ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
May 2, 2020
Scripture: Romans 10:14-15
So how can they call on someone they don’t have faith in? And how can they have faith in someone they haven’t heard of? And how can they hear without a preacher? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, How beautiful are the feet of those who announce the good news.
Thought for the Day: I stayed with the same passage from yesterday as there was too much good stuff in these two verses to move on. Let me begin by saying how this passage sounds, on the surface, to be an excellent argument for a preacher’s job security. Without us, how could anyone have faith, because faith requires people to hear the preacher. It sounds good, but I feel certain that was not the intention of the Apostle Paul. The word translated as preacher is: Kerusso – similar to Robinson Crusoe, but only similar. It describes, not so much a formal paid position, but anyone who openly (and with some authority) proclaims a message. Paul makes a pretty straightforward argument that those who have yet to meet Jesus must hear an announcement of the Good News, which often requires some travel plans. In today’s world, I am intrigued by our church’s capacity to share the Good News well beyond our immediate surroundings without making those travel plans. Our online services have been watched in multiple states, and even a few other countries. Someone from South Korea has watched three of the last four Sundays. Now we shouldn’t stop supporting missionaries, but Paul used Roman roads to move the message in his day and maybe we need to take even more seriously the digital highway as a means of sharing what we call the Love First Life.
Prayer: Gracious God, inspire us to employ whatever tools can assist in bringing a word of hope and love to another human being. Increase the preaching capacity found in each of us, for there is a good word in need of sharing this day. Amen.
TOMORROW
Sunday Online Worship
Vimeo or YouTube
Pastor Bruce will share
a Sunday Morning Greeting
at 9am & 11am
FacebookLive
