Acts 16
-Paul and Silas come back to Derbe and to Lystra on this
second missionary journey of Paul. Lystra is where Paul picks up his son in the
faith, Timothy, who is circumcised by him since his father was Greek. Timothy
had a Godly heritage from his mom and grandmother and proved to be
indispensable in partnership with the Apostle Paul (2 Timothy 1:5).
*Application* This narrative proves that Paul was a man of custom who did not
desire to cause any offense to the gospel. He knew that the first priority in
the cities they would go to would be the Jews in the synagogues. If Timothy was
to be effective and accepted by the Jews, he would need to be circumcised to
prevent any kind of offense towards the gospel of Jesus Christ. This
willingness to be “all things to all men” was a hallmark of Paul and Timothy’s
ministry (1 Corinthians 9:19-23). In our lives it is good to know your audience
when relating the gospel, and remember to do all you can to prevent any
distractions from telling the good news of Jesus Christ.
-The purpose for this second missionary journey is described
for us in verse four. They were basically relaying the information discerned
and approved of by the Jerusalem Council for the Gentile believers in these
areas they had previously evangelized in Asia Minor. Verse five says that they
continued to strengthen all the churches in the faith and the church kept
increasing in numbers daily. *Application* How awesome to see the early
church’s methodology of doing something every single day to affect life change
in people. This is something that we’ve gotten away from in our modern culture.
Does your church have activity which could daily change lives, or is it
primarily a once or twice a week show for the saints? Compare the Scriptural
difference we see here and ask, “What can I do to make a difference every
single day?” or “What can our church do to make it more effective in the
society we live in?”
-The leading of the Holy Spirit is again paramount as these
missionaries desire to go one direction, but the Lord directs them another.
Paul’s Macedonian vision is an important development as the team goes into
Europe for the first time with the gospel. Notice that the action was immediate
when the word of the Lord came. They got the call and responded without question
and/or rationalization. God had great things in store for them as they went
forward in obedience. *Application* When God reveals His will to you it is
important to obey. This will not always be easy as we see here in the
Scriptures (Paul and Silas were beaten and incarcerated for their faith), but
the blessings and the power of God was on their lives through this following of
God’s revealed plan. When you turn away from what you know the Lord wants you
to do, you rob yourself of blessing, honor, and power in the spiritual realm.
Act out your faith, and don’t ever compromise it.
-Philippi is where a majority of the action takes place as
the missionaries invade Europe. Lydia is converted with her household and the
disciples find a place to stay there with her. A spiritist girl is radically
transformed angering her masters and upsetting the city. This leads to the
beating and imprisonment, illegally, of Paul and Silas. This sets up the
earthquake and dramatic conversion of the jailer and his household. What an
array of diverse church members the Philippian church had! The point is that
God was at work and He was calling all people to Himself for salvation using a
variety of methods and encounters. *Application* God is at work in your life
too! Allow Him to direct you through each day and see where He is at work reconciling
the world to Himself using you as an instrument for His glory. We are no
different than Paul and Silas. Get to work! The simple message you proclaim is
this, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved…(Acts 16:31).”
Verse to Memorize:
Acts 16:10
No comments:
Post a Comment