Dear brothers and sisters;
In Romans 1:16-17 reveal three patterns that Paul developed in his first missionary journey. He typically began with the Jewish community, then moved on to the Gentiles. In his sermons Paul establishes common ground with his audiences. Paul concentrated on urban centers.
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”
God didn't choose the Jews out of favor but to reveal His love, mercy and grace to teach and prepare them to welcome His Messiah to the Gentiles, thus by introducing Jesus and giving all the opportunity to have a relationship and receive His wonderful plan for salvation.
During the past year I have discussed topics of diverse cultures in the ministry, other brothers and sisters, and how they impact the scriptures. This has been new learning for me. We who share the Gospel, are not to be ashamed, I love to talk Jesus. But for years I addressed the scripture through my own eyes without a thought of diversity in our communities, diversity in these United States and all four corners of the earth.
It dawned on me but as an American visiting another country I'm the diversity to them. Does that make sense?
An example, last weekend at Bible studies I was teaching Matthew 5:21-26 where Jesus teaches about anger. We had a discussion that even during our anger if we manage to hold our seething, brooding bitterness toward someone, we praise God because we feel we were able to control ourselves. But Jesus wants us to pray for the application of "thought control" as well. Broken thought control can hinder our relationship with God. If we have a problem or grievance with a friend, we should resolve the problem as soon as possible.
This raised discussion between different members who grew up in their respective cultures. They both agreed to the fundamental truth of the scripture, but their application is different. These are members who live, follow Jesus and work having adapted to the culture in our community.
In these times diversity and cross-cultures have played a bigger part of our lives and we need to prayerully keep this in mind when we are witnessing for Christ and sharing the gospel to others. This has taken me more "out of the box" and learning to see Christ and the Gospel through different eyes who want a relationship with our Lord and Savior. I choose to live by faith that if Christ commands us to go and make disciples and share the Gospel, He will make the diversities come together for His glory.
God bless you and your families.
In Romans 1:16-17 reveal three patterns that Paul developed in his first missionary journey. He typically began with the Jewish community, then moved on to the Gentiles. In his sermons Paul establishes common ground with his audiences. Paul concentrated on urban centers.
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”
God didn't choose the Jews out of favor but to reveal His love, mercy and grace to teach and prepare them to welcome His Messiah to the Gentiles, thus by introducing Jesus and giving all the opportunity to have a relationship and receive His wonderful plan for salvation.
During the past year I have discussed topics of diverse cultures in the ministry, other brothers and sisters, and how they impact the scriptures. This has been new learning for me. We who share the Gospel, are not to be ashamed, I love to talk Jesus. But for years I addressed the scripture through my own eyes without a thought of diversity in our communities, diversity in these United States and all four corners of the earth.
It dawned on me but as an American visiting another country I'm the diversity to them. Does that make sense?
An example, last weekend at Bible studies I was teaching Matthew 5:21-26 where Jesus teaches about anger. We had a discussion that even during our anger if we manage to hold our seething, brooding bitterness toward someone, we praise God because we feel we were able to control ourselves. But Jesus wants us to pray for the application of "thought control" as well. Broken thought control can hinder our relationship with God. If we have a problem or grievance with a friend, we should resolve the problem as soon as possible.
This raised discussion between different members who grew up in their respective cultures. They both agreed to the fundamental truth of the scripture, but their application is different. These are members who live, follow Jesus and work having adapted to the culture in our community.
In these times diversity and cross-cultures have played a bigger part of our lives and we need to prayerully keep this in mind when we are witnessing for Christ and sharing the gospel to others. This has taken me more "out of the box" and learning to see Christ and the Gospel through different eyes who want a relationship with our Lord and Savior. I choose to live by faith that if Christ commands us to go and make disciples and share the Gospel, He will make the diversities come together for His glory.
God bless you and your families.
no need to answer