ALL Men.

1 Timothy 2

First of all, then, I pray that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men. – Vs 1

Do you have any people in your life for whom you refuse to pray? You know the ones I'm talking about. They're those hard-to-get-along-with type of people who rub you the wrong way or who just make your life miserable. Maybe it's your boss or a coworker. It could be a neighbor or even a family member. But we all have them. Then there are those individuals we don't even know, but who we feel no real desire to pray for. They could be a politician, a prominent person in the community, or the corrupt leader of a third-w0rld country who lives in luxury while his people starve to death. Those are the kinds of guys I basically refuse to put on my prayer list. In my mind, they don't deserve it. If I pray for them at all, it usually isn't for their well-being. Then I run into 1 Timothy 2!

…on behalf of ALL men

There it is. No arguing semantics or hermaneutics. It is pretty simple. Paul urges us to pray for all men. Even kings and those who are in authority. That includes every politician from either party in our own country, as well as every corrupt leader in every nation on the face of the globe. Paul says that praying for these people is "good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior." God wants us to pray for all men and women everywhere. But what does He want us to pray? For their removal if they are corrupt? For their further success if they are of our particular political persuasion? For their failure if they don't happen to come down on the right side of the political fence?

No, Paul makes no distinction. He just says to pray for all men. What makes this a particularly powerful statement is that the Roman Emperor on the throne as Paul penned these words was the infamous Nero. Here are just a few excerpts from Easton's Bible Dictionary to describe the man in power while Paul was writing Timothy:

He became emperor of Rome when he was about seventeen years of age (A.D. 54), and soon began to exhibit the character of a cruel tyrant and heathen debauchee.

And in their [Christians] deaths they were also made the subjects of sport; for they were covered with the hides of wild beasts and worried to death by dogs, or nailed to crosses, or set fire to, and, when day declined, burned to serve for nocturnal lights. Nero offered his own gardens for that spectacle.

Nero was the emperor before whom Paul was brought on his first imprisonment at Rome, and the apostle is supposed to have suffered martyrdom during this persecution. – Easton's Bible Dictionary, M. G. Easton

Quite a guy. Yet Paul encourages the believers of his day to pray for him. But what was Paul asking them to pray? From the context it would seem that Paul was encouraging believers to pray for nothing less than Nero's salvation.

"This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth" – Vs 4

Paul wasn't praying for Nero's downfall or removal, but for his salvation. Paul took every opportunity to try and introduce every prominent political figure he met to his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ – from Festus and Felix to Agrippa and probably even Nero, if he ever got the opportunity. But he more than likely prayed for each of these men every day.

Who should we be praying for?

Who are the Nero's of our day? There are plenty of corrupt political power brokers out there who are taking Nero's reign of terror to new heights. They are persecuting the church. They are imprisoning believers and putting many to death for their faith. And while we should pray for the persecuted church, are we willing to pray for the salvation of those responsible for the persecution? Paul would. Because Jesus Christ gave Himself "a ransom for all" (Vs 6). Jesus died on behalf of all men. He payed the price for not only my sins but the sins of the world. So Paul says, "I want the men in every place to pray, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and dissension" (Vs 8). The believers of Paul's day probably felt like they had every right to be angry at Nero for his atrocities. But Paul said they were to replace their anger with prayer. They were to not allow "dissension" or reasoning within themselves to convince themselves not to pray. No, they were just to pray – for all men, everywhere. And leave the results to God.

Father, I confess that there are many in this world I do not feel the urge to pray for. I may want to pray them out of office or pray for their ultimate failure, but praying for their salvation just doesn't seem right or fair. In some way, I feel as if they do not deserve it. But then You remind me that I did not deserve salvation either. The truth is, the only way men can live a "tranquil and quite life in all godliness and dignity" (Vs 2) is if they come to a saving knowledge of Your Son Jesus Christ. Put in me a growing desire for all men to be "saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth" (Vs 4), because that is what You desire. Amen

God's Great Grace.

1 Timothy 1

Yet I was shown mercy…and the grace of our Lord was more than abundant… – Vs 15

Mercy and grace – two words that should bring a smile to any believer's face. Because without them, we would still be hopelessly lost in our sins. Yet as it was with Paul, God showed us mercy. Rather than giving us what we deserve, He showered us with His unmerited favor in the form of mercy. Paul was "a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent aggressor" before coming to Christ, but he was shown mercy by God. What an incredible gift. And I have received it as well.

Amazing Grace

But that's not all Paul and I have received. God showed us grace. He accepted me just as I was. He didn't make me get my act together or clean it up. Instead He just loved me in spite of me. One definition of grace I particularly love is "grace is the face love wears when it encounters imperfection." When God saw me in my sin, He didn't turn His face away in disgust, but He showed me love, and He didn't make me measure up first or somehow earn it or deserve it. Because I would have failed.

In his book, Knowing God, J. I. Packer describes grace this way:

What is grace? In the New Testament grace means God’s love in action towards men who merited the opposite of love. Grace means God moving heaven and earth to save sinners who could not lift a finger to save themselves. Grace means God sending His only Son to descend into hell on the cross so that we guilty ones might be reconciled to God and received into heaven. ‘(God) hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin, that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.’

Encouraging Grace

Lately, I have been becoming increasingly aware of just how amazing grace really is. It's not just a gift I received that will somehow allow me to get into heaven. It is an atmosphere in which I live as a believer. Grace is the environment in which I am loved by God regardless of my performance. I don't have to meet certain criteria to be loved by God. I don't have to do more good things and less bad things to be loved by God. I don't have to keep a list of rules to be loved by God. I am just loved by God. In spite of my flaws and imperfections, and that is grace. God's love in action.

Paul said God's grace was "more than abundant, with the faith and love which are found in Christ Jesus" (Vs 14). In other words, God's grace overflowed to Paul. But God didn't just show him grace on the road to Damascus, He poured out His grace each and every day of Paul's life. That's why Paul could write in Romans "where sin increased grace abounded all the more" (Romans 5:20). God's grace abounds in the presence of sin. It doesn't fade away or turn away. Grace is God's love reaching out to us in our imperfections, even after having come to Christ. Like Paul we can say,

"For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh; for the willing is present in me, but the doing of the good is not. For the good that I want, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want." (Romans 7:18-19)

Paul was experiencing the daily battle with the flesh common to all of us. But he was also experiencing God's abundant, amazing grace in the form of His love in the face of our own sin. Which bring to mind an old hymn we sang when I was growing up as a child.

Marvelous grace of our loving Lord,

Grace that exceeds our sin and our guilt!

Yonder on Calvary’s mount outpoured,

There where the blood of the Lamb was spilled.

Grace, grace, God’s grace,

Grace that will pardon and cleanse within;

Grace, grace, God’s grace,

Grace that is greater than all our sin.

– Grace Greater than Our Sin, Julie H. Johnston

Father, thank you for your amazing, abundant, boundless grace. You never run out and You never hold out. You love me in spite of me. You show me grace each and every day of my life and for that I am eternally grateful. Amen

Just The Beginning.

Acts 28

And he stayed there two full years in his own rented quarters and was welcoming all who came to him, preaching the kingdom of God and teaching concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all openness, unhindered. – Acts 28:30-31 NASB

As we reach the final chapter of this amazing book, you would think we had come to an end of something. Not only of the book of Acts, but of Paul's life. But that would come some five or six years later. Even while in confinement in Rome, Paul managed to write his letters to the Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and to Philemon. He would later be released and continue to his missionary journeys, write 1 Timothy and Titus, then be imprisoned a second time in Rome, where he wrote his second letter to Timothy. Some time around the year 67, Paul was executed in Rome. But rather than the end, it was just the beginning.

