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1 Corinthians 1:29—“That no flesh should glory in his presence.” 

In the opening chapter of 1 Corinthians, the Apostle Paul confronts the pride and divisions that had arisen within the church at Corinth. The Corinthians lived in a culture that admired eloquence, philosophy, and social status. Yet Paul reminds them that God’s work of salvation operates according to a very different principle. In the preceding verses, he explains that God has chosen “the foolish things of the world” and “the weak things of the world” to accomplish His purposes (1 Corinthians 1:27–28). The divine intention behind this surprising choice is clearly stated in verse 29: “that no flesh should glory in his presence”.

Salvation is arranged in such a way that human pride has no place before God. No person can stand in the presence of the Lord and boast of personal wisdom, moral achievement, or religious merit. The cross of Christ removes every ground of self-glory. We are not saved because of our intellect, our strength, or our righteousness, but solely because of God’s grace in Christ.

This truth humbles the believer. Whatever spiritual blessings we possess—faith, forgiveness, righteousness, and hope—are gifts freely given by God. As Paul later writes, “He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 1:31).

At the same time, this truth brings great comfort. Our acceptance with God does not depend upon our abilities or accomplishments but upon Christ alone. Therefore, we come before God not with pride, but with gratitude and worship, giving all glory to the One whose grace alone has saved us.

A Pastoral Appeal to the Church to Pray for Ministers of the Word in Local and Foreign Fields

Christ’s Assessment of the Harvest and the Harvesters

When our Lord Jesus Christ looked upon the multitudes that followed Him, He did not merely see a crowd of people gathered around Him. He saw their true spiritual condition. Matthew tells us that He was “moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd” (Matthew 9:36). The people were weary, confused, and spiritually helpless. They needed guidance, truth, and salvation. Out of that compassionate observation came one of Christ’s most urgent appeals to His disciples.

In Matthew 9:37–38, Jesus said, “The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.” In these words, our Lord reveals two great realities. First, there is a vast spiritual harvest. The world is filled with souls who need the Gospel and the shepherding ministry of God’s Word. Second, there is a serious, painful labour shortage. Having men called and sent by God to preach, teach, and care for souls is the greatest need of this world, that people may be brought under God’s truth to receive His salvation and guidance.

Christ’s Appeal to Pray for Harvesters

Our Lord’s first response to this urgent need was not strategy, organisation, or human ingenuity, but a call to earnest prayer to the Lord of the harvest, that He may raise up and send forth labourers. These words ought to lie heavily upon the heart of every church.

This is what the church desperately needs to hear again – a beckoning to pray for labourers in the ministry of the Word. If Christ commanded His disciples to pray for labourers, then surely the church in every age must give itself to prayer for pastor-teachers, evangelists or preachers of the Word, both in local congregations and in distant fields where the Gospel is little known. The ministry of the Word is central to the life, purity, growth, and mission of the church. Therefore, the church must be earnest, constant, and believing in prayer for those whom God has called to preach Christ.

Christ looked upon the crowd not as mere numbers, but as distressed and spiritually needy souls. The image of sheep without a shepherd is especially weighty – “…they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd” (Matt. 9:36). It points to the need for spiritual guidance, doctrinal instruction, tender oversight, and saving truth. The church must therefore pray because human souls do not merely need relief from outward troubles; they need shepherds who will feed them with the truth of God.

Our Lord says, “The harvest truly is plenteous”. The problem is not that there is a lack of work in soul-gathering, or that God has no saving purpose in the world. The problem is that “the labourers are few”. Few are willing to spend and be spent in the work of the Gospel. Few endure hardship, study the Scriptures diligently, shepherd souls patiently, and proclaim the whole counsel of God without compromise. Therefore, Christ directs His disciples to prayer: “Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest”. The harvest belongs to Him. The church belongs to Him. The ministers belong to Him. He alone can raise, equip, preserve, and send forth labourers.

This command teaches the church at least three things. First, ministers are a gift from Christ. They are not ultimately produced by seminaries, institutions, or ecclesiastical systems. Whatever good means may be used in training men, the call itself is divine. It is the Lord of the harvest who must send forth labourers. Second, the need for ministers is perpetual. Every generation requires faithful men to preach the Gospel afresh. Third, prayer for ministers is not optional. It is a plain duty laid upon the church by the Lord Himself.

