“And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch”(Acts 11:26).
TEXT — Acts 19:26
Message
It is easy for some persons passing through a crisis to lose perspective and identity. They are thrown off balance in the process, readily compromising and abandoning cherished faith, beliefs and character. They seek community approval and short- term answers or solutions to the challenges confronting them. But, often, this approach is futile as it does not go to the root of the matter. This was not the same with the Early Church, which did not lose focus despite the killing of Stephen and the persecution that followed.
Rather than getting depressed or allowing the situation to discourage them, they donned the garment of the radiant spirit. Being outlawed and harassed in Jerusalem did not stop them from evangelising. They travelled to distant lands to preach Christ, which led to a great revival in Antioch.
The glittering and shining conduct of the brethren in the Antioch church made the people address them, for the first time, as “Christians”. Those around them watched them live exactly like the Saviour. They were meek and remained unperturbed by their hostile environment. There was no retaliation for wrongs done to them. They displayed love among themselves, renounced worldly attractions and had a quiet disposition that showed that they were not of this world. They were heavenly-minded, waiting for the promised return of their Lord.
Moments of trials and temptations ought to bring out the stars in us. Indeed, our comportment should preach Jesus to our neighbours. Wherever we find ourselves, dreary conditions of the environment should not drag us into helplessness. As we stand firm and true to God, He will visit us and through us draw other people to Himself.
Thought for the day
For the true Christian, crisis provides a chance to show Christ’s lifestyle in us.
Listed among “500 most powerful people on the planet” by the Foreign Policy magazine in 2013, Pastor (Dr.) William F. Kumuyi is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry (DCLM) headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria. DCLM started in 1973 as a 15-member Bible study group right in Kumuyi’s apartment at University of Lagos where he was a lecturer. His revolutionary Bible teaching on personal holiness and commitment to evangelism soon gained so much traction and resulted in a widespread revival.
4 comments
Pastor Kumuyi is the man for the hour: to
Preach salvation message to the whole world,
* preparing ministers into the gospel work
* to bring healing and deliverance to the poor
* preaching the gospel message globally.
Pastor Kumuyi is the man for the hour: to
Preach salvation message to the whole world,
* preparing ministers into the gospel work
* to bring healing and deliverance to the poor
* preaching the gospel message globally.
Great and life changing message.
No matter the circumstances in life, God is still with me He’ll never forsake me
Good evening sir/ma ] please I need more about the bible verse thanks 😊 🙏