Category: Good Life Journal

Scripture: (Paul is speaking to Agrippa) “At midday, O King, I saw on the way a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, that shone around me and those who journeyed with me.

 

And when we had all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice saying to me (in the Hebrew language), “Saul, Saul.  Why are you persecuting me?  It is hard for you to kick against the goads.”  And I said, “Who are you, Lord?”  And the Lord said, “I am Jesus whom you are persecuting.  But rise and stand upon your feet, for I have appeared to you for this purpose: To appoint you as a servant and witness to the things in which you have seen me and to those in which I will appear to you, delivering you from your people and from the Gentiles (to whom I am sending you) to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and  a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.”…

 

And as (Paul) was speaking these things in his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, “Paul, you are out of your mind; your great learning is driving you out of your mind.”

 

But Paul said, “I am not out of my mind, most excellent Festus, but I am speaking true and rational words.”  Excerpts from Acts 26:13-25

 

Observation:  Why is it that when something is learned about the Kingdom that often the response is “You are out of your mind!”  Now, why is that?

 

Analysis:  One of the values that writing in this journal setting, whether published on line or not, is that I can get my thoughts coherent.

 

After all, I can think Kingdom thoughts and they swoop and fly in magnificent circles of light—and then, when I try to speak them, they come out in gibberish, hardly understandable.  And writing them?  A great book is between my ears and nothing comes out of my fingers except a sentence or two of no great value.

 

In this section of scripture is the continuation of the historical record of Paul and the furthering of the Gospel by the Holy Spirit.  Again, Paul recounts the Damascus Road experience, elaborating/expanding just a bit on the purpose that Jesus intends for Paul—micro-differences from the Acts 6 and the Acts 22 record but not inconsistent at all.

 

The time difference between Acts 9 and Acts 26, is almost 20 years (see Acts 11:26, Acts 18:11, and Gal 2:1-2)—20 years to construct and learn the Gospel as we know it today, so that Paul could accurately and concisely recount it to anybody he meets.

 

If Paul was accused as being out of his mind, what does it sound like when someone like me tries to present the Gospel after a couple of weeks?  Shucks, it has been over 4 decades for me, and I am just now starting to get it straight so that it sounds like “true and rational words.”

 

After all, I am not trying to sell a new car.  I am presenting Eternity to souls.

 

Prayer:  Father, why is it so difficult to turn a conversation into You and your Ways?  Even with a brother sitting across from me, to get the conversation into Your Ways felt like grinding gears in a car’s transmission.  The Gospel can be like that; I guess because it is counter-cultural to all life affected by sin.  Another reason why Ro 12:2 is so important, changing the way the present is perceived by the transformation of my mind, to prove what your will is.  AMEN.

 

Scripture-

Acts 25:19-21 – Rather they had certain points of dispute with him about their own religion and about a certain Jesus, who was dead, but whom Paul asserted to be alive.  Being at a loss how to investigate these questions, I asked whether he wanted to go to Jerusalem and be tried there regarding them.  But when Paul appealed to be kept in custody for the decision of the emperor, I ordered him to be held until I could send him to Caesar.

Observation-

Paul has spent two years being held in Caesarea.  Festus, who was the governor that succeeded Felix, could not find a reason for Paul’s incarceration other than he claimed Jesus to be alive.  Paul, used a trial by Caesar as his opportunity to carry the gospel to Rome as the Spirit had led him earlier.

Application –

In spite of imprisonment, Paul remains laser focused in his preaching and defense of the gospel.  Festus didn’t understand the whole situation but he recognized that Jesus was the cornerstone. I need to be clear in my presentation of the gospel.  I should expect hardship, people to not listen and increasingly face opposition to the gospel.  I need to be able to listen to the Spirit to follow what God wants me to do patiently in His timing not my own.

Prayer –

Father,

Thank you for the truth in your word and the power of the Holy Spirit.  Help me to boldly proclaim your gospel and be patient to follow your timing to honor you.

Journal Acts 24 (all references are from the ESV; changes in punctuation are mine)

 

Scripture:  (Paul speaking to Felix, Governor of Caesarea) “Knowing that for many years you have been a judge over this nation, I cheerfully make my defense.

 

You can verify that it is not more than twelve days since I went up to worship in Jerusalem and they did not find me disputing with anyone or stirring up a crowd, either in the temple or in the synagogues or in the city.  Neither can they prove to you what they now bring up against me.

