August 2 devotion - A Unique Offer

Titus 2:11        For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people.

            In most Christian worship services, there is usually a point where the people are invited to give an offering. This can be in the form of tithes or gifts, with cash or by check. Whatever is given is up to the individual believer or household. Whatever is offered is then prayerfully sanctified and belongs to God. The offering is voluntary, as is God’s response to whatever is given.

In ancient times, instead of money animal sacrifices were offered to either honor God or to appease Him. If God accepted the offering, then the petitioner’s prayers were blessed. If God refused the offering, then the believer’s life was cursed. We see this happening early on in the Bible when both Cain and Abel present their offerings to God. One is gladly accepted and the other is wholly rejected. Abel’s offering is received as a blessing; Cain’s gift is cursed.

Today’s verse reverses the whole sacrificial system and the process of offerings. In this instance, it is God who offers to the entire world the gift of salvation. Notice in Titus 2:11 that this great gift is being offered, it is not given away. This means that every person has the opportunity to accept or reject God’s offer of salvation. In other words, it’s left to us to freely receive or cast aside this amazing gift. How we respond to this divine offer will either bring us an eternal blessing or an everlasting curse.

Salvation is not a given; it is an offering. It’s up to us as free-willed individuals to make the right choice. Today can be the day of our salvation and the true beginning of our eternal relationship with God through Christ. God offers everything – but we have to accept this gift in order to receive it.

Questions for personal reflection

Have I responded to God’s offer of salvation through Jesus? Have I shared this offer with my loved ones?

Prayer:            Lord Jesus, You are appointed as the Savior of the World, so we are called to accept the salvation that You offer to us individually. Enable each of us to fully embrace and receive this offer. Help us also to share this godly gift with all whom we dearly love. In Your Holy Name, we thankfully pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to comment or ask questions about today’s message, please send him an email to Traqair@aol.com.

Today’s image is one of John’s Holy Week drawings called “Passover.” If you would like to view a larger version, please click on this link: Passover.

July 5 devotion - Eyewitnesses

2 Peter 1:16 For we did not follow cleverly devised stories when we told you about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in power, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty. (NIV)

            Almost every day, I receive emails from Christian ministries and organizations with invitations to subscribe to a special conference or video series about church growth. They usually try to entice me with special gifts or claim to have a wonderful seven-step plan that will double congregational membership within a year. All I have to do is sign up, pay hundreds of dollars with my credit card, and everything will be well.

            Years ago, I did participate or sign up for a few of these conferences and plans, but after more than 30 years in ministry, I have found that the most productive way of making a church grow depends on individual congregational members asking and inviting others to come to a worship service or special event. It seems that the personal invitation is more effective than anything else; no other program, plan, or project accomplishes this.

            I think this is what the Apostle Peter was referring to when he mentioned the eyewitness accounts that he and other people shared. His personal relationship with Christ was what he wanted to tell others about. Even in old age, with death by execution imminent, Peter expressed his total confidence in Jesus. His ministry was based on his personal testimony and because there were others who expressed the same, the Christian Church grew all over the world. In the end, it was the personal invitation and individual witness that was most effective.

            We all want our churches to grow because our Christian faith is important and we believe that the world will be a much better place with a living and loving relationship between us and God. What Christ and His disciples repeatedly tell us through the New Testament is to share the Gospel and invite other folks to church. If we want our congregations to increase, we have to be willing to ask others to come and worship with us. We need to become eyewitnesses of the Spirit of God moving among us by letting folks know about our faith, about our church, and about our personal commitment to Christ.

Points to ponder

Am I concerned about the numbers of members at my church? Who have I invited this year to come to a worship service? Have I followed up with that invitation?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, You inspired Your disciples to go out into the world to share the Gospel and invite others to follow You. Help us in this generation to take up this challenge and give us the desire to ask others to come to our worship services and other church events. In Your Holy Name, we humbly pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. Come along and join us for worship at 11:00 AM on Sunday mornings. You will be made very welcome 😊

Today’s image is one of John’s latest Communion drawings called “Come to The Table.” If you would like to view a larger version, please click this link: Table.