Discovering God's Will for Your Life - Acts 16

Have you ever been uncertain of God’s will for your life?  I know most of us have had trouble determining which college to go to, what job to take, where to live and what we will do with our lives.  We look at all of our options and wonder what God desires for us.   

Paul, Silas and Timothy were on their way to Asia to share the gospel.  Luke tells us that Paul was forbidden from entering Asia resulting in their first closed door.  They then attempted to enter Bithynia which was located in north of what is now known as Turkey; however, once again that door was closed to them. 

While they were trying to figure out what to do next, Paul then had a vision,

“And a vision appeared to Paul in the night. A man of Macedonia stood and pleaded with him, saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.”

The vision was very important in the life of Paul and very important in the life of Europe.  This was the turning point for Europe which later would become known as the Christian Roman Empire.  If Paul had gone East or North, things may have turned out a lot differently for the Roman Empire which was located to the West.

After the vision gave them an open door to the West, one of the first things to happen was for Lydia to come to Christ.  While this may seem small to us, it was of huge significance to Paul, Silas and Timothy who needed a place to stay.  The door was opened for them to stay with Lydia while they preached the gospel in Philippi.  Since Paul was welcomed by Lydia, we know that the city of Philippi became a vibrant church.  Paul later wrote a letter to the Philippians which is perhaps the most positive and encouraging books in the Bible for believers.  We have Lydia to thank for this church who was used by God to give the apostle Paul a home.

Luke then tells us that Paul had to deal with a demon possessed girl who was following them around saying; these men are the servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to us the way of salvation.”  While this at first may seem like a good thing, Paul saw that the girl was in bondage to a demon and this annoyed him so he set her free from this bondage in the name of Jesus.  After the demon was cast out, she was freed from the spirit that held her in bondage.  Her owners who were angered by their change in fortune had no more use for her and started stir up the city against Paul and his ministry.

The authorities then threw Paul and his fellow workers into jail.  While Paul, Silas and Timothy were worshiping the Lord in song Luke tells us,

Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were loosed.

The point is that when we are uncertain about our direction in life we need to have faith.  We should walk through the door that is open to us knowing that God walks through that door with us.  Paul was stopped from going East or North; however, he went through the door to the West and God blessed his ministry which later resulted in the Christian Roman Empire.  Paul was given a place to stay, freed people from the bondage of sin and saw the power of God at work when he was released from the jail.  God was with Paul as he walked through the open door even though Paul had no idea what was about to take place.  Have faith.

Has the Message of the Church changed over 2000 Years? - Acts 15

The big news for the apostles in Acts 15 was that God was working wonders and miracles in the midst of the Gentiles and that significant numbers were coming to faith.  The leaders in Judea had decided to send Jewish men to the Gentiles to help Paul and Barnabas.

The Jews that came to help were teaching a message that was a little different than the one being taught by Paul and Barnabas.  The traveling Jews were saying in effect that one had to become a Jew in order to enter the Kingdom of God being circumcised and following the law of Moses. 

Paul and Barnabas realized that being a Jew was not the cause of salvation; rather, one was saved as a result of the grace of God through faith.  This resulted in the gift of the Holy Spirit which sealed us until the day of redemption.

The debate became rather heated so they decided to take the issue before the church council in Jerusalem.  When Paul and Barnabas got there, they conveyed their news that the Gentiles were accepting the gospel having received the Holy Spirit.

The disciples and apostles rejoiced that God had manifested himself to the Gentiles.  After discussing whether or not a person had to be circumcised and obey the Law of Moses, Peter stood up and said,

“Men and brethren, you know that a good while ago God chose among us, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe.⁸ So God, who knows the heart, acknowledged them by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He did to us, ⁹ and made no distinction between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith…we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved in the same manner as they.”

Peter recognized that we were saved by grace and not the works of the law.  One did not have to become a Jew; rather, something new had taken place in that the grace of God through the Holy Spirit was at work among his people producing a life of righteousness and worship.

