After being falsely attacked, arrested and almost beaten ... Paul will now stand before the Jewish high council.
Acts 22
30 The next day the commander ordered the leading priests into session with the Jewish high council. He wanted to find out what the trouble was all about, so he released Paul to have him stand before them.
Acts 23
1 Gazing intently at the high council, Paul began: “Brothers, I have always lived before God with a clear conscience!” 2 Instantly Ananias the high priest commanded those close to Paul to slap him on the mouth. 3 But Paul said to him, “God will slap you, you corrupt hypocrite! What kind of judge are you to break the law yourself by ordering me struck like that?” 4 Those standing near Paul said to him, “Do you dare to insult God’s high priest?” 5 “I’m sorry, brothers. I didn’t realize he was the high priest,” Paul replied, “for the Scriptures say, ‘You must not speak evil of any of your rulers.’” 6 Paul realized that some members of the high council were Sadducees and some were Pharisees, so he shouted, “Brothers, I am a Pharisee, as were my ancestors! And I am on trial because my hope is in the resurrection of the dead!” 7 This divided the council - the Pharisees against the Sadducees - 8 for the Sadducees say there is no resurrection or angels or spirits, but the Pharisees believe in all of these. 9 So there was a great uproar. Some of the teachers of religious law who were Pharisees jumped up and began to argue forcefully. “We see nothing wrong with him,” they shouted. “Perhaps a spirit or an angel spoke to him.” 10 As the conflict grew more violent, the commander was afraid they would tear Paul apart. So he ordered his soldiers to go and rescue him by force and take him back to the fortress. 11 That night the Lord appeared to Paul and said, “Be encouraged, Paul. Just as you have been a witness to me here in Jerusalem, you must preach the Good News in Rome as well.”
Resurrection. It is amazing how one idea can cause so much division ... bringing hope to some and anger to others. And yet, this one concept ... resurrection of the dead ... is really the hinge for everything. Without a resurrection, Jesus is still in a tomb. Without a resurrection, the 70 or so years I get here on earth is it. Without a resurrection, I really have no reason to treat you fairly, keep my commitment to my wife or be responsible for my kids. Seriously, without a resurrection, what else do I have to live for; but me. Thankfully, I have hope that there is a resurrection. Sadly, there are Jesus followers that live like there isn’t a resurrection. I’m trying to live like there is a resurrection. You?
Friday, September 5, 2008
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Citizen
Yesterday, we listened in as Paul tried to defend himself against a crowd that had unjustly attacked him; but his speech was rejected.
Acts 22
24 The commander brought Paul inside and ordered him lashed with whips to make him confess his crime. He wanted to find out why the crowd had become so furious. 25 When they tied Paul down to lash him, Paul said to the officer standing there, “Is it legal for you to whip a Roman citizen who hasn’t even been tried?” 26 When the officer heard this, he went to the commander and asked, “What are you doing? This man is a Roman citizen!” 27 So the commander went over and asked Paul, “Tell me, are you a Roman citizen?” “Yes, I certainly am,” Paul replied. 28 “I am, too,” the commander muttered, “and it cost me plenty!” Paul answered, “But I am a citizen by birth!” 29 The soldiers who were about to interrogate Paul quickly withdrew when they heard he was a Roman citizen, and the commander was frightened because he had ordered him bound and whipped.
Citizen. For Paul (and me), citizenship was something that was inherited. For the Roman commander, citizenship was something that was earned. For both Paul and the commander (and me), citizenship was something that was valued … and came with some pretty sweet rights. As a Jesus follower, Paul enjoyed the rights of Roman citizenship; but never lost sight of the fact that his real citizenship … his more important citizenship … was in heaven (check out Philippians 3:12-21). A citizenship that is neither inherited nor earned; but given freely (check out Romans 6:23). A citizenship that isn’t focused on rights; but responsibilities. Responsibilities like worshipping (check out Matthew 22:34-37), serving (check out Mark 10:35-45), caring (check out Matthew 25:31-46), managing (check out Matthew 25:14-28), reaching (check out Matthew 28:18-20) and growing (check out Luke 8:4-15). As a Jesus follower, I enjoy the rights of American citizenship (especially during this election season); but pray I never lose sight of my real citizenship … and the responsibilities that go with it (especially during this election season).
Acts 22
24 The commander brought Paul inside and ordered him lashed with whips to make him confess his crime. He wanted to find out why the crowd had become so furious. 25 When they tied Paul down to lash him, Paul said to the officer standing there, “Is it legal for you to whip a Roman citizen who hasn’t even been tried?” 26 When the officer heard this, he went to the commander and asked, “What are you doing? This man is a Roman citizen!” 27 So the commander went over and asked Paul, “Tell me, are you a Roman citizen?” “Yes, I certainly am,” Paul replied. 28 “I am, too,” the commander muttered, “and it cost me plenty!” Paul answered, “But I am a citizen by birth!” 29 The soldiers who were about to interrogate Paul quickly withdrew when they heard he was a Roman citizen, and the commander was frightened because he had ordered him bound and whipped.
