November 8/9, 2014
Acts 19-20
Paul’s Third Missionary Journey begins in Antioch like the others, but it does not end there. Once again, Paul journeys through Asia (Turkey) “through the inland.” We assume he checked again on the churches, but hear nothing until he arrives in Ephesus on the other (western) side. He helps 12 disciples of John the Baptist find the power of the Holy Spirit, does “extraordinary miracles,” and frees many people from occult addictions. So effective was Paul’s two years of preaching there that it caused a severe drop in idol sales, and the local idol-makers union rioted. After all that, Paul left to cross over into Europe and check on the churches he had planted there.
When finished, he set out on his return trip. All along, Paul senses that he may not pass this way again. First stop: Troas. He preaches late into the night, until a young man named Eutychus falls out of a window and, apparently, dies. Paul goes outside, prays, raises him, brings him back inside, and then continues to preach on through the night! Let’s not have any more complaints about long sermons!
He continues on to Miletus and sends for the elders of the Ephesian Church in order to say goodbye. His words are poignant and powerful, and are recorded for us in Acts 20:18-35. After a tearful farewell, he sets off…not to Antioch, but to Jerusalem.
Monday, we’ll see why.
Your fellow traveler through the New Testament,
Pastor Gary
Saturday, November 8, 2014
Friday, November 7, 2014
NOVEMBER 7 ACTS 16-18
November 7, 2014
Acts 16-18
These chapters recount for us Paul’s Second Missionary Journey! This one actually begins at the end of Acts 15, and not very happily. Paul and Barnabas split up after arguing over John Mark who had left them during the last trip. Barnabas wanted to give him a second chance, Paul didn’t. In the end, Barnabas took John Mark back to Cyprus, and Paul found Silas and traveled the inland route from Antioch through Asia Minor (modern day Turkey).
After checking on the churches he and Barnabas had planted on their first trip, Paul and Silas (and Luke, too, apparently, for he beings to use the word “we” in Acts 16:10) are called to Macedonia through a vision. This means leaving Asia (Turkey) and crossing over into Europe (Macedonia).
The amazing account of the birth of the Philippian Church fills the rest of Acts 16. Don’t miss it! Lydia, the first convert on European soil welcomes the opportunity to host Paul and Silas. But they soon find themselves in trouble and in prison for delivering a young woman from demonic possession. What happens next never ceases to grab my heart. These two beaten, shackled prisoners begin to sing songs of praise to God! An earthquake opens the doors of the prison and sets in motion an incredible evening that ends with the jailor and his entire household coming to faith in Jesus! Read it; it’s glorious.
In Acts 17, our intrepid missionaries travel south through Macedonia and Greece, visiting Thessalonica, Berea (where people famously “received the word with all eagerness”), Athens (where Paul spoke to secular philosophers on Mars Hill), and Corinth. Near the end of Acts 18, Paul and Silas have returned to Antioch, yet again.
Anyone for a Third Missionary Journey?
Your fellow traveler through the New Testament,
Pastor Gary
Acts 16-18
These chapters recount for us Paul’s Second Missionary Journey! This one actually begins at the end of Acts 15, and not very happily. Paul and Barnabas split up after arguing over John Mark who had left them during the last trip. Barnabas wanted to give him a second chance, Paul didn’t. In the end, Barnabas took John Mark back to Cyprus, and Paul found Silas and traveled the inland route from Antioch through Asia Minor (modern day Turkey).
After checking on the churches he and Barnabas had planted on their first trip, Paul and Silas (and Luke, too, apparently, for he beings to use the word “we” in Acts 16:10) are called to Macedonia through a vision. This means leaving Asia (Turkey) and crossing over into Europe (Macedonia).