 

But this I confess to you, that according to the Way, which they call a sect, I worship the God of our fathers, believing everything laid down by the Law and written in the Prophets, having a hope in God (which these men accept), that there will be a resurrection of both the just and the unjust…

 

But Felix, having a rather accurate knowledge of the Way (put off all the complaints for later) …

 

After some days Felix came with his wife Drusilla (who was Jewish), sent for Paul and heard him speak about faith in Christ Jesus.  And as (Paul) reasoned about righteousness and self-control and the coming judgement, Felix was alarmed….” Excerpts from Acts 24:10-25

 

Observation:  A cheerful defense, a hope in God and resurrection of the just AND unjust, and reasoning about faith in Christ Jesus with an emphasis on: Righteousness; Self-Control, and; the Coming Judgement.

 

If I were given these topics to present the Gospel with, could I?

 

Analysis:  I have been told that theology makes things too complicated.  Goodness, my wife has told me that before.  And then, as I started to weave the tapestry of the Gospel in and out, through the Bible, brought attention to books of systematic theology and historical Christianity for reasoning and explanation, the “complicated parts” of the Gospel became clearer and simpler.

 

After all, to make the Gospel simpler, what would I cut out?

 

Taking example from Paul, here is the Gospel, but in significant parts:

 

• Worship the God of our fathers;
• Resurrection of the Just and Unjust (presumably for Judgement);
• Faith in Christ Jesus;
• Righteousness;
• Self-control, and;
• The coming Judgement.

 

Six points—I admit subjectively harvesting from two sequential episodes in the record of Paul’s life, that these are not that obvious belonging to the Gospel as I have heard the Gospel presented before.  But they are unquestionably interwoven in the fabric of the Gospel.

 

Could I do what Paul did?  Perhaps: after a couple of weeks of study and preparation, logically constructing a paper or speech to give on a specific day for 30-40 minutes tops.

 

But, for Paul, there wasn’t a prep time and appointment—there was an appointed time in the Holy Spirit’s scheduling book where Paul was called by Felix to “talk about the Way.”

 

How can I do today what Paul did?  I can’t; unless I submerse myself in the study of the Gospel, the complete Tapestry, all the facets of the Jewel (just like Paul did with just six).

 

What keeps me from doing that?  I can say what keeps me: Number one: Laziness; 2) finding any distraction that I can to NOT talk about the Gospel in my relationships, family, small group; 3) Any thinking that make speaking about the Gospel only for non-Christians; outsiders, sinners, and strangers.

 

And that is just three.

 

If I want to grow in the Gospel, I need to practice thinking first, reasoning second, and speaking in safe places third.  Then, when I am providentially given an opportunity to strangers the Gospel won’t be strange at all.

 

Prayer:  Father, thank you for the opportunity to talk about the Gospel in the Journal.  I appreciate being able to “look in the mirror” often and presented (lovingly so by the Holy Spirit) with my faults and failures.  I am not discouraged, but indeed, take courage from that exercise because I am reminded, once again, you discipline whom you love…AMEN

Scripture: “The following night the Lord stood by (Paul) and said, “Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so must you testify also in Rome.”” Acts 23:11

 

Observation:  Sometimes it can be the smallest references in the text that can mean the most over a long period of time, if only there are eyes to perceive…

 

Analysis:  There isn’t a trick to unpacking scripture.  No special technique, no special training…

 

Except the following: Look and ask questions over and over again.  Strike the above in one thing: Asking the Holy Spirit to reveal stuff is imperative.

 

I am constantly amazed at folks who can unpack scripture, not with weird, agenda stuff, but with solid exegesis making me say, “Where did he get that and how did I miss it?  I must have read that section 1,000 times and didn’t see it before today…”

 

Key phrase in the above scripture reference: “…you have testified to the facts about me…”  Key word: Facts.

 

If I review the scripture references I remember most, many have to do with my safety in Him, however “safety” is stretched and defined.  Fewer memories have to do about Jesus, his character, attributes, functions, etc., the stuff that is defined as Christology or the Doctrine of the Christ in Christian theology (Doctrine of Grace).

 

That’s too bad, because the less I review and remember about specifically Him, the less logical facts I know—and certainly a less coherent Gospel.  By reviewing the Gospel from my own experience, however valuable that can be, it becomes less about objective fact and more about subjective experience.

 

I remember a recent experience where a local cult was canvassing my neighborhood.  I used to like these folks coming up to the door because I was ready for a discussion fight, sharpening my sword as it were.  In later years I grew weary of the confrontation because it always came down to a “I said, they said” and we parted ways with nothing but elevated adrenalin levels.

 

About a year before this last confrontation, I took a challenge to recite the Gospel, step by step, starting with Genesis and going as far through the OT as I good go until I got to the Cross and from there through Revelation.  I practiced preaching this to myself on my ride into work (about 30 mins daily).

