Positioning and Practicing the Power of The Gospel
February 27, 2023
Positioning and Practicing the Power of The Gospel
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. Romans 1:16
On Friday February 17, 2023, my wife and I attended her Father’s home going service. The Memorial service was Spirit filled, soul stirring and special. The sense of loss and the expression of grief in the sanctuary changed into a setting splendid with the celebration of Dad’s life, wonderful worship, and the Lord’s sweet solace.
On this side of Glory God gave him 98 years of life. In addition, the Late Wilbert M. Holmes and Gloria M. Holmes had 18 children (11 girls and 7 boys). Mr. Holmes was a paragon of providers and prudent patriarch. His progeny was punctuated by 18 children (3 deceased) 61 grandchildren, 114 great-grandchildren and 38 great-great grandchildren.
I met Mr. Wilbert Holmes and his beloved wife Gloria when I was a freshman student athlete attending Syracuse University. It was during my freshman year that God gave me the grace to receive and obey the gospel of Christ and as a result I was transformed (born again).
John 3:7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
1 Peter 1:23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth forever.
My college roommate’s brother-in-law was leading a Bible study in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Holmes, and he invited me to attend. Years later by the providence and goodness of God I shared with Mr. Holmes my heart to propose to Gloria his 16th child and one of his eleven daughters. To this day I can truly sayI got the best one! I wanted his blessing for her hand in marriage.
In the early stages of my union with Gloria my relationship with my new in-laws were locked in a contest for control. Boundaries were established but only after many battles. I often believed that I was considered the OUTLAW as opposed to a SON IN LAW.
But our Faithful and Good Father gave me favor in my relationship with my wife's parents. In HIS timing I was not just accepted and acknowledged as a son in law, but I was genuinely embraced as a son. So much so that Daddy’s and Mom’s trips from their home in New Jersey to our home in Florida progressed to EXTENDED STAY STATUS. One week turned into two weeks. Two weeks increased to three weeks and three weeks moved to a month and a month transitioned to three months. And the Good Lord knows that if I had an opportunity to open our home to my Dad and Mom again I would happily do it a million times over!
Furthermore, until the time Dad entered his eternal home, he would watch the worship services at Cornerstone Bible Fellowship where I serve as the Lord’s under shepherd. The absolute game changer in my relationship with my wife’s parents was a six-letter word. GOSPEL!
It is indeed the most powerful word in our reality because it is the POWER OF GOD!
I invite you to explore this word in our next time as we personally purpose to Position and Practice the Power of The Gospel.
Not a Sermon But a Thought
For the Glory of God,
PBKSR