“Lord Jesus, thank You very much that You have made us a part of Your Gospel. As we share the Gospel with people, we see turn around taking place in people and circumstances. Thank you, Lord Jesus, for giving us the privilege to be a part of the Gospel. In Your name, we pray. Amen.”
Acts 2:40-41 And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation.” (41) Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them.
The Lord brought about conviction and a revival took place. People repented, returned to the Lord and were restored to Him. Acts 2:36-37 “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.” (37) Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?”
This is what the Lord is longing to bring about through us as we share His message in different situations. Our contexts would be different but the result that the Lord desires is for people to be reconciled with Him. As we share the Gospel, we too must keep the end in mind and must, with intentionality, lead up to this experience. Yes, people may refuse to be reconciled with the Lord but we would have done our part.
Acts 8:5-8 Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them. (6) And the multitudes with one accord heeded the things spoken by Philip, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. (7) For unclean spirits, crying with a loud voice, came out of many who were possessed; and many who were paralyzed and lame were healed. (8) And there was great joy in that city.
We see here that the multitude with one accord heeded the things spoken by Philip and there was a revival, which resulted in great joy in the city. Miracles, signs, and wonders accompanied as Philip preached. Let us expect signs to take place as this is the work of God.
It is also important to note that not only were people reconciled with God but it resulted in joy in the city. This meant that when people come into the habitat of God, their circumstances too are affected. The Lord is reconciling all things to Him. The Lord is sending us into this perverse generation to reconcile people and creation back to God.
Acts 13:46-49 Then Paul and Barnabas grew bold and said, “It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken to you first; but since you reject it, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles. (47) For so the Lord has commanded us: ‘I HAVE SET YOU AS A LIGHT TO THE GENTILES, THAT YOU SHOULD BE FOR SALVATION TO THE ENDS OF THE EARTH.’ ” (48) Now when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and glorified the word of the Lord. And as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed. (49) And the word of the Lord was being spread throughout all the region.
We see here that the Jews rejected the Gospel. Paul and Barnabas were not restricted because of this refusal but saw this as the move of God to take the Gospel to the Gentiles.
We too need to always keep the Lord’s larger mandate in mind. People rejecting the Gospel may happen but the Lord is reaching the lost and we must persist in our mission. There may be some other group, to whom the Lord will open the door, for the Gospel.
Acts 16:31-34 So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.” (32) Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. (33) And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their stripes. And immediately he and all his family were baptized. (34) Now when he had brought them into his house, he set food before them; and he rejoiced, having believed in God with all his household.
A personal attack may take place, as it did with Paul and Silas. Yet, even in this situation, the impact and power of the Gospel were not restricted. The Philippian jailor, along with his entire household were saved.
We need to be conscious that there is power in the Gospel to reconcile people and creation to God. Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.
At the same time, we also need to be mindful that as we share the Gospel, we become the bridge over whom people will cross over and enter into the habitat of God.
I Timothy 1:15-16 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. (16) However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life.
We are patterns for the Gospel. We are not only messengers of the Gospel, but we also become a part of the message.