Preaching and joy

Therefore those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word. Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them. And the multitudes with one accord heeded the things spoken by Philip, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. For unclean spirits, crying with a loud voice, came out of many who were possessed; and many who were paralysed and lame were healed. And there was great joy in that city. – Acts 8.4-8

The threats of the official really didn’t have much of an impact on the disciples. ‘Those who were scattered abroad went everywhere preaching the word.’ ‘Philip went to Samaria and preached Christ and they saw his miracles.’

They would not quit. They did not cease.

And there was great joy in that city.

The message of salvation is one of great joy. We saw that from the very beginning when the angels on the hillside at Jesus’ birth proclaiming good tidings of great joy.

We have the joy that our world needs so badly. The problem is that the world doesn’t have a clue about how to achieve that joy. It comes in the preaching of the gospel that so many find so offensive.

That’s why we can’t quit. That’s why we have to keep preaching and keep loving and keep caring and keep going. We know they joy that is at the end – so we cease not.