Acts 11:19-21 “Now those who had been scattered by the persecution that broke out when Stephen was killed traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, spreading the word only among Jews. Some of them, however, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began to speak to Greeks also, telling them the good news about the Lord Jesus. The Lord’s hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord.”
Dr. Willie Nolte continues: Here is an amazing reality. In Acts chapter 11, there is an interesting statement. The city of Antioch had become one of the main centers of the new Christian church. Just two chapters later, in Acts 13:1-2 we read, Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul. While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” That Saul that was persecuting the Christians in chapter 8 became the Apostles to the Gentiles, started multiple churches in Asia Minor and wrote one third of the New Testament because those scattered by the persecution went to Antioch telling the good news of Jesus Christ. What a difference it makes when we look at our life situation and understand that the place and the people are essential.
The last thing that Jesus said to His disciples in Acts 1:7-9 was, “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. The Gospel was going to be preached in Samaria one way or another. Up until this point of persecution, the Christians weren’t necessarily thinking that the half-breed Samaritans were worthy to hear the Good News. But, the persecution resulted in Phillip in chapter 8 going and preaching the Gospel in Samaria. Then in Acts 8:26-27 we read, an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Go south to the road—the desert road—that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” So he started out, and on his way he met an Ethiopian eunuch, an important official in charge of all the treasury of the Kandake (which means “queen of the Ethiopians”). This man had gone to Jerusalem to worship. God puts us with people in places that matter. I would ask you: who are the people, what are the situations and what are the places that “these days” God has put you in that give people opportunity to hear about Jesus, the Savior of the world? There may be many people that would not have the opportunity, if we hadn’t had the pandemic change moving up. Your location matters.
The third thing that Dr. Nolte sees in the text of Acts 8 is that (3) your motives matter. In Acts 8:9-13, Simon the sorcerer meets and follows Phillip in Samaria, but in verses 19-21 says: When Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money and said, “Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” Peter answered: “May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money! You have no part or share in this ministry, because your heart is not right before God.” Your motives matter.
Romans 1:16 says, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.”
There is great power in the Gospel; it is the power of God to save people! The power that raised Jesus from the dead is at work in Believers and the Christian church today. There are amazing things that happen as lives are changed. Many may easily believe that thee is some benefit in the power of God for themselves (prestige, standing or profit from it) because we are “fallen in sin” human beings. It is for each of us to watch our own heart motivation. Jesus radically called us to examine our own true motives, our spirit and our attitudes.
We need to ask ourselves, even in this current crazy situation, who is going to get the credit when I tell people about Jesus? Who is going to get the glory when miracles happen and lives are changed? If we are seeking that glory, then we need to check our heart. The first question of the Westminster Shorter Catechism asks “What is the chief end of man?” The Answer stated is, “Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever.” God gets the glory. We want to be honest about our own heart motives. In any way that God would use me or you in different situations and places with new people hearing the story of Jesus, we want God to get the glory and amazing things will happen. Let’s see that He does.
There is one other thing. What if, in a “BOOM” sudden change year, mirrored, embraced and prayed God to help us to adopt the same attitude of the Apostle Paul in Philippians 1:12-14, where he said, “Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear.” What if that was the attitude thqt we prayed for every single day? What 9s happening now for providing the opportunity to advance the Gospel.
We are still in the unfolding of the “Big Picture Plan” of the Gospel to reach the entire world. God has given each one of us opportunities in this big world for that Gospel to reach those who hve not heard or know the Savior of the World. Every one of us are on the continuum of that unfolding of the Big Plan of God, but there are two tracks here. If you are a Believer, there is change, change, change, but in every situation and location, no matter what happens good, bad or anywhere in between is always an opportunity to tell the story of Jesus everywhere and embrace it. But, there is another track, which is one who is yet to accept, embrace and believe the love of Godin the story of Jesus. Is that you?
The only calling of the church is to go and make disciples of Jesus Christ everywhere by inviting people to be reconciled to God by te completed work of Jesus Christ. God loves you. Jesus died and lives for you. Every single one of us. God is not hiding from you. If you would hear and accept God’s love through the life, death and resurrection life of Jesus, God promises to (1) forgive your sins. All of us have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. Sin keeps us from a holy God. The story of Jesus is that your sins can be forgiven and God will do that. (2) Then God will adopt you into His family as a son or daughter of God that gives you a nation of Heaven where Christ is the Lord; a place to belong, a place to grow and a place to serve. (3) God promises to full you with His presence of the indwelling Holy Spirit to give you strength and purpose, even in these days so we can keep moving forward. (4) God’s welcomes you into the rest of your life, which is eternity with Him in Heaven. Pray, God thank you for loving me. I believe that Jesus died for my sin. I believe that it is the only way to have a restored relationship with you. Even if I don’t completely understand, I choose to believe it today. Thank you for making me a part of Your family. I want you to make into my life. I want you to take control of it. I want you to help me find purpose, direction, grounding, and security on into eternity,
\All of us are the unfolding of the Big Picture of God. It’s a “BOOM” year for us, and a great year for us to embrace the Good News of the Gospel.
God Bless, Willie
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