The Great Campaign of Sabotage
I had the opportunity to visit Ephesus in the summer of 2015. I remember the heat, the dust and the ruins of majestic buildings with pillars and statues. It was incredible to think that I was walking in a place with so much Biblical history.
In Acts 19, we read about some of the history and ministry that happened in Ephesus. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is spreading around Asia. This new way of life and belief is at odds with the religious ways of the time. Paul is accused of leading people astray by saying that ‘gods made by human hands are no gods at all.’ (Acts 19:26) This is concerning for those who profit from selling temple shrines, as they don’t want to lose business. The Kingdom of God is advancing and impacting the culture profoundly. People are baptised in the name of Jesus, they speak in tongues and prophesy, and there are miracles, healings and deliverances (Acts 19: 5,6,11,12).
I wonder what it must have been like to observe all this happening. I wonder whether I would have put my faith in Jesus, or whether I would have been scared or nervous of this new teaching.
When the Kingdom of God advances, everything changes. When God’s reign and rule comes upon a people or a nation or a family, hearts are moved. There is repentance, confession and a change of attitude (Acts 19:17-18).
God’s Holy Spirit was at work in Ephesus and is still at work in the world today. Just as the Holy Spirit moved back then, so He desires to move today.
C.S. Lewis wrote this, ‘Enemy-occupied territory- that is what this world is. Christianity is the story of how the rightful king has landed, you might say landed in disguise, and is calling us to take part in a great campaign of sabotage.’
Just as the advance of the Kingdom of God sabotaged the human gods and way of life in Ephesus, so can it sabotage our lives and communities today- in a good way! God’s Kingdom is one where light overcomes darkness (John 1:5), truth defeats lies (John 14:6) and broken hearts receive hope.
Will you take part in this ‘great campaign of sabotage?’ Will you be bold today in speaking the truth of the Gospel?
When we commit ourselves to Jesus and live like this, we will see an advancement of the Kingdom of God.
Father God, may your Kingdom advance in my life. May your Kingdom advance in my community. Help me to be bold, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
- Susie Raybould
In Acts 19, we read about some of the history and ministry that happened in Ephesus. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is spreading around Asia. This new way of life and belief is at odds with the religious ways of the time. Paul is accused of leading people astray by saying that ‘gods made by human hands are no gods at all.’ (Acts 19:26) This is concerning for those who profit from selling temple shrines, as they don’t want to lose business. The Kingdom of God is advancing and impacting the culture profoundly. People are baptised in the name of Jesus, they speak in tongues and prophesy, and there are miracles, healings and deliverances (Acts 19: 5,6,11,12).
I wonder what it must have been like to observe all this happening. I wonder whether I would have put my faith in Jesus, or whether I would have been scared or nervous of this new teaching.
When the Kingdom of God advances, everything changes. When God’s reign and rule comes upon a people or a nation or a family, hearts are moved. There is repentance, confession and a change of attitude (Acts 19:17-18).
God’s Holy Spirit was at work in Ephesus and is still at work in the world today. Just as the Holy Spirit moved back then, so He desires to move today.
C.S. Lewis wrote this, ‘Enemy-occupied territory- that is what this world is. Christianity is the story of how the rightful king has landed, you might say landed in disguise, and is calling us to take part in a great campaign of sabotage.’
Just as the advance of the Kingdom of God sabotaged the human gods and way of life in Ephesus, so can it sabotage our lives and communities today- in a good way! God’s Kingdom is one where light overcomes darkness (John 1:5), truth defeats lies (John 14:6) and broken hearts receive hope.
Will you take part in this ‘great campaign of sabotage?’ Will you be bold today in speaking the truth of the Gospel?
When we commit ourselves to Jesus and live like this, we will see an advancement of the Kingdom of God.
Father God, may your Kingdom advance in my life. May your Kingdom advance in my community. Help me to be bold, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
- Susie Raybould
No Comments