Reflections

Today's sermon was on Acts 18 and had two good points that I'll be thinking on this week.

1. We have a responsibility to share the gospel with the lost, not to save the lost.

This has been one of the most comforting things I've found in delving into Reformed Theology. As we see in the Gospel of John, it's all up to God:

John 1:12–13 (ESV)

12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

God is in control and the Holy Spirit is the one doing all the work. We don't have to twist ourselves into pretzels by trying to be 'winsome' and win over the culture. We just have to be faithful to present the message like John the Baptist; With confidence and trust that the Lord's sheep will hear His voice.

2. Purpose isn't found in the perfect situation, it's found in being faithful in every situation.

This point is very similar to one I heard in a sermon last year, which was the following question: When you pray, do you pray for God to change your situation, or to change you?

Both of these are good things to think on. Perseverance is something to ask of God, that He will strengthen us to carry out His will in His time.

Galatians 6:9 (ESV)

9 And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.

This is something I have to constantly remind myself of as I can be a very impatient person.