 

That Saturday, the couple came to my door and asked me “If I knew about the Gospel of God” thinking that perhaps I would say yes but no more.  Perhaps they were thinking that they could fill in my blanks.  Instead, I said “Yes” and started conversing with them about the Gospel and God’s intentions; talking about how Eden was never Plan A and Adam did not catch God by surprise so that the Cross became the reluctant Plan B for creation, etc.

 

I think I got into Genesis 6 or so before the witnessing couple said, “That is not we believe.”  Replying, I said, “I know.  However, what I am declaring to you is the Truth, and I ask/advise you to repent from your ways.  They are wicked before God.”  They left.  However, they now have heard the Gospel and perhaps the Holy Spirit will cause them to remember that crazy man one Saturday long ago…

 

Armed like Paul was with facts is more productive than beliefs.

 

Prayer:  Lord, somehow the Scripture text relates that “mighty men of God” were solid and secure in the knowledge of You.  The reviewed your Works and Wonders.  You were more real than the reality of the ground they walked upon.  I want to believe AND live like that.  Help me, O Lord.  Renew my mind and cause me to put my nose to the grindstone to do the same.  AMEN.

 

Scripture: (Paul speaking), “As I was on my way and drew near to Damascus, about noon a great light from heaven suddenly shone around me.  And I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?”

 

And I answered, “Who are you, Lord?”  And he said to me, “I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting.” …” What shall I do, Lord?”  And the Lord said to me, “Rise and go into Damascus and there you will be told all that is appointed for you to do.”

 

And since I could not see because of the brightness of that light, I was led by the hand by those who were with me and came into Damascus.

 

And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, well-spoken of by all the Jews who lived there, came to me and standing by me said to me, “Brother Saul, receive your sight.” …And he said, “The God of our fathers appointed you to know His Will…”  Acts 22:6-14a

 

Observation:  Is Paul the only one appointed to “know His Will?”  Of course not.

 

Analysis:  Paul is relating his Damascus story from Acts 9.  Cool story and he has condensed it well.

 

The one phrase that caught my eye today is the “God of our fathers appointed you to know His Will.”

 

Now, why couldn’t I have condensed this journal entry concerning the scripture reference to these 10 words?  It would have saved me a lot of keystrokes…and you know what they say: “A keystroke saved is a keystroke for another day.”

 

Nobody says that.

 

Condensing Scripture to bite sized morsels can lead to all sorts of untoward things.  The worse is taking verses or sentences out of context.  The real bad thing is weaponizing these out-of-context verses and making “scripture bullets” or “bible-bombs” out of them.

 

Disciples are appointed by God to “know his will” just like Paul.  Disciples are directed love His Word.

 

As I was growing up as a new Christian, memorization was all the rage.  Still is, I will bet.  I can’t knock it, it was good for me and good for many others.  But memorization alone is like elementary school math: I can know my numbers and count to 100, and in a year, I will know that 1+1=2.  Another year and I will be doing fractions and multiplication/division and in 7-8 short years, if all goes right, I will start algebra and into all sorts of heady and exciting knowledge about math.

 

And that started with counting to 100.

 

Why don’t I have that same opportunity with “Knowing His Will?”  Facts are, I do have that opportunity, only it takes effort to want to learn.  It is more that memorizing Scripture, it is finding out how all the disparate scripture references fit together in the Gospel.

As knowledge grows and is more accurately compounded during the school years, it follows that it is the same with biblical maturity in the Scriptures.  All it takes is a determined approach…

 

Prayer:  Lord Jesus. I have for so long skipped over the years of duration references especially in the New Testament.  You provide, through various instruments of Grace, opportunities for growth and understanding, different from the “actual experiences” of putting such knowledge into action.  Help me to become step by step deeper into “knowing your will.”  AMEN

Scripture

Vs 4 And having sought out the disciples, we stayed there for seven days. And through the Spirit they were telling Paul not to go on to Jerusalem.

 

Vs 10 While we were staying for many days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. ¹¹ And coming to us, he took Paul’s belt and bound his own feet and hands and said, “Thus says the Holy Spirit, ‘This is how the Jews at Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.’”

Vs 12 When we heard this, we and the people there urged him not to go up to Jerusalem.

 

Vs 13 Then Paul answered, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart?

For I am ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.”

Vs 14 And since he would not be persuaded, we ceased and said, “Let the will of the Lord be done.”

 

Observation

Paul is visiting old friends, but has the mission of Jerusalem on his heart and mind.

Along the way, he is strongly encouraged not to go to Jerusalem.

Some of his closest believing friends, as well as, some of his broader faith community are echoing the same thing to Paul,

“Do not go to Jerusalem!”

They are even stating that their words are from the Holy Spirit!