A letter was then written to the churches, in which the apostles, elders and brethren wrote,

Since we have heard that some who went out from us have troubled you with words, unsettling your souls, saying, “You must be circumcised and keep the law” —to whom we gave no such commandment— ²⁵ it seemed good to us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, ²⁶ men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. ²⁷ We have therefore sent Judas and Silas, who will also report the same things by word of mouth.

A person is saved by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone triumph at the council and remains the message of the church to this day.  

Paul gets Stoned for Healing a Cripple – Acts 14

As Paul and Barnabas were preaching the gospel, they came upon a man who lived in Lystra who was a cripple from his mother’s womb.

Luke writes that Paul looked at him intently and then with a loud voice said, “Stand up straight on your feet!”  To the surprise of the crowds, the man got up on his feet.

The people of Lystra were amazed claiming, “The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!”  A new name of Zeus and Hermes was given to Barnabas and Paul to cement the deal.:

Barnabas and Paul observing things play out immediately tore their clothes and began to urge them to stop because they were just simple men like the men of Lystra.

We also are men with the same nature as you, and preach to you that you should turn from these useless things to the living God, who made the heaven, the earth, the sea, and all things that are in them, ¹⁶ who in bygone generations allowed all nations to walk in their own ways. ¹⁷ Nevertheless He did not leave Himself without witness, in that He did good, gave us rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness.” 

The religious Jews observing what was taking place were angry that Paul had persuaded the crowds to follow Jesus.  These religious Jews then took up stones and stoned him.  After they stoned Paul, they dragged him out of the city and left him for dead.  The disciples found Paul and gathered around him and something miraculous happened because Paul was able to leave for Derbe the very next day.

After some time in Derbe, Paul and Barnabas returned to Lystra to encourage all those who had placed their faith in Jesus.  At this point, the people of Lystra knew what it meant to be a disciple of Jesus Christ.  Paul was showing them that a follower of Jesus could take a licking and keep on ticking because the grace of God was at work in his life.

Paul having been the great example of a saint who persevered knew the cost of following Jesus.  However, he also knew the reward as he looked at all those who had placed their faith in Jesus at Lystra.  Paul was looking at his forever family with whom he would love and enjoy for eternity.  As a result, in order for them to enter the Kingdom of God, he had to endure tribulation.  Paul then stated exactly that,

“We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.”

Are you like the Sorcerer? - Acts 13

In Acts 13 there was a Sorcerer who sought to undermine the work of Paul and Barnabas.  The Sorcerer was suffering from the problem that Adam and Eve had created. 

When Adam and Eve were first placed in the garden, they could not see evil. After they sinned against God, the Bible says that their eyes were opened.  The first thing they noticed was their nakedness and were ashamed.  Adam and Eve had never experienced lust before.  Adam and Eve had died spiritually in the garden becoming subject to the ruler of this world who is Satan.  Adam and Eve no longer had eyes of love; rather, they had eyes full of lust.  When mankind was able to see evil, they no longer were able to see what was truly good.

In Acts 13 a Jew, named Bar-Jesus, wanted to hear the gospel and called for Paul and Barnabas.  A sorcerer by the name of Elymas provided council to Bar-Jesus.  The sorcerer sought to turn Bar-Jesus and the rest of his council against Paul.  Elymas was blind to what was truly good.  He loved darkness rather than the light.

Paul recognized that he was dealing with an agent for Satan and said,

 “O full of all deceit and all fraud, you son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease perverting the straight ways of the Lord? ¹¹ And now, indeed, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you shall be blind, not seeing the sun for a time.”

After Paul finished speaking, darkness fell upon Elymas and he could no longer see.  He had to be led around by the hand.  Elymas who loved darkness could only see the darkness of his own mind.

As a result of our spiritual blindness, God has to reveal Himself to us by means of His prophets and His people.

Paul brings this out in Acts 13:33-35 claiming that Jesus is the fulfillment of prophecy.  God had revealed his plan to us in advance so that we can see the glorious gospel.  The promise that God had made to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob was been fulfilled for their children.  Paul then quickly points the prophecy out quoting the Old Testament.

