Reading for today: Acts 26:24-32
Paul's Faith Story was powerful, and Festus felt its conviction and reacted against it by interrupting Paul, and declaring that these writings Paul mentions are driving him mad. Paul gently replies by declaring his sanity and turning to the king and stating that he is familiar with what has been said.
The king could verify all of this, since none of it happened in a corner. All the things Paul mentions, the life of Jesus, the death of Jesus, the resurrection of Jesus, the gospel message, all happened in public and were well known and attested to.
Then, addressing Agrippa, Paul asked him if he believed the prophets. Without waiting for an answer, he added that he knew Agrippa believed. Suddenly, and with surprise, Agrippa realized Paul was trying to convert him.
By saying that Agrippa believed the prophets, Paul was implying that he would therefore have to believe what they said about the Messiah, and this should cause him to believe what Paul said about Jesus.
But it seems Agrippa was not willing to say he did believe the prophets; neither was he willing to say he believed Paul. Agrippa's response has been interpreted a number of ways, but whatever it was, it was a rejection of the message, and Paul's efforts to convert him. Paul, however, refused to be discouraged. He declares his desire that everyone would become like he (a follower of Christ), except for the chains that bound him.
Next week: Paul sets sail for Rome---finally!
Friday, August 29, 2008
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Acts - Week 13 / Thursday
Reading for today: Acts 26:12-23
Paul continues his Faith Story by sharing his conversion experience in which he encountered Jesus Christ. On his way to Damascus to cleanse the synagogues there of any Christ-followers, he experienced a bright light and a voice speaking to him. Luke includes a new detail in Paul's conversation. Paul states that Jesus spoke to him in Aramaic.
But, what does "It is hard for you to kick against the goads," mean? It comes from the farming picture of someone using a sharply pointed stick to correct the antics of the oxen. This was a common phrase used to express opposition to God. In using this phrase, Paul identifies the voice from heaven as divine. Jesus gives Paul very clear instructions pertaining to the purpose Jesus has for Paul's life.
Paul states that he was not disobedient to the heavenly vision given to him. "Vision" here does not infer dream-like, but implies an actual vision or sighting of Jesus. Paul then sums up the ministry he carried out over the past 18 or 19 years, beginning in Damascus, then Jerusalem, then to the Gentiles and regions beyond.
The message he proclaimed was clear: Repent and turn to God and prove your repentance by your deeds. And it was because of this message that the Jews seized him and intended to kill him, because this message of repentance and forgiveness was for Jew and Gentile alike, and included blessings for the Gentiles, which the Jews did not appreciate.
Paul then bears witness to God's faithfulness in protecting him. He finishes by stating that all he has said is nothing beyond what the prophets and Moses said would happen: That the Christ would suffer; Christ would be the first to raise from the dead; Christ would proclaim light to his own people (Jew) and the Gentiles.
Paul's Faith Story is not long, but it covers the needed bases and would have been quite clear to his listeners. That's all anyone's Faith Story needs to be effective.
Tomorrow: Paul pulls no punches with the king
Paul continues his Faith Story by sharing his conversion experience in which he encountered Jesus Christ. On his way to Damascus to cleanse the synagogues there of any Christ-followers, he experienced a bright light and a voice speaking to him. Luke includes a new detail in Paul's conversation. Paul states that Jesus spoke to him in Aramaic.
But, what does "It is hard for you to kick against the goads," mean? It comes from the farming picture of someone using a sharply pointed stick to correct the antics of the oxen. This was a common phrase used to express opposition to God. In using this phrase, Paul identifies the voice from heaven as divine. Jesus gives Paul very clear instructions pertaining to the purpose Jesus has for Paul's life.
Paul states that he was not disobedient to the heavenly vision given to him. "Vision" here does not infer dream-like, but implies an actual vision or sighting of Jesus. Paul then sums up the ministry he carried out over the past 18 or 19 years, beginning in Damascus, then Jerusalem, then to the Gentiles and regions beyond.
The message he proclaimed was clear: Repent and turn to God and prove your repentance by your deeds. And it was because of this message that the Jews seized him and intended to kill him, because this message of repentance and forgiveness was for Jew and Gentile alike, and included blessings for the Gentiles, which the Jews did not appreciate.
Paul then bears witness to God's faithfulness in protecting him. He finishes by stating that all he has said is nothing beyond what the prophets and Moses said would happen: That the Christ would suffer; Christ would be the first to raise from the dead; Christ would proclaim light to his own people (Jew) and the Gentiles.
Paul's Faith Story is not long, but it covers the needed bases and would have been quite clear to his listeners. That's all anyone's Faith Story needs to be effective.
Tomorrow: Paul pulls no punches with the king
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Acts - Week 13 / Wednesday
Reading for today: Acts 26:1-11
King Agrippa allows Paul to speak on his own behalf, and so Paul launches into his Faith Story for the third time in this book of Acts. He feels fortunate to be able to make his defense before Agrippa because Agrippa is well versed in Jewish customs and "controversies" (or topics that Jews are not in agreement over).
One of the controversies pertinent to this trial is the resurrection of the dead. Agrippa would have considered himself a Jew, in name only. This religious affiliation with the Jews was for political purposes. He was not a practicing Jew.
Paul, unlike the orator/lawyer, Tertullus, in chapter 24, does not promise to be brief, but asks for patience in hearing him out. Paul first states his background and then raises the real issue of his trial. He pointed out that all the Jews knew his manner of life both in Tarsus and Jerusalem. He also mentions that they all knew he was a member of the sect of the Pharisees.
He then states that it is because of his belief in the resurrection of the dead that the Jews were bringing charges against him. He ends this portion of his defense with a great question, "Why should any of you consider it incredible that God raises the dead?"
He goes on to describe his zeal in persecuting the followers of Jesus. He told how the Sanhedrin had given him authority to arrest and jail believers in Jesus. So zealous was Paul in this persecution that he even traveled to cities outside of Judea to pursue them.
Paul has now set his listeners up for the meat of his story, which we will look at tomorrow. Once again we see this master communicator very much aware of whom he is speaking to. He identifies with them as much as possible so as to create common ground for the presentation of Jesus.
Tomorrow: And now, for the rest of the story!
King Agrippa allows Paul to speak on his own behalf, and so Paul launches into his Faith Story for the third time in this book of Acts. He feels fortunate to be able to make his defense before Agrippa because Agrippa is well versed in Jewish customs and "controversies" (or topics that Jews are not in agreement over).
One of the controversies pertinent to this trial is the resurrection of the dead. Agrippa would have considered himself a Jew, in name only. This religious affiliation with the Jews was for political purposes. He was not a practicing Jew.
Paul, unlike the orator/lawyer, Tertullus, in chapter 24, does not promise to be brief, but asks for patience in hearing him out. Paul first states his background and then raises the real issue of his trial. He pointed out that all the Jews knew his manner of life both in Tarsus and Jerusalem. He also mentions that they all knew he was a member of the sect of the Pharisees.
He then states that it is because of his belief in the resurrection of the dead that the Jews were bringing charges against him. He ends this portion of his defense with a great question, "Why should any of you consider it incredible that God raises the dead?"
He goes on to describe his zeal in persecuting the followers of Jesus. He told how the Sanhedrin had given him authority to arrest and jail believers in Jesus. So zealous was Paul in this persecution that he even traveled to cities outside of Judea to pursue them.
Paul has now set his listeners up for the meat of his story, which we will look at tomorrow. Once again we see this master communicator very much aware of whom he is speaking to. He identifies with them as much as possible so as to create common ground for the presentation of Jesus.
Tomorrow: And now, for the rest of the story!
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Acts - Week 13 / Tuesday
Reading for today: Acts 25:13-27
King Agrippa and his sister, Bernice, come to Caesarea to pay their respects to the new governor. While spending much time with them, Festus gets on the topic of Paul. He relates the entire story to Agrippa and Bernice.
Festus is not well versed in Judaism. He refers to Jewish beliefs in vs.19 as "their own superstition." (King James Version) It is translated as "religion" in the New International Version. He does not mention that he sought to gain favor with the jews by returning Paul to Jerusalem, but instead states that he was at wits end as to how to deal with the issue. Agrippa takes an interest in the case and wants to meet with Paul.
