20/20: The Life of Paul 1

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5 ADULT DEVOTIONALS WEEK 1: MONDAY And Saul approved of their killing him. -Acts 8:1 Have you ever been so sure of something you believed in, or maybe thought that you were on the right side of an issue, only to realize later you were wrong? Throughout history, many people got it wrong in regards to Jesus Christ and Paul was one of them. To begin, let s first take a look at Stephen, a deacon of the early church and a man who is regarded as the first martyr of Christianity. Stephen was put on trial for blasphemy against God, and at his trial, he is given an opportunity to speak to the Sanhedrin (the council that handled religious matters at the time). He describes his view of the history of Israel. By the end of his speech, Stephen denounces those in attendance: You are just like your ancestors: You always resist the Holy Spirit! Was there ever a prophet your ancestors did not persecute? They even killed those who predicted the coming of the Righteous One. And now you have betrayed and murdered him you who have received the law that was given through angels but have not obeyed it. (Acts 7:51-53) Stephen proclaimed that throughout history, so many people got it wrong. Prophets, who were predicting the coming of Christ, were killed for the truth they spoke. It happened over and over again and now they had killed Jesus. Those in the crowd were so angry at Stephen s speech that he was cast out and stoned. As we saw earlier, Saul approved of this. Can you relate? We will assume most of us have not stood by watching a fellow human wrongly killed, but think of a time that you were so set in your ways that you were blind to the truth. Maybe this is something you struggle with now. Today, ask God to humble you before him so you might see areas where you are blinded to His truth. 20/20: The Life of Paul 4

6 ADULT DEVOTIONALS WEEK 1: TUESDAY On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria... Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went. -Acts 8:1, 4 After Stephen was killed, Acts shows that Saul began to destroy the church and a great persecution broke out. Yet we see that those who had been scattered were not stopped they were fulfilling their mission and preaching the word wherever they went. This situation certainly could have seemed hopeless for the believers at the time. However, while everything around them looked like it was falling apart, pockets of Christianity were springing forth new life all over. Acts 8 even gives us the story of when the apostle Phillip is filled with the Holy Spirit, shares the gospel, and then baptizes an Ethiopian eunuch. This was the spread of the gospel to Africa! It s easy to look around at our world today and feel discouraged. In the United States, we often face difficulties in sharing our faith with those around us and so we just don t. More sobering, we hear of our brothers and sisters around the world who are persecuted and even killed for their faith. How do we find hope in this? If you read history you will find that the Christians who did most for the present world were precisely those who thought most of the next. It is since Christians have largely ceased to think of the other world that they have become so ineffective in this. (C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity) Today, ask God to give you the perspective that we see C.S. Lewis share. Pray to God that He will allow you to be more effective in our mission by not getting distracted with the things of this world. Also, take times today to look around and see where God s mission is pushing forth even in what may seem like hopeless circumstances. 20/20: The Life of Paul 5

7 ADULT DEVOTIONALS WEEK 1: WEDNESDAY As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? Who are you, Lord? Saul asked. I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting, he replied. Now get up and go to the city, and you will be told what you must do. The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. For three days he was blind and did not eat or drink anything. -Acts 9:1-9 As we read today in Acts, Saul had been widely persecuting the Lord s disciples. One of the translations talks about Saul ravaging the church taking people from their families, throwing them in prison, and making murderous threats to those who followed Jesus. But then a remarkable thing happens. Jesus actually meets Saul on the road and removes his sight! Can you imagine how the men who were traveling with Saul reacted to this? And how about Saul himself? This would certainly have completely disrupted his life and made him question the path he was on. And we know from history that it did. Have you ever experienced something like this in your own life? Has Jesus ever stepped into the midst of your life and completely halted the direction you were taking? Whether you were heading in a wrong direction or not, Jesus has the power to alter the path we will take. Today, let s take time to thank God for directing our steps, whether it s in big powerful ways, like it was for Saul, or in little ways a Bible verse, a sermon, or maybe even a conversation with a friend. 20/20: The Life of Paul 6

8 ADULT DEVOTIONALS WEEK 1: THURSDAY In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, Ananias! Yes, Lord, he answered. The Lord told him, Go the the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight. -Acts 9:10-11 After Ananias receives this calling from Jesus to go and see Saul, Ananias is very hesitant. He responds back that he has heard all of the reports of Saul and all of the terrible things he is doing to Christians. But Jesus is persistent in the vision and Ananias complies. Ananias arrives at the house as instructed in the vision and places his hands on Saul. He tells Saul that Jesus, whom he met on the road, has sent him so he may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit. Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, and after taking some food, he regained his strength. (Acts 9:18-19) What if fear had kept Ananias from going to see Saul? Can you imagine how different the course of history could have been if Ananias had not stepped out in faith, pushed past his fear, and went to see Saul? Saul would have seemed at the time to be the least likely person to come to a true faith in Jesus Christ. And we probably know many people like this in our own lives as well. Think about someone specific in your life whom you have given up hope for in coming to know Christ. Most likely, someone will immediately come to mind pray for that person today and believe that God can work a miracle in their life like He did for Saul. Also, take time to pray that God will allow you to be used and push through any fear you have of doing so amazing things can happen when we do this! 20/20: The Life of Paul 7

9 ADULT DEVOTIONALS WEEK 1: FRIDAY Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized and after taking some food, he regained his strength. Saul spent several days with the disciples in Damascus. At once he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God. -Acts 9:18-20 What an unbelievable transformation! God blinded Saul (who would later be known as Paul) and then gave him true sight. Saul s life was never the same again. Acts tells us that the people who heard Saul preaching couldn t believe it because of all he had done against Christians. If we look at one of the letters that Paul wrote later on in his life, we can see that even he realizes the enormous transformation that took place: Though I myself have reasons for such confidence. If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless. But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. (Philippians 3:4-7) What mattered to Saul after his conversion was Christ, and telling all people that Jesus died for them. Do you have that true sight in your life? Has God removed the scales from your eyes so you have that full confidence in Jesus Christ? Take the time today to meditate on all that Jesus did for you and so many others including Saul. Take the time to be thankful that He has opened our eyes to see. I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen: not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else. (C.S. Lewis) 20/20: The Life of Paul 8

10 FAMILY DEVOTIONALS WEEK 1: ACTS 7-9 The Gift of Seeing Each day, begin by praying that God would show you and your family what he has in store for you. MONDAY (Parents, take some time to read Acts 7 and 8 on your own for background.) Read Acts 9:1-2. Why do you think Saul was unkind to Christians? (He wanted power over others; he had evil in his heart.) Have you ever been unkind to someone? How did you try to justify it (or make it seem right) when you were not nice to them? (They were mean to me first.) TUESDAY Read Acts 9:3-9. Try acting this out as a family. Have someone read as other family members act out the scene. Afterwards, have everyone close their eyes and think about how Saul felt. He was not being nice to Christians and then he hears Jesus voice but doesn t see him, and then he is suddenly blind for 3 days. How would you react? (Saul s reaction was not eating or drinking.) WEDNESDAY Read Acts 9: Does it sound like Ananias wanted to do what God asked him to do? Why didn t he? It is sometimes scary to follow through on what God asks us. Are there people in your life that you should talk to about God but you re too scared to? THURSDAY Read Acts 9: What a transformation for Saul! He went from hurting Christians to not only becoming one but teaching others about Jesus. After he could see, what does the Bible say Saul did? (He got up and was baptized.) Why was he baptized right away? (He wanted to show others his belief in Jesus.) FRIDAY Parents, remind your kids about Saul s story. Why do you think God made Saul blind? (This could be a tough concept, but explain how we can be physically blind and spiritually blind we can t see what God wants us to see.) Give everyone a piece of paper and have them draw REALLY BIG EYES. Within the eyes, either write or draw areas where God wants us to clear up our spiritual vision. (Ideas: to see others as He does, with love and kindness; to see ourselves as God does in His image; to see what God has planned for our lives and how we should spend our time.) 20/20: The Life of Paul 9

11 JACKSONVILLE CHAPEL 20/20: THE LIFE OF PAUL WEEK 1: THE GIFT OF SEEING MAIN POINT Jesus intrudes in our lives to correct our vision and change our future. INTRODUCTION discussion guide... Today we begin a six-week journey through Paul s life. As a brilliant, driven, respected leader, Paul had a crystal-clear view of his world and future. Or so he thought. In one moment, everything changed. After his encounter with Christ, Paul s entire view of reality was transformed, making him less arrogant yet more deeply confident in who he was. He traveled widely, took huge risks, challenged authority, and made lifelong friends. And by living out his new vision, he shaped Christianity more deeply than anyone other than Jesus Himself. What would happen if God clarified our vision just as he did for Paul? How would it change the way we view ourselves our calling our suffering our definition of success? These are the questions we will work through today and in the coming weeks. Imagine you were blind. What would you miss seeing the most? What do you imagine having the hardest time doing? What kind of help would you need? How would you describe spiritual blindness? How is spiritual blindness similar to physical blindness? How are the two different? Blindness is a form of physical bondage. There are places you can t go, things you can t do, and some freedoms you can t enjoy. But in some ways, physical blindness is a picture of a greater reality spiritual blindness. In the same way that the physically blind are dependent on others for help, those who are spiritually blind are dependent on Jesus to open their eyes to Him and His calling. Paul was a welleducated, driven Jewish leader, and found deep confidence in his nationality and accomplishments. All of that changed when Jesus confronted and blinded him on the road to Damascus. When Paul regained his sight, everything looked different from his self-image to his purpose in life. Similarly, Jesus intrudes in our lives to correct our vision and change our future. UNDERSTANDING > READ ACTS 7:54 8:3. These verses describe the death of Stephen, the first Christian martyr mentioned in Scripture. What do we learn about Paul (Saul) from his part in Stephen s death and the events that soon followed? Paul was a devout Pharisee. What reasons did that give Paul for persecuting Christians? 20/20: The Life of Paul 10

12 What do Paul s actions reveal about the commitments he had made in his life up to this point? Stephen gave a speech before the Jewish council that connected the Jewish faith with Jesus and identified Jesus as the promised Messiah. In his speech, he accused Israel s leaders of killing the Messiah, which obviously enraged them. The result was Stephen s death by stoning for his perceived blasphemy. Present and participative in that death was Saul, who later became Paul. Following Stephen s death, we read that persecution broke out against Christians with Paul leading the charge. Paul did not just persecute the church: he began to destroy it. Paul led the charge in the streets, house to house, men and women. He did not just arrest Christians; he dragged them off, and he did so in defense of his Jewish faith. These verses give us a picture of who Paul was before he met Christ. What is one word you would use to describe yourself before you came to know Jesus? > READ ACTS 9:1-19. While persecution was scattering believers, Paul continued to ravage the church. The high priest authorized Paul to go to Damascus, arrest believers, and bring them to Jerusalem to be imprisoned. As Paul approached Damascus, he encountered the risen Jesus, who blinded him and commanded him to go into Damascus and wait for instructions. Why do you think Saul was struck blind? What might God have been trying to teach him through blindness? What plans did the Lord have for Saul, as revealed through God s instructions to Ananias (vv )? Why do you think God chose one of Christianity s worst enemies to serve Him? What does this tell us about the character of God? Saul s encounter with Jesus impacted him physically. He was unable to see when he got up from the ground. His traveling companions had to lead him by the hand into Damascus. For three days Saul was blind and did not eat or drink anything. His meeting with Jesus was a traumatic experience that would change his life. In the instructions God gave Ananias, we learn that Saul was God s chosen instrument to spread the good news to both Gentiles and Jews and that Saul himself would suffer for Jesus name. Saul, who had persecuted Christ s followers, would experience the same suffering he had inflicted on others. This is not a message of divine retaliation, but a prophecy about a privilege Saul would experience as he followed God. discussion guide... What about you? What was your encounter with Jesus like? How did it leave you changed? > READ ACTS 9: If there was any doubt regarding the authenticity of Paul s conversion, it was dispelled by his words and actions. Paul immediately began to proclaim Jesus in Damascus as the Son of God and the Messiah. As a result of his preaching, his opponents plotted to kill Paul. He escaped to Jerusalem, where believers realized he was indeed a changed man. Once again his preaching resulted in threats to kill him. 20/20: The Life of Paul 11

13 What do these verses reveal about Paul s self-image following his conversion? What do they reveal about his new mission and purpose? What changes in your own beliefs and actions demonstrate the reality of your commitment to Christ? A real commitment to Jesus Christ is life-changing. We demonstrate our commitment by dismissing previously held anti-christian beliefs, embracing biblical truth, and changing our behavior as the Holy Spirit directs us. Genuine commitment is proven by our Christ-like lifestyle. APPLICATION discussion guide... How do you demonstrate the intensity of your commitment to Christ? What would it look like to be more committed to Christ than to work, family, leisure, and security? Because of Paul s Jewish heritage, he had an immediate mission field for the gospel. What prior experiences make you a credible witness to specific groups of people? With whom could your specific testimony have an impact? We don t only need God to correct our vision when we first become Christians; this is an ongoing need in our walk with Him. In what ways has God clarified your vision for your life recently? How did that change you? PRAY Thank God for using the most unlikely people for His kingdom. Praise God for His grace in your life that transformed you into a new person living for Jesus. FOLLOW UP Midway through this week, send a follow-up to your group with some or all of the following: 1. Questions to consider as they continue to reflect on what they learned this week: Paul tells the story of his conversion several times in the rest of the book of Acts. What is your story? How could you share it this week with someone who has not believed the gospel? 20/20: The Life of Paul 12

