Day 3
Day 3 gives us insight into Paul’s focus on working with his hands…
Devotional Point 4 today: Paul clearly worked as a means of becoming “all things to all people,,,
Scripture 4 today: “It has always been my ambition to preach the gospel where Christ was not known, so that I would not be building on someone else’s foundation.” Romans 15:20 NIV
Reflection 4 today: Paul woke up desperate to go to work every day so that he could share the gospel with new people that day. He clearly was very good at his job, because it reinforced the message of the gospel wherever he went. When we look at our work as reinforcing the gospel in every place we go, it changes everything. I causes us to reach out to be the very best at what we do so that every part of our day reinforces the gospel message…
Day 2
Day 2 gives us the secret to evangelising, work with your hands and work well…
Devotional Point 4 today: Before the gospel can be heard, the messenger must win the respect of the intended audience.
Scripture 4 today: “and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.” 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 NIV
Reflection 4 today: whether I work with my hands on a keyboard or on the workbench or on a factory floor, the meaning is the same. The only thing that is different is the amount of mental effort required along with your hands. Turns out that Paul’s primary method of evangelism was not preaching on street corners or in the marketplace, it was in the workplace. He probably made the best tents in the entire ancient world. The world will be won in the workplace, that is where I want to be…
Day 1
Day 1 shows us the importance of work, and gives us an important message, you can’t give what you don’t have…
Devotional Point 4 today: He viewed his work as a tentmaker as a core component of his strategy to make disciples of Jesus Christ…
Scripture 4 today: “You yourselves know that these hands of mine have supplied my own needs and the needs of my companions.” Acts 20:34 NIV
Reflection 4 today: The commentaries are remarkably light on this subject of working whilst ministering, as most of them received their incomes from ministering. The list of verses today totally reinforce the legitimacy (and I would argue supremacy) of the ministers of the word being full-time workers in the real world. Jesus gospel was for those in the real world. The role of the church has got to be to equip the ministers of the real world, not have them aspire to leave the real world…
