Acts 13.44-52

The reaction to Paul’s preaching of the gospel in Pisidian Antioch is wildly mixed…for those who believe, primarily Gentiles, there is great joy at the good news that they too can be saved. For those who reject, primarily Jews, there is jealousy, anger and great hostility toward Paul and Barnabas.

In 2 Corinthians 2.15-16, Paul writes, “For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing; to the one an aroma from death to death, to the other an aroma from life to life. And who is adequate for these things?” When you share the gospel…when you tell others your story…not all will be excited. Some may actually be angry and behave very badly. Not all will believe. That shouldn’t keep us from telling others about Jesus. Because He is good news. And telling those around us about Him is the most loving thing we can do.

Plan A vs Plan B…some of us are stuck in our Plan B experience. Life hasn’t turned out like we expected. Welcome to life on planet earth. We’ve all experienced the crashing down of our hopes and dreams. Our own bad choices and/or the bad choices of others and/or life in a fallen world are all contributing factors, but for those of us who have trusted in Jesus, we have to believe that our Plan B is God’s Plan A. That He is using it all…the good and the bad…to conform us to the image of Jesus, to transform us to live and love like Him. You are where you are…you have the relationships and are in the circumstances that you are in on purpose. God wants to use you in those relationships and wants to use your circumstances to make you more like Him. If God can use the greatest evil the world has known, the most notorious murder in history, the death of the only truly innocent Man to bring about the greatest good…salvation for all who will believe in Him…can He not bring good out of your current circumstance?

So where are you with the gospel? Is it good news of great joy? If it is, who are you sharing it with? Who is that person in your life that would surprise you if they came to faith? How is “the word of the Lord spreading in your region”? If you are not sharing your story with folks around you, what’s holding you back? What’s keeping you from telling them about Jesus? Make this Advent season a time to reflect on the joy of your salvation…a time to reconnect with Jesus. Be on the lookout for opportunities to share your story and then do it with boldness.

pro rege

This post is based on a sermon from our Acts series. Download the podcast at: Central Christian Church Main Service, or follow us on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter: @ccclancaster