Author: Texas Gospel

Seeking God’s kingdom brings the provision he promises

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TEXAS GOSPEL VOLUNTEER

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus tells his followers not to worry about food, drink or clothing, assuring them that their heavenly Father already knows what they need. I believe this shows us the character of God. He withholds nothing his people genuinely require and has committed himself to supplying it.

I’m not saying this promise means every believer throughout history has been shielded from hunger or exposure. Some followers of Christ have died from starvation, and others have perished from cold or nakedness. These cases are exceptions rather than the rule, and they do not overturn the larger truth that God supplies what his people NEED.

The command that accompanies this promise is the key to understanding it. Believers are called to seek God’s kingdom first. For those pursuing his glory and his purposes above their own concerns, God’s care becomes evident. And as a hymn goes that you’ve probably heard, this world is not my home, I’m just a passing through.

The Lord is my shepherd,
I will not be in need.

Psalm 23:1

Sunday worship reflects the resurrection, not an Old Testament Sabbath rule

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TEXAS GOSPEL VOLUNTEER

Colossians 2:16 and 17 state plainly that no one has the right to judge believers regarding festivals, new moons or Sabbath observance, since these practices were shadows pointing toward Christ. This passage sets aside the ceremonial requirements attached to the Sabbath. The Old Testament Sabbath commemorated God’s rest after creation, but the early church shifted its gathering to the first day of the week to honour a different event entirely: the resurrection of Jesus. Revelation 1 refers to this day as the Lord’s Day.

Old Testament Sabbath regulations cannot simply be transferred onto Sunday worship, since the New Testament does not treat Sunday as a replacement Sabbath under the same legal requirements. Every day belongs to the Lord, and believers can worship him at any time. Even so, setting apart a specific day to focus on Christ’s resurrection remains a valuable practice for the church, offering a rhythm of corporate worship without reviving Old Testament ceremonial law.

Consequently, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God. For the one who has entered His rest has himself also rested from his works, as God did from His.

Hebrews 4:9-10

Christ’s own example shows believers when to flee persecution

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TEXAS GOSPEL VOLUNTEER

Jesus pronounces a blessing on those who are insulted and persecuted for his sake, yet he also instructs his disciples in Matthew 10 to flee from one city to another when persecution arises. These teachings work together rather than in conflict, and Jesus himself modelled the pattern he taught.

Early in Jesus’ ministry, opposition from the religious leaders in Judea, who began plotting to kill him, led him to leave for Galilee by way of Samaria. His extended ministry in Galilee followed.

Even in Galilee, danger arose. In his hometown of Nazareth, a crowd intended to stone him, and he passed safely through the mob and departed. His death would come only according to God’s appointed timing, not at the hands of those seeking to kill him prematurely. Doesn’t this establish a precedent for believers facing persecution? I believe it shows fleeing danger is not a failure of faith. At the same time, when persecution cannot be avoided and comes as part of faithful discipleship.

Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me.

Matthew 5:11

Salvation, faith and grace all originate from God alone

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TEXAS GOSPEL VOLUNTEER

Ephesians 2:8 declares that believers are saved by grace through faith, and that this salvation does not originate within themselves but comes as a gift from God. Every element named in the verse, grace, faith and the resulting salvation, traces back to God as its source. None of it comes from human effort.

The verses preceding this statement describe the condition of humanity apart from Christ; dead in trespasses and sins, following the course of this world, and by nature subject to God’s wrath. The turning point comes through God’s mercy and love. These make spiritually dead people alive.

Every part of our transformation, from the initial change of heart to the faith that receives Christ, originates with God rather than with our own initiative.

He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we did in righteousness, but in accordance with His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit,

Titus 3:5

The helmet of salvation guards believers against fear of losing their hope

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TEXAS GOSPEL VOLUNTEER

Ephesians 6 instructs believers to put on the full armour of God, including the helmet of salvation. Roman soldiers wore helmets in battle to protect against blows capable of killing them, particularly from large two-handed swords wielded by opponents. A blow to an unprotected head could end a soldier’s life instantly, which explains why head protection carried such importance in ancient warfare.

Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians describes this same piece of armour as the helmet of the hope of salvation, pointing toward the believer’s confident expectation of final salvation rather than merely the initial experience of being saved.

This hope provides security, resting on the assurance that God will complete the work he began, as stated in Philippians 1:6. Believers hold an inheritance that cannot be corrupted, reserved for them and guarded by God’s power through faith until it is fully received.

The greatest danger to a believer’s stability would be doubt about whether that salvation could be lost. The helmet protects against that fear by resting on the promises of God and the finished work of Christ.

But since we are of the day, let’s be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet, the hope of salvation.

1 Thessalonians 5:8