We are currently following Paul’s second missionary journey. There is a link in the “sites” section that will allow you to interactively track his journey.
Acts 18
12 But when Gallio became governor of Achaia, some Jews rose up together against Paul and brought him before the governor for judgment. 13 They accused Paul of “persuading people to worship God in ways that are contrary to our law.” 14 But just as Paul started to make his defense, Gallio turned to Paul’s accusers and said, “Listen, you Jews, if this were a case involving some wrongdoing or a serious crime, I would have a reason to accept your case. 15 But since it is merely a question of words and names and your Jewish law, take care of it yourselves. I refuse to judge such matters.” 16 And he threw them out of the courtroom. 17 The crowd then grabbed Sosthenes, the leader of the synagogue, and beat him right there in the courtroom. But Gallio paid no attention.
Words. Words have great potential ... potential to unite and free and heal ... potential to divide and enrage and destroy. In this part of the story, the words Paul spoke had done both. They brought hope to some and stirred up anger in others. Your position (as a parent, spouse, employer, employee, friend) can also add weight to the power of your words. Interestingly, the words in Gallio’s ruling would carry tremendous weight in this spiritual revolution. As governor (or proconsul), his ruling set a precedence in other courts that provided legitimacy to this new movement of following Jesus. His words would provide at least a decade of time to openly and freely spread the gospel of Jesus within the Roman Empire. Have you weighed your words lately? Do your words provide healing and unity or division and destruction?
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Don’t
We are currently following Paul’s second missionary journey. There is a link in the “sites” section that will allow you to interactively track his journey.
Acts 18
5 And after Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul spent all his time preaching the word. He testified to the Jews that Jesus was the Messiah. 6 But when they opposed and insulted him, Paul shook the dust from his clothes and said, “Your blood is upon your own heads - I am innocent. From now on I will go preach to the Gentiles.” 7 Then he left and went to the home of Titius Justus, a Gentile who worshiped God and lived next door to the synagogue. 8 Crispus, the leader of the synagogue, and everyone in his household believed in the Lord. Many others in Corinth also heard Paul, became believers, and were baptized. 9 One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision and told him, “Don’t be afraid! Speak out! Don’t be silent! 10 For I am with you, and no one will attack and harm you, for many people in this city belong to me.” 11 So Paul stayed there for the next year and a half, teaching the word of God.
Don’t. Unfortunately, many people feel like a relationship with God is filled with and focused on the contraction “don’t”. Don’t do this. Don’t say that. Don’t go there. Don’t have fun. They think God wants to contract their lifestyle ... literally and figuratively. Through Jesus, I believe God redefined the concept of “don’t” (and more importantly, our understanding of Himself). Don’t you know that I love you (check out John 3:16)? Don’t you know that I would give anything to be a part of your life (check out John 3:16)? Don’t you know that I want more for you (check out John 3:16)? Now, in this part of the story, God is adding another layer ... Don’t give up. I don’t know about you; but I am beginning to like that word. Don’t you want to share that with someone?
Acts 18
5 And after Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul spent all his time preaching the word. He testified to the Jews that Jesus was the Messiah. 6 But when they opposed and insulted him, Paul shook the dust from his clothes and said, “Your blood is upon your own heads - I am innocent. From now on I will go preach to the Gentiles.” 7 Then he left and went to the home of Titius Justus, a Gentile who worshiped God and lived next door to the synagogue. 8 Crispus, the leader of the synagogue, and everyone in his household believed in the Lord. Many others in Corinth also heard Paul, became believers, and were baptized. 9 One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision and told him, “Don’t be afraid! Speak out! Don’t be silent! 10 For I am with you, and no one will attack and harm you, for many people in this city belong to me.” 11 So Paul stayed there for the next year and a half, teaching the word of God.
Don’t. Unfortunately, many people feel like a relationship with God is filled with and focused on the contraction “don’t”. Don’t do this. Don’t say that. Don’t go there. Don’t have fun. They think God wants to contract their lifestyle ... literally and figuratively. Through Jesus, I believe God redefined the concept of “don’t” (and more importantly, our understanding of Himself). Don’t you know that I love you (check out John 3:16)? Don’t you know that I would give anything to be a part of your life (check out John 3:16)? Don’t you know that I want more for you (check out John 3:16)? Now, in this part of the story, God is adding another layer ... Don’t give up. I don’t know about you; but I am beginning to like that word. Don’t you want to share that with someone?