The next day Agrippa and Bernice arrive in all their pomp and glory to hear Paul's case. The city officials and other prominent men of Caesarea also wer in attendance. Festus opens the meeting (which really became the 5th trial that Paul endured in a two year time span) with a synopsis of the case. Festus declares that he had found that Paul has done nothing worthy of death. However, because Paul had appealed to Caesar, Festus had decided to send him.
The problem for Festus was that he had nothing reliable or trustworthy to write to Caesar concerning charges against Paul. In other words, Festus was looking for help in how to present the case in the form of a letter to Nero.
Festus was hoping that from this investigation Agrippa would give him proper instruction on how to word a letter that must accompany a prisioner brought before Caesar.
Tomorrow: Paul goes back to his "Ol faithful."
King Agrippa and his sister, Bernice, come to Caesarea to pay their respects to the new governor. While spending much time with them, Festus gets on the topic of Paul. He relates the entire story to Agrippa and Bernice.
Festus is not well versed in Judaism. He refers to Jewish beliefs in vs.19 as "their own superstition." (King James Version) It is translated as "religion" in the New International Version. He does not mention that he sought to gain favor with the jews by returning Paul to Jerusalem, but instead states that he was at wits end as to how to deal with the issue. Agrippa takes an interest in the case and wants to meet with Paul.
The next day Agrippa and Bernice arrive in all their pomp and glory to hear Paul's case. The city officials and other prominent men of Caesarea also wer in attendance. Festus opens the meeting (which really became the 5th trial that Paul endured in a two year time span) with a synopsis of the case. Festus declares that he had found that Paul has done nothing worthy of death. However, because Paul had appealed to Caesar, Festus had decided to send him.
The problem for Festus was that he had nothing reliable or trustworthy to write to Caesar concerning charges against Paul. In other words, Festus was looking for help in how to present the case in the form of a letter to Nero.
Festus was hoping that from this investigation Agrippa would give him proper instruction on how to word a letter that must accompany a prisioner brought before Caesar.
Tomorrow: Paul goes back to his "Ol faithful."
Monday, August 25, 2008
Acts - Week 13 / Monday
Reading for today: Acts 25:1-12
Even after 2 years of Paul living in relative obscurity, the Jews in Jerusalem still considered Paul their archenemy and wanted his death. The appointment of a new governor (Festus) was their opportunity to bring their charges against Paul once more.
Immediately upon Festus' arrival in Jerusalem, the chief priests and elders meet with him. They inform him of their charges against Paul, and then they ask a favor, requesting the Paul be sent back to Jerusalem for trial. Their plan was to ambush Paul, and finally kill him.
Probably aware of the previous ambush plot 2 years prior, Festus denies their request. But he does invite them to accompany him to Caesarea to deal with the matter there. Luke does not go into detail concerning either the charges or the defense. Most likely, the charges were the same ones brought 2 years earlier before Felix.
Apparently Festus was unsure of how to handle the situatioin, not understanding the finer points of Jewish custom in regard to the accusations brought against Paul. Because of that, Festus decides to grant the Jews a favor, but only if Paul is willing to go to Jerusalem.
Paul, knowing that the Jews intended t okill him, appeals to Caesar (Nero). As a Roman citizen, this was Paul's right. Besides, at the moment, it was the only recourse available to Paul in order to stay out of the hands of the Jewish leaders.
Festus talked this over with his council, but there was really nothing he could do. Paul had appealed to Caesar; to Caesar he must go. Festus was probably relieved that the case was now out of his hands.
Do you think Paul was right in avoiding Jerusalem and the Jewish leaders at this point? Or should he have just trusted God to protect him in this hazardous position?
Tomorrow: Another interruption to Paul's plan
Even after 2 years of Paul living in relative obscurity, the Jews in Jerusalem still considered Paul their archenemy and wanted his death. The appointment of a new governor (Festus) was their opportunity to bring their charges against Paul once more.
Immediately upon Festus' arrival in Jerusalem, the chief priests and elders meet with him. They inform him of their charges against Paul, and then they ask a favor, requesting the Paul be sent back to Jerusalem for trial. Their plan was to ambush Paul, and finally kill him.
Probably aware of the previous ambush plot 2 years prior, Festus denies their request. But he does invite them to accompany him to Caesarea to deal with the matter there. Luke does not go into detail concerning either the charges or the defense. Most likely, the charges were the same ones brought 2 years earlier before Felix.
Apparently Festus was unsure of how to handle the situatioin, not understanding the finer points of Jewish custom in regard to the accusations brought against Paul. Because of that, Festus decides to grant the Jews a favor, but only if Paul is willing to go to Jerusalem.
Paul, knowing that the Jews intended t okill him, appeals to Caesar (Nero). As a Roman citizen, this was Paul's right. Besides, at the moment, it was the only recourse available to Paul in order to stay out of the hands of the Jewish leaders.
Festus talked this over with his council, but there was really nothing he could do. Paul had appealed to Caesar; to Caesar he must go. Festus was probably relieved that the case was now out of his hands.
Do you think Paul was right in avoiding Jerusalem and the Jewish leaders at this point? Or should he have just trusted God to protect him in this hazardous position?
Tomorrow: Another interruption to Paul's plan
Friday, August 22, 2008
Acts - Week 12 / Friday
Reading for today: Acts 24: 22-27
Ever stood in line at the DMV? The number in your hand is #52 and the sign on the counter says, "Now serving #23." Or how about traffic? Like on the Dan Ryan in Chicago at 3:30 on a Friday afternoon? It's a five lane parking lot. Or what about waiting in line at the grocery store? You have a twelve pack of Coke and some pretzels in hand and every lane is full of people who look like they're stocking up for Y2K.
Patience is a virtue. No kidding.
How about Paul? Check out the first phrase in Acts 24:27. "Two years went by in this way..."
Two years. Two YEARS. Two years of being held captive - mind you it was a minimum security, "white collar crime" prison. But still...two years. And two years of a governor who knows the story, but is just holding on to you, hoping to extort a bribe (vs. 26).
Paul: "Come on. Jesus, you told me I was going to go to Rome to preach the Good News!"
Jesus: "Patience, Paul. Patience."
Actually, knowing Paul, he probably was much more patient than what I project on him. But still, he definitely provides us with a model of how to handle difficulty with patience.
What dream are you waiting for to happen? Or rather, how are you waiting?
Author F. B. Meyer provides this insight: "If God told you on the front end how long you would wait to find the fulfillment of your desire or pleasure or dream, you'd lose heart. You'd grow weary in doing well doing. So would I. But He doesn't. He just says, 'Wait. I keep My word. I'm in no hurry. In the process of time I'm developing you to be ready for the promise.'"
Are you waiting patiently for dream to come together? What are the good byproducts of patience? Remember it could be worse...you could be on the Dan Ryan...
Ever stood in line at the DMV? The number in your hand is #52 and the sign on the counter says, "Now serving #23." Or how about traffic? Like on the Dan Ryan in Chicago at 3:30 on a Friday afternoon? It's a five lane parking lot. Or what about waiting in line at the grocery store? You have a twelve pack of Coke and some pretzels in hand and every lane is full of people who look like they're stocking up for Y2K.
Patience is a virtue. No kidding.
How about Paul? Check out the first phrase in Acts 24:27. "Two years went by in this way..."
Two years. Two YEARS. Two years of being held captive - mind you it was a minimum security, "white collar crime" prison. But still...two years. And two years of a governor who knows the story, but is just holding on to you, hoping to extort a bribe (vs. 26).
Paul: "Come on. Jesus, you told me I was going to go to Rome to preach the Good News!"
Jesus: "Patience, Paul. Patience."
Actually, knowing Paul, he probably was much more patient than what I project on him. But still, he definitely provides us with a model of how to handle difficulty with patience.
What dream are you waiting for to happen? Or rather, how are you waiting?
Author F. B. Meyer provides this insight: "If God told you on the front end how long you would wait to find the fulfillment of your desire or pleasure or dream, you'd lose heart. You'd grow weary in doing well doing. So would I. But He doesn't. He just says, 'Wait. I keep My word. I'm in no hurry. In the process of time I'm developing you to be ready for the promise.'"