14 2. The challenge to memorize Acts 9: COMMENTARY ACTS 7:54 8:3 7:54. Stephen s audience expressed displeasure both inwardly (enraged in their hearts) and outwardly (gnashed their teeth at him). They took themselves to be Israel s religious leaders, pious men of God, and yet Stephen charged them with deep spiritual corruption. 7:55. Stephen was a stark contrast to his audience. They were fuming with rage, but he was filled with the Holy Spirit and gazed peacefully into heaven even as he knew death was coming. 7: Son of Man was Jesus favorite self-designation. Each use of this expression in the NT came from the lips of Jesus, except where people quoted His words back to Him (Jn 12:34) and in this verse. Jesus enthronement beside God in heaven implies His divine status and equality with God the Father, which is why the members of the Sanhedrin became enraged. 7:58. The Romans allowed the Jewish leaders to maintain the sanctity of the temple area, but not carry out the death penalty. That is why Jesus was taken to Pilate, a Roman official, for trial. In this instance, however, Stephen was killed illegally by an enraged mob. This is the first reference in Scripture to Saul (later called Paul). It is disputed whether he was a member of the Sanhedrin or just a young rabbinic student who was zealous for traditional Jewish faith. Whether he was formally involved in the Sanhedrin or not, he agreed with the decision to stone Stephen (8:1). 7: Both of Stephen s requests are remarkable. His first, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit, proclaims that Jesus is Judge and Savior. Stephen s second request, that God not charge his executioners with sin in this matter, illustrates the nonvindictive spirit of one who understands that his own sins have been forgiven by grace. Fell asleep is a common expression for death in the Bible (Jn 11:11; 1Co 11:30). 8:1. Events surrounding Stephen s testimony and murder led to severe persecution of the church in Jerusalem. All believers, except the apostles, were scattered to nearby regions. Hence the persecution helped spread the gospel to surrounding areas such as Judea and Samaria. The facts that the apostles were not the focus of the persecution and that it came about after Stephen s death suggest that the persecution focused primarily on Hellenistic Jewish Christians, although the entire church was affected. 8:3. Paul, or Saul, seems to have become lead persecutor. His reputation as a destructive force in Jerusalem (ravaging the church), and possibly elsewhere, seems to have preceded him to Damascus (9:13). discussion guide... ACTS 9:1-31 9:1-2. The narrative returns to Saul, or Paul. His anger with Jesus followers continued unabated, to the point that he was threatening to murder them. Paul later acknowledged his zeal in persecuting Christians (Php 3:6), and this is how he was known by others (e.g. Ananias, Ac 9:13). That Saul was authorized to travel to Damascus with warrants from the high priest to imprison people of the Way (a common name for early Christians; 19:9,23; 22:4) indicates his high standing among Jewish religious leaders. He planned to bring them back to Jerusalem since this city was the center of Judaism. 9:3-4. Nearing Damascus and no doubt thinking that his acts there would help halt the spread of Christianity, Saul instead saw a light from heaven that changed his life and, eventually, world history. 9:5. It is doubtful that Saul immediately recognized the voice as that of Jesus. His use of Lord was probably honorific (equivalent to sir ) rather than recognition of divinity. Hence the voice said, I am Jesus. 20/20: The Life of Paul 13

15 9:6. Saul was not told at this point what his mission or purpose was. That was reserved for when he encountered Ananias later in the city of Damascus. This stepwise introduction to his future kept him from being overwhelmed all at once with the changes Jesus had initiated in his life, and it also allowed the Christians in Damascus to meet and accept the one whom they feared. 9:7. This is the first of three accounts of Saul s conversion that appear in the book of Acts (Acts 22:6-11; 26:12-18). Here it appears that Saul s traveling companions heard a noise but did not recognize the words that were spoken. The comments, it seems, were intended only for Saul. 9:10. We are not told how Ananias came to be a Christian. A possible scenario is that he or someone he knew had been in Jerusalem at Pentecost. There they would have seen and heard wondrous signs as God sent the Holy Spirit, and possibly accepted the message preached by the apostles. The pilgrims would then have taken their newfound faith back to Damascus, establishing the church that Saul now came to persecute. 9: Ananias s fear of Saul was such that he dared to question God s judgment. Saul s reputation as an enemy of the church was well earned, built as it was on the testimony of many people. discussion guide... 9: God revealed His purpose for Saul to Ananias first. This ensured that Saul would have a support network in place once he learned of his new purpose in life. Otherwise, imagine Saul coming to Ananias and delivering the news. Ananias would have scoffed, assuming he let Saul close enough to speak. 9: The ordering of events in Saul s conversion may have been altered from the standard pattern so that baptism rather than the filling of the Holy Spirit was the final event. The process may have been extended over several days rather than occurring all at once. But the result was the same: Saul became a follower of Jesus Christ. 9: Saul stayed in Damascus for some days, likely becoming oriented to basic Christianity even as he began proclaiming Jesus in the synagogues. He gave priority to the synagogues throughout his ministry, starting there before being forced to take the message elsewhere. 9: Understandably, the initial response to Saul was skeptical amazement, but as he grew more capable he was able to confound unbelieving Jews, proving that Jesus is the Messiah. Apparently, he was able to explain the messianic connections between the OT and Jesus so clearly that the Jews in Damascus could not refute him. 9: After many days, this portrays Saul dutifully preaching Jesus as Messiah for long enough to become the uppermost enemy of unbelieving Jews in Damascus. He had come to help their struggle against the growing Christian movement, but now he had become the chief cause of its growth. Thus they conspired to kill him. Unable to leave via the city gates, Saul escaped in a most undignified but effective manner: he was placed in a large basket and shoved through an opening in the wall (lit through the wall ). 9: Among believers in Jerusalem, Saul s reputation as a persecutor of the church was unchanged. Either news had not come from Damascus, or else the disciples in Jerusalem took a wait and see attitude. Perhaps they even suspected his conversion was just a ruse to infiltrate the fledgling Christian movement and destroy it from within. Barnabas was convinced of the genuineness of Saul s conversion, apparently because he had talked to him. 9: Saul conversed and debated with the Hellenistic Jews, some of whom may have been involved with him in Stephen s stoning (7:57-60). A Hellenistic Jew himself, he had been born in Tarsus and spoke Greek as his primary language. Seeing one of their own, a former persecutor of the church no less, argue on behalf of Christianity was more than they could bear. They attempted to kill Saul, with the result that he was whisked away to his hometown. 20/20: The Life of Paul 14

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17 ADULT DEVOTIONALS WEEK 2: MONDAY A History Lesson We tell you the good news: What God promised our ancestors he has fulfilled for us, their children, by raising up Jesus -Acts 13: In Acts chapter 13, Paul traces the history of the nation of Israel while speaking with a group Jews and Gentiles in Antioch (in modern-day Turkey). Paul recognized the importance of seeing our purpose as a part of the long history of God s relationship with us, and he cites the roles of such figures as Abraham, Saul, Samuel, and David. Throughout that history, we can see the unbroken line of God s interaction with His people, through which He consistently tries to foster a vibrant and transformative relationship. While our faith today rests on the historical foundation that Paul is recounting, in this part of Paul s history (verse 32) there is a sudden break, from a historical narrative of the Jewish people to the unprecedented event of God breaking into history through the personal presence of Jesus Christ. Unfortunately, much religion today focuses only on history and tradition. Across faiths and denominations, there is a healthy but somewhat sterile respect for the past. Sadly, that historical perspective is often not accompanied by the all-important breakthrough of Jesus as Messiah. It is as if religion were reduced to a boxed set of a PBS special series with celebrity narration by Morgan Freeman. The history of our faith is important, but history alone is religion denatured, defanged, and de-clawed. Where true religion gets interesting, transformative, and sometimes dangerous as Paul realized at every turn is when we see in that history the trajectory that leads us to Jesus Christ, and from there to the crux of the human condition: our sin, our separation from God, and our need for a Savior. As we look to identify our purpose and our role in God s history, let s remember as Paul taught that the history of our relationship with God leads to the unavoidable need to recognize the reality of Jesus Christ. From there, our history is still being written. What an opportunity God gives us! What kind of story will ours be? Will we be content with a polite, neat, and textbook history lesson for our faith? Or will we see that our purpose is to continue creating a living history marked by faith and inspiration that leads to a fulfilling life and victory over life s challenges through trust in God s saving grace? 20/20: The Life of Paul 16

18 ADULT DEVOTIONALS WEEK 2: TUESDAY Going the Distance The two of them, sent on their way by the Holy Spirit, went down to Seleucia and sailed from there to Cyprus. -Acts 13:14 Acts covers what is known as Paul s First Missionary Journey. On this trip he travels an amazing distance even by today s standards, estimated at just over 1,500 miles. Remember he did this in the year A.D. 46, way before iphones, Google Maps, ATMs, cars, or airplanes. During that trip, over a period of about 50 days, he met with political leaders, debated with a sorcerer, got kicked out of town, and was stoned and left for dead all while carrying out his mission of preaching the gospel. Wow. What did you do today? Paul was willing to go the distance and put up with unimaginable hardships because he clearly saw his purpose telling people about Jesus and nothing would stand in the way of him achieving that goal. In fact, to him it was an honor to be able to serve God in this way because he recognized that the sufferings he went through were nothing when compared to the infinite value and eternal impact that his work would have. How far are we willing to go to do what God has called us to do? And do we realize the relative importance of our domestic comfort versus the discomfort that may result from serving God? For most of us, debating sorcerers and being beaten is probably not on the agenda. But every day, God presents opportunities small and large for us to get out of our comfort zone and at least be open to some form of hardship. We are all put in different situations based on God s plan for our lives. Are we willing to accept hardships whether financial, social, or physical that may come about as a result of our obedience to whatever God is calling us to? Importantly, we re not alone in facing these hardships. We re told that Paul was sent on his way by the Holy Spirit, giving him guidance and strength for his journey that went far beyond what he could muster in himself. Joshua 1:9 comes to mind when I think about how we can get strength and motivation to go the distance ourselves: Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go. Go the distance, one day at a time. Ask God to help keep you motivated by keeping your eyes focused on your purpose and understanding that the source of your strength is in Him. 20/20: The Life of Paul 17

19 ADULT DEVOTIONALS WEEK 2: WEDNESDAY Doing Your Part There they spoke so effectively that a great number of Jews and Greeks believed. But the Jews who refused to believe. -Acts 14:1-2 Paul and Barnabas were obviously effective preachers of the gospel, and they reached many people with the saving message of God s grace. It must have been humbling for them to see so many lives transformed a direct and immediate impact that represented the purpose for their preaching. But not everyone believed. And those who did not believe were often hostile and violent to Paul and Barnabas. So how did Paul and Barnabas react when they were not 100% effective in their preaching? Rather than get discouraged, desperate, pushy, or angry in an attempt to convert everyone, it looks like they did their part as best they could and then moved on. I think one reason Paul was successful was that he saw what his role was and what it wasn t in accomplishing his mission. This is a healthy attitude and an effective model. In a separate account of Paul s evangelism, he reflects on the different roles in outreach efforts he was involved with: I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. (I Corinthians 3:6) How can we apply that perspective as we live out our purpose as Christians, whether in direct evangelism or just day-to-day living? If you are sharing your faith, it may help to recognize that you are one part in a larger and longer journey of someone s relationship with God. Doing your part means to faithfully engage with others in truth and love, but not being pushy or overbearing since we trust that God is the one working behind the scenes. That kind of approach can take the pressure off of ourselves, and can result in faith and relationships that are more authentic and natural. Elsewhere, Paul reinforces this attitude of seeing your part in the larger purpose that God has: And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28) Take a minute right now to thank God for giving you the privilege of being part of His larger purpose. Ask Him to help you understand what your role is in whatever situation you find yourself, and to give you the confidence to do your part while knowing that God is ultimately in control of the outcome. 20/20: The Life of Paul 18

