Acts 16:6-10

                  Being Led By the Spirit

We are told that the missionaries were prevented from heading in a certain, planned direction.  What are some ways the Holy Spirit or the Spirit of God prevented them?

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Why do you suppose we are not given the details of how it was that Paul was “forbidden” or not permitted to go certain places?

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Have you ever felt the Holy Spirit was forbidding you from going somewhere or doing something?  How did that occur?

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Can you think of any times when you felt you had very clear directions from God?  If so, what was the situation, and how did you know God was leading?

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In scripture (this passage included), what are some of the ways God makes His desire and will clear to people?

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Do you ever try to be sensitive and aware that God may speak to you in the same way?  Why or why not? _________________________________________________________________

How can you refine and cultivate your ability to know and understand God’s leading and God’s will?

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Read and Pray:  Luke 4:1, 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12, Matthew 8:18-26

Acts 16:1-5

                          Being of Good Reputation

                Have you ever met someone and thought, “Wow, they are really cool”?  I think we could work together well.   It seems this happened when Paul met Timothy.  But he was not quite prepared for the ministry ahead.

Timothy’s  father was Greek and his mother Jewish.  As far as we know, there was no synagogue in Lystra so it is very possible his mother was not a practicing Jew, and Timothy had not undergone the Jewish rite of circumcision.  For the Jews, to be Jewish and not circumcised was equivalent to the stigma of being an illegitimate child. 

The people in the area spoke well of Timothy and for those who were not Jewish, the rite was a non-issue.  Yet Paul’s mode of operation was normally to begin at the synagogue of a city, and go out from there.  If Timothy were to go with Paul, for the sake of reaching the Jewish population, it was important that Timothy be circumcised so as to be a Jew in good standing.  (Note that had he not been Jewish this issue would be irrelevant.)

We too need to exercise wisdom about which issues are relevant and necessary for the sake of the gospel.  When writing to the Corinthians Paul states, “For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more;…I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.” (1 Cor. 9:19,22)

There were times and places where Paul chose not to eat meat for the sake of another person’s conscience, and I’d guess there were times he ate “unclean” meat for the sake of his hosts.

In what ways do you think it is permissible, and maybe even good to take on a characteristic or an activity for the sake of sharing the gospel?    Give at least three examples and the situations in which they might occur:

1.       _______________________________________________________________

2.       _______________________________________________________________

3.       _______________________________________________________________

Are there any gray areas?  Where do you draw the line between “being all things to all men” (1 Cor. 9:22) and remaining “unstained by the world”? (James 1:27) Give three examples of areas in which you would not/ should not compromise:

1._________________________________________________________________

2.____________________________________________________________3.____________________________________________________________

What scriptures are helpful to you in discerning your answers?  List Them:

Acts 15:36-41

                 Parting with Peace and Blessing

We cannot know the exact details of what caused the contention to be so sharp between Paul and Barnabus, but we can at least note a few parts of the picture:

• Barnabus and Mark were cousins (Col 4:10)
• Barnabus was notably merciful with a strong gift of encouragement
• Barnabus had particular concern and care for individual people in ministry
• Paul consistently kept the “big picture” in the forefront of his thinking
• Paul was willing to pay any price for the sake of the gospel, and expected this of others

John Mark had begun with Paul and Barnabus (12:35, 13:13) but then for some reason, departed from them and returned to Jerusalem.  We are not told why this came about.  It appears that here is a quandary which continues to present itself even in our current ministries and mission.  Which should take priority:  the needs and growth of an individual, or the needs and growth of the mission or work as a whole?  

The difference between Paul and Barnabus was not resolved to the extent that they decide to continue on together.  Instead, two parties departed, each with the mission of continuing to preach the gospel.  Apparently there were no long-standing hard feelings since later on Paul extols the work of Barnabus and John Mark. 

I wonder if sometimes we too, need to be okay with “separating for the sake of peace”.   Are we willing to refrain from hindering someone else in their ministry, even if they are going about it differently that we ourselves would?  Can we, in a God-honoring way, disagree and yet each continue to preach the Gospel?  It seems that Paul and Barnabus were able, and I believe that implies that by God’s grace, we too are able.

