NOVEMBER 17

Your Part in God’s Plan, Part 4

Bible Reading: Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4

The story is told of a tiny English chapel whose stone walls were covered by ivy. Over an arch was inscribed the words: WE PREACH CHRIST CRUCIFIED. For many years a generation of godly men did exactly that: they preached Christ crucified. But times changed. The ivy grew and pretty soon covered the last word. The inscription now read: WE PREACH CHRIST. Other men came and they did preach Christ: Christ the example, Christ the humanitarian, Christ the ideal teacher. As the years passed, the ivy continued to grow until finally the inscription read: WE PREACH. The generation that came along then did just that: they preached economics, social gospel, book reviews, just about anything.

Acts 1:8, “You shall be My witnesses.”  There are two main parts to Peter’s first sermon.  Acts 2:14-21 is an introduction.  Peter says “this is that” in explaining why it was that the disciples were speaking in tongues.  The heart of the sermon is Acts 2:22-36.  Note this about that part of the sermon.  It begins and ends with Jesus.  The first important word uttered is “Jesus” (Acts 2:22).  The last phrase in the sermon?  “This Jesus whom you crucified.”  So we have in this sermon the great theme, which is the great theme of all the Scriptures—the person and work of Jesus Christ.

The Apostle Paul summed up the concern of His ministry in these same terms.  1 Corinthians 2:2, “For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified.”

D. L. Moody once said that the “main thing is keeping the main thing the main thing.”  And we find here, in Peter’s first sermon, the main thing.  The main thing is bearing witness of Christ.

And note also how Peter elaborates on these truths.  His message was to Jews and proselytes.  His chief concern was to affirm to them that Jesus is the Christ.  So, he speaks of how this truth was affirmed in the life of Jesus—in the miracles that He performed (Acts 2:22).  One question that would have puzzled those folks was how could the Messiah die.  So, Peter spoke of the death of Jesus being by “the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God” (Acts 2:23).  Then he proved the resurrection of Christ both by prophecy and his own witness (Acts 2:24-32).  And finally spoke of the ascension of Jesus Christ to the right hand of God (Acts 2:33-36).

His message?  The life, death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ.

And this Christ-centeredness continued on in the ministry of the early church.  This is a test for us.  The ministry of the Spirit of God is to glorify the Son of God.  There is something wrong with a church when it is diverted or distracted from its ministry of bearing witness to Jesus.  To be sure, the Spirit of God is not at work if there is a failure in this regard.  And, on the other side of the coin, there is nothing of more importance or of greater need that for the church to bear witness of Him.  Salvation is bound up in Christ alone.  That is why Peter and John later said to their persecutors: “And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men, by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).  And why they said, “We cannot stop speaking of what we have seen and heard” (Acts 4:20).

The early church was preaching the gospel.  That’s what we need to do.  We need to work together for that purpose.  Both living out and proclaiming the truth of the gospel: “Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ; so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel” (Philippians 1:27).

I LOVE TO TELL THE STORY

I love to tell the story
of unseen things above,
of Jesus and his glory,
of Jesus and his love.
I love to tell the story
because I know it’s true;
it satisfies my longings
as nothing else can do.

Refrain:
I love to tell the story;
‘twill be my theme in glory
to tell the old, old story
of Jesus and his love.

I love to tell the story,
for those who know it best
seem hungering and thirsting
to hear it like the rest.
And when in scenes of glory
I sing the new, new song,
‘twill be the old, old story
that I have loved so long. [Refrain]

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Author: looking2jesus13

Jerry L. Conklin was born and raised in Hillsboro, Oregon. After graduating from high school, he enlisted in the United States Navy and served for six years in the Navy’s Nuclear Power Program. He was assigned to the USS *Omaha* (SSN-692), a nuclear-powered fast-attack submarine, where he served as a reactor-plant electrical operator. His military service took him to ports and locations throughout the world and provided extensive technical training, leadership experience, and an enduring appreciation for those who serve in the Armed Forces. Following his Navy service, Jerry earned a bachelor’s degree in Nuclear Technology from Thomas Edison State University. He worked at the Trojan Nuclear Plant near Rainier, Oregon, first as a reactor operator and later as a training specialist. After sensing God’s call to pastoral ministry, he left the nuclear-power industry and earned a master’s degree in theology from Western Conservative Baptist Seminary in Portland, Oregon. Jerry served for twenty-seven and a half years as senior pastor of Lewis and Clark Bible Church in Astoria, Oregon. During those years, he preached and taught the Scriptures, provided pastoral counseling, performed weddings and memorial services, trained church leaders, and served individuals and families throughout the community. He also served as a fire department chaplain and participated in a variety of community ministries. After retiring from full-time pastoral ministry, Jerry and his wife, Laura, moved to Heppner, Oregon. There he served for approximately four years as a chaplain with Pioneer Memorial Home Health and Hospice, providing spiritual and emotional support to more than 150 patients and their families. In 2023, the Oregon Association for Home Care honored him as its Chaplain of the Year. Jerry also helped establish South Morrow County Seniors Matter, a nonprofit organization created to address the needs of older adults following the COVID-19 pandemic. As chairman, he worked with community leaders and volunteers to develop a weekly senior meal program, a monthly veterans’ lunch, and other activities and services. The organization served hundreds of seniors, mobilized more than 200 volunteers, and received statewide and national recognition. In 2025, Jerry was named Heppner’s Man of the Year, and his community service was later recognized by United States Senator Jeff Merkley. International missions have also been an important part of Jerry’s ministry. He has made ten trips to Uganda, where he has taught at pastors’ conferences, preached in churches, participated in Bible-school graduations, distributed Bibles and Christian materials, and encouraged local pastors and ministry leaders. He developed the discipleship booklet *First Steps with Jesus* to help new believers understand and grow in their faith. Jerry is the author of numerous books, Bible studies, devotionals, and teaching resources, including works centered on prayer, Christian hope, spiritual growth, and the person of Jesus Christ. His decades of preaching and teaching reflect his commitment to presenting biblical truth clearly, practically, and faithfully. Jerry and Laura were married for nearly forty-two years and raised four children. They were also blessed with three grandchildren. Laura passed away in August 2025 following an eight-and-a-half-year battle with cancer. Jerry currently lives in Hillsboro, where he helps care for his elderly father. He continues to preach, teach, write, and serve others through pastoral and community ministry.

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