God had started something truly significant in Jerusalem that day of Pentecost – His church – and it continues to this day. In fact, as I write this blog entry, I am in Recife, Brazil with a mission team from our church, ministering to children in a remote fishing village. We have participated in worship with local believers who don't speak our language, but who love our God and believe in Jesus Christ. It is an amazing experience and a vivid reminder that "preaching the kingdom of God and teaching concerning the Lord Jesus Christ" isn't just what Paul did, it is what we are all supposed to be doing. The "salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles and they will also listen" (Vs 28), and Paul was right – they are listening.

The God of the book of Acts is the God of our day. He is just as active and powerful as He was in Paul's day. His message of hope through His Son Jesus Christ is just as relevant and necessary as it was almost 2,000 years ago. Do you see Him? Are you experiencing His life-changing power? Have you witnessed His kingdom spreading around the world as His ambassadors take the good news of Jesus Christ to the far corners of the globe? It's happening and it is an amazing sight to see.

Father, thank You that the church didn't stop with the end of the books of Acts. And that it didn't stop with the death of Paul or any of the other apostles. Thank You that it is alive and well and growing all over the world. What a blessing to worship alongside Brazilians who love You and who love us as their brothers and sisters in Christ. Someone brought the Gospel here long before we arrived. The good news has taken root and is growing. What a privilege it is to play even a small part of spreading the message of Your Son's love to the children in a non-descript village in the middle of nowhere along the coast of Brazil. May they come to know Jesus Christ as their personal Savior and become part of the family of God. Amen

When Your Ship Is About To Sink.

Acts 27

…all hope of our being saved was at last abandoned. – Acts 27:20 ESV

This entire first section of this chapter sounds like a perfect description of the individual who finds himself attempting to live life without God. Luke a powerful picture of the difficulty of the journey he and Paul found themselves on as they traveled to Rome. But as I read them, they because almost a metaphor for the lost condition.

…the voyage was now dangerous – Vs 9

…the voyage is going to end in disaster and great loss – Vs 9

…the harbor was not suitable to spend the winter in – Vs 12

…we gave way to it and were driven along – Vs 15

…we were able with difficulty to get the ship’s boat under control – Vs 16

…fearing they would run aground – Vs 17

…we were violently battered by the storm – Vs 18

…they began throwing the cargo overboard – Vs 18

…a violent storm continued to batter us – Vs 19

…we finally abandoned all hope of being saved – Vs 19

Do you hear the desperation, the sense of defeat and resignation? These guys were being hammered by the storm just like many today are hammered by the cares and worries of life. Many reach the point as these men did, of total abandonment. They just give up. Even Christians can find themselves in the same spot. They get rocked by life's storms and reach the point where they just give up all hope of being saved. But I love what Paul said to them:

"And now I advise you to keep up your courage, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only the ship will be lost." – Vs 22

Paul was telling them that the very thing they put their hope for salvation in as sailors, their ship, was going to let them down. In fact, it was going down! That had to be hard news to accept for these guys. They had spent their lives depending on ships to get them where they wanted to go. They depended on ships to keep them safe in storms. They depended on ships for their livelihood. The depended on ships. And now Paul was telling them their ship was going to let them down, but they were going to live.

I think that is where God wants all of us to be. So He sometimes allows those things we have come to depend on most to let us down. The very things we have come to trust more than Him suddenly fail, disappoint us, or crash on the rocks of life, leaving us seemingly alone. It could be our finances, intellect, business acumen, personality, a relationship, education, or any of a number of other things that we have learned to lean on. But what Paul said to them applies to us when we find ourselves in those kinds of situations. "And now I advise you to keep up your courage, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only the ship will be lost."

Only the ship will be lost

God was there. He was not going to let them down. He was going to spare their lives. He was going to intervene. And He did. Which is what He has done so many times in my life over the years. When things have looked their bleakest and my "ship" of life has gone in the wind and waves, He has been there. When I thought all was lost and was ready to abandon all hope, God stepped in and reminded me to keep up my courage. One of my favorite verses is found in 1 Corinthians 16:13.

"Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong."

Don't lose heart. Stand firm in your faith. Act like a man. Be strong. Trust God. Quit trusting whatever ship it is that you have been relying on instead of God. Don't panic. He is there and He cares.

Father, thanks You for being there so many times in my life when I thought all hope was lost. You did it for me when you saved me, but you continue to do it daily. Forgive me for so easily placing my hope in things that can't deliver what I am expecting. They always let me down. Especially in the hard times. But You are always there, and I am eternally grateful. Amen

A Man On A Mission.

Acts 26

Here is Paul, near the end of his earthly journey. He is on his way to Rome, where his journey will end. And as he stands before King Agrippa and shares the story of his life, conversion, and ministry, he shares the mission statement by which he lived. It was the commission he had been given by Jesus Christ Himself that fateful day as he traveled along the road to Damascus. Jesus said:

"I am sending you, to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the dominion of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified by faith in Me." – Acts 26:17-18 NASB

There it is. Paul's mission statement. It was his life's calling and he followed it and fulfilled it faithfully. In fact, he was sharing this same message of hope and life transformation as he "defended" himself before King Agrippa and Festus. In fact, Paul seemed less interested in convincing his listeners of his own innocence than in convincing them to receive Christ. You can hear the conviction in his voice when he states to Agrippa:

"I would wish to God, that whether in a short or long time, not onlyr you, but also all who hear me this day, might become such as I am, except for these chains." – Acts 26:29 NASB

From darkness to light

Paul had a message to share. It was about light – the same brilliant light that had blinded him that day as he traveled to Jerusalem to continue his persecution of the church. It was about the light of the world, that shines into the darkness of men's lives, illuminating the reality of their lives, exposing and purifying their sinfulness, and transforming them into children of light. It was the very thing Jesus said He had come to do.

He [John the Baptist] came as a witness, to testify about the Light, so that all might believe through him. He was not the Light, but he came to testify about the Light. There was the true Light which, coming into the world, enlightens every man. He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. He came to His own, and those who were His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name." – John 1:7-13 NASB

The Light still shines in the darkness. Now he does it through us. We can still shine His sin-exposing, darkness-defeating light into the lives of men, just by telling His story. By telling our story. Paul simply shared how the Light had illumined his life. He didn't share a theory or a theology, but a reality. The Light that is Jesus Christ had shined into his dark life one day and changed it forever. It had taken Paul from darkness to light, from sinfulness to forgiveness, from Satan's control to God's, from a man in debt and condemned to die to an heir of God with a priceless inheritance in heaven. Is that your story? If it is, then why not tell someone?

Father, never let me forget just how great the story of my life transformation is. You sent Your Son and He shined the light of His life into my dark life one day and radically changed me forever. I am covered by His light and it continues to reveal sin and redeem my life daily. He is giving me new life each and every day. He is transforming me daily. His light gives me hope. His light gives me direction. His light gives me life. Thank You. Amen

In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. – John 1:4 NASB

Guilty Of Believing The Truth.

Acts 25

Rather they had certain points of dispute with him about their own religion and about a certain Jesus, who was dead, but whom Paul asserted to be alive. – Acts 25:19 ESV

Isn't that what it's always about? Disputes about religion and debates over the resurrection. From an outsider's perspective that's what it all boiled down to for Festus. This was nothing more than a disagreement over religion and a ridiculous debate about whether a dead man was still dead or had come to life. To him it all appeared ridiculous and probably not worth his time. Whatever charges the Jews had brought against Paul were spurious at best. So much so, that Festus couldn't even figure out what charges to include in his letter to the Emperor Nero when he tried to explain why he was sending this matter and the prisoner to his attention.

But the real issue is summed up quite nicely in verse 19. This really was about religion and the resurrection. And it still is today. On the one hand, the world has tried for centuries to make Christianity all about religion. They want to simplify this all down to just another attempt by men to explain the universe and give meaning to life. Check out just one of the many definitions of religion:

a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, esp. when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency or agencies, usually involving devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs.

