Paul’s Journey to Rome

The Apostle Paul’s third missionary journey led him from Ephesus through Macedonia “into Greece, and there [he] abode three months” (Acts 20:2-3). He had determined that he would return through Macedonia on his way to Jerusalem for he wanted to “be at Jerusalem the day of Pentecost” (Acts 20:16). While he was in Greece (most probably Corinth), he wrote his Epistle to the Romans.

Paul wrote to the believers in Rome because he hoped to visit them after going to Jerusalem. He wrote to them “For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers; making request, if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come unto you” (Romans 1:9-10). In fact, Paul went on to say “oftentimes I purposed to come unto you, but was let [hindered] hitherto” (Romans 1:13). Paul urgently wanted to visit these believers. He prayed often for its realization and sought more than once to make it happen, but his efforts were all for nothing.

Ultimately, the Scriptures record that Paul did arrive in Rome, but not without difficulty. When he came to Jerusalem for Pentecost, he was arrested, imprisoned, threatened scourging, conspired against, and sent to Caesarea. There he was imprisoned for two years. Only after appealing his case to Caesar was he sent to Rome and delivered with “certain other prisoners unto one named Julius, a centurion of Augustus’ band” (Acts 27:1). The journey to Rome was marked by harsh weather conditions at sea resulting in the destruction of the ship. The prisoners were “cast upon a certain island” (Acts 27:26) where he survived the bite of a venomous snake. Finally, he arrived in Rome where he was placed under house arrest (Acts 28:30).

The will of God is always perfect, but it is not always free from difficulty. Nor does the timing of his will necessarily coincide with our thinking. Paul made it to Rome in the will of God. We know it was God’s will because Christ himself told him “thou must be brought before Caesar” (Acts 27:24). Paul did not likely have all those events in mind when he prayed for a “prosperous” journey.

We, too, must be mindful that God’s will often leads through difficult straits. The disciples of Christ experienced this truth first hand. We read in Luke’s gospel that Jesus “went into a ship with his disciples and he said unto them, let us go over unto the other side of the lake. And they launched forth. But as they sailed he fell asleep and there came a storm of wind on the lake; and they were filled with water, and were in jeopardy” (Luke 8:22-23). They were certainly in the will of the Lord because he was the one who led them into the boat. Yet they were exposed to dangerous circumstances.

Our God is the God of circumstances whether it be a journey to Rome or a journey across a lake. The same holds true for you and I today. A prosperous journey in the will of God may not mean a journey free from challenges. But we can be assured that it will be a profitable journey when we are led by our Lord who is too good to be unkind and too wise to make a mistake. And, as the disciples learned, “even the winds and the sea obey him!” (Matthew 8:27).

Paul’s Ministry in Ephesus

Paul came to Ephesus on his third missionary journey. While he was there “he went into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God” (Acts 19:8). Preaching and teaching in the synagogues was Paul’s practice throughout his journeys. But, as was the case elsewhere, resistance and opposition arose. “But when divers [some] were hardened, and believed not, but spake evil of that way before the multitude, he departed from them, and separated the disciples, disputing daily in the school of one Tyrannus” (Acts 19:9).

Essentially, Paul and those that did believe left the synagogues and he taught in the school of Tyrannus. “This continued by the space of two years; so that all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks” (Acts 19:10). Paul had a base of operations in Asia and the disciples that he made there went throughout the region with the gospel of Christ making more disciples.

God “wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul: so that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them” (Acts 19:11-12). Such miracles were a means of authenticating God’s messenger and confirming his message (Hebrews 2:4).

Certain of the unbelieving Jews sought to copy this element of Paul’s ministry, evidently to discredit Paul and to gain their own following. But these pretenders lacked a genuine saving knowledge of Christ and the indwelling Holy Spirit. When they sought to make use of the name of the Lord Jesus to cast out evil spirits, “the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye?” (Acts 19:15). The Scriptures tell us these false messengers were overcome by the evil spirits and driven from the house “naked and wounded”.

These events had a great impact on the community as one might expect. “Fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified. And many that believed came, and confessed, and shewed their deeds. Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men” (Acts 19:17-19). What a great testimony to the genuineness of their repentance! Many of the Ephesians were caught up with demonic worship and practicing black magic and incantations. When they heard the true gospel and saw its power, they turned away from these practices and burned their books of magic as evidence of their faith in Christ. They turned their backs on their prior sins.

