TODAY IN THE WORD

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Acts 2:1-47
God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of the fact. - Acts 2:32
TODAY IN THE WORD
Inside the famous Canterbury Cathedral is found the small St. Martin’s Church, the oldest in England. It dates back to the fifth century, toward the end of the Roman occupation.

Some speculate that St. Martin’s may have been founded by Roman soldiers who had converted to the Christian faith. It is known that the church’s structure contains many Roman bricks, and that a Christian queen, Bertha, worshiped there in the sixth century. The oldest remaining part of the church, the Chancel, is where Queen Bertha came to pray each day.

When the first waves of church expansion spread outward from Jerusalem and Rome, the faith reached as far as the borders of the Roman empire, including the British isles. And it all started with today’s reading!

We’ve reached the third major section of this month’s study. In between God’s plan for the nations and Christ’s sending us to all the world are key moments in early missions history. How does the early church begin to obey Jesus’ command? We’ll spend the next seven days examining this in Acts.

Pentecost, the coming of the Holy Spirit, is often called the “birthday of the church.” The Spirit now lives in every believer (Eph. 1:13-14; 2 Tim. 1:14).

Thanks to the Feast of Weeks, on this important day of Pentecost Jews from throughout the known world were in Jerusalem. Their presence symbolically reflected the church’s broad mandate: all the world! This is why the gift of tongues was given to the gathered believers (Acts 2:3-4). These were real languages, as confirmed by the multilingual Jews who formed the audience for this first “revival meeting” (vv. 5-11).

Peter’s evangelistic sermon included fulfilled prophecy; the historicity of Christ’s life, death, and resurrection; His authority as God incarnate (v. 22); the sovereignty of God (v. 23); and yet human responsibility for what had been done to God’s Son (v. 36).
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
To get an overview of the first wave of church expansion, the early days of the apostles and other eyewitnesses of the risen Christ, reserve some time soon to read through the book of Acts from start to finish in one sitting.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Acts 8:26-40
To the eunuchs who keep my Sabbaths, who choose what pleases me and hold fast to my covenant–to them I will give . . . an everlasting name. - Isaiah 56:4-5
TODAY IN THE WORD
Ulfilas may not be a household name, but he was one of the great missionaries of the fourth century church. He took the gospel to the Goths, a barbarian tribe outside the Roman Empire, in present-day Romania.

Born and raised in a Gothic setting, Ulfilas was later taught Latin and New Testament Greek by a bishop named Eusebius. At age thirty, he was sent as a bishop himself to do evangelism among his native people. Despite persecution by leaders who suspected Roman political and military ambitions, he carried out this task successfully for forty years. He created an alphabet and taught the Goths to read, then translated the Bible into their language! After he died, his followers continued the ministry.

Just as Ulfilas took the gospel beyond the boundaries of his world, so Philip in today’s reading presents the gospel to a foreigner from a distant land.

As shown by the miraculous circumstances that marked Philip’s arrival and departure, God was at work to spread the good news of salvation far and wide! In all likelihood, this Ethiopian treasurer was a Jewish proselyte; that is, someone not ethnically Jewish but who adhered to the Jewish religion. As a eunuch, he could not have been a full-fledged proselyte under the Law (Deut. 23:1), but the inclusion of eunuchs and foreigners in God’s kingdom had long been prophesied (Isa. 56:1-8).

The Ethiopian was reading Isaiah 53, a “Servant Song” (see also October 6) about the suffering and victory of the Messiah. But he didn’t know about whom the prophet was speaking, so Philip explained the passage and its fulfillment in Christ (v. 35). The eunuch’s response of faith was evident in his request for baptism (vv. 37-38).

This new believer no doubt returned home praising God, and probably shared his faith with others in the Ethiopian royal court. If he continued reading Isaiah on the way home, a few chapters later he would have rejoiced even more to find today’s verse–he’d been a part of God’s plan all along!
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
The Holy Spirit plays a key role in today’s story, but not an unusual one. In individual hearts and in history, missions is His work.

