I’M NOT ASHAMED OF THE GOSPEL BECAUSE I’M OBLIGATED BY GOD TO PREACH IT. (1Cor. 9:16; Rm. 1:16). I borrow and speak in the same tone as Paul preaches his sermons in his Epistles, Letters to the Corinthian and Roman Churches. Though, his messages were very strong in tone yet they were also very relevant and beneficial to his audience. His messages were intended to compel them to think and, to seek and know the One True God that had manifested in Christ Jesus. And to us that live in this present scientific, intellectual and religious world, Paul’s messages even continue to compel us to critically think from the revealed Good News to know the Christ Jesus, our Creator and Savior God. “In the same way, the Lord gave orders that those who preach the Good News should be supported by those who benefit from it. Yet I have never used any of these rights. And I am not writing this to suggest that I would like to start now. In fact, I would rather die than lose my distinction of preaching without charge. For preaching the Good News is not something I can boast about. I am compelled by God to do it. How terrible for me if I didn’t do it!” (1Cor. 9:14-16). “For I have a great sense of obligation to people in both the civilized world and the rest of the world, to the educated and uneducated alike. So I am eager to come to you in,… to preach the Good News. For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes—the Jew first and also the Gentile. This Good News tells us how God makes us right in His sight. This is accomplished from start to finish by faith. As the Scriptures say, ‘It is through faith that a righteous person has life.’ But God shows His anger from heaven against all sinful, wicked people who suppress the truth by their wickedness. They know the truth about God because He has made it obvious to them. For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see His invisible qualities—His eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God. Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn’t worship Him as God or even give Him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. As a result, their minds became dark and confused. Claiming to be wise, they instead became utter fools. And instead of worshiping the glorious, Ever-Living God, they worshiped idols made to look like mere people and birds and animals and reptiles. So God abandoned them to do whatever shameful things their hearts desired. As a result, they did vile and degrading things with each other’s bodies. They traded the truth about God for a lie. So they worshiped and served the things God created instead of the Creator Himself, who is worthy of eternal praise! Amen’” (Rm. 1:14-25). Rev. Kwame Ankoma-Amoa
Posted on: Fri, 16 Aug 2013 03:33:48 +0000
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