By Rick Hurley
I love how Paul writes near the start of Philippians 1, “I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.”
When we give our hearts to Christ, that’s exactly what we are — partners in the gospel. We have a responsibility to share the message of salvation with others, and that takes us stepping out in faith, asking God to present those gospel opportunities to us. As partners in the gospel, we step up and step out whenever, wherever, and to whomever the message of salvation needs to be shared.
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“Who knows what my life would have been like?”
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I didn’t grow up in a Christian home — far from it. My childhood was filled with the presence of drugs, alcohol, and violence. By all reasonable accounts, I should have grown up to continue that same lifestyle I was exposed to, but God (two of my favorite words in the Bible) sent someone into my life who wasn’t afraid to partner with God in the gospel, and take the time to share with me how much God loved me and that He took my place on the cross, for my sins.
No wonder Paul says, “I thank my God every time I remember you.”
I thank God every time I think of my friend Randy who went out of his way to be the hands and feet of Christ. If it wasn’t for Randy’s faithfulness to go and share the gospel — even though it was just going to the next town over — who knows what my life would have been like?
As Romans 10:15 states, “And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!’”
Questions for Reflection
Who “partnered in the gospel” to share Jesus with you?
Who are you being called to share the gospel with this Advent and Christmas season?
Prayer
Lord, thank you for letting us be partners with you to share your peace and good news with the world around us! Help us be your feet in the days ahead. In Jesus’ name, amen.
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Rick Hurley is a man of many hats. He serves his northern Indiana community as the senior pastor of the Capstone Free Methodist Church and also as the fire chief of the Claypool Volunteer Fire Department. Rick and his wife, Kelly, have attended the church (previously known as the Winona Lake Free Methodist Church and the Winona Lake Community Church) with their two children for 12 years, and they have served in a variety of leadership positions.
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