Ephesians 2: 1-9 Christ's Gospel is a Gospel of Grace by Faith

And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest. But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.

Although we were born into the world with a sinner and labeled "children of wrath," Christ Jesus had mercy on us and desired to save us from destruction by bringing salvation by way of the cross, to the Jews first, but also to the gentiles. Yes, our Father now is the Father of all peoples so long as they receive the grace by faith in the Son of God who is Jesus Christ. He has also reserved blessings for us in heavenly places where they cannot be stolen or destroyed. Now we can unite as a people who have hope, because of our Savior and salvation
Daily Prayer: Holy Father, receive me now as your son in Christ Jesus. Release the blessings that you have stored for me and send me as Your ambassador to the world. In Jesus name I pray Amen.

Galatians 5: 14-23 Walk by the Spirit

For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, “YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.” But if you bite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another. But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law. Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

The natural man is as different from the spiritual man as night is to the day. The natural man seeks to satisfy itself without consideration of the consequences to others. The spiritual man considers his behavior and its affect on others. The natural man lives for the moment, but the spiritual man lives to eternity. One is wise, the other foolish. One identifies with the Holy Spirit, the other the Price of this World who is Satan. One will die and die again. The other will die, but live forever. When you bring your mind to the Holy Spirit, the best the world has to offer will be foolishness.

Daily Prayer: Lord Jesus, give me the power to crucify my flesh, that is my own will and bring it to you to be put to use in Your Kingdom. I must trust you with this, because it is all that I have and ever will be. Use me for Your Glory. Amen.

Galatians 4: 1-9 (a) Sons of the Most High

Now I say, as long as the heir is a child, he does not differ at all from a slave although he is owner of everything, but he is under guardians and managers until the date set by the father. So also we, while we were children, were held in bondage under the elemental things of the world. But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God. However at that time, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those which by nature are no gods. But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God.

Have you ever considered that? That is that those who come to God through faith in the Son become sons of the Living God. Have you told anyone in your family that you are the son or daughter of God? If they think you have lost your mind, they that is most likely because they are not known by God as you are! That's right. For those who have been redeemed by the blood of the Son are like the Son, son's in their own right. On the day you were born, you were separated from God because everyone is. But on the day you placed your hope in the Son, He who created the heaven and the earth took notice of you, and welcomed you into the household of faith.

Daily Prayer: Father, I call you Father because you are my Father. But not mine alone. We have a large family for which you are the Head and we come together again today to celebrate everlasting life won of the Cross of Jesus Christ. It is in His name I pray Amen.

Galations 2 1-2, 11-14 the Council at Jerusalem

Then after an interval of fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus along also. It was because of a revelation that I went up; and I submitted to them the gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but I did so in private to those who were of reputation, for fear that I might be running, or had run, in vain. Recognizing the grace that had been given to me, James and Cephas and John, who were reputed to be pillars, gave to me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, so that we might go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised. They only asked us to remember the poor—the very thing I also was eager to do. But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. For prior to the coming of certain men from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he began to withdraw and hold himself aloof, fearing the party of the circumcision. The rest of the Jews joined him in hypocrisy, with the result that even Barnabas was carried away by their hypocrisy. But when I saw that they were not straightforward about the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas in the presence of all, “If you, being a Jew, live like the Gentiles and not like the Jews, how is it that you compel the Gentiles to live like Jews?

Paul was building the church with the gentiles, as is the apostle to the gentiles. After 14 years, he returns to demonstrate to the Jews the Gospel of Jesus Christ which has no requirement for new converts to follow the Law of Moses which is the Covenant God has with the Jews. Instead the church hinges on faith alone in Jesus Christ. Peter, a lead apostle, had joined Paul among the gentiles. He celebrated their success until confronted by staunch Judaizers who are those who are still zealous for the Law and demand the gentiles conforming to it. Even Peter joined them until Paul rebuked him to his face obeying the will of Christ and not bending to the hypocrisy of the Jews.

Lord Jesus, You have preserved the gospel for more than 2000 years. It has been kept pure and simple. By my placing my faith in You and your resurrection from the dead, then I too inherit your victory over death and the devil. This is why it is called the Good News - the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Amen.