The amazing account of the birth of the Philippian Church fills the rest of Acts 16. Don’t miss it! Lydia, the first convert on European soil welcomes the opportunity to host Paul and Silas. But they soon find themselves in trouble and in prison for delivering a young woman from demonic possession. What happens next never ceases to grab my heart. These two beaten, shackled prisoners begin to sing songs of praise to God! An earthquake opens the doors of the prison and sets in motion an incredible evening that ends with the jailor and his entire household coming to faith in Jesus! Read it; it’s glorious.
In Acts 17, our intrepid missionaries travel south through Macedonia and Greece, visiting Thessalonica, Berea (where people famously “received the word with all eagerness”), Athens (where Paul spoke to secular philosophers on Mars Hill), and Corinth. Near the end of Acts 18, Paul and Silas have returned to Antioch, yet again.
Anyone for a Third Missionary Journey?
Your fellow traveler through the New Testament,
Pastor Gary
Thursday, November 6, 2014
NOVEMBER 6 ACTS 13-15
November 6, 2014
Acts 13-15
Saul the Persecutor! Paul, the Apostle! This is the chapter when Luke switches names, probably because Paul switched names. In Acts 13:2, Luke reports the Holy Spirit’s directions to the Christians in Antioch: “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” They fast and pray and send them off. But while telling us of the first stop on their mission trip, Cyprus, Luke refers to “Saul, who was also called Paul”—then never speaks of Saul again.
Acts 13-14 describe the entirety of what has been called Paul’s First Missionary Journey. After preaching on Cyprus, they cross over to Asia Minor and work their way inland. In this account we read excerpts from Paul’s preaching, Gentiles coming to faith, some Jews mounting violent opposition, and new churches in nearly every town. Read the account of their stop in Lystra (Acts 14:-23) and see how quickly tides can turn against the servants of the Lord! By the end of Acts 14, however, they are safely back in Antioch reporting on the journey to the Church there.
Acts 15 gives us a clear picture of a tension that arose in the church as a result of Gentiles coming to Jesus. Some Jewish Christians felt that Gentiles should, in essence, become Jews first (and be circumcised), before being accepted into the Christian church. Peter, Paul and others felt that God had opened a way for the Gentiles to come to Christ by faith alone. The First Council of the Church in Jerusalem sided with the latter, affirming salvation by grace through faith for all, Jews or Gentiles!
Your fellow traveler through the New Testament,
Pastor Gary
Acts 13-15
Saul the Persecutor! Paul, the Apostle! This is the chapter when Luke switches names, probably because Paul switched names. In Acts 13:2, Luke reports the Holy Spirit’s directions to the Christians in Antioch: “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” They fast and pray and send them off. But while telling us of the first stop on their mission trip, Cyprus, Luke refers to “Saul, who was also called Paul”—then never speaks of Saul again.
Acts 13-14 describe the entirety of what has been called Paul’s First Missionary Journey. After preaching on Cyprus, they cross over to Asia Minor and work their way inland. In this account we read excerpts from Paul’s preaching, Gentiles coming to faith, some Jews mounting violent opposition, and new churches in nearly every town. Read the account of their stop in Lystra (Acts 14:-23) and see how quickly tides can turn against the servants of the Lord! By the end of Acts 14, however, they are safely back in Antioch reporting on the journey to the Church there.
Acts 15 gives us a clear picture of a tension that arose in the church as a result of Gentiles coming to Jesus. Some Jewish Christians felt that Gentiles should, in essence, become Jews first (and be circumcised), before being accepted into the Christian church. Peter, Paul and others felt that God had opened a way for the Gentiles to come to Christ by faith alone. The First Council of the Church in Jerusalem sided with the latter, affirming salvation by grace through faith for all, Jews or Gentiles!
Your fellow traveler through the New Testament,
Pastor Gary
Wednesday, November 5, 2014
NOVEMBER 5 ACTS 10-12
November 5, 2014
Acts 10-12
Yesterday we read of the conversion of a Samaritan Magician, an Ethiopian Eunuch, and a persecutor of Christians. But each of these was Jewish or, in the case of Simon, partly so. Both Saul and the Eunuch were Jews of the dispersion, meaning Jews from places in the Roman Empire other than Judah.
