An astronomer and a child stand together, both looking at the same sparkling dot, blinking in the night sky. Before long, the child loses interest and walks away. The astronomer however, stares spellbound. The gospel is in the hands of "children" while heavenly rulers stand spellbound.
Are you weary, overwhelmed, disillusioned? Have you not seen the glory of God in the face of Christ?
To Paul, not only is the gospel worth the slammer, bit it is worth singing over, even while he is a jailbird! He has a deeply personal stewardship of the mystery of the gospel. He cannot be silenced; in spite of brisk resistance.
More than that, not only is the gospel worth suffering for, Paul considers this opportunity a kindness. it is the evidence of God's grace! Today we might consider it God's grace to be called to preach to the generous rich, who lavish kindness on the preacher. Yet Paul, in prison, considers this ministry a kindness.
But there is more! Even though Paul has received this honour, even being the author of part of the Bible, he understands that he is not a great person. Just because he has been granted an honoured role to play, doesn't mean he has become an honoured person. He is not exalting himself, but Christ and the honour God has given him to proclaim and siffer for the truth. It is the message that is great, not the messenger.
Consider Abraham Lincoln's killer, who was apprehended in his hideout, twelve days after the murder. Suppose he was given the honour of delivering Lincoln's final speech. That doesn't happen in the world. But this happens in the gospel! Christ's killers are granted the privilege of proclaiming Christ's honoured message! Grace!
Featuring a sermon puts it on the front page of the site and is the most effective way to bring this sermon to the attention of thousands including all mobile platforms + newsletter.
Text-Featuring a sermon is a less expensive way to bring this sermon to the attention of thousands on the right bar with optional newsletter inclusion. As low as $30/day.