Meditative Questions on Praying for Labourers

1. Concerning Our Understanding of Christ’s Concern

• Do I see the world as Christ saw it – full of weary souls like sheep without a shepherd?
• Do I recognise that the spiritual harvest is truly great in my locality and across the world?
• Do I believe that the shortage of faithful Gospel labourers is a serious concern for the church today?

2. Concerning Our Obedience to Christ’s Command

• Since Christ explicitly commands us to pray for labourers, am I obeying this command regularly?
• When was the last time I intentionally prayed that God would raise up and send forth faithful ministers of the Word?
• Is prayer for labourers a regular part of my personal and family prayer life?

3. Concerning Our Burden for the Ministry of the Word

• Do I pray earnestly for my own pastors and preachers, that they may preach with clarity, courage, and faithfulness?
• Do I pray that God will preserve them from discouragement, temptation, and spiritual weariness?
• Do I thank God regularly for those who labour among us in the ministry of the Word?

4. Concerning the Global Harvest

• Do I pray for ministers and missionaries serving in distant lands where Christ is not yet widely known?
• Am I aware of the needs of churches in other countries that lack faithful preachers of the Gospel?
• Do I remember persecuted or struggling ministers in my prayers?

5. Concerning the Raising of New Labourers

• Do I pray that God will raise up young men from our churches to serve as pastors, evangelists, and missionaries?
• Do I encourage those who show gifts for the ministry to pursue God’s calling?
• Am I willing to see members of my own family or church sent out for the Gospel ministry?

6. Concerning My Own Heart

• Does the spiritual condition of the lost move me to compassion as it did to Christ?
• Am I willing to support the ministry of the Word through prayer, encouragement, and practical help?
• Am I open to the possibility that God might call me, or someone close to me, to labour in His harvest?

7. Concerning Faith in the Lord of the Harvest

• Do I believe that God still raises up faithful labourers in answer to prayer?
• Do I pray with confidence that the Lord of the harvest will send forth workers into His field?

1 Corinthians 1:27—“But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty.” 

In this verse, the Apostle Paul reveals a striking principle in God’s redemptive work: the Lord often accomplishes His purposes through those whom the world considers insignificant. Human wisdom values power, intellect, and status, yet God often sets them aside to accomplish His purposes.

Paul declares that “God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise”. The message of the gospel appeared foolish to the sophisticated minds of Corinth. A crucified Saviour did not fit the world’s ideas of wisdom or greatness. Yet through this seemingly foolish message, God reveals the deepest wisdom of His saving grace. The cross exposes the emptiness of human pride and demonstrates that salvation is entirely God's work.

He also states that “God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty”. Throughout Scripture, the Lord delights to use those who appear weak in the eyes of the world. Fishermen became apostles, persecutors became preachers, and ordinary believers carried the gospel across the world. In doing so, God ensures that the glory belongs to Him alone.

This truth is deeply encouraging for believers. Our usefulness in God’s kingdom does not depend upon worldly strength, status, or ability. What God seeks is humble hearts that trust Him and are willing to be used for His purposes.

Therefore, let us lay aside pride and self-reliance. The Lord who chooses the weak also strengthens them. When we depend upon Him, our weakness becomes the stage upon which His power and wisdom are displayed.

Joshua 1:9—“Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.”

As Joshua stood on the brink of leading Israel into the promised land, the task before him must have seemed overwhelming. He succeeded Moses, one of the greatest leaders in Israel’s history, and was called to guide a nation into unfamiliar territory, filled with formidable enemies. 

In this moment of responsibility and uncertainty, the Lord addressed Joshua with both a command and a promise. He commands, “Be strong and of a good courage”. This strength was not merely natural boldness or self-confidence. Joshua’s courage was to arise from trust in the Lord and obedience to His Word. True spiritual courage does not come from human ability but from reliance upon God.

The Lord also confronts the power of fear: “Be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed”. Fear and discouragement often arise when we focus on our own weakness or on the magnitude of the challenges before us. God calls His servants to resist such fear by remembering His faithfulness and power.