I can still remember the pride I felt, as an American of Italian descent, when I realized that the first true Gentile converted to faith in Jesus Christ was an Italian! At least we can assume he was, for Acts 10:1 says that Cornelius was a centurion of “the Italian Regiment.”
When you read of Cornelius’ conversion, notice all the participants God gathered together for the work: Simon the Tanner, Peter, messengers from Cornelius, and finally Cornelius and his household. Then take note of all the supernatural events: Cornelius vision of an angel, Peter’s vision of the sheet and the gift of the Holy Spirit at the end. Then, at the last, notice this: Without the obedience of Cornelius to his vision in sending messengers to Peter, without the obedience of Peter to his vision and to the call of Jesus to preach to gospel, Cornelius would never have had the opportunity to be the first Gentile Convert to Christianity! Even with miracles abounding, God relies on someone to share the good news. By the end of Acts 11, we hear how Antioch became the hub for reaching Gentiles with the good news.
In Acts 12, the bell tolls for second recognizable martyr of the early church. In Acts 7, it was Stephen, one of the first six Deacons of the church. Here, it’s James, the brother of John, one of the 12 disciples. Herod had him killed, and then arrested Peter, too. Read the account of Peter’s miraculous escape, but read, too, of the guards Herod put to death because of it! By the end of Acts 12, Luke describes Herod’s come-uppance. It is always a dangerous thing to lift a hand against the Lord’s anointed!
Tomorrow, we begin our travels with the Apostle Paul!
Your fellow traveler through the New Testament,
Pastor Gary
Acts 10-12
Yesterday we read of the conversion of a Samaritan Magician, an Ethiopian Eunuch, and a persecutor of Christians. But each of these was Jewish or, in the case of Simon, partly so. Both Saul and the Eunuch were Jews of the dispersion, meaning Jews from places in the Roman Empire other than Judah.
I can still remember the pride I felt, as an American of Italian descent, when I realized that the first true Gentile converted to faith in Jesus Christ was an Italian! At least we can assume he was, for Acts 10:1 says that Cornelius was a centurion of “the Italian Regiment.”
When you read of Cornelius’ conversion, notice all the participants God gathered together for the work: Simon the Tanner, Peter, messengers from Cornelius, and finally Cornelius and his household. Then take note of all the supernatural events: Cornelius vision of an angel, Peter’s vision of the sheet and the gift of the Holy Spirit at the end. Then, at the last, notice this: Without the obedience of Cornelius to his vision in sending messengers to Peter, without the obedience of Peter to his vision and to the call of Jesus to preach to gospel, Cornelius would never have had the opportunity to be the first Gentile Convert to Christianity! Even with miracles abounding, God relies on someone to share the good news. By the end of Acts 11, we hear how Antioch became the hub for reaching Gentiles with the good news.
In Acts 12, the bell tolls for second recognizable martyr of the early church. In Acts 7, it was Stephen, one of the first six Deacons of the church. Here, it’s James, the brother of John, one of the 12 disciples. Herod had him killed, and then arrested Peter, too. Read the account of Peter’s miraculous escape, but read, too, of the guards Herod put to death because of it! By the end of Acts 12, Luke describes Herod’s come-uppance. It is always a dangerous thing to lift a hand against the Lord’s anointed!
Tomorrow, we begin our travels with the Apostle Paul!
Your fellow traveler through the New Testament,
Pastor Gary
Tuesday, November 4, 2014
NOVEMBER 4 ACTS 8-9
November 4, 2014
Acts 8-9
Three incredible conversions! Three very different conversions are described in these two chapters: Two came through Philip the evangelist (Acts 8); one came directly through God (Acts 9), although God used Ananias of Damascus to complete it.