The nature of the gospel demands that we turn from our sins. Christ saves us out of our sins and from sin’s power. Wherever Paul preached, he included this message of repentance. He told the Ephesian elders later “I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have showed you, and have taught you publicly, and from house to house, testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ” (Acts 20:20-21; emphasis added). There is no salvation apart from repentance. “God having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities” (Acts 3:26).

One Step at a Time

After the martyrdom of Stephen, the Scriptures indicate that “there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they [the believers] were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria” (Acts 8:1). The Bible also tells us that “they that were scattered went everywhere preaching the word” (Acts 8:4). This persecution and consequent scattering became the catalyst for one of the great events in the history of Christianity, the conversion of Saul, whom we know as the Apostle Paul.

The Scriptures relate that “Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, and desired of him letters [of authority] to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way [Christians]…he might bring them to Jerusalem” (Acts 9:1-2).  It was on the road to Damascus that Saul met the risen Lord Jesus Christ. “And…suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven…and the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest…and he [Saul] trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?” (Acts 9:3-6).

At that moment Jesus Christ became Paul’s Savior and Lord. This was manifest in Paul’s immediate obedience to Christ’s command. “And the Lord said unto him [Paul], Arise, and go into the city [Damascus], and it shall be told thee what thou must do” (Acts 9:6).

It is remarkable that even as Paul was no doubt eager to do whatever the Lord commanded, all that Jesus said was “go into the city.” It is as though the Lord said, “Paul, take this first step and the next step will be revealed once you’ve done that.”

Often, in our lives, we want the Lord to reveal to us more than the path to follow, but where the path will lead. Yet, as he did with Paul, he says to us “take the next step and you will see better from there.” This is a hard thing for us to do. Several years ago my wife and I took a vacation that traversed the state of Georgia from northeast to southwest visiting monuments of the Civil War. I drove and she provided the directions. She had plotted the itinerary and was following a prescribed path. As you might guess, the roads we took to the monuments were often unpaved and little traveled. My job was simply to follow the road I was on until she told me it was time to make a turn. She followed the itinerary on the GPS and I just kept driving. I never had to think far ahead. I trusted her directions.

So it is with our Christian journey. Christ leads us day by day. We really do not need to know where we are going. We simply need to know and trust his leading. Dr. Bob Jones, Senior, is known to have said “The right road leads out at the right place.” Following the Lord today is the right road and he will lead us out in the right place tomorrow. As the Psalmist learned, “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord” (Psalm 37:23). Notice he said “steps” and that is how we travel, one step at a time.

Murmuring, Discord and Division

We read in the Scriptures of the spiritual prosperity of the early church. A great love prevailed in the believers so that they “had all things common” (Acts 5:32). The apostles gave “witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus and great grace was upon them all” (Acts 5:33). As a result, the “number of the disciples was multiplied” (Acts 6:1). Even the fierce opposition of the Jewish high priests and council could not hinder their advance. Rather, “they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name. And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ” (Acts 5:41-42).

The church was growing. Satan, having failed to impede its progress by raising opposition from without now leveraged legitimate concerns within to strike at its unity and cripple its advance. Luke records “there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration” (Acts 6:1). The “Grecians” were Greek-speaking Jews most likely born in the Roman provinces but now living in Jerusalem, whereas the “Hebrews” were those Jews who spoke in their native tongue and had not embraced the Greek culture. It is important to note that these Grecians and Hebrews were believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, yet culturally distinctive.

The early church had recognized the importance and embraced the responsibility of caring for their widows. But an inequality in how the “daily ministration” was carried out prompted a “murmuring” against the Hebrews by the Grecians. Discord and division began to take root fracturing the body and becoming a distraction from the most important thing, the proclamation of the gospel.

It was Satan’s goal to impede the proclamation of the gospel. Believers consumed with infighting would lose their burden for the community of lost souls around them. By the grace of God, the apostles saw the need for a God-honoring remedy and acted accordingly. They gathered the “multitude of disciples unto them, and said, it is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables. Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word” (Acts 6:3-4). Other capable men were selected to care for the widows while the apostles continued to pray for and seek the advance of the gospel.

