Text: Romans (Chapters 11-12)
OBSERVE: Within these two chapters we read about the following:
INTERPRET: By the end of chapter 11 we understand that all people, both Jew and Gentile, are unified in a common need for salvation. We also come to understand that the answer to this need is the same for us all; Jesus Christ. Paul also explains in chapter 11 how God has been faithful to his promises to Israel. In the next chapter (12); Paul begins his practical instructions for holy living. Here Paul is saying; if you believe this glorious gospel, then this is how believers should live in thankfulness. In the first few verses, we read that real worship is much deeper than merely a church gathering. Paul gets to the fuller dimension of worship when he calls the readers to be living sacrifices, which is their “spiritual worship.” To be a living sacrifice is to live in a way of openness and availability to God’s Will that will clearly show how much we are trusting in the loving sacrifice of Jesus. Paul then touches on some of the ways in which the Holy Spirit gifts us for ministry to each other in the building up of the church. Paul’s primary points in this passage are that what God establishes in life he will equip for growth; and that as his church we have the spiritual tools we need to live in Christ-centered harmony and power. APPLICATION: The Holy Spirit is not simply sitting on a pew in a church building waiting for us to visit. Rather, the Spirit has occupied our bodies; which means we can worship God at all times. In addition, everyone plays a part in the life and ministry of the church. We are all in service to God and only Jesus plays a starring role. We have all been graced with different gifts and we all are essential to the life of the church. Together we are to be one family and are to be unified through humility and love for one another. While doing so, we are to use our diverse gifts to serve one another in building up God’s church. We are to be living sacrifices – this is true and proper worship. REFLECTION: Are you living in a way that reflects thankfulness for the loving sacrifice of Jesus. Are you open and available to God’s Will? Are you using your diverse gifts to serve others and build up the church? PRAYER: Lord Jesus; you are the Savior of every tongue, tribe and nation. Help me to live a life of thankfulness in which I can truly present my body as a living sacrifice; holy and pleasing to you. I ask that you reveal my spiritual gifts and help me to use these diverse gifts to serve one another to build up your church. This is the true and proper worship that I desire. AMEN. SONG: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iMzNmLbo-Dc Observe:
Romans 5 begins with “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,” (5:1). Paul goes on to reason that since we have peace here, it will yield hope in the midst of suffering and all other types of good character traits in us since we have the Holy Spirit living within us. He goes on to say that Christ died for us when we were ungodly; how much more, then, shall we live now that we are at peace with Him? He ties this line of thought in with the sin and death wrought through one man, Adam, and compares it with the infinite life we gain through one man, the New Adam, Jesus Christ. The next chapter argues that those who are saved are under grace instead of the Law, and says that though we experience grace even as sinners, we are not to continue living in sin. We have been “united with Him in a death like His, [and] we shall certainly be united with Him in a resurrection like His. We know that our old self was crucified with Him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin.” Paul continues to argue that we who were once slaves to sin must consider ourselves dead to sin and slaves to righteousness. As we once presented ourselves to be shackled to sin and death, we must now present ourselves to righteousness and be thoroughly captive there. Interpret: Over the years I’ve come across a few studied (though there are many more) of the book of Romans that feature one episode per verse of the book. These episodes are around 45 minutes long and are packed with all the implications of the handful of words written there, and even then, there’s so much more to be said. So how do we interpret these two pivotal and incredible chapters of Romans? Let’s focus on the big picture. We need to begin Romans 5 by looking at the last verses of Romans 4 which say That is why [Abraham’s] faith was “counted to him as righteousness.” But the words “it was counted to him” were not written for his sake alone, but for ours also. It will be counted to us who believe in Him who raised from the dead Jesus our Lord, who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification,” (4:22-25). It is these few verses that draw together chapter 4 and lead us to 5:1 which tells us the wonderful news that we have peace with God through faith in Jesus! That is the entire thesis of this chapter and Paul dives right in with all the implications this statement carries. He explains that we now stand in grace, free to rejoice and live in hope of the glory of God! “Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance …” What an amazing thing to read! What an amazing truth in which to live. We are not to let this Good News, this Gospel, to sit unattended on the pages of our Bibles but to extract them carefully and tenderly, then carry them around in our hearts each day. The absolutely awe-some love of God is on full display, “for while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly … but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” If verses such as these do not stir us to adoration of our Saviour, I might suggest that we might not see our own sin and brokenness in its true and honest light. Remember and rejoice that it was the love of God and God alone that brought you to Him, nothing you did or didn’t do – nothing you were or said or accomplished. There is a God, holy and divine, perfect and powerful, and thanks to Him you now are united with Him, reconciled to Him and living in His joy! What matters more than that? What could possibly match the love of God stirring in your heart? Application and Question: So now what? How do we respond to this? Well the title of my ESV Bible titles chapter 6 as Dead to Sin, Alive to God – and therein lies our answer. Jesus did not reconcile us for no reason or for us to be cleaned up only to dive back into rebellion, no way! He suffered on your behalf that you might die to your own sin, your own evil nature and take up life on His terms. This is so that you might grow into the person you were meant to be according to His good will; you might put to death the sin that pollutes and corrupts, pushing out joy and grieving the Holy Spirit; you might regard sin in the same hateful way that God sees it and actually live accordingly: “Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions. Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness. For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but grace,” (6:12-14). Righteousness, death to life, grace; what do these things mean to you? So often our nature is to cover up the bad about ourselves, to downplay and sanitize our wickedness. Our shame can threaten to crush us otherwise and our pride feels threatened. Let me suggest that to realize the weight of our own sin and to be boldly opposed to our pride is the best way to sense the wonder and life of the Gospel. Whether or not we realize it, our sin is a burden that will carry us down to the depths, and the only relief from it is Jesus Christ. If we find that our sin is weighing on us and we hear the accuser pointing the finger at us and screaming our guilt or pointing out our flaws, do not be afraid to acknowledge that yes, we are all guilty. You are and so am I. But don’t you dare forget that even while you were at your most wicked, Christ died for you. Don’t you forget that because of Jesus you have peace through Him with God and are nestled safely in Him; that you walk about with the Holy Spirit inside you, God’s precious child. So yes, we must not become so proud as to forget our sinfulness, but if you find it bearing down on you lately as I so often do, let it be a time to come to Jesus knowing that He began a work in you and will bring it to completion. The sin confessed from the heart and repented of is forgiven, so let us present ourselves to God for righteousness and live in the joy of having peace with God through faith. Prayer: Father God, we cannot overstate our gratitude at your wonderful work of salvation! Please soften the hearts of us that have grown hard and warm the spirits of those who have gone cold. Remind us, in our selfish and foolish pride, of our utter need of you and the sanctifying work of your Holy Spirit. Keep us from sin and make your Son the first priority and pleasure in our hearts so that we might be a vibrant example of a people living as slaves to Christ and not to sin. Amen. Song: Because He Lives - David Crowder Band Text: Romans 3-4 (Ps 134)
Observe Romans 3 begins with a Q & A, Paul asking and responding. Q: What advantage is there to being a Jew, if the law can't keep them from God's judgment for their sin? A: They have the Word of God. God remains faithful to Israel despite her faithlessness, proving His righteousness. But people must not sin more and more, thinking that His grace will increase (1–8). Q: Are Jews better off than Gentiles? A: No. Everyone sins; the law doesn't change that. (9–20). Paul stresses keeping the law can never justify us before God, but faith in Christ by His grace can and does. Jesus died on the cross to atone (pay for) sin; God’s just anger at sin was satisfied in Christ's death[LM1] . God justifies – bestows His righteousness – on those who turn in faith to Jesus (21–28). Everyone can have this gift through faith in Him. (29–31). Romans 4 explores the example of Abraham and God's remarkable gift of declaring him righteous only by his faith, long before Abraham’s circumcision. Because of this, he is father of all who believe God by faith, a model for us in learning that faith is truly a gift, growing utter trust in Him. Interpret Romans establishes that everyone is guilty of sin; no one deserves God's forgiveness. Even knowing God's law, we still fail to obey. The only rescue from the penalty we deserve for sin (our death) is the death of Christ, carried by Him on the cross, God’s offer of salvation is for all people who turn to Him -- pretty inclusive! That big word, ‘propitiation’ means that God’s anger against all sin has been completely put away as far as the east is from the west (Ps.103:12), as Jesus paid the price for our sin by His death. Our Father sees Jesus standing in for us, shielding us. We are forgiven, and truly His. Apply Q As 21st century believers, how do we remain right with God? A As 1st century Paul insisted, by repentance and faith in Christ. This is true for all time. We put Him first, giving up imaginary control of our lives, yielding our selves to Him daily. We pray to align ourselves with God and His purposes, the Bible, His Word, our manual for living His life. His grace changes us from the inside out, but that massive renovation is not easy. We have to learn deeply and remember that only Jesus’ death and resurrection secure our right standing before God. There’s no other way. We’ll be mocked as religious nuts or fanatics, no doubt, but so was Jesus. Our world is hostile to faith, but it is where the cross of Christ is necessary, and effective. Father God longs that everyone would be made righteous in Jesus – so that’s our task, sharing our faith as part of His remaking. We can’t make ourselves right. God works His righteousness/justice in and through us. Then we can bring His Kingdom to others, knowing the wonder of His freeing, sharing with conviction with those who don’t know Him. Ask Are judgments I make about others the root of broken relationships and injustice? Can I stand the X-ray of the Word to expose my unrighteous behaviour? Do I rely on God’s grace to change me? Are good works and being a ‘good person’ my idea of ‘faith’? Pray Lord, Romans is hard going, even reading Paul’s words with much care. I confess I have it so wrong, so often. I like to think deep down that I’m ok, but You know differently. By Your grace in Jesus’ immense, love-driven sacrificial death, help me die to my ways of doing and thinking and living, thankful for His death that bought my salvation. Jesus, take Your rightful place – at the centre of my life. Sing Ps 134: Chris Juby - A Call to Night Worshippers https://youtu.be/vGtXxFJiEZs Grace Soon - Behold, Bless the Lord https://youtu.be/LQCiPdKBFhk Sons of Korah - Lift Your Hands https://youtu.be/sQXeHV49SQU “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed – a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: ‘The righteous will live by faith.’”