20 ADULT DEVOTIONALS WEEK 2: THURSDAY Persevering with Purpose They stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them from their region. And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit. -Acts 13:50, 52 OK, I had to read this section a few times. Paul and Barnabas are persecuted and get kicked out of town and they are filled with joy?! What s up with that? It can be easy to let small setbacks get us down. At work, projects don t follow their expected timeline. We struggle to keep our diet and workout goals on track. And relationships often take unexpected twists and turns. The same is true of activities related to our faith. I recently spoke with a friend who is a missionary living in Ukraine, and I asked him how things are going in light of the recent military situation with Russia. Many people, including local and international Christian workers, were kicked out of their homes and places of ministry and in some cases killed for a variety of political and religious reasons. Amazingly, rather than be discouraged by these setbacks, many Christians are now even more motivated to do all they can to expand their outreach and ministry with people in the contested areas. And their perseverance is bearing fruit, with even soldiers grudgingly telling people in need of help to go ask the [Christians ] (* They actually refer to a specific denomination that is very active in local outreach, but the meaning is clear.) This kind of interaction is only possible with an attitude that gets joy from doing the right thing, even if it involves momentary suffering and setbacks. In the case of Paul and Barnabas, they would not let relatively small setbacks steal from the overall joy they had from carrying God s message to the world. Importantly, they were not relying on their own efforts or their own perspectives to get them through the tough times. The passages are filled with references to praying, fasting, asking for God s guidance, and being filled with the Holy Spirit. With that equation of a clear purpose fueled with divine support, no matter what they faced they could be joyful and persevere. How is your perseverance? Are you joyful even in the midst of setbacks? Ask God to give you the strength to persevere, and call on Him to be the source of your strength and joy when things don t go as expected. 20/20: The Life of Paul 19

21 ADULT DEVOTIONALS WEEK 2: FRIDAY Partners with a Purpose Paul and Barnabas. Although this account is referred to as Paul s First Missionary Journey, it would probably be more appropriate to call it Paul and Barnabas s First Missionary Journey. Paul gets top billing and is much better known as a Biblical personality, but he and Barnabas clearly shared a vision for their purpose and neither could have accomplished alone what they were able to achieve together. While God may give each individual a purpose and a calling, He also wisely recognizes that we are imperfect humans and so created us with the need to work in partnership. As a result, we are more effective at accomplishing our purpose when we realize that need for partnership, too. Adam and Eve, Moses and Jethro, David and Jonathan Paul and Barnabas: The Bible is full of examples of dynamic partnerships of people working together to advance on a shared vision. Although their partnerships are not always without some drama, the consistent message is that two are better than one. As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. (Proverbs 27:17) Ironically, our egos can make it hard to accept help from others, or to offer help to others. That makes it all the more important for us to stay engaged with others as we fulfill a shared purpose. Sharing a purpose with others can remind us of our place in God s history book, can motivate us to go the distance when we think we re not up to the task, and can help us see our part in the big picture despite struggles and setbacks. Take a minute to prayerfully consider a few questions: Do you have the right amount of partnership in your Christian walk? Are you honest with yourself about the places in your life where you need encouragement, accountability, and assistance? And are you open to offering that same support and partnership to others in pursuit of a common purpose? 20/20: The Life of Paul 20

22 FAMILY DEVOTIONALS WEEK 2: ACTS Seeing Our Purpose Each day, begin by praying that God would show you and your family what he has in store for you. MONDAY Read Acts 13:1-5. Refer back to the map on the next page each day this week. What is a name for someone who goes around telling others about Jesus? (Missionary.) Do you have to go far away to be a missionary? (No.) Can we all be missionaries? (Yes.) Use a current world map to locate countries with Chapel missionaries, or other missionaries you might know. (Ex: At Chapel Kids Camp, children learned about missionaries in Colombia; you can also check the Focus on Missions section of your bulletin for more information on global missions.) TUESDAY Read Acts 13:6-12. Saul was now being called Paul. Why do you think his name changed? (To show he was different than before.) What are things people would notice about you that show them you are different because you believe in Jesus? (You re kind to people even when they are unkind; you pray; you read your Bible; you go to church to learn about Jesus.) You ll find a lot of difficult names and words in this section, but the main point is that Paul was telling others about Jesus and they were believing! WEDNESDAY Read Acts 13:13-14, 16, 23, 26, 32-33, 38, At this time, people were simply referred to in two groups: Jews or Gentiles. A Jew believes in God and the promise of a Savior, but not that Jesus was that Savior. A Gentile is anyone who is not Jewish. Who did Jesus come to save? (Everyone.) Does everyone in this story believe? Does everyone today believe when they hear about Jesus? THURSDAY Read Acts 14:1,5-10, People wanted to hurt Paul, even kill him. Why do people get so upset with others when they don t understand? (They don t like when someone is different; they want to be a part of the crowd; they don t try to learn more.) Does it sound like it is easy to be a missionary? We have to be brave and trust the Lord in all situations, as Paul did. 20/20: The Life of Paul 21

23 FRIDAY Read Acts 14: Look at your map again. What places did Paul go to tell others about Jesus? (Cyprus, Pisidian, Antioch.) How did people respond to Paul? (Some believed, some were angry and did not believe.) As a family, make a list of people you know who need to learns about Jesus. Talk about how you would feel if they were to believe in Jesus, and then talk about how you would feel if they chose not to believe. 20/20: The Life of Paul 22

24 JACKSONVILLE CHAPEL 20/20: THE LIFE OF PAUL WEEK 2: SEEING OUR PURPOSE MAIN POINT We each have a unique role in carrying the gospel to those who are spiritually empty. In a broken world, this is the mission that brings hope and healing. INTRODUCTION What did you want to be when you grew up, and why? Do you feel called to your career? If so, how did you sense that calling? What things are we called to other than careers? After his eyes were opened, Paul was gripped by the urgency of spreading the gospel and his role in that process. He began partnering with like-minded people to engage those distant from God with the lifechanging message of Christ crucified and risen. Like Paul, we each have a unique role in carrying the gospel to those who are spiritually empty. In a broken world, this is the mission that brings hope and healing. UNDERSTANDING > READ ACTS 13:1-4. Acts gives us the details of the apostle Paul s first missionary journey, which began the spread of Christianity around the world. For this first trip, he was accompanied by Barnabas. Before they began their journey, Paul and Barnabas were commissioned, or sent out, by their local church. What do we learn about the overall culture of the early church from this passage? discussion guide... How did they seek to understand God s purpose for their lives? What are the implications of these verses for us today? Out of their service in the church, God called Paul and Barnabas for the mission field. Before acting on that call, the church spent a period of focused, dedicated devotion to God, foregoing food or other needs or comforts in order to hear from God and sense His direction. This meant the leaders were able to be responsive to the Holy Spirit when He moved. In this instance, the Spirit directed the church to set apart Barnabas and Paul (whose name was Saul at this point) for specific service. 20/20: The Life of Paul 23

25 What does it mean to you to know that God sets each of us apart for specific acts of service to Him and His kingdom? For what specific purpose has God set you apart? For what purposes has He set apart our church? How would our church function differently if we really believed God has set us aside for His work, like the early church did? The word translated set apart comes from a verb meaning to mark off by boundaries. Paul used the word to describe God s call on his life (Rom. 1:1; Gal. 1:15). In Acts 13:2, the word communicates that the church was to mark off or put a boundary around Barnabas and Paul to serve elsewhere as led by the Holy Spirit. In this case, they would travel as missionaries to new frontiers to share the gospel story. discussion guide... When the church is functioning in obedience to its calling, what should be happening in and through it? The leaders in the Antioch church had a unified purpose: find out what God wants for us to do and do it, whether that meant staying and serving the local church, or taking the gospel to the world. Our strategy should be the same. > READ ACTS 14:1-7. What opposition did Paul and Barnabas face after being sent out to proclaim Christ? How did the missionaries respond to being opposed (v. 3)? How did the Lord help them? What opposition have you faced doing mission work today? Share a story about that experience if you have one. How well did you handle it? What did you learn about God through the experience? Verse 3 seems to be a sort of parenthetical declaration of the gospel s power even in the midst of opposition. Although their enemies sought to do Paul and Barnabas harm, God gave the missionaries a long and effective ministry. The Lord demonstrated His power by confirming the message of His grace, enabling them to do miraculous signs and wonders. Paul and Barnabas were driven by their devotion to Christ and the lostness of people. These two factors also motivate us to persevere in missions involvement. Our devotion to the Lord, coupled with a burden for the world s lost people, will prevent us from giving up when times get tough. The task God has given us is not an easy one. Even though God placed His stamp of approval on the missionaries ministry at Iconium, controversy continued to mount. > READ ACTS 14: When we live each day as followers of Jesus going where God sends us and living for Him we re being His church, representing Him and sharing His message. This was how Paul and Barnabas lived. As they traveled, the men actively shared the message of Christ, and the result was that people believed the gospel. Not only did people experience salvation, but Paul and Barnabas also ensured the new converts were growing as disciples (v. 22). 20/20: The Life of Paul 24

26 If you re being honest, what would you do if you knew you would face opposition for sharing the good news about Jesus? What specific attributes of God are helpful to think on during times of opposition? What evidence do we read in this passage about the missionaries commitment to their faith? How does their example challenge you as you think about the unique role you have to carry the gospel to those who are spiritually empty? By opening the door of faith to the Gentiles, God ensured that no one would be alienated from the gospel s saving grace. God doesn t close the doors to any people group on our planet. Every human being should have an opportunity to hear the gospel and respond to it. As the church today, we continue to carry out Paul s mission of proclaiming Christ to the world. In a broken world, this is the mission that brings hope and healing. APPLICATION Seeing Paul and Barnabas s courage, faith, and endurance, how are you challenged to serve the Lord more completely? Which of those three traits do you most struggle with? If you were to emphasize one central truth about the gospel in your evangelism efforts, what would it be? Paul knew at the end of his life he would stand before God and give an account of his days. Read Psalm 90:12. How does the truth in this psalm and Paul s example impact how you see your personal responsibility to take the gospel to the world? discussion guide... What are you doing to grow now so that you will be ready to be used by God when He sets you apart for a specific service? How can our group encourage you in the growth process, and vice versa? PRAY As you close in prayer, ask God to help you focus (or refocus) your priorities on building the kingdom of God through proclaiming the gospel to others. Pray for hearts that break for the people around us who are spiritually empty. 20/20: The Life of Paul 25

27 FOLLOW UP Midway through this week, send a follow-up to your group with some or all of the following: 1. Questions to consider as they continue to reflect on what they learned this week: How have you seen the Holy Spirit at work in your life and the life of our church this week? How do you sense God setting you apart for service to Him in the coming months and year? What do you need to do to respond obediently to His calling? discussion guide The challenge to memorize Acts 13:2-3. COMMENTARY ACTS 13:1-4 13:1. While Jerusalem had been the base of the Christian movement, Antioch became the center of activity. The church was led by prophets and teachers. Luke described them by their tasks as opposed to calling them elders or overseers. As prophets (a gift of the Holy Spirit), they boldly proclaimed God s Word, the foundation of the church. Contrary to what we think of as a prophet today, a foreteller of things to come, they were forthtellers of God s truth, edifying and directing the church. As teachers, they recounted Jesus stories and teachings, laying the groundwork to build the new disciples faith. These five men brought together a racial, cultural, and ethnic diversity, evident in the Antioch church. They comprised a world fellowship, initiating a world movement. 13:2. They (the Antioch congregation) were ministering to or worshiping God. The English word liturgy comes from the Greek word for ministering. The church s worship followed the familiar format of Jewish synagogues. In addition, the church was fasting. Jewish worship sometimes joined fasting with an earnest and urgent appeal to the Lord. Taken together, ministering to the Lord and fasting indicated a period of focused, dedicated devotion to God, foregoing food or other needs or comforts in order to hear from God and sense His direction. This church was expectant, sensitive to the Spirit s leadership. They were not strategizing or planning; they were seeking God s direction. And God provided. With the community gathered in worship, the Holy Spirit spoke, revealing God s plan and His directives. The Spirit instructed that Barnabas and Saul, two church leaders, be set apart to venture out on an evangelistic mission. Interestingly, these were recognized, gifted leaders, not individuals the church would have determined they could do without. They were set apart. The work, commonly believed to be the mission to the Gentiles, was their task of communicating the gospel message to those who had not heard, thereby extending the Christian movement s reach. God called them, meaning He confirmed His desire on their hearts. 13:3. Following this worship experience, the church laid hands on Barnabas and Saul. This action conferred blessing and authority on these two men, endorsing their work as they departed to missionary activity. They were commissioned. Placing hands on them did not impart new gifts or credentials. Their gifts had been recognized as church leaders; now those gifts were to be exercised in fulfilling the missionary task. Once done, they were sent off, discharged from their church leadership responsibilities at Antioch to embark on a wider ministry of evangelism and missions. 20/20: The Life of Paul 26

