4Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went. 5Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Christ[a]there. 6When the crowds heard Philip and saw the miraculous signs he did, they all paid close attention to what he said.7With shrieks, evil[b] spirits came out of many, and many paralytics and cripples were healed. 8So there was great joy in that city.
It’s encouraging to read that as the church faced persecution, it forced them to split up and spread God’s word wherever they went. These were good people doing good things but hardship fell on them in the form of persecution. Yet through it, God’s word spread across the land and God’s work continued despite these hardships. Phillip was one example and his testimony and ministry filled the city he entered with great joy.
I hope to see our church grow despite whatever hardships we face among us. I think in my life at least, I feel hardships come in the form of temptation, lethargy, callousness and it shows in the lack of spiritual growth. It forces me to re-examine my relationship with God and to cut out that which hampers my growth. I hope and pray to witness God working in and through each of our lives. Let’s not get discouraged by whatever struggles that come our way. We have Christ and the Holy Spirit to work in and through us despite the darkness we see in and around us. “The spirit is willing, but the body is weak." Our body may be weak but we are not dead and we can grow stronger.
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3 comments:
Thanks Lynn!
I don't know what I really thought about the early church when I read today's passage. I'm starting to see how strong it is even after facing so much hardships and sorrow from the outside world. Scattered but not broken...I don't know why but this phrase speaks tons to me. They had to scatter because it wasn't safe to stay together but they still went out and did miraculous works and proclaimed Christ to the world. It was as if God had orchestrated everything during this time of persecution to jump start the spreading of His Gospel out to the four corners of the world, which I'm pretty sure it was the case.
Thanks Lynn for your reflection. It was very encouraging, and I agree that despite the hardships and difficulties we may be facing RIGHT NOW..we have Christ.
It's so crazy to see how powerful the word of God is throughout these passages. For people to witness paralytics and cripples getting completely healed must have been such an amazing sight. How could they not praise our Lord? This is the same Lord we worship!
thanks for such a moving reflection, lynn. you're so right to point out the enduring power of the church. the mighty roman empire collapsed due in large part to a small handful of faithful followers. they had no money, no power, no political rights. and their methods were hardly impressive: wherever they went, they showed love to their neighbors and shared the gospel, literally one unbeliever at a time. in doing so, they overturned the might of the roman empire.
this is God's method even today. the establishment of His kingdom is not brought about ultimately in big evangelistic meetings or in mega-churches, as impressive as they are to us. God's kingdom is established through the witness and testimony of ordinary believers like you and me, being faithful to Him in whatever corner of the world we have been called to occupy, showing love and sharing the gospel, one unbeliever at a time.
there is power in the gospel to overturn sin and corruption and the kingdoms of the world, for Jesus Himself said, "the [very] gates of hell will not prevail against it".
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