Grace Church San Diego

There are epoch defining battles in history.  The defeat of Napoleon, the battle of Gettysburg, Iwo Jima, or the landing of the Allied troops on Normandy.  Each situation involved an analysis of costs and objectives. The commanding officer, after due consideration, gives the order and sends men to a certain death.  But the purpose of the assault is worthy of the risk -- the casualties serve a higher purpose.

The Book of Acts holds much in common with this picture.  It is a change in epochs.  The Savior has come.  He was crucified for sinners. He rose from death. The old order is crushed.  The new creation has beguin.  He sends his witnesses into the world and they announce the great news. But there is no cost benefit analysis.  First, he pays all the costs for us.  Second, there is not risk.  Ultimately all labor and sacrifice is fruitful and nothing is in vain.

Acts records the Savior's advance of the Gospel into the world in the power of the Spirit.  His people bear witness to Him.  There is stiff oposition -- in many forms. His people serve and speak and experience persecution and loss of wealth and loss of life.  The Gospel goes forward at the cost of blood.  But the advance is certain.  It will not be stopped.

The message of Acts is to build our confidence in the power of Christ -- in the certainty that whatever obstacles faces and whatever sacrifices made, nothing shall stop the exalted Christ from calling his people to Himself.  Disappointments, defeats, losses, and fruitlessness are not reasons for discouragement.  They are calls to faith -- to look for what God will do for the name of Christ in the midst of them.

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