Colossians 1:6b All
over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing, just as it
has been doing among you since the day you heard it and understood God's grace
in all its truth.
Every
day someone somewhere gets to hear the Gospel for the first time and responds positively
to it by opening his or her heart to Christ. It’s amazing to think that after
almost two thousand years, Jesus’ words and ways are still relevant to someone
in need of Him. In my own lifetime, I have experienced this for myself, as well
as seeing hundreds of others discover the same. It’s a beautiful event in
anyone’s life and, so long as churches continue on Earth, the Gospel will be
preached throughout the world.
Some
days I envy the Apostle Paul. He personally saw so many church start-ups that
his soul must have been constantly overjoyed with hope. No matter where he
visited or wherever he was being held as prisoner, he could both see and hear
that the infant Church was growing all over. It must have been a remarkable
age, but those kind of start-ups are not limited to the past. Christianity is
still the greatest faith on Earth and in places like China and Africa, it is
growing faster than ever. By the end of this century, there could be more
Christians in China than Communists; I even think that the changes we are
beginning to see over there, have their roots in Christian beliefs.
So,
wherever you are today and whatever church you serve, know this: you are part
of a worldwide movement that is still growing all over this planet because
people are still hungry for the Gospel and are still turning to Christ for
their answers to life itself!
Questions for personal reflection
How is my church
connected to Christians around the world? What can I do to support and strengthen
those connections?
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for never ever
giving up on the world. Thank You for Your amazing words, works, and ways that
continue to change lives across this planet. Enable us to do whatever we can to
continue Your mission in our communities and throughout the Earth. In Your Holy
Name, we cheerfully pray. Amen.
John
Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If
you would like to comment on today’s message, please send him an email to traqair@aol.com.
Today’s
image is one of John’s latest Communion drawings called “Blood and Tears.” If
you would like to view a larger version, please click on the following link: http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5479/11700133064_691aca8bcc_b.jpg
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