Read and Pray:  Titus 3:1-11, Hebrews 12:14-15, James 3:13-18

Acts 15:22-35

Warning: this is a particularly, and unusually long post...sorry!

                        “necessary things”

When Paul and the other apostles sought to remove obstacles to the faith, (such as circumcision), there was a need to clarify the things that are integral to faith.  At a first glance, I thought the “necessary things” of verse 20 and 29 seemed strange.  But like many directives or rules given in Scripture, insight can be gleaned if we look beyond the physical and toward the principle behind it.  In this case, it appears each directive is linked to Old Testament passages.  Consider the following:

Lev. 17:7—“They shall no more offer their sacrifices to demons, after whom they have played the harlot…” 

èWe are never to take lightly the sovereignty of God, and we need to guard our hearts against unfaithfulness.  At this time in history, the temples of pagan gods were often social centers where people would not only participate in idol worship, but also share a meal, thus sealing the fellowship and shared beliefs.  The Lord God is the Ruler and Creator of all.  People are often tempted to honor, prioritize, and serve lesser things over the Lord, and then find identity with others in this.  To abstain from things offered to idols is a reinforcement of the truth that God alone is worthy of offerings, and our true fellowship is to be had in Christ Jesus.  When we participate in idol worship and service, we deny the sovereignty of God.  (Keep in mind, and idol can be anything that we hold too high, that becomes our focus and our aim.) 

èè Our allegiance is to the King of Kings alone, and we should never affirm something less for or with others!  Our worship illustrates the choice of our will.

**Note that serving and worshiping things, or people, always eventually leads to disappointment and dissatisfaction because imperfect things fail to meet ultimate and eternal needs.  They decrease our ability to love freely and fully.  This is actually a protective instruction for our well-being and the well-being of those around us.

Lev. 17:10-14— “…You shall not eat the blood of any flesh, for the life of all flesh is its blood…”

èGod is the one who is the Giver of Life.  During Old Testament times, the blood upon the alter was “to make atonement for your souls..”    This was a tangible confirmation of man’s sin and the truth that sin has consequences which must be borne.  Though we no longer offer animal sacrifices, we still may take the life of an animal for the sake of a meal.  Yet we are not the ultimate Giver or Taker of life.  It is God who has provided life.  We must always have a sense of reverence and awe that not only do animals lose their lives for our nourishment, but Jesus gave His life for our ultimate and spiritual nourishment.  His blood, poured out on Calvary was His life on earth.  Now, when we “drink of His blood”, [in communion] we are taking in His resurrected Life –this is the only “blood” we are to consume.  Anything else would be a poor counterfeit.    

èè We are to eat food for nourishment, with thanksgiving and reverence, recognizing that other than Jesus, there is no “life blood” that will be truly and ultimately good for us.    

**It is also interesting that blood carries the toxins and impurities of the body that are then filtered out by the kidneys, and later excreted.  Eating meat which is not drained of the blood means you are eating the toxins and impurities as well. When an animal is strangled, it is deprived of oxygen and the blood coagulates and cannot be drained out.

Lev. 18 --“None of you shall approach anyone who is near of kin to him, to uncover his nakedness…you shall not lie carnally with your neighbor’s wife…you shall not lie with a male as with a woman…nor shall you mate with any animal....”

èGod has created and designed humans to reflect His goodness and His creativity.  Humans have been given the privilege of sex as part of the privilege of co-creating with God in the bringing forth of other human lives.  This is a privilege and a pleasure, not to mention a responsibility, and it is not to be abused.  Throughout both the Old and New Testament Scriptures we see that marriage serves as an analogy for the relationship between people and God:  He is a loving protector and provider seeking and working for the well-being of His beloved.  When we defile the sanctity of sex [which should be limited to, and guarded by marriage], regardless of how we do that, we warp the very analogy God has chosen to communicate part of Himself to the world:    We are meddling with the Gospel message itself.

èèIn Proverbs, husbands and wives are encouraged to love and enjoy one another sexually—it is a good thing!  But once sex is outside of marriage a whole host of dangers flood onto the scene:  sexually transmitted diseases, genetic deformities, ruptured friendships, torn families, abuse, depression, deception, destructive life choices, despair…

Now, lets go back to the Acts 15 scripture and context.  Among Gentiles at this time, there were no prohibitions about food, idols or sexual relations.  What I find particularly interesting is that three aspects of living are addressed: spiritual (idols), physical (eating), and emotional (sex).  [And yes, of course there is overlap!]  The key points articulated by the Council could cut across all lines of cultural expressions since they can be applied in all places in all situations.  They are not bound by cultural preferences in kinds of food, language, clothing, music, worship style, etc. 

