As I was reading Jerry Bridges, The Gospel For Real Life (available at the CrossWay book store), I was freshly reminded of 2Corinthians 5:20 which says,Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.I was freshly struck by two things. First, that we are – in fact – ambassadors for Christ and that God is – in fact – making his appeal through us on Wednesday nights for non-Christians to be reconciled to God. Second, that we must act, and speak, and appeal to non-Christians on Christ’s behalf that they be reconciled to God. I was struck by both the reality of what God is doing through us and our need to intentionally position ourselves to be used by God in this way. I was struck by both the aspects of faith in what God is doing and obedience to what God has called us to do.
Last Wednesday
Attendance was down slightly again this past Wednesday: people seemed tired and battling different coughs and colds. We have reached the half-way mark of EC. Thus far people have heard of their inability to earn God’s favor, that God is sovereign, and holy, and just, and loving, that we are all sinners in need of a Savior, and that Jesus Christ came into the world as the Son of God to save sinners.
This Wednesday
This Wednesday we are looking at Jesus and asking the question, “The Cross: Triumph or Tragedy?” Our answer is that the cross is God’s glorious triumph because of Jesus Christ and his life, death, and resurrection. I will talk about his perfect life, his substitutionary death, and his life-giving resurrection that uniquely qualify Jesus as the Savior and worthy of our praise. This is the densest of the EC talks, so pray that God would give me the words to speak clearly and understandably by the power of the Holy Spirit so that those who would not otherwise understand will understand and believe in Him.
Prayer for THIS Wednesday
- Pray for clarity, understandability, and illumination for this Wednesday’s message.
- Continue to pray that God would continue to bring people back to hear the gospel on Wednesday and that He would bring back those who did not come last Wednesday.
- Pray that snow would not be an issue this Wednesday; if it is snowing that it wouldn’t keep people from attending.
- Continue to pray for the new birth; that God would supernaturally breath spiritual life into those who are dead in their trespasses and sins.
- Continue to pray for the EC workers and children; that God would provided everything we need to care for the children and it would be done with great joy.
- Pray for everyone serving, but especially the discussion group leaders and helpers, that they would be used by God as His ambassadors. Pray that they would demonstrate the love of Jesus, pray that they would know when and how to answer questions, pray that God would give them spiritual eyes to see what is behind every question, pray for a combination of faith, patience, gentleness, and boldness. Pray that God would make His appeal through them; be reconciled to God!
