Reason #8 to Rejoice: I rejoice because of the Gospel message.

The enthusiasm and passion of those early believers really rubbed off on others as you can read in today’s verse. Paul and Barnabas passed from city to city on their way to Jerusalem and shared with all the little churches how the Gentiles too had been saved. They told them of how God had used their preaching to call men and women to Christ. What happened?

“They caused great joy to all the brethren.” Those believers were thrilled to hear of the power of the gospel. That’s how we should feel when we hear of someone being saved or the report of a faithful missionary.

Paul didn’t care who got the credit. During his first imprisonment in Rome, he came in contact with some Christians who didn’t like him very much. They were pro- gospel, but anti-Paul. They preached Christ, but didn’t care for His apostle. Did Paul get offended? Not on your life.

He wrote about this to the Philippians and said, “What then? Notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretense, or in truth, Christ is preached, and I therein do rejoice, yes, and will rejoice” (Philippians 1:18).

Rejoice, rejoice, rejoice! May each of us follow Paul’s advice. Tomorrow the Gospel message will be shared in church; will you be there to hear it? Rejoice!