"Persecution, Grace and Numbers..."

April 29, 2016

“Persecution, Grace and Numbers…”

Blessings folk!

How do we react in troubling times?
What do we do in times of despair?
What do we do when things are not going as we think they should?

Do you ever consider that it might be a precursor for the grace of God?
What might the Lord desire to do in the future for which today is preparatory?

Carefully read the following…

Act 11:19-24

So then those who were scattered because of the persecution that occurred in connection with Stephen made their way to Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except to Jews alone.

But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who came to Antioch and began speaking to the Greeks also, preaching the Lord Jesus.

And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a large number who believed turned to the Lord.

The news about them reached the ears of the church at Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas off to Antioch.

Then when he arrived and witnessed the grace of God, he rejoiced and began to encourage them all with resolute heart to remain true to the Lord;

for he was a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And considerable numbers were brought to the Lord.


Persecution had caused Believers to be scattered.
The persecution that cost Stephen his corporeal existence.

They travelled far.
They spoke the Word of the Gospel to Jews alone.

But, then some took the Gospel to the Greeks…non-Jews.

Did you see what happened?
The hand of the Lord was with them!
A large number who believed turn to the Lord.
Note - believe, turn.

News about this reached the church in Jerusalem so they fetched Barnabas to check it out.

What happened when he arrived?

He witnessed the grace of God!

Yes, the persecution and scattering lead to an outpouring of the grace of God upon the Greeks.

Barnabas was not offended.
He was not upset that the Lord chose to move through others.
He rejoiced.
So should we.
He encouraged them to remain true to the Lord.
So should we.

Too often we fear the grace of the Lord will be manifest in and through others…and not through us exclusively.

I kid not.
See it all the time in church leadership.

May we be as Barnabas…
A good man.
Full of the Holy Spirit.
Full of faith.
Rejoicing in the grace of the Lord.
A resolute heart of encouragement.

Then will considerable numbers be brought to the Lord…