TESTIMONY ABOUT THE GOSPEL

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek” (Rom. 1:16 NKJV).

In this verse we have the apostle Paul’s testimony about the Gospel of Christ. It speaks of the praise for the Gospel, the power of the Gospel, and the people for the Gospel.

Praise for the Gospel - “I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ.” Here the apostle Paul is boldly professing his esteem of the Gospel. He was not ashamed of the Lord Jesus Christ, and he was not ashamed to be called a Christian, even when there were reproach and shame associated with Christianity. Many folks today are ashamed of the Gospel and do not want other people to know they are Christians. On the other hand, the world is not ashamed of their sin. Like the people in Jeremiah’s day, “They were not at all ashamed; nor did they know how to blush” (Jer. 6:15). How tragic that people are unashamed of sin but ashamed of the Savior and salvation. Nevertheless, the apostle Paul had it right.

Power of the Gospel - “The power of God.” The word “power” is from the Greek word dýnamis (δύναμις = doo'-nam-is), and it speaks of inherent power, power residing in a thing by virtue of its nature. We get our English word dynamic from this word. The power of the Gospel is Divine power, saving power (redeems the sinner), cleansing power, quickening power (gives life), and keeping power (always saved).

People for the Gospel - “For everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.” To emphasize “everyone,” the apostle Paul includes both the Jews and Greeks (Gentiles). In the Bible, the human race was divided into two groups - Jews and Gentiles. However, “everyone who believes” in the Lord Jesus Christ is included in the blessings of the Gospel. It is a universal message with the only requirement being faith (“believes”). If the requirement were money or success or popularity, it would severely limit salvation; but the requirement is faith; and anyone can have faith.

(Adapted from Butler’s Daily Bible Reading 2)

Soli Deo Gloria (To God Alone Be The Glory)

Quotation of the Week

“The man who does not glory in the gospel can surely know little of the plague of sin that is within him!”

J C Ryle (1816 – 1900)

English Evangelical Anglican Bishop

Word Study

Fellow worker

In 1 Thess. 3:2 we read, “And we sent Timothy, our brother and God’s fellow worker in the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you as to your faith” (NASB).

“Fellow worker” is the Greek word synergós (συνεργός = soon-er-gos'). It is made up of two Greek words: “sun” which means with, association, fellowship, and “érgon” which means work. Thus, the word literally means working together with and thus refers to a companion in work, a colleague, a co-laborer, a fellow laborer or fellow helper. We get our English word synergy from this word. In classic Greek, synergós means fellow worker or one who works with another; a helper. In the New Testament, synergós describes one who works alongside with or close by another. Interestingly enough, in the New Testament, synergós is used only of a co-worker or helper in the Christian work. In each instance synergós conveys the idea of an affectionate partnership and not merely that of an impersonal, official relationship.

Did You Know…

According to Job 2:3, God described Job in the following way: “... there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil…”

Bible Quiz

How many times hotter than usual did Nebuchadnezzar order the furnace for Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego?

**Answer to last week’s Bible Quiz

Why was Mephibosheth, Jonathan’s son, asked to eat at David’s table? David wanted to show him kindness for his father Jonathan’s sake (2 Sam. 9:7).

Prophecies Fulfilled by the Lord Jesus Christ

Our Kinsman Redeemer (Ruth 4:4-10) - Prefigures the Lord Jesus Christ as our Kinsman who has redeemed us (cf. Eph. 1:3-7)

"Therefore the close relative said to Boaz, “Buy it for yourself.” So he took off his sandal. And Boaz said to the elders and all the people, “You are witnesses this day that I have bought all that was Elimelech’s, and all that was Chilion’s and Mahlon’s, from the hand of Naomi?” (Ruth 4:8-9 NJKV).

In context, the kinsman-redeemer is a male relative who, according to various laws of the Pentateuch, had the privilege or responsibility to act on behalf of a relative who was in trouble, danger, or need (cf. Lev. 25:25; 48-49. In the story of Ruth and Boaz, Boaz is a wealthy relative of Naomi and willingly agrees to be Ruth’s kinsman-redeemer. He also takes Ruth as his wife, and together they have a son named Obed who became the grandfather of David, the forefather of the Lord Jesus. In the New Testament, the Lord Jesus fulfills this role as our kinsman-redeemer. As our brother (Heb. 2:11, 17), He redeems us because of our great need, one that only He can satisfy. He bought us for Himself, out of the curse and our destitution; made us His own beloved bride; and blessed us for all generations. He is the true kinsman-redeemer of all who call on Him in faith

Did You Know – Christian History

Peter N. Deyneka Sr. was born July 12, 1897, in Russia. He was a Russian-American evangelist and a missionary to the Russian diaspora (dispersion).

Although raised in the Orthodox Church, Deyneka had never heard the gospel. That fact did not change until his family mortgaged their farm to send him to America. There was so much he did not know! He took his own food aboard ship, not realizing that his meals were included in the fare. The sailors played on his ignorance, promising him that if he washed dishes, they would see he got something fresh to eat. Once in the United States, he could not find work and was close to panic. If the moneylender back home was not paid soon, parents would lose their farm. Hurrying to Chicago, he found a job in a lumber yard that paid $6.90 a week. In this fast-growing city he also found immigrants who had joined the International Workers of the World. “There is no God,” they said. “We’re going to make the world better by ourselves!”

A desire to hear eloquent English brought him to the Moody Memorial Church. Deyneka was astonished to find hundreds of Christians of all ages there. He had expected to see only a few old women. The music moved him. As Paul Radar spoke, a voice inside Deyneka said, “You are a lost sinner.” But he was too suspicious to go up front. Instead, he bought a Jesus Saves button and wore it so that he could mimic the crowd and avoid being put on the spot by the church members. His evasive tactics ended on Sunday evening, January 18, 1920 when Paul Radar invite all who wanted to accept Christ as their personal savior to come forward. That night Deyneka put away his wild dances, smoking, and cursing as he wept, prayed, and accepted the Lord Jesus as his personal Savior.

Believing that he was called to evangelize his own people, Deyneka attended Moody Bible Institute and graduated from St. Paul Bible School in 1925. He then visited Russia, where thousands hung on his messages. Pete Deyneka became known as Peter Dynamite for his bold and powerful presentation of the gospel. He was one of the founders of the Russian Gospel Association (later called the Slavic Gospel Association), which brought the Bible to East European immigrants. He also used short wave radio stations to broadcast the gospel to millions who lived behind the Iron Curtain. Deyneka wrote several books, including an autobiography. Peter Deyneka died July 29, 1987, at age 90.

A Little Humor

“Where your wife is this morning?” asked the usher. In a better place, responded Mr. Jones. Did she die? Asked the usher. “No” said Mr. Jones, “she is just going to a better church.”

Thought Provoking Church Sign

“Jesus gives you a new life, when you trade in the old one!”