One only has to turn on the news to learn that we are in desperate times today. The violence consuming our airwaves is nothing new, but the frequency of it is alarming and discouraging to many today. Good is being called evil and evil is being called good. What we were once appalled at we are now desensitized to because it becomes the norm despite our efforts, so we give up the fight. The attacks upon righteousness and goodness are unrelenting and have the influence of turning our hearts into despair. We wonder what can we possibly do to make a difference in light of all that is happening? My friends, God is still on the throne and God is still in control, despite what we may be seeing, experiencing or feeling! The issue is that believers around the world have become solitary and afraid. We have, in my opinion, given into the lie that there is nothing that we can do. We have stopped gathering together with one another to pray, to worship, to learn, to be encouraged and to be empowered and equipped! Mighty things happen when the people of God gather together! Take our passage of Scripture today:
"The Jews from Antioch and Iconium came there; and having persuaded the multitudes, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing him to be dead. However, when the disciples gathered around him, he rose up and went into the city. And the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe. And when they had preached the gospel to that city and made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, "We must through may tribulations enter the kingdom of God." So when they had appointed elders in every church, and prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed." Acts 14:19-23 NKJV
Paul and Barnabas were ministering in Lystra, a city in present day Turkey. Because of the words they were speaking and the miracles they were performing the citizens of of the city supposed them to be Zeus and Hermes. However, Paul let them know that they were not, that they were merely men charged with bringing the good news of the one true God. Paul explained to them that what they were worshiping were useless idols. He began to teach them about the one true God. But then look what happens. The leaders of the day come in and persuade, or, in other words, turn the hearts of the people against Paul and Barnabas. They end up stoning Paul.
How this mirrors what is happening in our world today! The leaders of today are in the process of taking the world into a direction we know is not good. This is happening because of the "powers and principalities in high places." Our enemy is using his influence upon the leadership of the world to turn the hearts of men from God. Because of this, we see and hear of things happening that are very difficult for us to believe. The fear of it all saps us to our core and we become withdrawn and destitute, deciding that it would be best that we do not become involved. The unity of the brotherhood of Christ becomes damaged and makes it appear that the enemy is winning. This even happened when Jesus was here:"In that hour Jesus said to the multitudes, "Have you come out, as against a robber, with swords and clubs to take Me? I sat daily with you, teaching in the temple, and you did not seize Me. But this was all done that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled." Then all the disciples forsook Him and fled." Matt 25:55-56 NKJV.
It is not uncommon for us to become fearful, when we forget Who we serve. Paul was dragged out of the city because it was thought that he was dead. The people took him out to be left with the garbage. A man of God, who stood for God and faced a hostile leadership. But, notice what happens next: "when the disciples gathered around him, he rose up and went into the city." Acts 14:20a NKJV. The other disciples "gathered" around him. We are not told if they prayed or what they did, but the outcome of them gathering around Paul was that he rose up! Paul was just taken out of the city, stoned and perceived dead! But, when the people of God gathered around him, he got up and, get this please, he went back into the city! Paul went back to continue, confront, whatever you may call it, because of the unity of the people of God! If you refer back to our passage, you will notice that the gospel was preached, disciples were made and strengthened, and churches were filled. Revival took place! How did this occur?
Friends, we are called by God to be united with one another and with Him. There is little that we can do on our own when confronted by the powers of this world. We were not made to be able to stand against the supernatural on our own. Jesus said in Matt 18:19-20 "Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in My Name, I am there in the midst of them." God desires that His people be united in faith! As we are united great things happen! The kingdom of God is located in the hearts of the believers. By coming together in faith, in belief, the enemy is unable to stand and is forced to retreat! Everywhere in Scripture we are told by our Lord to come together with one another. It is not so that we have strength in numbers, there is that, but it is because we are the body! We are the Ekklesia--the called out ones! We are the hands and feet of Christ here in the world. And the Word of God is clear that all members of the body have a purpose and that there is little that one member can do, separated from the body.
We also need to understand that we will face persecution and tribulations for standing for the Lord. Paul did and even after he was stoned he stated that, " We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God." Acts 14:22b NKJV. I do not say this to cause fear or anguish, but the truth is that we will face opposition because our enemy knows that his time is short and he is going to continue to do all that he can to separate people from the love of God. If we, the people of God, would remember who we are and began to believe that we can do great things through Christ our Lord, and if we would again start to gather together and become united, we will see revival! We will see the footholds of the enemy released. We will see healing, we will see good return to good. We will see the body of Christ strengthened and the evil of the world overcome, regardless of who the leaders may be or the strength that they believe they have. Our Lord desires that all come to the saving grace and knowledge of the truth, but that can only happen when we renew our faith, our belief, and return to gathering together as the body of Christ. We are the people of God and when the people of God gather around one another, we will rise up and walk back into the city and miraculous things will happen, all in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ!
May God Richly Bless You Today!
HTrent
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