Citizen. For Paul (and me), citizenship was something that was inherited. For the Roman commander, citizenship was something that was earned. For both Paul and the commander (and me), citizenship was something that was valued … and came with some pretty sweet rights. As a Jesus follower, Paul enjoyed the rights of Roman citizenship; but never lost sight of the fact that his real citizenship … his more important citizenship … was in heaven (check out Philippians 3:12-21). A citizenship that is neither inherited nor earned; but given freely (check out Romans 6:23). A citizenship that isn’t focused on rights; but responsibilities. Responsibilities like worshipping (check out Matthew 22:34-37), serving (check out Mark 10:35-45), caring (check out Matthew 25:31-46), managing (check out Matthew 25:14-28), reaching (check out Matthew 28:18-20) and growing (check out Luke 8:4-15). As a Jesus follower, I enjoy the rights of American citizenship (especially during this election season); but pray I never lose sight of my real citizenship … and the responsibilities that go with it (especially during this election season).
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Waiting
Last week, we read that while Paul was in Jerusalem, he was falsely accused, physically attacked and then arrested. Now, he has asked to speak to the crowd that attacked him. Today, we will listen in on the last part of that speech.
Acts 22
14 “Then he (Ananias) told me, ‘The God of our ancestors has chosen you to know his will and to see the Righteous One and hear him speak. 15 For you are to be his witness, telling everyone what you have seen and heard. 16 What are you waiting for? Get up and be baptized. Have your sins washed away by calling on the name of the Lord.’ 17 “After I returned to Jerusalem, I was praying in the Temple and fell into a trance. 18 I saw a vision of Jesus saying to me, ‘Hurry! Leave Jerusalem, for the people here won’t accept your testimony about me.’ 19 “‘But Lord,’ I argued, ‘they certainly know that in every synagogue I imprisoned and beat those who believed in you. 20 And I was in complete agreement when your witness Stephen was killed. I stood by and kept the coats they took off when they stoned him.’ 21 “But the Lord said to me, ‘Go, for I will send you far away to the Gentiles!’” 22 The crowd listened until Paul said that word. Then they all began to shout, “Away with such a fellow! He isn’t fit to live!” 23 They yelled, threw off their coats, and tossed handfuls of dust into the air.
Waiting. The overwhelming theme of this part of the story is, "Stop waiting. Start doing". If you have never accepted God’s free gift of forgiveness, what are you waiting for? If you have never expressed your faith in God by being baptized, what are you waiting for? If you have never intently asked God about your next step in life, what are you waiting for? If you have asked, and you know God has called you to move in a new direction; but you are hesitating, what are you waiting for? If you have never shared with someone else what you have “seen and heard” in this relationship with Jesus, what are you waiting for? If you have, but know there is someone in your life that you have held back sharing with because of hurt or resentment or pride or selfishness, what are you waiting for? Seriously, what are you waiting for?
Acts 22
14 “Then he (Ananias) told me, ‘The God of our ancestors has chosen you to know his will and to see the Righteous One and hear him speak. 15 For you are to be his witness, telling everyone what you have seen and heard. 16 What are you waiting for? Get up and be baptized. Have your sins washed away by calling on the name of the Lord.’ 17 “After I returned to Jerusalem, I was praying in the Temple and fell into a trance. 18 I saw a vision of Jesus saying to me, ‘Hurry! Leave Jerusalem, for the people here won’t accept your testimony about me.’ 19 “‘But Lord,’ I argued, ‘they certainly know that in every synagogue I imprisoned and beat those who believed in you. 20 And I was in complete agreement when your witness Stephen was killed. I stood by and kept the coats they took off when they stoned him.’ 21 “But the Lord said to me, ‘Go, for I will send you far away to the Gentiles!’” 22 The crowd listened until Paul said that word. Then they all began to shout, “Away with such a fellow! He isn’t fit to live!” 23 They yelled, threw off their coats, and tossed handfuls of dust into the air.
Waiting. The overwhelming theme of this part of the story is, "Stop waiting. Start doing". If you have never accepted God’s free gift of forgiveness, what are you waiting for? If you have never expressed your faith in God by being baptized, what are you waiting for? If you have never intently asked God about your next step in life, what are you waiting for? If you have asked, and you know God has called you to move in a new direction; but you are hesitating, what are you waiting for? If you have never shared with someone else what you have “seen and heard” in this relationship with Jesus, what are you waiting for? If you have, but know there is someone in your life that you have held back sharing with because of hurt or resentment or pride or selfishness, what are you waiting for? Seriously, what are you waiting for?
