June 15

When the uproar had ended, Paul sent for the disciples. And after encouraging them, he said goodbye to them and left for Macedonia. — Acts 20:1 BSB

Whenever Paul was driven from one place, he simply moved on to preach in another. No amount of persecution could quench his passion. A Hindu once said Christians are like certain fruit trees—the harder they’re struck, the more fruit they produce. This was true of Paul.

It should be true of every Christian. The more people oppose us and try to harm us, the more love should shine through our lives.

Paul's preaching wouldn't have suited some of today’s congregations that prefer shorter sermons. On at least one occasion, Paul went well past the standard thirty minutes. It was well after midnight, and he would have continued if something hadn’t happened.

We can’t really blame Eutychus for getting sleepy, and it must have caused quite a commotion when he fell. But even this didn’t stop the preaching—Paul continued until daybreak, and they shared the Lord’s Supper before he left.