2 Corinthians 13: 5 - 12 Examine Yoursellf in All-Faith

Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you—unless indeed you fail the test? But I trust that you will realize that we ourselves do not fail the test. Now we pray to God that you do no wrong; not that we ourselves may appear approved, but that you may do what is right, even though we may appear unapproved. For we can do nothing against the truth, but only for the truth. For we rejoice when we ourselves are weak but you are strong; this we also pray for, that you be made complete. For this reason I am writing these things while absent, so that when present I need not use severity, in accordance with the authority which the Lord gave me for building up and not for tearing down. Finally, brethren, rejoice, be made complete, be comforted, be like-minded, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.

Paul was very concerned that his labor for the church not be in vain. For this reason, he examines himself, lest he be found incomplete in Christ. He exhorts the converts in the Corinthian Church and to believers everywhere not to take their faith for granted. Instead test or examine your faith so that you go into the world walking by faith and not by sight in the Risen Lord Jesus Christ. We are his ambassadors now and need to be a model to the world of a transformed life and a renewed heart.

Daily Prayer: Father, I confess apart from Jesus, I am just like the rest of the world, be in Christ Jesus I can do anything. Nothing is impossible for you and I must believe without doubting and then I can be considered a disciple of Lord Jesus. Strengthen me so that I do not stumble.

2 Corinthians 12: 7 - 10 A Thorn in the Flesh

Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me—to keep me from exalting myself! Concerning this I implored the Lord three times that it might leave me. And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.

These are important verses in the understanding of New Testament theology. The natural man believes that through obedience that they will receive reward. Yet here we have an apostle of Jesus Christ coming to God three times for relief from a physical impairment and was refused. Christ's reply is that, "My grace is sufficient for you." He knows what is best for his disciple. It may be that through this defect of the flesh, that he remained humble and loyal to his Savior. Whatever the reasoning, Christ replied that his power is exercised through the weaker and more common vessel.

Daily Prayer: Lord Jesus, I too face impairments of the flesh that have never left me. I have seizures that sometimes make me look foolish, yet I understand that you have the ability to set me free, but have chosen to let your grace be sufficient for me. Other times, you have come without my asking for a healing that only you can do. For this reason, I have grown to trust in your faithfulness and judgment in my life. In your name I pray Amen.

2 Corinthians 10: 1-6 the Battle is the Lord's

Now I, Paul, myself urge you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ—I who am meek when face to face with you, but bold toward you when absent! I ask that when I am present I need not be bold with the confidence with which I propose to be courageous against some, who regard us as if we walked according to the flesh. For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ, and we are ready to punish all disobedience, whenever your obedience is complete.

Adam is the evidence that humankind is not fit for spiritual warfare. Only in Christ, are people able to like in the midst of the danger of the world. If the world had its way, it would utterly destroy the Jews and the Christians because they belong to the Most High. Christ won the victory on the cross overcoming death and the devil so that those who take refuge in Him would live and be a part of Him. It is because of our total dependence on Him that we live humbly before our God, taking refuge in His strength and finding safety in the sea of trouble.

Daily Prayer: It is as Jesus said, "into your hands I commit my spirit." This is my decision for you Father. I cannot live apart from you, but with you, all things are possible. Let me live in accordance with this truth. In Jesus name I pray Amen.

2 Corinthians 5: 1 - 8 God has prepared for us a glorified body

For we know that if the earthly tent which is our house is torn down, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For indeed in this house we groan, longing to be clothed with our dwelling from heaven, inasmuch as we, having put it on, will not be found naked. For indeed while we are in this tent, we groan, being burdened, because we do not want to be unclothed but to be clothed, so that what is mortal will be swallowed up by life. Now He who prepared us for this very purpose is God, who gave to us the Spirit as a pledge. Therefore, being always of good courage, and knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord— for we walk by faith, not by sight - we are of good courage, I say, and prefer rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord.

Once man had fallen into sin, creation since that time has been groaning. Nothing which is contaminated by sin can be used for its full potential. God has not left us as orphans. For those who come to Him by faith in Jesus Christ inherit a new body, one without defect with more properties than our earthly tent. This is why Paul says it is better to be absent from the body and present with the Lord. This is also echoed by David who says he wants to live in the House of the Lord, all the days of his life. But for this to come to pass, we must walk by faith and not by sight, believing in the One who has set is free.

