30th November 2023

30th November 2023


Pray (ACts)


Read (Romans 15v17-21)


Message (Scott Woodburn)


There are some Biblical ideas which have made their way into everyday life. What like? How about "pride comes before a fall"? Your granny might have told you that but she got it from the Word which says "Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall." (Proverbs 16v18) Pride in your achievements or abilities often paves the way to a calamitous fall.


It therefore seems strange that Paul said he was proud of the work that he had done for the Lord (v17). Was Paul unaware of Proverbs 16v18? Did he not know that "The boastful shall not stand before your eyes; you hate all evildoers." (Psalm 5v5)? Paul was not ignorant of the Scriptures and his pride was not a sinful self-aggrandising pride, instead Paul boasted "in Christ Jesus" (v17a).


If we utter any boastful words then we would do well to boast only in the Lord. God says "Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the LORD.” (Jeremiah 9v23-24)


Paul's boasts focused on what Christ had done through the Apostle's ministry which brought many Gentiles into faithful obedience (v18). Paul wasn't proud of himself but he took great delight in the work of God. Paul preached the Gospel and confirmed it by the signs of an Apostle (v18b-19a). The Word preached was underlined by miracles done, all accomplished by the mighty work of the Holy Spirit (v19b).


This awesome work saw Paul go from Jerusalem to the Roman province of Illyricum, which you may know as the region encompassing Croatia, Bosnia and Albania. It was in this great arc that Paul fulfilled the ministry given to him by Jesus (v19). Indeed this ministry was "brand new" as Paul made it his ambition not to preach anywhere where the Gospel had already been proclaimed (v20). Paul saw himself as laying a Gospel foundation rather than building on the work done by others (v20). Such a ministry was in fulfilment of Isaiah's prophecy which said "Those who have never been told of him will see, and those who have never heard will understand." (Isaiah 52v15).


In some circles Paul is an unpopular and controversial individual. He is seen as a bit of an extremist who if he existed today would certainly be a candidate for cancellation. I don't think this way and nor should you. I'm thankful for Paul's ministry and he could be rightly proud of the work that the Lord had done in him and through him. A life lived for Christ is not lived in vain. May I one day reach the finish line with lips that never tire of boasting in Christ. I hope you do too. "Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory" (Psalm 115v1)


Pray (acTS)


Sing


WSC


Q3 What do the Scriptures principally teach? The Scriptures principally teach, what man is to believe concerning God, and what duty God requires of man.