We Are Saved To Love

Acts 11:19–30 ESV

19 Now those who were scattered because of the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except Jews. 20 But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who on coming to Antioch spoke to the Hellenists also, preaching the Lord Jesus. 21 And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number who believed turned to the Lord. 22 The report of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. 23 When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose, 24 for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord. 25 So Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, 26 and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and taught a great many people. And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians. 27 Now in these days prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. 28 And one of them named Agabus stood up and foretold by the Spirit that there would be a great famine over all the world (this took place in the days of Claudius). 29 So the disciples determined, every one according to his ability, to send relief to the brothers living in Judea. 30 And they did so, sending it to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul.

Introduction

We are created to have Hope.

We all hope. For good health, happiness, success, well rounded children and prosperity.

So I would like to start off today by asking a simple question. Is the city of Owensboro what it used to be?

I ask this because a similar question was posted on the OPS FB page in late December. it was in regards to whether Owensboro was a safe place to live.

The dominant answer was “No not anymore”.

Now there were several different opinions on why it isn’t as safe. Some said it depends on what area you live in, others pointed the finger at elected officials, further comments ranged from poor parenting to drug abuse and everything in between.

One of the responses that stuck out to me personally was this “It used to be a safe place but it has gotten just like the bigger city”. To put it simply (big city = big city problems)

This stuck with me because for almost 30 years I have watched this city grow.

Who remembers 54 as just farmland, or when the Executive Inn was the convention center? Things have certainly changed.

Friends, we live in a fast growing pluralistic city. It is full of people with different cultural, ethnical, economical, and religious backgrounds.