Written by: John Sernaque
Call to Worship
2 Corinthians 1: 2-4
1:2 Grace [be] to you and peace from God our Father, and [from] the Lord Jesus Christ.
1:3 Blessed [be] God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;
1:4 Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.
The Acts of the Apostles 325
For some time, Paul had been carrying a burden of soul for the churches—a burden so heavy that he could scarcely endure it. False teachers had sought to destroy his influence among the believers and to urge their own doctrines in the place of gospel truth. The perplexities and discouragements with which Paul was surrounded are revealed in the words, “We were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life.” {AA 325.1}
As bad as it was in Paul’s time, it seems even worse today. When we speak about Bible truth or Bible prophecies, it is brushed off as fake news or extremist or doom and gloom religion. We have a burden for souls as did Paul, and yes, at times it feels that we are being pressed out of measure, above strength, despairing even for life. We have loved ones that do not believe in present truth, or in any other truth for that matter. I know how much that hurts, knowing that they are living their lives’ in a lost condition. But we must keep going. So, as we have been comforted by God, we must comfort our brothers and sisters as we carry this burden for souls and faithfully continue forward with the work of salvation. As the song says, Onward Christian Soldiers.
Our Father, God Almighty,
We thank You for giving us another Sabbath Day, whereby we can still come to You as a congregation in Thanksgiving and Prayer. We thank You for comforting us in all our tribulation, that we may also comfort others which are in any trouble. We pray especially for those who are living their lives in a lost condition. May Your Holy Spirit fall upon them that they be converted to Your truth and have life, for You are the way, and the truth, and the life. Please bless us with Your Gospel Truth. May You bless our worship and that it may be well pleasing in Your sight. Forgive us of our sins. If some have not done so already, Today, let us all claim the victory that Jesus won, today, and every day. We thank You and praise You, and it’s in the name of Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.
Comentários