But Paul makes is very clear to his discouragers that he is ready for anything, including death, for the name of Jesus.

 

Ultimately, there is consensus around the idea that “the will of the Lord be done”.

 

Application

I will hear many messages all around me. They may all echo each other, or they may contradict each other.

The messages may come from sources that care a lot about me or not care at all about me.

The messages may even use the word of God or be cloaked in religious language.

 

So then, what am I to do when I’m hearing mixed messages?

Sure I must consider the sources … are they sources of wisdom? …

Are they sources that love God? … Do they have love and affection for me?

 

But I must, ultimately, have a grounding for my own convictions.

And my convictions must be grounded in the “truth of God” and the “will of God”.

The truth of God is simple. It’s what Paul said he would die for … “the name of Jesus”.

The will of God is harder to discern.

 

So, what then was the difference between the God fearing, Jesus loving people telling Paul NOT to go to Jerusalem and Paul’s conviction to go?

It seems to me, their primary concern in telling Paul NOT to go was their concern for his circumstantial safety & peace.

Perhaps, they really were hearing from the Holy Spirit of the torment to come for Paul in Jerusalem.

They didn’t want this for their dear friend.

 

But Paul’s situational or circumstantial comfort was of no concern to him.

His much greater conviction was “the will of God” and “the name of Jesus”.

It was no shock at all to Paul that he may be “imprisoned” or “even die” by going to Jerusalem.

And when he communicated this conviction to his friends, they also came around to this same conclusion.

 

So then, what is my conviction? … the comfort of me or the will of God?

The two are likely not always the same.

 

But this is where I can’t confuse “security” with “comfort”.

I will tend to create to easiest of circumstances for my “comfort”.

My “security”, however, will be in the “name of Jesus” and “the will of God”.

 

Will it be “easy”, or will my circumstances be “comfortable”? Probably not.

Will I be “secure”? In the name of Jesus … Absolutely.

 

Prayer

Thank you, God, for your word

Thank you for example like Paul

Help me live with his conviction

Help me discern your will

Give me courage to move in it

In Jesus name

Amen

Scripture:

 

[22] “And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. [23] I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. [24] However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.

 

Observation:

 

While Paul was uncertain of exactly what obstacles were ahead of him, he understood from warnings of the Holy Spirit that it wouldn’t be all fun and games.  He would certainly have problems. He found peace in the knowledge that he was serving God as he was called to.  That the Lord gave him all he had, including life, and that he was nothing without God.  He was more than willing to die, knowing that he was put there to serve God.

 

His task was to share the Gospel.  It wasn’t going to be easy.  Like an Iron Man competition, Paul would find many obstacles in the way.  He knew he would need perseverance and strength to finish the race.  He would need to persevere through persecution and hardship to complete his task – sharing the good news.

 

Application:

 

We, in this town, are probably not literally called to go to Jerusalem, and it is unlikely any of us will be put in jail or tortured for sharing the Gospel.  Not in this country anyway.  That being said, all of us are called to share the good news.  To DO something and not just sit with the knowledge that we ourselves are saved.  In our offices, in our schools, in the grocery stores.. share the good news.  We are called to run this race.  We can’t just sit idle and say we “love enough”, if we don’t even share the Gospel with those around us.

 

We can start by sharing the story of what Jesus has done for us and perhaps what Jesus has done through us.  And, yes, there will be haters – a form of persecution.  Expect it and power through it as a marathon runner hitting that barrier and gets his second wind.  When we really truly realize that we are put here to glorify God, we will find the perseverance through any hardship getting in our way.  Through it all, we will find peace knowing that we are glorifying God.

 

Prayer:

 

Lord I exalt you.  It is only for your glory that I exist.  Help me remember that with every breath I take, I am here so serve and glorify you.  Keep me strong through persecution and give me peace in hard times when my purpose is to glorify you.  In Jesus’ mighty name I pray, amen.

Scripture: “And (Paul) entered the synagogue and for three months spoke boldly, reasoning and persuading them about the kingdom of God.  BUT, when some became stubborn and continued in unbelief, speaking evil of the Way before the congregation, (Paul) withdrew from them….

 

About that time there arose no little disturbance concerning the Way….

 

(The Artemis Incident) And when the town clerk had quieted the crowd, he said, “Men of Ephesus, who is there who does not know that the city of the Ephesians is temple keeper of the Artemis and of the sacred stone that fell from the sky?  Seeing then that these things cannot be denied, you ought to be quiet and do nothing rash.  For you have brought these men here who are neither sacrilegious nor blasphemers of our goddess…” excerpts from Acts 19:8-9; v23; v35-37

 

Observation: It is clear.  Speaking about the Kingdom of God will bring no little irritation to those insisting on their own “Way….”

