WHAT IT MEANS TO PRAY IN JESUS'S NAME

Prayer is one of the Christian acts that Jesus taught His disciples. Many preachers and teachers have spoken vastly about the topic of prayer because of its importance in the life of a Christian. Prayerlessness is what makes a Christian totally dry and void of the presence of God.

THE POWER OF THE GOSPEL

     The apostle Paul in his epistle to the Romans expressed his zeal to preach the gospel of Christ without shame. Though he had not been to the church in Rome, Paul wrote this letter to teach them that the righteousness of God is revealed in the gospel of Christ. The Gospel of Christ, however, is the sum total of the teachings and life of Jesus Christ. It was in those days a great challenge for a Jew to proclaim the gospel because the Jews had rejected Him (Christ) and even called Him a devil. Not only that but He was delivered into the hands of gentiles (that is, the Romans) to be killed.

3 CHARACTERISTICS OF THOSE WHO OPPOSE THE GOSPEL

 

After some years of preaching and teaching the Gospel of Christ, I have learned that there are more who oppose the gospel than those who advocate it. Very sadly most of these opposers are Christians. Such people (i.e. opposers) I call the generation of Jannes-and-Jambres.

Apostle Paul mentions in his second letter to Timothy that, “And just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these men also oppose the truth, men of depraved mind, rejected as regards the faith.” (3:8) These two names (i.e. Jannes and Jambres) does not appear in the Old Testament but their rebellion is well recorded as they opposed Moses by replicating some of his miracles (Exod. 7:11) “Then Pharaoh also called for the wise men and the sorcerers, and they also, the magicians of Egypt, did the same with their secret arts.” There are more of such people in our days, pretentious people, hiding in our churches, seminaries, schools, homes, work places and parliaments. Our generation has seen many unbelievers, Atheists, Muhammadans and etc. oppose the faith publicly than any generation, but likely unaware of Jannes-and-Jambres Christians.

THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO THE YOUTH

One of the very famous scriptures on youthfulness is in First Timothy; “Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.” (4:12). This scripture has gained popularity because (1) the greater percentage of every population consist of youths, and (2) the youth are the most dissatisfied in society. Every youth with the strength of this scripture craves liberty.

Paul the Apostle told these things to Timothy, a youthful pastor. He admonished him to fulfill his ministry amidst the influence of the elders.