It is interesting also, how they each relate to some of the pleasures of being alive:

Eating—think of how much we enjoy good food!

Sex—obviously it is a delightful thing…that is why so many seek it before the proper time!

Worship—creative and intellectual expressions of what we know and understand…of God!

In addition, they all present an opportunity an a platform to communicate Truth.

The instructions to abstain from things offered to idols, from blood,…and from sexual immorality, are unified in that they are physically, emotionally and spiritually healthy for individuals and communities at all times, in all places.  They not only serve as tangible reminders of larger truths, but they also foster healthy living and relationships both for individuals and communities.

Read and Pray:  I Corinthians 10:23-33, John 6:53-58, Proverbs 5:15-23, Psalm 16

Acts 15:1-21

     Removing Obstacles and Communicating Truth

            In one of Paul’s earlier sermons (Acts 13:15-41), he made the point that, “…through this Man [Jesus] is preached to you the forgiveness of sins; and by Him everyone who believes is justified from all things from which you could not be justified by the law of Moses.” All people may come to seek the Lord.  The early Christians were running into some things that were muddying the waters for seekers, and this is what is being addressed in chapter 15 of Acts.

Am I sometimes getting in the way of someone else’s seeking God?  Are my expectations, prejudices, selfishness and hypocrisy becoming obstacles? 

            Think of those you know who have not yet come to faith in Jesus Christ.  What do you perceive as their obstacles?

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*________________________        *_______________________

“Evangelism” is not a one-size-fits-all.  Just as seen in the early church experiences and messages that were preached: different parts of history and life are used to illustrate and explain the good news of Jesus to different people.  Paul did not always begin preaching in the same way, with the same illustrations from the same starting point in history.  Paul adapted to the need.

            This requires thought, prayer—maybe even fasting—for the purpose of receiving God’s wisdom, leading, and anointing in communicating Truth. 

In some cases, people have hard questions and we need to be willing to grapple with those questions in a thoughtful, intelligent manner.  Other people would more easily grasp truth with few words, but with opportunity to be alongside you in community service.  Still others may be most in need of affirmation that they are loved and lovable, in spite of their choices which go against what they know to be right.

Only God can judge the motives of men’s hearts—that part is not our job.  But if we practice listening to God, and following the lead of the Holy Spirit, we will be empowered to communicate the gospel in a way that touches the issues of the heart.

Acts 14:19-28

we must through many tribulations enter the Kingdom of God

How can you strengthen the faith of another believer?

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How do you think weariness, discouragement, trials, persecution, discrimination and suffering might affect a person’s faith?  _________________________________________________________

There is a popular saying the “What doesn’t kill you only makes you stronger”.  Do you think this is true? _________________________________________________________

For an outcome to be truly enduringly positive, it will need to rooted truth:

• God loves you
• God’s intent is to free you from sin and evil
• His desire is that you desire Him and find satisfaction in His provision:  He is a prize above all prizes, a hope above all hopes, and love above all loves
• He fulfills His purposes and desires your ultimate good

In the midst of pain and suffering, (emotional or physical), it can be hard to keep the truth in focus.  Here are some ways that believers can help other believers during these times:

• By coming alongside someone (even without words), the truth of God’s love and presence is manifest
• By sharing in the emotions and heartache through empathy, we demonstrate and experience His understanding and compassion
• By carrying that person and their burden to God in prayer, we exercise the authority of Jesus to overcome, and we operate as the Body of Christ
• By praying with and for them, we affirm their place in God’s family, their status as “beloved”.  We also affirm our trust and belief that God can and will work all things for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purposes.

Yes, trials are just that—trials!  They are certainly not fun or pleasant or easy.  But just as certainly, they can yield fruits of righteousness if we allow the trial to strip away our independence from God.  If we submit to truth, a trial can help draw us to Him, and as we draw near to God, our soul is strengthened for it draws near, and into, the victorious Christ.  Indeed, it is through many tribulations that we enter the Kingdom of God.

