This is Pastor Daniel Stevenson. I'm director of the Southside Life Station and pastor of New Heights Fellowship Baptist Church of East Toledo.
And you're receiving this message because you opted in to be encouraged.
In Acts 15, 41, there's a little verse, not a great big thing.
It seems to not say all that much, but when you get a close look at it, it says an awful lot.
It says, and he, traveling through Syria and Cilicia, strengthened the churches.
I have to think about what this means exactly.
I guess his messages were off to what went on elsewhere.
He told other people about what was going on in the church and other places.
So he was kind of like a news bearer in that regards.
And he was saying, don't give up. God is at work. God is doing amazing things.
He was testifying alongside the Holy Spirit that was already at work in them.
He was preaching from the Old Testament because the New Testament didn't exist yet.
He was reassuring their minds and helping put their thoughts in line with their new regenerated hearts.
He was adding believers wherever found and training others in the ways of Jesus.
Well, that's what we're all called to.
The question is, are you strengthening people, teaching people about God?
What are you teaching? What are you showing?
I submit to you that you need to know the word before you can share the word.
But the truth is, if you're saved, you already know enough of the word to begin sharing.
In fact, you can't deny the command of Jesus to go and make disciples.
And a disciple is someone who hears the teachings of Jesus and teaches others those same teachings.
I would encourage you today to submit your life to Jesus Christ in earnest
and begin to encourage and strengthen in Jesus name. Amen.