TOPIC: Evangelism Through Storms (DCLM Daily Manna 1 November 2022)
TEXT: Acts 21:1-9 (KJV)
1 And it came to pass, that after we were gotten from them, and had launched, we came with a straight course unto Coos, and the day following unto Rhodes, and from thence unto Patara:
2 And finding a ship sailing over unto Phenicia, we went aboard, and set forth.
3 Now when we had discovered Cyprus, we left it on the left hand, and sailed into Syria, and landed at Tyre: for there the ship was to unlade her burden.
4 And finding disciples, we tarried there seven days: who said to Paul through the Spirit, that he should not go up to Jerusalem.
5 And when we had accomplished those days, we departed and went our way; and they all brought us on our way, with wives and children, till we were out of the city: and we kneeled down on the shore, and prayed.
6 And when we had taken our leave one of another, we took ship; and they returned home again.
7 And when we had finished our course from Tyre, we came to Ptolemais, and saluted the brethren, and abode with them one day.
8 And the next day we that were of Paul’s company departed, and came unto Caesarea: and we entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, which was one of the seven; and abode with him.
9 And the same man had four daughters, virgins, which did prophesy.
KEY VERSE: “And when we had accomplished those days, we departed and went our way; and they all brought us on our way, with wives and children, till we were out of the city: and we kneeled down on the shore, and prayed.” – (Acts 21:5).
DCLM Daily Manna For Today MESSAGE:
In ancient Rome, crowds of spectators in their thousands would gather in the Colosseum to watch as Christians were torn apart by wild animals. Paul Rader, commenting on his visit to this famous landmark, said, “I stood uncovered to heavens above, where He sits for whom they gladly died, and asked myself, would I, could I, die for Him tonight to get this gospel to the end of the earth?” He realised those early Christians lived on the threshold of heaven.
The spread of the gospel of Jesus Christ, like a wild fire, in the first century took place at a time of iron rule of the great Roman Empire. There was political tension to discourage the laid-back Christian from travelling from place to place to win souls. But that was the time Apostle Paul and his companions traversed land and sea to heed the imperative of the great commission.
Challenging times must keep Christians on the move to spread the gospel. In times like these, God empowers us with His grace and courage to preach of His love that can help man sail over the vicissitudes of life. The early church grew in the face of persecution.
The believer, in this perilous age, must not relent on the given commission. We are closer to the time of the Second Coming of our Lord; a time our evangelism should be fiery and far-reaching to the “uttermost part of the earth…even unto the end of the world.” Modern technological devices should be employed to aid the spread of the gospel, thereby, winning a greater number of souls for Christ than the believers in Paul’s day.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
Preach the gospel in all kinds of weather.
THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
1 King 1-2
DCLM Daily Manna was written by Pastor W. F. Kumuyi; is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church situated at KM 42 on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Nigeria.