SOMETHING TO SAY

October 18

Bible Reading: Acts 21:27-40

Acts 21:31, “I beg you, permit me to speak to the people.”

Acts 21 marks the end of Paul’s third missionary journey in which he traveled through Galatia, Asia, Macedonia, Achaia, and ended in Jerusalem.  The journey took him ~5 years, in which he covered about 2500 miles (1190 by sea, and 1325 by land).  He met with churches that were previously established and went to places where the gospel had not been preached before.  Seemingly wherever he went, opposition arose and suffering followed.  He was a man on a mission.  A God-given mission.  As with Peter and John, he could not (and would not) stop speaking about Jesus (Acts 4:20, 22:15).  As he explained in his letter to Ephesus, he was a prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of the Gentiles.  He had a message to share of the “unfathomable riches of Christ” (Ephesians 3:8), and no amount of hardship or suffering would work to stop him!

A riot ensued when the Jews saw Paul in the temple.  They stirred up the multitude and laid hands on him.  They cried out for others to join their mob, falsely accusing Paul of speaking against the Law and the temple.  The entire city was up in arms.  They took hold of Paul and were seeking to kill him.  His rescue came from an unlikely source, for when the commander of the Roman cohort heard what was happening, the mob “stopped beating Paul” (Acts 21:32).  The soldiers even had to carry Paul “because of the violence of the mob” (Acts 21:35). 

At the root of Paul’s trouble was His Jesus-given assignment to “bear His name before the Gentiles and kings and sons of Israel” (Acts 9:15).  And the simple solution would be to stop doing that.  It was the gospel of salvation by grace through faith that angered the Judaizers, but Paul refused to modify his message.  It is, after all, the “glorious gospel of the blessed God” by which he himself was saved (1 Timothy 1:11-17).  And, it represents “the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek” (Romans 1:16).

I don’t know about you, but Paul’s situation seemed more like a good time to hide, rather than speak.  But he was compelled by the Spirit and the love of Christ to share the gospel (2 Corinthians 5:14, 20).  He could do none other! You’ll likely never be called to stand and before a mob of angry antagonists and proclaim the truth, but no matter the setting, you’ve the same powerful gospel to share and the same powerful Spirit to embolden you!

“Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!”— The Apostle Paul (1 Corinthians 9:16).

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.

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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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