Here in 18 we have Paul continuing in his evangelic ministry. He has been traveled seemingly anywhere and everywhere. I can't help but think his iPod soundtrack would most definitely be playing "Until the whole world hears" by Casting Crowns. (You're welcome for getting the song stuck in your head.) I mean seriously, if you are reading this and struggling to believe that God has called you to minister, yes I said you minister, to everyone you meet; well you just aren't reading the same book I am. Paul is flat out determined. Go. Teach. Debate. Clarify. Pray for. Baptize - Water & Holy Spirit. Then get up tomorrow and do it again. Remember this is the same Paul that was Saul. Bathed in religion. Strictly following the rules. Killing all who opposed his faith. Now- He will not quit for Christ. Period.
Two things. First off- you are not as bad as Paul. Chances are you haven't killed anyone. If you have, chances are it wasn't because they declared Jesus as Lord. Absolute Truth -- Lies needs not be true to hurt you- they just require you act like they are true. The devil IS a LIAR. He is the father of deception. So many people who get saved fall victim to this lie-- "I am to bad to be used by God." That is a lie straight from the gates of hell. Why is this damaging? James 2:20 tells us that "faith without works is dead." Jesus came not to be served but in the form of a servant. When you are used by God - your faith is stirred - it grows - something happens in your heart - it's like your heart gets bigger and God takes up more space in you. But when you cash in on the lie and instead do nothing. Your heart seemingly shrinks, God becomes distant, growth halts, you become disconnected, your faith dies. The enemy wants to keep you idle. He wants to keep your hands still and your words empty. He wants your faith to die. The truth is that none of us are good enough - but the grace of God covers us and that more than qualifies us to be used by Him.
Second - don't worship the man -- follow the man - worship Christ. At the end of 18 we are introduced to a man named Apollos. Apollos is a great teacher. He is full of passion. He is enthusiastic. He is determined for Jesus. Sound familiar? Paul vs. Apollos becomes the theme of many Christian debates. In I Corinthians 3 we see this addressed. Some Christians became so emphatic over their leader they began to fight with the opposition. Unfortunately what they saw as opposition was really the body of Christ.
1 Corinthians 3:4-6 When one of you says, “I am a follower of Paul,” and another says, “I follow Apollos,” aren’t you acting just like people of the world? After all, who is Apollos? Who is Paul? We are only God’s servants through whom you believed the Good News. Each of us did the work the Lord gave us. I planted the seed in your hearts, and Apollos watered it, but it was God who made it grow.
Don't hate on your brothers in Christ. There are other Christians beside you. There are other churches. There are other campus ministries. (Thank God) They aren't the opposition. They aren't the competition. They are servants for Christ. Our only opposition is the devil ( not even unbelievers, they are just victims of the enemy). Don't get caught up in who's who, who's the best, the competition and all that mess. Don't tear
down the body of Christ. Put your efforts into tearing down the strongholds of the enemy.
As long as we do nothing, we lose. As long as we fight each other, we lose. But when we get to work doing His work, working with the whole body for His Glory. He wins. I'm not content with the measure of success the church has accepted. I want more. More salvations. More lives changed. More people set free. More of His Kingdom operating in my world. I want success as Gods see's it. My heart cries out for it. My soul is stirring. And I know I can't be the only one. Can I?
Grace & Peace
Dennis
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