Paul's Magnificent Failure

Monday, June 30, 2025

While Paul was in Athens, he sought to preach the Gospel. It was the city council that was in charge of granting such permission. We don't' know that he ever obtained that permission, and we have no record of him spreading the Gospel throughout the city. So did he fail? Not at all. Paul preached the Gospel in Athens at least once - on Mars Hill. And that one sermon on Mars Hill, the sermon of the Unknown God, was recorded and transmitted to thousands and millions of people and launched countless missions to countless more peoples. In the same way, sometimes it may seem as if you've failed in the Lord. You didn't achieve what you set out to achieve and you feel like a failure. But if you're in God's will, there is no such thing as failure. It's only a matter of obedience. Paul was obedient, and in his "failure," countless lives and nations would be touched for the Gospel. So it is with you and God. If you're faithful, you can never fail- you just may have no idea how successful you are.

From Message #1254 - Showdown On Mars Hill