THURSDAY October 19, 2023

Traveling Companions

And Sopater of Berea accompanied him to Asia—also Aristarchus and Secundus of the Thessalonians, and Gaius of Derbe, and Timothy, and Tychicus and Trophimus of Asia. These men, going ahead, waited for us at Troas. But we sailed away from Philippi after the Days of Unleavened Bread, and in five days joined them at Troas, where we stayed seven days.
Acts 20:4-6

Reflecting back, remember that in Ephesus many people were saved. A mini revival broke out in the city. The silversmith, Demetrius, sparked an uproar because he felt that he and other craftsmen would lose their businesses. Those accepting Christ left their idolatry, and they were no longer buying the shrines of the goddess Diana from the craftsmen. They also burned their books on witchcraft; their lives had completely changed.

After the uproar in Ephesus had ceased, Paul remained in Ephesus for three years, teaching these new disciples. He brought them to maturity. Before Paul left for Macedonia, he called some of them together and embraced them (Acts 20:1). He traveled to Macedonia to encourage and fellowship with his brothers and sisters in Christ. For three months he remained in Greece (Acts 20:2-3). He gave them the Word of God to help them cope with their problems.

The Jews continued to persecute Paul. He knew his life eventually would be cut short. Despite persecution, he continued his missionary work so that more people could come to know Christ. Notice the many names of Paul’s traveling companions in Acts 20:4. Some of the men went ahead of Paul to collect offerings given by the people for the work of the ministry. God always provided.

We can see, Paul had a real heart for missions. He loved the flocks of people who had come to the Lord. What was Christ’s command in the Great Commission? “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations...” (Matthew 28:19). Paul was called to go; are you called to go?

“I believe that in each generation God has called enough men and women to evangelize all the yet unreached tribes of the earth. It is not God who does not call. It is man who will not respond!”
~Isobel Kuhn, missionary to China and Thailand~

For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!