The Main Thing is the Main Thing
In the book of Acts, we read the story of the early church and we can be captivated and encouraged by the early believers. The accounts in Acts are evidence of what God can do through ordinary people who are empowered by the Holy Spirit and committed to following Jesus. What jumps off the page over and over again is the focus and missional mindset of the early Christians: these were people determined to keep the main thing, the main thing.
Paul is one of those people. A bloodthirsty persecutor of Christians, Paul (then called “Saul”) met Jesus while traveling and was forever changed. From that encounter forward, Paul was singularly focused and Jesus centered. He was a man on mission, and he took three missionary journeys to spread the good news about Jesus. Throughout those journeys, he encountered a myriad of hardships, in addition to his worries about the churches he was planting. He was imprisoned, beaten, faced death, was shipwrecked, was lost at sea, was in danger from robbers and others in cities and in the wilderness, was faced with hard labor, had many sleepless nights, was hungry, thirsty, cold and without adequate clothing. (See 1 Corinthians 11). Yet, despite all of this, Paul kept the main thing the main thing.
“But there is another urgency before me now. I feel compelled to go to Jerusalem. I’m completely in the dark about what will happen when I get there. I do know that it won’t be any picnic, for the Holy Spirit has let me know repeatedly and clearly that there are hard times and imprisonment ahead. But that matters little. What matters most to me is to finish what God started: the job the Master Jesus gave me of letting everyone I meet know all about this incredibly extravagant generosity of God.”
Acts 20:22-24 MSG
Paul cared so much about finishing the task God assigned him that everything else, even his own life, was worth sacrificing. Twice, in Acts 20:20 and 20:27, Paul says that he didn’t hold back; rather, he preached the message he was given with full commitment. It was a compulsion. And then later he felt similarly compelled to go to Jerusalem, despite being warned many times of the danger that awaited him, and even though he knew he would be imprisoned and eventually killed. Paul was resolved, convinced it was God’s will that he go to Jerusalem, come what may.
How can we have the devotion, the energy, the single-mindedness, the fearlessness and the determination of Paul?
In Acts 23, Paul is brought before the Jewish council, which erupted when Paul deliberately pitted the Pharisees and the Sadducees, two opposing sects, against one another. Paul was then removed from the council hearing at the order of the Roman commander, who feared Paul would be injured. Paul was forcibly escorted to the barracks by soldiers, where he was imprisoned. While detained, Paul is visited by Jesus.
“The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, “Have courage, for just as you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.”
Acts 23:11 NET
Jesus came to prepare Paul. What was the preparation?
Presence: Jesus came and stood near Paul.
Assurance: Jesus encouraged Paul not to be afraid.
Instruction: Jesus gave Paul a mission—to testify about Jesus in Rome.
We don’t know how long Jesus stayed with Paul, but the recorded message was short and clear.
How does Jesus prepare us today?
Presence: Because of the cross, believers have the privilege of coming into the presence of Jesus. More than that, we are empowered with His Spirit.
Assurance: We have the Word of God recorded in Scripture. It’s not true because it’s in the Bible, it’s in the Bible because it is true. And, we can access that truth every time we open it.
Instruction: We are to love God, love others, and look for opportunities.
When we take time to read Scripture and be in the presence of God, He prepares us, He assures us, and He instructs us. And, when we respond in reliance on the power of the Holy Spirit working in us and through us, we are able to keep the main thing, the main thing.