The source of Joshua’s courage rests in God’s abiding presence: “for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest”. This gracious promise assured Joshua that he would never lead the people alone. The presence of the Lord would guide, sustain, and strengthen him for every step ahead, granting wisdom, courage, and steadfast confidence in every challenge he faced.

The same truth comforts believers today. Our courage is not rooted in ourselves but in the Lord who walks with His people. Wherever He leads us, His presence is our strength and assurance.

Joshua 1:8—“This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.” 

As Joshua prepared to lead Israel after the death of Moses, the Lord directed his attention not to Joshua’s personal abilities, strategy, or military strength, but to the Word of God. True success in the service of God would depend not on Joshua’s own powers, but on his faithful devotion to the Scriptures.

First, the Lord commands that “this book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth”. God’s Word was to be continually spoken, rehearsed, and taught. Joshua was to lead with Scripture always upon his lips. Likewise, believers today should allow the truths of God’s Word to shape their conversation, counsel, and witness.

Second, Joshua was instructed to “meditate therein day and night”. Biblical meditation involves thoughtful, prayerful reflection upon God’s Word. It is not a hurried reading but a continual pondering of divine truth. By meditating on Scripture, the believer allows God’s Word to penetrate the mind, strengthen faith, and guide the heart to live in accordance with it.

Third, the purpose of meditation is obedience: “that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein”. God’s Word was never meant merely to inform the mind but to govern the life. True devotion to Scripture always leads to faithful obedience.

Finally, God promises blessing: “then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success”. This prosperity is not worldly gain but the favour of God upon a life ordered by His Word.

Therefore, let us treasure the Scriptures, meditate upon them continually, and walk in humble obedience to the Lord.

Galatians 1:6—“I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel.”

In this solemn statement, the Apostle Paul expresses astonishment at the Galatian believers' spiritual instability. His words reveal both the seriousness of doctrinal error and the preciousness of the gracious gospel of Christ.

First, Paul marvels at the speed of their departure: “ye are so soon removed”. The Galatians had recently received the gospel through Paul’s ministry, yet they were already drifting from its truth. This reminds us how quickly believers can be unsettled when false teaching arises. Spiritual maturity requires vigilance, for error often enters subtly and persuades hearts before it is fully recognised.

Second, Paul describes their departure as being removed from Him who called them. To abandon the true gospel is not merely to change ideas; it is to turn away from God Himself. The gospel is God’s gracious call to sinners, summoning them out of darkness into the saving grace of Christ. Therefore, any distortion of that message threatens the very foundation of faith.

Third, Paul warns that they were turning “unto another gospel”. Yet, as he later explains, such a message is not truly another gospel. The Gospel of Christ proclaims salvation by grace alone through the finished work of Jesus Christ. Any addition, whether human merit, religious works, or ceremonial observances, corrupts that message and undermines the sufficiency of Christ.

This passage reminds all believers to guard themselves from drifting away from the purity of the gospel. We must cherish the grace of God revealed to us in the Gospel of Christ, and carefully test every teaching proclaimed in the Scriptures so that we may remain steadfast in its truth. The very gospel of Christ that saves us, we must continually hold fast and faithfully uphold.

Galatians 1:4—“Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father.” 

The Apostle Paul sets before us the heart of the gospel. First, he mentions the voluntary sacrifice of Christ: “who gave himself for our sins”. The death of Christ was not forced upon Him; it was a willing offering. The Lord Jesus laid down His life as the substitute for sinners. Our sins demanded judgment, yet Christ bore that judgment in our place. Here we see both the gravity of sin and the greatness of divine love. The cross declares that our guilt was real, but it also proclaims that Christ’s sacrifice was sufficient.

Second, Paul reveals the purpose of Christ’s sacrifice: “that he might deliver us from this present evil world”. This present age is marked by sin, rebellion, and spiritual darkness. Christ came to rescue us through His redeeming work. Believers who trust and obey Christ are being delivered daily from the dominion, values, and bondage of this fallen world and Satan. Though we still live in the world, we no longer belong to it. Our lives are now shaped by a different kingdom and a different hope.