 

Analysis:  My goodness.  I need to try to stop punning my way through life.  Hopefully I will find a different bad habit to acquire.

 

Here we go again.  Paul ambles up to Ephesus and finds the local synagogue.  As is his habit, he starts to do what?  Speaking boldly, reasoning, and being persuasive.  I notice that, oh, I dunno, Arguing isn’t in this list—at least the kind of arguing I would resort to.

 

But it isn’t like I don’t see that kind of arguing in Chap 19: “…some became stubborn…” and the result? “…continued in unbelief…” and ultimately spoke evil of the Way.  What it evolved to was “disturbance concerning the Way” and then the Artemis Incident.

 

What I zeroed in upon is how Luke describes Paul and the rest of the accompanying disciples:

 

• Spoke boldly but
• Reasonably and
• With persuasion not hammering declaration.
• Willing to withdraw as prompted by the Holy Spirit.
• They weren’t sacrilegious concerning local customs (acted honorably) nor
• Blasphemers of the local speed bumps (weren’t obnoxious).

 

Of this list I think I can do…. exactly ZERO every time, all the time.  I might be able to get one or two, but the “being obnoxious” trips me up mostly.

 

How then, do I get to where I can imitate Paul?  Key word: Practice.  But practice where?  In my local speaking hall like at Ephesus?

 

No, but close.

 

When desiring to speak about the Gospel, there are God-ordained places of Grace to practice.  Two places that should get used a lot are: Home, and; Small Group.  If I am comfortable speaking in these two places, I can become comfortable anywhere…eventually.  It is a matter of practice.

 

Prayer:  Lord Jesus: Please keep your Word in my mouth, constantly on my mind, percolating between my ears and elevated to the utmost importance, increasing every day.  Your Word is like honey, let it drip off my tongue in an ever-increasing manner.  AMEN

 

Scripture- Acts 18:26-27 He began to speak boldly in the synagogue, but when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately. And when he wished to cross to Achaia, the brothers encouraged him and wrote to the disciples to welcome him.

 

Observation- Apollos preached the word of God boldly in the synagogue in Ephesus. However, he was only aware of the baptism of repentance shared by John the Baptist. Apollos was open to additional teaching from Priscilla and Aquila. Priscilla and Aquila, having been disciples by Paul, knew the baptism of the Spirit that comes from placing your faith in Jesus and cared enough to instruct Apollos. The brothers encouraged Apollos in his missionary journey and took the time to write letters to them them about Apollos to greet him warmly.

 

Application – There are so many great applications for us to follow in this passage about Apollos. First, he prepared to preach the word of the Lord. He preached with a boldness and fervor that we all should posses concerning the word of God. I must be open to instruction that will help me more clearly and correctly communicate the gospel of Jesus Christ. Also, if a brother requires additional teaching, I need to step up to do that lovingly. As a brother, if I know someone going out into the mission field I better encourage and equip them however possible with prayer and support. I should outreach to those I know to welcome a missionary and thusly I need to be welcoming and show hospitality to missionaries as they are giving their lives in service for the Kingdom.

 

Prayer – Father,

 

Thank you for the truth in your word and the examples the early church shows for us to follow. Let me share your word boldly, be open to instruction, be encouraging and welcoming to brothers and sisters to have the glory point to you.

 

Scripture: “So Paul, standing in the midst of the Areopagus, said: “Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious…

 

Being then God’s offspring, we ought not to think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination of man.  The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, BECAUSE he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man he appointed; and of this he was given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.”  Excerpted from Acts 17:22-31

 

Observation:  This is oratory that should not be overlooked or glossed over, because what is being said is the Gospel.

 

If it was ever wondered how the Gospel is preached to the face in the mirror, this is a very good place to start.

 

Analysis:  I have seen false piety paraded; shucks, I have been the drum major of that parade before.

 

“I perceive that in every way you are very religious…”  Somehow that smacks of a dig, a sarcastic remark, a snicker off to the side.

 

I can say that because I am saying it of myself.  There is an insinuation of being a Teflon Christian and not authentic in this statement by Paul.

 

What makes an “authentic Christian?”  A very good measure is: Am I the same guy in private and the secret places that I am in public? Scripture indicates that God knows the difference and, if I ask for transparency, He will be glad to answer so that I know the difference as well. See James 1:5 for confirmation.

 

There is one more aspect of this discourse that I wanted to point out.  As Paul relates the Gospel, he also assures that the implication of the Gospel is highlighted.

 

Why a call to repent?  Not to be good or moral or anything like that.  It is because God has set a date where judgement will occur; not an evaluation, but a judgement that has condemnation-type consequences.  What else?  God gave this operation to his Son to execute. And how did God put his stamp of approval on Jesus?  By raising him from the dead.

