Worship

“Shadow of Your Wings” by Thrive Worship

Scripture Foundation

“Now those who had been scattered by the persecution that broke out when Stephen was killed traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, spreading the word only among Jews… When he arrived and saw what the grace of God had done, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts.” -Acts 11:19, 23, NIV, emphasis added

The Core Mission

Tucked into the middle of this passage is the crux of the mission of the Church: remain true to the Lord with all your heart. We will find the Spirit doing the heavy lifting throughout the book of Acts as God’s people live in total surrender to Him. The hand of the Lord was upon them, building the Church as it moved from Jerusalem to Antioch.

The Early Church’s Example

These Christians, as they were now called, had endured much over the years, from the birth of the Church to its expansion in Antioch. Beloved saints came and went. Persecution terrified God’s people, and rightly so. The era the Church was born into was not an easy one, but the Spirit of God was behind them and before them.

Timeless Principles for Today

Many have cried out for God’s mercy on our nation, that we would see the hand of God to bring deliverance. But just like the saints during the Roman empire, we will forever live dependent on the faithfulness of God, not the ruling power of the land. What remained true for them remains true for us:

• God’s people remained faithful to the Lord with all their hearts
• They preached the gospel in spite of being scattered, persecuted, discouraged, and disheartened
• They were transformed by grace
• The community of Christians was a place of refuge
• Discipleship was anchoring the Church
• The Church was gifted with prophetic wisdom
• The generosity of God’s people marked the Church

Personal Reflection

Am I:

• Remaining faithful to preach the gospel as Jesus commissioned me?
• Transformed by grace, or still striving to earn God’s favor?
• Part of a community of Christ followers?
• Sitting under godly counsel, discipling others?
• Receiving and giving prophetic words by faith?
• Marked by generosity so the gospel may go forth?

The Call to Action

No matter the outcome of the election, as weighty as it is for our nation, this passage must be a marker for us as we hold onto the Lord and continue in our calling. This is not a time for the Church to sit back and put her feet up. It’s time to awaken and turn off the lullaby we have drifted off to sleep with.

Final Encouragement

“But God glories to dispatch His people into the depths of a fallen world where suffering is the standard system. He revels not in the afflictions of His people but in their potential to overcome the kingdom of darkness. He equips his sons for battle and qualifies his daughters for combat.” -David Joannes, “The Mind of a Missionary”

I will see you next week in Peter’s prison cell. Here we will encounter another foundational element we live in total dependence upon: the victory of Jesus for both Peter and the Church!