Romans 1: 16-17 Romans 1-2 (Psalm 133) Observe
Interpret We now move into a focus upon the ‘People of the Kingdom,’ beginning with the book of Romans. I encourage you to first watch the video (click here) to gain an overview of the letter. Paul begins the letter with the powerful, Good News, of the Gospel which is open to all. The letter’s recipients are living under the menace of Ceaser in a multi-cultural, idol worshipping, promiscuous society. The letter encourages the young Church with the truth of God’s love, power, Spirit and community; a personal visit is desired for mutual encouragement. The Gospel that Paul outlines (1: 2-6, 16-17, 2: 9-11, 29), is the only answer to the condition of the human heart. Humanity has the knowledge of God within because His truth is plain to see, so there is no excuse. Instead wickedness and godliness abound because humans have chosen to suppress this truth and believe a lie, worshiping created things rather than the creator. This is the root of sin; it is pride, believing we know better than God (1: 18-25). God then gives us over to our desires which also results in a depraved mind; thinking in a way that is hostile to God as opposed to having the mind of Christ (1: 24, 26, 28). Humanity chooses to live a lie rather than within the truth of God. The results of this choice relate to harmful attitudes and behaviours that war against our souls and fall outside of God’s loving plan for His creation (1: 26-32). All fall under God’s judgement as all will have to give an account before Him (2: 5-16). A judgmental attitude may exist but ultimately all are guilty (2: 1-3). Instead, the letter encourages the readers to understand God’s tolerance, patience and kindness in the Gospel; repentance is called for to receive God’s righteousness and the gift of eternal life (2: 4, 7) Application It is easy when reading these chapters to focus in on the matters of sexual immorality and same sex acts, missing the long list of other behaviours. The truth is that Paul teaches, as Jesus does,* that all sexual behaviour outside of marriage is against His will and plan. A further, deeper point is missed with this focus on the symptoms rather than the cause. Choosing to believe that we know better than our creator, ignoring His truth and reality results in God giving us over to our desires and self-rule with all the consequences. Perhaps the worst punishment God can give us is our own way. Instead, our focus needs to be upon God’s grace in Jesus and His kindness towards us, patiently waiting for us to come to repentance. The power of God awaits a penitent heart in this Gospel, where righteousness and a relationship with God is available by grace through faith. The Question of Application What do we believe in life, the truth of God or the lie of self-sufficiency (a belief that we know best)? Prayer Father, there is much to mislead us in life and in our own hearts. By your Spirit help us to see and understand your truth. Reveal the grace of Jesus Christ and enable us to turn to you in repentance and faith and so receive the blessing or your forgiveness and gift of life. In the praise of your Holy Name, Amen. Praise How Deep the Father’s love for us – Selah *Jesus taught that all sexual behaviour outside of marriage was against God’s will and plan (the Greek word ‘porneia’ is a catch-all term for sexual behaviour outside of marriage), Mark 7: 20-23. He taught the gift of marriage from God and the gift of celibacy (Matthew 19: 3-12). This is not a simple subject. Judgement and offence can easily result with careless words and ignorance. Please consider this subject prayerfully and carefully, please speak in grace, truth and love. Text: Acts 27 - 28
Observe: In the previous chapters, Paul has been tried several times by the Jews in order to stop him from preaching the gospel of Christ, even as he continually proves by scripture how Jesus has fulfilled all the prophecies foretold by the prophets. The Jews still consider him to be a troublemaker and want to condemn him to death, but because he is Roman citizen, the local governor decides to send him to Rome to make his final appeal. Paul is put the charge of a Centurion named Julius, who takes him, along with some other disciples and various prisoners, aboard a ship in Caesarea on a long voyage to Rome. They make numerous ports of call along the way, but being autumn, the winds seemed always to be against them, and they made very slow progress. In Fair Havens on the Island of Crete, Paul warns the Centurion how dangerous the voyage is becoming. But, because the harbour is not suitable for over-wintering, and on the advice of the ship’s pilot and owner, they continue on, planning to stay in a place called Phoenix. As they continue sailing west, they are battered by hurricane strength winds, and despite taking extraordinary safety measures, they must throw cargo and some of the ship’s tackle overboard to lighten the ship. The storm rages for more than two weeks, and throughout it, Paul encourages the ship’s company to take heart because the Lord had told him that not one member would be lost, although the ship eventually would run aground. Paul even encouraged them eat in order to keep up their strength, and after they had eaten, they even threw the remaining food overboard. Just as Paul had predicted, ship ran aground on the island of Malta, but everyone survived. The locals showed the survivors usual kindness and built fires to warm them after their shipwreck. While this was going on, a snake bit Paul and the superstitious people thought he must be murderer, but when he was miraculously unharmed, they thought perhaps he was a god instead. While they stayed in Malta, Paul heals a local official’s sick father through prayer, and once word spread of the healing, other people came forward to be healed. After a three month stay, they were resupplied and set sail on a new ship bound for Italy, with a couple more stops along the way. Their voyage ended in the port of Puteoll, south of Rome, where he was met by some local believers before being moved to Rome. There, he was allowed to live by himself with only one guard assigned to watch him. Once there, he spoke with the Jewish leaders and explained why he was arrested and sent to Rome. They hadn’t heard any of the accusations against him and were interested in hearing what he had to say. Once again, Paul preached the Gospel of