With that truth before you, is the Spirit leading you today to witness to someone in particular? Ask Him to show you whose heart is ready for a gospel presentation, or an act of service demonstrating Christ’s love.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Acts 10:1-48
God does not show favoritism but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right. - Acts 10:34-35
TODAY IN THE WORD
In 1861, revivalist William Booth started the Hallelujah Band, a group of believers who had a questionable reputation in society’s eyes. Said Booth, “We invited a converted poacher, a couple of prize fighters, a jailbird.” This formed the basis for the eventual founding of the Salvation Army, famed worldwide as an organization dedicated to reaching the poor in practical ways.

Working mostly in London, William and his wife, Catherine, preached the gospel and campaigned for social reform. Their military uniforms and radical philosophy attracted both ridicule and admiration. Volunteers pledged, “For Christ’s sake, to feed the poor, clothe the naked, love the unlovable, and befriend the friendless.”

The Booths reached out to those regarded as “impure” by society. They knew that God sees with different eyes, a truth reinforced in today’s reading.

Cornelius was a good man. He feared God, prayed regularly, and gave generously to the poor. But being a moral person is not enough, so God made a way for Cornelius to hear the gospel. First, though, God had to change His messenger’s thinking. As a good Jew, Peter would never have entered a Gentile’s home, not even that of a godly Gentile. Once again, God was working to broaden the church’s concept of missions!

That’s the purpose of Peter’s vision. A sheet full of animals considered unclean under the Law was lowered from the sky and Peter was invited to eat. He refused, but was admonished, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean” (v. 15). After he saw the vision three times, Peter puzzled over its meaning.

Thanks to Cornelius’s prompt obedience in sending messengers, the interpretation of Peter’s dream was soon at the door. After a little extra nudge from the Spirit (vv. 19-20), Peter took the revolutionary step of inviting Cornelius’s men into the house as his guests, and later entered Cornelius’s house as a guest himself (vv. 23-25). In faith, Cornelius had gathered family and friends to hear Peter, and many were saved that day (vv. 34-48).
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
If you are tempted to treat people based on merely human standards, memorizing Bible verses is a good way to resist temptation. Here are two good verses to help you fight against the sin of favoritism:

• “My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don’t show favoritism” (James 2:1).

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Acts 26:1-23
This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles. - Acts 9:15
TODAY IN THE WORD
David Livingstone is often credited with opening Africa to the West. His tombstone summarizes his life: “Missionary, traveler, philanthropist. For thirty years his life was spent in an unwearied effort to evangelize the native races, to explore the undiscovered secrets, and to abolish the slave trade.”

When Livingstone died in 1873, his African friends buried his heart beneath a mpundu tree. His body was returned to England for a hero’s funeral at Westminster Abbey. His legacy has been analyzed and debated for over a century.

Many men and women have followed in the footsteps of this man, dedicating their lives to missionary service in Africa. Livingstone had followed in the footsteps of missionary giants before him, in a line stretching back to the apostle Paul.

It was Paul’s special mission to take the gospel to the Gentiles (Acts 9:15)--all Gentiles, not just God-fearers like Cornelius. Today’s reading recounts his testimony, not directly (see Acts 9) but as retold while on trial before Festus and Agrippa. Here we see not only the fact of his conversion, but, after years of faithful ministry, his own interpretation of his calling.

First, he recounted the “before” part of his life. He lived strictly, scrupulously obeying Jewish regulations (cf. Phil. 3:4-8). He zealously opposed and persecuted the church (cf. Gal. 1:13-14).

But all that changed one day on the Damascus road, so he next told what happened “after.” Christ Himself commissioned him to preach the gospel to the Gentiles (Gal. 2:7-8), “so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in Me” (v. 18). Paul had spent every day since that time fulfilling that calling–the “Missionary Journeys” maps in the back of your Bible will help you check how faithfully he did this (cf. 2 Cor. 11:23-31)!
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
In today’s reading, Paul looks back on his original calling from the vantage point of years in ministry. He can share his testimony with special confidence and gratitude.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Acts 11:19-26
God has even granted the Gentiles repentance unto life. - Acts 11:18
TODAY IN THE WORD
The evening of June 14, 1910, saw the start of the momentous World Missionary Conference in Edinburgh, Scotland. More than 1,200 delegates, mostly from Britain and North America, came to discuss wide-ranging issues related to world evangelization, including interacting with other religious faiths and preparing or training missionaries.