It is also written in the second Psalm:

‘You are My Son,
Today I have begotten You.’

³⁴ And that He raised Him from the dead, no more to return to corruption, He has spoken thus:

‘I will give you the sure mercies of David.’

³⁵ Therefore He also says in another Psalm:

‘You will not allow Your Holy One to see corruption.

When they all returned the next day, the Jews in the city had rejected the message of the gospel being determined to cause problems for Paul and Barnabas.  Paul recognized that prophecy was once again being fulfilled

⁴⁶ Then Paul and Barnabas grew bold and said, “It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken to you first; but since you reject it, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles. ⁴⁷ For so the Lord has commanded us:

‘I have set you as a light to the Gentiles,
That you should be for salvation to the ends of the earth.’”

⁴⁸ Now when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and glorified the word of the Lord. And as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed.

The light being the glorious gospel is now shinning in the world for all to see. We believe in the resurrection of the dead, eternal life, and that Christ sits at the right hand of the throne of God as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. 

His Spirit testifies with our spirit that we are the children of God allowing us to see into the future.  Have your eyes been opened or are you still walking in darkness like the Sorcerer?

Am I Walking in Faith? - Acts 12

When we walk by faith sharing our lives with those around us, we know that God goes with us guiding, protecting and directing the affairs of our lives.

The persecution against the believers was growing in Acts 12 to the point that James the brother of John was taken by Herod and put to death.  Herod’s next target was Peter who he captured and placed in prison.

James and Peter had no fear concerning what the future held for them.  They lived in the moment just being themselves witnessing to everyone about the life of Jesus and his impact on their lives. 

The disciples were merely common men that Jesus had transformed over a short period of three years.  They were no longer invisible people who lived for themselves catching fish; rather, they were filled with the Spirit and citizens of the Kingdom of God who were boldly proclaiming the grace of God which had changed their lives.

The disciples of Jesus are called to put to death the desires of the flesh and to live a life of love in the Spirit.  We are now citizens of the Kingdom of God experiencing the love of God, being filled with the Holy Spirit and sharing our lives with people who are lost, hopeless and blind.

Peter found himself in prison because he was sharing his life and testimony with others.  While in prison, the saints were in prayer for him and the angel of the Lord showed up to release Peter.  Peter not really knowing what was going on followed the angel out of the prison into the streets.  When Peter realized what had taken place, he went to the home of a member of the church and knocked on the door.

Everyone was in prayer when Peter showed up and knocked on the door.  Rhoda went to the door and heard the voice of Peter.  In her excitement, she forgot to open the door and ran to tell the others so they could all witness the miracle of God together.  Rhoda was overflowing with faith.  When the members went to the door, they were astonished to see Peter.

Luke then records that King Herod who had killed James was then struck by the Lord after accepting the praise of men as a ‘god’

Acts 12: “²¹ So on a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat on his throne and gave an oration to them.²² And the people kept shouting, “The voice of a god and not of a man!” ²³ Then immediately an angel of the Lord struck him, because he did not give glory to God. And he was eaten by worms and died.

The point of recording the death of Herod as well as the deliverance by an angel was to increase our faith.  The story about the work of God in the life of Peter and James became an event in their life that they could share with their friends and neighbors.  

Our hope is in Jesus who is the author and finisher of our faith being the one true God.  We share our lives with those around us telling them what God is doing in our lives with great boldness.  Jesus is doing something special in the lives of all of his children which we can share with those around us.

Is God using you to Bless Others? – Acts 11

After Stephen had been martyred for his faith by the religious Jews, the church began to experience persecution in Jerusalem.  The church spread out beyond Jerusalem moving North to Antioch.  As the believers in Christ dispersed, they became a witness to the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ and to the power of God that changes peoples lives.

When a person comes to Christ, they receive the Holy Spirit being baptized into the body of Christ.  Having received the Holy Spirit, the believer in Christ will then experience being filled with the Holy Spirit.  A person filled with the Holy Spirit is given the desire to worship, to love, to do good, and to bless. 

Barnabas was one of those early Christian leaders who were filled with the Holy Spirit becoming a father to many in the early church.

