September 27, 2023: The Sabbath and Evangelism

"The next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord." (Acts 13:44, ESV)

A word study in the Book of Acts on the word 'Sabbath' reveals this unique fact. Almost every use of the word in Acts is in reference to Paul going to the corporate gathering of the synagogue. On this day of rest, Paul took advantage of a command of God and a custom of the people to preach the Gospel to them.

In these scriptures, where Paul is ministering on the Sabbath, great things happened. I am reminded of Peter seeing the crowds gathering in response to the lame man walking. "Seeing the crowds..." he took advantage of the situation to preach the Gospel.  

Many believers are consumer-minded when it comes to the Sabbath. They participate to 'get'. They do not come prepared to give. What would happen if you shifted your thinking and came prepared to give away the grace of God at corporate gatherings of the people? What would happen at a Sunday gathering if you healed someone in the parking lot? What if someone's life was changed because you had what you thought was a simple 'word of knowledge?'

Paul showed up prepared, filled with the Spirit of God, at these gatherings where he knew people would be. He stepped out and preached in faith, worked miracles, and healed people. The church grew in numbers, the Kingdom of God grew in influence, and cities were changed. What would you have to change to be more influential for the Kingdom on Sundays?