The church Goes to Europe, Acts 16 04.03.2022

The church Grows copyright 2022

thoughts taken from this week's: Bro Emmanuel White 04.03.22 sermon 'The church goes to Europe'

The church Grows copyright 2022

Last week we learned that the church grows through disagreements too This week, Luke joins the team of apostles as the journeys continue below and through the blue Paul meets and sits with a group of women as a result of his teaching, they end up baptizin Her name was Lydia and not only was she saved but her household recieved the gospel and their souls also were bathed The apostles met with conflict and this was regarding black majic they were making so much money there in Europe with soothsayers and fanatics Paul cast out the majical demon and that made the masters mad they could no longer use the damsel for profits and were sad They beat Paul and Silas, we have to ask, Where were Luke and Timothy they barred the apostles, yet at midnight, they were in their cells singing All the jailors could hear them they were singing pretty loud, their voices of praise lifted up, and the apostles had a crowd, before they knew, the chains were broken and the prisoners were set free Paul saved the jailors' life, he percieved his fate and destiny The jailor also was baptized by the same method yet again The church is growing, now in Europe, Paul falls during his journeys, yet to rise again and again!

We are now int he 16th chapter following Acts. The apostles gather and sit with a group of ladies; Lydia, a seller of purple is amoung them; their journey has now arrived at Europe. As a result of their sharings, in suit as the other conversions, Lydia with her entire household are baptized. The apostles meet with more idol worshippers and those who follow black majic as a means of gain. Stirring up confusion in the city and wrath amoung the moneymakers, the apostles are whipped, jailed and barred; at midnight, they are singing praises, being heard by the other jailors. By a miraculous act of God, all the jailors are freed. Paul saves the jailor's life who would have taken hs own life finding that the jailors were broken free under his oversight. The events as well led to the conversion of the jailor with his entire household. Yet another church of Christ congregation has been established in Europe with Paul continuing his journeys! Hallelujah! Praise Jehovah! The church continues to grow. Bro White reminds us all as Christians to be appreciative of our history and all that the apostles endured so that we might have the gospel here. The journeys are inspirational, and reminds us of their sacrifice for the growth and establishment of God's kindom here. Bro White admonoshes the brothers and sisters, "What are we willing" to sacrifice and give for God's kingdom. He says, "How far are we willing to travel to save a soul.", He says, What discomforts are we willing to face for the gospel's sake. By Acts, we are surrounded with a great cloud of witnesses, and because of their hearts and labors for God, we have the gospel and it goes out into all the world. God our prayer is for workers in your kingdom. The harvest is plentoues, yet the laborers are few.

[start video 40:48]