The Power of the Gospel

“Nothing is as powerful as an idea whose time has come,” said Victor Hugo.  “It is stronger than all the armies of the world.  An invasion of armies can be resisted, but not an idea whose time has come.”

Read the last few verses of Matthew’s Gospel.  These verses contain the marching orders for the church.  As the early disciples carried on in the days following Jesus’ return to Heaven, what did they do?  What were their efforts and passions poured into?  Consider the following observations:

If they were to follow 21st-century wisdom, they would have bought land and hired an architect to draw plans for a fantastic facility.  The next step would have the fledgling movement consult with “fund-raising” experts so they could pay the bills related to their new building and debt.

However, a quick look at the Book of Acts shows that the 1st-century church owned no property and had very few worldly resources.  They were an outlaw bunch that was constantly on the move.  It is this movement that should catch your attention. They were on the move to stay alive.  The Romans and the Jews were trying to exterminate the early Christians.  Intense persecution caused the early church to scatter throughout the Roman Empire.  Just as seed from a farmer’s hand is spread across a fertile field, so the first-century church and its gospel message about Jesus was spread across Europe, Asia, and Africa.

Not only was the early church spreading geographically, they were also involved in spreading a revolutionary idea and a powerful message. This message came from those final words of Matthew’s Gospel.  As the early church moved from city to city and place to place, they told others about Jesus.  The result of this is spoken of in Acts 17:6: “These that have turned the world upside down are come here as well."

I like to say that the early church turned an upside-down world, right-side up.  We can do the same today.  Buildings, money, and worldly assets are tools that should be used wisely.  Our real power is an idea whose time has come.  The Gospel of Jesus needs to be shared in these last days.  When we do this, nothing can withstand us.  As 2025 dawns, follow the command of Jesus and spread the Good News about him.  Keep looking up!