Read and Pray:  James 1:2-4, Galatians 6:2, Isaiah 35:3-10

Acts 14:19-28

through many tribulations we enter the Kingdom of God

How can you strengthen the faith of another believer?

_________________________________________________________

How do you think weariness, discouragement, trials, persecution, discrimination and suffering might affect a person’s faith?  _________________________________________________________

There is a popular saying the “What doesn’t kill you only makes you stronger”.  Do you think this is true? _________________________________________________________

For an outcome to be truly enduringly positive, it will need to rooted truth:

• God loves you
• God’s intent is to free you from sin and evil
• His desire is that you desire Him and find satisfaction in His provision:  He is a prize above all prizes, a hope above all hopes, and love above all loves
• He fulfills His purposes and desires your ultimate good

In the midst of pain and suffering, (emotional or physical), it can be hard to keep the truth in focus.  Here are some ways that believers can help other believers during these times:

• By coming alongside someone (even without words), the truth of God’s love and presence is manifest
• By sharing in the emotions and heartache through empathy, we demonstrate and experience His understanding and compassion
• By carrying that person and their burden to God in prayer, we exercise the authority of Jesus to overcome, and we operate as the Body of Christ
• By praying with and for them, we affirm their place in God’s family, their status as “beloved”.  We also affirm our trust and belief that God can and will work all things for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purposes.

Yes, trials are just that—trials!  They are certainly not fun or pleasant or easy.  But just as certainly, they can yield fruits of righteousness if we allow the trial to strip away our independence from God.  If we submit to truth, a trial can help draw us to Him, and as we draw near to God, our soul is strengthened for it draws near, and into, the victorious Christ.  Indeed, it is through many tribulations that we enter the Kingdom of God.

Read and Pray:  James 1:2-4, Galatians 6:2, Isaiah 35:3-10

Acts 14:7-18

                     recognize and reject man-worship

            God worked through Paul and and empowered him to do some amazing things.  Paul's life became a demonstration of the heart expressed in John 3:30-36.  How often do you put effort into "promoting yourself"?  Fullness of life springs from relationship with the giver of life, and grows as His life grows in us.  Learning how to have "less of me and more of Him" is a lifelong process, but it yields good fruit for others.

            The more Paul and Barnabus walked in the Spirit, the more they reflected the Glory of God.  In this case, the Lyconian people turned to exalting the men—the tangible representation of something greater—but the people took them as the something greater.

            They missed the point:  the Spirit of God gives life, light and power.  All men are equal in their nature and in their need to turn from useless things—God gives witness of Himself to all people in His good works, the seasons, food, gladness…

            But the Lyconians desired to sacrifice to Paul and Barnabus.  Why?  Perhaps they thought it would curry favor with unseen forces, and improve their lives and good fortune.  The focus was on a tangible input and a tangible output, rather than on an eternal nature and an eternal transformation.  Are we sometimes guilty of the same?

            In our modern settings, what might indicate an engagement in “man worship” as opposed to “God worship”?

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·        _____________________________________________________________________________

·        _____________________________________________________________________________

As the Psalms so frequently say, "Come, let us magnify and glorify the Lord!"

Read and Pray:  Psalm 95, Psalm 96, Psalm 97

Acts 14:1-7

                                Resist Prematurely “Moving On”

            There may be a real temptation to write people or causes off when there is opposition.  Who likes to swim against a current?  But at what point do we “just move on”, and in which situations should we continue?  Paul and Barnabus were encountering people whose minds had been “poisoned by unbelief”.  What was their reaction to that?  ___________________________________________________________________

            What would be the opposite of a mind “poisoned by unbelief”?   ___________________________________________________________________

            I find it interesting that in this case, unbelief was not a reason for departure.  It was not until the authorities solidified a plan for physical persecution, that Paul and Barnabus decided to depart.  Until that point it appears they actually intensified their efforts and preaching about the Truth.

            Most of us already do, or will in the near future, have opposition to the Truth that is operating in and through us.  How do we respond to that?  What would it take to endure, continuing to preach and display the grace of Jesus and the good news of the Gospel?

