Miles McKee Ministries
PO Box 541, Kingston Springs, TN 37082
Rope Holders
Acts 9:25 “Then the disciples took him by night, and let him down by the wall in a basket.”
When Saul of Tarsus got saved he became a mighty preacher. However, so troubling was his preaching that the Damascan Jews, conspiring to silence him, took out a contract on his life. The authorities of that city were making a citywide search for him. Spies were watching every exit from the city. Sentries were posted at every gate. A military force had been obtained from the governor to assist in his apprehension. His arrest was imminent! He must escape if ever he was to fulfill the plan and purpose of God for his life.
That evening, Paul and some Christian friends gathered, in secret, in a house that was built into the city wall. What were they to do? Paul had to get out of there. God had called him to preach, but how would he escape? Perhaps some earnest soul spoke up and said, “It’s Okay Paul, God will provide for you, God has called you to the ministry so he won’t let anything happen to you.” Perhaps then others said, “He will surely send some angels to deliver you from the mob.” But yet other more sensible one said, “If Paul is going to continue in his ministry we need to get involved. We need to tie ropes to a basket and lower him out of the window, down the side of the city wall and in that way he can make his escape. And that is exactly what they did. This is how God released his apostle to the Gentiles to fulfill his ministry. He used Rope Holders.
When Saul of Tarsus got saved he became a mighty preacher. However, so troubling was his preaching that the Damascan Jews, conspiring to silence him, took out a contract on his life. The authorities of that city were making a citywide search for him. Spies were watching every exit from the city. Sentries were posted at every gate. A military force had been obtained from the governor to assist in his apprehension. His arrest was imminent! He must escape if ever he was to fulfill the plan and purpose of God for his life.
That evening, Paul and some Christian friends gathered, in secret, in a house that was built into the city wall. What were they to do? Paul had to get out of there. God had called him to preach, but how would he escape? Perhaps some earnest soul spoke up and said, “It’s Okay Paul, God will provide for you, God has called you to the ministry so he won’t let anything happen to you.” Perhaps then others said, “He will surely send some angels to deliver you from the mob.” But yet other more sensible one said, “If Paul is going to continue in his ministry we need to get involved. We need to tie ropes to a basket and lower him out of the window, down the side of the city wall and in that way he can make his escape. And that is exactly what they did. This is how God released his apostle to the Gentiles to fulfill his ministry. He used Rope Holders.
Who were these people whom God gave to Paul to hold the ropes for him? We don’t know, they are not named, but they played a vital part in Paul’s ministry. They waved no banners, blew no trumpets, and demanded no applause. But they were a vital part of God’s plan to spread the gospel.
Fast-forward with me many hundreds of years to when William Carey, the Father of Modern Missions was leaving for missionary work in India. He told a group of interested friends, "Saving souls can be likened to a man drowning in a deep well and a volunteer can do nothing unless there are people who will hold the rope for him to be lowered till he reaches the drowning man, and then pull them up to safety." Carey adds, "I will go to India as a volunteer to seek sinners drowning in the well of Sin. But I can't do it alone. I need rope holders.”
Miles McKee Ministry needs rope-
Prayerfully consider investing a monthly offering of $30, $50, $75 or $100 or more into this ministry. Each month, you will receive our ministry letter where I will update you on our progress and give you some precious truths about the person and work of Christ. You will also receive frequent emails from me including the ‘Wednesday Word’ and ‘Gems for Friends’ filled with great gospel material.
We need you. Will you become one of our rope holders?
To Project Ireland