Pastor Phillips Corner
Unto me (Paul), who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ. (Eph. 3:8,9)
THE GRACE TO SHARE AND THE ART OF BEING PREPARED
"Take a lesson from the ants . . . " That’s what Solomon writes in Proverbs 6:6‑11.
Did you ever sit and watch a family of ants? It seems they never stop: back and forth, back and forth they scurry. Eating, building, gathering, using all the summer to prepare for the winter to come; that’s the way of the ant. How important it is to be prepared for what lies ahead! It's a part of wisdom to be prepared. That's not just a Boy Scout idea; it’s God’s idea. He had it first!
Some years ago a German theologian spent some months in the United States. Just before returning he was asked about his impressions of church life in the states. "I'd like to see churches and church organizations," he said, "spend less time celebrating the fact that they have been going for 50 or 100 years, and more time on the prospect that they may have only a few years, perhaps only a few months, left in which to press on a doomed society, their offer of salvation."
As a member congregation of the Wisconsin Ev. Lutheran Synod, we have just been privileged to celebrate the 87th anniversary of our existence, Therefore we should give special heed to those words. In our 87th year, our eyes must be cast forward, not backward. True, Yesterday's blessings support today's thankfulness to God. But the mission task of the church is not carried out, by gazing in admiration on yesterday's work. The task, each day, is thrust upon us.
When St Paul wrote this letter to the church at Ephesus, he had preached the "unsearchable riches of Christ" throughout Asia Minor and Greece. But that was not enough. His mind was upon Italy and Spain and the fast approaching Day of Judgment. He was not thinking of those Gentiles who had heard his voice in days past. His eyes were on those who had not! His purpose was: "to make all men see! "
Even so as we celebrate 87 years of grace, we remembers that grace given is grace to be shared! There are still Gentiles who have not heard the "unsearchable riches of Christ," just as in Paul's time. Each year millions of people are added to the population of this planet. There are Gentiles galore!
Paul sees this mission task as a "gift of the grace of God." Grace, that God should choose a poor wretch like him to proclaim the riches of Christ. The strength for his task comes from God. What he accomplishes is a "gift of the grace of God."
That's why mission work ‑ here, there, everywhere ‑ is not a burden on a congregation or a synod. It is a gift of grace to be received with thanksgiving and joy. Taking a page out the ways of the ant, may we prepare for tomorrow by how we live today. The best way to live today is in the footsteps of Jesus, while share His gift of grace. That’s being Prepared!
Lord Jesus, our Savior and King, You have said that the fields are ready for harvesting. Help us to live for You! Then help us to reach out in Your Name sharing the riches of Your grace. Create in us the heart to do these things with joy, as a grace received from You. Amen.