SEND FORWARD – 6 …who have borne witness of your love before the church. If you send them forward on their journey in a manner worthy of God, you will do well… 3 John 1:6 NKJV
And now, brothers and sisters, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. 2 In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. 3 For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, 4 they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the Lord’s people. 5 And they exceeded our expectations: They gave themselves first of all to the Lord, and then by the will of God also to us. 2 Corinthians 8:1-5 NIV
As we have seen the past several days, there are a variety of things the Lord uses to send the Gospel forward– hospitality, generosity, technology, etc. We have also seen that it is a privilege to be a part of the Lord’s work! The believers that Paul was writing to in 2 Corinthians 9 were filled with “eagerness” to help (2 Cor. 9:2 NIV). The Israelites in Exodus 35 brought so much to contribute to the Lord’s work that Moses had to tell them to stop. Today we read that the people in the Macedonian churches “urgently pleaded” with Paul to share in service to the Lord’s people, even in the midst of “a very severe trial.” We can certainly learn something from these examples!
Our God is hope for the hopeless, truth for the confused, righteousness for the sinner, and a light for those lost in darkness.
There is something extremely special about being a part of the Lord’s work here on earth. Our God is hope for the hopeless, truth for the confused, righteousness for the sinner, and a light for those lost in darkness. When we get to play a role in someone experiencing His salvation, it is awesome! Not only are individual lives changed, but marriages are restored, families are mended, relationships are reconciled, and hope is launched forward for generations to come.
Though on our own our righteousness is like filthy rags, God still allows us to bring our time, our resources, and ourselves as offerings to Him. He works in us and through us, and allows us to experience His presence and His power and to play a role in others experiencing it as well. Wow!
What is holding you back from being a part of God’s work? There is no greater cause to give your time, money, and life for than the cause of Christ! Do you want to play a role in sending His Gospel forward?
APPLICATION
– Thank God that He allows you to be a part of His work. Thank Him for giving you money, resources, time, and talents that you can offer back to Him in worship. Ask the Lord what He would have you to give in order to send His hope forward.
– Praise God for His work through Liberty. Praise Him for how He has used our church to bring many to Him. Pray that He would continue that work and that we would be quick to offer all that we have to Him, so that His purpose may be accomplished.
– Pray again over your commitment card for the Forward initiative. If applicable, talk to your spouse and decide together what commitment you will make on Sunday.
– Pray for the continual spreading of the Gospel. Pray that the people in Hampton Roads would know the hope, truth, righteousness, and light that He offers.