Title: Healthy Church/Acts 9:23-31
Contents Healthy Church/Acts 9:23-31
Key Verse: “The church in all Judea and Galilee and Samaria… And the number increased” (verse 31).
Verse: Today's text tells us that after the martyrdom of Stephen, the persecution that had continued for years stopped, and the churches in Judea, Galilee, and Samaria were at peace and strengthened. How can the families of believers in Jesus Christ become a safe and reliable house church? How can the church we serve continue to be a peaceful church?
First, a hardened unbeliever must turn to the Lord. Saul was a man who treated Christ's disciples with threats and death. This Saul was transformed into Paul, the disciple of the Lord. When Saul, an unbeliever, returned to the Lord, the persecution against the church stopped and peace came.
Please believe that no matter how strong a sinner is, if the Lord finds him, he will be changed. Here is our hope. Here we need to pray.
Second, there should be many lay people like Barnabas. Who was Barnabas? He was a trustworthy person who believed in others. Barnabas believed when no one was willing to believe Saul's change at face value. If the person who persecuted Christians so cruelly and viciously changed suddenly, would you be willing to trust such a person?
But Barnabas became the guarantor of the changed Saul. Even now, people of faith like Barnabas are needed. This is a time when we need believers who can share love and trust, take responsibility for people's work, and lead souls into love as members of the community of Christ.
Another, Barnabas was the owner of a forgiving heart. Before Paul and Barnabas set out on their second missionary journey, there was a scene where they had a great fight over Mark. On the first missionary journey, Paul and Barnabas took Mark with them. Young Mark could not bear the arduous missionary journey and returned home.
Forgiving and accepting people is not easy. Just as Jesus forgives us and waits for us, we too must become believers who know how to forgive, who can offer forgiveness and love once more.
Prayer: God, help us to encourage and love each other so that the church can stand strong. I pray in Jesus name. Amen.
Lord's Prayer