28 13:4. Upon leaving Antioch, Barnabas and Paul went to Seleucia, Antioch s port about 15 miles away near the mouth of the Orontes River. From there they sailed to Cyprus. Cyprus, an island of great importance under Roman control, was a sixty-mile boat trip from Seleucia. Furthermore, Cyprus was the birthplace of Barnabas (see Acts 4:36) and a good place to start their missionary enterprise. Barnabas had relationships and trust established with the people in this region. ACTS 14:1-7, :1. Having been run out of Pisidian Antioch, Paul and Barnabas regrouped and targeted another important city for evangelization Iconium. The city was an important trade center and probably the most important city in the area. Paul s ministry there shows again his interest in reaching major population centers. The approach Paul and Barnabas used at Iconium was the same as at Pisidian Antioch they went as usual into the Jewish synagogue. Paul never lost his desire to see Israel saved (see Rom. 9:1-4). Even though most of his fellow Jews would reject the gospel again and again, Paul s normal pattern when entering a new city was to preach in the synagogue. Once again he preached so powerfully that a great number of Jews and Gentiles believed. 14:2. As in Pisidian Antioch, unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles against the missionaries. Once again a small number of Jews created trouble for Paul and Barnabas. How did they turn the people against the missionaries? They poisoned their minds. The word translated poisoned means to harm or to embitter. It denotes that which is destructive, injurious, or evil. The Jews used rational arguments designed not merely to have the people run Paul and Barnabas out of town but to have the people harm them. 14:3. Although their enemies sought to do Paul and Barnabas harm, God gave the missionaries a long and effective ministry. They persisted not only in spite of the opposition, but because of it. The Lord demonstrated His power by confirming the message of his grace by enabling them to do miraculous signs and wonders. 14:4. Notice Paul and Barnabas are called apostles. Apostle literally means one sent forth. Only here and in 14:14 is this term used to refer to anyone other than the original twelve apostles. 14:5. Eventually the opposition party developed a plot to harm the missionaries. The word translated plot literally means a violent impulse or assault. They intended bodily harm against Paul and Barnabas, desiring to mistreat them and stone them. Mob violence was planned against the Lord s servants. 14:6-7. Somehow the two apostles discovered the plot against them and fled the city before the plan could be implemented. They journeyed to the Lycaonian cities of Lystra and Derbe. Some may contend this was not an appropriate response by the missionaries. Sometimes the Lord does call missionaries to martyrdom, but on other occasions He calls them to seek safety and resume their work later. discussion guide... 14:19. At Lystra Paul and Barnabas once again saw an initial positive response to their ministry, this time centering around a man s miraculous healing (Acts 14:8-18). Unfortunately, as before, their great beginning turned sour. Some Jews from Pisidian Antioch (some 100 miles away) and Iconium followed the apostles to Lystra and won the crowd over, turning the people against the missionaries. 14:20. Some of the converts at Lystra then gathered around Paul, apparently after the mob had disbanded. Paul was unconscious, but he was not fatally injured. The Lord protected Paul from death, enabling him to continue his missionary activity. Instead of leaving town, Paul got up and went back into the city. Although Lystra was not a safe place for them, Paul and Barnabas remained there overnight. The next day they left for Derbe. Here we see again the missionaries faithfulness to continue with their work. Even though Paul had been injured, he and Barnabas continued to press on, preaching the gospel to those who had never heard. 14: In Derbe, the two men preached the gospel and won a large number of disciples. Unlike before, the missionaries experienced no persecution at Derbe. When they had completed their work, the missionaries then revisited each congregation they had previously established. Returning to Lystra, Iconium and Pisidian 20/20: The Life of Paul 27

29 Antioch was dangerous, but the apostles did not want to leave the area without contacting the churches. They wanted to strengthen and encourage the many new converts to remain true to the faith. Paul and Barnabas had experienced hardship on this first missionary campaign, and they wanted to prepare the Galatian believers for the same. One of Paul s missionary strategies was to plant permanent indigenous churches. He did not evangelize in a superficial, unorganized manner. His goal was to leave a city with an established church and leaders in place so the work would continue long after he was gone. 14: These verses identify the apostles final stops on their return trip to Syrian Antioch. They descended from the mountains of Pisidia to the lowlands of Pamphylia, arriving at Perga, where they first had stopped after leaving Cyprus. Acts makes no mention of any preaching ministry during their first visit to Perga, but on the return trip the apostles preached the Word there. They were committed to finishing the work they had begun. The two missionaries then traveled to the seaport of Attalia in order to board a ship for their home base at Antioch. discussion guide... 14:26. This first missionary journey probably lasted 2 to 3 years and had covered some miles in distance. Along the way the two missionaries had seen the Lord work mightily. Many Jews and Gentiles had become believers, and new churches had come into existence. They had encountered some difficulties; but God had shown Himself faithful every step of the way. They had successfully completed the work they had begun. Still, one important task remained reporting to their sending church. Antioch is where they had been committed to the grace of God. The church would rejoice as the two missionaries shared how God had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles (14:27). 20/20: The Life of Paul 28

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31 ADULT DEVOTIONALS WEEK 3: MONDAY Certain people came down from Judea to Antioch and were teaching the believers: Unless you are circumcised, according to the custom taught by Moses, you cannot be saved. -Acts 15: 1-5 What a distressing and confusing time! Were Jewish believers supposed to stop being Jews while Gentile believers converted to Judaism? Changes in thinking happen all the time: new research, new opinions, what was good is now bad, what was helpful is now harmful. How could these new Gentile believers know what to believe? Had they missed something when they first heard the gospel? This has probably happened to each of us at some point, where we question if what we believe is right and accurate, whether it be faith, food, or our GPS. The men who came from Judea were teaching what they felt to be the truth. It was what they had always known they were Jews and God required certain things of His people. Letting go of what was, but is no more, is not an easy thing to do. I am giving these men the benefit of the doubt that they were incomplete in their understanding, not wolves in sheep s clothing. Thankfully, God had it covered. Paul and Barnabas were there. Paul was uniquely qualified to argue this point, having been a Pharisee knowing every aspect of the Law, and knowing what it is to be saved by grace and grace alone by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul and Barnabas were especially passionate in their argument because it was a matter of doctrine. How well do we understand the truth of salvation by grace alone? We know it in our heads, but what do our hearts and actions say? We may have heard conditions added to salvation, saved but you also have to: fast once a week, not eat meat, never miss church, be baptized, never this, never that...on and on and on. There are actions we take as part of our faith and disciplines we use to further the depth of our faith, but don t confuse them with requirements for salvation. Salvation is only by the sacrifice Jesus made for us, given in unconditional love. We need only believe and receive. 20/20: The Life of Paul 30

32 ADULT DEVOTIONALS WEEK 3: TUESDAY The apostles and elders met to consider this question... -Acts 15: 6-21 Conflict, rules, regulations, debate, discussion, discernment, prayer, proof, the prophets, the Holy Spirit...all of these were a part of coming to a decision. This debate about Gentiles being circumcised was one of many issues the early church would have to sort out, but this was a major one. What was required for salvation, and was it different for Jews and Gentiles? It was such a huge issue for Jews to accept that Gentiles now had equal standing before God when they had spent centuries avoiding them so as not to be considered spiritually unclean. During this discussion among the leaders, it was especially compelling when Peter spoke in defense of the Gentiles. If you remember, in Acts 10 God called Peter to go to a Gentile s home to share the gospel. In Peter s vision, God showed Peter His desire for Gentiles to be part of His kingdom. This was a big pill for Peter to swallow he had never been a part of anything spiritually unclean, but he saw what God did in this Gentile family. It was proof enough. The same Holy Spirit was given to them as had been given to all at Pentecost. Paul and Barnabas then go on to tell of the many examples of God working through Gentile believers. This gathering was a time where brains and hearts were being reprogrammed and prejudices were being deleted. Do we have prejudices that need to be deleted when it comes to others in the Body of Christ? Do we load down others, or ourselves, with crushing rules that only discourage? Do we put down other denominations? What did these leaders use as proof of salvation? Acts 15:8: God, who knows the heart, showed that He accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as He did to us. How can we know if someone has the Holy Spirit? Do you see the fruit of the Spirit as listed in Galatians 5:22? The Body of Christ is made up of many peoples, cultures, personalities, and opinions. There is never to be a compromise on matters of salvation, but there are times we will need to agree to disagree. James now speaks, saying he does not want to make it difficult for the Gentiles, but he also knows a compromise of sorts needs to be given to them so they will know how to not offend the Jews, with whom they are now fellowshipping. Let s work to remember there are times we too may need to compromise, never the truth of salvation, but certainly our prejudices. 20/20: The Life of Paul 31

33 ADULT DEVOTIONALS WEEK 3: WEDNESDAY Then the apostles and elders, with the whole church, decided to choose some of their own men and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas... -Acts 15: In this passage we are looking at the letter sent from the Jewish leadership at the church in Jerusalem to the Gentile churches in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia. This letter is meant to clarify that salvation is through Jesus Christ by grace alone, but to also help Gentile believers understand ways of behavior the Jews had lived by for generations, so as to further the integration of these two groups into one body of believers. It appears that the Jewish believers were not walking away from the practices of the Law for themselves, but were just not requiring the Gentile believers to follow them. The Law had been given to Israel by God and this is how they had lived for generations. Instead of Law, the Jerusalem Council outlined for the Gentiles parameters for behavior that would allow them to fellowship with Jewish believers without offending them, and at the same time keep them from the sins of idolatry and sexual immorality. With the Gentiles counseled to avoid certain things, the Jerusalem Council felt they had given them the necessary boundaries to guide their lives. All other things they would learn as they continued to grow in their faith. We do the same thing when we lead someone to the Lord or help a new believer to grow. We don t begin with the Thou shalt nots, we begin with the You ares. You are: saved by grace; loved by God; forgiven; His child; part of a new family; directed, guided, and counseled by the Holy Spirit. I know for myself, as I read the Word and was involved at church, other previous behaviors disappeared. If someone had handed me a list and said, Now that you re a Christian you can t do this or this or this, I would have been overwhelmed and given up. The Holy Spirit, through the Word and other believers, counsels, directs, and helps us grow. I imagine the Jerusalem Council expected the same for these new believers. Through missionaries like Paul, Barnabas, and many others, these new believers would continue to receive solid teaching. I think I ll throw away my own Pharisee list of what I think I have to do to be right with God and start focusing more on who I am in Him. Do you have a list that needs to be thrown away, too? 20/20: The Life of Paul 32

34 ADULT DEVOTIONALS WEEK 3: THURSDAY So the men were sent off and went down to Antioch, where they gathered the church together and delivered the letter. Acts 15: Verse 30 tells us the men were sent off to deliver the letter to the churches. Most of us, at some point in our lives, have had to say something to someone, not sure how it would be received. I wonder how they were feeling; apprehensive or excited, fearful or joyful. Would this letter be accepted by all involved? Think of the people watching them as they walked into town. The news must have spread like wildfire that the teachers had returned. What were they going to say, what was to be required of the Gentile believers? When the letter was read, a huge sigh of relief must have blown through the town. The people were glad for the encouragement. The fresh air of clarity and guidance had replaced the heaviness of uncertainty and legalism. Judas and Silas remained for a time continuing to teach. We can be so thankful that we can just pick up a Bible to read and go to church to be taught without waiting for someone to visit the town. I can imagine these people just sitting and listening for hours, being so hungry for more understanding. It makes me think how much I take for granted the many resources I have, and I have to ask myself if I have become complacent in my hunger for the Word. So many other options are offered that can distract me. I can pick up any number of books to read, turn on the TV, or virtually tour the world if I choose. I m thinking this short little passage is a good reminder of what our priorities should be. We need to be joyful and thankful for our accessibility to God s Word, which many in this world do not have. Let s not let every pleasure of this world crowd out our time with God. Let s be as these people were glad for the encouraging message and hungry for more of Him. 20/20: The Life of Paul 33

35 ADULT DEVOTIONALS WEEK 3: FRIDAY [Paul and Barnabas] had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company... -Acts 15: I am so appreciative of the honesty of the Bible. It s a part of how we know it is true, because who would make their main characters so flawed? Seeing Paul and Barnabas, two pillars of the faith, have a falling out and parting of the ways is sad but also relatable. Here we have two men who have served and suffered together. They have seen wonderful things happen amongst the Gentile population as they shared the gospel. But even with all this to bind them, they had a serious disagreement. Here is where I see their individual personalities showing. Paul is zealous in what he does. This is his life and priority and nothing should deter that. Barnabas is the more compassionate one. Paul is about the job, Barnabas is about the people. (I m no pro at this, just my observation!) God needs all types to be working for His Kingdom, and He is the One to blend us and help us work together. I see this as a Romans 8:28 situation. How this disagreement was handled was probably not the best example of conflict resolution and people were probably hurt, but God still brought good out of it. Where there was one team with two strong leaders before, there were now two teams covering more area. If I were John Mark, I would be thankful to have Barnabas on my side, someone who could see potential and give me another chance. Barnabas paid a price for his investment in John Mark, in that he was separated from a dear friend and the brothers sided with Paul. We will see later though that Barnabas s investment proved to be a good one. In his old age, Paul even asked that Mark should join him and he spoke fondly of Barnabas. As I get older, I am grateful for the thought that God has rounded off the sharp edges and softened my heart instead of the hardness and bitterness we see in the world. There are so many lessons to see in this passage: if our focus is the job, remember the people; if our focus is the people, don t compromise the gospel to try and keep peace; be willing to give second chances; invest in the next generation; trust God to use even the tough situations for His purposes (Romans 8:28); be willing to forgive; let God soften and shape our hearts. Amen 20/20: The Life of Paul 34

