Our Greatest Ambition

Inherent to the call to follow Christ is also the call to propagate the gospel. It is the plan of Christ that His followers will share the good news of His death, burial, and resurrection. Christ desires that others would know that the price has been paid for their sins and that He has paved a way for us to have a relationship with the Father and to have eternal life.

In Acts 26, having been arrested because of his testimony of Christ, Paul boldly proclaims what Christ has done for him. He share a step by step account as to who he was and how Christ changed him. Paul shows no sense of fear or shame as he proclaims the truth of who Christ is. So convincing is Paul that Agrippa, in front of whom Paul was arguing his case, asks, “In a short time would you persuade me to be a Christian?” (Acts 26:28). Without a doubt, Agrippa is sensing the truth of what Paul has to say and is not sure how to respond.

Paul’s answer to Agrippa in this moment reflects the heart that every believer ought to have when it comes to the spread of the gospel. Paul says, “Whether short or long, I would to God that not only you but also all who hear me this day might become such as I am – except for these chains” (Acts 26:29). Paul had one driving force in his life. Paul knew his calling; his mission. Paul’s greatest desire was to see people come to Christ.

What is our greatest desire? Too often our greatest desire is to receive that long overdue promotion. Maybe we desire to finally build the home we have dreamed about forever. Or, maybe we simply desire to take that once in a lifetime vacation. Not Paul. Paul only desired to see people come to the Lord. He was driven by this desire. So great was his desire to see people come to the Lord, he prioritized it even before his own freedom. Oh that the heart of Paul would be transferred us. If only the church would catch such a passion today, what might change? Make it a point, today, to ask the Lord to begin to work in your heart as He did in Paul’s.

Taking a Stand in a Christ-less Culture

The Apostle Paul’s passion for the gospel never ceases to amaze me. As I have written before, when Paul met Christ, he went from chief persecutor of the church to chief propagator of the church. Paul never missed the opportunity to proclaim the gospel. It is as if it burned within him and no matter the circumstance he had to share it. Sometimes this is in the form of a simple testimony and sometimes he argues his case as if he is standing before the Supreme Court.

A story is recorded in Acts 17 of one such instance when Paul makes a case for Christ. Paul is in the city of Athens. He is waiting for Silas and Timothy to arrive to assist him in the ministry. However, while Paul is waiting on them he begins to take note of all the idols that are within the city. At the same time we are told that, “his spirit was provoked within him as he saw that the city was full of idols” (Acts 17:16). As a result, he begins to make his case for Christ and the gospel.

As Paul is making his case, he approaches it in an interesting way. He starts with what they know; he finds common ground with them. He says, “Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious. For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription, ‘to the unknown god’” (Acts 17:22-23). Paul found an open door and walks through it. He then says, “What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you” (Acts 17:23). Paul then goes on to make a very detailed argument as to the Lordship of Jesus Christ.

As we think about sharing the gospel, there are several things we can learn from Paul. First of all, this event takes place in the normal flow of Paul’s life. He is simply waiting on some friends to arrive and killing time. Second, Paul finds common ground with the Athenians. He does not start a huge argument as to the sinfulness of worshiping idols; he simply uses these idols as a connecting point to share the one true God with them. Third, Paul is not shy about sharing the truth even though idol worship was clearly the accepted practice of the day in Athens. Every believer would do well to model their life and witness after Paul.

When Difficulties Direct

Throughout the book of Acts we have seen the progression of the gospel. We are reminded once again of Jesus’ Great Commission. “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8). We have seen the gospel proclaimed in Jerusalem, in Judea, and Samaria. Now we come to Acts 13 and we see the gospel launched “to the ends of the earth.”

Paul and Barnabas have been preaching the gospel. The Jewish people that they were speaking to were responding with great interest. Unfortunately, this upset the leaders of the people. The Bible says, “But when the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and began to contradict what was spoken by Paul, reviling him” (Acts 13:45). Paul and Barnabas could have allowed this to discourage them. They could have looked at the situation and quit. Instead, they simply say, “It was necessary that the word of God be spoken first to you. Since you thrust it aside and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we are turning to the Gentiles” (Acts 13:46). The Gentile response is also worth noting. We are told, “And when the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord, and as many as were appointed to eternal life believed” (Acts 13:48).

This story has two things for us that are worthy of note. First, we are reminded once again that God has a heart for the nations. God’s desire is that all people will come to a saving knowledge of Him. As believers, we are to take part in this gospel advance. Second, it was after a difficult situation occurred that the gospel was preached to the Gentiles. We must be careful not to view every challenge as a negative. Sometimes God uses these difficulties to direct our path and accomplish His will. Walk in faith and expectation…even in the difficult times.