Week 68 - Free Weekend Program for Children

Text : Romans 15: 13-22

Theme : Living As A Witness

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. I myself am convinced, my brothers and sisters, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with knowledge and competent to instruct one another.

Yet I have written you quite boldly on some points to remind you of them again, because of the grace God gave me

to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles. He gave me the priestly duty of proclaiming the gospel of God, so that the Gentiles might become an offering acceptable to God, sanctified by the Holy Spirit. Therefore I glory in Christ Jesus in my service to God. I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me in leading the Gentiles to obey God by what I have said and done— by the power of signs and wonders, through the power of the Spirit of God. So from Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum, I have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ. It has always been my ambition to preach the gospel where Christ was not known, so that I would not be building on someone else’s foundation.

Rather, as it is written: “Those who were not told about him will see, and those who have not heard will understand. ”This is why I have often been hindered from coming to you.”

We have the true blessing of hope, joy, and peace, which are ours as we anchor our trust in Christ, the source of all hope. This experience is real and must be present in our hearts. It does not come through our circumstances but through the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit is neither sterile, arid, nor unfruitful in our lives. When we trust in Christ, He works in and through us, producing the fruit of holiness along with hope, peace, and joy. Our lives will reflect an abundance of hope, which, in turn, becomes a light and encouragement for others. This overflowing hope, especially in times of difficulty can help inspire, encourage and uplift those who may be struggling.

1 Peter 3:1 reminds us of wives who submitted to their husbands and won them over to Christ without speaking a word. Their godly lives spoke louder than any instruction. This is something we must desire and strive to attain through prayer. We must long for self-control, meekness of heart, gentleness, and more. It is not enough to know the gospel—we must live by it and bear fruit. Covet spiritual gifts!

However, 1 Peter 3:1 does not apply solely to those who are literally married but to all Christians, for we are the bride of Christ. We must strive to do His will, living in complete submission to Him through obedience and faith, believing and trusting without seeking to please ourselves, but rather our Husband—Christ. We cannot change the Lord, but by grace, He changes us by the power of His spirit, making us more like Him.

Are you seeking to please Him without complaining, or are you living for yourself? Psalm 32:9 warns us, "Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding but must be controlled by bit and bridle or they will not come to you." Unlike Balaam who was fixated on his carnal pursuits, we must learn to avoid such evil.

Our flesh remains alive with greed, lust, pride, rebellion, craftiness, cunning deceit, and stubbornness (which is likened to witchcraft). Yet, we should rejoice when we see our weaknesses revealed because God will be glorified as we overcome them by His grace (2 Cor. 12:9), bearing fruits of joy, peace and love. So, do not relent; take your struggles to God, and He will receive all the glory; as your life changes, others will see and give glory to your Father in heaven.

The Lord has gifted us with His presence, His goodness, and knowledge. We have knowledge of the gospel, but we need to be reminded of these glorious truths repeatedly. Just as we eat daily to avoid hunger, the gospel is the daily nourishment for our souls. Feed on Christ continually. Do not think you already know it all—continue to relish His presence each day.

Having known Christ and enjoying daily sweet communion with Him, our next priority is to help others with the gospel truth that has changed our lives. This is God’s mandate to all believers (Matthew 28:19-20). We must help those who have not heard of Christ. Paul dedicated his life to bringing the gospel to those who never heard it, rather than merely shifting believers from one good church to another.

We are each entrusted with our own sphere of influence to share the gospel—whether in our homes, workplaces, or communities. Proclaiming the gospel is our priestly duty, fulfilled through various roles, whether as pastors, evangelists, teachers, stay-at-home mothers, or wives. Revelation 1:6 reminds us of this divine assignment: "and formed us into a kingdom, priests to His God and Father—to Him be glory and power forever and ever. Amen."

Paul likened his evangelistic mission to a priestly role, offering the Gentiles—unbelievers—as an acceptable offering to God. In the same way, our lives are to be a living sacrifice - example to others. We are called to present others to God through prayer and to present God to them through the gospel, leading them to faith in Christ and to the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit.

In our service to God, we must not take credit for the lives God touches through us. God alone saves, and we praise Him for the work He accomplishes through our feeble hands and words. Any fruit we bear, any success in ministering to others, comes not by our own strength, but by the power of Christ. It is the Spirit that gives life, for our flesh profits nothing. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, salvation comes to men, and He alone gives strength to proclaim the gospel and raises the dead in sin to new life in Christ.

We are entirely dependent on the Holy Spirit for effectiveness in ministry, whether through words or actions. Let us stay continually mindful of this.

Paul had a specific ambition—to preach the gospel where it had not been heard. "It has always been my ambition to preach the gospel where Christ was not known." Romans 15:20-22. His heart burned to bring the message of Jesus to those who have never heard it.

Are the people around you who have never heard the gospel, never understood it? Many around us may have heard but most have twisted the truth and it is our job to help them straighten out.

This could also mean a physical location, but it may also mean parts of people’s hearts or situations where Christ is not yet recognized. Many in false churches believe that Christ rose from the dead and paid for our sins, but they are also taught, incorrectly, that God’s kingdom is of this world—centered on wealth, success, and worldly accomplishments. We must help them understand that the Kingdom of God is about righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit, not in earthly pursuits.

Let us seek earnestly to help others come to Christ by faith, so they can live for His glory; away from lusting after the things of this world - lust of the eye, lust of the flesh and the pride of life.

Paul often desired to visit Rome earlier, but his mission delayed him at the time. This should encourage those in the mission field, away from the comforts of big churches, seemingly away from their goal. God has placed us exactly where He wants us to be, with specific assignments at each given time.

We shouldn’t miss the city church and all its glamor, am grateful to see your faces each weekend as we gather, sing hymns, and study the gospel together. Although living in the village can be burdensome due to insecurity—persistent theft, killing, kidnappings, cost of transportation etc but the Lord is gracious, and much has improved here recently.

In conclusion, let’s look away from ourselves and look to the Lord, allowing the Holy Spirit to fill us with joy, peace, and overflowing hope. When others see this in us, it becomes a testimony of God's faithfulness. Just as Paul had a specific mission to the Gentiles, God has given each of us a unique calling. Seek to understand what God has placed on your heart and pursue it boldly. Living for God’s glory will gladden your heart much more than wine or anything else in this world.

Let’s live in ways that encourage others to pursue Christ; when you encourage others to pursue Christ, you fulfill your greatest mission on earth. Depend on the Holy Spirit, like Paul, our strength comes not from our ability but from His power. Share with others how reliance on the Holy Spirit transforms not only your efforts but your very being. With God, all things are possible. He can call many to Himself by the power of His grace. So, learn the gospel, live by it, and proclaim it to others through every opportunity the Lord provides, where ever He has placed you.