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Zealous
Last week, we read that while Paul was in Jerusalem, he was falsely accused, physically attacked and then arrested. Now, he has asked to speak to the crowd that attacked him. Over the next couple of days, we will listen in on what he said.
Acts 22
3 Then Paul said, “I am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, and I was brought up and educated here in Jerusalem under Gamaliel. As his student, I was carefully trained in our Jewish laws and customs. I became very zealous to honor God in everything I did, just like all of you today. 4 And I persecuted the followers of the Way, hounding some to death, arresting both men and women and throwing them in prison. 5 The high priest and the whole council of elders can testify that this is so. For I received letters from them to our Jewish brothers in Damascus, authorizing me to bring the Christians from there to Jerusalem, in chains, to be punished.“ 6 “As I was on the road, approaching Damascus about noon, a very bright light from heaven suddenly shone down around me. 7 I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?’ “‘Who are you, lord?’ I asked. “And the voice replied, ‘I am Jesus the Nazarene, the one you are persecuting.’ 9 The people with me saw the light but didn’t understand the voice speaking to me. 10 “I asked, ‘What should I do, Lord?’ “And the Lord told me, ‘Get up and go into Damascus, and there you will be told everything you are to do.’ 11 “I was blinded by the intense light and had to be led by the hand to Damascus by my companions. 12 A man named Ananias lived there. He was a godly man, deeply devoted to the law, and well regarded by all the Jews of Damascus. 13 He came and stood beside me and said, ‘Brother Saul, regain your sight.’ And that very moment I could see him!“
Zealous. There is nothing wrong with being zealous (our mission at Eastside is to develop passionate Jesus followers). When properly focused, zeal can create a lot of good. When misdirected, zeal can create a lot of damage. Did you notice the subtle shift in the direction of Paul’s zeal? His zeal for following God shifted to zeal for how you followed God. When our zeal loses sight of following God (in even the slightest way), it has the potential to become divisive and eventually shift to anger (like it did for Paul). We aren’t any different than Paul. If we are not careful, our zeal for following God can shift to zeal for a particular cause or ministry or organization or style of worship or political issue ... and that zeal can shift to anger toward those that disagree. How do we avoid the shift? For Paul, it required personal time with Jesus and someone that could speak truth into his life. Are you spending time alone with Jesus on a regular basis? Is there someone in your life that can help you “course correct” ... someone that can open your eyes to the truth if necessary? If not, you might want to check the direction of your zeal.
Acts 22
3 Then Paul said, “I am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, and I was brought up and educated here in Jerusalem under Gamaliel. As his student, I was carefully trained in our Jewish laws and customs. I became very zealous to honor God in everything I did, just like all of you today. 4 And I persecuted the followers of the Way, hounding some to death, arresting both men and women and throwing them in prison. 5 The high priest and the whole council of elders can testify that this is so. For I received letters from them to our Jewish brothers in Damascus, authorizing me to bring the Christians from there to Jerusalem, in chains, to be punished.“ 6 “As I was on the road, approaching Damascus about noon, a very bright light from heaven suddenly shone down around me. 7 I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?’ “‘Who are you, lord?’ I asked. “And the voice replied, ‘I am Jesus the Nazarene, the one you are persecuting.’ 9 The people with me saw the light but didn’t understand the voice speaking to me. 10 “I asked, ‘What should I do, Lord?’ “And the Lord told me, ‘Get up and go into Damascus, and there you will be told everything you are to do.’ 11 “I was blinded by the intense light and had to be led by the hand to Damascus by my companions. 12 A man named Ananias lived there. He was a godly man, deeply devoted to the law, and well regarded by all the Jews of Damascus. 13 He came and stood beside me and said, ‘Brother Saul, regain your sight.’ And that very moment I could see him!“
Zealous. There is nothing wrong with being zealous (our mission at Eastside is to develop passionate Jesus followers). When properly focused, zeal can create a lot of good. When misdirected, zeal can create a lot of damage. Did you notice the subtle shift in the direction of Paul’s zeal? His zeal for following God shifted to zeal for how you followed God. When our zeal loses sight of following God (in even the slightest way), it has the potential to become divisive and eventually shift to anger (like it did for Paul). We aren’t any different than Paul. If we are not careful, our zeal for following God can shift to zeal for a particular cause or ministry or organization or style of worship or political issue ... and that zeal can shift to anger toward those that disagree. How do we avoid the shift? For Paul, it required personal time with Jesus and someone that could speak truth into his life. Are you spending time alone with Jesus on a regular basis? Is there someone in your life that can help you “course correct” ... someone that can open your eyes to the truth if necessary? If not, you might want to check the direction of your zeal.
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