Daily Prayer: Lord Jesus, I live in my body and care for it all the days that you have appointed for my life. There will come a day when sickness and fear and groaning come to an end. But until that day I will trust in you until I am with you face to face. In your holy name I pray Amen.

1 Corinthians 15: 50-57 the Mystery of Resurrection

Now I say this, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. Behold, I tell you a mystery; we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For this perishable must put on the imperishable, and this mortal must put on immortality. But when this perishable will have put on the imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written, “DEATH IS SWALLOWED UP in victory. O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR VICTORY? O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR STING?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Paull understood that Jesus won the battle over sin and death on the Cross. Without sin, death would not have come to humankind, because God said to Adam that if he eats of the fruit, he will surely die. On the cross, this curse was reversed. Jesus was perfectly obedient and laid down his life as a ransom for many. When Jesus resurrected from the dead, he demonstrated creations’ new order, that the dead, all dead, will rise again, some into glory and others into contempt. So the choice is ours, which is to believe in Jesus and live or be eternally separated from him.

Daily Prayer: Father, the pattern of eternal life has been set and demonstrated, yet many don't believe. Have compassion on us and open our eyes to believe and understand the cycle of life so that without unbelief, people can make an eternal decision. In Jesus name I pray Amen.

I Corinthians 13: 1-13 the Excellence of Love

Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails; but if there are gifts of prophecy, they will be done away; if there are tongues, they will cease; if there is knowledge, it will be done away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part; but when the perfect comes, the partial will be done away. When I was a child, I used to speak like a child, think like a child, reason like a child; when I became a man, I did away with childish things. For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known. But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love.

Jesus said before his resurrection, "A new commandment that I give to you, love one another.” Love is the Law of Christ. Here, Paul is comparing the great spiritual gifts of speaking in tongues, prophecy, and love. He explains that the former two are only temporary. But to the mature Christine (the perfect), they will abide in love, because this is an enduring gift of God. Love is not self motivated, but others motivated, against whch there is no law. It is love that separates the Christian from the world.

Daily Prayer: "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, so that whoever trusts in him will not perish, but have eternal life." This is what you, Father are like. "God is love," the Scriptures write. Place the love of God in my heart also, so that I may serve both man and God. In Jesus name I pray Amen.

1 Corinthians 1: 18-24 the Wisdom of God

For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. ¹⁹ For it is written,

“I WILL DESTROY THE WISDOM OF THE WISE,
AND THE CLEVERNESS OF THE CLEVER I WILL SET ASIDE.”

Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not come to know God, God was well-pleased through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. For indeed Jews ask for signs and Greeks search for wisdom; but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block and to Gentiles foolishness, but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.

These verses are often times quoted by Christians even today! The world is powered by their prince who is Satan. Christians follow the revelation of their Savior Christ Jesus who was crucified to pay the penalty for our sins and guilt. To the natural man who follows the Serpent of Old, this should be treated lightly, and even rebelled against. But God, who is wiser than any of His creation, imposes His will through the least of these, His sons and daughters who walk with Him in the garden, and have no reason to hide.

Daily Prayer: Father, I count it as special to be chosen by You for the sake of Your salvation. Let those who have ears, let them hear, so that they do not scoff at grace and try to take on the Ruler of this world along. In Jesus name I pray Amen.

Romans 15: 16-21 the Gospel Spreads Among the Gentiles

Be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles, ministering as a priest the gospel of God, so that my offering of the Gentiles may become acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit. Therefore in Christ Jesus I have found reason for boasting in things pertaining to God. For I will not presume to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me, resulting in the obedience of the Gentiles by word and deed, in the power of signs and wonders, in the power of the Spirit; so that from Jerusalem and round about as far as Illyricum I have fully preached the gospel of Christ. And thus I aspired to preach the gospel, not where Christ was already named, so that I would not build on another man’s foundation; but as it is written,

“THEY WHO HAD NO NEWS OF HIM SHALL SEE,
AND THEY WHO HAVE NOT HEARD SHALL UNDERSTAND.”

Paul is speaking to his converts in the church to make Christ's name known. These new believers will be as priests to there brothers. The gospel will spread among the gentiles by the power of the Holy Spirit who indwells these Christians. This is not convincing to the cities that Paul visited alone, it is also convincing of the Jews in Jerusalem who are watching the growth of the church and the work of the Holy Spirit with the gentiles. This was hard for some of them to swallow, because they wanted Christ to be for the Jews and even tried to convince Paul to have them accept Judaism as a condition of becoming a Christian. But that is not the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The gospel says that men can come to him by faith alone, apart from any work of the Law so that whoever believes in the Son shall be saved.