Historian Mark Noll singles out this conference as a milestone in church history. From this point on, the tide would turn from missions as a phenomenon of Europe and North America to Christianity as a faith being indigenized in many cultures around the globe. This trend would be recognized at the 1974 Lausanne Conference on World Evangelization, at which 2,700 delegates from 151 countries, at least half from developing nations, met to discuss the Great Commission.

Today’s reading marks a defining moment in the history of Christian missions. We have said that Paul was chosen as the Apostle to the Gentiles, but anonymous Christians fleeing persecution did the first truly cross-cultural missions work, as evidenced in today’s reading. Paul may have done cross-cultural work in Arabia, (cf. Gal. 1:17), but if so we are not told in Scripture.

Following the martyrdom of Stephen, persecution intensified for the early church, and many believers left Jerusalem. In their new homes, they went to local synagogues and continued to evangelize Jews. But a group of men from Cyprus and Cyrene went a step further and witnessed to Greeks in Antioch (v. 20). These Greeks were different from the Jews in every way–culturally, philosophically, and religiously.

The work of these early cross-cultural missionaries was successful, and the church in Jerusalem sent Barnabas to investigate this unconventional ministry. He found evidence of God’s grace, and encouraged the new Gentile believers to be devoted fully to the Lord (v. 23).
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Mark Noll, the historian cited in today’s illustration, wrote an excellent, readable book on church history, entitled Turning Points: Decisive Moments in the History of Christianity.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Acts 13:1-12
After they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off. - Acts 13:3
TODAY IN THE WORD
Florence Young started her missions career by doing evangelism and Bible teaching among imported workers at sugar cane plantations near her home in Australia. Though her first class had only ten men, she eventually founded the Queensland Kanaka Mission, which evangelized and trained thousands of “kanakas,” or laborers.

Following ten years in China, Florence returned home in 1900, just as the Mission was entering a transitional phase. New laws forbidding forced labor meant that most of the “kanakas” had returned to their homes in the south Pacific islands. In response, Florence and others sailed to the Solomon Islands, worked with recent converts to plant churches, and continued the ministry.

Florence Young joined the line of a great missionary tradition that starts in today’s reading. Here we find the first record of a local church commissioning and sending out cross-cultural missionaries. It’s no accident that this happened in Antioch, where the first cross-cultural work had been done!

There are several key points to note about this first missionary commissioning and sending. First, it took place during a period of intense worship (v. 2). The church was actively glorifying God and seeking His will, and in this context the Holy Spirit’s voice could be clearly heard.

Second, the Holy Spirit took the initiative. The church didn’t ask God to approve their plan. They responded to God’s plan.

Third, God chose the best. From their council of leaders, He called Paul and Barnabas to go.

The church’s task is to set apart or consecrate to missionary work those whom God chooses. This involves worship: the church at Antioch fasted and prayed (v. 3). They also laid hands on the men, signifying special appointment, blessing, and a commitment between the two parties (sender and sent).
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Today, we suggest that you do some reflective evaluation on the ways in which your church interacts with missionaries.

How does your church commission or send out missionaries? How does it choose whom to support? How does the budget work? Is missions part of the larger worship life of your church? Are you aware of your church’s missionaries? Do you, your family, and your small group pray for them?

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Acts 17:16-34
Since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities–his eternal power and divine nature–have been clearly seen . . . so that men are without excuse. - Romans 1:20
TODAY IN THE WORD
One of the great apologists of recent times, C. S. Lewis, has this to say about defending the faith:

“One of the great difficulties is to keep before the audience’s mind the question of truth. . . . One must keep on pointing out that Christianity is a statement which, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance. . . . They are simply not interested in the question of truth or falsehood. They only want to know if it will be comforting, or 'inspiring,’ or socially useful.”

