March 3rd, Tuesday: Acts chap. 28 & Romans 1

Acts 28

Does anything in this chapter surprise you.

That the natives were kind?

The natives may have been superstitious, but even unsaved people can show concern for those in need.

And are you surprised that Paul was bitten?

Had he not been through enough suffering?

When Satan cannot win as the lion, then he becomes as the serpent.

And are you surprised that the Jewish leaders rejected the Word?

God's chosen people should have known the Scripture.

Yet when it was time to decide, the group was divided.

But Paul kept witnessing and let God bless the Word as He please.

Rom 1

'The Gospel of God' – this is what it contains.

God has Good News – it is promised in the Old Testament and centered in Jesus Christ.

He came to earth as a Jew, died and rose again, and He saves all who would trust in Him.

He alone purchased salvation, and this message must be preached to the whole world.

Why?

Because the Gospel alone is the power of God to salvation.

Paul was gripped by the Gospel.

His whole life was controlled by it.

Called to be an apostle, he felt himself a debtor to the whole world.

Through His church, God is calling people to Jesus Christ.

Has the Gospel gripped you?

E. Stanley Jones wrote, 'Religions are man's search for God; The Gospel is God's search for man.'

There are many religions but only one gospel.

God's people are free from the debt of sin.

But they are debtors to witness to a lost world.

They need to obey the Holy Spirit, love all people, encourage their weaker brothers and sisters, and help the people of Israel.

Are you paying your spiritual debts?

The wrath of God.

Paul's main theme is the righteousness of God.

But he presents it against the dark background of the judgment of God, which is going on right now.

Men know God from creation and conscience, but refuse to honour Him as God.

They live for the creature, not the Creator.

And make themselves into gods.

So God gave them up and let them suffer the consequences.

The greatest judgment God can inflict on us – is to let us have our own way.

But the same God who delivered up sinners to judgment, delivered up His own Son for lost sinners.

What incredible love!

That is the Gospel.

Do you believe it?

And are you sharing it?