Christ and taught from the scriptures as he always did, and once again some people believed and others did not. In his final statement, Paul quoted from Isaiah saying that God’s chosen people would refuse to listen or understand, and so he would go and preach salvation to the Gentiles, who would listen. For the next two years, Paul would welcome anyone who came to him and he preached about Jesus with courage and clarity. Interpret: God had work for Paul to do in Rome. So all the shenanigans of the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem to convict him of some specious wrongdoing played right into God’s will, and sent Paul on his way to Rome. It was a long and dangerous voyage, fraught with hardship, but Paul never once doubted the Lord’s goodness, and continued to preach the Gospel of Christ, and in the name of the Lord, to perform whatever healing miracles were needed wherever he happened to be. He made the most of each and every opportunity afforded him on this arduous trip. He was a prisoner. He was abused. He endured cold, wind, hunger, high seas, a hurricane, and a shipwreck. And he was bitten by a snake. Now, some people might be somewhat discouraged by these events if they had occurred to them, but not Paul. None of these circumstances presented an obstacle to Paul in sharing the Gospel and talking about the Kingdom of God. He only saw them as new opportunities. The only obstacle that he encountered in all his journeys was the hardness of the people’s hearts. Those whose hearts were willing to listen, became followers of Christ. Those whose hearts were hardened against him, only wanted to be rid of him, and by extension, be rid of the gospel he preached. Application: One of the reasons we love St. Aidan’s church is because we hear the Gospel of Christ preached every Sunday. No one can come here and say they didn’t hear what Jesus, the Only Begotten Son of God, has done for us. It is a gospel of compassion, love and hope. But it has a difficult side to it as well, one that is opposed to the wisdom of this world, and that too, you will hear preached on a Sunday morning because we preach the whole of the Gospel, not just the nice, comfortable parts. The wisdom of this world measures success in material ways, by the accumulation of wealth, power and fame. The wisdom of this world puts the “I” (self) into idol. The wisdom of this world puts us at the center of our own little universe. We set ourselves up to be sovereign over all we survey, but in the secret places of our hearts we despair that we will ever be able to deal with all the challenges we face. The bills that keeping coming; our health issues that keep us from enjoying just being alive; our family struggles which consume our energies; the challenges at work that keep piling on the stresses; and a thousand other things that get in the way of the life that we dream about. But, Jesus knows all about the difficulties we struggle with, and about the world we live in. He has walked the proverbial mile in our shoes, and more. He says in John 16:33, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” He has overcome the trials of this world and He wants to help us deal with our own daily struggles by inviting us into a personal relationship with Him. Matthew 11:28 says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” We don’t have to do it alone. Once you know that and believe it in your core, you will want to share that good news with whoever is willing to hear it. But, by believing, preaching, and living the gospel, we will always be opposed by the powers of the world because it threatens the current world view. Yet, regardless of the circumstances we find ourselves in, as disciples of Jesus Christ, God will provide opportunities to for us to share the life-giving good news of the gospel and the means to do it effectively, if we are obedient to Him. And every day, He gives us another opportunity to show the world what it is to be a disciple of Christ. Jesus said, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me”. Luke 9:23. Questions: Are you in a personal storm right now? Do you believe that Jesus will help you weather it? Can you see yourself sharing your story with someone else who might be floundering in their own storm? Prayer: Heavenly Father, we pray that by the leading of your Holy Spirit, we might have the wisdom and courage to share the gospel with someone who doesn’t know you. We thank you that through all the trials of our life, you have been a refuge and the source of our strength and hope. Help us always to keep our sights set firmly on Jesus, in whose holy name we pray. Amen. Song: Until the Whole World Hears: Casting Crowns Acts 25-26
OBSERVE: Within these two chapters we read about the following:
At this point in Paul’s life, he had been promised by God through his sense of vocation (Acts 19:21) and has been promised by Jesus though a vision (Acts 23: 11) that he would get to Rome. In these two chapters we read about Paul taking responsibility and acting on the opportunity at hand. APPLICATION: Paul knew the promises that God had made on his life; which included his eventual arrival in Rome. Recognizing that God had provided the opportunity for him, Paul responded by appealing to Caesar knowing full well the customs of the Romans and his rights as a citizen. Paul took the proper human responsibility to respond to the opportunity that God provided. There are times in our life that we are to keep still and wait for the Lord to provide. There are other times in our life in which God acts but he will do so through us taking proper human responsibility in the manner. Discerning and discovering which applies in which case is an important aspect in the walk of every Christian. This discernment is an area that we will grow in as we grow in our relationship with Christ. This understanding will continue to develop as we spend more time with Jesus and get to know him better. REFLECTION: In your own walk with the Lord; have you been able to discern when to “keep still” and allow the Lord to act, and when to take the initiative and take action? Are there any recent examples in your life that you would change how you responded? PRAYER: Lord God; I appeal to you and you alone. You are my one and only judge. Help me to discern when to wait on you and when to take action. Give me patience to wait on you and wisdom to know when to step out in faith