Religion is something man creates. It is a list of rules and rituals. It is a set of beliefs and practices. It is man trying to explain the un-explainable and put it in terms he can control. Basically, religion is an attempt to box in God and make Him manageable, knowable, and please-able. But Christianity was never intended to be just another religion. It was a radical new way of life. It wasn't about rules, but relationship. It wasn't about rituals, but about a way to have a right relationship with God. But men couldn't understand that. Especially men who had spent their lives pursuing religion. For them, Jesus and His followers were simply burrs under their proverbial saddle. They were boat rockers, trouble makers, bent on upsetting the status quo. And they had to be done away with. Which is exactly what the Jews were attempting to do with Paul. And what they thought they had done with Jesus.

But the other issue is the resurrection. It is the real sticking point for most people. Few people still argue about the validity of Jesus as a real human being. Most acknowledge His existence. They just reject His resurrection. They'll admit that He came, lived, taught, and died. But when it comes to the resurrection, that's where they part ways. That's too much for them. It was too much for the Jews of Paul's day. It was too much for Festus. It was too much for Agrippa. Most men have no problem accepting the teachings of Jesus, accepting them as just one more set of philosophical and moralistic perspectives on life. But mention Jesus rising from the dead and the offer of eternal life through faith in Him, and that's when you get push back. That's when the eyes roll, the heads shake, and the real debate begins.

All throughout this chapter, Paul's innocents is declared. Festus declared, "I found he had committed nothing worthy of death" (Vs 25). The Jews could prove none of their charges against Paul. So why was he on trial? Because he believed the truth. He asserted Jesus to be alive. He was guilty of believing the truth about Jesus. A fact the Jews just could not accept. They wanted this to be nothing more than a debate about religion. They wanted Jesus to be a non-factor. They wanted His resurrection to be a non-issue. And that's what men want today. Men don't fear religion, but they are petrified of the resurrection. They despise it because the enemy does. Satan hates the idea of a resurrected Christ, because it reminds him that he lost the battle at Calvary. Now men don't have to remain slaves to sin. They can be set free from sin and death by the sacrifice of the cross and the miracle of the empty tomb. Jesus is alive. That is what we still declare today. We assert it, believe it, declare it, live it, put our hope in it and depend upon it. But amazingly, men still reject it. But may we continue to tell what we know to be the truth? Not about religion, but about how to have a right relationship with the living God through the sacrificial death and resurrection of His Son, Jesus Christ.

Father, thank you for the reality of the resurrection. It is the answer. It is our hope. It is what sets Christianity apart and keeps it from being just another religion. The resurrected Lord is what gives us hope and a future. Let me never forget that. Don't let me argue religion, but declare the reality of the life, death, burial and resurrection of My Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Because He changed my life forever. Amen

Making the Most Out Of A Bad Situation.

Acts 24

Paul finds himself in another sticky situation. He has been brought before the governor, Felix, by the high priest, Ananias. The Jews have hired a professional attorney to prosecute the case, but have little more than trumped up charges to bring against Paul. He is being accused of being "a real pest and a fellow who stirs up dissension among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes" (Vs 5). And they accused him of trying to desecrate the temple.

But Paul doesn't seem to be phased by the circumstances. Because he knew something they didn't know. The Lord Himself had told Paul that he was going to Rome. So Paul was at peace with what was going on around him. In fact, he took advantage of the situation and used it to not only defend himself, but to share "about faith in Christ Jesus" with the governor and his wife. Paul was using a perceived negative situation and turning it into a positive one. Sure, Paul was being held prisoner, but rather than moan about his conditions, he made the most of them, sharing his faith.

Righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come.

What I find interesting was what Paul talked about with the governor and his wife. Paul had to know their situation. He must have known that Felix had stolen his young bride from her first husband. She was probably no more than 20 at the time. Felix was on his second marriage. Neither of them was known for having sterling moral character. So what does Paul talk to them about? Righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come. Not exactly a seeker-friendly sermon!

But I think what Paul was doing was meeting them right where they were. Drusilla was a Jew. She was the youngest daughter of Herod Agrippa I, and had been raised a Hebrew. She knew her relationship with Felix was wrong and immoral. So Paul talked to them about three things. Three things that still apply to every living human being today:

righteousness – literally, the state of him who is as he ought to be; acceptable to God

self-control – the virtue of one who masters his passions and desires

the coming judgment – that time to come when all mankind will be judged by God

Wow! Talk about a tough topic. Paul hit this royal couple right where it hurt. He discussed with them the requirement of perfect righteousness, which neither of them could achieve. He brought up their apparent inability to master their passions, allowing themselves to be controlled by sinful desires. And then he told them about the ramifications of a lifestyle of sin and unrighteousness: Judgment at the hands of a holy God. Paul shared with them the bad news that makes the good news so good. God demands righteousness. Man is only capable of unrighteousness. And their is a day of judgment coming when those who put their trust in their own ability to achieve righteousness will be judged on that ability and found lacking. No wonder Felix became frightened. Who wouldn't?

But Paul was also sharing the good news. Verse 24 tells us that he spoke about faith in Christ Jesus. Paul shared with Felix and Drusilla the answer to their problem. He let them know that they had one of two choices:

Please God - as a good Jew, Drusilla knew that righteousness was non-optional. She had been taught to keep the commandments of God. She had had it hammered into her head that God required a life of sinlessness in order to benefit from His blessings. But she had failed. She was divorced, technically living in adultery, and living a life of immorality with a pagan Roman. Felix was not even a God-fearer. He was an idol-worshiper who spent his life trying to appease the gods through sacrifice and self-effort.

Trust God – Paul was telling them of another way. It wasn't about works or self-effort. It was about faith and trust in the sin-substitute that He had provided: His own Son, Jesus Christ. Paul was sharing the good news of a new way to have a right relationship with God – not based on keeping the law or somehow achieving sinless perfection. He was letting them know that the old formula of more good behavior plus less bad behavior did not equal godliness. God was using new math. It was now faith in Jesus Christ plus nothing.

Paul's message to this couple was appealing and they invited him back repeatedly to hear more. We don't know if they ever accepted the offer of faith in Christ, but Paul was faithful to share it. And we should be just as faithful today, because it is still the message that people are dying to hear. We live in a society mired in unrighteousness and uncontrolled passions, and every one of them is facing a judgment to come. All men know that something is wrong, but they don't know what to do. So they turn to religion. Andevery religion in the world is based on some perverted form of self-effort. We have to do it. We have to earn a right standing with God. We have to pull ourselves up by our own bootstraps. Even those who don't turn to God, try to fix society through self-improvement. Their god has become mankind itself. We can fix ourselves. We can somehow hold off judgment by simply improving society.

Faith in Jesus Christ

But we know the truth. It is simply faith in Jesus Christ. There is no other answer. Righteousness and a right relationship with God is only available through Him. And what makes it good news is that it takes all the effort off of us. Jesus said "come unto Me all who are weary and heavy-laden and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28). Jesus offers rest to those who are wearied and worn out by trying to keep the rules, trying to live righteous lives on their own, attempting to "be good" and only finding it impossible to pull off. Rest for the weary. That is what people are wanting to hear today. Just like Felix and Drusilla. But first they need to know that God demands righteousness, that man is addicted to unrighteousness, and there is a coming judgment. Hopelessness paves the way for hope in Jesus Christ. Coming to grips with our own inability opens the door to accepting Christ's all-sufficiency. And that's what makes it good news.

Father, thank you so much for providing a way for me to have a right relationship with You. Thank you that it is not based on me, because if it was, I would have failed. But You have provided Your Son. You have given me a gift I don't deserve and a salvation I never could have earned. Now give me the boldness to share that gift with others. To tell them the good news that is the answer to their bad news. Amen

Courage To Carry On.

