Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
April 23, 2022: SOAP #4524:  1Samuel 27; 1Chronicles 9; Psalm 141; Matthew 10

SCRIPTURE:  Matthew (NIV) 10:40 “He who receives you receives me, and he who receives me receives the one who sent me. 41 Anyone who receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and anyone who receives a righteous man because he is a righteous man will receive a righteous man’s reward. 42 And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward.”

OBSERVATION: How people receive me is of great concern to Jesus.  He dwells in me; He is personally involved in what happens to me.  I am more than representing Him, our lives are intertwined.  Of course, it should affect how I live my life, how I talk and act.  I must conduct my life in a way that honors Him. 

Our lives being so intertwined, people honoring or mistreating me are doing it to Jesus!  And the truth progresses on because the life of Jesus is even more intertwined with our Heavenly Father.  They are doing it to the Father. 

APPLICATION: As an enlisted man in the US Navy, I was privileged to serve on a Commodore’s staff.  When we visited a ship to conduct a medical inspection, the Captain gave us more respect than our rank deserved because when he saw us, he saw the Commodore.  The Captain knew that he would be answering to the Commodore for our report. 

One time a Captain did not allow us on his ship.  We were not present when the Captain was called into the Commodore’s office, but very shortly after that meeting, we received a phone call seeing if we would possibly have time to do an inspection of his ship.  When we worked under the authority of the Commodore, the Commodore used his authority to deal with the issue. 

We were just lowly enlisted men dealing with earthly Captains and an earthly Commodore.  But as born-again believers, we are walking under the Lordship of Jesus Christ!  We can expect God to deal with issues of how we are received. 

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, teach me to walk solely in the authority given me.  Inspire me to use that authority to change my family and my world.  Amen

Pastor Leon                         Making friends for time and eternity!