Visible Face of Grace

~~~ Acts of the Apostles 11:21B-26; 13:1-3 ~Psalm 98~~Matthew 5:17-19 ~~~

Barnabas arrives in Antioch
and is pleasantly surprised at what he sees.
The Gentiles have become so exemplary
 in the way they are following the teachings of Jesus.
Barnabas remarks he saw the grace of God...
'visible grace'.

He stays for a year because he is so impressed at what he is witnessing.
Basically he tells them to keep up the good work.

...remain faithful to the Lord in firmness of heart...

He returns to his home town convicted
than before to preach for Christ.

...it was in Antioch that the disciples

were first called Christians.

If we call ourselves Christians
 then we too must make the grace of God visible.
We cannot just wear the Christian label like a fashion designer garment.
It is so much more than just a label...it is the visible grace of God.

You are the new evangelism in the church.
You are the one who must reveal God's grace in the world today.
You are the one God is Blessing for his kingdom.
You are the one he wants to send.
You are the one who is the visible face of grace.

Are you up to the challenge?
His message is not for the person next to you;
his message is for you.

His grace sustains us in times of trial and hardship.
If his grace is sufficient,
then we must make it visible to others.

Dear Lord, please help me today.
I want to make your grace present to those I meet.
May the Lord bless us
and keep us in his grace today.

~~~Peace~~~