Acts 23

Take courage! – Acts 23:11 ESV

Circumstances can have a powerful impact on us. When things are going well, we can be cheerful, upbeat, and confident. Then in a matter of minutes, our mood can change dramatically. We can become downcast, dark, and depressed – all as a result of one simple change to our circumstance. In many ways, we are controlled by our circumstances – by what is happening around us and to us. The same thing was true for Paul. He had good days and bad days. Acts 23 records one of his bad days. He has been dragged out of the Temple by a mob of irate Jews who mistakenly think he had taken a Gentile into the Temple. They are so angry, they intend to kill him. He is rescued by the Romans, but things continue to heat up as Paul attempts to defend himself before the High Priest and the Sanhedrin. Once again, the Roman commander has to step in and rescue Paul to keep him from being "torn to pieces." Now that's what I call a bad day!

A Gentle Reminder

That night, under guard and the protection of the Romans, Paul gets a visitor. It was Jesus Himself. Verse 11 tells us "the Lord stood at his side." In the midst of his difficult circumstances, Paul finds he is not alone. At the time when Paul could have been at his lowest emotionally, the Lord shows up. Sitting alone in that barracks in the darkness of night, knowing that the Jews are out to kill him and his ministry could come to a violent end at any time, Paul was in need of a reminder. He needed to be told once again that Jesus was at his side. But he also need to hear the words the Lord had to say to him:

Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome. – Acts 23:11 ESV

Be bold!

Not only was Jesus with Paul, He had words of encouragement for him. He told Paul exactly what he needed to hear at that moment. He tells him to "take courage!" Other versions translate that word, "be of good cheer." "be of good heart," and "be encouraged." The word literally means to be courageous or bold. Jesus would not have shared these words if Paul had not needed to hear them. Paul was probably suffering from a lack of courage. He wasn't feeling particularly bold. He was probably not experiencing a lot of "good cheer" as he thought about what the next day might hold.

But Jesus said, "take courage!" Why? Because He had other plans for Paul. He wasn't going to let a few bent-out-of-shape Jewish religious leaders derail His plans for Paul's life. Paul had a job to do in Rome and the Lord reminds Him of that.

A valuable lesson

Paul's visit from the Savior didn't change his circumstances. In fact, the next morning was going to bring more bad news. Not only were the Jews out to kill him, a group of forty of them had made a pact not to eat or drink until they murdered Paul. So things actually got worse, not better. But that didn't really matter for Paul, because he had the guarantee of the Lord Himself that nothing was going to prevent him from going to Rome. So Paul wasn't going to let his circumstances dictate his outlook.

Paul learned a valuable lesson that day – one he later shared with other brothers and sisters in Christ who were also going through difficult circumstances. You find Paul using this theme of courage throughout his letters. What Jesus shared with him that night in a Roman barracks became the message he shared with persecuted believers throughout the world. And it a message we still need to hear today. Paul uses the same words (tharseo) that Jesus used in his own letters.

So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. – 2 Corinthians 5:6 ESV

Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. – 2 Corinthians 5:8 ESV

I rejoice, because I have complete confidence in you. – 2 Corinthians 7:16 ESV

So we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?” – Hebrews 13:6 ESV

So we can be hopeful and confident in the midst of our circumstances. Why? Because Christ is with us and because He is not done with us. He has a plan and He is working it out to perfection. We do not fear what men will do to us. We don't have to fear circumstances. We can trust the Lord. We can be bold, confident, and hopeful of the future, because the Lord is at our side.

Father, help me believe that. Let me find my confidence and hope in You and not my circumstances. Because circumstances change, but You do not. Circumstances can disappoint, but You never do. Circumstances are a lousy test of truth, but You are truth. Help me see Your Son Jesus Christ at my side each and every day, regardless of what is going on around me. Keep reminding me that You have a plan for me and You are working it out in Your time. I can trust You. Amen

Christ Made Visible.

Acts 22

I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting. – Acts 22:8 ESV

As Paul was sharing his testimony to the Jews who had dragged him out of the temple, he tells them all about his past. He tells them that he used to persecute the Way. He used to arrest and throw into prison the very people he now calls brothers and sisters. He was an agent for the high priest. In those days, Paul thought he was doing God's work. He was helping eradicate just another start-up sect that was threatening the monopoly Judaism held on the people of Israel. Paul was methodical and merciless in his efforts to destroy Christianity from the face of the earth.

But what Paul didn't know was that the very thing he was trying to destroy was Jesus Christ Himself. That's what Jesus tells him on that miraculous encounter on the road to Damascus. Look at what Jesus says to him:

"Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?’ And I answered, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ And he said to me, ‘I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting." (Vs 7-8)

Once Paul (Saul) had woken up to the reality that he was talking with the resurrected Jesus, I can just imagine him thinking in his mind, "Whoa, wait a minute! I'm not persecuting YOU! What have I done to you? I never met you. I've just been doing my job, trying to rid the world of this start-up sect of ragtag followers of yet another Messiah wannabe."

"Why are you persecuting ME?"

What Paul learned that day on the road to Damascus was a fundamental truth of the New Testament: The relationship between Jesus and His church. We ARE His body. What Paul was doing to the followers of the Way was a direct attack on Jesus Christ Himself. Because we are His body. This is a lesson that Paul learned well. Just take a look at what he had to say to the Corinthian believers about the topic later on in his ministry:

Now you are Christ's body, and individually members of it. – 1 Corinthians 12:27 NASB

For even as the body is one and yet has many members, and all the members of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ. – 1 Corinthians 12:12 NASB

He also told the believers at Ephesus:

And He [God] put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all. – Ephesians 1:22-23 NASB

He also reminded the Colossians of this fact:

Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I do share on behalf of His body, which is the church... – Colossians 1:24 NASB

The body of Christ

What Jesus told Paul that day on the road struck a chord with him. That's why it became a focal point of his teaching. And that message still resonates for us today. We, the church, are the body of Christ. We are the fullness of Him on this earth. We are His hands and feet, with the responsibility to do His work in the world. That's why He left us here. That's why He gave us the Holy Spirit. That's why He gave us spiritual gifts. We are not to be isolated islands, but members of one body, intent on one purpose. As members of Christs body, we each have a part to play, a function to perform. No one member is any less or more important than the other. Paul makes that clear in 1 Corinthians 12.

We are to work together, suffer together, rejoice together, and minister together as one body. We are to make a difference together. Just like those early members of the body of Christ were doing in the days of Paul. We are His body. So we need to appreciate one another more. We need to care for one another more. We each need to be using our giftedness more. We need to be working together more. So that the body of Christ on this earth might be healthy, strong, alive, and active in its ministry of carrying out the work of Jesus Christ. We are Christ! Paul never forgot that point. My prayer is that we won't either.

Father, help me remember that, as a believer, I am not just a member of an organization, but I am a member of Your Son's body. I am part of an organism that You have chosen to place on this earth to represent You. Together we are Christ on this earth. We are to show the world what Christ looks like. When they see us, they should see Him. Show me how to play my part well. Selflessly, sacrificially, joyfully, willingly, and completely. Amen

Obeying God’s Will Willingly.

Acts 21

The will of the Lord be done! – Vs 14

Those are hard words for me to say sometimes. And I think they were just as difficult forLuke and the other friends of Paul to say. They had been "begging him not to go up to Jerusalem" (Vs 12). They were so emotional about it that Paul said, "What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart?" (Vs 13). This was not the first time Paul had been warned by those who loved him not to go up to Jerusalem. In Tyre, the disciples had been informed by the Holy Spirit that Paul was going to suffer. So they tried to talk Paul out of going. But Paul was going to Jerusalem because the Holy Spirit had told Him to go (Acts 20:23), and he knew that "bonds and afflictions" were waiting for him there.

Paul was willing to suffer. He was even ready to die if necessary. He states that clearly in verse 13.

For I am ready not only to be bound, but even to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.

Paul had been warned. He had prophets give him detailed accounts of what was going to happen when he arrived in Jerusalem. But nothing would persuade him to change his mind. Why? Did Paul have a death wish. I don't think so. Sure, Paul had the perspective that "to live is Christ and to die is gain" (Philippians 2:21), but that doesn't mean he was in any mad rush to, as Hamlet once said, "shuffle off this mortal coil."

