The book of Acts ends with the word unhindered.
“Unhindered… that is the last word, flaming in light, thrilling in power, telling the secret of the new force right at the heart of the world… only one man, mean and contemptible of bodily presence… but that man unhindered.”
G Campbell Morgan
I began studying the book of Acts in May of 2021 and started preaching through it in June of the same year.
After countless hours of prayer and study, thousands of pages read, and nearly 60 hours of public preaching, I’m finally at the last word of the last chapter.
And what a word. Unhindered!
Having spent this time and energy in the book, with a glimpse of what has led to that word, the conditions in which it was written, and knowing what unfolded in the history of the church that followed, I feel like some great, epic music should start up as the page closes. Music that could somehow capture the achievements, power, and possibilities.
My fear as a preacher is not being able to convey all that’s on my heart and mind this coming Sunday.
My fear as an individual believer is living faithfully to the possibility of that same Gospel power reigning in and through my own life “unhindered.”
What was unhindered? The preaching and teaching of Jesus Christ.
What started to unfold with the commission of Christ in Acts 1:8 nearly 30 years previous but Acts 28:31 has moved forwards relentlessly despite enemies within and without.
In and through the lives of leaders, servants, slaves, criminals, witches, and any type and category you could list the Gospel of Jesus Christ prevailed.
The lost called on the name of Jesus Christ and were saved. The saved were empowered by the Holy Spirit. In the way that the Lord ordained, the Gospel leapt, lurched, and sometimes just inched forward, but onwards it continued and still continues today.
Leave a Reply