Lewis could just as easily have been talking about the Athenians of Paul’s day. This episode is the only recorded “sermon” that defends Christianity from a purely rational perspective, as opposed to a historical argument or fulfilled prophecy (cf. Acts 2). In other words, this is a concrete example of philosophical apologetics. From Jerusalem, the city of faith, we have arrived now in Athens, the city of reason.

Distressed by the city’s paganism, Paul preached and defended the gospel to anyone willing to listen. He got the attention of some local philosophers–Epicureans and Stoics, whose philosophies are still studied in philosophy courses today. They brought Paul to a meeting of the Areopagus, a sort of philosophical society or discussion seminar, where people would hear and debate the latest philosophical ideas (vv. 19-21).

How could Paul convince these radically different people? He began with respect for their religiosity, using the altar to an “unknown god” he’d seen earlier as a cultural connection. He also quoted one of their poets (v. 28).

He then presented the one true God, starting from creation (vv. 24-26). The true God is the Creator, the maker of all things, all beings, all life. He is all-powerful and self-sufficient. He rules over human history and has taken the initiative to reach out to people (v. 27). One day God will hold everyone accountable for whether they worshiped Him or worshiped idols (vv. 29-31).
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Are you ready to defend your faith? Apologetics should be a part of your witnessing toolbox, and it will also help strengthen your own faith!

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Matthew 9:35-38
The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. - Matthew 9:37
TODAY IN THE WORD
Gautama Siddharta, the founder of Buddhism, was born to a royal family about 528 B.C., the same time period as the prophet Daniel.

The religion expanded from India throughout China and elsewhere, and today plays a dominant role in Asian life and culture. Buddhism influences at least one billion people, is the state religion in five Asian countries, and is the majority religion in four more. There are 1.6 million Buddhists in the United States.

Buddhism has proved quite resistant to the gospel. Buddhist countries are mostly less than 1 percent Protestant, and there are three thousand unreached Buddhist people groups in East Asia. Many Buddhists have mixed and blended various other religions, making Christ’s claims to be the only Way difficult to accept. Buddhism is also linked to Asian cultural pride and identity, making it even more difficult to embrace Christianity.

Workers are needed for these fields! In today’s passage, Jesus used a farmer’s field and harvest workers as a metaphor for missions.

Jesus made these statements in Matthew just prior to sending out the disciples for independent ministry among the Jews. In an immediate sense, they were the workers the Father sends. Like their Teacher, they would combine the good news of the kingdom with miracles of healing (v. 35).

Jesus’ motive was compassion (v. 36). In the towns He was visiting, the people seemed helpless and confused, like sheep without a shepherd. They did indeed lack a shepherd, the Good Shepherd (John 10:11, 14), which led to Jesus’ call for workers. His gentle response is instructive: Are we motivated by compassion for the lost?
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
If you’ve been a reader of Today in the Word for any length of time, you know we’re big fans of hymnbooks! If you don’t already, we urge you to include one in your personal devotional time.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Matthew 4:18-25
Come, follow me . . . and I will make you fishers of men. - Matthew 4:19
TODAY IN THE WORD
In the early twentieth century, Sundar Singh was famous as the “apostle with the bleeding feet.” Dressed in a thin yellow robe, he trekked through India and Tibet spreading the gospel–without shoes, hence his nickname. His robe imitated the dress of a Hindu “sadhu,” a person living an ascetic life who spent his time begging on the roads or meditating alone.

Sundar’s dress reflected different motives. As he said, “I am not worthy to follow in the steps of my Lord, but, like Him, I want no home, no possessions. Like Him I will belong to the road, sharing the suffering of my people, eating with those who will give me shelter, and telling all men of the love of God.”

Like the disciples in today’s reading, Sundar Singh was called to be a “fisher of men.” This is a second metaphor–in addition to yesterday’s harvest image–used by Christ to describe missions or witnessing.

The context is the calling of the first disciples: Peter, John, Andrew, and James. As a master teacher, Jesus used a figure of speech that would be especially familiar to these professional fishermen. Their goal was to catch fish–to know their habits, schedules, and feeding preferences in order to lure them into nets, and to persevere at it every day until they were successful. Jesus wanted them to turn that kind of skill and dedication to the task of “catching” people!

