The POWER of the GOSPEL
Last year my wife and I had the privilege of travelling to Turkey and there we visited the ancient city of Ephesus. The very city that Paul preached in and there the church of Ephesus blossomed under his ministry. Later, Paul’s leadership mantle was passed onto a young pastor called Timothy, as he assumed the Pastoral leadership of the Church of Ephesus.
Ephesus was also the location that the Apostle John settled along with Jesus’ mother Mary. As we walked the ruins of this amazing city, which still has the famous 30,000 seat amphitheatre in pristine condition located there, to the very spot where the crowd shouted out for hours in fear and anger against Paul’s preaching that was having a powerful influence over the false gods especially the worship of Diana.
As we sat there in that amphitheatre and as I learned about how wild, immoral and how much pagan worship occurred there I came to realize the very extent of the powerful spiritual battle that Paul and the faithful believers were up against!
We sometimes think that Australia is a difficult place to minister in and preach the gospel to. But in comparison to what Paul faced in Ephesus, I believe Ephesus a greater struggle.
No matter the location, no matter how difficult or unyielding your reaching out to family, friends, work colleagues or neighbours, with the gospel may be or seem, I am reminded of the promises of God’s Word. In 1 John we are reminded by John – For every child of God defeats this evil world, and we achieve this victory through our faith. 1 John 5:4
No matter what the city of Ephesus and the spiritual darkness that thrived there threw at Paul and the believers there, the demonic forces opposing God’s people and His work did not gain the victory over them!
This is why Paul powerfully proclaims in the beginning of his letter to the Romans, For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. – Romans 1:16
That once famous city now lies in ruins, but the Gospel of Jesus Christ continues to this day to plunder the kingdom of darkness and set free lost souls held captive by sin, through the precious blood of Jesus Christ. There is no force in all of creation that can stop it! To God be the glory!
Therefore do not lose heart, trust in God and you will see the victory, the Gospel’s power still consumes all that opposes it.