based steps. Thank you for the example of Paul in the scriptures. AMEN. SONG: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4t6mz8yoocY “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” First, let me tell you a little story. When I was in my cooking days, I would do special dinners at Banville & Jones wine store. On the second floor was this cute room set up to feel like an Italian restaurant with an open kitchen on one end where I would prepare four or five courses that would be matched up with four or five different wines put forward as pairings by the sommelier. I remember hearing something on a particular night that really stuck with me and that leads me to a little imagination experiment. Picture a vineyard. What do you see? Probably rolling hills covered in vines, lush soil, and a warm sun somewhere in the French countryside, right? That’s what I thought too. But the sommelier said something peculiar, that the best grape vines are not actually planted in mounds of dark rich soil, but in hard, scrabbly, rocky ground. They said the vine that has to work to put its roots down and find nutrients and water in ground like that produces the best grape. The harder it has to push its roots through hard ground, the better the fruit it yields. Hold that image in your mind as we go through Acts. Observe: These chapters of Acts tell of Paul arriving at Ephesus and finding disciples there who had not been baptized with the Holy Spirit, only into John’s baptism before the coming of Christ. Paul continued to baptize them properly and, after laying hands on them, all twelve of them received the Holy Spirit, prophesying and speaking in tongues. Later on Paul went to the synagogue at Ephesus and spent two years speaking boldly about the kingdom of God, reasoning with and persuading all who would approach him there. The word of the Lord spread rapidly all over Asia Minor as he healed, performed miracles, and cast out demons. Some Jewish exorcists took it upon themselves to mimic some of what Paul was doing, trying to cast out demons in the name of this Jesus that Paul proclaimed, only to become victims of the evil spirits themselves! Word of this spread as all those who practiced witchcraft and sorcery took their sacred tomes and materials, piled them up, and burned them, adding to the glory of the Lord in that place. Paul then resolved to travel through Macedonia and Achaia to Jerusalem and then on to Rome. In the meantime, while staying in the countryside, Demetrius the silver smith acted against Paul and his disciples on account of new converts to the Way declining to do business with him as he was a maker of silver shrines to the goddess Artemis. Demetrius went so far as to stir up an angry mob against those preaching Christ in Ephesus, but a clerk dismissed the rioters shortly after. Paul continued to make his way to Greece, eventually coming to Philippi. This is where a young man, sitting on a high window ledge, listening to Paul preach through the night fell several stories and hit the ground where he died. Paul went out and brought the young man up, raising him to life! Chapter twenty ends with Paul attesting before the elders at Ephesus to his integrity in preaching the word, setting an example for those who would follow after, and warning about ravenous wolves that would quickly make their way into the fold of believers. After much prayer and shedding of tears, they walked him to his ship and waved farewell, knowing they would never see his face again. Interpret: Growing up while in Sunday School, I pictured the journey of Paul the Apostle in Acts as some sort of mad dash to spread the Gospel to as many places as he could in as short a time as possible. Reading and rereading this book over the years, I have come to see that it is far more … well, not relaxed, but organic than what I first picture of this man with a mission. The book of Acts covers such a wide scope of events, each of which are of a differing magnitude than the others. There are incredible Holy Spirit-filled moments where thousands come to faith and simple dinners at a friend’s house. There are miracles everywhere, people let out of prison without the door being opened, raising the dead to life, and tongues of flame; yet there are also severe beatings, simple insults, and life-threatening catastrophe. There’s menial labour, the building of tents and serving of food, yet that is the very building of the church in the real world! There are highs and lows, and though we see women and men of incredible faith doing amazing things, they are each intensely human and do not weather these things without pain and suffering. Reading Acts as an adult with real hopes, fears, and responsibilities, we can get a sense of the massive uncertainty Paul and the other Apostles and disciples would have felt; the wrestling with fear, the frustration of patience, and the pain of not knowing what God wants you to do. Paul desired more than anything to go to Jerusalem at one point and Rome at another, to travel here and there and do this and that, yet even a man as full of the Holy Spirit as Paul found himself floundering and despairing even to the point of death. God would veil His intentions for Paul at some places and constrain him from going to others, deliberately pulling Paul from the center of action like at Ephesus when the riot occurred. Paul must have felt such responsibility for the good disciples being harassed, yet he was not able to go help. Instead of being able to journey on from Ephesus straight away for Jerusalem, he spent a whole two years in the countryside doing what God wanted him to do; preaching, teaching, and working a job of manual labour so that nobody would be deprived on his behalf. I bet the shipwreck on Malta wasn’t exactly a part of Paul’s initial plan either, but it was his blind trust and obedience in uncertainty that God used to lead many people to Himself. I bet the hardest part for Paul especially was the patience and waiting. Even beatings and imprisonment would have had more flavour for each blow was evidence that the Gospel was being preached to an evil world, every stripe a reason to rejoice for sharing in the suffering of Christ. After all, Jesus said that they would have trouble, but to rejoice for He had overcome the world! But patience has very little flavour. Patience doesn’t look like a heroic act; in fact, it can feel lazy and selfish. We