Pastor Gary's OYB Devotion Archive for September 6

“We are also sending another brother with Titus. All the churches praise him as a preacher of the Good News” (2 Corinthians 8:18 NLT).

From: September 6, 2018

WHO IS THIS GOSPEL PREACHING BROTHER?

Paul told the Corinthians that he was sending Titus and “another brother” to them to collect the Jerusalem offering. Who was this brother whom “all the churches” praised for his gospel preaching? It is impossible to know for sure, but Luke is a likely candidate. He was a constant companion of Paul and he was the author of the Gospel of Luke. His Gospel may have already started to circulate among the churches, making him a renowned member of Paul’s team and perhaps the reason for Paul keeping him anonymous.

John Mark, author of the Gospel according to Mark, is another candidate. Although Paul didn’t want to travel with him after he went home early on their first missionary journey, they were later reconciled as evidenced in Paul’s reference to him in 1 Timothy 4:11.

Other possible well known gospel preachers that were companions of Paul include Apollos and Barnabas. But the truth is, the identity of the brother that Paul sent with Titus remains unknown, as does Paul’s reason for anonymity.

This unnamed brother was highly respected not only for his gospel preaching, but also for his integrity, for Paul went on to say that “he was appointed by the churches to accompany us as we take the offering to Jerusalem” (2 Cor. 8:19). In other words, he was the trustee appointed to verify that the monies collected for Jerusalem were actually delivered as promised.

Whoever this brother was, he was highly respected both for his gospel preaching and his great integrity.

“Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God will shine forth” (Psalm 50:2 NKJV).

From: September 6, 2017

Zion, a synonym for Jerusalem, was the location of Solomon’s beautiful Temple. Yet, the “perfection of beauty” must surely point to the coming Messiah whom God would send to “shine forth” out of Zion! He is Jesus the Christ, who now shines forth from the heavenly Zion (Heb. 12:22-24), having accomplished all that was necessary for our salvation.

“Our God comes; he does not keep silence; before him is a devouring fire, around him a mighty tempest” (Psalm 50:3 ESV)

From: September 6, 2016

The Psalmist reminded the people of Israel that offering sacrifices without a heart of true righteousness and thanksgiving were not acceptable to God. His apparent “silence” over their hypocrisy and sin would soon pass and He would come in judgment. The fact that they were children of Abraham did not necessarily give them the right to say, “The Lord is ‘our’ God.” They needed more than circumcision of the flesh. They needed a “circumcision of the heart” (Rom. 2:29) in order to be children of God. God has not kept silent. He has spoken through His Son, Jesus, so that we might believe on Him as Savior and become children of God. And God will not keep silent. He will soon speak again through Jesus as Judge. He will clothe Himself in the terrible robes of justice, like a devouring fire and a mighty tempest, He will come to judge the living and the dead. God does not stay silent.

“My beloved spoke, and said to me: “Rise up, my love, my fair one, And come away. For lo, the winter is past, The rain is over and gone. the flowers appear on the earth; the time of singing has come, and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land” (Song of Solomon 2:10-12 NKJV)

From: September 6, 2015

Also called the “Song of Songs” because as part of Solomon’s wisdom literature it pursued the personified lady “wisdom” with a lover’s poetic passion, making it the pinnacle of his wisdom writings. When read through the lens of the apostle Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, where he describes marriage as a “mystery” that points to Christ and His Church, it takes on a new meaning. Read the above passage viewing Christ as the “beloved” and the Church as the one being addressed. There is a Day coming when the Bride will hear Him say, “Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away. For lo, the winter is past…”

“The Lord, the Mighty One, is God, and he has spoken; he has summoned all humanity from where the sun rises to where it sets” (Psalm 50:1 NLT)

From: September 6, 2014

The Lord Jesus, our Mighty Hero, is God of very God, and He has spoken to us through His gospel which was written down. This gospel summons us to bring to Him disciples from every tongue and tribe, even from the ends of the earth. Our God speaks. And we have heard Him. He is not distant nor silent. He reveals Himself through creation and through His Spirit, yet His fullest revelation is through His Son, Jesus. Our God has spoken and still speaks. Do you have spiritual ears to hear?

“I do not need the bulls from your barns or the goats from your pens. For all the animals of the forest are mine, and I own the cattle on a thousand hills” (Psalm 50:9-10)

From: September 6, 2012

We really can’t give God anything that He doesn’t already own. Like children giving their father a necktie on Father’s Day, we have to ask daddy for our allowance in order to make the purchase. Giving God our tithes and offerings isn’t because He needs them. It’s because we need to give. Giving is our recognition that God is owner and we are His stewards.

“Therefore show these men the proof of your love and the reason for our pride in you” (2 Cor. 8:24)

From: September 6, 2011

Paul challenges the Corinthian church to let their giving be proof of their love. No one should have to encourage our giving to the one we love. Loving and giving are linked. God so loved that He gave. Our giving, or lack thereof, indicates our love of God.