“Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ’s sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me” (Romans 15:30).
TEXT — Romans 15:23-30
Message
The evangelist is not fulfilled until he has striven in prayers and diligent work to bring his audience to the same spiritual podium with him. The preacher must make the converts understand that as they sincerely receive the Word, the Lord needs them to be supportive of the gospel work with their prayers and possessions. It is a two-way affair that frees the evangelist from stretching himself over the large spectrum of the ripe harvest field.
Apostle Paul speaks of plans to go to meet the needy believers at Jerusalem, to whom he would deliver the liberal donations from the brethren at Macedonia and Achaia. He says that, having been perfectly taught the way of salvation by the Jews, these Gentiles now felt indebted and, therefore, obliged to pay back by supporting them too.
Paul adds that he hoped to also meet the Roman brethren on his way to Spain for deeper gospel work. Again, the preacher says he would count on the cooperation of the brethren in Rome. In other words, the Apostle implies that the Roman believers would fund the missionary trip to Spain.
Finally, the rugged evangelist calls for prayers from the brethren for the success of all these undertakings. For, the best of plans and preparations cannot fly without looking up to the Lord for a prosperous end. In both instances, raising funds for the work of God and requesting prayers, Apostle Paul addresses only believers, not unbelievers. This is the reason our Spirit-filled teachings should produce converts who can strive with us in sacrificial service for the gospel.
Thought for the day
The gospel work can prosper though your prayers and provisions.
Listed among “500 most powerful people on the planet” by the Foreign Policy magazine in 2013, Pastor (Dr.) William F. Kumuyi is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry (DCLM) headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria. DCLM started in 1973 as a 15-member Bible study group right in Kumuyi’s apartment at University of Lagos where he was a lecturer. His revolutionary Bible teaching on personal holiness and commitment to evangelism soon gained so much traction and resulted in a widespread revival.