Are you waiting patiently for dream to come together? What are the good byproducts of patience? Remember it could be worse...you could be on the Dan Ryan...
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Acts - Week 12 / Thursday
Reading for today: Acts 24:1-21
Perseverance. It is a fruit grown in the soil of suffering (check out Romans 5:1-5 if you aren't sure).
In an address at Harrow School, October 29, 1941, Winston Churchill said, "Never give in, never give in, never, never, never, never - in nothing, great or small, large or petty - never give in except to convictions of honor and good sense. Never give in." Then he sat down.
Acts 24 opens with these words: "Five days later Ananias, the high priest, arrived with some of the Jewish leaders and the lawyer Tertullus, to press charges against Paul." For the better part of the last two weeks of Paul's life, he has been hounded by those who would like nothing better than to see him dead.
They slandered him in the Temple, beat him in the streets, planned his assassination, and now they came to falsely accuse him in a Roman governor's court (they even hired a professional orator - Tertullus).
But Paul persevered. Beginning in Acts 24:10 we read of his own defense. His defense is remarkable for two reasons. First, in spite of the harrowing experiences of the past 12 days, he is able to clearly communicate a reasonable defense. Odds makers would have made Tertullus the heavy favorite. I can only imagine how tired and physically exhausted (and bruised) Paul must have been. And yet, he is able to speak powerfully and eloquently on his own behalf.
The second thing about his defense that is remarkable is his ability to once again seize the opportunity to share the Good News with his audience. In Acts 24:14-16, Paul uses his platform to tell those within earshot of the hope he has in God. Paul models for us the admonition given to us in 1 Peter 3:15, "...Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect."
I have to give Paul huge props. Not only does he persevere through 12 days of adversity, but when he does respond he does it with such class. Remember, these people were trying to kill him! It's one thing to whine and complain through tough times, and another to gently, respectfully, and courageously handle adversity.
James writes on this subject as well: "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking in anything."
Paul's example, along with James' and Peter's thoughts, make me stop and think about how I handle adversity. According to James, my response to difficulties is a good indicator of my maturity level.
Tomorrow: Patience is a virtue
Perseverance. It is a fruit grown in the soil of suffering (check out Romans 5:1-5 if you aren't sure).
In an address at Harrow School, October 29, 1941, Winston Churchill said, "Never give in, never give in, never, never, never, never - in nothing, great or small, large or petty - never give in except to convictions of honor and good sense. Never give in." Then he sat down.
Acts 24 opens with these words: "Five days later Ananias, the high priest, arrived with some of the Jewish leaders and the lawyer Tertullus, to press charges against Paul." For the better part of the last two weeks of Paul's life, he has been hounded by those who would like nothing better than to see him dead.
They slandered him in the Temple, beat him in the streets, planned his assassination, and now they came to falsely accuse him in a Roman governor's court (they even hired a professional orator - Tertullus).
But Paul persevered. Beginning in Acts 24:10 we read of his own defense. His defense is remarkable for two reasons. First, in spite of the harrowing experiences of the past 12 days, he is able to clearly communicate a reasonable defense. Odds makers would have made Tertullus the heavy favorite. I can only imagine how tired and physically exhausted (and bruised) Paul must have been. And yet, he is able to speak powerfully and eloquently on his own behalf.
The second thing about his defense that is remarkable is his ability to once again seize the opportunity to share the Good News with his audience. In Acts 24:14-16, Paul uses his platform to tell those within earshot of the hope he has in God. Paul models for us the admonition given to us in 1 Peter 3:15, "...Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect."
I have to give Paul huge props. Not only does he persevere through 12 days of adversity, but when he does respond he does it with such class. Remember, these people were trying to kill him! It's one thing to whine and complain through tough times, and another to gently, respectfully, and courageously handle adversity.
James writes on this subject as well: "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking in anything."
Paul's example, along with James' and Peter's thoughts, make me stop and think about how I handle adversity. According to James, my response to difficulties is a good indicator of my maturity level.
Tomorrow: Patience is a virtue
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Acts - Week 12 / Wednesday
Reading for today: Acts 23:23-35
Once the plot to kill Paul was discovered by his nephew, who in turn informed the Roman commander, plans were made to remove Paul from Jerusalem. The military escort gathered to accompany Paul was no small force - 400 soldiers and 70 cavalry. The size of the force and the hour of departure (around 9:00 PM) would certainly have garnered attention in the streets of Jerusalem.
The trip to Caesarea is a little over 60 miles, so the contingent stopped at a half-way point, the fortress at Antipatris. In the morning, the foot soldiers return to their garrison in Jerusalem and the horsemen continue their escort of Paul to Caesarea.
As Paul's case is passed from the military commander, Claudius Lysias, to Governor Felix, Paul is moving up the "food chain" in Roman politics. Remember earlier when Jesus appeared to Paul, he encouraged Paul and told him that he would preach the Good News in Rome. At that time, Paul must have wondered how that was ever going to happen. By having his case transferred to the hands of the region's governor, the path to Rome was now beginning to take form.
Sometimes when God gives us a dream we wonder how in the world it will ever come about. We tend to see things that are only right in front of us, while He sees the big picture. I'm reminded of this often quoted passage: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight" (Proverbs 3:5,6).
How are you handling roadblocks and detours? What are some things we can do to bolster our faith when it looks like our God-given dreams are hijacked by circumstances? I'd love to hear some thoughts on this.
Tomorrow: Paul on trial...again...
Once the plot to kill Paul was discovered by his nephew, who in turn informed the Roman commander, plans were made to remove Paul from Jerusalem. The military escort gathered to accompany Paul was no small force - 400 soldiers and 70 cavalry. The size of the force and the hour of departure (around 9:00 PM) would certainly have garnered attention in the streets of Jerusalem.
The trip to Caesarea is a little over 60 miles, so the contingent stopped at a half-way point, the fortress at Antipatris. In the morning, the foot soldiers return to their garrison in Jerusalem and the horsemen continue their escort of Paul to Caesarea.
As Paul's case is passed from the military commander, Claudius Lysias, to Governor Felix, Paul is moving up the "food chain" in Roman politics. Remember earlier when Jesus appeared to Paul, he encouraged Paul and told him that he would preach the Good News in Rome. At that time, Paul must have wondered how that was ever going to happen. By having his case transferred to the hands of the region's governor, the path to Rome was now beginning to take form.
Sometimes when God gives us a dream we wonder how in the world it will ever come about. We tend to see things that are only right in front of us, while He sees the big picture. I'm reminded of this often quoted passage: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight" (Proverbs 3:5,6).
How are you handling roadblocks and detours? What are some things we can do to bolster our faith when it looks like our God-given dreams are hijacked by circumstances? I'd love to hear some thoughts on this.
Tomorrow: Paul on trial...again...
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Acts - Week 12 / Tuesday
Reading for today: Acts 23: 12-22
An advocate is someone who supports or promotes the interests of another. An advocate is someone who will cover your back - often without you even knowing it. Advocates are gifts from God. Paul's nephew is a great example of what advocates can do for us.
In Leonard Sweet's book "11" he describes four reasons why back-coverers are so important to us:
1. First, you and I are going to get it in the back. Somewhere, someway, someone is going to not-so-kindly place a metaphorical dagger in your back. This is especially true if you are already vulnerable. There is an Arabic proverb that says, "A falling camel attracts many knives."
2. Sometimes advocates fight alongside you on the front lines, but mostly they cover you with prayer from a distance. Paul's nephew fought alongside of him - he told Paul of the plot. But many times your advocates will help you without your knowledge.
Sweet's last two reasons have more to do with how we can cover the back of others:
3. We can be advocates for people we don't even know. A good recent example of this is how the people at CLF helped out with the "Stuff the Bus" campaign last week. By providing school supplies for kids who might not otherwise be able to have those things, we were able to cover these student's backs - students we most likely will never meet personally. There are many ways we can cover people's backs we've never met. What are some things you can think of doing?
