June 30, 2015
Have you ever fallen asleep during a sermon? Eutychus did and it nearly cost him his life. Fortunately for him, the Word came to him a second time and he awoke from the dead. Whether it was Paul’s overlong preaching, for he preached “even till daybreak,” or it was Eutychus’ lack of receptivity remains unclear. But one thing appears certain. Eutychus stayed awake for the rest of Paul’s sermon.
June 29, 2015
A riot broke out in Ephesus because the followers of the “Way” (A 1st-century description of Christ-followers) were accused of causing a decline in the sales of Diana figures made by the local silversmiths. The teachings of Christ had begun to influence the citizens of Ephesus and the region of Asia Minor to the point that it even affected their spending habits. Several Christians were dragged into the 25,000 seat Ephesian theater by the rioting mob. When one of the Christians named Alexander tried to make a verbal defense, the mob shouted him down. It’s difficult, if not impossible, to offer a reasoned defense of Christianity to a frenzied mob. Yet, today the city of Ephesus with its sexually perverted temple to Diana lies in ruins, while the followers of the Way continue.
This should cause us to take heart when today’s Diana worshipers are shouting so loud.
June 11, 2015
When persecution caused the church in Jerusalem to scatter, the gospel was spread to other nations. What was intended to stop the message, instead spurred its growth. Jesus had commanded his disciples to “be witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8), but they apparently needed a little help leaving home. Will God have to allow our discomfort to get us to move out for Him?
June 6, 2015
After Peter and John were threatened by the Jewish authorities for preaching in the name of Jesus, they gathered with the other believers and prayed. But they did not pray as one might expect. They didn’t pray for safety or protection. Instead, they prayed that the Lord would handle the threats while giving them boldness to preach in Jesus’ name. And the Lord answered their prayer, shaking the place where they met, so that they poured out like salt, preaching the gospel throughout the land. Oh, that our modern prayer meetings would be like this salt-shaker event again.
June 4, 2015
The first century church “continued steadfastly” in four devotions: 1) the apostle’s doctrine, 2) the fellowship, 3) the breaking of bread and 4) in prayers. And there was a rhythm to their days as they worshiped in the temple and met in one another’s homes (Acts 2:46). Following this pattern, the early church grew miraculously as God added to their number daily “those who were being saved” (Acts 2:47). We would do well to devote ourselves to this same pattern in our churches today.
June 3, 2015
If Matthew 28:18-20 is Christ’s Great Commission for His followers, then Acts 1:8 is His Great Strategy. In the former, Christ gave His disciples an overarching mission: “Go and make disciples of all nations.” In the latter, He gave them the strategic process: 1) First, be empowered by the Spirit, 2) then be witnesses of Christ everywhere you go, 3) starting at home (“Jerusalem”), 4) move out to the surrounding areas (“Judea”), 5) making sure you include those who are social outcasts and hated by others (“Samaria”), 6) and finally, not giving up until the whole world knows that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, who will soon return just as He said.
July 11, 2014
Paul was under house arrest in Rome for at least two years (Acts 28:30). During this time he was able preach the gospel without restraint to all who would listen. What the enemy had meant as death, the Lord had turned into a platform for declaring life. Paul’s captivity led to great freedom for his ministry and hearers. Instead of focusing on his difficult circumstance, Paul saw it as an opportunity to preach Christ. I wonder how many Roman guards became Christians during this 2 years? They were Paul’s captive audience day after day as he taught from the Scriptures.
July 8, 2014
Leadership gurus often instruct their clients to write a personal purpose statement to bring focus to their life. Paul was a man who often declared his personal purpose statement. Here, he announced his purpose to “testify to everyone” about the death, burial and resurrection of Christ. When a life is lived with such singular purpose, it burns like a laser with focused energy. Paul said, “This one thing I do,” not these thousand things I dabble in (Phil.3:13). What’s your life purpose?
July 6, 2014
For the remaining two years of his term, the Roman governor Felix kept Paul in custody at Caesarea. He often sent for Paul, so that he and his Jewish wife, Drusilla, could hear him talk about faith in Christ. What a strange time this must’ve been for Paul. The Scripture ascribes mixed motives to Felix. On the one hand, it mentions that Felix wanted a bribe and that he wanted to gain favor from the Jews. On the other hand, he gave Paul freedom and allowed his friends to visit. Felix also became very frightened when Paul talked to him. Yet Paul didn’t waver. When others would’ve become disheartened by being caught up in such political intrigue, Paul kept sharing his testimony and preaching the gospel. In this way, the elite ruling class of Caesarea heard his witness.
July 3, 2014
The riotous crowd that had chanted to kill Paul now fell silent as he addressed them in their own tongue. Did he defend himself or respond in anger? No. He gave his testimony. Paul’s response was the epitome of the prayer that the early church prayed in Acts 4:29 when they prayed, “Lord, you consider their threats while granting us boldness to speak Your Word.” We can pray this prayer too. Paul was truly bold, but his courage came from a deep sense of calling by the Lord Jesus. The Lord is still calling followers that would depend on Him like Paul.