36 FAMILY DEVOTIONALS WEEK 3: ACTS 15 Seeing the Truth Each day, begin by praying that God would show you and your family what he has in store for you. MONDAY Read Acts 15:7-9. Parents, depending on the age of your children you can discuss circumcision or just explain that Jewish believers wanted everyone to follow Jewish law. Name some rules you think are good to have. (Ex: no texting and driving.) Name some rules that are frustrating to you. (Ex: no TV until homework is done.) Why are they still good rules to have? (They help you focus on what is important.) TUESDAY Read Acts 15: 11-12,19. True or False: If your parents are Christians, then you are one. If you go to church, you are a Christian. If you believe Jesus is the only way to God, you are a Christian. If you are nice to everyone, you are a Christian. (True: If you believe Jesus is the only way to God, you are a Christian.) Discuss the difference between the true example and the false ones. WEDNESDAY If someone looks or acts a certain way, we might judge (or assume things about) that person. Talk about some ways we might judge others. (You might judge how smart someone is by how they talk.) Parents, allow your kids to admit things they assume about others. This is not a time to discipline or correct. Why should we not judge others? (We don t know their heart, only God does.) THURSDAY Yesterday, we talked about judging others. Get out a piece of paper and answer this question: Do you ever feel other people judge you or assume things about you? Write down what you think people assume about you. Take that piece of paper and tear it up. Take time to pray as a family, thanking God that He doesn t care about what s on that paper, but what s in your heart. FRIDAY Read Acts 15:11. In chalk, dry erase, or pencil, write the verse on a board or large piece of paper. Read the verse several times. After each time you read it, erase some words. See if you can keep saying it when all the words are erased. Talk about whether this verse is true for each family member. If you feel your child is ready, talk to them about whether they believe in Jesus. Then guide them through a prayer, expressing their need for Jesus and their belief that he died for them. AMEN!* *Parents, visit chapelnj.org/cg2015 for resources on praying with your children. 20/20: The Life of Paul 35

37 JACKSONVILLE CHAPEL 20/20: THE LIFE OF PAUL WEEK 3: SEEING THE TRUTH MAIN POINT Every Christian is responsible for clarifying and defending the gospel when necessary. INTRODUCTION What is the biggest dream or vision you ve had for your life? Has that dream been fulfilled? discussion guide... As you have pursued your dream, what obstacles have been the toughest to deal with? Were any of those obstacles related to tradition, the way things have always been done? How can traditions be helpful and also hurtful to our walk with Christ? What does it take to be right with God? That was the debate that broke out in the early church, with some Christians insisting that faith in Christ must be accompanied by obedience to the rituals of the Hebrew Scriptures. By addressing this conflict, Paul and the other leaders were defending the core of the gospel and preserving our spiritual freedom. UNDERSTANDING After their missionary journey, Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch (14:28). During their stay, some men traveled from Judea to Antioch. They began to teach that Gentiles had to keep the customs prescribed by Moses. These Jewish Christians, known as Judaizers, insisted salvation came through becoming a Jew first and then exercising faith, rather than through faith in Jesus alone. > READ ACTS 15:1-5. What things did the teachers in this passage say the Gentiles must do? If you were a Gentile hearing that these regulations were required, how would you feel about your new faith? As a strict Jew, why would these rules be important to you? What were some of the expected, extra-biblical rules you were supposed to follow in the church where you grew up? If you didn t grow up in church, did your family place any expectations or rules on you? Is there anything in our church that a new believer might view as an extra rule or requirement? If so, what should we do about it? 20/20: The Life of Paul 36

38 The debate centered around one question: Did Gentiles who believe in Jesus have to convert to Judaism to be saved? All the first believers were Jews, and Christianity was a movement which began within Judaism. Jesus Himself was a Jew. For these reasons and more, some believers viewed Christianity as an extension of Judaism and its legal requirements. They were concerned because the Antioch Christians had not entered the process of becoming Jewish converts. That process required circumcision of males and obeying the Mosaic laws. What was in jeopardy if the church couldn t reach an agreement about these issues? How would things be different for Christians today if the people in Acts 15:5 had been successful? Paul and Barnabas understood that to add keeping the Mosaic law to the requirements for salvation was to deny that salvation is by faith alone. The conflict described in these verses involved theological as well as practical concerns. The integrity of the gospel and the unity of church fellowship were at stake. > READ ACTS 15:6-21. In Peter s words, are both Jews and Gentiles saved in the same way? How? How would you describe Peter s struggle with this issue (vv. 7-11)? Take a moment to look at Acts 10. How did Peter come to understand God s plan for Gentiles? Knowing Paul s Pharisaic background and Peter s desire to keep the law, how would their testimonies have made a difference? How much influence does the testimony of another believer have on your opinions? How much influence should it have? After Peter s speech, the gathering fell silent. Barnabas and Paul recounted their work among the Gentiles, emphasizing what God had done through them. They had performed signs and wonders by God s power. These miracles impressed the Gentiles and validated the gospel Paul and Barnabas proclaimed. The reports of Barnabas, Paul, and Peter had great impact because they were Jewish Christians who had witnessed God s grace in action. discussion guide... In verses 12-21, James used two Old Testament Scripture passages to support his idea: Amos 9:11-12 and Isaiah 45:21. Why do you think he chose these Scriptures from the Old Testament? What was James s recommendation? How did his compromise satisfy both parties? How did the council s decision accurately represent the gospel? Read Acts 1:8. What is the significance of the council s decision in light of that command? 20/20: The Life of Paul 37

39 James announced his opinion, perhaps as a formal motion: Gentiles would not have to become Jewish converts to become Christians (v. 19). Then James suggested a letter be sent to Gentile churches instructing believers to keep four ritual requirements in deference to Jewish Christians. Not only did they establish that the gospel is for everyone, but they also worked to eliminate future conflicts by ensuring everyone was unified around the gospel. The council s letter to Gentile believers in the next set of verses is a great example for us of making sure that everyone is given the opportunity to receive the gospel without any strings attached. > READ ACTS 15: What is the tone of the letter? What are its main points? In this gospel-centered letter and the response to it (vv ), what are the important lessons for the church today? discussion guide... The letter s writers stressed that the council s decision was the Holy Spirit s decision and theirs. The Spirit had guided the council to put no greater burden on Gentile believers. Gentiles would not be required to become Jews to become Christians. They were to keep certain ritual requirements, however, not for salvation but for the sake of fellowship and unity between Jewish and Gentile Christians (v. 29). The Jerusalem council s decision freed the Christian movement to include all people who would make a faith commitment to Christ. Throughout Jesus earthly ministry, He left no doubt that the salvation He offers is available to everyone through faith in Him. He also worked hard to ensure people didn t face any obstacles to receiving that gospel. We have the same responsibility to clarify and defend the gospel as we live out our faith today. APPLICATION What is your main takeaway from today s text and discussion? How does the example of Paul and other leaders in Acts 15 impact your personal ministry efforts? Do you anticipate any opportunities to defend the gospel this week? If so, how can we be praying for you leading up to that conversation or interaction? PRAY Close in prayer by asking God for the courage and boldness to stand for His truth when faced with compromises. Pray that God will give your group members the confidence to clarify and defend the gospel if the need arises in the coming weeks. Thank Him for Truth worth defending. 20/20: The Life of Paul 38

40 FOLLOW UP Midway through this week, send a follow-up to your group with some or all of the following: 1. Questions to consider as they continue to reflect on what they learned this week: Have you had the chance to clarify or defend the gospel this week? How did that conversation go? What is one step you need to take toward a lifestyle that gives a clearer picture of the gospel? 2. The challenge to memorize Acts 15: COMMENTARY ACTS 15: :1-2. After their missionary journey, Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch (14:28). During their stay, some men traveled from Judea to Antioch. They began to teach that Gentiles had to be circumcised to be saved. They had to keep the custom prescribed by Moses. These men from Judea comprised the circumcision party. Paul and Barnabas contested the Judaizers teaching that circumcision was necessary for salvation that Gentiles had to be a part of Israel, the covenant community, to become Christians. In a heated, face-toface confrontation, Paul and Barnabas rejected the Judaizers claim. Possibly in a called meeting, the church formally designated Paul and Barnabas and some others as representatives to go up to the apostles and elders in Jerusalem. 15:3-5. The Jerusalem church remained the mother church, and the apostles and elders evidently gave counsel on theological issues. They probably did not give directives to other churches. Yet the Antioch church saw the need for a broader meeting of church leaders to resolve the controversy. Thus the Antioch church underwrote the journey of more than 250 miles to Jerusalem. The conflict described in these verses involved theological as well as practical concerns. Theologically, it concerned how a person is saved. Practically, it involved church fellowship how saved people relate to one another. Specifically it concerned the relationship of Jewish and Gentile Christians and how they would interact with one another. The integrity of the gospel was at stake. discussion guide... 15:6-8. The apostles and the elders assembled to consider Gentile conversion and fellowship with Gentile believers. Apostles refers to all or some of the Twelve. The elders were other leaders in the church. Verse 12 implies other church members also were present. Paul and Barnabas had engaged the circumcision party in lengthy debate. When Peter spoke, he reminded the assembly that in the early days of the Christian movement, God had chosen him to proclaim the gospel to the Gentiles so they might believe. (See Acts 10.) Peter had been God s messenger to Gentiles with the good news. Peter stressed that God had validated the Gentiles conversions by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He also did to Jewish believers at Pentecost. Only God knows the heart fully, and He gave evidence that the Gentiles conversions were genuine. God gives the Spirit only to believers. 15:9-10. Peter declared God made no distinction between Jewish and Gentile believers. When Gentiles made a faith commitment to Christ, God cleansed their hearts as He had cleansed Jewish believers hearts. Peter strongly implied real purity came as a result of faith; it did not come from circumcision or observing other Jewish regulations. When the circumcision party heard Peter s account of what happened in Cornelius s 20/20: The Life of Paul 39

41 house, they had affirmed God had saved Gentiles (see 11:18). Did these Jewish Christians refuse to believe God had saved Gentiles through faith? Did the circumcision party, like the complaining Israelites did in the wilderness (Ex. 17:7), reject God s guidance? Putting on the disciples necks the yoke of legalism would be to test God by questioning whether He saved people by grace through faith and by seeking to impose a different way. Peter stressed that no generation had been able to bear the yoke of the law. Why burden the Gentiles with a load the Jews could not carry? 15: Peter rejected salvation by keeping the law and stated firmly: We believe we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, in the same way they are. The Gentiles salvation became a model for Jews: Jews were saved by grace through faith even as Gentiles were. Jewish Christians rightly could cherish their law and strive to keep it, but they had been saved by grace through faith, not by the law. The whole assembly likely refers to the Jerusalem church and the group from Antioch. After Peter s speech, the gathering fell silent. Barnabas and Paul recounted their work among the Gentiles, emphasizing what God had done through them. They had performed signs and wonders by God s power. These miracles impressed the Gentiles and validated the gospel Paul and Barnabas proclaimed. discussion guide... 15:13. Following Paul and Barnabas, James responded. This was Jesus half-brother (see Mark 6:3), not the apostle James or James the son of Alphaeus (see 1:13). This James had become the Jerusalem church s leader. He called for the assembly s attention. Doubtless all ears were attuned to him because of his position in the church. Also, he may have been a conservative Jewish Christian whose outlook had undergone change. 15: James referred to Peter by his Jewish name, Simeon. James called attention to Peter s account of how God had intervened to take from the Gentiles a people for His name. The Greek term translated intervened means to examine with the eyes with the further idea of looking on (someone) to help, benefit, or provide for the person. When Peter went to Cornelius s house, God provided the Gentiles an opportunity to receive the gospel. James quoted from the Hebrew prophets Amos and Isaiah to support his argument. James announced his opinion, perhaps as a formal motion: Gentiles would not have to become Jewish converts to become Christians. 15:20. James suggested a letter be sent to Gentile churches instructing believers to keep four ritual requirements in deference to Jewish Christians. Some scholars think these may have been introduced as a way for Jews and Gentiles within the church to have a common basis for contact. But it is more likely that these were designed to elevate the moral standards of the Gentiles by prohibiting them from engaging in a number of the practices that were associated with pagan temple rites such as animal sacrifice, sexual immorality, and idolatry. 15: James s reason for invoking Moses and the widespread proclamation of the law is not entirely clear. He may have meant that Jewish people who spread throughout the world via the Diaspora had made Moses law known among Gentiles through their public reading of Scripture. Alternatively, he may have been saying that the standards he demanded of Gentiles in verse 20 reflected universal moral laws that were enshrined in the law of Moses. Judas and Silas, both leading men among the brothers in Jerusalem, accompanied Paul and Barnabas back to Antioch in order to vouch (personally and via hand-delivered letter) for the results of the Jerusalem Council. 15: A letter in the ancient world was a substitute for the personal presence of the author. It was often carried by a trusted person who would validate and expand upon its contents, which Judas and Silas as emissaries of the leaders of the Jerusalem church would do. James names both the Holy Spirit and human initiative (ours) as factors in the Council s decision. Throughout the New Testament, there is interplay between divine guidance and human actions that accomplish God s purpose (e.g., Php 2:12-13). 15: When the believers in Antioch read the letter, they were glad for its encouraging message. They rejoiced that their salvation in Christ was affirmed. They rejoiced that the gospel they had believed was correct, that salvation is a result of grace alone, not grace plus works. Also, they no doubt were glad they did not have to begin the process of becoming Jewish proselytes, which all Gentile believers would have if the Judaizers position had been affirmed. 20/20: The Life of Paul 40