are more prone to feel like we’ve been cut off to drift the open waters with neither heading nor rudder. It is harder to see what God is doing and He feels more absent than ever – in that silent, dark, humid atmosphere of doubt is when despair can grow like mold on the inside of your skull. At times like these we can find ourselves parched, desperate for something to quench our thirst, whether that’s giving in to temptation or surrendering to our pride and taking matters into our own hands. Does this sound familiar? Application and Question: If it does (and I think it would for anyone who is living their life on God’s terms), take heart knowing this: Patience can be as much of a cross to bear each day as open persecution. We don’t face much of the latter in Canada compared with the rest of the world, but that doesn’t make the bearing of other things any less legitimate. Waiting on God and learning to trust Him in the waiting is a massive, life-long skill to learn and burden to bear! It goes against our natural instincts to go our own way and do what we think is best. Trusting God with His timing and direction means surrendering your own and learning to grow where you are planted. What difference does it make if He decides to plant you in rocky and barren soil? Does that not yield the better fruit? Have we not walked through the wilderness for the past two years and been forced to dig deep to find that life-giving water? How have you been like that tree in Psalm one? Let’s let the spiritual fruit we bear tell our story. Prayer: Lord God, thank you for being our Living Bread and Water in this valley of the shadow of death. Thank you for bringing us up with strong roots, even for planting us in hard and rocky ground. Teach us to listen and wait with patience, to take each day as it comes, and to trust that we truly do live each day on your terms instead of our own. Please be with us who are struggling – do not merely take our cup away, but by your mercy take away the bits of us that still oppose your rule in our hearts. Let us learn to abide in you, bear much fruit, and truly live as your disciples. In the mighty name of Jesus, amen. Song: Bread and Wine - Josh Garrels Text: Acts 17-18
Observation: Today we follow Paul from Thessalonica, to Berea, to Athens, to Corinth and on to Ephesus. Paul’s custom in preaching the gospel was to go to the city’s synagogue and preach from the scriptures and to prove that Jesus was the fulfillment of what he was reading. This often persuaded many Jews as well as Gentile men and women. But not everyone was pleased to hear the gospel. In both Thessalonica and Berea, disbelieving Jews, fueled by their jealousy, stirred up mobs and riots with bad characters so as to cause the city to be in turmoil. This put Paul in great danger so he went ahead of Silas and Timothy to Athens. Paul gained a few followers from Athens when he saw an altar inscribed “TO AN UNKNOWN GOD”. He used the altar to speak about the Lord of heaven and earth and a few people believed. Moving on to Corinth, Paul meets Aquila and Pricilla and works with them making tents. Silas and Timothy eventually join him again and this allows Paul to devote himself exclusively to preaching to the Jews. But when the Jews again become abusive toward them, Paul resolved he would only go to the Gentiles. The Lord affirmed Paul’s conviction about this in a vision and so Paul stays a year and a half ministering to the Gentiles in Corinth. Next Paul sails to Ephesus and revisits his strategy of preaching in the Jewish synagogue. He is met with curiosity from the Jews but leaves them and heads to Antioch. He moved around all over the region of Galatia and Phrygia, strengthening the disciples. Pricilla and Aquila meet Apollos, who was teaching about Jesus even though he only knew the baptism of John. Pricilla and Aquila invite Apollos into their home and more adequately teach him about Jesus before encouraging him to go to Achaia, where he vigorously refuted the Jews and proved Jesus was the Christ. Interpretation: What we see in these 2 chapters is a rapid spreading of the church as Paul went on mission to bring the Good News to many cities. As with any leader, he only has so much capacity and we learn about the team he built up around him to sustain his ministry. Paul had to work making tents to provide for his own needs when he was alone, but when Silas and Timothy joined him, he had a lot more time to preach to the Jews. When the Jews didn’t listen, Paul went to the Gentiles. Whoever is open to the Gospel, these are whom he teaches. But Paul doesn’t stay anywhere too long—it is vital that he plant the church in the city and then move to the next place so that the gospel continues to spread. Led by the Holy Spirit, Paul is not interested in building one central church in one location. Rather he is laser-focused on building a spiritual revolution according to the Kingdom principals Jesus taught—a worldwide discipleship movement of people transformed by faith in Jesus. He stays only long enough to impart the gospel and then he moves on. He depends on the new converts and capable individuals in the city to continue the work he started and to catch the vision. Silas, Timothy, Acquila, Pricilla and Apollos, (and Mark, Barnabas and Lydia) are all very important team members to grow the gospel movement Paul is spear-heading. Application: As believers, we are all called to catch this vision and to continue carrying the revolutionary message of Jesus and His Kingdom to the world around us. When Jesus left this earth, he commissioned, “go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely, I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20) God knows we will need help to do his work. That is why He gave us the Holy Spirit and that is also why he sends people into our lives to partner with so that we can have effective ministry. Question: How are you participating in the Great Commission? Who are the team members God has placed around you so you can be most effective? Prayer: Lord thank you for the privilege of working with the Holy Spirit to bring the knowledge of Jesus and His Kingdom into the world around me. Help me to recognize the opportunities, open doors and team mates you provide as I partner with the Holy Spirit to be a light in this dark world. Song: https://youtu.be/qIo6wXVt0uI “But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you.’”