4. Finally, we can be advocates for generations that come after us and before us. This one might take a little thought to comprehend. Let me illustrate this with a story from Sweet's book. Former French Prime Minister Georges Clemenceau and Claude Monet, founder of French impressionism, were friends. They each lived to be old men, and each died within a few years of one another, Monet first. When Clemenceau saw a black shroud draping Monet's coffin, a sudden burst of fury overtook him. Rushing to a nearby window, he ripped a colorful curtain from its rod, cast the balck shroud to the ground, and covered the coffin with the drape. For his friend to be buried in a color he had banned from his palette was the ultimate insult.
Here are two questions for the day: Who are my back-coverers? and then Whose back am I covering?
Tomorrow: Moving up the food chain
An advocate is someone who supports or promotes the interests of another. An advocate is someone who will cover your back - often without you even knowing it. Advocates are gifts from God. Paul's nephew is a great example of what advocates can do for us.
In Leonard Sweet's book "11" he describes four reasons why back-coverers are so important to us:
1. First, you and I are going to get it in the back. Somewhere, someway, someone is going to not-so-kindly place a metaphorical dagger in your back. This is especially true if you are already vulnerable. There is an Arabic proverb that says, "A falling camel attracts many knives."
2. Sometimes advocates fight alongside you on the front lines, but mostly they cover you with prayer from a distance. Paul's nephew fought alongside of him - he told Paul of the plot. But many times your advocates will help you without your knowledge.
Sweet's last two reasons have more to do with how we can cover the back of others:
3. We can be advocates for people we don't even know. A good recent example of this is how the people at CLF helped out with the "Stuff the Bus" campaign last week. By providing school supplies for kids who might not otherwise be able to have those things, we were able to cover these student's backs - students we most likely will never meet personally. There are many ways we can cover people's backs we've never met. What are some things you can think of doing?
4. Finally, we can be advocates for generations that come after us and before us. This one might take a little thought to comprehend. Let me illustrate this with a story from Sweet's book. Former French Prime Minister Georges Clemenceau and Claude Monet, founder of French impressionism, were friends. They each lived to be old men, and each died within a few years of one another, Monet first. When Clemenceau saw a black shroud draping Monet's coffin, a sudden burst of fury overtook him. Rushing to a nearby window, he ripped a colorful curtain from its rod, cast the balck shroud to the ground, and covered the coffin with the drape. For his friend to be buried in a color he had banned from his palette was the ultimate insult.
Here are two questions for the day: Who are my back-coverers? and then Whose back am I covering?
Tomorrow: Moving up the food chain
Monday, August 18, 2008
Acts - Week 12 / Monday
Reading for today: Acts 23:1-11
The day after the riot at the Temple and Paul's arrest, the Roman commander orders the leading priests and Jewish high council, or Sanhedrin, to meet. It doesn't take long before things get heated.
There are three things that really stand out to me in this passage:
1. After Paul's opening remark, the high priest - a man by the name of Ananias - commands Paul to be slapped on the mouth. This action draws an immediate response from Paul (verse 3). Paul calls Ananias a "whitewashed wall." This is a strong insult to a man in authority. When those standing near Paul rebuke him, Paul responds by saying he did not realize he was speaking to the high priest. Really? Remember who Paul was - his past in the very highest circles of Judaism. And he didn't realize he was talking to the high priest? Curious...don't you think? What's that all about?
2. The second thing that strikes me is Paul's strategic move to change the focus of the meeting. In verse 6 we read that Paul realized some of the group were Sadducees and some were Pharisees - both are sects within Judaism. He makes a proclamation at the end of verse 6 that divides the council down the middle and gets the focus off of himself. What a brilliant move! This just reminds me of what a savvy guy Paul was. Paul knew how to size up a crowd and relate to them. In this case to his benefit.
3. The third thing I find striking in this passage is that Jesus appears to Paul again (verse 11). The past two days have been extremely trying for Paul. He's been assaulted, arrested, chained, and slapped. In the middle of all of this, he had to compose himself enough to verbally defend himself. In the middle of these unbelievably taxing circumstances, Jesus comes to Paul and appears to him and speaks two very important words, "Be encouraged!" Can you imagine what that did for Paul? It reminds me of Jesus' words to his friends in Matthew 28:20b, "And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age." That promise was true for the disciples, it was true for Paul, and it is true for us today.
What about you? What speaks to you from these opening verses of chapter 23?
Tomorrow: Whose got your back?
The day after the riot at the Temple and Paul's arrest, the Roman commander orders the leading priests and Jewish high council, or Sanhedrin, to meet. It doesn't take long before things get heated.
There are three things that really stand out to me in this passage:
1. After Paul's opening remark, the high priest - a man by the name of Ananias - commands Paul to be slapped on the mouth. This action draws an immediate response from Paul (verse 3). Paul calls Ananias a "whitewashed wall." This is a strong insult to a man in authority. When those standing near Paul rebuke him, Paul responds by saying he did not realize he was speaking to the high priest. Really? Remember who Paul was - his past in the very highest circles of Judaism. And he didn't realize he was talking to the high priest? Curious...don't you think? What's that all about?
2. The second thing that strikes me is Paul's strategic move to change the focus of the meeting. In verse 6 we read that Paul realized some of the group were Sadducees and some were Pharisees - both are sects within Judaism. He makes a proclamation at the end of verse 6 that divides the council down the middle and gets the focus off of himself. What a brilliant move! This just reminds me of what a savvy guy Paul was. Paul knew how to size up a crowd and relate to them. In this case to his benefit.
3. The third thing I find striking in this passage is that Jesus appears to Paul again (verse 11). The past two days have been extremely trying for Paul. He's been assaulted, arrested, chained, and slapped. In the middle of all of this, he had to compose himself enough to verbally defend himself. In the middle of these unbelievably taxing circumstances, Jesus comes to Paul and appears to him and speaks two very important words, "Be encouraged!" Can you imagine what that did for Paul? It reminds me of Jesus' words to his friends in Matthew 28:20b, "And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age." That promise was true for the disciples, it was true for Paul, and it is true for us today.
What about you? What speaks to you from these opening verses of chapter 23?
Tomorrow: Whose got your back?
Friday, August 15, 2008
Acts - Week 11 / Friday
Reading for today: Acts 22:22-30
The Jews in the courtyard listened to Paul until he spoke of the command to go to the Gentiles. This set off the crowd again. Even though the Old Testament spoke clearly of God's care for the Gentiles, the Roman oppression had blinded their minds. In their eyes, Gentiles were dogs, scavengers. And so they expressed their belief that Paul was not worthy to live.
The Roman commander ordered Paul to be taken into the barracks where they were going to flog him. That meant that they were going to question him while torturing him with a whip made of leather thongs with pieces of bone and metal sewn in them. A Roman scourge often crippled or killed its victim.
At that point Paul asked the man in charge if it was legal to scourge a man who was a Roman citizen and uncondemned. The commander was called in, and he asked Paul if he was a Roman citizen. When Paul answered in the affirmative, the commander commented that he had paid a great sum of money for his Roman citizenship. In other words, he had bought a citizenship, even though he was not one by birth. This was rather common in the Roman empire, especially since it was a good way to line their pockets!
Paul said that he was a citizen by birth. His father or grandfather must have given unusual service to the Romans in Tarsus and been rewarded by Roman citizenship for himself and his family.
Paul's possible "pain inflicters" quickly realized that they were in trouble if Paul decided to press charges against them for what they had threatened to do to him, so they kept him in custody, but without chains, we can be sure. So, Paul escaped a beating---thankfully!
Next week: Paul wisely knows the crowd he speaks to
The Jews in the courtyard listened to Paul until he spoke of the command to go to the Gentiles. This set off the crowd again. Even though the Old Testament spoke clearly of God's care for the Gentiles, the Roman oppression had blinded their minds. In their eyes, Gentiles were dogs, scavengers. And so they expressed their belief that Paul was not worthy to live.
The Roman commander ordered Paul to be taken into the barracks where they were going to flog him. That meant that they were going to question him while torturing him with a whip made of leather thongs with pieces of bone and metal sewn in them. A Roman scourge often crippled or killed its victim.
