Confronting a society hostile to Christ's Faith means his disciples need frequent, positive reinforcement. For the times we need uplift and inspiration instead of correction, exhortation or repentance, consider the following encouragements.
First, whatever our age, Jesus has a kind word for us. He sponsored a child as his model kingdom subject Matthew 18:2-4. He chose young adults as his disciple/apostles Matthew 4:18-22. He welcomed women into his inner circle, accepting their financial support Luke 8:1-3. And God acknowledged the continued worth of Seniors by reserving thrilling spiritual revelations for two Senior Adults, one a priest, the other a woman Luke 2:22-38. From these examples we learn that all disciples, of either sex at any age, can be a minister of God's grace in Christ. Young ministers need to understand the VALUE of Seniors. Second, while we're opposed by many satanic forces, remember: Jesus minimizes the opposition by maximizing his spiritual power. He remains unimpressed by Satan's claims and unafraid of any threat they pose. Disarming them at the cross, Colossians 2:15, he made a spectacle of them there, and mocked their weakness by rising from the dead. His fearlessness fortifies our own. Knowing he snapped his fingers in scorn at satanic powers he faced in ministry, he expects confidence, not dread, as we face opposition from society, from politicians, from governments, from interlopers who claim to have created a new morality that discards Biblical truth. For Jesus assures us: no decision ratified in Heaven can ever be annulled by any decision ratified on earth Psalm 2:1-12. His courage, whatever the enemy, fuels our desire to be his witnesses into active evangelism. Since he came to destroy the devil's work, I John 3:8; to seek and save those lost in their self-centeredness, Mark 10:45; to be the reconciler of God and humanity, he commissions us to be agents of reconciliation, II Corinthians 5:18-21. Since he mocks all enemies, ridicules all enemies and figuratively spits in their faces as they literally spit in his at his trial, Mark 14:65, he urges us to remember that "the one who is in you is greater than the one" against you I John 4:4. End Part I
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