But the results wouldn’t be instantaneous. They had to first choose to follow Christ, which involved leaving behind their livelihood (vv. 20, 22). There’d be a time when they’d return to fishing, but this was still a huge step of obedient faith. In Luke’s account, Jesus encouraged them with a miraculously large catch of fish (Luke 5:1-11) to show that He would care for their needs.

Once they took this step, Jesus shaped them into “fishers of men” (v. 19). He took responsibility for the project–what they had to do was simply follow, surrendering themselves to His work in their lives. “Lesson 1” focused on His love and power, as seen in His healing miracles throughout Galilee (vv. 23-25).
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
When Jesus used the metaphor of fishing in today’s verse, He had in mind the commercial method--casting out nets--used by those who fished for a living at that time. Today in the United States, fishing is mostly a recreational sport done with a rod and reel, but the analogy still holds true.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: 2 Corinthians 8:1-9
They urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints. - 2 Corinthians 8:4
TODAY IN THE WORD
As an infant, Preena had been dedicated to the idols of India. She grew up in a temple, marked as a future ritual prostitute. Once when she tried to escape, her hands were branded with hot irons. But when she heard that Irish missionary Amy Carmichael was in the area, she ran away again.

Amy took her in, as she did with so many orphans, abandoned children, and temple runaways. Her more than fifty years of missionary work in India were fueled by a passion to show the love and good news of Christ. Her devotional writings are still read today–in one poem, she prayed, “Make Me Thy Fuel, Flame of God.”

As is true for all who spread the gospel, the work of Amy Carmichael depended on the support of missions-minded givers back home.

In today’s reading, Paul boasted to the Corinithians about the generosity of the Macedonian believers in order to encourage and exhort them in “this grace of giving” (v. 7). He was collecting funds for poor Christians in Jerusalem, which in modern terms we might call a “compassion ministry.”

We can learn two key lessons from the Macedonians’ generosity. First, giving is a form of grace. Paul tagged it as evidence of God’s grace (v. 1), a response on our part to God’s work in our lives. This passage also speaks of giving as grace extended by believers to other believers (v. 6), as well as a spiritual quality or discipline in which we can grow and excel (v. 7). Giving shows our Christlike love (v. . However we look at giving, it’s all about grace, the same grace by which we’ve been saved (v. 9).

Second, the best kind of giving is joyful and sacrificial. The Macedonians gave despite suffering and poverty (v. 2). What’s more, they gave “beyond their ability,” humanly speaking (v. 3). In fact, they pleaded for the privilege of giving and rejoiced to do so (v. 4). They understood that giving was an integral part of dedication, submission, love, and service.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
A good application of today’s devotion would be to review your personal missions giving.

Are you involved in giving to and praying for one or more missionaries? Have you ever written a letter or sent a care package to a missionary? Are you aware of what’s happening in the lives and ministries of missionaries whom your church supports? Do you rejoice in being a part of meeting their financial and other needs?

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Philippians 4:10-20
The gifts you sent . . . are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. - Philippians 4:18
TODAY IN THE WORD
Pantaenus, born a Jew and educated in Greek philosophy, is acknowledged to be one of the great teachers of the second century church. Known as a Bible expositor, he was appointed head of a prestigious training school in Alexandria.

One might think he was already in the most valuable place of service. Yet when a delegation from India requested a scholar to return with them for discussions with Hindu philosophers, Pantaenus was chosen. Historian Samuel Hugh Moffett writes, “He [the bishop] judged the Christian world mission to be no less urgent a priority than the advancement of Christian learning. Without hesitation he took his most famous scholar from the theological school and sent him as a missionary.”

The Egyptian church did not hesitate to send its best in obedience to the call of Christ, much like Antioch in Acts 13 (see October 18). In today’s reading, we meet their man Paul on yet another missionary journey–he may have been in prison, but this didn’t affect his evangelistic work (Phil. 1:12-18)!