            Slander, lies, gossip—these things poison belief, trust, and hope, and ultimately embitter the soul of a person.  These are words of condemnation, destruction and death.  Proverbs 18:21 tells us that the power of life and death is in the tongue.  As disciples of Jesus, we should take the most care to be speaking words of life—even in the face of opposition, slander, lies, and gossip.  How great is the contrast between light and dark in this context!

            Yes, there are times to flee, but in our comfortable, wealthy, Western culture I wonder if we have bought into the lie that if things are not going smoothly, easily, comfortably, then we should “move on”.  Wouldn’t it be more true and faithful to our calling as disciples of Jesus to do what Paul and Barnabus did? 

            May God grant us the grace, courage, and wisdom to speak truth even in the midst of those whose minds may be poisoned by unbelief.  And may we endure, with the fruits of the spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control) until it is quite clear, (and we are directed by the Holy Spirit rather than by our emotions), we need to “move on”.

Read and Pray:  Hebrews 10:35-39, 12:1-4, Psalm 100:4-5, 136:1-3

Acts 13:13-52

                        Viewed in relation to Jesus

            Most of us do not like to look foolish, and if someone were to say, “Hey, how about joining me in a great thing that many will think of as rubbish”, how would you respond?

The disciples and the people in the region were receiving just such an invitation.  Within this passage we are given some indications of invitations, along with their rejection or acceptance.  In the spaces below fill in the key words of each:

Invitation:                   Rejection:                    Acceptance:

(v.16)_________________   (v.27)________________     (v.32)________________

(v.24)_________________   (v.41)________________     (v.39)________________

(v.32)_________________   (v.41)________________     (v.44)________________

(v.43)_________________   (v.41)________________     (v.48)________________

(v.47)_________________   (v.46)________________     (v.48)________________

                                           (v.46)________________     (v.49)________________

                                           (v.50)________________     (v.52)________________

In this sermon of Paul’s, he gives a very brief review of some of God’s amazing acts from the time of the wilderness experience to the time of Jesus.  These all indicate God’s heart toward man, but are repeatedly met with man’s rejection and unfaithfulness.  

Yet, once Jesus is presented, forgiveness of sins is preached and people can be forgiven of things that even the law could not touch, for these were matters of the heart.   Paul gave the build-up to the Ultimate Solution, which both reveals and addresses the heart of man.

The lists of words you filled in, reveal the hearts of the people involved.  Which of the lists would you most often use to describe yourself?  Would others describe you in the same way?

God views the entirety of mankind in relation Jesus.  We have the choice to come under the cover of Jesus, to be viewed through the lens of His righteousness, or to stand on our own.  With the one, I may appear to be quite foolish, and with the other, by men’s standards, I may appear to be in control, intelligent, and worldly wise.  There will be a cost and an eternal outcome for each.  The real question is which price are we willing to pay?

Have we received and accepted a real love of the Truth?  It will be revealed in where we stand and what we do—in relation to Jesus.

Read and Pray:  Romans 1:16-17, 2 Thessalonians 2:9-17,                            

                            1 Corinthians 1:22-24, Psalm 15:13

Acts 13:6-12

                                 encountering opposition

            Do you find Paul’s words to be particularly harsh?  _______  How do they compare with Jesus’ words to Peter in Matthew 16:22-23 and to the scribes and Pharisees in Matthew 23:13-33?   _______________________________________________________________

Is Paul digressing into name-calling? Why do you think Paul spoke so bluntly and boldly, and in this case, in front of other people?  _________________________________________________________________________

            Do you find any parallels between what he pronounces over Elymas, and what he himself has previously experienced?  If so, what?  Does he leave room for repentance and restoration? _______________________________________________________________

            It seems that Paul had the privilege of being a conduit of God’s power to touch another person’s life similarly to how he himself had been touched by Jesus.  Our memory of our own times of rebellion can give us a window into other sinners like ourselves.  We may be better able to speak to their heart condition because it was once so familiar.

            This is not about judgment.  It is about truth, encountering the darkness in which we dwell, repenting, finding Life and Light, and letting the Light shine through us so that others may see the path.  We are not told of the ultimate outcome of the sorcerer, but we do see that the intelligent proconsul [governor] believed as a result of what he observed. 