42 discussion guide... 15: Judas and Silas, the official Jerusalem representatives, said much to encourage and strengthen the brothers. These men were prophets. As such, they went beyond their assigned task of delivering the letter and also delivered God s word to the people. These men spent some time ministering in Antioch, after which the church sent them back to Jerusalem with the blessing of peace. 20/20: The Life of Paul 41

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45 ADULT DEVOTIONALS WEEK 4: MONDAY And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing there, urging him and saying, Come over to Macedonia and help us. When Paul had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them. -Acts 16:9-10 Those who see the Christian life as a series of safe, easy, clear-cut steps on a staircase are in for a rude awakening. Those who expect following Jesus to check all boxes of logic and reason will be disappointed. And those who expect salvation to end suffering should find a different religion. As C.S. Lewis once said, If you want a religion to make you feel comfortable, I certainly don t recommend Christianity. Not that it s really a religion, though. Jesus > religion. When I chose to follow Jesus, I gave myself to a moment-by-moment relationship, not a collection of dusty textbooks in an old library. The Christian life is an adventure. Like all adventures, there are twists and turns. When you sign up for this Jesus thing, you don t sign up for a walk through the park; you sign up for a battle. Now Paul had vision. But even once everything seemed crystal clear, God took Paul in a different direction. Acts 16:9-10 (ESV) reads, And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing there, urging him and saying, Come over to Macedonia and help us. When Paul had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them. This detour brought him to seemingly insignificant people, places, and moments. It even led him to prison, where he was beaten while doing right. You may be at a place in your life where God is telling you to do something risky. Perhaps it s to leave a job you have been secure in. Or to reach out to that kid eating all alone. Maybe you ve lost loved ones. A relationship has ended, and you re questioning God. But Isaiah 32:17 reads, The fruit of that righteousness will be peace; its effect will be quietness and confidence forever. We can have shalom even in suffering. As I heard Clayton Jennings, a spoken word artist, say, Following Jesus is the hardest thing you can ever do... I could lie to you and tell you that it s all golden roads and prosperity, but I follow Jesus so I won t because neither did he. He promised a hard life with a lot of sorrow. But he promised the strength to get through the depression, anxiety, murder, rape, adultery, divorce, diseases, death, and pains of tomorrow. 20/20: The Life of Paul 44

46 ADULT DEVOTIONALS WEEK 4: TUESDAY But when her owners saw that their hope of gain was gone, they seized [them] and dragged them into the marketplace before the rulers. And when they had brought them to the magistrates, they said, These men are Jews, and they are disturbing our city. They advocate customs that are not lawful for us Romans to accept or practice. The crowd joined in attacking them, and the magistrates tore the garments off them and gave orders to beat them with rods. And when they had inflicted many blows upon them, they threw them in prison. -Acts 16:19-23 I ve often said that when life hands you lemons, you make orange juice and leave the world wondering how you did it. Bet you thought I was gonna say something else, didn t you? Making lemonade out of lemons is still what people expect. It s still conventional. But in God s Kingdom the things we once thought about the world are turned upside down. I m writing this devotional on a summer afternoon, and it s 85 degrees out. I m drinking a glass of water with ice cubes on top. Though it s refreshing, it s only temporarily thirst-quenching. When it s empty, I ll have to go back inside for more. Life is like that, too. We think filling ourselves with this world s bliss will provide lasting happiness, but it only creates temporary satisfaction. God s grace is the only thing that lasts. After believing the gospel, Paul s life is changed. He goes from Public Enemy #1 of Christianity to its number #1 promoter. He follows the wind of God and goes on adventures. Suffering still comes at him like a tornado. But Paul has this supernatural peace that turns Satan s flamethrowers against him. In the passage we are studying, Paul and his friend, Silas are traveling to pray and a demon-possessed girl keeps distracting them. Paul casts the demon out. Acts 16:19-23 (ESV) reads, But when her owners saw that their hope of gain was gone, they seized [them] and dragged them into the marketplace before the rulers. And when they had brought them to the magistrates, they said, These men are Jews, and they are disturbing our city. They advocate customs that are not lawful for us Romans to accept or practice. The crowd joined in attacking them, and the magistrates tore the garments off them and gave orders to beat them with rods. And when they had inflicted many blows upon them, they threw them in prison. Lovely. So they re following God s mission, and prison is their reward? Perhaps you feel like you re doing everything right, but nothing seems to go your way. Perhaps that s an understatement. Maybe you re drowning in a sea of pain and all you can hear is the sound of the rain. It s in these moments that it s on Christ the solid rock you must stand. All other ground is sinking stand! Even when you re thrown in jail... 20/20: The Life of Paul 45

47 ADULT DEVOTIONALS WEEK 4: WEDNESDAY And when Paul had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go on into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them. -Acts 16:10 When was the last time you appreciated the sunrise? Now I know sleep is preferable, and therefore it s pretty difficult to get up at 5 A.M. just to look at a blob of light rise up in the sky. I mean, it does that every day. It never does anything differently, right? Sure, you might get an artsy Instagram or tumblr picture, but how is it worth it? I think it is. I guess a better question is when was the last time you appreciated the mundane? Jeff Bethke, a Christian YouTuber, once said, Don t miss the small flashes of grace that are all around you today. He can shine through everything. This past week I had the privilege of spending a week at the beach with some friends. Every day we made the conscious decision to wake up early and see the sunrise. My takeaway went deeper. The symbolic meaning of the sunrise is that no matter how empty and lonely it might feel on this planet, the sun will always rise. Every single day. God s mercies are new every morning. For Paul and Silas it was easy to preach about in theory but difficult to see in reality. Acts 16:10 reads, And when Paul had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go on into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them. They had followed the Spirit s call, and it led them to jail. Now you probably aren t in literal prison, but perhaps you re in a metaphorical prison. Your depression hasn t subsided, even though you know Christ. You are faithfully serving the Lord, but you are stuck in a dead-end job going nowhere. Your family is falling apart. Your son committed suicide. Tell me, where s the meaning in that? How can you see the Son rise in that? You know in theory what 1 Peter 5:10 says, And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you, but to be honest, eternal glory seems so far away. But as Leonard Cohen once sang, There s a crack, a crack in everything/ That s how the light gets in. God shines in our darkest dungeon, and the cross is the only thing that keeps us afloat in this raging sea. 20/20: The Life of Paul 46

48 ADULT DEVOTIONALS WEEK 4: THURSDAY About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them, and suddenly there was a giant earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone s bonds were unfastened. When the jailer woke and saw that the prison doors were open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. -Acts 16:25-27 I have a confession to make. There is a certain type of confidence I have yet to attain. I like to say I have it, of course. I can write incessantly about it. I can make bold speeches about it. I can post Instagram pictures with profound captions about it from the comfort of my New Jersey home, and I hope, should the time actually come, that I can deliver. But, at the end of the day, I m a well-off North Jersey Christian teen from wealthy America attending a pretty safe, comfortable suburban church in Lincoln Park, NJ. I don t even remotely know what persecution is like, and I can t even pretend to know. But I do know that there s a certain type of confidence that enables Pastor Saeed, an Iranian-American pastor who is being tortured and imprisoned for his faith, to write from the depths of suffering encouraging his fellow believers to, Let the lava-like love of Christ enter into the depth of your heart and make you fiery, ready to pay any cost in order to bring the same lava love to the cold world around you. There s the type of confidence that enabled Stephen to boldly proclaim the Word of God while having stones thrown at him. And that, of course, is the same kind of confidence that enabled Paul and Silas to, you know, casually throw a worship service while being imprisoned by the Roman Empire. Acts 16:25-27 reads, About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them, and suddenly there was a giant earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone s bonds were unfastened. When the jailer woke and saw that the prison doors were open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. Now that s what I call escalating quickly. And people say the Bible is boring? Now Paul and Silas weren t these supermen who didn t feel pain. They were human. I bet their worship songs were full of pain, anguish, and despair. But as Lamentations 2:19 says, God wants us to, Cry out in the night... Pour out [our] heart like water in prayer to the Lord. We all have scars, and we re all screwed up. Worship is sometimes a wrestling match. 20/20: The Life of Paul 47

49 ADULT DEVOTIONALS WEEK 4: FRIDAY Paul cried with a loud voice, Do not harm yourself, for we are all here. -Acts 16:28 I read somewhere that the cross is God s way of saying, me too. I thought that was beautiful. Now you can hold on when everything s shaking, when you can t see past today, and when the avalanche keeps dragging you down. When everything is dull and gray and murky outside, your knees are wobbly, your arms are quivering, and you re falling into a slide of lava and not melting fast enough, feeling the molten heat splash against your skin. You can hold on, because the Redeemer is not some distant Enlightened One who has never felt pain. He left eternity to enter time and purposely bore our pain. He gets it, and he gets us. There s a Mumford and Sons song which starts off with these lyrics: How fickle my heart and how woozy my eyes/i struggle to find any truth in your lies/and now my heart stumbles on things I don t know/ My weakness I feel I must finally show. No one likes showing weakness. Showing weakness is fundamentally not fun. And yet do it we must, if we want God to shine through us. C.S. Lewis once wrote, God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pains: it is his megaphone to rouse a deaf world. This is true. I remember when I finally confronted the wolf in the corner. I know the summer well, but I definitely know the winter. Sometimes I still wake up and feel void of life. Behind every smile, fear hides. Behind each word of hope, hopelessness sings. I still sometimes feel like a 340-ton rock is tied to my back. The demon tangoing with my potential tries to make me forget about the light inside of me. That s why it s on Christ the solid rock I stand. I once read, The finest souls are those who gulped pain and avoided making others taste it. The Christian takes inner pain and translates it into grace toward others. After the earthquake, assuming Paul and Silas have escaped, the Roman jailer is about to commit suicide. The fate he would face at the hands of his superiors would probably be worse. But Acts 16:28 reads, Paul cried with a loud voice, Do not harm yourself, for we are all here. This simple gesture results in the revival of the jailer s entire family. See, God uses even the darkest situations to shine. 20/20: The Life of Paul 48

50 FAMILY DEVOTIONALS WEEK 4: ACTS 16 Seeing in Suffering Each day, begin by praying that God would show you and your family what he has in store for you. MONDAY Read Acts 16: Paul and Silas healed a girl. People did not like this, so they hurt Paul and Silas and put them in prison. This is a hard story to understand, but it reminds us that following Jesus will not always be easy. What are some things you find hard about following Jesus? TUESDAY Read Romans 8:18. Paul and Silas were hurt and put in prison for telling others about Jesus. In this verse it talks about how following Jesus can be hard. What else does it talk about? ( Glory revealed God rewards those who continue to follow Him.) What is good about going through hard times? (It makes us stronger; it helps us rely on God.) WEDNESDAY Read Acts 16: Have one person read and everyone else close their eyes. Imagine being Paul and Silas. Do you think you would be singing praises to God in prison? What a great example of faithful servants! Why do you think the earthquake happened? THURSDAY Read Acts 16: Why did the jailer want to hurt himself? (He knew he would be in big trouble because all the prisoners would have escaped.) What made the jailer believe? (The earthquake causing the doors to be open and Paul and Silas not escaping.) We might not understand why we go through hard times. But as we see here, if Paul and Silas were never in prison, the jailer would not have heard about God. FRIDAY Continue in Acts 16: List some difficult events that have happened in your family or in the world. Have you seen God use them for good? If not, take some time to pray that God would use those situations to bring Him glory and that others would come to believe in Jesus because of the events you listed. 20/20: The Life of Paul 49