At that point Paul asked the man in charge if it was legal to scourge a man who was a Roman citizen and uncondemned. The commander was called in, and he asked Paul if he was a Roman citizen. When Paul answered in the affirmative, the commander commented that he had paid a great sum of money for his Roman citizenship. In other words, he had bought a citizenship, even though he was not one by birth. This was rather common in the Roman empire, especially since it was a good way to line their pockets!
Paul said that he was a citizen by birth. His father or grandfather must have given unusual service to the Romans in Tarsus and been rewarded by Roman citizenship for himself and his family.
Paul's possible "pain inflicters" quickly realized that they were in trouble if Paul decided to press charges against them for what they had threatened to do to him, so they kept him in custody, but without chains, we can be sure. So, Paul escaped a beating---thankfully!
Next week: Paul wisely knows the crowd he speaks to
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Acts - Week 11 / Thursday
Reading for today: Acts 21:40-22:21
This is the passage of Scripture that last weekend's message was based on, so let me recap some of the main thoughts. Paul quiets this raucous crowd, and they become very quiet when they hear him speak to them in Aramaic, because that was their language. He tells the crowd his Faith Story.
Every follower of Christ has a Faith Story. It may not be long. It certainly doesn't have to be complicated. In fact, their are three simple parts to a Faith Story, and you can follow them quite easily as Paul talks.
First, he tells his audience who he was. He is very specific, and he wisely identifies himself as being very much like the men and women whom he was addressing.
Secondly, he tells them how he came to encounter Christ. He relates his experience on the road to Damascus, when Jesus confronted him. The focal point is not what Paul was, or had done, but rather the person of Jesus Christ.
Thirdly, he tells them the difference Christ has made in his life. He went from being a Jesus-hater to a Jesus-lover. He went from hunting down Christians to becoming one himself! That was an incredible transformation, and Paul wanted them to see the distinct difference between what he had been and what he was now.
That's what a Faith Story is about: 1) who you were before Christ; 2) how you met Jesus Christ; and 3) the difference He has made in your life. People may argue with your theology all day long, but nobody can argue with the personal experience you have had with Jesus.
Your Faith Story is powerful. Learn to tell it often, whenever the Holy Spirit prompts you. And learn to tell it well, so there is no chance that your listener will miss the point.
Tomorrow: Paul pulls out the citizen trump card!
This is the passage of Scripture that last weekend's message was based on, so let me recap some of the main thoughts. Paul quiets this raucous crowd, and they become very quiet when they hear him speak to them in Aramaic, because that was their language. He tells the crowd his Faith Story.
Every follower of Christ has a Faith Story. It may not be long. It certainly doesn't have to be complicated. In fact, their are three simple parts to a Faith Story, and you can follow them quite easily as Paul talks.
First, he tells his audience who he was. He is very specific, and he wisely identifies himself as being very much like the men and women whom he was addressing.
Secondly, he tells them how he came to encounter Christ. He relates his experience on the road to Damascus, when Jesus confronted him. The focal point is not what Paul was, or had done, but rather the person of Jesus Christ.
Thirdly, he tells them the difference Christ has made in his life. He went from being a Jesus-hater to a Jesus-lover. He went from hunting down Christians to becoming one himself! That was an incredible transformation, and Paul wanted them to see the distinct difference between what he had been and what he was now.
That's what a Faith Story is about: 1) who you were before Christ; 2) how you met Jesus Christ; and 3) the difference He has made in your life. People may argue with your theology all day long, but nobody can argue with the personal experience you have had with Jesus.
Your Faith Story is powerful. Learn to tell it often, whenever the Holy Spirit prompts you. And learn to tell it well, so there is no chance that your listener will miss the point.
Tomorrow: Paul pulls out the citizen trump card!
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Acts - Week 11 / Wednedsay
Reading for today: Acts 21:27-22:1
The plan of the Jerusalem church elders failed. Instead of satisfying the Jews, the opposite happened when the 7 days of purification were almost completed. Jews from the Roman province of Asia were in Jerusalem for the Feast of Pentecost. They saw Paul in the Temple, started making untrue accusations against him, and stirring up the crowd against him. They even accused him of bringing a Gentile into the restricted area of the Temple that was open only to the Jew.
They made that accusation on an assumption. Isn't it true that many false accusations are based on assumptions? The unbelieving Jews had not bothered to seek out the truth. They just assumed that Paul had taken Trophimus into the Temple because they had seen the two men together. Interestingly, when the crowd was stirred up to a frenzy and began beating Paul, nobody seemed to notice that Paul had no Gentiles with him.
Paul's life was probably spared by the Roman commander who came with soldiers, pushed the crowd back, and arrested Paul. Because of the noise, the commander couldn't seem to get to the truth, so he was about to take Paul into the barracks to protect him.
Another assumption was made. The commander assumed that Paul was an Egyptian anarchist who had escaped capture not long ago. He didn't have any facts to back up the assumption, but that didn't stop him. However, when Paul addressed him in fluent Greek, the commander knew Paul was no Egyptian.
When Paul asked the commander for permission to speak to the crowd who had just tried to kill him, amazingly the commander gave permission. Paul silenced the crowd and asked them to listen to his defense.
Lesson: Don't make judgments based on assumptions. Get the truth, and then come to your conclusions.
Tomorrow: The master storyteller does his thing!
The plan of the Jerusalem church elders failed. Instead of satisfying the Jews, the opposite happened when the 7 days of purification were almost completed. Jews from the Roman province of Asia were in Jerusalem for the Feast of Pentecost. They saw Paul in the Temple, started making untrue accusations against him, and stirring up the crowd against him. They even accused him of bringing a Gentile into the restricted area of the Temple that was open only to the Jew.
They made that accusation on an assumption. Isn't it true that many false accusations are based on assumptions? The unbelieving Jews had not bothered to seek out the truth. They just assumed that Paul had taken Trophimus into the Temple because they had seen the two men together. Interestingly, when the crowd was stirred up to a frenzy and began beating Paul, nobody seemed to notice that Paul had no Gentiles with him.
Paul's life was probably spared by the Roman commander who came with soldiers, pushed the crowd back, and arrested Paul. Because of the noise, the commander couldn't seem to get to the truth, so he was about to take Paul into the barracks to protect him.
Another assumption was made. The commander assumed that Paul was an Egyptian anarchist who had escaped capture not long ago. He didn't have any facts to back up the assumption, but that didn't stop him. However, when Paul addressed him in fluent Greek, the commander knew Paul was no Egyptian.
When Paul asked the commander for permission to speak to the crowd who had just tried to kill him, amazingly the commander gave permission. Paul silenced the crowd and asked them to listen to his defense.
Lesson: Don't make judgments based on assumptions. Get the truth, and then come to your conclusions.
Tomorrow: The master storyteller does his thing!
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Acts - Week 11 / Tuesday
Reading for today: Acts 21:15-26
There is an interesting dynamic of challenges and victories that we see occurring in Paul's life. As they travel, they need a place to stay. But since they have some Gentile Christians in their traveling party, finding a home to stay in would be a challenge. Not every member of the intensely Jewish/Christian church of Jerusalem would be prepared to have a party of Gentile Christians in his home. Fortunately, Mnason proved to be the right host.
When Paul and his companions went to see James and the other elders of the Jerusalem church, they discovered another challenge. False teachers had come among this church and deliberately taught that Paul was teaching all Jews who lived among the Gentiles not to circumcise their children. They also said that Paul taught them to stop conducting their lives according to their Jewish customs.
Of course, the accusations were untrue. Paul had circumcised his young companion, Timothy, and he had recently taken a vow himself. But the elders knew that these accusations had been told and retold, and needed to be put to rest.
The elders had a suggestion. Four of the Jewish believers had taken a vow upon themselves. At the close of the period of time they had chosen, they would offer rather expensive sacrifices. Then they would shave their heads as a sign that the vow was completed.
Paul did not have to take the vow himself. But he was asked to go through ceremonies of purifying himself along with them and pay for the sacrifices so they could complete the vow. This would show all in Jerusalem that Paul did not teach Jewish believers to go against the customs of their fathers.
So, Paul did exactly that. As Paul told the Corinthian believers, to the Jews he became as a Jew, and to those under the Law he became as under the Law. (1 Cor. 9:20) Paul was willing to do whatever it would take to reach people with the "good news," as long as it was not compromising to the gospel.
