Blessed Hope Bible-Presbyterian Church
500 Upper Bukit Timah Rd, Singapore 678106
He exhorts the believers to continue with the practice of greeting one another, maintain the warm relations of spiritual kinship. It may be a handshake, a warm embrace, keep up the spirit of sincere Christian love among brethren. Amen.
Ecclesiastes 4:4-6
4 Again, I considered all travail, and every right work, that for this a man is envied of his neighbour. This is also vanity and vexation of spirit. 5 The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh. 6 Better is an handful with quietness, than both the hands full with travail and vexation of spirit.
This man Rufus is a chosen vessel wherewith God’s presence abide. Not so much his salvation but his godly character. He was one who lived out the Christian character. His love for God and the brethren is well-attested. And his mother cared for the Apostle Paul and is like a mother to him.
These ladies understand the meaning of Christian service. The Apostle Paul commend them for their faithful service in the work of the gospel. They were willing hands ready to toil for the Lord. It is God who blesses these ladies with His presence, power and purpose that they would volunteer their services. Often, the Christian toil is unseen and unheard, a quiet plodding on. The Apostle Paul encouraged them to press on with the good work by his commendation. May the Lord grant you strength and wisdom to labour in His name. Amen.
Indeed, the Apostle Paul has many friends and co-labourers in the Lord. When he was first converted, the Christians feared him for his past misdeeds persecuting Christians. We see how the grace of God can transform the heart of a man. He was changed from a fierce persecutor to a key champion for the cause of the gospel. God can save even the vilest of sinners by His mercy.
Acts 7:54-60 When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth. 55 But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, 56 And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God. 57 Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord, 58 And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man’s feet, whose name was Saul. 59 And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. 60 And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.
(1) Reading the Bible in One Year
Andrew Murray’s devotional reading for 28 August entitled, “The Joyful Sound”.
Psalm 89:15 Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound: they shall walk, O LORD, in the light of thy countenance.
“The joyful sound” consists of God’s people walking in His light and rejoicing in His name. They have undisturbed fellowship and never-ending joy.
In every well-ordered family, one finds the father delighting in his children and the children rejoicing in their father’s presence. This mark of a happy home on earth is what the heavenly Father has promised as we rejoice in His name. It has been possible in Christ through the Holy Spirit filling our hearts with the love of God. It is the heritage if all who truly seek to love god with all their heart and strength.
Yet there are many of God’s children who simply give up hope that a life of rejoicing in God’s presence is possible. Yet Christ promised it so definitely: “These things I have spoken unto you, that my joy may remain in you, and that your joy might be full” (John 15:11).
The word “approved” means tested and true. Apelles’ relationship is not made known here in our text. However, the Apostle Paul commends him to the church as one that God has tested and has proved himself faithful to Christ. MacArthur observed well, “dokimos (approved) carries the idea of being tried and tested and was used of precious metals, such as gold and silver, that passed tests for purity.”
Stachys was highlighted as a beloved, a dear brother in Christ. We do not have any information concerning this person but we know that he has established a blessed relationship of mutual love and support with the Apostle Paul. What a privilege to be a child of God. The Apostle Paul experienced Christian fellowship and help and love.
Thank God for fellow-workers who are willing to sacrificially serve in the gospel work. Urbane, was such a man whom the Apostle Paul salutes. Truly, in the gospel work, it will be lonely if there is no helper in Christ. The Apostle Paul has Barnabas and Silas, later Timothy and Luke, as travelling companions. This saint, Urbane was there to provide a lack, what a blessing he was. The Apostle Paul fondly remembers him.