Sunday, November 5, 2023
Seize The Opportunity
Paul asks for prayer “…that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel… that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak” (Eph. 6:19). We might think of an apostle or pastor as always having the boldness to speak to anyone anywhere or anytime. But this passage shows we all lack boldness at times. Like Paul, we should pray for adequate boldness. Then we should pray for several other things. In Colossians 4:3, Paul asks the saints to continue “…praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ….” Sometimes it is appropriate to begin a conversation about eternal matters. But it is wonderful when God so works in the heart of a lost soul that they open the door, allowing you to present God’s plan of salvation. An example would be Lydia, in Acts 16:14, “…whose heart the Lord opened…” when Paul shared the gospel with her. So pray for open doors. Pray that the Lord would powerfully convict, through the Holy Spirit, before and during your time of sharing the gospel. In 2 Thessalonians 3:1, Paul asked for prayer that, when he ministered the Word, “the word of the Lord may have free course.” So it is appropriate for us to pray that the power and effectiveness of God’s Word in the gospel will lodge in the heart unhindered.
Source: January 2023 Berean Searchlight Magazine, “Seize The Opportunity” by Pastor John Fredericksen.
Salvation & Rewards Summary
1Corinthians 3:13-15 - “Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.”
God offers salvation to the lost. God offers rewards for the faithful service of the saved. Salvation is a free gift, but rewards are earned by works. Salvation is apresent possession, but rewards are a future attainment given at the Rapture.
Salvation: John 4:10; Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8-9.
Works rewards: Matthew 10:42; Luke 19:17; 1 Corinthians 9:24-25; 2 Timothy 4:7-8; Revelation 2:10 & 22:12.
Salvation a present possession: Luke 7:50; John 3:36 & 5:24 & 6:47.
Reward are future attainments at the rapture: 2 Timothy 4:8; Revelation 22:12.
Source: The Scofield Study Bible, Copyright 2003, page 1515.