Acts 20-23; 27-28
Ephesians 1-6
2 Timothy 1-4
Introduction to the Reading:
2 Timothy 1-4
Introduction to the Reading:
Paul wanted to preach
the Gospel in Rome. Paul has been gathering an offering for the needy in
Jerusalem that he wants to drop off first. But the Lord had different plans.
Although the route to Rome I'm sure isn't the route that Paul would have
planned on his own, he never lost sight of the goal.
Time to Slow it Down -
Middle of Page
440: Did you catch it? Paul
says it a few different ways. Can you find a sentence where Paul
clearly states to the Ephesian elders exactly what his goal is?
Bottom of Page
444: Paul ran into what
many would call a "road bump" in the road to Rome. In spite of the
difficulty, who all has he been able to share the Gospel with in the last
couple of pages?
Bottom of Page 446: This was more than just a stop at a wayside
on the trip to Rome. Paul spent more than two years in Caesarea. I don't know
about you, but I've often had to learn the hard way not only to trust the
Lord's plans, but also his timetable at getting it done!
Bottom of Page 450: Quite the detour! But Paul had an
opportunity to share the Gospel along the way and to show his faith
in everyday life as well. Are you going through a detour in life? How
can you use the opportunity to show your faith to those around you?
Middle of Page 452: Paul's letter to the Ephesians can be quite
overwhelming. Each phrase is packed with amazing truths about
God and his plan for us. Until the middle of page 454, slow down a bit and try
to pick out the phrases where Paul clearly teaches what God's plan is for us.
What was Paul's goal? It wasn't just to make it to Rome. Paul's goal was to preach the Gospel to all nations! In the first page of our reading today, Paul said to the Ephesian elders, "I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus."
When You're Done
Reading - Thoughts to Ponder:
I'm sure you have
heard it said, "It's not the destination, it's the journey." Paul
wasn't so concerned with where he was going. His concern was
sharing the Gospel - especially to the Gentiles. Where is your life going?
Maybe the more important question is, "What are you plans for the
journey?"
Prayer/Hymn:
By Herman Fick
1. Rise, Thou Light of
Gentile nations,
Jesus, bright and Morning Star;
Let Thy Word, the gladsome tidings,
Ring out loudly near and far,
Bringing freedom to the captives,
Peace and comfort to the slave,
That the heathen, free from bondage,
May proclaim Thy pow'r to save.
2. See the blindness of the heathen,
Strangers to Thy glorious light,
Straying hopeless till they find Thee,
Wand'ring aimless in the night.
See their pitiful condition;
Lo, gross darkness covers all,
And no ray of hope refreshes
Nor dispels the dreadful pall.
3. If Thou, merciful Redeemer,
Hadst not saved us from this plight,
In like darkness we should languish
Hopeless, helpless, in sin's night.
Lovingly Thou, Lord, didst seek us
In the beauty of Thy grace;
Now with joy we freely serve Thee,
We, Thy blessed, chosen race.
4. Knowing Thee and Thy salvation,
Grateful love dare never cease
To proclaim Thy tender mercies,
Gracious Lord, Thy heav'nly peace.
Sound we forth the Gospel tidings
To the earth's remotest bound
That the sinner has been pardoned
And forgiveness can be found.
5. May our zeal to help the heathen
Be increased from day to day
As we plead in true compassion
And for their conversion pray.
For the many faithful heralds,
For the Gospel they proclaim,
Let us all be cheerful givers
To the glory of Thy name.
6. Savior, shine in all Thy glory
On the nations near and far;
From the highways and the byways
Call them, O Thou Morning Star.
Guide them whom Thy grace hath chosen
Out of Satan's dreadful thrall
To the mansions of Thy Father--
There is room for sinners all.
Jesus, bright and Morning Star;
Let Thy Word, the gladsome tidings,
Ring out loudly near and far,
Bringing freedom to the captives,
Peace and comfort to the slave,
That the heathen, free from bondage,
May proclaim Thy pow'r to save.
2. See the blindness of the heathen,
Strangers to Thy glorious light,
Straying hopeless till they find Thee,
Wand'ring aimless in the night.
See their pitiful condition;
Lo, gross darkness covers all,
And no ray of hope refreshes
Nor dispels the dreadful pall.
3. If Thou, merciful Redeemer,
Hadst not saved us from this plight,
In like darkness we should languish
Hopeless, helpless, in sin's night.
Lovingly Thou, Lord, didst seek us
In the beauty of Thy grace;
Now with joy we freely serve Thee,
We, Thy blessed, chosen race.
4. Knowing Thee and Thy salvation,
Grateful love dare never cease
To proclaim Thy tender mercies,
Gracious Lord, Thy heav'nly peace.
Sound we forth the Gospel tidings
To the earth's remotest bound
That the sinner has been pardoned
And forgiveness can be found.
5. May our zeal to help the heathen
Be increased from day to day
As we plead in true compassion
And for their conversion pray.
For the many faithful heralds,
For the Gospel they proclaim,
Let us all be cheerful givers
To the glory of Thy name.
6. Savior, shine in all Thy glory
On the nations near and far;
From the highways and the byways
Call them, O Thou Morning Star.
Guide them whom Thy grace hath chosen
Out of Satan's dreadful thrall
To the mansions of Thy Father--
There is room for sinners all.
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