January 30, 2023 -- Acts 11:19-24 -- The Acts of the Apostles: Persecution and Gospel Growth

People loved by the Father, in the Spirit's power: Sh'ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!

Now those who were scattered because of the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except Jews. 20 But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who on coming to Antioch spoke to the Hellenists also, preaching the Lord Jesus. 21 And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number who believed turned to the Lord. 22 The report of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. 23 When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose, 24 for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord.
Acts 11:19-24 ESV

When confronted with unbelievers in your workplace, or neighbours who are far from God, have you ever said to yourself, “It is hopeless?” The Jewish people who became Christians still had blinders on. They focused on their own people. The echo of Acts 1:8 reverberates through-out the book of Acts. When the Spirit’s power falls on the believers, they will be witnesses for Jesus unto the glory of God. This witness will spread outwards from Jerusalem to Judea, Samaria and to the ends of the earth. As Luke, inspired by the Spirit, records the story of the Apostles and the other followers of Jesus, the evidence of this outward and forward moving spread of the Gospel is made clear.

What Acts records and proves is still true for you and me today. The hand of the Lord is with you. Living for Jesus will result in the people around you either becoming curious about Who He is and why you are devoted to Him or will result in anything from ridicule to harsh treatment and many worse things. The fact is, Stephen’s martyrdom, recorded in Acts 7 resulted in believers being dispersed through all different regions. Wherever they went, the Gospel was carried with them. “And a great many people were added to the Lord” what a glorious result. What the devil and God-haters intend for evil, God used for good. When life is good, praise God. When life is tough, trust God is accomplishing His purposes and still causing the Good News about Jesus to be scattered far and wide. When troubles push you into new places and circumstances, trust that like seeds you are being sown into areas where hearts are fertile ground, longing to know Him.

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your Name. Thank You for those who You scattered so that our lives were blessed with the knowledge of Jesus Christ. Thank You for faithful family members, neighbours, Sunday School teachers and evangelists who declared Your loved. Father of love forgive us for the times we complain about the circumstances of our lives. By the powerful presence of Your Spirit in our lives, help us to grow in confident faith that wherever You have placed us, whatever joys or trials have been providentially placed in our lives, we are Your workmanship given the made-just-for-our-skills opportunities to declare the grace of Jesus Christ to all and any we meet. Amen.

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