The Power of Continual Service
“And this continued by the space of two years; so that all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks.” (Acts 19:10)
What was it that continued for two years? The previous verses tell us:
“And he went into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God. But when divers were hardened, and believed not, but spake evil of that way before the multitude, he departed from them, and separated the disciples, disputing daily in the school of one Tyrannus.” (Acts 19:8-9)
It was the preaching, teaching, and defense of the Word of God that continued. For three months, Paul was permitted to preach in the synagogue. In those days, it was customary for Jewish men with a message to be allowed to speak(Acts 13:15), which is why Paul often began his ministry in the synagogue whenever he entered a new town. It provided a ready platform to reach those willing to listen, and many souls were won there.
However, Paul's welcome usually wore out quickly. In Ephesus, it lasted longer than usual—three months. But when the unbelieving Jews refused to believe and began speaking evil of the Gospel, its precepts, and its preachers, Paul gathered the new believers and moved their meetings to the school of a man named Tyrannus. There, he continued proclaiming and defending the Gospel—daily.
Many men in the early centuries of the church devoted themselves to daily ministry in the Word, and by their faithfulness, great progress was made. In this case, Ephesus was transformed. Much of Asia was reached with the Gospel, and so many pagan idolaters were converted that they brought their books of false religion and burned them. The total value of those books, in today's money, would be in the millions. Then Verse 20 tells us: “So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.”
Two forces were at work in the transformation of Ephesus: the sovereignty of God and the continual service of Christians. Every time in history that these two have joined hands, entire continents have been changed for the glory of God. If not continents, then countries. If not countries, then cities. If not cities, then towns. If not towns, then churches. If not churches, then families. If not families, then individuals.
I am writing this devotion today, in part, because a man named Junior Teal came and witnessed to my family over 50 years ago. Because a man named Otis Hodnett preached to my parents. Because a man named Ed Ballwe preached to me. Because many other faithful men and women of God served continually. The entire landscape of my life was changed by the power of God, working through the continual, faithful service of His people. I can relate to Ephesus—because of faithful Christians, the Word of God grew mightily in my life and prevailed.
So take heart, Christian, wherever God has placed you. If He has sent you there, as He sent Paul, then continue. Your steadfastness in proclaiming, adhering to, and defending the Gospel will not be in vain. Yes, there will be difficulties along the way. When one platform fails, find another. When unbelievers rise up, take the believers and press on. You never know what good will come from servants who refuse to quit.
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