Daily Prayer: Father, the gospel is good news to the hearer. All of our lives, we hear about the bad things we do and the evil in the world. But you did not come to condemn the world, but to save it! For this reason we have every reason to rejoice and to tell all who may not know about the freedom and clear conscience one can have when we identify with Jesus as our means for pleasing God. In your holy name I pray Amen.

Romans 12: 1-6 the Body of Christ

Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith. For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them according to the proportion of his faith.

Paul is raising three points: First, we are to honor our human body as holy, because it is the temple of the Holy Spirit. Second, he reminds us that our spiritual gifts together for the church, which is the body of Christ. All persons who are saved receive spiritual gifts to strengthen the body of Christ in the church and that each receives according to the measure of their faith. Nobody ought to think that they are more important, because whatever they do for the church is because they have been given a gift by God for that service - it is not according to one's talent. Finally we are to proceed with a sober mind, because we are Christ's ambassadors for his service until he returns.

Daily Prayer: Father, we do not ask why the potter made some vessels for honor and others for common use. We know that all things work together for good for all who are called according to your purpose. Reveal and nurture in me your giftedness for my life and let me receive it in all humility. In Jesus name I pray Amen.

Romans 8: 26-28 Our Victory in Christ

In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groaning too deep for words; and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified.

In Jesus earthly ministry, his disciples asked him to teach them how to pray. Jesus taught them a model prayer, which we still use today. In my time, the saint has the Holy Spirit forming his prayers and interceding for them to God Most High. Jesus also intercedes for those who have come to trust in him, so we have two persons of the Godhead bringing our petitions to the Father. By having our prayers fashioned in such a way as to be "holy words" when they are received, we can confidently say that "all things work together for good." The role of intercession is that it takes the heart, or the spirit of man, and connects it to the Spirit of God so that He not only can, but will rescue you in your time of need.

Daily Prayer: Father, in my life I have had a number of desert experiences. That is to say, times when I felt parched and in need of deliverance. Let me say that great is your faithfulness in bringing me deliverance not only in hours of need, but in times of plenty. This I pray in the name of Jesus Christ my Lord Amen.

Romans 3: 21-27 Justification by Faith

But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus; whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness, because in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed; for the demonstration, I say, of His righteousness at the present time, so that He would be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. Where then is boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? Of works? No, but by a law of faith.

This is the crux of New Testament theology. Justification is related to salvation. Specifically it is having right standing before Father-God. Because of the sin of Adam in the garden, humans proceeding in the human race apart from Christ-Jesus are born into a sin nature. In other words, we are born separated from God. God will not tabernacle with anyone who is not holy, as He himself is holy. Therefore by placing our faith in the risen Christ Jesus, not only are our sins forgiven, but we inherit his righteousness before God and He will not receive us as His sons and daughters. With justification comes the gift of the Holy Spirit, to indwell those who are saved and to sanctify them in this sinful world until the day we are with Christ in heaven, or until He returns to us.

Daily Prayer: Father, you are very wise in your handling such a rebellious people as humans. Since we cannot come to you, you came to us in the person of Jesus Christ to set us free from our bondage and to make a place for us to be with you forever. Halleluiah Holy Father. In Jesus name I pray Amen.

Acts 10: 34-36, 44-48 the Spirit falls upon the gentiles too.

“I most certainly understand now that God is not one to show partiality, but in every nation the man who fears Him and does what is right is welcome to Him. The word which He sent to the sons of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ (He is Lord of all)— While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who were listening to the message. All the circumcised believers who came with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. For they were hearing them speaking with tongues and exalting God. Then Peter answered, “Surely no one can refuse the water for these to be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we did, can he?” And he ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to stay on for a few days.

It was inevitable that the gospel of Jesus Christ come to the gentiles. Paul was chosen as the Apostle to the Gentiles, but it was Peter, giving the same sermon to the gentiles that he gave to the Jews that brought the Holy Spirit upon them also. The Jews recognized this to be the same spirit that was poured out upon the disciples at Pentecost and now the church, by the growth in the gospel is for Jews and gentiles alike. There are not two ways to the father - one of Law and the other of Grace, but only by grace through faith can men come justified to God, based on the life found in the Son at his resurrection.

