RECEIVING TO GIVE

THURSDAY, 14TH JULY, 2022.

Topic: RECEIVING TO GIVE

MEMORIZE: "For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures" (1 Corinthians 15:3,4).

SCRIPTURE READING: 1 CORINTHIANS 15:1-9.

“Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you--unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve. After that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep. After that He was seen by James, then by all the apostles. Then last of all He was seen by me also, as by one born out of due time. For I am the least of the apostles, who am not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.”

EXPOSITION:

A man had a bar where he sold alcoholic beverages. He was a very cruel and violent man whose presence conjured terror for his wife and ten-year-old daughter. A visible mark on the left arm of the young lady was a constant reminder of her father's brutality. But one day, something 'strange' happened. A preacher came to Mr. Graham to explain the mercies and love of God through Jesus Christ. The man listened with rapt attention and demanded to know if such measures could be extended to a man like him. On receiving an assurance from the preacher, he surrendered his life to Christ and became a changed person. For the first time, his daughter saw him smile and happy. Later, he asked for the wife's and daughter's forgiveness and took them to the church where they also gave their lives to Christ. Peace, love and joy came to the family. That is the power of the gospel.

In the passage, Paul the apostle reminded the Corinthian Christians of the authenticity of the gospel message - the death, burial, resurrection and ascension of Christ - which he received that transformed his life and which he passed on to them as well.

The gospel message has such a transforming power that no matter how deep one might have gone in cultism, idol worship, atheism, drug addiction, immorality, etc. if he sincerely repents and accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour, salvation comes. The mercy of God is still available today. "And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely" (Revelation 22:17).

As Paul received the true gospel and passed it on to others, so must every true believer do. The Lord's command is "...Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature" (Mark 16:15). It is a task that must be done.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: The gospel message changes sinners to saints.

PRAYER POINT:

Lord, empower your word in our mouths to brings harvest of souls into your kingdom in Jesus name.

DAILY BIBLE READING IN A YEAR – Proverbs 4-6.

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