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Acquainted
We are currently following Paul’s second missionary journey. There is a link in the “sites” section that will allow you to interactively track his journey.
Acts 18
1 Then Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. 2 There he became acquainted with a Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, who had recently arrived from Italy with his wife, Priscilla. They had left Italy when Claudius Caesar deported all Jews from Rome. 3 Paul lived and worked with them, for they were tentmakers just as he was. 4 Each Sabbath found Paul at the synagogue, trying to convince the Jews and Greeks alike. 5 And after Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul spent all his time preaching the word. He testified to the Jews that Jesus was the Messiah.
Acquainted. Yesterday, we focused on the role we play in helping to introduce others to Jesus. Today, I was struck by the need for acquaintances in accomplishing that task. We are introduced to a couple that will be acquainted with the rest of Paul’s ministry (check out Romans 16:3, 1 Corinthians 16:19, 2 Timothy 4:19). The journey we are on was never meant to be walked alone. The role we play in introducing others to Jesus was never meant to be accomplished alone. Take a minute to thank God for the acquaintances he has weaved in to your story. Ask God if there is anyone in your current circle of influence that you need to become more acquainted with.
Acts 18
1 Then Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. 2 There he became acquainted with a Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, who had recently arrived from Italy with his wife, Priscilla. They had left Italy when Claudius Caesar deported all Jews from Rome. 3 Paul lived and worked with them, for they were tentmakers just as he was. 4 Each Sabbath found Paul at the synagogue, trying to convince the Jews and Greeks alike. 5 And after Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul spent all his time preaching the word. He testified to the Jews that Jesus was the Messiah.
Acquainted. Yesterday, we focused on the role we play in helping to introduce others to Jesus. Today, I was struck by the need for acquaintances in accomplishing that task. We are introduced to a couple that will be acquainted with the rest of Paul’s ministry (check out Romans 16:3, 1 Corinthians 16:19, 2 Timothy 4:19). The journey we are on was never meant to be walked alone. The role we play in introducing others to Jesus was never meant to be accomplished alone. Take a minute to thank God for the acquaintances he has weaved in to your story. Ask God if there is anyone in your current circle of influence that you need to become more acquainted with.
Monday, July 28, 2008
Notice
We are currently following Paul’s second missionary journey. There is a link in the “sites” section that will allow you to interactively track his journey.
Acts 17
16 While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was deeply troubled by all the idols he saw everywhere in the city. 17 He went to the synagogue to reason with the Jews and the God-fearing Gentiles, and he spoke daily in the public square to all who happened to be there. 18 He also had a debate with some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers. When he told them about Jesus and his resurrection, they said, “What’s this babbler trying to say with these strange ideas he’s picked up?” Others said, “He seems to be preaching about some foreign gods.” 19 Then they took him to the high council of the city. “Come and tell us about this new teaching,” they said. 20 “You are saying some rather strange things, and we want to know what it’s all about.” 21 (It should be explained that all the Athenians as well as the foreigners in Athens seemed to spend all their time discussing the latest ideas.) 22 So Paul, standing before the council, addressed them as follows: “Men of Athens, I notice that you are very religious in every way, 23 for as I was walking along I saw your many shrines. And one of your altars had this inscription on it: ‘To an Unknown God.’ This God, whom you worship without knowing, is the one I’m telling you about. 24 “He is the God who made the world and everything in it. Since he is Lord of heaven and earth, he doesn’t live in man-made temples, 25 and human hands can’t serve his needs - for he has no needs. He himself gives life and breath to everything, and he satisfies every need. 26 From one man he created all the nations throughout the whole earth. He decided beforehand when they should rise and fall, and he determined their boundaries. 27 “His purpose was for the nations to seek after God and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him - though he is not far from any one of us. 28 For in him we live and move and exist. As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’ 29 And since this is true, we shouldn’t think of God as an idol designed by craftsmen from gold or silver or stone. 30 “God overlooked people’s ignorance about these things in earlier times, but now he commands everyone everywhere to repent of their sins and turn to him. 31 For he has set a day for judging the world with justice by the man he has appointed, and he proved to everyone who this is by raising him from the dead.” 32 When they heard Paul speak about the resurrection of the dead, some laughed in contempt, but others said, “We want to hear more about this later.” 33 That ended Paul’s discussion with them, 34 but some joined him and became believers. Among them were Dionysius, a member of the council, a woman named Damaris, and others with them.