As in yesterday’s devotional, Paul was boasting about the joy, generosity, and heart for service of a group of believers–but this time their actions were specifically directed toward him. We see here a model for a relationship between a supporting church and a missionary.

One part of this relationship was their generosity and his gratitude (v. 10). They had stepped forward to meet his needs, and although he had learned contentment and relied on God (vv. 11-13), he was encouraged by their giving (v. 14). This was not a one-time event--Paul recalled the history of their faithfulness in giving (vv. 15-16). Additionally, they’d sent Epaphroditus to bring personal news and encouragement (cf. Phil. 2:25-30).
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Following up on yesterday’s “Today Along the Way,” we’d like to suggest several more ideas for involvement in missions.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Matthew 5:14-16
Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. - Matthew 5:16
TODAY IN THE WORD
One of the most famous missionary doctors ever, Wilfred Grenfell, spent his life serving people in Labrador. Saved at a D. L. Moody revival meeting in England, he first ministered on a “mercy ship” among North Sea fishermen.

When he started his work, Grenfell was overwhelmed by the physical and spiritual poverty of the people. In addition to his medical activities, he tried to make a difference economically by helping to start cooperatives and small businesses, and by opposing the exploitative practices of local merchants. Although accused of seeking financial gain, he actually lost money. At his best, Wilfred Grenfell lived out the principle at the heart of today’s reading: Your actions should be a witness to the gospel.

While some believers are called specifically to full-time ministry or foreign places, we are all “missionaries” since we’re all responsible to share the gospel. One purpose for this month is to give you a vision for world missions, but another is to give you a vision for reaching your neighbor.

In today’s reading, Jesus uses familiar images and common sense to teach spiritual truth. One picture is a city on a hill. Its light is obvious, clearly seen from far away. A second picture is a lamp in a house. People light it for a purpose, which would be defeated by the strange action of covering it.

“In the same way” (v. 16) means that our actions are analogous to these two images. They are obvious to those around us--we can’t hide them. And the purpose of our actions should be to bring God’s light into spiritual darkness. We should act so that outsiders “see [our] good deeds and praise [our] Father in heaven.” Or as Peter said, “Live such good lives among the pagans that . . . they may see your good deeds and glorify God” (1 Peter 2:12).
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
To help you apply today’s devotion, here’s a classic prayer by early German Pietist Johann Arndt:

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Acts 16:11-15
Pray that I may proclaim [the gospel] clearly, as I should. - Colossians 4:4
TODAY IN THE WORD
Many mark the birth of the modern missionary movement from the first Moravian missionaries, Leonard Dober and David Nitschmann. In 1732, they were commissioned and planned to go to the Danish Virgin Islands to share the gospel with slaves on sugar cane plantations.

Many Christians counseled them to give up the venture as too difficult. On the voyage, they were mocked by the ship’s unbelieving sailors. To these naysayers, Dober responded that he was willing to become a slave himself in order to reach the slaves for Christ. After arrival, his servant attitude, including his willingness to care for those with malaria, won the respect of the slaves. Despite many difficulties, the ministry was eventually very successful.

Leonard Dober was willing to become all things to all men (1 Cor. 9:22). He was ready to give an answer for the hope that he had (1 Peter 3:15). In addition to yesterday’s focus on actions, words are another important part of our witness (cf. 1 Cor. 1:17).

Paul went to Philippi in response to the Macedonian vision recorded in the preceding verses. Philippi, a Roman colony named after the father of Alexander the Great, had no synagogue, which was where Paul was accustomed to begin evangelizing a new city. This meant the city had almost no Jews, for a synagogue could be started with as few as ten men. Without a synagogue, people would gather by the river on the Sabbath for prayer, and that’s where Paul and his friends found a group of women.

Lydia, one of those listening, was a businesswoman from the nearby city of Thyatira, famous for its dyeing industry. Like Cornelius (see October 16), she was a God-fearing Gentile and listened intently to what Paul had to say. The Lord “opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message” (v. 14). That reminds us that evangelism is ultimately His work, not ours.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
If someone asked you to share the message of salvation with them today, would you know how?

