Series: Called
Message: Essential Gospel
Preacher: Jessyka Albert
Reflection: Jessyka Albert
Live Wonder: Zan Long
Live Adventure: Zan Long
Live Purpose: Jason Calvert
Editor: Becky De Oliveira
Refresh: Begin with prayer. Ask for the Holy Spirit to open your heart to new understanding and for God’s character to be revealed.
Read: Romans 1:8-17 in the New International Version (NIV). Note 1–3 insights or questions.
Reflect: Many of my friends are elementary teachers, so I get to hear a ton of funny stories from their classrooms. Some of these stories stem from really great moments, and others stem from a kid acting up or making an inappropriate joke. Teachers, unlike parents, are definitely allowed to choose favorite kids. You know, the kids who don’t make farting noises when you’re trying to teach a new lesson, or the ones who listen to your instructions the first time instead of doing the exact opposite.
When reading Paul’s letter to the Romans, you have to remember that the Jews believed themselves to be the top of the class. They were God’s favorites. In verse 14, we are reminded that this “favoritism” wouldn't get them (or anyone) any farther than anyone else. Paul writes, “I am under obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish. So I am eager to preach the Gospel to you also who are in Rome.”
Paul understands that the Gospel is for everyone, no matter who they are, where they’re from, or what they look like. A good teacher understand that education is for all, no matter who they are, how much they act up, or how distracting they are in class. Whether or not you're a "favorite" should never give you a leg up on learning your ABCs or learning about Jesus’ love.
Christians often have favorites. People who are easy to share the Gospel with. People who are easy to take care of because they don’t need much. People who are wise. But Paul reminds us that we are called to serve the barbarians and the foolish. We often think that, unlike parents, unlike God, we’re allowed to have favorites, but by seeing everyone as a child of God, as someone whom Jesus died for, we can change our perspective on how we share the message of the Gospel.
Recalibrate: Which people would you struggle to share Jesus' love with?
Respond: Ask God to soften your heart toward those you see as "barbarians" or foolish.
Research: Search for the outreach projects the Seventh-day Adventist Church has done.
Remember: I am not ashamed of the Good News. It is the power God uses to save everyone who believes—to save the Jews first, and then to save the non-Jews. (Romans 1:16, ICB).
Jessyka Albert is associate pastor at Boulder Adventist Church with a special responsibility for children's ministry. She is a native of Washington State and a graduate of Union College. Jessyka is known for her passion, energy, and fun-loving approach to sharing the gospel in creative ways.
The most wonderful thing about God’s love is that it never gets smaller when we share it. In fact, it gets bigger—just like how much love fills the home when another baby arrives. Love doesn’t halve when shared; it doubles. That’s my kind of math.
Your adventure today is to search for someone you don’t know (with a parent or babysitter), maybe someone who is not like you at all. It could be the checkout person where you buy your food. Say "Hi, my name is . . . What’s yours? Thanks for helping me today." Jesus calls us to be kind to everyone.
It was a day just like any other day. David’s dad asked him to do a menial task, take cheese and bread to his brothers. He had no idea that by obeying this small request he would place himself at the center of winning a war and be known throughout history. When David arrived on the battlefield, no one, not even his brothers, wanted him there. Then he heard Goliath who directly insulted his God and his people. In a scene where the current king, leadership, and an entire army felt powerless and ashamed, little kid David showed full confidence. The scriptures explain that David ran toward the enemy. That is confidence! We all have big, scary “giants” in our lives that could defeat us. Is it possible God is preparing you now for something great—not only for yourself, but for your friends, family, church, state, nation, and all of humanity? Don’t miss it.