The Conversion of Simon the Magician. Simon was converted un Philip’s preaching in Samaria. Though Acts 8:13 reports that Simon himself believed and was baptized, he found it difficult to shake his desire to wield supernatural power; he offered to pay Peter for the power to lay hands on people and fill them with the Holy Spirit. Peter had to talk sternly with Simon.
The Conversion of the Ethiopian Eunuch. Following the nudges of the Holy Spirit, Philip found an official of the Court of Queen Candace of Ethiopia parked along the road to Gaza reading from the prophet Isaiah in his chariot. The Spirit nudged again, and Philip went over to him and asked he understood what he was reading. It was Isaiah 53. The Eunuch said he needed some explanation and invited Philip to come up into the chariot and help him. It was not difficult for Philip to point the Eunuch to Jesus from Isaiah 53, and soon, the Eunuch was ready to believe and be baptized. Imagine this, as they were coming up out of the water, Philip was whisked away by the Holy Spirit!
The Conversion of Saul. No evangelist was needed for Saul’s conversion, Jesus arrested (stopped) him Himself. He blinded him, spoke to him, and told him to go into the city and wait. Three days, he waited, until God spoke to one of the Christians in Damascus to go to where Saul was and pray for him. Though reluctant, he went and prayed for “Brother Saul.” (Imagine the faith of Ananias to call Saul—the chief persecutor of Christians—“brother!”) When Ananias prayed, Saul’s eyes were opened. He arose, was baptized and began to proclaim the Lord Jesus Christ!
Tomorrow, we’ll read of yet one more awesome conversion!
Your fellow traveler through the New Testament,
Pastor Gary
Acts 8-9
Three incredible conversions! Three very different conversions are described in these two chapters: Two came through Philip the evangelist (Acts 8); one came directly through God (Acts 9), although God used Ananias of Damascus to complete it.
The Conversion of Simon the Magician. Simon was converted un Philip’s preaching in Samaria. Though Acts 8:13 reports that Simon himself believed and was baptized, he found it difficult to shake his desire to wield supernatural power; he offered to pay Peter for the power to lay hands on people and fill them with the Holy Spirit. Peter had to talk sternly with Simon.
The Conversion of the Ethiopian Eunuch. Following the nudges of the Holy Spirit, Philip found an official of the Court of Queen Candace of Ethiopia parked along the road to Gaza reading from the prophet Isaiah in his chariot. The Spirit nudged again, and Philip went over to him and asked he understood what he was reading. It was Isaiah 53. The Eunuch said he needed some explanation and invited Philip to come up into the chariot and help him. It was not difficult for Philip to point the Eunuch to Jesus from Isaiah 53, and soon, the Eunuch was ready to believe and be baptized. Imagine this, as they were coming up out of the water, Philip was whisked away by the Holy Spirit!
The Conversion of Saul. No evangelist was needed for Saul’s conversion, Jesus arrested (stopped) him Himself. He blinded him, spoke to him, and told him to go into the city and wait. Three days, he waited, until God spoke to one of the Christians in Damascus to go to where Saul was and pray for him. Though reluctant, he went and prayed for “Brother Saul.” (Imagine the faith of Ananias to call Saul—the chief persecutor of Christians—“brother!”) When Ananias prayed, Saul’s eyes were opened. He arose, was baptized and began to proclaim the Lord Jesus Christ!
Tomorrow, we’ll read of yet one more awesome conversion!
Your fellow traveler through the New Testament,
Pastor Gary
Monday, November 3, 2014
NOVEMBER 3 ACTS 5-7
November 3, 2014
Acts 5-7
Have you ever ridden a roller coaster?
I have, on occasion, if only to appease my sons—or, most recently, my daughter-in-law, Marlie. It was “Expedition Everest” at the Animal Kingdom in Disney World. When we got on, no one told me that, at one point, we would come face-to-face with Bigfoot, and then ride most of the rest of it BACKWARDS! Up and down, back and forth, thrills and chills, great fear, and exuberant joy...at least when it was finally over.