51 JACKSONVILLE CHAPEL 20/20: THE LIFE OF PAUL WEEK 4: SEEING IN SUFFERING MAIN POINT When we follow a suffering Savior, God uses even the deepest pain for our good and His glory. INTRODUCTION Spend a few minutes discussing the news stories from the headlines this week. Of these stories, how many are related to evil or suffering? What are some of the ways people respond to events like these? What questions are often raised? discussion guide... As a Christian, what is the appropriate response to suffering, and what makes that response challenging? Living in a broken world involves suffering, and our suffering will be magnified when we choose to follow Christ. Paul faced opposition, arrest, imprisonment, and physical abuse not to mention the unnamed thorn in the flesh which tormented him. But his Christ-centered view of life kept him from bitterness and allowed him to see that when we follow a suffering Savior, God uses even the deepest pain for our good and His glory. UNDERSTANDING > READ ACTS 16:1-15. How do you think Paul might have felt after twice being prevented from carrying out his intentions (vv. 6-7)? How do you think that experience shaped Paul s faith? How do such experiences shape our faith? The Holy Spirit led Paul to the town of Troas. Paul knew God had some purpose for it, but he had no idea what it was. Then, in the middle of the night Paul had a vision of a Macedonian man calling for him to come help them. From that vision Paul was directed to a new ministry in Macedonia (16:6-10). What does Paul and his companions response to the Macedonian man s request indicate about their basic ministry purpose? 20/20: The Life of Paul 50

52 Paul and his fellow missionaries quick response to the Holy Spirit s leading reveals they felt compelled to share the gospel wherever and whenever God called them to do so. The vision occurred one night; they departed the next day and traveled to Philippi. > READ ACTS 16: Have you ever been in a situation like Paul and Silas when you did the right thing but people responded badly to it? When? What does this scene from Paul s ministry tell us about the consequences that may come from our gospel ministry? Paul and Silas were having a really bad day. It started with being annoyed and just got worse from there. They were seized and dragged, lied about, beaten, and eventually thrown in jail. Everything they faced stemmed from their ministry in Jesus name. While this was not the ideal circumstance for these missionaries to find themselves in, we learn about the appropriate response to suffering from their example. As the next verses shows, Paul s Christ-centered view of life kept him from bitterness and helped him make his suffering about God s glory. > READ ACTS 16: Why do you think the other prisoners were listening with such interest to Paul and Silas? What was unusual about their behavior? What did their actions communicate about God? The situation looked ominous for Paul and Silas. They were successful in reaching Lydia for Christ and liberating a slave girl from Satan s control. But their success got them in trouble. They were beaten and jailed. Instead of letting fear hush their testimony of Jesus, however, Paul and Silas turned their prison cell into a worship center. Instead of mourning their pain, they gave themselves to worshiping God by praying and singing to Him. Luke said they sang hymns, or songs of praise directed to God. Every word they uttered in prayer and song reflected the joy and peace God gave them in their ordeal. In addition to prayer and singing, what are some ways we can praise God in the midst of our circumstances? How might these actions reveal the power and presence of God to others? Paul and Silas s expressions of worship served as testimonies about the Lord to the people around them. Luke indicated that the other prisoners listened as the two missionaries worshiped God. Just as Paul and Silas, we should express faith in God by turning to Him when we find ourselves in difficult situations. When you face the midnight, or the overwhelming times of your life, how do you generally respond? How can Paul and Silas example change your perspective? 20/20: The Life of Paul 51

53 What is the source of our hope and joy? How does this affect your outlook on your life s situations? From Paul s example we are reminded that we can consistently show through our words and actions that we know Jesus and have His joy in us. As we will see, such lifestyles can open up opportunities to tell others about the gospel. The turn of events for the jailer started when Paul and Silas were locked up in his prison. What Paul and Silas did in prison shows us the value of a lifestyle of worshiping and serving God. Such a lifestyle opens wide the door of possibilities for us to tell the people observing us about Jesus Christ. > READ ACTS 16: Verse 28 tells us that none of the prisoners tried to escape when their chains broke free. What does this tell us about Paul s and Silas s ministry efforts and their impact on the lives of the prisoners? discussion guide... How did their decision to stay impact the jailer? Suddenly an earthquake shook the foundations of the prison and broke loose the fetters of the prisoners. The prison doors flew open, but no one fled. Their decision to stay put made an eternal difference in the life of the jailer. Responsible for what happened, he knew he had no other choice but to take his own life. Otherwise, he would be executed for allowing the prisoners to escape. That s when Paul and Silas came to the jailer s rescue. First, they convinced him none of the prisoners had escaped, which saved his life from execution. Then they shared Christ with him, which would save his life for eternity. APPLICATION What is the main takeaway for you from Paul s example in Acts 16? How does the manner in which we respond to suffering give opportunities for Christian witness? How does the manner in which we respond to suffering sometimes negate a Christian witness? What are some ways you or our group can encourage others who find themselves in times of suffering and struggle? Why should suffering for the sake of the gospel increase our boldness (as it did Paul s), rather than decrease it? What can we be confident in amid suffering? 20/20: The Life of Paul 52

54 PRAY Close by taking a few minutes to hear the prayer concerns of your group. Other than urgent prayer needs, ask group members to focus their prayers on specific areas in which they need an attitude adjustment toward their circumstances. Close with a prayer of encouragement for your group, challenging them to pursue Christ this week. Thank God for the examples of Paul and others who show us how to glorify God even in the midst of suffering. FOLLOW UP Midway through this week, send a follow-up to your group with some or all of the following: 1. Questions to consider as they continue to reflect on what they learned this week: Who do you have the opportunity to encourage by the way you live for Christ? Are you taking full advantage of that opportunity? What steps could you take to set a better example? 2. The challenge to memorize Acts 16:25. COMMENTARY ACTS 16: :1-5. At Lystra, Paul invited a young disciple named Timothy son of a Jewish woman and Greek man to join him. Paul circumcised Timothy not because he was caving in to pressure from believers from the party of the Pharisees (15:5), but rather to show respect for Jewish law and identity given the fact that Timothy was half-jewish. If Timothy had remained uncircumcised, it would seem to many Jews that he had rejected not just Mosaic law but also Jewish ethnicity. Paul s continuing mentorship of Timothy throughout his ministry resulted in, among other things, the writing of two New Testament letters for his instruction. Besides evangelizing, Paul and his ministry partners conveyed the decisions of the apostles and elders in Jerusalem about circumcision and Gentile converts. Paul wanted to make clear that Gentiles could believe in Jesus without adhering to Jewish rites. No doubt one of the reasons the churches in this Gentiledominated region were strengthened in the faith and grew in number daily was that the Jerusalem Council had decided to minimize the burden imposed on Gentile believers. discussion guide... 16:6-9. Paul and his companions passed through the region of Galatia (probably visiting Iconium and Antioch), and were prevented by the Holy Spirit from preaching the message in Asia. They were also prevented by the Spirit of Jesus (i.e., Holy Spirit) from turning north into Bithynia. So they passed through Mysia and arrived at the coastal city of Troas in Asia. Luke did not indicate why the Spirit constrained Paul s plans or by what method He made known the restrictions. Macedonia was not far in distance from Troas, an easy two-day trip by sailing vessel in favorable weather. Culturally, however, Macedonia was a far different world from Paul s. It was Greek territory. 20/20: The Life of Paul 53

55 16: Luke is not named in the text, but he was the author of the Book of Acts and included himself in the we of 16:10. It is the first time in Acts that he used the first person pronoun to indicate his presence with Paul. Paul had concluded right away that the vision was God s means of calling him to a Macedonian witness. Macedonia was a Roman province in northern Greece. Its eastern extremity was not far from Asia, just across the Dardanelles. Philippi was the main settlement in eastern Macedonia. The first stop on the voyage was Samothrace, an Island on a direct line between Troas and Neapolis. Paul s party landed at Neapolis, the port city of Philippi. Philippi was about 10 miles inland on the Egnatian Way, a major Roman highway. It was a Roman colony. Thus it had a nucleus of Roman citizens, had a Roman style of city government, and was ruled by Roman law. Paul would find that his Roman citizenship would be significant during his stay there (Acts 16:35-40). discussion guide... 16: When Paul began work in a new city, his usual procedure was to seek out the Jewish synagogue for his first witness. Evidently Philippi did not have a sizable Jewish community, for it had no synagogue. Paul was able to locate a place of prayer beside a river outside the city gate where a group of women met on the Sabbath. One of them was named Lydia. She is described as a worshiper of God. In Acts the term worshiper of God (as well as God-fearing, 10:22) was used of Gentiles who attended the Jewish synagogue and believed in the one true God. They were not full converts to Judaism. Converts were called proselytes and lived by the letter of the Jewish law. Worshipers of God generally did not observe the full Jewish law, especially its ceremonial aspects. They did not undergo circumcision or keep the strict dietary regulations of Judaism. Nevertheless, they were often devout supporters of the Jewish synagogues. A number of them, such as Cornelius, became Christian believers (Acts 10). Lydia came from Thyatira in the Roman province of Asia. Thyatira was located in a region of Asia called Lydia. Quite possibly Lydia was not the woman s given name but the name by which she was known in Philippi the woman from Lydia. Thyatira was noted for cloth dyed purple with a dye manufactured from the root of the madder plant, which was native to the Lydian region. This royal purple was reserved for finery, and Lydia was probably a businesswoman of some means. Unlike Philippi, which had no Jewish community, Thyatira had an extensive settlement of Jews. Lydia probably came to her faith in God under the influence of the Jews back home and brought her faith with her to Philippi. The other women who had gathered with her for Sabbath prayer were likely Gentile worshipers of God like herself. Indeed, she may have been the one who led them to their faith. 16: Lydia shared her Lord as well as her home. The text does not specify whether her household members responded to Paul s witness or to Lydia s testimony. The missionaries came in contact with a slave girl as they went to a place for prayer. Luke said the girl had a spirit of prediction. Emperors and military commanders in the Roman world sought individuals who had the slave girl s ability to predict their futures. Before making a decree or going into battle, they wanted to know the outcome. Consequently, a slave who had clairvoyant powers was a gold mine (of knowledge and money) for his or her owners. Because of her marketable ability, this slave girl s owners had figured out a way for her to engage in fortune-telling for a handsome fee. Their investment was productive because Luke said the slave girl s work made a large profit for her owners. After the slave girl met Paul and his companions, she followed them as they walked to the place of prayer and cried out the truth about them and their mission. She identified them as slaves, but they didn t belong to anyone in Philippi. The girl exclaimed that they belonged to the Most High God, an expression for the Lord common among Jewish people. The people in the Gentile city probably interpreted what she said in the context of their pagan culture, which made her words about the way of salvation even more perplexing for them. The girl had a spirit of prediction because of Satan s direct control over her life. In order for her to stop, therefore, the demonic presence had to go. Paul knew that a command to the spirit in the name of Jesus Christ would liberate her from demonic tyranny. As Paul anticipated, the spirit promptly obeyed and left the slave girl. Luke added that the spirit left right away, indicating the complete authority of Jesus name. A mob formed immediately and attacked the two missionaries, beating them severely before throwing them in prison and securing their feet in stocks so they couldn t escape. But as we will see, not even iron bars can hold back the gospel of Christ. 20/20: The Life of Paul 54

56 16: Paul and Silas s expressions of worship served as testimonies about the Lord to the people around them. Luke indicated that the other prisoners listened as the two missionaries worshiped God. Later, God used them to keep the jailer from harming himself. In turn, the jailer went into his house and shared the message of the Lord that brought him new life. The transformation of the people in his household stemmed from listening to Paul and Silas as they worshiped God in their prison cell. A sudden and violent earthquake changed everything for Paul and Silas. The earthquake quivered the ground with such force that it shook the jail s foundations. All the doors in the jail burst open, and the chains holding the prisoners came loose, setting everyone free. The remarkable turn of events liberated the missionaries. But they didn t try to escape. Their decision to stay put made an eternal difference in the life of the jailer. The earthquake probably aroused him from sleep. Looking around, he assumed every prisoner had escaped because all the prison doors stood open. Responsible for what happened, he knew he had no other choice but to take his own life. Otherwise, he would be executed for allowing the prisoners to escape. 16: Notice the way Paul communicated with the jailer so he could be saved. The man s respect for Paul and Silas moved him to fall down in their presence and to address them as Sirs. Then the jailer asked them the question that led to the transformation of his life forever What must I do to be saved? Paul and Silas responded simply and clearly he would be saved if He put his faith in Christ, if he would believe on the Lord Jesus. Only personal faith in Jesus Christ, the one Mediator between God and sinners, would result in his salvation. Also, Paul and Silas told the jailer the persons in his household could be saved if they too trusted Christ. When the jailer took the two missionaries to his home that same hour of the night, he washed their wounds, and Paul and Silas spoke the message of the Lord with everyone there. As a result, each person in the jailer s family received Christ. Salvation always involves each individual s repentance and faith in Jesus. Along with the jailer, all of them were baptized. 16:37. Paul knew the laws regulating punishment of Roman citizens. Having been illegally beaten and denied trial, he refused to be released and pretend nothing had happened. Paul s Roman citizenship is mentioned here for the first time in Acts (see 22:25-29; 23:27; 25:11). Roman citizens were exempt from certain kinds of punishment (e.g., crucifixion) and were entitled to due process prior to punishment. The question arises as to how Paul would have proven his citizenship. There probably was a register in Tarsus that recorded his citizenship, but citizens also often carried small wooden tablets (some of which have been found), something like a modern passport, that they used to prove their citizenship. Perhaps Paul carried such a document. 16: The fear of the magistrates is understandable. Philippi was a Roman colony that followed Roman law. Many people in the town would have known about the rights of a Roman citizen. Though not obligated to do so, Paul and Silas chose to count the apology as amends for the wrongs they had suffered. discussion guide... 20/20: The Life of Paul 55

