Grace

I Corinthians 15:1-11 (Message)

"...the Messiah died for our sins, exactly as Scripture tells it; that he was buried;

that he was raised from death on the third day, again exactly as Scripture says;

that he presented himself alive to Peter, then to his closest followers, and later to more than five hundred of his followers all at the same time, most of them still around (although a few have since died);

that he then spent time with James and the rest of those he commissioned to represent him; and that he finally presented himself alive to me.

It was fitting that I bring up the rear.

I don't deserve to be included in that inner circle, as you well know, having spent all those early years trying my best to stamp God's church right out of existence.

^10-11But because God was so gracious, so very generous, here I am.

And I'm not about to let his grace go to waste."

Paul is reminding us of a basic Biblical truth once again...real strength is always humble.

By the time Paul wrote these words in I Corinthians he had planted churches around the Mediterranean world, had risked life and limb. There would be attempts on his life. He would be arrested multiple times. He would be rejected and outcast and misunderstood.

Through it all, he was never discouraged from proclaiming The Message.

He says, "it was fitting that I would bring up the rear" (in meeting the risen Jesus).

Maybe Paul was never able to let himself off the hook for the terrible atrocities he committed against Christians before his conversion. God forgave him, and he forgives us. Self-forgiveness usually lags far behind.

But he certainly knew the value of the gift he had received.

"Because God was...so very generous, here I am."

Can we say those words and mean them? What's the difference between believing that we "got here on our own" versus receiving a gift of new life from a gracious God?

If we're thankful for the gift...we cannot let it go to waste.

Grace & Peace,

Adam

HAITI PRAYER SERVICE UPDATE:

Wow, what an incredible experience last night at our gathering with about 50 representatives of the Haitian community of Douglasville. Powerful prayer, and we're thankful for the sharing of Pastor Guito Pierre and the songs of their youth choir. Thank you SOTH Prayer Team for a wonderful vision and a great ministry!

Below is a powerful video used last night (warning, some of the images are somewhat graphic)