Expect Miracles
Too many modern people no longer expect miracles. Yet, God still provides for His own. An example of God’s provision in the early church was Peter’s angelic release from Herod’s prison and what happened to Herod sometime later?
“At once an angel from the Lord struck him down because he took the honor that belonged to God. Later, Herod was eaten by worms and died.” (Acts 12:23 CEV)
I dream of a church that trusts God to free us from the grip of those who wish to undermine our ministry, and dispatch them in His own ways.
Simple Organization
What were the leaders of the church at Antioch called?
“Now there were in the church at Antioch prophets and teachers, Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen a lifelong friend of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.” (Acts 13:1 ESV)
The two offices of prophet and teacher, or singular office of prophet-teacher in this context refers to spiritual leadership of proclaiming and teaching God’s word. We may be beginning to notice a difference between how deacons were chosen and elders. Two of them were ordained for missionary service not by a congregational decision, nor by their own individual decision, but directly by the Holy Spirit and confirmed with laying on of hands by the local church.
“As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.” (Acts 13:2-3 KJV)
I dream of a church that is not at a loss as to how to share the Gospel. The rest of Acts 13 reveals one way, by summarizing the story of God from Israel to Jesus.
Fleeing
When preaching the Gospel, sometimes it is necessary to leave town.
“And when an attempt was made by both the Gentiles and the Jews with their rulers, to treat them abusively and to stone them, they became aware of it and fled to the cities of Lycaonia, Lystra and Derbe, and the surrounding region; and there they continued to preach the gospel.” (Acts 14:5-7 NASB)
Paul and Barnabas encourage us with the following words.
“We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God …” (Acts 14:22b NIV).
I dream of a church that is willing to endure hardship because the Gospel is so precious.