Tomorrow: The elders plan doesn't work like they hoped it would!
There is an interesting dynamic of challenges and victories that we see occurring in Paul's life. As they travel, they need a place to stay. But since they have some Gentile Christians in their traveling party, finding a home to stay in would be a challenge. Not every member of the intensely Jewish/Christian church of Jerusalem would be prepared to have a party of Gentile Christians in his home. Fortunately, Mnason proved to be the right host.
When Paul and his companions went to see James and the other elders of the Jerusalem church, they discovered another challenge. False teachers had come among this church and deliberately taught that Paul was teaching all Jews who lived among the Gentiles not to circumcise their children. They also said that Paul taught them to stop conducting their lives according to their Jewish customs.
Of course, the accusations were untrue. Paul had circumcised his young companion, Timothy, and he had recently taken a vow himself. But the elders knew that these accusations had been told and retold, and needed to be put to rest.
The elders had a suggestion. Four of the Jewish believers had taken a vow upon themselves. At the close of the period of time they had chosen, they would offer rather expensive sacrifices. Then they would shave their heads as a sign that the vow was completed.
Paul did not have to take the vow himself. But he was asked to go through ceremonies of purifying himself along with them and pay for the sacrifices so they could complete the vow. This would show all in Jerusalem that Paul did not teach Jewish believers to go against the customs of their fathers.
So, Paul did exactly that. As Paul told the Corinthian believers, to the Jews he became as a Jew, and to those under the Law he became as under the Law. (1 Cor. 9:20) Paul was willing to do whatever it would take to reach people with the "good news," as long as it was not compromising to the gospel.
Tomorrow: The elders plan doesn't work like they hoped it would!
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Acts - Week 11 / Monday
Reading for today: Acts 21:1-14
The farewell experience that Paul has just gone trough in Miletus with the elders of the church in Ephesus is merely the first of other farewells that are going to happen on his way to Jerusalem.
At Tyre they had 7 days to wait while the ship unloaded cargo. Paul located the Christian believers in Tyre, and spent time with them. Here again, as in many places before, the Holy Spirit warned of what was going to happen to Paul in Jerusalem.
The Bible does not say how the Spirit did this, but from what happened a little later in Caesarea, we can be pretty sure the warning came through a prophecy. It says that "through the Spirit" the believers kept urging Paul not to go up to Jerusalem. It does not say that the Spirit did not want Paul to go up to Jerusalem. Back in Acts 20:22, Paul said he was compelled by the Holy Spirit to go to Jerusalem. Paul knew the Holy Spirit would not contradict himself.
The Holy Spirit warned several times of what was ahead for Paul in Jerusalem. These believers knew the warnings, and because of their love for Paul, they urged him not to go. But Paul refused to go against what the Holy Spirit had told him to do. He refused to let them force their feelings on him.
Interestingly, it was not bad advice that was given to Paul. And it was given out of love for him and his ministry. But it was not the right advice for him. He had heard the compelling voice of the Holy Spirit telling him to go to Jerusalem, and so any other advice, as good as it may have been, was wrong for him.
Tomorrow: Paul finally gets to Jerusalem
The farewell experience that Paul has just gone trough in Miletus with the elders of the church in Ephesus is merely the first of other farewells that are going to happen on his way to Jerusalem.
At Tyre they had 7 days to wait while the ship unloaded cargo. Paul located the Christian believers in Tyre, and spent time with them. Here again, as in many places before, the Holy Spirit warned of what was going to happen to Paul in Jerusalem.
The Bible does not say how the Spirit did this, but from what happened a little later in Caesarea, we can be pretty sure the warning came through a prophecy. It says that "through the Spirit" the believers kept urging Paul not to go up to Jerusalem. It does not say that the Spirit did not want Paul to go up to Jerusalem. Back in Acts 20:22, Paul said he was compelled by the Holy Spirit to go to Jerusalem. Paul knew the Holy Spirit would not contradict himself.
The Holy Spirit warned several times of what was ahead for Paul in Jerusalem. These believers knew the warnings, and because of their love for Paul, they urged him not to go. But Paul refused to go against what the Holy Spirit had told him to do. He refused to let them force their feelings on him.
Interestingly, it was not bad advice that was given to Paul. And it was given out of love for him and his ministry. But it was not the right advice for him. He had heard the compelling voice of the Holy Spirit telling him to go to Jerusalem, and so any other advice, as good as it may have been, was wrong for him.
Tomorrow: Paul finally gets to Jerusalem
Friday, August 8, 2008
Acts - Week 10 / Friday
Reading for today: Acts 20:25-38
Paul let the elders know that this was a final farewell. They would never see him again. So, what do you say to these elders, knowing that this is your last shot at them. Interestingly, Paul's pastoral heart comes through loud and clear in his words.
First, he told them to give attention to themselves and to all the flock that the Holy Spirit had made them overseers of. Here we see that Paul expected the elders to have the office of overseer and be the executive or administrative head of the local congregation. In addition, Paul expected the elders to shepherd the church. The chief duty of the shepherd was to lead the sheep to food and water. That was no small responsibility for these men!
The ultimate requirement of these elders was servanthood, not domineering leadership. Another part of the work of a shepherd was to protect the sheep from enemies. Paul warned these "shepherds" that after his departure savage wolves would come in among them, attempting to severely injure the sheep.
Paul had set before these men an example of selfless service. They were well aware that he had provided for his own needs with his own hands. And he had also provided for the needs of his team members. When Paul would go into a new area to preach the "good news", he was always very careful to show the people that he was not preaching the gospel in order to gain material benefits. The love of Christ compelled him to preach the gospel.
It was a teary farewell when Paul finally said "goodbye." These Ephesian elders obviously had a great admiration and respect for the Apostle Paul. He had taught them well, and they were already sensing the loss they would feel at seeing him no more.
Who has been that kind of mentor in your life? Who has impacted you in some significant ways, in the past and in the present?
Next week: Does good advice always need to be obeyed?
Paul let the elders know that this was a final farewell. They would never see him again. So, what do you say to these elders, knowing that this is your last shot at them. Interestingly, Paul's pastoral heart comes through loud and clear in his words.
First, he told them to give attention to themselves and to all the flock that the Holy Spirit had made them overseers of. Here we see that Paul expected the elders to have the office of overseer and be the executive or administrative head of the local congregation. In addition, Paul expected the elders to shepherd the church. The chief duty of the shepherd was to lead the sheep to food and water. That was no small responsibility for these men!
The ultimate requirement of these elders was servanthood, not domineering leadership. Another part of the work of a shepherd was to protect the sheep from enemies. Paul warned these "shepherds" that after his departure savage wolves would come in among them, attempting to severely injure the sheep.
Paul had set before these men an example of selfless service. They were well aware that he had provided for his own needs with his own hands. And he had also provided for the needs of his team members. When Paul would go into a new area to preach the "good news", he was always very careful to show the people that he was not preaching the gospel in order to gain material benefits. The love of Christ compelled him to preach the gospel.
It was a teary farewell when Paul finally said "goodbye." These Ephesian elders obviously had a great admiration and respect for the Apostle Paul. He had taught them well, and they were already sensing the loss they would feel at seeing him no more.
Who has been that kind of mentor in your life? Who has impacted you in some significant ways, in the past and in the present?
Next week: Does good advice always need to be obeyed?
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Acts - Week 10 / Thursday
Reading for today: Acts 20:13-24
Luke and the rest of Paul's company did not stay until daylight. They went on ahead to the ship and set sail for Assos, where they would meet up with Paul, who was walking to Assos, which was a shorter distance.
Luke does not tell us why Paul did this. A little later Paul told the Ephesian elders that in every city the Holy Spirit warned him that chains and persecution awaited him in Jerusalem. Perhaps Paul needed this time alone to settle it with God about going to Jerusalem.
They all sailed past Ephesus, because Paul did not want to spend too much time there. He wans in a hurry to get to Jerusalem by the Day of Pentecost, if possible. Paul did not bypass Ephesus because of any lack of concern for the church there. In fact, he called for the elders of the church in Ephesus to come to Miletus.
