One Trip Changes EverythingSample

The Priority

After Pentecost, the Apostles knew the task that was now at hand and they had the power to make it happen. They had been commanded to take the Good News of Jesus to all peoples. This meant that these believers, most of whom had grown up around the Sea of Galilee, were going to have to leave their comfort zone to bring salvation to all people.

In Acts 11:19-23, we see unnamed believers who ended up in Antioch (modern day Turkey) and they preached the Gospel to the Greeks there. Then Barnabas came and encouraged them to continue meeting so that they could grow in the faith. These Greeks had likely never heard the Gospel, but they heard it that day for the very first time.

These unnamed believers had just seen the danger of preaching the Gospel when Stephen was stoned to death, becoming the first martyr. However, they were not frozen by fear. They took the most important message forward and brought the Gospel to this new city.

This Church in Antioch, which was founded by the unnamed bringers of the Good News, would go on to become a massive point of Gospel access in the early church. Paul and Barnabas would raise up and send out these believers from a city that would have never had the Gospel if no one had risked danger to take it there first.

Prayer:

Lord, thank you for these unnamed believers who valued Your Good News. Thank you for setting their priorities on You so that You have been made more known through the nations. Thank you for how you are continuing to call us to bring Your Gospel to all people. Give us eyes to see what You have for us and where You want us to bring Your Gospel.

Reflective Questions:

• Would you have the similar boldness to bring the Gospel to a place that no one has ever heard of?
• Are your priorities the same as those of the early believers? Do you trust God to guide you as they did?