Over the past few days I have been meditating upon this verse in Paul’s epistle to the Romans:

Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God to salvation to everyone who believes

 

Friday night we had our youth movie night where we watched a movie about a football team who was determined to praise God whether they won or lost, and through their unconditional faith in Jesus Christ, God did great things. As I discussed the movie with the young men and women present I realized something. These young men and women were excited about the gospel. This was due to nothing that I had done, but simply to the fact that the gospel is the power of God unto salvation.

Sunday morning I had a full class of youth in Sunday School. My method in teaching this class has simply been to read through the Bible - we began in Genesis - and let the text lead, along with any questions the youth might have. Honestly, I did not expect the excitement that I now see. As we discussed Adam and Eve being made in the image of God, the meaning of marriage, the promise of a Savior who would crush Satan’s head, the methods of temptation of which we must be aware, and more or less the entire redemptive plan of God, I was floored with some of the questions these young men and women asked. I got some deep philosophical questions like “why does the knowledge of evil make them feel ashamed about being naked?” And I also got some comments that showed great insight like, “the silly thing about sin is that it promises a satisfaction which God has already given us.” I was overwhelmed by how they carried the discussion and were interested in the Biblical text. We didn’t use a curriculum, we didn’t use illustrations, we didn’t play games, but these young men and women were excited about what we were discussing. Why? Because the gospel is the power of God unto salvation.

Following Sunday School the Blacks came and presented to our church about their work in Ethiopia. The message was simply humbling and joyous. Dr. Black began by introducing the Ethiopian church as “the church that never complains,” and after the presentation, I knew he was right. These people are tortured, malnourished, and simply poor; yet they are some of the most healthy, vibrant, and wealthy Christians that I’ve seen. We saw a 10 year old Ethiopian boy recite almost an entire chapter of Scripture, a feat of memorization which earned him his own Bible. Why would a 10 year old boy do this? Because the gospel is the power of God unto salvation. We also heard the story of Mohamed, a murderer of Christians, who accepted the gospel through Dr. Black’s ministry. Dr. Black visited him in prison. What did he bring him in prison you ask? He brought him a blanket and the gospel. Why would Dr. Black go into a prison and share the gospel and a blanket with a murderer? Because the gospel is the power of God unto salvation.

Following the presentation, the church was apparently excited about what God is doing across the globe.  Over $700 was collected for God’s work there, and many of our members spent over an hour asking questions of the Blacks as they just desired to know more about what God is doing.  What could cause this kind of excitement?  Definitely not me, not the Blacks, not our church, but the power of God unto salvation!

I am overwhelmed at the power of God. I realize that my ministry is not my ministry, nor is it dependent upon my ingenuity, my strength, or my teaching prowess, but it is dependent only upon the power of God. God’s gospel is unstoppable, and as He told Paul, “I have many people in this city,” I know He has many people around me, many people in Ethiopia, many people in Iraq, many people in Iran, many people in Al-qaeda (is this possible?), and many people everywhere who will be moved by His gospel, His power unto salvation.  I am humbled by the opportunities I will have to partake of this gospel this week.  I have four lessons to prepare - one for our youth event on Friday night, one for our men’s prayer breakfast, one for Sunday School, and one for Sunday morning - and while at first I was tempted to be overwhelmed and distraught by such a task, now I am energized and thrilled to be a part of sharing God’s power unto salvation.  I cannot wait to see once again what God is doing in the lives of people around me.  Please pray with me that this gospel would bring forth a great harvest in Charlotte Court House, in Ethiopia, in Honduras, and from East to West across this planet.  Let’s rejoice in His power unto salvation!