This was a very serious occasion for him because he believed it would be the last time he would ever see them. He began by reminding them how all the time he was with them he served the Lord with all humility, with tears, and with testings brought on by the plots of the unbelieving Jews.
At the same time, he did not let danger cause him to shrink from telling them anything that was beneficial, teaching them publicly and in their homes. Paul told the elders that he was going to Jerusalem, not of his own will, but compelled by the Spirit to go. He didnn't know exactly what would happen to him there, but he had been watned repeatedly by the Holy Spirit that chains and persecution awaited him.
The witness of the Holy Spirit was not intended to stop Paul from going. The Holy Spirit had compelled him to go, and he was willing to go. He fully intended to finish the task that God had given to him to accomplish. To Paul, that was more important than his own like, so why shouldn't he go?
I wonder how eager I would have been to continue on to Jerusalem if I knew for certain that persecution and pain and chains awaited me?
Tomorrow: Paul says "farewell" to his friends
Luke and the rest of Paul's company did not stay until daylight. They went on ahead to the ship and set sail for Assos, where they would meet up with Paul, who was walking to Assos, which was a shorter distance.
Luke does not tell us why Paul did this. A little later Paul told the Ephesian elders that in every city the Holy Spirit warned him that chains and persecution awaited him in Jerusalem. Perhaps Paul needed this time alone to settle it with God about going to Jerusalem.
They all sailed past Ephesus, because Paul did not want to spend too much time there. He wans in a hurry to get to Jerusalem by the Day of Pentecost, if possible. Paul did not bypass Ephesus because of any lack of concern for the church there. In fact, he called for the elders of the church in Ephesus to come to Miletus.
This was a very serious occasion for him because he believed it would be the last time he would ever see them. He began by reminding them how all the time he was with them he served the Lord with all humility, with tears, and with testings brought on by the plots of the unbelieving Jews.
At the same time, he did not let danger cause him to shrink from telling them anything that was beneficial, teaching them publicly and in their homes. Paul told the elders that he was going to Jerusalem, not of his own will, but compelled by the Spirit to go. He didnn't know exactly what would happen to him there, but he had been watned repeatedly by the Holy Spirit that chains and persecution awaited him.
The witness of the Holy Spirit was not intended to stop Paul from going. The Holy Spirit had compelled him to go, and he was willing to go. He fully intended to finish the task that God had given to him to accomplish. To Paul, that was more important than his own like, so why shouldn't he go?
I wonder how eager I would have been to continue on to Jerusalem if I knew for certain that persecution and pain and chains awaited me?
Tomorrow: Paul says "farewell" to his friends
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Acts - Week 10 / Wednesday
Reading for today: Acts 20:1-12
As Paul makes his way back to Jerusalem on this third missionary journey, he is accompanied by a number of men. Many scholars believe these men were on the journey with Paul to represent the churches who had given money as an offering for the poor among the Jerusalem Christians. They had the responsibility to see what was done with the money and report back to their home churches. It is obvious that the Early Church was very careful to keep good financial accounts and just as careful to make them known to the members of the congregation. That is just good stewardship, and ought to be the norm for all churches today, regardless of size.
When Paul arrived in Troas, he took the opportunity to preach. Since he was going to leave the next day, he prolonged his discourse until midnight. A young man named Eutychus was sitting on the window sill listening. He fell asleep, and because everyone was focusing on Paul, no one noticed. As Paul kept on preaching, the young man fell from the third story and was found dead. Remember that Luke is with them on this journey, and as a doctor, he would know these things.
Immediately, Paul went down, fell on him, and put his arms around him. We can be sure he prayed as he did so. This was similar to the experiences of Elijah and Elisha in 1 Kings 17:21 and 2 Kings 4:34.
Paul said to the concerned crowd, "Don't panic, he's alive!" After that, Paul went back up and ate and talked with the believers until daylight. Then he left. The boy was also brought before them alive, and fully recovered, and they were very greatly encouraged.
As a preacher, I take heart in knowing that even the Apostle Paul put people to sleep with his preaching!
Tomorrow: Paul says "good-bye" to the Ephesian elders
As Paul makes his way back to Jerusalem on this third missionary journey, he is accompanied by a number of men. Many scholars believe these men were on the journey with Paul to represent the churches who had given money as an offering for the poor among the Jerusalem Christians. They had the responsibility to see what was done with the money and report back to their home churches. It is obvious that the Early Church was very careful to keep good financial accounts and just as careful to make them known to the members of the congregation. That is just good stewardship, and ought to be the norm for all churches today, regardless of size.
When Paul arrived in Troas, he took the opportunity to preach. Since he was going to leave the next day, he prolonged his discourse until midnight. A young man named Eutychus was sitting on the window sill listening. He fell asleep, and because everyone was focusing on Paul, no one noticed. As Paul kept on preaching, the young man fell from the third story and was found dead. Remember that Luke is with them on this journey, and as a doctor, he would know these things.
Immediately, Paul went down, fell on him, and put his arms around him. We can be sure he prayed as he did so. This was similar to the experiences of Elijah and Elisha in 1 Kings 17:21 and 2 Kings 4:34.
Paul said to the concerned crowd, "Don't panic, he's alive!" After that, Paul went back up and ate and talked with the believers until daylight. Then he left. The boy was also brought before them alive, and fully recovered, and they were very greatly encouraged.
As a preacher, I take heart in knowing that even the Apostle Paul put people to sleep with his preaching!
Tomorrow: Paul says "good-bye" to the Ephesian elders
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Acts - Week 10 / Tuesday
Reading for today: Acts 19:21-41
"I must visit Rome also." A divine necessity was laid upon him. Later on in Acts we find that this was indeed pleasing to the Lord for Paul to go to Rome. However, Paul did not yet know how he was going to get to Rome. But from this point to the end of the Book of Acts, Rome is the objective in view. He didn't go to Rome directly because he felt a responsibility to visit the churches in Macedonia and Greece again. Paul had a great passion to care for the churches that he had helped plant.
One of the churches he spent time discipling was in Ephesus. But it was there that his work and ministry caused a near riot. Because the gospel was making inroads into the lives of the people of Ephesus, they were giving up their idol worship. This was not good news for the makers of these idols, which represented Artemis, the fertility goddess of Ephesus.
When the idol makers realized that their livlihood was in jeopardy because of Paul's message, as well as the band of preachers and teachers who travelled with Paul, they started raising a ruckus, and stirred up a great deal of anger against Paul and his companions.
At this point, the Jews put forward Alexander out of the crowd with the intention of instucting them. They wanted him to explain that the Jews were not responsible for what the Christians were doing. But when the crowd recognized he was a Jew, they drowned him out with their cries---for two long hours!
Finally the town clerk, who was a citizen of Ephesus that served as their official contact or liaison with the Roman government officials in Ephesus, quieted the crowd. He pointed out that the men they had brought into the amphitheater were neither temple robbers nor goddess blasphemers.
It is important to note here that Paul had been nearly 3 years in Ephesus, but there was no evidence that either he or the other Christians ever said anything against the temple or Artemis. They simply kept preaching the good news of Jesus Christ in a positive way, and the sale of the images and shrines automatically fell off.
As a Christian, do the people around you know more what you are against or what you are for? Is our message a positive or negative message? These verses give us a good picture of what can happen when we stick to the message of Jesus. That message is more powerful and life-changing than we can possibly imagine!
Tomorrow: The sermon that killed a guy!
"I must visit Rome also." A divine necessity was laid upon him. Later on in Acts we find that this was indeed pleasing to the Lord for Paul to go to Rome. However, Paul did not yet know how he was going to get to Rome. But from this point to the end of the Book of Acts, Rome is the objective in view. He didn't go to Rome directly because he felt a responsibility to visit the churches in Macedonia and Greece again. Paul had a great passion to care for the churches that he had helped plant.
One of the churches he spent time discipling was in Ephesus. But it was there that his work and ministry caused a near riot. Because the gospel was making inroads into the lives of the people of Ephesus, they were giving up their idol worship. This was not good news for the makers of these idols, which represented Artemis, the fertility goddess of Ephesus.
