If our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. (2 Corinthians 4:3–4)

It is not being melodramatic to say that every effort and attempt to engage and evangelize our world is a mission into enemy territory.

Whether we’re talking about Grace Partners strategizing to take the message of Jesus to a new people group or translating the scriptures into a new language or a conversation with a neighbor at the curb or a coworker in the breakroom or a cousin at a family gathering, we are attempting to shine a light into a dark place that Satan would like to keep that way. But good news…

Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world (1 John 4:4).”

In Acts this Sunday we will see the fledgling church of Antioch mount its first campaign to take the gospel into uncharted territory through the messengers of Saul (who’s finally about to be called Paul!) and Barnabas (13:1-3). And, no surprise, we will see “the god of this world” hard at work trying to keep the spiritually blind locked in their blindness (13:4-12). But the blinder will become the blinded (for the second time in Acts), as the word of God continues to go out with all boldness and without hindrance.

Randy Gruendyke will be preaching Acts 13:1-12 this Sunday and Kenny Clark will be leading our sung worship. Would you take some time this week to read the passage and pray for each as they prepare? One of the hymns we will sing together gives us some great prompts for prayer as we prepare to gather this Sunday.

With shield of faith and belt of truth
We’ll stand against the devil’s lies
An army bold whose battle cry is love
Reaching out to those in darkness

Our call to war, to love the captive soul,
But to rage against the captor
And with the sword that makes the wounded whole
We will fight with faith and valor

See you Sunday, Grace. Come hungry and with your armor on!

 

Song of the Week

O Church, Arise by Keith and Kristyn Getty