October 7, 2026 

For the past 10 days, Cathi and I have been with a group of people visiting several of the sites where Paul visited and even lived during his 2nd and 3rd missionary (church-planting and church strengthening) trips. The details that Luke records about Christ in his gospel are similar to the level of detail that Luke uses in the book of Acts. The historical veracity of these books stands strong to the greatest scrutiny. There is a river bank and river near the ruins of Philippi where Lydia was baptized. The ruins of the city leave testimony to a bustling metro region that would soon be the home of the church that Paul would become so close to.

Thessalonica and Berea would become churches, like Philippi, birthed under duress but would help set the pace for faithfulness and fruitfulness. Both Corinth and Ephesus would serve as homes away from home for Paul. Ephesus in particular, would become a launching point for other church-planting efforts in the area of what is now western Turkey.

All of these churches would assume the burden of the great commission given by Christ. It would have been easy to look back to Jerusalem as the home base of the entire operation, but in a few short years, that city would be nothing more than a heap of smoldering ruins with most of her citizens dead or captive. The believers would have bailed out a few years before the fall of this city in 70 A.D. Where would they go? With gospel churches being planted throughout the Roman Empire, it not only spread the gospel, but it gave believers places to go because as we say, “We’ve got people there.”

We are committed to planting and strengthening churches around the world. We do it because we love Christ and want to see his worth being realized and trusted by people from every tribe, language, and nation. At the same time, the history of this world is the history of countries that tend to be or become unfavorable to Christianity. Our land and our churches have been a refuge for persecuted believers. If the day comes when this country turns against genuine Christianity, we may be paying it forward for our children and grandchildren to have places where they will have people ready to give them a home.

As the book of Hebrews reminds us: we are pilgrims on a narrow way. But some day our wanderings and restlessness will give way to a permanent home in a permanent city with a permanent people living with and enjoying our good, glorious, gracious, and generous God. Meanwhile, we pray, preach, teach, disciple, encourage, serve, and share the gospel that others may enjoy our God. There is plenty of Him to share.

Grace and peace,

Bob

Sunday’s text: Luke 22.35-38

P.S. This Sunday’s sermon is a clear text on the gospel. If you have been sharing the gospel with someone, this Sunday would be a timely Sunday for them to visit.