Paul was perfectly willing to be in the will of God. Even if that meant …

… being completely misunderstood (Vs 21)

… having his actions misinterpreted (Vs 27-29)

… being mistreated (Vs 30-32)

… or even being mistaken for someone else (Vs 38)

For Paul, God's will didn't mean life was going to be a piece of cake, but it did provide peace of mind in the midst of difficulty. God's will wasn't about avoiding trials at all costs, but accepting trials as part of the cost of serving Christ. That's why Paul was able to say, "I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I might gain Christ, and may be found in Him" (Philippians 3:8-9).

When God's Will Isn't Our Way

I love what Luke records in verse 14. He says, "And since he would not be persuaded, we fell silent." Luke includes himself in the group of those who were weeping and begging Paul not to go to Jerusalem. He did not want to see his good friend and brother in Christ suffer. So he begged Paul not to go. But when Luke realized that Paul was determined to follow the Holy Spirit's leading, he finally said, "The will of the Lord be done!"

Many times in my life I have found God's will in direct contradiction to my way of thinking. His plan did not fall in line with my desires. Sometimes I have found tough times have remained when I have asked them to be removed. I have seen my prayers go unanswered (seemingly) and my worst fears come to fruition. But at no time in my life can I look back and say that my way would have been better than God's will. Because He always knows best. He always does what is best. And while Luke and the other brothers and sisters of Paul could see no value in Paul going to Jerusalem, they were willing to commit their way to the supremacy of God's will. They let Paul go, and with him, they let go of their need to have things go their way.

Father, continue to teach me to trust Your will. Help me to let go of my need to always have things go my way. Keep me focused on the bigger picture of Your divine plan and not my short-sighted view of my circumstances. I won't always understand, but that's OK. I just need to learn to trust You more! Amen

Strong To The Finish.

Acts 20

I have preached this passage before, so it was hard for me to find something that was new and unexpected this morning as I read. Years ago, when I served as an elder at our church, verses 28-35 came to mean a lot to me. So I have spent a lot of time thinking about them and trying to apply them to my life. But this morning, after a few additional read-throughs, I ended up going back to verses 18-27. There was something about what Paul had to say to the elders at Ephesus that impacted me like it never had before. At first blush, it could come across like Paul was bragging. After all, by my count he uses the personal pronouns "I," "me" and "myself" at least 20 times in the span of 10 verses.

"No brag, just fact"

In the 1960s Walter Brennan starred in an obscure TV Western called The Guns of Will Sonnet. He played a crotchety old army scout searching for his son, a gunfighter on the run. Any time Brennan’s character would meet someone, he would tell them that he was a faster draw than his son and then add reply, “no brag, just fact.”

So was Paul bragging or just stating the facts? Based on the events of his life, I think I would say it was the latter. What Paul shared with the Ephesian elders was simply a glimpse into his life that he intended to be an encouragement to these men as they served their flock back in Ephesus. What Paul shares is a seemingly comprehensive list of qualities that characterize the life of any shepherd of God. For that matter, these qualities should probably be found in each and every child of God, whether they are a pastor, elder, deacon, or layman. Check out Paul's list:

He served with humility - Vs 19

He shed tears regularly – Vs 19

He endured trials repeatedly - Vs 19

He shared boldly and profitably – Vs 20

He taught publicly – Vs 20

He testified tirelessly – Vs 21

He ministered faithfully – Vs 24

He sacrificed personally – Vs 22-24

He suffered willingly – Vs 24

He died to self daily – Vs 24

He testified earnestly – Vs 24

He declared wholeheartedly – Vs 27

Paul put it all on the line. Whatever he did, he did with conviction, passion, and determination. He didn't give up, let up, check out, or sell out. He didn't shrink back or cave in. He didn't have a pity party or an early retirement party. He was faithful to the end. He ran the race to win. Paul gave it his all and he gave all he had to give.

The life of a giver

Paul sums his life all up in one sentence: "In everything I showed you that by working hard in this manner you must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive'" (Acts 20:35).

Paul was a giver. But am I? Do I give my life away like he did? Am I willing to make the kinds of sacrifices that he did? Suffer for the sake of the gospel like he did? Share boldly and publicly like he did? Testify tirelessly like he did? Serve humbly like he did? What about you?

Father, give me the perspective of Paul. Give me the heart and the commitment of Paul. Let me serve as he did, love as he did, testify as he did, share as he did, teach as he did, even suffer if necessary as he did. May my life be a testimony to the indwelling presence and power of the Holy Spirit. Use me Father and, if necessary, use me up! Amen

The Radical Ways of "The Way."

Acts 19

There's a lot packed into the 41 verses of chapter 19. But one thing that stands out to me is the amazing impact Christianity was having on the culture of the day. It was spreading rapidly. It was changing lives. It was getting the attention of the religious elite and the political power base. Ordinary people were coming to Christ and doing extraordinary things. The Holy Spirit was coming into the lives of people and radically reforming their behavior. The message of Jesus Christ was spreading rapidly. The name of Jesus Christ was becoming associated with the miraculous. So much so, that the seven sons of Sceva (sounds like an alternative rock band) tried to use the name of Jesus to cast out a demon. The only problem was that they knew the name, but not Savior behind the name.

The Way

During the early days of the church, Christianity was simply known as The Way. It was probably a term coined by the followers of Christ themselves and was used to reflect the fact that following Christ was not only the way of salvation, but it was to be a radically new way of life. Jesus Himself had claimed, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me" (John 14:6).

The way of Jesus was anything but ordinary. It was a radical path that produced remarkable changes. And you see them all throughout this chapter. In verses 18-19 you see believers bringing their occult books containing magic spells and incantations to be burned. They destroyed thousands of dollars worth of books representing their former way of life. Life in Christ was bringing a new way of living.

In verses 23- 41, we see that The Way was causing "no small disturbance" to the community. So many lives were being changed that the sale of household idols had plummeted, leaving the craftsmen who made them in an uproar. Because of the teaching of Paul, people had not only changed their way of life by accepting Christ, they had changed their way of thinking. They were now saying, "...that gods made with hands are no gods at all." The way of Jesus Christ had led to a radically new way of living.

Way Out of Whack

Something is missing today. We still preach and teach that Jesus is the way, but we don't seem to be seeing the same radical change in behavior in the lives of His followers. We don't seem to see the church having the same radical impact on the culture that it did in Luke's day. The Way doesn't seem to be making "no small disturbance." It has become less a way of life, than a way of believing. It has become just another belief system. Our way seems no different than any other way. There appears to be no power, passion, commitment, or radical life transformation associated with our way. Like the seven sons of Sceva, could we be quilty of speaking the name of Christ, but lacking a real relationship with Him? Do we talk about the way, but lack intimacy with the One who is the way?

Jesus is still the way. He still has the power to transform lives in a radical way. He still has the power to impact culture in a revolutionary way. He still expects His people to live in such a way that we create "no small disturbance." Our way of life should get peoples' attention. Our way of thinking should stand out. Our way of salvation should be attractive to all those around us, because it really works!

Father, make me radical in the way I live my life. Make the way I speak reflect Your ways. Make my thoughts align with the way You think. Let my ways Your ways. So that the Way of Christ might make a radical difference in the world today. Amen

What A Coincidence!

Acts 18

I can't help but read chapter 18 of Acts and smile. All throughout this portion of Luke's story, he seems to have placed subtle little reminders of just how in control our God is of all circumstances. I don't know if Luke intended to drop these little "hints" of if I just happen to read them that way, but they jump off the page every time I read this chapter. Take a look for yourself:

Isn't it a coincidence ... that Claudius had decided to issue an imperial edict kicking all the Jews out of Rome?

Isn't it a coincidence ... that Aquila and his wife Priscilla just happened to have been living in Rome when this decree was issued?

Isn't it a coincidence ... that out of all the places in the world they could have moved, Aquila and Priscilla decided to move to Corinth?