            Rebuke and exhortation are part of our Christian life, just as are acts of mercy and service.  A well-rounded, truthful communication of the gospel cannot ignore evil which is intent on turning people away from faith in Jesus.  We may not be comfortable with this aspect of “Truth in us”, but our discomfort does not change the reality. 

            Remember, there had been much prayer and fasting prior to this visit. The evidence of God’s power testifies to the fact that Paul was not just speaking out of irritation. Paul was speaking truth so as to shine light on the dark lies being used to discourage others from pursuing faith.  The repentance, prayer and fasting done prior to the encounter, prepared and empowered Paul for the encounter. 

            What kind of encounters might you experience?  Are you prepared and empowered?  If not, this would be a great time to delve into prayer and fasting, for opposition will certainly meet you at some point.

Read and pray:  1 Corinthians 2:9-10, Ephesians 2:4-10, 2 Timothy 1:6-10

Acts 13:1-5

                                       Fasting and Prayer

Here marks the beginning of intentional missionary outreach.  What were these prophets and teachers doing when they heard the Lord?  ________________and __________________.  Do you remember what Jesus did before He went into ministry?  ________________ and _____________________.

            It is surprising what a minimal role fasting has in the lives of modern Christians, and yet Jesus spoke of it as a normal part of life for those who love and serve God.  Do you think we are missing out on something if we are not incorporating fasting into our lives?  Why or why not? _____________________________________________________________

            In his book The Hidden Power of Prayer and Fasting, Mahesh Chavda lists nine Biblical reasons to fast.  Here I have condensed them for your reflection:

1. We fast in obedience to God’s Word.  It is a tool of overcoming leaders in both the Old and New Testaments.  (2 Corinthians 6:4-6)
2. We humble ourselves before God and obtain His grace and power.  We all need His continuous power to live victoriously.  (James 4:10)
3. We fast to overcome temptations in areas that keep us from moving into God’s power. (Luke 4)
4. We fast to be purified from sin (and to help others become purified as well).  God wants us not only to defeat the entangling sins in our own lives, but also to go beyond our own needs to stand in the gap as intercessors for others.  (Daniel 9:3-5)
5. We fast to become weak before God so God’s power can be strong.  Fasting is a choice for God and against the flesh.  When you fast, you are making a conscious inward choice demonstrated by an outward act that you want God’s power to flow through you, not your own.  You want God’s answer, not yours. (Psalm 109:24-28, 2 Corinthians 12:9-10)
6. We fast to obtain God’s support in order to accomplish His will.  This was done so the leaders would make the right choice, and it was done to ensure their success in the gospel mission. (Acts 13:3-4, 14:23)
7. We fast in times of crisis.  (Esther 4:15-16, 2 Chronicles 20:1-22)
8. We fast when seeking God’s direction.  (Ezra 8:21-23)
9. We fast for understanding and divine revelation.  (Jeremiah 36:6)

Fasting does not earn grace or power from God, but it does help to open the way for our flesh to “step aside”, so that the Holy Spirit will more freely flow through us, and we may more readily understand His voice.  There are a variety of ways to fast, so take a few minutes and reflect on what kind of fast may be good for you to try.

Acts 12:1-24

                            Profiling                  

People profiles:  Herod the king contrasted with Peter

From this passage, what words would you use to describe Herod?

1. _______________________________
2. _______________________________
3. _______________________________
4. _______________________________
5. _______________________________

What words would you use to describe Peter?

1. _______________________________
2. _______________________________
3. _______________________________
4. _______________________________
5. _______________________________

Note also, the contrast between two groups of people:

The church, (believers), in Jerusalem and the people of Tyre and Sidon

Though only a little is said of each, what do you see as distinguishing characteristics of each?

Believers: ________________________                    

                ________________________

People of Tyre and Sidon:  ______________________

                                          ______________________

Of all the traits listed above, which might an observer see in your life?  __________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

Do you need cultivate and nurture more God-honoring responses to the circumstances of your life?  If so, how will you do that?  __________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________

Today, be proactive!  Seek help and accountability with other sincere followers of Jesus, in order to foster your own good growth, and help others in theirs. 

