chapter six.  Because Christ died, we can experience new life as Christians – a life that is free from sin and dead to sin.  As followers of Christ, let’s cherish this new life that we have access to.  Let’s show the world what it looks like to live a new life that is free and dead to sin!  That’s exactly what this world needs.

-Kyle McClain

Reflection Questions

  1. What does God’s grace mean to you?
  2. What is your stance on sin? And on sinners?
  3. Have you accepted the salvation God has made available through the death of His Son? If so, thank God for each of the seven doctrines of salvation! If not, what questions do you have?
sglcalendar2024Download

Everything Changed

Old Testament: Deuteronomy 19 & 20

Poetry: Job 37

New Testament: Romans 5

I remember it like it was yesterday – okay maybe more like a couple days ago.  While attending the Atlanta Bible College, I had the privilege of studying God’s word and living with “the guys”.  We got along great, and to this day they are some of my closest friends.  While we got along great, we would often be confronted with our strong, opposing opinions on various topics – most of which would have little to no bearing on our quality of life.  One such topic was what we would do if we were in a situation where our child and wife’s lives were in danger and we could only save one of them.  Mind you, this was coming from a handful of guys who at the time had no wife or any children.  Regardless, we had pretty strong thoughts and feelings on what we would do in such a situation.  We spoke as men with a lot of conviction in what we were saying.

I’m guessing you have had similar discussions or thoughts.  What would you do if a loved one of yours was on the cusp of death?  Would you give up your own life for the life of someone else?  Maybe you too speak on similar topics with such conviction.  We may talk a big game, but when it comes down to it, it would be so hard to pinpoint how exactly we would respond in a life-or-death scenario. 

Not many people would die for a good person.  On top of that, fewer people would die for their enemies – that is almost unheard of.  I can only think of one example of someone willingly dying for their enemies.  Paul sheds light on this one example in Romans 5:6-11.  That one example is Christ dying for the ungodly, the sinners, and the enemies of God.  Paul is talking about you and I!  Christ died for us while we were enemies.  In addition to Christ dying for the ungodly, the sinners, and the enemies of God, contemplate the fact that God sent his son to die for the ungodly, the sinners, and his enemies. 

If it came down to it, I’m not sure the number of people I would be willing to die for.  That’s a hard scenario to consider.  What I can guarantee you is the number of people I would send my child to die for is incredibly smaller.  We could go on and on about the love that God has for us by sending his own son to die for the ungodly, the sinners, and the enemies of God – you and I!

Now, we have to be careful pointing out that while Paul is essentially talking about you and I when discussing who Christ died for, Paul identifies us by our former identities.  We WERE ungodly.  We WERE sinners.  We WERE enemies of God.  Paul seems to imply that all of this changes through Christ Jesus.  No longer are we identified as ungodly sinners who are enemies of God.  Instead, we are identified by our right standing with God through the works of Christ Jesus.  We WERE sinners, but Paul states, “we HAVE BEEN justified,” (Romans 5:1).

Paul continues along these same lines near the end of chapter five, as he compares and contrasts the likes of Adam and Jesus.  When talking about these two, Paul states, “For as by the one man’s (Adam) disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man’s (Jesus) obedience the many will be made righteous,” (Romans 5:19).  You and I are now justified and redeemed all because there is a God who sent his son to die for us while we were ungodly, sinners, and his enemies.  Through this one act of love, everything changed for us.

-Kyle McClain

Reflection Questions

  1. What does Paul teach us about God and Jesus and the relationship between these two?
  2. How have you been an enemy of God? Are you still an enemy of God? Have you accepted the gift of God’s salvation that was made possible by the death of His son?
  3. How would you try to describe God’s love to someone who has never read Romans 5? Who does God want you to tell about His love?
sglcalendar2024Download

Their Sin, Your Sin

Old Testament: Deuteronomy 13 & 14

Poetry: Job 34

New Testament: Romans 2

Have you noticed how much easier it is to condemn others for their actions than to condemn ourselves, and our own actions? Too often, we become critics of everyone around us – judging the way they live their lives, the words they say, the things they do – critics of everyone except ourselves. For this particular sin, a trap we all probably fall into from time to time, Romans 2 really hits hard. Paul over-emphasizes repeatedly that wrong is always wrong, and sin is always sin, no matter who does it, no matter your intentions or your justification. Yes, our God is a loving God, forgiving and merciful forever and always. But our God is also a just God, and He will judge each and every person accordingly. As Romans 2:3-4 expresses, just because we serve a God who is kind, patient and forgiving does NOT mean that you can get away with any evil deed, continuing to live in unrighteousness relying only on the idea that all will be forgiven. 