Isn't it a coincidence ... that this couple just happened to be tent-makers, the same trade that the apostle Paul had learned growing up in Tarsus? And that they would provide Paul not only a place to live while in Corinth, but a source of income to support his ministry?

Isn't it a coincidence ... that this exiled Jewish couple would end up being two of the first converts to Christianity in Corinth?

Isn't it a coincidence ... that when Paul decided to turn his back on the Jews and take his message to the Gentiles, that Titius Justus, a Gentile worshiper of God, just happened to live next door to the synagogue?

Isn't it a coincidence ... that Crispus, the leader of the synagogue, ended up coming to Christ, even though the Jews had initially "resisted and blasphemed" as a result of Paul's ministry to them?

Isn't it a coincidence ... that Gallio, the proconsul of Achaia, refused to listen to the Jews' trumped up charges against Paul, rejecting their accusations and freeing Paul to continue his ministry there?

Isn't it a coincidence ... that Aquila and Priscilla were willing to leave their business behind in Corinth to follow Paul all the way to Ephesus?

Isn't it a coincidence ... that upon arriving in Ephesus, Aquila and Priscilla just happen to find that Apollos, a Jew with a Greek name who grew up in an Egyptian city, has recently arrived in Ephesus, and is teaching about Jesus and debating with the Jews in the synagogue?

Isn't it a coincidence ... that this very educated man, who was very knowledgeable in the Hebrew scriptures, knew about Yahweh, the teachings of Jesus, and the preaching of John the Baptist, just happened to meet Aquila and Priscilla, who were able to tell him "the rest of the story" and lead him to Christ?

Isn't it a coincidence ... that Apollos had the desire to move on to Achaia, the very place where the Jews had tried to have Paul convicted?

Isn't it a coincidence ... that Apollos, this recently converted Jew, was able to help those who had come to Christ is Achaia and successfully refute the Jews there, while Paul had only stirred them up, causing them to drag him before the proconsul?

Isn't it a coincidence ...?

What a God?

You see it all throughout the book of Acts. The amazing intervention of our almighty God as He works behind the scenes to accomplish His divine will in His own unique way. There are no coincidences when it comes to God. There is just His sovereign will being worked out in the lives of men and women -- including those who know and love Him, as well as those who, like Claudius and Gallio, stand opposed to Him.

God's sovereignty is visible throughout the pages of the book of Acts. It is a not-so-subtle reminder that it's God Who is orchestrating events and accomplishing His plan through the lives of men, not the other way around. I am sure Claudius thought he was in control when he gave the edict kicking all the Jews out of Rome. But God had a bigger plan. I am sure Aquila and Priscilla had perfectly good reasons for their choice of Corinth as the new headquarters for their tent-making business. But God had an even better reason with eternal ramifications. I am sure Titius Justus was confident that his selection of a home that backed right up to the synagogue was his idea. But God had something more important in mind that just a good real estate investment.

You see, God is always at work -- even when we can't see Him. He is working behind the scenes, moving in ways that are invisible to us, but that end up impacting us, in significant ways. We would like to take a lot, if not all, of the credit for the things that happen in our lives. But when we do, we fail to acknowledge that God is bigger than our puny plans. And chapter 18 is a reminder to remember that very fact. He is going ahead of me. He stands behind me. He always surrounds me. No politician can thwart His plan. No amount of opposition can stop His plan. No distance can limit His plan. No misguided religious establishment can confuse His plan.

What a comfort?

So what are we worried about? God is in control. He knows what He's doing. He has a plan and He is working it to perfection. He can be trusted. And that should bring us all comfort.

Father, thank you for reminding me that You are in control. You are in heaven orchestrating the details surrounding my life. Long before I know it, You are moving behind the scenes, arranging for an Aquila and Priscilla to come into my life. You are moving politicians and people in positions of power, to make decisions they think are their own, that will end up accomplishing Your will. I have no reason to fear their edicts and decrees, because my God is bigger than their most perverse plan. What they mean for evil, You will use for our good and Your own glory. Help me to remember that each and every day. Amen

Singin’ In The Chains!

Acts 16

But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns of praise to God..." - Vs 25

This story has always amazed me. Here are two guys who have been doing the work of God, get arrested, dragged into court, falsely accused, beaten and imprisoned, and they still manage to turn their ordeal into a praise and worship time! Incredible.

I mean, I have a hard time praising and worshiping if I have to park too far from the church on Sunday morning. I can end up complaining instead of praising if somebody pulls out in front of me in traffic. Yet here are two guys who, in my mind, had every right to complain about their lot in life, but instead they praised God. They had been caned and chained, but still managed to pray and praise.

It's All A Matter of Perspective

What allowed Paul and Silas to react the way they did? How were they able to respond so positively to such a negative situation? Was it just a matter of having positive outlook on life? No, I think it was perspective. They had their eyes focused on the future, not the present. They were willing to accept the sufferings of today for the glory awaiting them. Paul said it this way in Romans 8:24:

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.

Paul knew that any suffering he would go through in the present was incomparable to what he would experience in the future.

For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison. - 2 Corinthians 4:17

Paul had hope. Not hope for release. Even thought he could have expected it. After all, Peter had been miraculously released. He didn't put his hope in justice, even though he had been accused, beaten and imprisoned unjustly. He didn't put his hope on vindication or payback. Instead, he would lead the guard who imprisoned him to Christ.

No Paul's hope was on the future. His hope was on the reality of heaven. So what was a little pain compared with that kind of gain? Paul and Silas were able to pray and praise because they had their sights set on the unseen, the invisible, yet indisputable reality of heaven.

"While we look not at the things that are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things that are not seen are eternal." - 2 Corinthians 4:18

Singing a Different Tune

I sing the blues way too much. Instead, I need to learn to sing the praises of God -- regardless of the circumstances. I need to get my eyes off the temporal and start looking at the eternal. Because my God is an eternal God with an eternal plan. He knows what He is doing. I can trust Him. Even when it looks like all is out of control. I need to remind myself of what Paul knew:

We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed and broken. We are perplexed, but we don't give up and quit. We are hunted down, but God never abandons us. We get knocked down, but we get up again and keep going. Through suffering, these bodies of ours constantly share in the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in our bodies. - 2 Corinthians 4:8-10

Father, thank you for this reminder this morning. Help me to see my circumstances from your perspective and not mine. Help me to pray and praise instead of bicker and complain. Because you are in control. Amen

Unless You ________, You Cannot Be Saved!

Acts 15

Ever since the Holy Spirit descended upon the disciples in that upper room in Jerusalem more than 2,000 years ago, there have been those in the church who have attempted to grow the kingdom of God through the use of some sort of "new math." Not content to rely on the divine formula of "faith alone in Christ alone," they have resorted to coming up with their own equation for salvation. The result has been redemption by addition. And that's what we see happening in Acts 15.

Men have always seemed obsessed with adding to God's simple plan of salvation. His way just doesn't seem like its enough. There has to be more. And the "more" usually involves us having to do something to earn salvation. In Paul's day, it was the "plus" of circumcision. The Jewish believers just couldn't imagine that anyone could come to a right relationship with God without having to go through their time-honored tradition of circumcision. After all, God ordained it, so who are we to neglect it? But these well-meaning individuals were missing the point. They were putting too much stock in something that was man-focused. Circumcision was to be a sign. It was a visual reminder that the one circumcised belonged to God. But circumcision didn't make you holy or righteous before God. Over the years, God destroyed plenty of men who wore the outward sign of circumcision, but their hearts were hardened and disobedient.

Christ, plus nothing

So, in Paul's day, the Jewish believers were trying to fill in the blank with circumcision. Unless you are circumcised, you can't be saved. Thank goodness that is not an issue today! But what do we put in the blank? What do we add to the gospel in order to make sure the equation always equals salvation?

