Acts 19:21-41
MANY ADVERSARIES In the service of the Lord the vision for the furtherance of the Gospel in new places never really goes away from one who God has called. However, neither does the care and concern for those God has reached and saved under the preaching of the Gospel, ever leave the heart of the servant. There is always a desire to know how they are doing. There is joy when we hear of their faith growing and spiritual maturity being evident. There is sorrow and tears in the night when we hear of people being disheartened and losing their commitment to the Word of God and His people, for the attraction of materialism and worldly comfort. Paul made a personal decision to go to Jerusalem. On the way, there were occasions when he was warned by the Holy Spirit not to go, but his heart was still warm toward the children of Israel. So, he laid his plans, but also, he had before him the need of the saints in Corinth after he had written to them. He would not go there until he had received word as to how his epistle had been received. So, he waited in Ephesus while Timothy and Erastus went on his behalf.
It is not wrong for us to make plans in the work of the Lord. The overriding consideration is that we make them under the gracious guidance of the Holy Spirit. Dangers associated with making plans are that we usually have a personal preference. That has to be carefully examined to see whether motivation behind it is spiritual or personally appealing. Another serious consideration has to do with the actual reason for leaving an open and effective door that is before us for another legitimate goal that is of less importance. There is usually a "good," "better," and "best" in making plans in the labor to which we are called. When faced with alternatives it is incumbent upon us to not be too hasty, but to watch and pray. Watch for the circumstances that imply the time is here to act. Pray that we not go ahead of the leading of the Lord, or hold back from acting on divine guidance. The road before us isn't always open beyond the next step. Act on what we know is God's will, and trust Him for what is unseen and unknown.
To be able to delegate faithful men to do what we cannot do is a sign of trust and fellowship. Paul knew the men he sent to Macedonia and Achaia. Those proven men could be a great support for the work in Philippi, Thessalonica, Berea and Corinth. When we know and trust our fellow-workers, we know they will do what is necessary to bring about the desired result. They may not do the work exactly as we would. They may not approach issues in the way we had anticipated, but when we know they are "like-minded" and proven people, we commit them to the Lord and pray His blessing upon them and their labors.
The work of God prospers when there is a clear, easily seen distinction between what is of God and what is of the world, the flesh and the devil. Victories are won for God when the enemies of the cross are defeated, not when their opposition is placated. A man totally committed to God and the commission given by the Lord to go and make disciples, will create a stir and adversaries will align themselves against that person and those he has won for the Lord. A person in fellowship with the Lord, and who is being used by the Lord, will soon be seeing lives changed by the Lord. People God saves will be different. They won't be deceived by religious trappings like those who made their living by serving Diana and making money off of religion. New life in a believer makes them turn from darkness to light. When people turn to God from idols there is no longer any common ground of fellowship with idolatry. The victories of the Word of God are able to be seen in a community when changed lives, changed interests, changed people start living for the Lord. The adversaries will hate that - but that is a good thing. It is proof of the power of God in the Gospel.
Opposition follows the same pattern today as it did in Ephesus. There is usually a conference of adversaries who meet together to plan an anti-God, anti-Christ agenda that will be directed at the life-changing Gospel. If what is preached is comforting and promotes comfortable living with a comfortable salary and a comfortable life-style, there will not be any opposition. But when the status quo is threatened and coming judgment for sin is preached, and salvation through the Lord Jesus Christ alone is plainly spoken of - people will unite against that in order to stop it from reaching their seared consciences.
The resulting chaos is not uncommon when reaching out to new places with the plain preaching of the Word of God. Most who rally together to oppose the Gospel have different goals themselves. Some want to preserve their financial support. Some want to maintain their religious dominance over the people. Others will join in the riot just because they are bored and are easily led to do silly things for no reason at all. The mob who rioted in Ephesus was incited by businessmen who profited by promoting false religion. The new believers would no longer have been buying their products after they came to know the One True God personally. Those who like to hide their covetousness and greed behind religion or what appears to be loyalty to their country, are pushed ahead by demonic power that flourishes under the guise of religion and patriotism. Confusion and loud noise, shouting and chanting do not accompany the respect and reverence the people of God have for their Lord. The counterfeits seem to be multiplying today use the same techniques as the world does to promote its programs. Dignity, respect, quiet confidence suitable to the honor to the honor we give to the Lord, does not come out of confusion.
Historically God's Word and work has prospered under opposition. The work of the Gospel is in peril when it becomes popular and accepted in a community. Subtlety can overcome the loud noise of opposition by producing a calm indifference to the preaching of the Gospel. When God's people are well accepted as just another religion in town, we are in danger of losing any effectiveness for God. Love for the Lord gradually fades when we accommodate to the ways of those around us. The contrast of righteousness is blurred when a work degenerates into a socially accepted group of people who do good for the benefit of the community as its aim. Separation from the world was obvious in the early church and it flourished when the Spirit of God moved in power in spite of opposition. We need to be committed to the Word of God and the people of God, and trust the Lord to preserve the testimony of the assembly when it is under pressure to conform to what is acceptable to the ungodly.
We cannot avoid the pressure to be like all the people around. It is inevitable there will be challenges wherever God's people are found. Whether it comes openly or under subtlety and guile, we must to God be true. People around are hearing and seeing, "The Gospel according to you."
We cannot ignore the fact that most people will not understand The impact God's word has on us, and we obey it rather than man. Our first and foremost obligation is to fulfill the work God intends. Then we will be able with confidence the work of our Lord to defend.
We cannot excuse ourselves from the responsibility God does give. It is up to us to inspire others to believe on Christ by the way we live. And also, to be consistent when under pressure to conform - To not fail our Lord and Master, even though we may be alone.
We cannot pretend we don't know the result of living by faith. There will be many we know who will reject God's offer of grace. It is up to us to live holy, and in faith to keep pressing ahead. Then leave the results to God, who knows every word that was said.
We cannot know the results of the work God through us will do. We dare not boast or take credit for blessings when we are through. Give to God all the glory even though adversaries abound. The end result will be plainer when we see our Savior crowned.
"There have been, and probably still are, adversaries, Father. I thank Thee that they cannot claim dominion over the work Thou art doing through Thy people. The indifference of this community is effectively hindering the work of the Gospel in the assembly here. Would it please Thee, Father, to bring an awakening of some kind here under the power of the Holy Spirit. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen."