Grace Presbyterian Church, Montclair, New Jersey

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Pastor's Pulse

by Paul Leggett, Pastor

Advancing the Gospel

May 2008

“When Paul had seen the vision, we immediately tried to cross over to Macedonia, being convinced that God had called us to proclaim the good news to them.” – Acts 16:10

The apostle Paul in a familiar story has a vision of “a man from Macedonia,” in other words, a Greek, asking him to come and help them.  Paul and his companions, including Luke, the author of the Acts of the Apostles, are convinced that this vision is from the Lord and make plans to “cross over” to Macedonia.  They come to the city of Philippi.  Philippi was a Roman colony, meaning its inhabitants had the rare privilege of being Roman citizens (a distinction also enjoyed by Paul because of his birth in Tarsus which enjoyed a similar status). 

Paul’s earliest experiences in Philippi point up dramatically the dual reality of the mission of the church.  While Paul is preaching to a group outside the city the Lord opens the heart of a woman named Lydia who believes the gospel.  Lydia is the first convert in Macedonia.  Shortly after this Paul and his companion Silas encounter a demon-possessed woman who tells fortunes.  Paul casts the demon out of her “in the name of Jesus Christ.”  The sponsors of this woman take great offense at this and have Paul and Silas beaten and thrown into prison.   

The point to note here is that the advance of the gospel is frequently followed by a spiritual counter-attack.  This month we are observing our 57th annual Missions Conference.  We have two outstanding speakers coming and a number of special events. This spring and summer we are sponsoring no less than three mission trips.  We have church members involved more and more in local mission.  We continue to be part of the Interfaith Hospitality Network.  We have had over three hundred “views” on the first chapter of our church website Bible study.  We praise the Lord for all these areas where God is opening people’s hearts.

At the same time we, like Paul and Silas, need to be prepared for a satanic counter-attack.  Paul reminds us that we are not to be ignorant of Satan’s designs (II Cor. 2:11).  Still less are we to be fearful.  Jesus states that the “ruler of this world will be driven out” (John 12:31).  That ruler, “who is called the Devil and Satan,” knows that his time is short (Revelation 12:9-12).  John gives us this assurance,

“Little children, you are from God, and have conquered them; for the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world” (I John 4:4).

Plan to be with us to hear what God is doing in our 57th annual Missions Conference!