John 16: 13-14 Acts 15-16 (Psalm 126) Observe
Interpret The Council at Jerusalem is a monumental occasion, a watershed, for the Church. I will consider this matter on Sunday in our service (17th Oct). Today I want to focus on the ‘spiritual realities’ we see in these passages. Firstly, the dispute between Paul and Barnabas; who was right? In a sense it didn’t matter; Barnabas the encourager, who saw potential in Saul now Paul, sees the same in Mark. The outcome is two mission trips not one. It seems a later reconciliation occurred between Paul and Mark (2 Timothy 4: 11), but what we see here is God bringing good out of all situations as all loved God and were called according to His purposes (Romans 8: 28). Secondly, the Holy Spirit prevents Paul from entering Asia, where towns like Ephesus and the recipients of the letters we read in Revelation were located. What was God doing? He was opening the door to Europe instead. The Spirit gave Paul a vision which took them to Philippi and the first European convert, a wealthy lady called Lydia. The Spirit is working to spread God’s Kingdom to all. Thirdly, the opposition Paul then faced which led to a beating and imprisonment. A slave girl possessed by a spirit that gave her the ability to tell the future was making money for her owners. In frustration, and an act of kindness, Paul by God’s power delivered this girl. The retaliation was swift and brutal. Paul, and his mission, came up against the principalities and powers behind the spirit of the world. The Gospel will always bring a reaction. Finally, in prison the Holy Spirit enabled Paul and Silas to praise God despite their situation and condition (Philippians 4: 4-6). Their witness, and the work of the Holy Spirit in conviction, brought a family to faith Application For us the lessons are clear. Firstly, conflict can be healthy if submitted to the Lord; growth will always come. Secondly, God is Sovereign and owns the big plan; we need to keep our hearts open to the prompting of the Holy Spirit to be led by Him and keep in step with Him. Thirdly, opposition will come when we obey God and it can get nasty; we need to remember that He that is in us is greater than He that is in the world (1 John 4:4). Finally, the Holy Spirit can enable us to focus on God in praise despite the situations we may be facing; this is a true source of strength and courage. These are realities that we may all face. How wonderful that we can face them empowered by the living Holy Spirit of God within rather than on our own. The Question of Application How might the Holy Spirit enable and empower you today in a situation that you are facing? Prayer O, Holy Spirit, fulfill in us the work begun by Jesus. Let our prayer on behalf of the whole world be fruitful and unwavering. Hasten the time when each of us will attain a genuine spiritual life. Enliven our work that it may reach all, and may all be accomplished in accordance with your will through Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen Praise Fall Afresh - Bethel Music Holy Spirit, Living Breath of God – Keith and Kristyn Getty N.B. For those wondering why Paul had Timothy circumcised just after the Council at Jerusalem, there is a probable explanation. Timothy was a Jew by birth but his father was a Greek; the Council did not declare circumcision unnecessary for the Jews. An additional note; a mixed marriage would not normally be accepted but Paul, by excepting Timothy as a brother in this way, actually showed how barriers had been broken down Text: Acts 13 - 14
Observe: In these chapters, we get an account of Paul’s first journey through Asia Minor. He is accompanied by several other disciples; Barnabas, Simeon, Lucius, and Manean. Once in Antioch, the Holy Spirit sends Paul and Barnabas further and, after being blessed by the believers there, they sail to Cyprus. On the island Paul and Barnabas travel around to the various cities and preach the gospel in the Jewish synagogues. Even the Roman proconsul wants to hear them speak, but a Jewish sorcerer and false prophet attempts to stop them, but by the power of the Holy Spirit, Paul causes him to become blind. Seeing this, and hearing Paul’s amazing teaching, the proconsul became a believer. Moving on to Pisidian Antioch and speaking at the synagogue, Paul addresses both the Jews and the Gentiles who worship God. He gave them a very brief history of Israel from the time of the Exodus all the way through to the coming of Jesus. He then explained how the people and their religious leaders did not recognize Him, and ecen though they could not find any fault in Him, they had Him executed, and in so doing, fulfilled all that had been written about Him. After He was laid in the tomb, God raised Jesus from the dead, and He was seen by many who have become His witnesses. Using several scripture references, Paul explained the significance of Jesus’ resurrection, and how He brought forgiveness of our sins, which could not be obtained through the Law of Moses. The people were so convinced of Paul’s teaching that they invited him back to speak again on the next Sabbath. However the Jewish leaders were jealous of the crowds Paul was able to draw, and so they began to contradict and insult him. Paul answered them boldly by telling them that if they wouldn’t listen, he take the good news to the Gentiles, who were more than