Notice. One of our primary roles as followers of Jesus is to introduce others to this relationship and this journey we are traveling (check out Mark 1:16-18 and Matthew 28:19-20). Paul is a great example of what it looks like to live out this role. In listening to his conversations, I have noticed something very important. It stems from the fact that everyone (due to past/current experiences and/or past/current relationships and/or past/current financial situations) is at a different place in their journey with God. Paul noticed this; as a result, he approached people differently. He took the time to notice where people were spiritually. Then, Paul would begin with where they were located on the journey and lead them back to the story of God. As followers of Jesus, this requires us to be more intentional about noticing God and noticing others. I know ... I noticed it too ... that sounds very similar to what Jesus said about loving God and loving others (check out Mark 12:29-31).
Acts 17
16 While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was deeply troubled by all the idols he saw everywhere in the city. 17 He went to the synagogue to reason with the Jews and the God-fearing Gentiles, and he spoke daily in the public square to all who happened to be there. 18 He also had a debate with some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers. When he told them about Jesus and his resurrection, they said, “What’s this babbler trying to say with these strange ideas he’s picked up?” Others said, “He seems to be preaching about some foreign gods.” 19 Then they took him to the high council of the city. “Come and tell us about this new teaching,” they said. 20 “You are saying some rather strange things, and we want to know what it’s all about.” 21 (It should be explained that all the Athenians as well as the foreigners in Athens seemed to spend all their time discussing the latest ideas.) 22 So Paul, standing before the council, addressed them as follows: “Men of Athens, I notice that you are very religious in every way, 23 for as I was walking along I saw your many shrines. And one of your altars had this inscription on it: ‘To an Unknown God.’ This God, whom you worship without knowing, is the one I’m telling you about. 24 “He is the God who made the world and everything in it. Since he is Lord of heaven and earth, he doesn’t live in man-made temples, 25 and human hands can’t serve his needs - for he has no needs. He himself gives life and breath to everything, and he satisfies every need. 26 From one man he created all the nations throughout the whole earth. He decided beforehand when they should rise and fall, and he determined their boundaries. 27 “His purpose was for the nations to seek after God and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him - though he is not far from any one of us. 28 For in him we live and move and exist. As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’ 29 And since this is true, we shouldn’t think of God as an idol designed by craftsmen from gold or silver or stone. 30 “God overlooked people’s ignorance about these things in earlier times, but now he commands everyone everywhere to repent of their sins and turn to him. 31 For he has set a day for judging the world with justice by the man he has appointed, and he proved to everyone who this is by raising him from the dead.” 32 When they heard Paul speak about the resurrection of the dead, some laughed in contempt, but others said, “We want to hear more about this later.” 33 That ended Paul’s discussion with them, 34 but some joined him and became believers. Among them were Dionysius, a member of the council, a woman named Damaris, and others with them.
Notice. One of our primary roles as followers of Jesus is to introduce others to this relationship and this journey we are traveling (check out Mark 1:16-18 and Matthew 28:19-20). Paul is a great example of what it looks like to live out this role. In listening to his conversations, I have noticed something very important. It stems from the fact that everyone (due to past/current experiences and/or past/current relationships and/or past/current financial situations) is at a different place in their journey with God. Paul noticed this; as a result, he approached people differently. He took the time to notice where people were spiritually. Then, Paul would begin with where they were located on the journey and lead them back to the story of God. As followers of Jesus, this requires us to be more intentional about noticing God and noticing others. I know ... I noticed it too ... that sounds very similar to what Jesus said about loving God and loving others (check out Mark 12:29-31).
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)