 

This section of scripture is worth a good shaking down of study to continue study of the Gospel. After all, it is because of the Gospel in all of its widespread and all-encompassing glory that I can stand.

 

Prayer:   Lord Jesus, it is remarkable that the Gospel can be found in almost every section of Scripture.  It isn’t just your conversation with Nicodemus, but from Gen 1 through the end of Revelation. What an awesome thought.  AMEN

Journal Acts 16 (all references are from the ESV; changes in punctuation are mine)

 

Scripture: “Paul came also to Derbe and to Lystra.  A disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer, but his father was a Greek.  (Timothy) was well spoken of by the brothers at Lystra and Iconium.

 

Paul wanted Timothy to accompany him and he took and circumcised (Timothy) because of the Jews who were in those places (for they all knew (Timothy’s) father was a Greek.

 

As they went on their way through the cities, they delivered to them for observance the decisions that had been reached by the apostles and elders who were in Jerusalem.

 

So, the churches were strengthened in the faith, and they increased in numbers daily.”  (Acts 16:1-5)

 

Observation:   Humm, is this a conflict with the arguments of Chapter 15?  No, it isn’t, but it does leave room for head-scratching…

 

Analysis:  A few objectives are listed in this section of scripture:

 

• Paul wanted to take Timothy with him on a trip to other churches.
• Paul had “observances” to deliver to all the churches visited on this trip.
• The churches were “strengthened in the faith” and had daily increases because of it.

 

Were these conscious objectives by Paul?  The first two he had somewhat control over, the third could only be faithfully hoped for.

 

I noticed the curve ball being thrown.

 

In the previous chapter Paul and Barnabas argued against some of the other brother’s insistence that believers MUST be circumcised—not SHOULD, nor ADVISABLE, but MUST.  To clarify, these guys said No Circumcision, No Salvation; there isn’t an option.

 

After deliberation, the subject was taken to the Apostles and the church in Jerusalem where, after MORE deliberation, Peter made a decree, “Not necessary.  Since my vision from God about the Gentiles being part of God’s plan for the Church, it is the right thing to do NOT to put this requirement upon them.”

 

However, when inviting Tim to come along for the ride, Paul asks Timothy to be circumcised.

 

Was Paul being two-faced about the subject?  Short answer: No.  If no, why not?

 

I can only pull from what Paul himself says: “To the weak, I became weak, that I might win the weak.  I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some.” 1 Cor 9:22.  Paul and especially Timothy put this principle in action not for any other reason than to serve their opponents who would have stumbled if it wasn’t done.

 

This is difficult.  My tendency is to “stand up for what I think is right.  Be unmovable in the face of opposition or disagreement.”  Paul and Timothy weren’t being weak, complacent, and accommodating: they were showing strength in the Gospel.

 

Like I said: difficult.

 

Prayer:  Lord Jesus, when does this get practiced?  When is the Col 2:14 firmness appropriate (“But when I saw that their conduct was not in step with the truth of the Gospel, I said to (Peter) before them all, “If you, though a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you force the Gentiles to live like Jews?” and the Acts 16:1-5 is?

 

Help me have discernment to know which is appropriate and which is not for the time I need to decide—and keep my tongue controlled when in doubt.  AMEN.

Scripture: “But some men came down from Judea and were teaching the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.”

 

And after Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and debate with them, Paul and Barnabas and some of the others were appointed to go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and the elders about this question.  So, being sent on their way by the church, they passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, describing in detail the conversion of the Gentiles, and brought great joy to all the brothers.

 

When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and the elders, and they declared all that God had done with them.

 

But some believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees rose up and said, “It is necessary to circumcise them and to order them to keep the law of Moses.”

 

The apostles and the elders were gathered together to consider this matter.  And after there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said…” Acts 15:1-7a

 

Observation: Even in the early church there are “those” people just hanging around, ready to express their opinion, not going along with anything.  And that is not so bad to have.  During any discussion or debate, the baseline is always the Word of God.  However, sometimes you have important issues to talk about…

 

Analysis: “Gentiles, you cannot be saved unless you submit to circumcision.”

 

“Wait a minute!  What was this Saved by Grace spiel you gave me?  This sounds an awful like a “work”—and a work that has some immediate and intimate outcomes to consider…”

 

No circumcision: No Salvation.

 

What is its counterpart today?  Maybe, No baptism: No Salvation?

 

Either one, when it is drawn down to the binary choice involved, looks pretty dumb on the face of it.

