Wednesday, May 10, 2023

A Crucified Life - - Is Scattered Abroad

 

2 Corinthians 9:9
As it has been written: "He has scattered abroad, He has given to the poor: His righteousness abides to the age."
*Strong's Ex. Conc. No. 4650
Scattered Abroad: dispersed, distributed
From the word 'skorpizó' (pronounced skor-pid'-zo):  One who dispenses blessings liberally (generously, abundantly, extensively, etc.); to put to flight

Psalm 112:9
He has scattered abroad His gifts to the poor; His righteousness endures forever; His horn will be lifted high in honor.

    Five times this word is used in the New Testament:
-Matthew 12:30
-Luke 11:23
-John 10:12
-John 16:32
-2 Corinthians 9:9

    The born again believer is a gift to be scattered abroad across the nations. We carry the Good News of redemption, repentance and revival within us. We are the light that shines in the darkness of men's lives that the Light of God's Love may shine in their hearts, transforming the old life into the new. 
    While some of us choose to go where and when we are sent, many more are driven to other nations through persecution. It is not a new thing for the born again believer to be under attack from those who do not want to hear about God and Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. 
    As it was in the early days of the New Testament church, so it is now in these later days, these last hours, of the New Testament church. We follow a Leader who informs us we would be scattered abroad to the nations. Not only that, but how we would be dispersed.
(1) Matthew 24:9-14 (2) Mark 13:9-13 (3) Luke 21:10-19 and:
    Acts 1:8
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.
    Acts 8:3,4
But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off men and women and put them in prison. Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went
    And what are we delivering? The message of reconciliation with the Father through His Son Jesus Christ Who died on the cross, wherein He paid the penalty for our sins; Who rose from the dead and walked out of the grave into newness of life. 
    We preach Jesus Christ and Him crucified, as the apostle Paul wrote to the church in Corinth in his first letter to them (1 Corinthians 1:18-25). We preach the Truth and the Love of God (1 John 4); discernment and wisdom. 
    Wherever we go we go with God for He has said to His people that He would never leave us, nor forsake us. So we go in His strength, in His power, in His righteousness, in His victory. Every battle we fight we win, for Christ has gone before us and overcome all our enemies. We're just following His lead, trying to catch up to Him and bring as many folks as we can with us.

Where You'll Find Me - First15 Worship
Though You Slay Me - Shane & Shane
Every Wave - Summit Sounds
Break - Nikki Mathis
Seek First - Jason Upton
You've Already Won - Shane & Shane
Walk With You - Michael Bethany