But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be my witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth (Acts 1:8 NASB). These have been exciting days at Somerset. We are collecting the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering, Operation Christmas Child shoe boxes collected, the Christmas program, and many other victories. As I think of these things it reminds me of the church in Acts. God has been good to our church. We need to be careful that Covid-19 does not make us withdraw into a shell and we cease to reach out to a lost and dying world.
Want to do something that matters for eternity in 2021? Be a witness of the Gospel. Share your faith with individuals who are searching for the light of Christ. The gospel offers hope to all who will receive it. Maybe your “one” is still out there waiting to hear from you. The great preacher Charles Spurgeon once said, “The ark of Noah was a great ark, which held all kinds of creatures; and our Christ is a great Refuge, who saves all kinds of sinners.” There are people around us everyday who need to hear of the hope of the gospel.
The Lord is near, His return is at hand. He’s already walked up the sidewalk, and He’s getting ready to ring the doorbell. I believe His coming is that close. Every generation of Christians has expected Christ to return in their time, but it is also true that we are closer to His return now than we ever have been before.
The task is great. While the thought of His return is a happy thought, it also brings a measure of sadness. We know that most of the world is not ready for Him yet. In our ever growing population, never has there been so many needing Christ. The church is on the move and God intends for us to complete the great commission given above. In fact, we can hasten the return of the Lord by advancing the work of the Gospel. Peter put it this way, you ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming (2 Peter 3:11,12 NIV). We can hasten His coming by spreading the Good News. What an exciting thought. Matthew wrote, (Matthew 24:14) "And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come (NKJV). The task is great, but we have the power of God on our side.
The time is short and the task is urgent. We are the ones God has appointed to reach our generation for Christ. Pray for God’s blessings and ability as we band together as a body to reach Roxboro and beyond for the cause of Christ. As soon as an all clear is given projects like Operation Inasmuch and other outreach projects will begin. We all have a command and a commission to follow in 2021.
