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Devotional | Scott Bartlow | Aug 28, 2022
Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives. Galatians 5:25 NLT
I grew up in the 80s and 90s. In the early 90s, McDonald's apparently was on a mission to plant millions of trees. In every Happy Meal was a tree seedling gift.
I took that seed and planted it in my dad’s backyard office building. Years ago, when he retired and we sold his building, I stood there perplexed and amazed that the seed I planted as a kid had become an enormous oak tree. Sorry Dad!
I love being part of the start of something new. The start of planting a seed and watching it grow. The start of a dream that develops into a business, nonprofit, or a church. The start of a new project. The start of new friendships. The start of a new school year. The start of a marriage and building a family. The start of a new season of parenting or grandparenting. The start of retirement. There is so much excitement in new beginnings, but not all start easily, or “up and to the right” or see exponential growth. As the saying goes, "It takes twenty years to be an overnight success."
Most often, it's simply following a simple act of faithfulness and obedience to God over a long period of time that leads to the fruit of what was started within you years before.
I often reread the Acts of the Apostles and imagine the start of the early church. It reminds me God used ordinary people over a dedicated period of time to spread the Gospel of Jesus one person at a time. Now, we are experiencing that faithfulness passed down from generation to generation thousands of years later.
A theme you will see in the book of Acts in the early church is that this group of men and women prayed, fasted, provided needs of their community, and relied on the Holy Spirit for guidance on the journey of kingdom expansion.
Right before Pentecost, 40 days after Jesus' resurrection, he appeared and instructed the Apostles with this powerful promise: “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts of the Apostles 1:8 NLT).
From here, you see the church rising up in confidence in the Lord. When the Holy Spirit comes on the Day of Pentecost, all believers and the church are mobilized to spread the Good News one person, community, city, and nation at a time.
Part of Acts includes seeing Saul's conversion to the Apostle Paul on the road to Damascus, and the start of his missionary journey. Next, you’ll find a very insightful passage in chapter nine from the writer, Luke.
“The church then had peace throughout Judea, Galilee, and Samaria, and it became stronger as the believers lived in the fear of the Lord. And with the encouragement of the Holy Spirit, it also grew in numbers” (Acts of the Apostles 9:31 NLT).
Acts provides the history of the early church, and we are part of that great history and mission.
The church of Acts 9:31 was focused on discipling and expanding the message using ordinary people as the passage says, who feared the Lord, received his power, and then used it to help people find and follow Jesus through starting churches, discipling and meeting in homes. The church multiplied its kingdom impact into an unstoppable global movement of Jesus-followers.
It's incredible to think how quickly the church expanded during the first century. It's beautiful to see each generation carry the baton of faith. Now, that baton of faith is in our hands.
What may God do through you as a follower of Jesus? What may God want to continue to do through us as a group of believers in our families, neighborhood, city, and state? Is he starting and awakening something new in you? Where is he calling you to become radical in your life and faith?
I challenge you to listen to the Holy Spirit as you read the Acts of the Apostles and see how the Lord calls you to daily faithfulness, planting seeds of faith, hope, and love. It starts with just planting a seed and seeing how God will do immeasurably more than we can ask or imagine.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for using the early church to expand the Good News of Jesus Christ and establish your kingdom on earth as it is in heaven. Father, help each of us remain faithful in walking out our faith as we plant seeds of faith, hope, and love of Christ in our world.
Amen!
Scott Bartlow
Campus Expansion Pastor
Scott Bartlow is the Campus Expansion Pastor at Crossings Community Church. He is passionate about helping people find and follow Jesus through church expansion!