“Do you suppose, O man – you who judge those who practice such things and yet do them yourself – that you will escape the judgement of God? Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?” Romans 2:3-4

God’s abounding love and kindness is not a means to live however we desire, it’s a call to repentance, because He so wants us to live with Him in eternity, and if we truly want it as well, we would not continue living in sin, but repent and grow and strive to reach the very highest of our potential. We would strive to be just the tiniest bit worthy of His love and mercy. Because in all God’s perfection and all our imperfection, we are utterly incompatible. And yet He still loves us and desires a relationship with us, a relationship that lasts for all eternity. 

As we continue throughout this week, whenever we catch ourselves judging the actions of others, let us remember to instead look within ourselves. I pray that we may see through God’s eyes how we can improve and grow closer to who God made us to be, and ask forgiveness for our own sins, rather than judging the people around us for theirs. Let us obey the truth today for the sake of eternity, and not obey unrighteousness for the sake of today. “For those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury… but glory and honor and peace for everyone who does good” (Romans 2:9-10).

-Isabella Osborn

(originally posted May 18, 2022 for SeekGrowLove)

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

  1. If God has instilled in us a conscience, allowing us to discern right from wrong, (which according to Romans 2:15, He has) then why do we persistently live in sin?
  2. How should we move forward after acting in an unrighteous, ungodly manner, in order to continue seeking everlasting life with God- living for Him and not for ourselves? 
sglcalendar2024Download

Go and Tell

Old Testament: Deuteronomy 11 & 12

Poetry: Job 33

New Testament: Romans 1

He is risen indeed!  I write this devotion to you on the heels of celebrating Resurrection Sunday with our church family.  What a joyous celebration, as we celebrate the victory that Jesus had over death and what that means for us today.  The first people who heard that Jesus has risen from the grave were the ladies present when the angel rolled the stone away.  The angel told them that Jesus “is not here, for he has risen” (ESV Matthew 28:6).  The angel then gave the ladies simple instructions: “go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead” (Matthew 28:7). Go and tell.  That’s what the ladies were to do; they were to go and tell others that Jesus is alive.  If there has ever been a bona fide star of someone who simply goes and tells others about Jesus, it would have to be the apostle Paul.

From the moment that Paul placed his faith in Christ Jesus, his whole life seemed to revolve around spreading the gospel message of the king and the kingdom.  He took a few missionary journeys and wrote many letters seeking to advance the gospel message of the king and the kingdom.  What we have here in Romans is another example of Paul’s innate desire to go and tell others about Jesus and what was important to him.

Romans 1:1 identifies Paul as the author of this letter: “Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God.”  I would say that is a pretty good summary of who Paul is.  Paul served Jesus from the moment that Jesus appeared to him on the road to Damascus, and Paul was sent off to advance the gospel message of God.  Romans 1:7 identifies the target audience of this letter: “To all those in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints.”  Paul was writing to all of the saints in the city of Rome.  A saint is simply someone who, like Paul, is set apart from the world around them.  Paul is writing to those in Rome who have set themselves apart from the world by putting their faith in Christ Jesus.

It is believed that Paul wrote this letter around 56-58 AD – less than 30 years after the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus.  The Roman Empire is nearing its peak in power.  In 49 AD, the Roman emperor Claudius banished all Jews from the city of Rome.  This decree lasted until Claudius’ death 5 years later.  Thus, at the time of the writing, the Jews were just able to reenter the city of Rome.  Around 56-58 AD, Nero would have just become the emperor.  He would eventually wreak havoc on the Christians in the city of Rome, but this would not have come until after Paul’s letter to the saints in Rome.  The saints in Rome would have consisted of both Jewish Christians and Gentile Christians.  I am sure they experienced similar tension that other groups of Christians experienced as well.

Paul would eventually find his way to the city of Rome in chains, but at the time of his writing, he had not yet been to Rome.  Verses 8-15 detail Paul’s desire to go to Rome.  We learn that Paul was “eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome,” (Romans 1:15).  Paul wanted to go preach the gospel to them in person, but in the meantime, he would write a unifying letter to them about the gospel message.  That is largely what the letter of Romans is – Paul’s presentation of the gospel message.  I like to break down Paul’s presentation of the gospel message in Romans into three parts: 1. Our sin and need of salvation. 2. God’s plan of salvation for us. 3. How to live a Christian life.