To test yourself, jot down an outline of the basic truths and Bible verses you’d include in a gospel presentation. If you normally use a favorite method or tract, that’s fine. Imagine what questions someone might ask. How would you answer them? If you need a brush-up, ask your pastor or another person to tutor you in their favorite witnessing technique.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: John 4:1-14, 39-42
Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman’s testimony. - John 4:39
TODAY IN THE WORD
The rescue of Sefa Cebeci last year amazed the world. During a severe earthquake, she was buried under the rubble of a seven-story building in Duzce, Turkey, for more than one hundred hours. Normally, rescuers give up on finding any survivors after 72 hours, or about three days; in addition, temperatures were freezing. But Sefa was still alive when workers located and rescued her. She was flown to a hospital in Istanbul with a broken right arm and kidney failure due to dehydration.

Trapped under the building for more than four days, Sefa must have wondered if she’d ever see the light of day again. The voices of her rescuers must have been one of the sweetest sounds she’d ever heard. Saved!

The sweet sound of the message of Christ had that same power to bring life to those who hear, including the “woman at the well” in today’s reading.

This episode is well-known to many of us. The Samaritan woman has an immoral history, explaining her presence at the well at the heat of midday. For Jesus, a Jewish rabbi, to speak to her represented a breaking of social and racial taboos.

But for our purposes today, let’s skip to the end of the story. The woman had returned to town and told people there about the man she’d met. And what did she say about Him? Did she praise His reaching out to her beyond prejudice? Did she explain His powerful metaphor of water that satisifes for eternity? No. These things were important enough to be in the story, but what impacted the woman was Jesus’ intimate knowledge of her life: “He told me everything I ever did” (v. 39).

That’s the testimony she shared with the townsfolk, to whom she was no doubt a notorious figure. Impressed and curious, they invited Jesus and His disciples to stay a few days, and many of them came to faith. In the Gospels, it’s difficult to find a stronger statement of belief than, “We know that this man really is the Savior of the world” (v. 42).
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
A direct gospel presentation is one way to witness (see yesterday’s “Today Along the Way”). Your testimony is another.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Matthew 24:9-14
It has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him. - Philippians 1:29
TODAY IN THE WORD
Prior to 1949, Shanghai had been a prime base for missions in China. But following the Communist victory, the number of churches in the city was reduced from 235 to 15 by 1958. During the Cultural Revolution, the last few churches were closed, Bibles were burned, and pastors were dragged away to labor camps. The number of believers at that time was less than forty thousand.

Yet the gospel did not die out. Many kept the faith, praying and worshiping in their homes. When the churches reopened in the 1980s, Christians packed them. Since then, there has been astonishing growth–today there are at least 120,000 believers in Shanghai’s official churches, with many more in unregistered house groups. Despite persecution, the church is alive and well!

We should expect persecution and suffering to be part of taking the gospel to the world, and even of sharing the gospel with our neighbors. Christ’s words and the whole New Testament warn us that this will be so.

Jesus’ discourse found in Matthew 24-25 is not exactly an advertisement for following Him! He told His disciples to expect hatred, persecution, and martyrdom (cf. Matt. 10:17-23; John 15:18-25). Under these conditions, many who profess to be Christians will fall away, even betraying and hating one another. False prophets will try to deceive, wickedness will increase, and spiritual love will grow cold.

What are we to do? Stand firm (v. 13)! Perseverance is a sign of salvation, not a condition for it. That is, “will be saved” in this verse doesn’t indicate that we must do something more in order to be saved. Rather, it looks forward in time to the sure completion of Christ’s redemptive work in us (Phil. 1:6). God Himself causes us to stand firm (2 Cor. 1:21-22), though the phrase is most often found as a command for us to obey (e.g., 1 Cor. 15:58).
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Suffering is a deep and difficult topic to address, and in today’s and tomorrow’s devotionals we can focus on only a few relevant truths.

Therefore, we suggest that you explore this theme in additional Bible study. Which stories, psalms, and expository passages address the question of suffering? What are the main principles? With what attitudes should believers face different kinds of suffering? What might be the spiritual reasons?