The opening chapters of Acts are a roller coaster ride in and of themselves. Chapter 1 is the slow ascent, waiting for the Spirit to “drop.” In chapter 2, the Spirit falls; the thrill of the ride begins; God’s people overflow into the crowded streets of Jerusalem. They open up their mouths, and the crowds hear the gospel in their own languages. 3000 come to faith in Christ. People gather to hear the disciples’ teach. They share their possessions, they meet in homes, eat together, pray together, study the word, and have Holy Communion. Miracles happen, more come to faith, and the Spirit continues to fall!
And then, in chapter 5, the roller coaster comes face to face with Bigfoot. A well-meaning couple conspires to look better than they are. They saw the accolades that Barnabas had received from selling a field he owned and giving the money to the Apostles for the poor, so they decided to follow suit. EXCEPT, they kept some of the money from their sales for themselves, and let everyone think they had given it all to the Apostles. First the husband, then the wife are stricken dead. “Great fear seized the whole church” (5:11), and the coaster rolls backwards. Then persecution begins; the apostles are arrested, but released by an angel the next day. Ups and downs! They go back to the temple to preach, are arrested, threatened and flogged! Around and around! There’s consternation in the church because some of the poor Greek Jewish widows are being overlooked in the daily food distribution. The church organizes to meet that need by electing more leaders. One of them, Stephen, is arrested and tried for the sake of the gospel. Up and down! He stands tall to witness to his faith in Jesus before the Jewish ruling counsel. But by the end of Chapter 7, Stephen is dead, stoned by the leaders of Israel. And Stephen died with Jesus in his eyes and forgiveness on his lips.
Have you ever ridden a roller coaster?
Your fellow traveler through the New Testament,
Pastor Gary
Acts 5-7
Have you ever ridden a roller coaster?
I have, on occasion, if only to appease my sons—or, most recently, my daughter-in-law, Marlie. It was “Expedition Everest” at the Animal Kingdom in Disney World. When we got on, no one told me that, at one point, we would come face-to-face with Bigfoot, and then ride most of the rest of it BACKWARDS! Up and down, back and forth, thrills and chills, great fear, and exuberant joy...at least when it was finally over.
The opening chapters of Acts are a roller coaster ride in and of themselves. Chapter 1 is the slow ascent, waiting for the Spirit to “drop.” In chapter 2, the Spirit falls; the thrill of the ride begins; God’s people overflow into the crowded streets of Jerusalem. They open up their mouths, and the crowds hear the gospel in their own languages. 3000 come to faith in Christ. People gather to hear the disciples’ teach. They share their possessions, they meet in homes, eat together, pray together, study the word, and have Holy Communion. Miracles happen, more come to faith, and the Spirit continues to fall!
And then, in chapter 5, the roller coaster comes face to face with Bigfoot. A well-meaning couple conspires to look better than they are. They saw the accolades that Barnabas had received from selling a field he owned and giving the money to the Apostles for the poor, so they decided to follow suit. EXCEPT, they kept some of the money from their sales for themselves, and let everyone think they had given it all to the Apostles. First the husband, then the wife are stricken dead. “Great fear seized the whole church” (5:11), and the coaster rolls backwards. Then persecution begins; the apostles are arrested, but released by an angel the next day. Ups and downs! They go back to the temple to preach, are arrested, threatened and flogged! Around and around! There’s consternation in the church because some of the poor Greek Jewish widows are being overlooked in the daily food distribution. The church organizes to meet that need by electing more leaders. One of them, Stephen, is arrested and tried for the sake of the gospel. Up and down! He stands tall to witness to his faith in Jesus before the Jewish ruling counsel. But by the end of Chapter 7, Stephen is dead, stoned by the leaders of Israel. And Stephen died with Jesus in his eyes and forgiveness on his lips.
Have you ever ridden a roller coaster?
Your fellow traveler through the New Testament,
Pastor Gary
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