The church has continued to face opposition throughout the centuries, but it still endures and moves forward. After all, Jesus promised “I will build my church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18). Undergirding that purpose is his omnipotent power. He told his disciples before going back into heaven, “All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations” (Matthew 28:18-19). Dare we be a hindrance to this great work with petty murmurings and disputes? Rather, “let us…follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another” (Romans 14:19).

Known by Our Doings

Before the Apostle Paul was converted, the Scriptures record that he was “a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious [to the church]” (I Timothy 1:13). He sought and received authority from the high priest in Jerusalem “that if he found any that were of the Way [Christians], whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem” (Acts 9:2). His reputation was very well known in this matter for even Ananias resisted at first the Lord’s command to restore Paul’s blindness answering “I have heard from any of this man, how much evil he did to thy saints at Jerusalem” (Acts 9:13). In fact, even after Paul was converted and preached that Jesus was the Christ, many would reluctant to believe him. “And when he was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples: and they were all afraid of him, not believing that he was a disciple” (Acts 9:26).

Paul’s past reputation clouded his present testimony. Solomon wrote that “even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right” (Proverbs 20:11). Paul’s previous “doings” were well known not to be pure or right! Those who knew of Paul in his past had not yet come to know Paul in the present. Many believers find themselves in the same situation. Their past is colored by many sinful practices and those who know them well, particularly family members, have difficulty believing the testimony of their newly found faith. What can we do if this is our lot? We do the only thing we can do. We follow Christ!

No one can argue with a changed life. Barnabas related to the disciples in Jerusalem how Paul “had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus” (Acts 9:27). Instead of persecuting Christ, Paul’s life was characterized by preaching Christ. We, too, show others by our lives how the Lord has called us “out of darkness into his marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9).

Paul wrote to the believers at Philippi “only let your conversation [manner of life] be as it becometh the gospel of Christ” (Philippians 1:27). The gospel of Christ is a life transforming gospel in that it delivers us from the power of sin and conforms us to the image of Christ. A life that “becomes” the gospel of Christ is a life that shows itself delivered from past sins and now reflects truth and light in its choices and pursuits.

Believers have this testimony, that they follow God “as dear children” (Ephesians 5:1). Furthermore, the Apostle John reminds us “God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth” (I John 1:5-6). A life in Christ is a new life, a changed life, a life marked by truth and light. No one can argue with a changed life. To reconsider thoughtfully Solomon’s proverb, for what is your life known? In other words, how are your “doings”?

It is Better to Give

The Apostle Paul declared unto the Ephesian elders “I coveted no man’s silver, or gold, or apparel. Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered to my necessities, and to them that were with me. I have showed you all things, how that so laboring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, it is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:33-35). Paul ministered the gospel at his own expense. He was a tentmaker (Acts 18:3) and used this vocation to cover his expenses as well as those who assisted him in the gospel ministry.

Paul refused to give any opportunity for others to think that he was profiting from the gospel. He acknowledged to the Thessalonians that he could have made himself “burdensome” to them since he was an apostle and could have expected their financial and material support. However, he and his co-workers labored “night and day because we would not be chargeable unto any of you” (I Thessalonians 2:6-9).

In so doing, Paul exemplified one of the earmarks of genuine Christianity: giving instead of receiving. This was both the example and exhortation of Christ during his earthly ministry. He ministered wherever he went, giving of himself unto others. Consequently, he taught his disciples and all who would follow him afterwards to do likewise. Jesus testified “whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; and whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: even as the Son of man [Christ] came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:26-28).

Giving is at the heart of Christianity because it is the heart of God. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16; emphasis added). When we become children of God through faith in Christ, it is natural that the love of God would flow through us unto others. John wrote “we love because he first loved us” (I John 4:19). Paul connected the idea of giving and loving together when he wrote to the Corinthian believers about his love for them without expecting return. “I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved” (2 Corinthians 12:15). When it comes to how we deal with others, Christians are to be givers, not takers.

This giving mindset is to govern every area of the Christian’s life. For example, Paul told the Ephesians “Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labor, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth” (Ephesians 4:28). As believers, we should not think  of our livelihood as the acquisition of material things for self-indulgence. Instead we should care for our own needs with simplicity so that we may help others in their need. To be ready in this fashion mandates that we hold loosely that which God has given us and not count it dear to our hearts. Rather, as Paul told the Philippians, we are with balance to “look not every man on his own things [only], but every man also on the things of others” (Philippians 2:4).