Finally, we are reminded of the sovereign will of God: “according to the will of God and our Father.” Our salvation is rooted in God's eternal purpose. The cross was not an accident of history but the unfolding of the Father’s gracious plan.

Therefore, let us rejoice humbly in Christ’s sacrifice, refuse to live for this present evil world, but walk as those delivered from it, striving to do the gracious will of our heavenly Father.

Acts 17:11—“These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.”

When Paul the Apostle and Silas arrived in Berea after opposition in Thessalonica, they again proclaimed the gospel in the synagogue. Luke records a remarkable commendation about the Bereans: they were “more noble”. Their nobility did not arise from social standing or education, but from their spiritual posture toward God’s Word.

First, “they received the word with all readiness of mind”. Unlike those who resisted the message, the Bereans approached the apostolic preaching with openness and eagerness. They were especially attentive because the apostle was expounding the Scriptures and showing their fulfilment in Jesus Christ. They did not dismiss the message out of prejudice or pride but welcomed the possibility that God was speaking through the Scriptures concerning Christ.

Second, they “searched the Scriptures daily”. Their eagerness was not naïve acceptance. Instead, it was accompanied by careful examination. The verb suggests deliberate investigation. They measured the apostolic teaching against the authoritative Scriptures to determine whether these things were so.

An important lesson this passage affirms is the supreme authority of Scripture. Even apostolic preaching was to be examined in light of God’s revealed Word. The Bereans model the right posture for every believer: humble receptivity combined with diligent discernment. Faithful Christians do not merely hear sermons; they test them by Scripture.

A noble heart welcomes God’s Word, studies it carefully, and gladly submits to its truth. Such a posture leads not to scepticism but to deeper conviction and faith.

Acts 14:22—“Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.”

After suffering persecution in cities such as Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, Paul the Apostle and Barnabas returned to the very places where opposition had been fiercest. Their purpose was pastoral: to strengthen new believers and urge them to remain steadfast in the faith.

Luke records that they were “confirming the souls of the disciples”. This involved strengthening their inner resolve to trust the Lord Jesus and grounding them in the realities of Christian discipleship. The apostles did not promise ease or immediate triumph. Instead, they gave a sober theological reminder: “We must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.”

This statement reveals an important biblical truth. Suffering is not accidental to the Christian life; it is often the pathway through which God matures His people. The kingdom of God has been inaugurated through the suffering and victory of Jesus Christ, and those who follow Him share in that pattern. Tribulation refines faith, deepens dependence on God, and detaches believers from the passing comforts of this world.

Believers must be prepared to face trials, recognising that hardship is part of discipleship. Faith must not be abandoned when hardship arises. Instead, trials should remind us that we belong to Christ and are journeying toward His kingdom.

Therefore, when afflictions come, they are not signs of God’s absence but occasions for steadfast trust. Through many tribulations, the Lord leads His people safely into His eternal kingdom.

John 3:3—“Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

In this encounter, Jesus Christ speaks to Nicodemus, a respected Pharisee and ruler of the Jews. Nicodemus came with religious knowledge, moral reputation, and sincere curiosity. Yet Christ immediately directs him to the one reality that religion alone cannot produce—the new birth.

The double affirmation, “Verily, verily”, underscores the absolute certainty and importance of the statement. Jesus declares that entrance into the kingdom of God requires nothing less than being “born again.” The phrase indicates a radical spiritual transformation, a work of God whereby a person receives new spiritual life. Natural birth introduces us into earthly life, but spiritual birth introduces us into the life and rule of God.

Christ reveals the profound insufficiency of human merit, heritage, and religious performance. Nicodemus possessed learning, status, and devotion, yet Christ declared that without regeneration, he could not even “see the kingdom of God”. Spiritual blindness characterises the unregenerate heart.

Every person ought to examine whether they have truly experienced the renewing work of God’s Spirit. Christianity is not merely moral reform or religious affiliation; it is the miracle of new life from above. Where the Spirit grants this new birth, eyes are opened to the glory of Christ, hearts are turned from sin, and God’s kingdom becomes a present personal reality. The rule of God is no longer resisted but is received from Christ with faith and humble submission. The greatest question, therefore, is not what we know or what we achieve, but whether we have truly been born again and entered the kingdom of God.