There’s Still More to Follow

Ephesians 2:4—7; “4 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 Even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.”

Rowland Hill (1744–1833) was a popular English preacher, enthusiastic evangelist and an influential advocate of smallpox vaccination. He was founder and resident pastor of a wholly independent chapel, the Surrey Chapel, London; chairman of the Religious Tract Society; and a keen supporter of the British and Foreign Bible Society and the London Missionary Society.

One day, a large sum of money was given to Rowland Hill to dispense to a poor pastor. Thinking that the amount was too much to send all at once, Hill forwarded just a portion along with a note that said simply, “More to follow.” In a few days the man received another envelope containing the same amount and with the same message, “More to follow.” At regular intervals, there came a third, and a fourth. In fact, they continued, along with those cheering words, until the entire sum had been received.

My friends, when God chose to have a relationship with us, the good things we receive from Him emanates in the prospect of “more to follow.”  Because of the richness of His mercy, and the greatness of His love toward us, He breathed life into us who were dead, with more to follow. Then He raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, with more to follow. And if you think it ended there, then Paul wants us to think again; there’s still more to follow. Even throughout eternity (i.e., the ages to come), God will continue to show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. Don’t be satisfied with our so-called, present Christian experience. There’s still a lot more to follow. Hence, Paul says, “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him (1 Corinthians 2:9).”

Beloved, my prayer for us is the exact same prayer that Paul uttered for the Ephesian church, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to us the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of our understanding being enlightened; that we may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints… (Ephesians 1:17—18)”

Stephen Thomas (Bobby)

Stephen is an ordained Christian Minister and a Bible teacher who is a mentor to several youth leaders in Crossway Church and around the globe. He is a regular visiting Speaker in Crossway Church, New Delhi. He can be reached at stephenthomas6400@hotmail.com