Father, it is hard for us to not think of ourselves more highly than we ought to. It is your power, grace and might that makes me acceptable, and I come with an empty hand to the Table of Salvation. We all want to be important, but apart from you, I can do nothing. Create within me the Spirit of Humility, and let this be the face I bring into the world. In Jesus name I pray Amen.

Acts 9: 1 - 8 Saul on the road to Damascus

¹ Now Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest, ² and asked for letters from him to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, both men and women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. ³ As he was traveling, it happened that he was approaching Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him; ⁴ and he fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” ⁵ And he said, “Who are You, Lord?” And He said, “I am Jesus whom you are persecuting, ⁶ but get up and enter the city, and it will be told you what you must do.” ⁷ The men who traveled with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one. ⁸ Saul got up from the ground, and though his eyes were open, he could see nothing; and leading him by the hand, they brought him into Damascus.

Saul was a Jewish Zealot who was fervent for the Law of Moses. Now that Christ has come, He is Greater than Moses because now salvation comes in resting in Him and his work on the Cross. Jesus wanted to turn Saul's zeal for the Law into zeal for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He is now changing his name from the Hebrew name Saul to the Roman name Paul. Jesus' mission for him is to build the Church, which was a mystery in the Old Testament. His mission is the conversion of gentiles, bringing them the Good News found in the gospel. And Jesus will show Paul how much he will suffer for His name's sake.

Daily Prayer: I thank you for the mission of Paul who was the one who planted churches throughout the world. No longer am I judged by the Law, because I am hidden in Christ. This way I am judged by Christ and His righteousness apart from the Law which brings me, and not me alone, but anyone who trust in Jesus new life. In Jesus name I pray Amen.

Acts 2: 36-45 Pentecost and the Early Church

Therefore let all the house of Israel know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ—this Jesus whom you crucified.” Now when they heard this, they were pierced to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brethren, what shall we do?” Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call to Himself.” And with many other words he solemnly testified and kept on exhorting them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation!” So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls. They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles. And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common; and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need.

Pentecost is the promised coming of the Spirit to the believers in Jesus Christ. This was a Jewish event at first, because the church had not been born until now. Men were convinced and convicted in their faith in the Messiah and repented of their sin of his crucifixion. Now the Jews, as a Covenant People, commit themselves to Christ by belief and baptism.

Daily Prayer: Father, I thank you for the Era of Grace, where men are no longer counting on the keeping of the Law for salvation, but are depending on Jesus Christ's perfect works and resurrection from the Cross for my personal atonement with you. Now let me walk in favor with my Father, all the days of my life. Amen.

Acts 1: 1-8 Jesus appears alive to his disciples

The first account I composed, Theophilus, about all that Jesus began to do and teach, until the day when He was taken up to heaven, after He had by the Holy Spirit given orders to the apostles whom He had chosen. To these He also presented Himself alive after His suffering, by many convincing proofs, appearing to them over a period of forty days and speaking of the things concerning the kingdom of God. Gathering them together, He commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for what the Father had promised, “Which,” He said, “you heard of from Me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” So when they had come together, they were asking Him, saying, “Lord, is it at this time You are restoring the kingdom to Israel?” He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or epochs which the Father has fixed by His own authority; but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.”

Several important things are features. First, Jesus appeared bodily to his disciples over forty days, and to a host of other witnesses of the resurrection as well. Second, he does not want for his disciples to leave Jerusalem until the Spirit of Truth comes, because He will guide them into all truth, including the writing of the gospels. Third, Jesus wants for them to be His witnesses world-wide once they are equipped with the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Finally, He leaves as a mystery the coming of the Kingdom of Israel, but instead focuses them on something more important which is the coming of the Kingdom of God.

Daily Prayer: Father into your hands rests the future of all men, whether or not they know you. But to those who know you, give us the power by your Spirit to be the sons of God which is the inheritance from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To that end, let us serve him all the days of our lives. In His name I pray Amen.