happy to hear him. In the end, the Jews threw Paul and Barnabas out of the region. From there, the two travelled to Iconium, where they again began to preach in the synagogues and performing signs empowered by the Holy Spirit. Once again the local leaders rose up in opposition to their teaching. As a result, some of the people sided with the Jews and some sided with the apostles. Here too, the leaders plotted to kill them, but Paul and Barnabas were warned and they fled to Lycaonia, where they were able to continue their work for the Lord. In Lystra, Paul was enabled by God to heal a lame man, and when the people saw it, they claimed that the pagan gods Zeus and Hermes had come down them. Paul and Barnabas rushed to dissuade them of their wrong ideas, telling them that they just as human as they were, and that they were preaching the gospel of the living God, the Creator and Preserver of all things. However, as had happened in other places they had preached, some Jews came and persuaded the crowd to stone Paul and drag him from the city, where they left him for dead. However, he wasn’t dead, and was able to make his way back to Barnabas, and the next day they left for another city, Derbe. Here, by their preaching, they were able to win a large number of new disciples. From there, the two journeyed through several more cities preaching and encouraging the believers. They also appointed elders for each new church they planted Upon their return to Antioch, Paul and Barnabas gave a full account of their journey to the gathered church, and how God had opened the way for Gentiles to join in the true faith. . Interpret: Wherever the Holy Spirit sent them, whether by sail or by foot, they went. And wherever they went, Paul and Barnabas tirelessly and boldly preached the good news of the gospel of Jesus. Not surprisingly, they were also often met by opposition from the local Jewish leaders, who were jealous of the following Paul was able to create because it was a threat to their own power and leadership. Whereas many of the people were open to receiving the gospel, the leaders were more interested in maintaining the status quo, and often plotted to get rid of the two troublemakers, sometimes successfully, but often not. Regardless, Paul and Barnabas, empowered by the Holy Spirit, pressed on and won many disciples for Christ travels on their journey. As we read of Paul and Barnabas’ travels and the incidents that occurred, we can see parallels to the travels of our Lord Jesus Christ. Just as He journeyed from town to town teaching, preaching, and healing the sick, many people came to believe His message of salvation, but, He also stirred up opposition to His message that the Kingdom of God had come near. Rather than accept the truth of Jesus as God’s promised Messiah, the Jewish leaders perceived Him to be a threat to their established order, and sought ways to get rid of Him. Jesus had warned His disciples that they too would face opposition and persecution when spreading the gospel story, and that is exactly what Paul and the other apostles encountered as they took the good news to the far reaches of the known world. Yet, despite these hardships, the faithful apostles did succeed in winning great numbers of new believers to Christ, and were filled with great joy. Application: The message of the gospel, which is the hope of salvation through repentance and belief that Jesus died for our sins, is not an easy one to hear and accept. It wasn’t easy two thousand years ago, and it’s not easy today. It requires us to admit that we have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, Roman 3:23. It requires us to admit that one day we will have to give an account of our lives before God, Rom 14:12. It requires us to give up authority over our own lives and live for Jesus as a new creation, 2 Cor 5:17. Many people, when they hear this gospel story, find that it makes perfect sense to them and accept it wholeheartedly, but others feel threatened by it, and are not willing to cede their pride, possessions and power to a merciful and gracious God. They refuse to see past the dim light of this world, and miss the glory of coming King. When we share the gospel story with others in our sphere of influence, we must do it in the power of the Holy Spirit and do it with bold conviction. But we must be ready to face opposition too, perhaps not as forcefully as Jesus, Paul, and the other apostles did, but it will be there. So, be joyful when someone you share it with hears and accepts, and just shake the dust off your feet when they don’t. Questions: Are you willing to take the risk of sharing the message of hope in Jesus with someone who may not have heard it before? Are you willing to trust that God will guide you? Prayer: Heavenly Father, we pray that your Holy Spirit would empower us when we share the Gospel of Jesus with those who have not heard it before. Help us to speak your words with courage, compassion and conviction. Help us to glorify your holy name in all that we say and do to build your kingdom. This we pray in the name of our risen Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen. |
Preachers BlogIn 2024, each week's blog is a follow-up reflection written by the preceding Sunday’s preacher to dig deeper into the sermon topic and explore engaging discussion questions. Archives
June 2024
Categories |