Nonstop
And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ. ~Acts 5:42
The phrase “cease not” or “without ceasing” can also mean “nonstop.” To be nonstop means to be in continuance, with no interruption, and without taking a stop. The Bible speaks of activities that every Christian needs to be nonstop at. This morning, we consider the importance of being “nonstop Christians.”
We should be nonstop in our remembrance.
Paul said in 1 Thessalonians 1:3, “Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father.” Paul remembered the things that were commendable. The church at Thessalonica had etched a deep place in Paul’s heart because of their faith, love, and hope. He saw in these believers a faith that was in continuous motion. He saw believers who lived the Christian life as outstanding testimonies of God’s grace. They had faith that was at work, love that bestowed, and patience in tribulation. Do we remember people for the things that they do that are commendable, or for the things that they do that make us complain? Paul thought on good things to keep him from developing a critical spirit.
We should be nonstop in our requesting.
In 1 Thessalonians 5:17, we are commanded to pray without ceasing. The idea here is that we should be in a constant state of readiness to pray. We should be so conscious of the needs of others that we are using our waking moments to pray to God. We can pray without ceasing when we are traveling. We can pray without ceasing when we are discussing with another person his trials and problems. We can pray without ceasing when we have a break in our schedule. We should endeavor to always have a spirit of prayer everywhere and no matter what.
We should be nonstop in our responsibilities.
In Acts 5:42, the church at Jerusalem was noted for teaching and preaching about Jesus in every house. They made soulwinning a continual responsibility. They made witnessing on personal time a responsibility. They made reaching their entire city a responsibility. They ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ. This exhorts us to be nonstop in spreading the gospel. We should be nonstop in our missions outreach. We should be nonstop in having a special evangelistic emphasis. We should be nonstop in trying to reach our loved ones for the Lord. Most Christians witness out of convenience. Nonstop Christians witness out of conviction. We must be so consumed with the gospel message that witnessing about the Lord is something that we schedule every day.
Nonstop Christians emphasize a spirit of continuance. They are not easily discouraged from doing the important disciplines of the Lord’s work. Don’t let the devil or the demands of scheduling keep you from being nonstop.
Have a nonstop God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: Jeremiah 35-37