Mission After 50

Point
1. Due to a revelation, Paul returned to Jerusalem and began to proclaim the gospel he had been preaching to the Gentiles.
2. Some were sent to spy out the message of freedom that Paul was proclaiming in order to bound them to the Jewish practices of circumcision and other law requirements. Paul did not yield to their pressure so they would maintain the gospel of freedom.
3. Paul was entrusted to share the gospel with the uncircumcised Gentiles, while Peter was to share with the circumcised. They were also encouraged by James and the other pillars of the church to remember the poor in their ministry.

Personalize
Today is my 50th birthday. This birthday is a new marker in my life. Unlike previous birthdays I face the coming years as "empty nesters". We greatly miss the presence of our children and being involved in their daily lives, but at the same time we are excited about what God has set before us. Many say fifty is the new forty. I am not quit sure what they mean, except that it is a marker in life that you not only look back and see where you have been but you look forward at the remaining year's God has given you. If I am given the chance to serve till I am 75 then I will have 300 months or 9,125 days or 219,000 hours remaining. I am not sadden by this perspective but motivated by the chance to serve in ways I have not done so previously. It is a new day and with it comes new opportunities to proclaim the gospel to those who have not heard. I am not sure where the next twenty-five or fifty years will take me but I am excited by its prospects.

Paul's message to the Gentiles was one of freedom. The gospel was not bound by legalism or liberalism. The gospel is Christ offering the free gift of salvation to all who would believe. While some sought to stifle his message and attempted to require the law to become a follower of Christ, Paul remained true to the message of freedom. He proclaimed the message to some influential individuals in Jerusalem to reassure himself that he he had not run in vain. Paul did receive confirmation of his message from James and other leaders in the church of Jerusalem. His message was made clear and his mission was affirmed to "proclaim the gospel of freedom to the uncircumcised Gentiles".

Our confidence does not come from the approval of men but from the truth of God's word. Paul was clear on his message and he would not allow the ideas of other to distort the message. Today on my fiftieth birthday, I commit to not be distracted in the remaining years of my ministry. I desire to proclaim the Gospel to whoever God gives me the opportunity. Like Paul, I want to remain true to the message and when all is complete I want to know that I did not run my race in vain but for the purpose of Christ. It is easy to loose site of the message, but as we daily live by the Gospel we will discover a new perspective and purpose to share this good news with others.

Prayer
Lord, give a vision for the ministry years ahead. I truly desire to finish strong in proclaiming the Gospel of freedom to others. In this new season of life, I ask that you reveal where and to whom you want me to declare the good news of Jesus Christ.

Created 6 months ago