The Straight Paths of the Lord Day 4
Day 4: Building Bridges Through Common Ground
God's paths, while sometimes mysterious, are always straight and purposeful. Through Paul and Barnabas's missionary journey, we learn that God provides divine wisdom, draws people to seek Him, and maintains His purpose despite opposition. He guides believers to find common ground with others and plan strategically for future ministry. When following God's direction, some people will seek His truth, while others will oppose it. Yet His perfect plan prevails, working through both acceptance and resistance to accomplish His purposes.
Watch Sermon HERE.
Effective ministry often starts with finding common ground. The Holy Spirit guided Paul and Barnabas to begin their ministry in synagogues, where they shared connections with the Jews there. God gave Paul further wisdom to use his Roman name (Paul) to establish a more relatable connection when he ministered to non-Jews. This wisdom still applies today. Whether it's shared interests, experiences, or concerns, these connection points create natural bridges for sharing God's love. Building relationships through common ground doesn't compromise the message; rather, it creates authentic opportunities to share truth in relatable ways. When we look for these connection points in our daily interactions, we open doors for meaningful conversations about faith.
When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews.
– Acts 13:5a
What common ground do you share with others that could become a bridge for sharing God's love?
The Holy Spirit gave them wisdom
to start in places where they shared common ground with the people.
– Pastor Mike Mura
Prayer
Lord, show me the common ground I share with others and help me use these connections to share Your love effectively. Amen.