oDay 22, Read Acts 15:1-12. 15:3: "describing the conversion of the Gentiles."

Paul was not quiet about how the church had grown under his ministry.  He was certain to give God the credit.  In 14:27 he reported "all that God had done with them."  In 15:12 he declared the miracles and wonders God had worked through them.  The result of this testifying was that the people had great joy (15:3).  So two questions I must ask myself.  First, am I giving God the praise by testifying of His works at my church?  This assumes there is something to talk about and that I am willing to praise God.  Second, when others tell of God's work in their ministry do I rejoice or am I too susceptible to ministerial envy and suspicion?

oDay 21, Read Acts 14:21-28. 14:23: "They commended them to the Lord."

Appointing elders is, in a sense, the easy part.  Being elders is impossible.  This chapter alone is evidence of the special attack by Satan on those who are recognized as leaders and spokesmen in the church.  So Paul commended them to the Lord.  But this was no mere ritualistic ordination ceremony.  It was preceded by prayer and fasting.  Paul knew the need of being commended to the grace of God (v26) so that the work might be completed.  Why, among our so-called "lay elders" are there not more Stephen's and Philip's (Ac. 6:5,8; 8:5)?  Why do so many fail to endure?  Perhaps our "ordination" has lacked in prayer and fasting.

oDay 20, Read Acts 14:8-20. 14:15: "We also are men with the same nature as you."

This is what the proud Herod should have said (12:20-23).  But Paul and Barnabas don't have that pride for they have the mind of Christ (Phil. 2:5-11).  These men understand that a key to effective ministry is identification with those to be ministered to (1 Cor. 9:19-23), even as Christ who was tempted as we are (Heb. 4:14-16), Who lived among us (Jn. 1:14).  Often in ministry today it seems that men feel the need to be exalted in the eyes of those they minister to so as to be received.  They wear flashy clothes, sport all the latest in music and technology, and surround themselves with beauty and power.  But the mind of Christ is to be humbled so God can be seen and heard.

oDay 19, Read Acts 14:1-7. 14:3: "Therefore they stayed there a long time."

What is the "therefore" there for?  Did they stay a long time because many believed (v1)?  Did success keep them in Iconium?  No!  It was because there were enemies of the gospel who were stirred up (v2).  This is the opposite of our natural way of thinking.  We stay when all goes well.  We leave when there is trouble.  Here we see Paul's "deep concern for all the churches" (2 Cor. 11:28).  Later they fled certain death (v6) after protecting the flock, and then returned to provide permanent shepherds (14:21-23).  A good shepherd will be sure the sheep are safe at all times.

Psalm 19

 

This Psalm is another truly classic “Psalm of the Word”.  It speaks to us of God’s revelation of Himself.

God has revealed Himself in Creation (v1-6).  In theology this is called general revelation.  It is God’s revelation to all men, speaking generally of God’s reality and character.  (Rom. 1:18-32 explains this message and man’s responsibility in light of creation’s truth.)  We are told that creation reveals God’s glory, giving a visible footprint of the invisible God.  This revelation is available to all men, 24 hours a day, in every part of the world.  Man’s greatest danger is that he would turn from the Creator and worship creation (Rom. 1:22-25).  We ought to avail ourselves of the study and enjoyment of creation, but we need to know more about God.  Creation does not provide us with knowledge of salvation; it only leaves us without excuse in our sin (Rom. 1:20). Creation also speaks of God's goodness. Thus I believe that creation tells us we should look to the Creator in hope for a solution to our guilt.

God has revealed Himself in Scripture (v7-11).  This is His special revelation in that it reveals specific truth about God and what He expects of His creation.  Special revelation reveals God’s plan of salvation through the death and resurrection of Christ.  It is special also in that it requires the Holy Spirit’s ministry to understand it (1 Cor. 2:4-16).  Special revelation is the content of the Bible.

Let us not miss the marvelous things Scripture can do for those who delight in it.  It …

·       7: converts the soul and makes the simple to be wise.

·       8: brings joy to the heart and enlightenment to the eyes.

·       9: endures forever in complete truth and righteousness.

·       10: is both valuable and satisfying.

·       11: warns of the dangers of disobedience and encourages us with the rewards of obedience.

These are not just poetic devices.  The word of God has great power in the life of the one who devotes himself to it.  It can do for us what wealth, friends and pleasure cannot do.

The closing verses speak of another revelation (v12-14).  Having seen God in Creation and Scripture the writer asks God to reveal his sinfulness to him so that his words and thoughts might be pleasing to God.  This is the only proper response when we have seen God in His general and special revelations.  Perhaps you will want to make this your prayer of response today, and often, as you reflect on God’s truth.

oRead Acts 13:42-52. 13:46: "judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life."

They judged themselves, Paul says.  He didn't judge them; he merely observed their rejection of the Word of God.  It is true that only those appointed to eternal life believed (v48).  But it is also true that none believed without the Word (Rom. 10:17).  And how did Paul know who was appointed to eternal life?  It was those who begged that the Word be preached to them (v42) and who glorified the Word (v48).  Let us not miss this!  Lord, help me to be your instrument by which the Word may spread throughout our region and the world. 

oRead Acts 13:26-41. 13:30: "God raised Him from the dead."

 

Three times in this passage we have reference to the resurrection by God (v30,33,35).  Specifically, He was raised to die no more (v34-35).  It is this that allows us, no, demands, that we exalt Christ as Lord above all others.  No religious leader can say this.  No demon or angel has tasted death and so cannot lay claim to resurrection.  Easter tends to trivialize this because as a holiday it lends itself to celebration by those who do not recognize this point.  We must make it a focal point of preaching, not just at Easter but in every gospel presentation.  Without it Christ competes with other great men; with it there is no competition.