John MacArthur points out in his commentary on Acts that it is an undeniable truth that the Church prospers under persecution. I believe he is right about that.

Our passage for this coming Sunday is Acts 19:21-41. In these verses we will consider the two – and only two – gods that the unsaved world worships! Here we find Paul and his fellows in the City of Ephesus. As Paul is about to leave the City, great persecution and a near riot break out because these worldly worshippers rightly see that the gospel is an out and out attack on their false gods. Today, 2,000 years later, that has not changed! When the gospel collides with all false gods and their world views, trouble is on the way.

I must admit that I often dread what is ahead for Bible-believing Christians in America! As I think on these things, I do understand that the present and coming judgment of God on America is necessary to correct the murderous sins into which this Nation has fallen. The good news is that such pain, persecution, and judgment often brings God’s people back to their senses and then God can use us to bring our Nation to repentance.

Read over these verses a few times and ask the Lord to speak to you through them. Think about these questions which I will address on Sunday:

“What are the only two gods the world worshipped 2,000 years ago; and, are these really the ONLY two gods that the unsaved world worships today?”

“What kind of impact was the gospel having on the world of Paul’s day and what kind of impact is it having on America – and the world – today?”

‘What does this godless world love most and what do they hate most?”

“Why do some people love to “play church?”

“What does a godless culture fear and what do they respect?”

“What does all of this mean to me and my loved ones?”

Dig in! I hope you will read over this exciting portion of God’s Word and ask HIM to prepare your heart for the message this week! I hope you will get studied up, prayed up, and fired up over the opportunity to worship God together with your Church Family!

I hope to see you Sunday with a Bible in your hand, a smile on your face, and your family and friends by your side…