How about a little works or human effort? A little self-made excellence or man-made righteousness? While most of us would say that works plays no part in salvation, we live lives that communicate something radically different. Sure, we say we were "saved by faith," but we seem to believe that we are sanctified by works. In other words, God redeemed us, but now it's up to us to transform us. And so we end up adding to the gospel message. Rather than bask in the sufficiency of Christ, we feel obligated to add our two-cents worth of self-effort, in a misguided attempt to insure our ultimate acceptance into God's kingdom.

Worn out from adding to

If the truth be known, most of us are exhausted from living a life of salvation by addition. We have somehow convinced ourselves that Jesus was enough to save us, but He needs our help to sanctify us. And that is adding to the gospel. Because the gospel has always been more than just our initial acceptance of Christ as our Savior. The gospel has always included salvation, sanctification, and ultimately, our glorification. And every step of the way is based on the simple formulate of faith alone in Christ alone. In other words, it is grace. God's grace extended to undeserving sinners, who are totally incapable of saving themselves or improving themselves.

Pleasing God vs. Trusting God

If you boil it all down to the basics, the blank line following the statement, "Unless you" can only be filled in with one statement. But we all have two choices, and ONLY two choices. We can either choose to believe, "Unless you please God, you can't be saved or we can choose to believe, "Unless you trust God, you can't be saved. The good news of the gospel requires that we trust God, not please Him. It requires that we stop trying and start believing. It means that we stop relying on what we can do and start trusting in what Christ has done.

Are you worn out trying to please God? Then you've put the wrong thing in the blank. Why not start trusting God instead? Let Him complete His saving work in your life by allowing Him to transform you day by day into the likeness of His Son. Give up your attempt at sanctification by addition. Trust His formula for spiritual multiplication in your life.

For I am sure of this very thing, that the one who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. - Philippians 1:6

Father, forgive me for sometimes trying to add to what you began. For trying to fill in the blank with some twisted form of self-effort that only leaves me feeling exhausted, worn out and disappointed. Help me remember that the good work You began, only You can complete. Show me what it means to trust You, instead of trying to please You. And thank You for making the gospel so simple and grace so accessible.

Good News and Bad News.

Acts 14

The good news is you're going to heaven. The bad news is that you're going to have to go through some tribulation before you get there.

Whoa! Wait a minute. Did I sign up for that? That must have been in the small print of the travel brochure, because I didn't see it. If I had known about the tribulation part, I would have given this whole good news thing a second thought.

In chapter 14 there's an interesting conflict going on that I think I have always struggled with. It is the same tension that causes many to accept Christ, then walk away from Him. It involves the good news of the gospel and the bad news of tribulation or trials. You see, in this one chapter we have the apostle Paul sharing both. Yet most of us want to accept the reality of the one, and reject the possibility of the other.

The Good News

We all could use a little good news once in a while. And the good news (euaggelizzo in the Greek) that Paul shares is what we refer to as the gospel. Luke refers to it three times in this chapter:

and there they continued to preach the gospel - Vs 7

we...preach the gospel to you that you should turn from these vain things to a living God... - Vs 15

After they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples... - Vs 21

The gospel literally means to "bring the good news." It is the good news regarding Jesus Christ. That He is the Son of God, sent by God, to reconcile mankind to God. He became a man so that He might live the life we were meant to live -- a life free from sin. Then in spite of His sinlessness, He willingly paid the penalty for our sinfulness, by dying in our place on the cross. He became the sinless sacrifice that God required. He did what we could not do. He satisfied the demands of a holy, righteous God. He was put to death, so that we would not have to die. But God did not leave Him dead. He raised Him back to life just three days later. The same power that restored Jesus to life is what now makes it possible for us to be restored in our relationship with God. We can have forgiveness of sin and freedom from guilt and condemnation. Just by accepting God's free gift of grace through His Son Jesus Christ. And that's good news.

And just as in Paul's day, that good news message has been eagerly and gladly accepted by those who hear it. Including me. But the good news comes with what appears to be bad news. At least it seems that way to us. So we ignore it. We act as if it isn't really there. We even refuse to tell those who accept the good news that there might even be any bad news. So when it comes, which the Bible says it will, they become confused.

The Bad News

We get the bad news in verse 22. There we learn that Paul was "strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying,

Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.

Wait a minute! How could talking about tribulations bring any kind of strength and encouragement to a group of new disciples? What could possibly be encouraging about hearing that our path to the kingdom will be a tough and possibly unpleasant one? What was Paul thinking?

Paul was thinking about the kingdom. And he was thinking about the reality of the conflict we face as Christians as we try to live as citizens of God's kingdom in this kingdom. This world is not our home. We are aliens and strangers. We are simply passing through on our way to some place much better. And while we are here, we will stick out like a sore thumb. As children of God, we will live differently than those around us. We live according to a different standard and obey a different set of kingdom rules. All of which will puts us in conflict with the world in which we live. We have an enemy, Satan, who hates us and wants to destroy us. We live in a world that opposes us and also hates us. Then we struggle with our own flesh, that does everything in its power to convince us to live according to its will, not God's.

You see, God never said this would be easy. In fact, we are warned throughout His Word that trials and tribulations are a part of the Christian life. Peter tells us:

Do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you. - 1 Peter 4:12

Jesus Himself told us:

In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world. - John 16:33

Paul reassures us in Romans 8:35-36:

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: 'For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.' No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.

Tribulations and trials are a real part of our walk here on this earth. We all know it because we experience them daily. But we spend so much time questioning God when they come. We pray for Him to remove them. We plead for release from them. We act as if they are an anomaly, a mistake of some kind that shouldn't be part of the life of a believer. But they are. Jesus promised it. Paul confirmed it. Life proves it.

The bad news really is good news.

In Romans 5, Paul gives us a little more insight into this issue of the good news and bad news. Here is what he said:

Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God. And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. - Romans 5:1-5

According to Paul, our trials and tribulations have a purpose. They are an integral part of the maturing process we call spiritual growth. They can both break us and make us. They can drive us to our knees and into the arms of God. They can reveal our weaknesses and God's power. They can force us to take our eyes off this world and focus them on eternity -- where our real hope resides and the best part of the good news awaits us!

Father, I want to thank you again for the good news of Jesus Christ and all that it means. But I also want to learn to thank you for the tribulations and trials of life. I want to see them as part of the good news, instead of just a lot of bad news. Help me to see your hand in it all. You can and do use anything and everything to make me like Your Son. Thank you!!! Amen

The Power of the Resurrection.

Acts 13

In reading through chapter 13 for about the fourth time this morning, one word kept jumping out at me: Raised. It is used four times within the span of seven verses in the New American Standard Version. It starts in verse 30:

But God raised Him from the dead.

Then Luke uses it again in verses 32-33:

And we preach to you the good news of the promise made to the fathers, that God has fulfilled this promise to our children in that He raised up Jesus...

He picks it up again in verse 34:

As for the fact that He raised Him up from the dead, no longer to return to decay."

Then he uses it one last time in verse 37:

He whom God raised did not undergo decay."

It seems that Paul is trying to make a point by stressing the resurrection of Jesus to his listeners. Why? Because the resurrection is central to the message of Jesus Christ. Without it, we have nothing. With it, we have hope and the promise of eternal life.

The resurrection has been the focal point of the message of Christ from the beginning. In fact, Jesus Himself talked about it long before it happened. Back in John 11:25 we have these words of Jesus recorded for us:

I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies...

Jesus tied our eternal life to His resurrection. You can't have one without the other. In his letter to the Corinthians, Paul reminds us of this fact:

But if there is no resurrection of the dead, not even Christ has been raised; and if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain, your faith also is vain.- 1 Corinthians 15:13-14

If Christ has not been raised, then we can't hope in a resurrection of the dead or eternal life. Without the resurrection, Paul is wasting his time preaching, and we are wasting our time believing. Because we would have nothing to believe in.

Later, Paul would write to the Philippians believers:

I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death.. - Philippians 3:10

You see, the resurrection is all about power. When Paul spoke about Jesus being raised, he is describing an impossible, not improbable event. No one could be raised from the dead! It was impossible. Yet, the message of the apostles was that Jesus had done just that. By the power of God, Jesus had been raised from death to life again. He had done what no other man had ever been able to do before. Defeat death.

