Desperate Dependence

If we desire to see people come to Christ, then we must recognize that we are desperately dependent upon Lord. We continue to see the progression of the gospel unfold as we examine Acts 11. Stephen has been martyred for the faith and believers are scattered because of the subsequent persecution that erupts. As the believers travel from place to place they are preaching the gospel. At first they are “speaking the word to no one except the Jews” (Acts 11:19).

Some of these men begin sharing the good news with the Greeks (Hellenists). In other words, they began “preaching the Lord Jesus” (Acts 11:20) to those outside the Jewish religion. The Bible tells us, “And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number who believed turned to the Lord” (Acts 11:21).

While these nameless missionaries certainly stepped out in faith, it is clear that their success was rooted in the fact that the hand of the Lord was upon them. In a day when strategies, approaches, and methods abound, we must recognize that one thing remains more important than it all. If the hand of our Lord is not upon us, we will not succeed. However, if the hand of our Lord is upon us, we cannot fail.