Read and Pray:  John 8:29-31, Romans 8:5-8, Hebrews 11:6, Psalm 18:25-30

Acts 11:19-30

                                encouragment         

            In this history, Luke notes that those who were escaping the persecution in Jerusalem spread out to other areas preaching the word primarily to the Jews.  It was a good thing the gospel was being preached, but as usual, God had more in store. 

Sometimes it takes “outsiders” to stir things up, and to move us to a new perspective.  Some people from Cyprus and Cyrene, facilitated just such an expansion of thought by expanding the audience receiving the Good News.  This was in unity with God’s heart, and a great number believed and turned to the Lord.

As news of this reached the church in Jerusalem, the leaders decided to do some “follow-up”, choosing one they knew to be faithful, full of hope and encouragement, looking for the best in others:  Barnabus.  Described as a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith, he is a great example of a person operating in the gifts God has given him.

It is interesting that Barnabus seeks Saul to come and help with teaching in the church in Antioch.  I suspect that is in part because Paul was a gifted teacher and Barnabus recognized this was not necessarily his strength.  He desired that the church in Antioch have the foundational instruction necessary to continue to thrive as a healthy body of believers, so he did what he could to help make that happen.  He did not need to be the hero here, he simply wanted their best, and he did what he could to facilitate that.

The church grew, fostered the use of spiritual gifts, gained a reputation among the locals as “Christ-people”.  They saw beyond their own needs and sent aid to believers living outside their own borders.

Often Pastors, Teachers, and Leaders, are admired and appreciated for their great teaching and leading.  What about those who are more “behind the scenes”?  Think about the people in your own life, and in your church fellowship, whose support and encouragement is every bit as important, but probably quite a bit less visible. 

Take time today to express your appreciation for the Barnabus in your life.  In doing so you will be a little more like Barnabus yourself!  J

Read and Pray:  Galatians 6:6-10, 1 Corinthians 1:3-9, Proverbs 16:24

Acts 11:1-18

              who am I that I should withstand God?

            Peter is seems, needed a fair amount of confirmation before acting, but once he had it, he was true and faithful to God’s directions.  He recognized that trusting God—doubting nothing—was a key to obedience. 

            Obviously there are situations where this may be easy to do.  But just two steps out of our normal comfort zone and a little bit of confirmation can go a long way!  Sometimes God’s love and mercy are so extravagant that our senses are offended.

            This seems to have been the case for the brethren in Judea who had heard about what occurred in Cornelius’ house.  Gently and graciously, Peter recounts the details leading up to the experience.  He does not enter into prideful argument or judgment against those who do not understand.  Quite the contrary!  He identifies with their sentiments noting that he too had been thinking along their lines when God redirected him.  He shares his own story.

            Being a Christian does not mean that we have life all figured out.  It does not mean that we understand and have nice tidy answers for big hard questions.  Being a Christian means that we, like Peter was, are in process.  We are learning how the truth, mercy, and grace of God play out in the world.  We are learning how we are to be part of the stream of living water which courses into the lives of those who are parched, longing for pure love.

            Part of God’s enjoyment seems to be the process of revealing mysteries to people.  Some past revelations have offended human mindsets because they burst out of the box in which people had set God.  I suspect that is still happening today.  When it happens, we would be wise to follow Peter’s example:  humbly obey what we know to be true and right, and state the obvious, “Who am I to withstand God?”  

Read and Pray:  Deuteronomy 29:29, 1 Chronicles 29:9-14, Philippians 3:15-16

Acts 10:36-48

                                     baptized!!!

            Use the space here to summarize what is recorded of Peter’s sermon:

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            What do you think of the way the Holy Spirit fell upon those who heard the word?

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            If the people had already experienced the truth of the word, and the baptism of the Holy Spirit, why did Peter think they needed to be baptized with water as well?

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            What is the practical application of this passage of scripture for you? 

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            If you, or a friend of yours, truly love God and are following Jesus, but are not yet baptized, what is the hold up?  _____________________________________________________________________

If you have questions or concerns, talk to your parents, pastor, teacher or spiritual leader to help you sort through your thoughts and feelings on the subject, so that you, like Peter and Philip, can enjoy the blessings of being baptized and being a part of others receiving baptism.

Read and Pray:  Matthew 1:13-17, Romans 6:1-6, Galatians 3:27,

     Matthew 28:18-20