The gospel had traveled to North reaching Antioch.  In Antioch a great number of people placed their faith in Jesus.  The church decided to send Barnabas to Antioch to be their pastor so that he could instruct them in the faith.

Once Barnabas reached Antioch the first thing he did was to encourage them in the faith.  The text then says that he was a “good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith.”  The phrase was the same one used to describe Stephen who had been stoned by the religious Jews. 

Barnabas began to bless those around him by using his gifts to build up the body of Christ so that they were encouraged in the faith.  As the work proceeded, he realized that he needed some help and went to Tarsus to find Paul.  Paul agreed to assist in the work and went to Antioch to serve with Barnabas for a year. 

In Antioch the believers in Christ were first called Christians.  The early Christians made a powerful impression and were recognized as followers of Jesus.  The Christian community in Antioch was important to the early church as a result.  

The love in that early Christian community can clearly be seen.  Paul went on three missionary journeys and all of them included Antioch as one of the stops.  Paul wanted to encourage and be encouraged by the believers in Antioch whom he had gotten to know and grown to love.  

When Agabus prophesied about a coming famine, the believers in Antioch were quick to help their brothers in Christ found in Judea.  The love found in that community was overflowing beyond that community and reaching out to bless their brothers and sisters in Christ who were suffering.

Is your love overflowing to others?  Are you a blessing to others?  Are you consistently talking about the things that God is doing in your life?  A person who knows the love of God being filled with the Holy Spirit will be a blessing to those around them.

Seeing the Potential in those Around You? - Acts 10

Have you started seeing the potential in those around you?  As believers in Christ who know the love of God, we experience the life of God when we are filled with the Holy Spirit.  The joy of heaven fills our life and allows us to really enjoy worshiping the Lord and  loving our families including those of the household of God. 

After the ascension of Jesus to heaven, the apostles began to share the gift of God with the Jews arguing that Jesus was the Christ, the Son of the living God.  As they went out, they were filled with the Holy Spirit boldly proclaiming the gospel to their families and friends.

As people were turning to the gospel, the Jewish believers were then sharing the gospel with their families.  In some cases, the family members were Gentiles who had married into their families.  Upon hearing about the gospel of grace, these individuals were coming to faith and then sharing the good news with their Gentile friends.

Even though Jesus had commanded the disciples to “make disciples of all the nations,” the apostles had continued thinking that only Jews could be filled with the Holy Spirit since the gospel had been given to the Jews to share with world. 

This thinking was about to change in Acts 10 when Cornelius had a vision where Conelius was asked to send for Paul.  Cornelius being a Gentile had received a vision which opened the eyes of Peter to the meaning of his vision.  The fact that they both had received a vision opened Peter’s eyes to the potential of the Gentiles as witnesses to the grace of God.

Acts 10, “³⁴ Then Peter opened his mouth and said: “In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. ³⁵ But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him. ³⁶ The word which God sent to the children of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ—He is Lord of all— ³⁷ that word you know, which was proclaimed throughout all Judea, and began from Galilee after the baptism which John preached: ³⁸ how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him. ³⁹ And we are witnesses of all things which He did both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem, whom they killed by hanging on a tree. ⁴⁰ Him God raised up on the third day, and showed Him openly, ⁴¹ not to all the people, but to witnesses chosen before by God, even to us who ate and drank with Him after He arose from the dead. ⁴² And He commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that it is He who was ordained by God to be Judge of the living and the dead. ⁴³ To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins.”  (NKJV)

After Peter had spoken to the Gentiles, the Holy Spirit fell upon both the Jews and the Gentiles.  Everyone in the room began speaking in their native tongue worshiping the Lord together as one family.  Having seen the power and grace of God being poured out in their life as evidenced by their worship, Peter says, “Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?”

In other words, as believers in Christ we need to see the potential in those around us.  The Kingdom of God can be known by all who receive His Son.  The joy of heaven and the life of God are there for all those who come to him in faith. God wants all men to be saved and come to know the life and joy of heaven that comes from knowing Jesus!