Paul continues to stretch out his hand to treacherous Israel, reflecting His Master’s great love for sinners and serving as a model for us. 

Christ is calling each of us to finish the course of world evangelization which He’s given to His church, imitating the Apostle Paul who imitated the Lord Jesus Christ. 

Paul was an excellent shepherd of the sheep, both in word and in deed, and like the Great Shepherd of the sheep to whom he points, worthy to be followed. 

The church continues to grow and distinguish herself as the unique object of God’s eternal love and covenant blessing, which directs our hearts to love and cherish her, even as our Savior did, with increasing passion and devotion. 

Preaching has always been the primary way through which the gospel is spread, and the servants of God continue to proclaim that message despite any opposition they may face.

In all contexts from Jerusalem to Athens, we must preach the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ, an aroma of death to those who are perishing but of life to those who believe. 

Satan’s opposition must not intimidate or depress us because Christ’s triumph in restoring the kingdom to Israel continues today just as it did in Paul’s day, despite Satan’s most insidious schemes. 

God's work of cosmic renewal continues through the same old painful labors of Spirit-empowered witnesses proclaiming the same old gospel. 

As in the ancient church at the Jerusalem Council, the message of salvation by grace through faith alone versus salvation by the works of the Law continues to triumph and rejoice the hearts of weary sinners. 

Knowing that tribulation is the necessary pathway to heaven encourages us to continue in the faith while we encounter various trials.