 

I appreciate the working of the early church described above.  Here’s the dynamic duo of the 1^st century, Paul and Barnabas, putting up a strong argument and debate (key word) about the issue.  The local church cannot decree a decision, so they send Paul, Barnabas, and a number of other folks to the head church of Jerusalem where more argument, debate, and discussion occurred.

 

Finally, Peter, having gathered all the data, gets up and says….

 

Peter’s decree doesn’t matter for this post.  What does matter is the broad process involved—it is talked about among the local church leaders.  Sometimes there isn’t a consensus or agreement.  If not, it needs to be either tabled and/or booted up the ladder.

 

Recently I had communicated an opinion of “stuff” to the leaders of our local church.  I didn’t mean it to come out nasty but, I realize from a distance of time it could have tilted in a wrong way.

 

Point is that the leadership and I talked through it and we are much better now.  Good study and good understanding come from good conversations and humbleness.  Do I want to be right in my opinions or do I want to espouse the Word of God rightly?

 

From what I see, the guys of the circumcision are stuck (“If it was good enough for me, it is good enough for them”) and the guys of the Pharisees are also stuck (“Obey the law of Moses and yadda, yadda”).

 

What is going to be interesting is what Paul argues about being not needed today is exactly what he does to Timothy tomorrow.

 

Prayer:  Father, make me always lean to transparency and candor, in the Love of Christ and by the unction of the Holy Spirit.  Do you know how hard that is?  Of course you do for that is why one of the first things you teach is “Do not lean on your own understanding…”  AMEN and AMEN.

 

 

Scripture

Vs 3 So (Paul and Barnabas) remained for a long time, speaking boldly for the Lord …

Vs 4 But the people of the city were divided …

Vs 5 … an attempt was made by both Gentiles and Jews, with their rulers, to mistreat (Paul and Barnabas) and to stone them, ⁶ they learned of it and fled to Lystra …

 

Vs 11 … when the crowds saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in Lycaonian, “The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!”

Vs 14 But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they tore their garments and rushed out into the crowd, crying out, ¹⁵ “Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men, of like nature with you, and we bring you good news, that you should turn from these vain things to a living God …”

 

Vs 19 But Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and having persuaded the crowds, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead.

Vs 20 The next day he went on with Barnabas to Derbe. ²¹ When they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, ²² strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God

 

Vs 27 And when they arrived and gathered the church together, they declared all that God had done with them, and how he had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles. ²⁸ And they remained no little time with the disciples.

 

Observation

Paul and Barnabas are traveling all over the place spreading the gospel everywhere they go.

They are faced with an extreme range of reactions from their listeners.

The people vary from accepting Paul and Barnabas to rejecting them.

In fact, the people’s response is so erratic that one day they want Paul worshiped, the next day they want Paul executed!

It is a roller coaster of responses from the people …

But Paul remains a level-headed disciple.

Paul goes about his purpose … his mission … spread the gospel … regardless of his own life’s circumstances.

And whatever happens in his own life, he will celebrate what God is doing in and through him.

 

Application

People are fickle! Very, very fickle! … Am I?

A phrase that leaps out to me today is … “the crowd”.

In verse 11, “the crowd” saw what Paul had done and declared him a god!

By verse 19, “the crowd” stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city supposing he was dead!

And what’s Paul’s response? … “he went on”.

 

God is at work, and he has a purpose in everything, and He has a mission that He will fulfill!

Will I participate in it? … If yes, then I must go on.

There is no time for wallowing, and pouting, and self-pitying in the Kingdom of God.

As Paul did, there are “souls to be strengthened, and “faith to be encouraged”.

But there is also no time for arrogance, and ego, and self-exaltation in the Kingdom of God.

As Paul said, I am “a man like you, who brings good news that you should turn from vain things to a living God”!

 

“The crowd” will ride a roller coaster of emotion … sometimes they may love you, other times they may hate you.

They’ll be swayed by what they see (“when the crowds saw what Paul had done, they lifted their voices”) or by what they hear (“having persuaded the crowd, they stoned Paul”).

 

But the disciple of Jesus remains steady … grounded by the Gospel …. The God News!

There is a Living God … Jesus … and because He is alive … I am alive!

 

And in the meantime … while I am alive … there will be tribulation … perhaps, even “many tribulations”.

What will I do?

Like Paul, “with the gathered church”, “declare all that God had done with them”, “opening doors of faith”.

 

Prayer

Thank You, God, for your Word.

Thank You for the encouragement it is

Help me live steady as Paul,

Not riding the roller coaster of my circumstances with the crowd.