John 20: 1-9, 30 Jesus risen from the dead

Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came early to the tomb, while it was still dark, and saw the stone already taken away from the tomb. So she ran and came to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid Him.” So Peter and the other disciple went forth, and they were going to the tomb. The two were running together; and the other disciple ran ahead faster than Peter and came to the tomb first; and stooping and looking in, he saw the linen wrappings lying there; but he did not go in. And so Simon Peter also came, following him, and entered the tomb; and he saw the linen wrappings lying there, and the face-cloth which had been on His head, not lying with the linen wrappings, but rolled up in a place by itself. So the other disciple who had first come to the tomb then also entered, and he saw and believed. For as yet they did not understand the Scripture, that He must rise again from the dead.

Even the faithful struggle with faith. Although the disciples were with Jesus for three years and had been a witness to his mighty works, and were told of the things to come, they didn't understand or believe at first. They had grown dependent on the Savior and now feared the consequences of his departure. Even to this very day, skeptics are arguing where is the body of Jesus. There is always someone with a "reasonable" answer, but the supernatural doesn't operate on reason, but on the power of the Almighty and the Word of the Scriptures. These have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in his name.

Daily Prayer: Behold the Son of God, who takes away the sin of the world. Come into the hearts of men, Lord Jesus, and break down the barriers to belief so that they too may inherit your promises. In your holy name I pray Amen.

John 19: 16-20, 28-30 Jesus is Crucified

So he then handed Him over to them to be crucified. They took Jesus, therefore, and He went out, bearing His own cross, to the place called the Place of a Skull, which is called in Hebrew, Golgotha. There they crucified Him, and with Him two other men, one on either side, and Jesus in between. Pilate also wrote an inscription and put it on the cross. It was written, “JESUS THE NAZARENE, THE KING OF THE JEWS.” Therefore many of the Jews read this inscription, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city; and it was written in Hebrew, Latin and in Greek. After this, Jesus, knowing that all things had already been accomplished, to fulfill the Scripture, said, “I am thirsty.” A jar full of sour wine was standing there; so they put a sponge full of the sour wine upon a branch of hyssop and brought it up to His mouth. Therefore when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And He bowed His head and gave up His spirit.

The Romans had no more cruel method of execution than the cross. The person ultimately dies from affixation, but slowly. A key verse is when the holy text says that after Jesus had accomplished all things to fulfill Scripture, only then did he give up his spirit. Jesus had already foretold of his death to his disciples and to the Jews, but nobody believed him. On this day and at the cross, Jesus paid the penalty for the sins of the human race, both past, present and future.
He took the wrath of God upon himself.

Daily Prayer: Father, how could you watch your Son suffer and die on the cross? You did this so that all righteousness may be fulfilled in him so that I may be given a second chance at life. I can never repay you for his cruel death, but take my life also, so that I may live it for you. In Your Holy Name I pray Amen.

John 18: 31-38 Jesus before Pilate

So Pilate said to them, “Take Him yourselves, and judge Him according to your law.” The Jews said to him, “We are not permitted to put anyone to death,” to fulfill the word of Jesus which He spoke, signifying by what kind of death He was about to die. Therefore Pilate entered again into the Praetorium, and summoned Jesus and said to Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?” Jesus answered, “Are you saying this on your own initiative, or did others tell you about Me?” Pilate answered, “I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests delivered You to me; what have You done?” Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, then My servants would be fighting so that I would not be handed over to the Jews; but as it is, My kingdom is not of this realm.” Therefore Pilate said to Him, “So You are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say correctly that I am a king. For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.” Pilate said to Him, “What is truth?” And when he had said this, he went out again to the Jews and said to them, “I find no guilt in Him.

Jesus was arrested and handed over to the Jews. Since they had no laws that could put a man to death, they brought him before the Roman Procurator for judgment. The Jews had already decided it was best that one man should die, than the nation be a stench to the Romans. But the Roman Procurator found no guilt in him. Pilate tried to set Jesus free by offering the crowd the release of one prisoner and he offered them Jesus. But the crowd demanded the release of Barabbas who was a robber because they wanted Rome to put Jesus to his death.

Daily Prayer: Lord, in your flesh, you humbled yourself lower than any other man who has lived. You did this because your compassion is greater than any other man. Compassion and love that preferred to die an innocent death for the atonement of my sins than for me to be brought to a second death because of the sin that dwells in me. No love has ever been demonstrated such as this and now we need to share this gospel so that all will know. In your namd anf for your sake I pray Amen.