After Paul’s introduction in the first 17 verses or so, Paul transitions into the topic of our sin and our need of salvation.  It is not a fun section to read though, but it is needed to get to the fun sections.  Why talk about salvation if we have no need of being saved?  There would be no point!  However, as we will see in the next couple of chapters, Paul does a pretty stand-up job of expressing mankind’s desperate need of salvation.

I look forward to progressing through this letter with you.  In the meantime, I encourage you to consider Paul’s task and desire of going and telling others about the risen savior. Just as the ladies present at the tomb of Jesus and the apostle Paul himself, I implore you to go and tell!

-Kyle McClain

Reflection Questions

  1. Where and to whom might God be directing you to Go and Tell? Paul used both letters and visits to tell the gospel message of the king and kingdom. How could you share the message with those you know – and those you have yet to meet?
  2. What is the importance of each part of Paul’s message: 1. Our sin and need of salvation. 2. God’s plan of salvation for us. 3. How to live a Christian life? What happens when any one of those are not shared and taught?
  3. Pray for the God’s wisdom, words and direction as you follow Paul’s example. Then Go and Tell!
sglcalendar2024Download

Are You Asking Good Questions?

Old Testament: Deuteronomy 3

Poetry: Job 27

New Testament: Mark 12

As we look into Mark 12 and prepare our hearts for resurrection Sunday the question that I wanna ask is Are you ready for the Kingdom? Have you put your heart in the right standing with God? Have you asked good questions? One of the questions that comes up that is a good question is from the book of Mark.

In Mark 12:28–34, Jesus has an interaction with a scribe who asked him what the most important commandment in the Old Testament was. Jesus responded by telling him that the most important commandments were to love God and love your neighbor (see Deuteronomy 6:4–5 and Leviticus 19:18). The scribe understood Jesus’ teaching and recognized that loving God and loving others were far more important than burnt offerings and sacrifices. When he heard his response, Jesus said, “You are not far from the kingdom of God” (Mark 12:34).

One reason Jesus told the scribe, “You are not far from the kingdom of God” is that the scribe faithfully interpreted Jesus’ words regarding the most important commandment in the law. After hearing Jesus’ answer to his question, the scribe didn’t correct Jesus or even challenge Him more. He simply acknowledged that what Jesus said was right and good. When Jesus heard this response from the scribe, he knew that the man was “not far from the kingdom of God” because his heart reflected God’s.

Isn’t that what we all want. To be able to reflect God perfectly? To know God’s heart and follow in it. This was a great question the scribe asked, and it moved him towards greater understanding. Are you asking good questions?

Another key reason why Jesus said to the scribe, “You are not far from the kingdom of God” is found in the last part of the scribe’s response to Jesus. The scribe said that loving God and loving your neighbor are “more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices” (Mark 12:33). The scribe here understood that God is more concerned with whether people are loving Him and others than with how well they follow the law’s other requirements. After all, it is possible to go to church and not love God, it is possible for someone to bring a burnt offering and have hatred in his heart toward his brother. It is possible to do the right thing and still be wrong. Such a heart condition is not pleasing to God, no matter how many sacrifices one offers.

By acknowledging the importance of loving God and loving your neighbor, the scribe proved that he was “not far from the kingdom of God.” The only thing he needed to officially enter the kingdom of God was to follow Jesus. Then he would come to truly understand what it means to love God and love your neighbor, for the secret of the kingdom of God is embodied in Jesus Himself. Given the scribe’s response to Jesus, it is entirely possible that the scribe ultimately believed in Jesus after the Lord’s death and resurrection.

Today, many people talk about the importance of loving others. Some will say things like “Love is love” or “Love is all you need” to convey this message. Such beliefs and sayings show that many people understand the importance of loving others. However, until one chooses to follow Jesus—the One who performed the greatest act of love (John 15:13)—he or she will not be able to understand what it means to truly love. More importantly, our love for other people is rooted in our love for God. Jesus taught this by putting these two commands together in Mark 12:30–31.

There may be many people in this world who are “not far from the kingdom of God.” But until believers preach the gospel to them and help such people place their faith in Jesus, these individuals cannot be a part of the kingdom of God. It would be wise for you to ask this question to yourself. Have I put myself in a position to be not far from the Kingdom of God?

-Andy Cisneros

Reflection Questions

  1. What grade would you give yourself for Loving the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength?
  2. What grade would you give yourself for Loving your neighbor as yourself?
  3. Where do you get stuck following the laws/traditions/giving the burnt offerings, but without a heart of love?
  4. What changes can you make to love God and others more and more?
  5. Ask yourself: Have I put myself in a position to be not far from the Kingdom of God? What do I need to get even closer to the Kingdom of God?
sglcalendar2024Download