DCLM Daily Manna 2 March 2024 Devotional by Pastor W. F. Kumuyi — An Epistle To The Noble
TOPIC: An Epistle To The Noble (DCLM Daily Manna 2 March 2024)
KEY VERSE: “It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus” (Luke 1:3).
TEXT: Luke 1:1-4 (KJV)
1 Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us,
2 Even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and ministers of the word;
3 It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus,
4 That thou mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed.
MESSAGE:
In an article on ‘Evangelising the Upper Class’, Ellen White asked the pertinent question, ‘We talk and write much about the neglected poor, should some attention not also be given to the neglected rich?’ Social stratification may create social barriers but the preaching of the gospel is to every creature – nobles and commoners. The upper class in every society is usually composed of men and women of power and influence. They are often neglected in the area of evangelism for personal and social reasons.
Our text educates us on the need to reach out to the people in the upper echelons in society. Luke wrote his epistle primarily to Theophilus, a noble man, an influential personality in that society. The first thing to note is the commonality of the preacher and his audience. The letter was written by Luke, the beloved physician (Colossians 4:14) to ‘most excellent Theophilus’, whose title suggests that he was a member of the upper class or a noble. Luke, judging from his profession, was not a poor man or a nonentity. The first lesson is that members of the upper class should intensify the efforts to reach out to their peers.
The second lesson is the choice of appropriate method of evangelism. Luke wrote an epistle to Theophilus. This strategy is still appropriate to reach the nobles or members of the upper class who mostly live in gated estates and government reserved areas. Many of them also travel frequently. The privilege of letter writing in this digital age is limitless as distance is no longer a barrier.
Our text also outlines the qualities of a good soul-winner. He or she must be soundly converted, well-informed, persuaded and have the competence to present the gospel logically and convincingly.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Can God depend on you to reach the unreached?
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR
2 Corinthians 8-10
Deeper Life Daily Manna was written by Pastor W. F. Kumuyi; is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church situated at KM 42 on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Nigeria.