When the idol makers realized that their livlihood was in jeopardy because of Paul's message, as well as the band of preachers and teachers who travelled with Paul, they started raising a ruckus, and stirred up a great deal of anger against Paul and his companions.
At this point, the Jews put forward Alexander out of the crowd with the intention of instucting them. They wanted him to explain that the Jews were not responsible for what the Christians were doing. But when the crowd recognized he was a Jew, they drowned him out with their cries---for two long hours!
Finally the town clerk, who was a citizen of Ephesus that served as their official contact or liaison with the Roman government officials in Ephesus, quieted the crowd. He pointed out that the men they had brought into the amphitheater were neither temple robbers nor goddess blasphemers.
It is important to note here that Paul had been nearly 3 years in Ephesus, but there was no evidence that either he or the other Christians ever said anything against the temple or Artemis. They simply kept preaching the good news of Jesus Christ in a positive way, and the sale of the images and shrines automatically fell off.
As a Christian, do the people around you know more what you are against or what you are for? Is our message a positive or negative message? These verses give us a good picture of what can happen when we stick to the message of Jesus. That message is more powerful and life-changing than we can possibly imagine!
Tomorrow: The sermon that killed a guy!
Monday, August 4, 2008
Acts - Week 10 / Monday
Reading for today: Acts 19:1-20
These are the Scriptures that we covered in this past weekend's message, so I will just comment briefly. When Paul discovered that these 12 disciples in Ephesus had not been taught about the Holy Spirit at the time of their conversion, he laid his hands on them and prayed, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in tongues and prophesy.
The laying on of hands in this situation did not cause them to receive the Spirit, but it encouraged their faith, just as it still does today. Remember, the baptism in the Holy Spirit is a gift that the Father loves to give to His children. There is no special way or place that is necessary for you to receive this gift. Just surrender yourself to the work of the Holy Spirit in your life.
As always, Paul went to the synagogue, starting with the Jews first when he arrived in Ephesus. For 3 months he argued persuasively with the Jews, but as usual, some of the unconverted Jews became hardened and obstinate. So, Paul withdrew from them, found the lecture hall of Tyrannus, and met daily there for the next two years, preaching and teaching the gospel.
Acts 20:34 tells us that Paul continued his usual practice of working at his tentmaking trade to support himself and his party. Ancient manuscripts tell us that he worked from dawn until about 11 a.m. at tentmaking. Then he would teach from about 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. In the evenings Paul would go to various homes to teach and establish the believers and to help win their friends and neighbors to the Lord.
The result was that the whole of the Roman province of Asia was evangelized. Since Ephesus was a great center, people were continually coming in and out of the city, and it is possible that many of them heard the Word of God, were converted, taught by Paul, and then went back to their own cities where they became powerful witnesses for Christ, and churches grew up around them.
Is it possible that this same kind of thing could happen in the central part of Wisconsin? I think the key word is "faithfulness." If we are a faithful people in sharing the "good news" of the gospel, God's Word will not return void. It will impact lives and hearts.
Tomorrow: Paul causes a riot!
These are the Scriptures that we covered in this past weekend's message, so I will just comment briefly. When Paul discovered that these 12 disciples in Ephesus had not been taught about the Holy Spirit at the time of their conversion, he laid his hands on them and prayed, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in tongues and prophesy.
The laying on of hands in this situation did not cause them to receive the Spirit, but it encouraged their faith, just as it still does today. Remember, the baptism in the Holy Spirit is a gift that the Father loves to give to His children. There is no special way or place that is necessary for you to receive this gift. Just surrender yourself to the work of the Holy Spirit in your life.
As always, Paul went to the synagogue, starting with the Jews first when he arrived in Ephesus. For 3 months he argued persuasively with the Jews, but as usual, some of the unconverted Jews became hardened and obstinate. So, Paul withdrew from them, found the lecture hall of Tyrannus, and met daily there for the next two years, preaching and teaching the gospel.
Acts 20:34 tells us that Paul continued his usual practice of working at his tentmaking trade to support himself and his party. Ancient manuscripts tell us that he worked from dawn until about 11 a.m. at tentmaking. Then he would teach from about 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. In the evenings Paul would go to various homes to teach and establish the believers and to help win their friends and neighbors to the Lord.
The result was that the whole of the Roman province of Asia was evangelized. Since Ephesus was a great center, people were continually coming in and out of the city, and it is possible that many of them heard the Word of God, were converted, taught by Paul, and then went back to their own cities where they became powerful witnesses for Christ, and churches grew up around them.
Is it possible that this same kind of thing could happen in the central part of Wisconsin? I think the key word is "faithfulness." If we are a faithful people in sharing the "good news" of the gospel, God's Word will not return void. It will impact lives and hearts.
Tomorrow: Paul causes a riot!
Friday, August 1, 2008
Acts - Week 9 / Friday
Reading for today: Acts 18:18-28
At Cenchraea, Paul had his hair cut, because of a vow he had taken. This is not explained, but it was probably a modified Nazarite vow, a vow that expressed total dedication to God and to His will. The hair was always cut at the conclusion of the period of the vow, as Numbers 6 tells us.
After landing at Caesarea, he went up to Jerusalem and paid his respects to the church there, since he wanted to maintain a good relationship with them. From Jerusalem he went to Antioch of Syria, and thus ended the second missionary journey.
After he had spent some time in Antioch, he took off on a third missionary journey, visiting the churches he had helped establish on his first and second journeys. Paul never started churches and then left them to fend for themselves. He was always revisiting and writing the young churches, giving them further teaching and strengthening the young disciples.
Meanwhile, a new guy shows up in Ephesus, a Jew named Apollos. He was an eloquent man, well-educated, a real scholar, and powerful in his use of the Scriptures. He had all the facts straight about Jesus' life and ministry, as well as about His death and resurrection. But he was not up to speed on what happened following Jesus' ascension. He knew nothing about the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost. He was passionate about what he knew, He just didn't know everything he needed to know.
Priscilla and Aquila were present and heard him speak. They did not say anything to him in the synagogue, but took him aside to give him further instruction. In all likelihood, they took him home with them. There they explained God's way to him more precisely, and brought him up to speed.
That Apollos responded to this instruction is shown by the letters of recommendation the Christian brothers in Ephesus write for him when he wanted to go over to Greece. It is interesting to note, also, that the best Greek scholars, dating as far back as Chrysostom, agree that it was Priscilla who took the lead in giving this instruction to Apollos. She was obviously a very gracious and Godly woman.
Next week: Some strange things happen in Ephesus!
At Cenchraea, Paul had his hair cut, because of a vow he had taken. This is not explained, but it was probably a modified Nazarite vow, a vow that expressed total dedication to God and to His will. The hair was always cut at the conclusion of the period of the vow, as Numbers 6 tells us.
After landing at Caesarea, he went up to Jerusalem and paid his respects to the church there, since he wanted to maintain a good relationship with them. From Jerusalem he went to Antioch of Syria, and thus ended the second missionary journey.
After he had spent some time in Antioch, he took off on a third missionary journey, visiting the churches he had helped establish on his first and second journeys. Paul never started churches and then left them to fend for themselves. He was always revisiting and writing the young churches, giving them further teaching and strengthening the young disciples.
Meanwhile, a new guy shows up in Ephesus, a Jew named Apollos. He was an eloquent man, well-educated, a real scholar, and powerful in his use of the Scriptures. He had all the facts straight about Jesus' life and ministry, as well as about His death and resurrection. But he was not up to speed on what happened following Jesus' ascension. He knew nothing about the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost. He was passionate about what he knew, He just didn't know everything he needed to know.
Priscilla and Aquila were present and heard him speak. They did not say anything to him in the synagogue, but took him aside to give him further instruction. In all likelihood, they took him home with them. There they explained God's way to him more precisely, and brought him up to speed.
That Apollos responded to this instruction is shown by the letters of recommendation the Christian brothers in Ephesus write for him when he wanted to go over to Greece. It is interesting to note, also, that the best Greek scholars, dating as far back as Chrysostom, agree that it was Priscilla who took the lead in giving this instruction to Apollos. She was obviously a very gracious and Godly woman.
Next week: Some strange things happen in Ephesus!
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