Holy Spirit, strengthen my soul and encourage my faith

In Jesus name

Amen

Scripture: vs 6-12

[6] When they had gone through the whole island as far as Paphos, they came upon a certain magician, a Jewish false prophet named Bar-Jesus. [7] He was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, a man of intelligence, who summoned Barnabas and Saul and sought to hear the word of God. [8] But Elymas the magician (for that is the meaning of his name) opposed them, seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith. [9] But Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked intently at him [10] and said, “You son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, full of all deceit and villainy, will you not stop making crooked the straight paths of the Lord? [11] And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you will be blind and unable to see the sun for a time.” Immediately mist and darkness fell upon him, and he went about seeking people to lead him by the hand. [12] Then the proconsul believed, when he saw what had occurred, for he was astonished at the teaching of the Lord.

 

Observations:

Sergius Paulus, the proconsul, was the governor of a Roman province and therefore had a lot of power.  He was a good person for Satan to attack because of his influence on the people he governed.

 

Given that he had a false prophet hanging out with the him, it seems that Sergius Paulus probably had some other bad people hanging around as we;;.  But he was still driven to ask for Saul and Barnabus so he could hear the word of God.  He was seeking.

 

Saul (Paul), was not about to let someone under Satan’s influence get in the way of sharing the Word, and rebuked false prophet with the power of the Holy Spirit.  Just aside that it seems kind of ironic that Paul, through the power of the Spirit, blinded Bar-Jesus, since this was the same thing Jesus did to him to bring him to his knees to realize who Jesus really was.  Only Paul did it to Bar-Jesus, not to save Bar-Jesus, but to wake up the influential proconsul, who was seeking to know more.

 

Then, as powerful a statement as it was to see the false prophet blinded, the proconsul did not believe only because of that act, “he was astonished at the teaching of the Lord”.  He was more amazed at the Word he heard through Paul, than the act he saw.

 

Application:

We may not have the influence that a governor of a Roman province had, but we still have significant influence on others around us.  We are teachers, greeters, receptionists, doctors, nurses, and leaders of all sorts.  We have families and each family member has a sphere of influence.  So, we are just as much a prize for Satan as the proconsul would have been.  Keep that in mind as you are surrounded by others and get attacks from the evil one.

 

Do, or did, we have Bar-Jesus around us trying to influence us and keep us from Jesus or from trying to prevent us from sharing the Gospel with others?

We don’t need the sensationalism of blinding someone in God’s name in order to wake them up so they will be open to our sharing of the Good News.  The Gospel is amazing just as it is.  So don’t wait for something sensational to happen in order to share the Gospel in your sphere of influence.  Start by sharing the Good News as it applies to you and rest will follow.

 

Prayer:

Lord use me to share the Gospel.  If anyone tries to prevent me from sharing Your Word, help with Your power to totally minimize their influence on me and others.  I know the time is now Jesus.  I don’t need anything sensational to tell others about You and how You’ve changed my life.  Push me, shove me, get me moving.  In Jesus mighty name I pray, amen.

 

Scripture: “But the word of God increased and multiplied.” Acts 12:24

 

Observation:  There are several episodes and stories going on in Acts and will continue to the end of the book.  One thing that will not be found is the Name not being glorified.

 

Analysis:  The stories of Acts 12 are intriguing.  With a little imagination there is more than a soap opera being portrayed.

 

Take for instance Peter being broken out of prison by an angel and at the end Herod getting so ticked off that he had all the guards killed.  Tragic.

 

And then there is the comedy interlude where Peter shows up at the front door and Rhoda gets so excited that Peter is there, she forgets to let him in.

 

All sorts of scenes are involved with the playing out the Gospel in everyday life.

 

I remember that the Father has me to pay attention in two things: 1) the little immediate things, and; 2) taking the long view of discipleship.

 

The little things are all that pertain to godliness and my pursuit of it.  Stuff like the Fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22) and the “Put on’s” (Col 3:12-15).  There is so much here to explore.  It is the intention of “bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.” (2 Cor &:1b)

 

It is also “taking the long view” or simply being patient.  If something gets missed, confess, repent, and get back up to bat.  There is nothing that God is surprised about or is caught unawares by.

 

I have a personal conviction that that the game of baseball is closer to picturing the posture of a disciple than any other game.  What other game can a player fail 7 out of 10 times and go to the Hall of Fame?

 

I was on a business trip this past week.  Although I knew a lot of folks and there was no trouble, I felt alone quite a bit.  I missed the local church and biblical friendships.  I wondered if other folks felt the same way when they go away?

 

Was His Name glorified?  I am confident that it was so.  Was His Name glorified in me?  That, I am not too sure of.  The next time I travel, will it be different?  I am going to do what I can to make it so.

 

Prayer:  Lord God, may Your Word live richly in me and increase, not only in my life as I look in the mirror, but to the people around me.  AMEN.