And it is on this amazing fact that all our hope rests as believers. The apostle Peter states this fact clearly in his letter:

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead... - 1 Peter 1:3

We have a living hope. It is a living Jesus. And it is because He is living that we can have forgiveness of sins and freedom from the law and its condemnation. Paul states that clearly in verses 38-39:

Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through Him forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you; and through Him, every one who believes is freed from all things, from which you could not be freed through the law of Moses."

Through Him. Because of His resurrection. Because He was raised. We have a living hope and an eternal future.

But do we live like it? Do we live as if we believe in the resurrection of Jesus? Do we live as if we have hope? Do we recognize the kind of power it would take to raise a man from the dead? It is that kind of power that is at our disposal. It is a power that can only come from one place: The hand of God. When God raised Jesus up, He validated Who He had claimed to be. He was the Son of God. His resurrection was proof of His deity, and a guarantee of all the promises Jesus had made.

Jesus is alive! He has been raised from the dead. And we have a living hope. We don't have to fear death, man, sin, condemnation, the law, the grave, our future, or anything else.

Father, like Paul, I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection. I want to understand just what kind of power I have at my disposal because I worship the God who raised up Jesus from the dead. I want to see Him raise me up every day from my death to sin and the flesh. I want to crucify my old self daily, and see my new life in Christ raised up to live in obedience to and dependence on God. This Easter, may I see more clearly than ever the power of the resurrection. Amen

The inscrutable ways of God.

Acts 12

Chapter 12 is an action-packed passage and one of my favorites. In fact, I like it so much that I had a hard time looking past all the familiar parts of the storyline in order to see it in a different light this morning. I mean, who doesn't love the fantastic story of Peter getting released from prison by an angel? Herod intends to kill him, but instead God releases him. Then there's the part about the friends of Peter praying for his release, then failing to believe it's really him when he shows up on their doorstep. Oh, and if you're cheering for the good side, you can't help but do a little fist pump when you hear what happens to Herod in the end.

But then I looked closer. I read the passage a few more times. And there is was. The death of James. Luke matter-of-factly records this event in one sentence, then moves on. Here is the first martyrdom of an apostle and all Luke does is give it a mention. But it was obviously important to him. It was important to the rest of the story. But how many times have I read right past it without even taking notice of the fact that James, the brother of John, and one of the three apostles who made up Jesus' inner circle, was put to death right at the beginning of the church age. I mean the martyrdom of Stephen gets more press than the death of James. Which prompts me to ask why?

Why?

When you read this story, it's easy to get excited about the miraculous release of Peter from prison. God stepped in and saved the day. He thwarted the plans of Herod with His own divine plan. He answered the prayers of the believers who had gathered to lift up their brother in Christ. He gave Peter an incredible boost to his faith and an unbelievable story to share with his friends.

But what about James? Was nobody praying for Him? Did God not care about Him? Was he less important than Peter? Was his death just payback for his arrogant request for Jesus to give he and his brother prominent places of authority in His coming kingdom (see Mark 10:38-45)? Why did James have to die, yet Peter was set free to serve another day?

Our unsearchable, unfathomable God

Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways! - Romans 11:33

The fact is, we don't know why God chose to spare Peter, but not James. But we do know that "all His ways are just" (Deuteronomy 32:4). We know that God has a plan and He is working it to perfection. Stephen was cut down in the prime of his ministerial life, and we struggle with that. James was martyred for his faith and would never get to see the rapid expansion of the kingdom of God he so longed to be a part of. But God was at work. God was in control. God was working His plan.

There is much about God we will never understand., because He is God and we're not. But we do know that God is a just and loving God. We know that God has a redemptive plan that is unstoppable and bigger than any one individual. It's bigger than James, bigger than Stephen, bigger than Peter, and bigger than Herod. No man can prevent it or improve it. We may not even be able to understand it. But we can rely on it.

An Unstoppable Force

I love the way chapter 12 ends.

But the word of the Lord continued to grow and to be multiplied. - vs 24

James was gone. Herod was dead. Peter was free. And the gospel continued to spread. I may not understand His methodologies. I may not agree with His plans. But I have to admit that the results speak for themselves. He is God and He knows what He is doing. And the one man who would probably echo that statement the loudest is James himself.

Father, help me trust You. Help me realize that You can be trusted because you are righteous and all Your ways are just. You know what you're doing even when it makes no sense to me. You are the potter and I am the clay. Forgive me for the many times when I question you and ask "what are you doing?" (Isaiah 45:9). You know what you're doing and I need to learn to trust You more. Amen

The Visible Grace of God.

Acts 11

Then when he [Barnabas] arrived and witnessed the grace of God, he rejoiced... - Vs 23

How do you see the grace of God? Well, for Barnabas it was as easy as looking at the faces of strangers he met in Antioch who had believed the message about Jesus Christ and turned from their old way of life to new life in Him. They had stepped out of death into eternal life. They had once been blind, but now they could see the truth of the gospel message. And Barnabas got to see it with his own eyes.

Changed lives. Redeemed souls. Freed prisoners. Forgiven sinners. They are all around us, but we fail to see them as a visual illustration of the matchless grace of God. They are our friends, family members, neighbors, fellow church attenders. But when we look at their lives, we do not rejoice as Barnabas did, because we don't recognize that none of these people, including ourselves, could ever have earned what they received or deserved what they have been given. But for the grace of God, we would still be dead, the walking dead. We would still be lost, but unaware of our true condition. We would still be debt to God, with no capacity to pay Him back. We would still be sinners, with no hope of salvation.

And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest. But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.- Ephesians 2:1-9

Grace: The Visible Gift of God

What is this grace that Barnabas saw? Well, according to The Complete Word Study Dictionary grace is ...

A favor done without expectation of return;  the absolutely free expression of the loving kindness of God to men finding its only motive in the bounty and benevolence of the Giver; unearned and unmerited favor.

God's grace is made visible in the lives of people - sinful people to be exact. So when we look around us and see people who stepped from darkness into light, we are seeing the grace of God. When we see sinners who understand their need for a Savior, and take God up on His gift of salvation through Christ, we are seeing the grace of God. When we see undeserving, unrighteous individuals transformed day by day by the power of the Holy Spirit, we are witnessing the grace of God. And it should cause us to rejoice.

God's grace does the unexpected

What Barnabas saw that day in Antioch was something he never expected: Sin-loving, idol-worshiping, Jew-hating pagans coming to faith in Christ. Here was God's grace being extended in an unexpected way to an undeserving people. But isn't that how God's grace always works?

Barnabas was blown away by God's grace. So much so, that he immediately went on a search for Saul so that he could bring him back to help him extend God's grace to more people in the city of Antioch. And they ended up staying there for an entire year - teaching, preaching, encouraging, and witnessing the grace of God in action. With a smile on their face and a song in their heart.

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,

That saved a wretch like me.

I once was lost but now am found,

Was blind, but now I see.

T'was Grace that taught my heart to fear.

And Grace, my fears relieved.

How precious did that Grace appear

The hour I first believed.

Through many dangers, toils and snares

I have already come;

'Tis Grace that brought me safe thus far

and Grace will lead me home.

The Lord has promised good to me.

His word my hope secures.

He will my shield and portion be,

As long as life endures.

Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail,

And mortal life shall cease,

I shall possess within the veil,

A life of joy and peace.

When we've been here ten thousand years

Bright shining as the sun.

We've no less days to sing God's praise

Than when we've first begun.

Father, thank you for the grace you extended to me! Don't ever let me take it for granted. And help me to see your grace all around me in the lives of those you have redeemed. Like me, none of us deserved what you have given us. We were beggars invited to a feast. We were murderers given full pardon. We were the hopelessly guilty given complete forgiveness. All because of your incredible grace. Thank you! Amen