March 31, 2009 - Church Growth Depends On The Word Growth

Meditation on Acts 19

Luke commented that at Ephesus "the word of the Lord grew mightily and prevailed." (v. 20 NKJV) As Paul and company prayed and preached the God's word, people were won over for Christ, the sick were being healed, and demons were cast out in the name of the Lord Jesus. Those who practiced magic showed their faith and repentance by burning their books of occult. Luke estimated that the value was worth fifty thousand pieces of silver. God's word had overcome human hearts and prevailed over Satanic power.

Nothing can stop the growth of the word of God no matter what the obstacle may be. The idol makers in Ephesus stirred up a city wide riot at their theater against the preaching of the word of God. But God used the city clerk, an unbeliever, to dismiss it. (v. 21-41)

Ephesus became the center to reach all Asia Minor. Luke had said that all who dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks. Later Paul was inspired by the Holy Spirit to write a letter to this church in order to strengthen them with the word of God. That was the book of Ephesians in the New Testament.

May we preach and share the word of God rather than human wisdom to enable church growth.