Pastoral Connection – Breaking Barriers and Transforming Lives

July 14, 202

Read Acts 8:1 – 25

“The gospel has unlimited power in our lives to change any situation so that everything makes sense, and anyone can be changed.”

As followers of Christ, choosing to call Him our Lord, we are duty-bound to follow our Master’s directives. Remember how the apostles were dispersed by coordinated attacks from the religious leaders and Philip continued to follow his Lord’s instructions where he went. The act of trying to snuff out the Great Commission had the same effect as trying to wave out a campfire; the leaders only managed to spread the embers further and quicker than they would have gone otherwise.

The power of the gospel is on our side because we’ve allied ourselves with Him. That means there can be great joy amid feeling defeated, weary, or sorrowful. Philip went to Samaria where he witnessed to the people and brought about a great spiritual awakening. Spreading the gospel message releases challenges and truth like when Peter and John were sent to find the Samaritan believers. They were challenged when faced with people like Simon the Magician who merely wanted to perform signs and wonders so to elevate his own status.

But the gospel releases genuine repentance. The Ethiopian eunuch learned of Jesus by reading and listening to Philip’s teaching. After learning all the apostle had to say, the Ethiopian continued home and presumably spread what he learned to his own people.

Dive Deeper

Romans 1:16: “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.”

Mark 16:15: “And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.”

2 Timothy 3:16, 17: “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”

Practical Application

The Lord called His followers to a certain work we must continue until His return. We are to step out into the world, spreading the gospel message across the globe to all people. Although not every person will receive it and some will want it for the wrong reasons, we are meant to do it anyway. The Lord loves His children, and His work is worthy, just as we would risk being pricked by multiple thorns to retrieve a single rose.

Take heart as you move through this life, spreading the gospel message, because we will face challenges. But the gospel arms and protects us as well as revealing the truth to us. Keep the faith, stay in prayer and fellowship, while continuing to read the gospel message. Then you will recognize the Holy Spirit’s voice when He guides you.