Does a giving spirit characterize your life? If we are controlled by his Spirit, we can be sure that it does.

I Am With Thee

In Acts 18, the Apostle Paul comes to Corinth to minister. The Scriptures relate that “he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath…and testified to the Jews that Jesus was Christ” (Acts 18:4-5). Evidently, the resistance of the Jews was so intense they not only “opposed” him, but “blasphemed” as well, v. 6., that Paul became fearful. As a result, the Lord himself spoke to Paul in a vision by night. “Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace: for I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee” (Acts 18:9-10; emphasis added).

Perhaps, for the child of God, the Lord’s presence is his greatest promise. Throughout the Scriptures we read of God testifying and assuring his people that he is with them. When the Lord delivered the children of Israel from Egypt and led them through the wilderness, he “went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them in the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light” (Exodus 13:21). He is with his children to lead them and to give them light in darkness.

When the children of Israel came into the promised land, God promised Joshua “there shall not any man be able to stand before thee: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee nor forsake thee” (Joshua 1:5). God’s presence enabled Joshua to lead his people in victory over the foes of Canaan. He gives us the same power to fight and overcome our spiritual enemies today. Paul built upon this truth when he told the Philippians “work out your own salvation; for it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure” (Philippians 2:12).

God’s presence gives courage and power to present a faithful witness for the LORD in the midst of an antagonistic society. The prophet, Jeremiah, was bolstered in his charge to make plain Israel’s waywardness and failure to keep the covenant made with the LORD when they were delivered from Egypt. Jeremiah was told the people of the land “shall fight against thee; but they shall not prevail against thee; for I am with thee to deliver thee” (Jeremiah 1:18-19).

When the people of Israel returned to Judah from captivity, God instructed them to rebuild the temple that Nebuchadnezzar had destroyed. The work languished from opposition and their own indifference. Yet the LORD sent his messenger, Haggai, to admonish and encourage them, saying, “I am with you, saith the LORD” (Haggai 1:13). The people responded and “they came and did the work in the house of the LORD of hosts” (Haggai 1:14).

And for 2,000 years, the promise of Jesus’ presence emboldens his children to go forward, proclaiming the gospel and making disciples. “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations…teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world” (Matthew 28:19-20).

Finally, even in death, the Lord is present with us. The 23rd Psalm, one of those well-known passages, assures us that he will be with us even then. “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me” (Psalm 23:4).

Take comfort, child of God, “for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee” (Hebrews 13:5).

God Answers Prayer!

Have you ever been tempted to give up on your prayers? Have you ever thought “What’s the point? Does God even care?” Every believer has been in that place and probably more than just once. Yet God throughout his word gives frequent encouragement to pray. We find such an instance of prayer in the record of Peter’s miraculous deliverance from imprisonment. We do well to rehearse these and exhortations from the Lord so that we don’t lose heart, but continue in our prayers.

We read in Acts how “Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex the church. And he killed James the brother of John with the sword. And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to take Peter also” (Acts 12:1-3). As providence would have it, this event occurred during the days of unleavened bread, one of three main Jewish feasts that occurred in the Jewish calendar. Therefore, Herod chose to “put him in prison…intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people” (Acts 12:4). No doubt, Herod fully intended to kill Peter after the feast days were passed. To this end “Peter therefore was kept in prison” (Acts 12:5).

What happens next is for our example. While Peter was in prison “prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him” (Acts 12:6). The people of God immediately went to the throne of grace. There were no intermediate steps. All too often we try to solve our problems ourselves only to fail time and again. We seem to go to Christ in prayer only as a last resort, when it should be our first course of action.

Note, too, that they prayed “without ceasing”. Their prayers were persistent, without interruption from weariness or indifference. Be assured, God hears the first time we pray. It is not the frequency of our prayers that captures his attention, but our earnestness. Our hearts are shaped unto his will by our persistent prayer.

Furthermore, their prayers were specific. They prayed for Peter’s deliverance. We are challenged to pray specifically so that we may see God’s answers in response to our specific prayers and know, indeed, that he has answered our prayers. In fact, if the prayers of the church on the behalf of Peter were for our example, then God’s answer to their prayers is for our encouragement.

