“And there they preached the gospel.” —Acts 14:7
On May 30, 1792, in a sermon preached to the Baptist Association at a meeting held in Northampton, England, William Carey said, “Expect great things; attempt great things.” There have been some variations to this little phrase. It is seems to be more popularly recognized in one of these forms: “Expect great things from God and attempt great things for God.” As William Carey went on to become known as the “father of modern missions,” the phrase, “Expect great things from God; attempt great things for God,” is still applied to the philosophy of Christian missions today.
Sadly, however, the meaning of the little phrase has taken on a form of pragmatism in missions today. Missionaries are using every possible fad, ploy, trick and gimmick to make the mission “great” and “successful.”
Yet, what on earth is greater in this world than the gospel of Jesus Christ? There is nothing better. The apostles knew this truth. Although there was pandemonium in the city of Iconium (Acts 14:4-5), Paul and company didn’t huddle up to consider what kinds of strategies would work to win over the crowd; no, instead they took the opportunity to flee into Lystra and Derbe… “And there they preached the gospel.”
We should certainly expect great things from God because the greatest privilege is to proclaim the blessed truth of Jesus Christ and Him crucified. O, to have the blessed gospel of Jesus of Nazareth roll across the tongue and through the lips! If Christ has saved, and He has sent us, He will most certainly use us to serve Him and His gospel.
We should certainly attempt great things for God because we have a pure message, a true message, a lovely message, an eternal message; a message that subdues kingdoms, humbles kings, and saves souls.
We serve a great God and possess a great gospel; and as my friend, Jimmy Turner, says, “Anything and everything that comes from God is great; there’s nothing insignificant in the kingdom of heaven.”
After all, wasn’t it the preaching of the gospel that caused the upheaval in Iconium, which provided the circumstances for Paul and his companions to flee in order to preach the gospel in Lycaonia?
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. —Romans 1:16
“O, to have the blessed gospel of Jesus of Nazareth roll across the tongue and through the lips!” This is my heart’s cry! I do not trust the stuff of my own understanding, ave Christ and Him crucified! Thank you, brother. Many blessings to you!
Thank you, sister. And every blessing in Christ to you as well!
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