We read that “when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains…” (Acts 12:6). That night an angel of the Lord appeared to Peter and led him out of the prison delivering him “out of the hand of Herod, and from the expectation of the…Jews”. God had amazingly and immediately answered their prayers! Peter went straight to the house of Mary “where many were gathered together praying” (Acts 12:11-12). God emphatically delivered Peter to their very presence!

God hears prayer; God answers prayer; don’t give up.

Finish the Course!

The book of Acts gives us the record of Stephen’s martyrdom. We know little of him apart from what Luke recorded. He was one of the deacons appointed to care for the widows in the church in Jerusalem by the apostles because he was “full of the Spirit and of wisdom” (Acts 6:1-6). The Scriptures further relate that he “full of grace and power, wrought great wonders and signs among the people” (Acts 6:8). Though nothing is recorded about his spiritual training, his testimony for Christ was evidently powerful. Luke records that many from various sects disputed with him, but “they were not able to withstand the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spake” (Acts 6:10).

Consequently, these opponents made up lies about Stephen accusing him of speaking “blasphemous words against Moses, and against God. And they stirred up the people…seized him…brought him to the council, and set up false witnesses, which said…we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the customs which Moses delivered unto us” (Acts 6:11-14). The high priest then invited Stephen to respond to his accusers.

Drawing upon the writings of Moses and the Prophets, Stephen testified that those of his audience were the guilty ones. “Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Spirit: as your fathers did, so do ye” (Acts 7:51). Their fathers persecuted the prophets who spoke of the coming of Christ and now they have “now become betrayers and murderers” of that Righteous One. “When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart…and rushed upon him with one accord, and they cast him out of the city, and stoned him” (Acts 7:54, 57-58). So Stephen became the first martyr for the cause of Christ.

Since the time of Stephen’s martyrdom, many have likewise had the privilege of giving their lives for the cause of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Perhaps, among the more well-known is the apostle Paul. As he awaited his coming execution under Nero, he wrote to Timothy “For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith” (2 Timothy 4:6-7). As he anticipated his own home going (“departure”), he expressed for us the heart of every martyr for Christ.

He counted his death as an offering or sacrifice unto God, a final act of worship to the Savior of his soul. From the time of his conversion on the road to Damascus, Paul fought to expose and dispel darkness by proclaiming “the light of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ” (2 Corinthians 4:6).  He kept the faith expressed in the word of God and preached it wherever he went and to whomever would listen. The course he finished was that appointed by his Savior. Though he stumbled and fell many times, he remained true to the path God had appointed. This is the testimony of the martyrs. Is this your testimony? How will you finish your course?

False Teachers Bring False Messages

Near the end of Paul’s third missionary journey, he “determined to sail by Ephesus, because he would not spend time in Asia: for he hasted, if it were possible for him, to be at Jerusalem the day of Pentecost” (Acts 20:16). Nonetheless, he desired to meet with the Ephesian elders to encourage them and bolster their faith. So when he arrived in Miletus, “he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church” to come unto him (Acts 20:17).

Paul’s final thoughts to these beloved church leaders amounted to a warning in the context of his ministry unto them and their ministry to those under their charge. He reminded them “I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God. Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood” (Acts 20:27-28). Paul had been faithful in ministering the word of God unto them and now it was their God-given calling and responsibility to minister this same word unto their own flocks.

The word of God is the only safety net for the child of God. Paul warned “that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also, of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw disciples after them. Therefore watch, and remember, that…I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears” (Acts 20:29-31).   False teachers (“grievous wolves”) would come with “perverse” messages not according to the word of God nor the gospel of Christ.

These false messengers speak words that appeal to itching ears, but bring damnation because there is no truth in them. There is no warning against sin and judgement, no appeal for repentance and faith in Christ. The power of God is absent from their preaching because the word of God is missing from their text. Is that not the case with the modern church in America? How many who call themselves pastors actually preach the word of God week after week from their pulpits? These ones would do well to heed Paul’s counsel to the Ephesian elders. “I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified” (Acts 20:32).

Peter warned his audience that the key to discerning and denying falsehood is to grow spiritually. Listen to his admonition, “beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own steadfastness. But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:17-18).

We grow in grace by responding in faith to the ministry of God’s word to our own hearts. Paul charged Timothy “preach the word…reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables” (2 Timothy 4:1-4). What is the message from the pulpit in your church? Is It the word of God, which saves, builds, exposes, and warns? To whom are you listening?