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59 ADULT DEVOTIONALS WEEK 5: MONDAY While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was greatly distressed to see that the city was full of idols. -Acts 17:16 This week we will examine the idols in our culture, and begin to compassionately see how they affect peoples lives and hopes. We will see how the gospel of Jesus frees people from the idols in our culture. Paul saw actual physical idols in Athens, but it s important to know that even though we do not have physical idols, we commit idolatry whenever we honor and revere a creature in place of God, whether this is material goods, status, pleasure, money, or any other God substitute. Today we ll begin by imagining Paul paying a visit to 2015 North Jersey. First he would visit the Willowbrook mall. At the mall he sees a young woman wearing a T-shirt that says I shop, therefore I am. He sees a very long line of people who have been waiting for hours to get the latest iphone release at the Apple store. He observes a teenage boy who triumphantly purchases the latest Xbox. He observes a woman named Oprah on the TV saying You have the power within you to be all that you want to be. Next, Paul visits a local college. He listens in on several classes and hears the professors almost unanimously saying: Science provides us with all the answers we need. And he overhears a recent graduate of the college gleefully gloating to another graduate who is still unemployed about the exciting, high-paying job that he was just hired for. These are only some of the idols in our culture. But they help us begin to realize how much more idolatry there is in our culture than you see at first glance. Do not forget that Christ has freed us from idols and we can be steadfast in standing against their allure in our own lives. Today, identify idols and prepare to move forward to help those who don t know Christ yet and are still enslaved by their idols. 20/20: The Life of Paul 58

60 ADULT DEVOTIONALS WEEK 5: TUESDAY Paul then stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said: People of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious. For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: to an unknown god. So you are ignorant of the very thing you worship and this is what I am going to proclaim to you. -Acts 17:22 After Paul had gotten so upset by all the idols he saw in Athens, he could have gone on a rant and just blasted the people. But the scripture shows that as he examined all the idols in Athens, he was looking for a way that he could find a bridge to begin talking to the people. He showed them that their unknown god is the living God who is superior to their idols. Similarly, today, instead of tearing unbelievers to shreds because of their idols, we begin to kindly explain to them how their worship is misplaced. Let s look at some of the questions that trouble people in 2015 North Jersey: Will my job be eliminated? Can we afford to stay in our house? What kind of parent am I? Why don t I have enough time for myself? Why can t I have a newer car? Why is sexual freedom not all that I thought it would be? Are my children going to do well or mess up? And after wrestling with so many questions like this, they are confronted with a deeper question behind all the others: Why do I feel so empty? And verse 27 explains that there is a divine purpose for them being put into the chaos of 2015 North Jersey: God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us. Yes, even here in 2015 North Jersey, God is close at hand even if the culture denies it. Pray that people would see that their unknown god, the answer to all their questions, is the God of the Bible. Begin to understand how you will show them that the real answer to their questions is Jesus. 20/20: The Life of Paul 59

61 ADULT DEVOTIONALS WEEK 5: WEDNESDAY The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by human hands. -Acts 17:24 Rather, he himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else. -Acts 17:25b God is unknown to many in today s culture, but we can make Him known. Just as Paul did in Athens, we can show people that God created us and has rights over us as our creator. In today s culture, people are much more likely to be unchurched. They have been brought up not knowing about God and the Bible. They are much less aware that God has made us and even less aware that we are accountable to God. But we can help. First we can build a personal bridge to them. As we get to know non-christians, we can empathize with them. We can share that we know what it means to wrestle with feeling overbooked, overstressed, and fearful. We can then ask them, What do you think of God? and we might hear answers like these: I have a personal connection with God and that s really all I need to know. I did not hear about God growing up. But God to me is loving and non-judgmental. God is love. We define ourselves. We don t have to answer to someone other than ourselves. All these are ideas of God that are made by human hands. In them God is like a spoiling grandfather who expects nothing of us, or like an absentee landlord who is never around. With that view of God, people are trying to be free to find their own fame or fortune, health or pleasure, success or achievement or love. Today s verses show that God rules. God is not what we imagine Him to be. No, God is in charge of our very existence. God rules over and cares for the earth, and has the authority and right to command us, those to whom he gave life. He calls us to worship him as creator. 20/20: The Life of Paul 60

62 ADULT DEVOTIONALS WEEK 5: THURSDAY In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent. -Acts 17:30 Today we see the bad news for our culture: On our own, life is empty. We are in need of rescue. We need simultaneously to have much love for people AND let them know they need rescue. They need to hear the bad news before they can appreciate the good news. We care for them too much not to tell them. How do we proclaim the unchanging truths of the gospel to the rapidly changing world of 2015 North Jersey? We take people and their questions and concerns seriously. We hear them out. We understand their desires and fears. But we must tell them of their need for Jesus. Today s culture does not even believe in absolute truth. When we say Jesus is the only way we are called intolerant and bigoted. But we need to say this because it is the truth. We announce that through Jesus, God will judge his hearers by the man he has appointed whom he has raised from the dead (Acts 27:31). So here is the bad news: God is your judge and you have sinned against him. Someone may say, That works for you. That is just your truth. But we say, I am on your side here, I am not scolding you. This is true for all of us. We are amazed at God s kindness, and we proclaim with kindness and gentleness. We are amazed at the forgiving grace God has shown to us, and we long to see that same grace shown to others. Tomorrow: the good news! 20/20: The Life of Paul 61

63 ADULT DEVOTIONALS WEEK 5: FRIDAY Paul was preaching the good news about Jesus and the resurrection. -Acts 17:18b Some of the people became followers of Paul and believed. -Acts 17:34a Yesterday s bad news is worse than you ever thought. But today s good news is better than you could ever imagine. We now explain the gospel: Jesus has died on the cross so that all of us may be forgiven of our sins if we repent and believe in Him. Jesus rose from the dead to confirm his proclamation that he had the power to forgive sins. To repent and believe in the gospel is the required response to the good news of Jesus. Jesus is a new master and gives new life. Now there is a switch: from an emphasis on I have the freedom to do what I want, how I want, when I want to I want to begin to live that new life of Jesus kingdom. To believe in Christ begins to both answer and change all the questions we asked earlier this week. Some of the questions about material goods may start to seem less important than they once did. And we begin to have a sense of trust and peace about the questions that had uncertain answers. Christ shows us we can begin to answer the questions together with fellow believers instead of on our own. Now we can move from being a slave to the idols in our culture that we heard about at the beginning of the week to the freedom that faith in Christ brings. Our culture says we should take credit for every little thing we do we desire recognition and achievement. Instead, we begin to see what doing things for the Lord s glory means. Now, not everyone Paul talked to believed. In v. 32, some of them sneered. Yes, rejection of the message can still come even in the face of all our personal care. But it is better to graciously explain it and have them say NO than to not explain it at all. Remember, it is God who is doing the saving, and He s saving people around the world and in 2015 North Jersey. Who is more powerful? Culture of Christ s victory. or Jesus? Jesus! Rest in certainty 20/20: The Life of Paul 62

64 FAMILY DEVOTIONALS WEEK 5: ACTS 17 Seeing our Culture Each day, begin by praying that God would show you and your family what he has in store for you. MONDAY Read Acts 17: How does something become a trend? (People want to join the crowd and do what others are doing.) That is what the people of Athens were like with their beliefs. TUESDAY Yesterday we talked about Athens and trends things that are popular to like. What are some current trends? (Whatever number iphone; cool apps. If your kids are little, talk about their favorite toys and shows. Parents, talk about some funny things you used to wear or liked to play with when you were kids.) Let s have a little fun and make a list of things that you only tried or liked because your friends did. (Twitter, anybody? A hairstyle? A music group? If your kids are too young to relate, tell them the funny things you used to wear to be cool.) WEDNESDAY Continuing on the topic of trends where do you see trends come into religion? Do people believe certain things today because they re trendy? (Karma what goes around comes around.) How do we stand firm on our faith when these trends come around? Remember, Jesus is the only way. He is not a trend. THURSDAY Read Acts 17: Paul took the time to understand the people in Athens. He understood what they believed and the questions they had. This allowed him to answer their questions by pointing them to Jesus. How can you learn what your friends believe? (Ask them! Build trust with them by listening, and then share what you believe when the time is right.) FRIDAY Do you know anyone, maybe friends or family, who are spiritually lost or just following the trends? Take time to pray for them. Pray that God would show you when you should share what you believe. 20/20: The Life of Paul 63

65 JACKSONVILLE CHAPEL 20/20: THE LIFE OF PAUL WEEK 5: SEEING OUR CULTURE MAIN POINT When we engage with our culture enough to understand its hopes, dreams, and idols, we will be able to offer the hope of Christ in a way that people will actually hear as good news. INTRODUCTION In groups of three to five, discuss: What sets you apart from everyone else in the world? What is unique about you? Tell about a unique talent or ability of yours, or a one-of-a-kind item you own, or an unusual experience you have had. discussion guide... Ask two or three people who came to faith in Christ as adults: Before you became a Christian, what are some of the things you formerly believed regarding Jesus and God? When Paul traveled to Athens, he paid close attention to their objects of worship and engaged with their cultural thought leaders. In this way, he was able to express the gospel in ways that answered the questions they were asking. Similarly, when we engage with our culture enough to understand its hopes, dreams, and idols, we will be able to offer the hope of Christ in a way that people will actually hear as good news. UNDERSTANDING > READ ACTS 17: As Paul waited in Athens for his companions, he took every opportunity, both in the synagogue and in the marketplace, to talk about Jesus with anyone who would listen. His message caught the attention of the Athenian philosophers. Paul s spirit was deeply troubled by the city s widespread idolatry. Why did this bother him? What is there about our culture today that provokes or troubles your spirit? How can we turn anger or frustration at the world s indifference toward God into motivation for our own evangelistic efforts? Paul s teaching quickly got the attention of two major philosophical groups in Athens. To the Epicureans, existence was material and the goal was intellectual pleasure. The Stoics valued universal reason and selfsufficiency. Neither group believed in resurrection or life after death. They dismissed Paul as a pseudointellectual because they perceived his teaching to be unsophisticated. What is unique about Jesus, compared to the religions of the world? How did Paul bring this out in verse 18? 20/20: The Life of Paul 64

66 Why are our claims about the uniqueness of Jesus so unpopular in the marketplace of our culture? Do you think insisting on the uniqueness of Jesus brings people closer to God or drives them away? Why? What does this say about the best way to reach people for Christ? Christianity is unique among the world s religions. In part that uniqueness lies in who God is not: He is not an idol or one of many gods. Neither is He some philosophical idea. God is alive; He alone is God, and He is Truth. In Paul s example we see the need to refute false ideas about God in our quest to help people understand the truth. This is not intolerant or closed-minded; rather, truth cannot coexist with falsehood. To claim otherwise is false. What strategies and tactics of witnessing can we use in the different settings of our modern world? Where are our synagogues? Where are our marketplaces? How can our interactions today with those who do not know Jesus earn us invitations to speak the truth? > READ ACTS 17: The Areopagus, also known as Mars Hill, was a forum in Athens for debate and discussion. The Epicurean and Stoic philosophers, realizing that Paul brought a new teaching, asked him to address the assembly there. What does Paul reveal about God in this passage? What did Paul say everyone on earth can know about God, in Romans 1:19-20? How does this relate to his message in Acts 17? What evidences do you see in our culture that people today are interested in learning about God? What are the idols of our modern society that people worship in place of God? How can we use those idols as springboards to introduce them to the good news of the gospel? discussion guide... What false ideas about God or Jesus are prevalent today among nonbelievers? Christianity s uniqueness in part lies in who God is. We didn t make Him. He made us. He is Creator of all, Spirit, Father, Lord over everything, without need of anything from us; yet He is involved in our lives. Such a great God deserves our worship. As we explain the truths about God to those who do not know or believe, we must be respectful to them and yet firm with the truth. One cannot have a saving relationship with the Father unless they truly know who He is. Opportunities to speak to non-christians about Jesus are all around us. We can grow in our ability to engage people where they are in their spiritual understanding. Our message should give them the information they need to hear about God s love for them, and the good news about Jesus and the resurrection. 20/20: The Life of Paul 65

67 > READ ACTS 17: Paul wrapped up his message by giving notice of the coming judgment by Jesus, and God s proof through the testimony of the resurrection. His audience, while perhaps not agreeing with these statements, could not deny their uniqueness in the world of religious thought. Our audiences today must also hear these two vital truths, resurrection and judgment, from believers. Based on Paul s words before the Areopagus, what do you think he was telling the Athenians to repent from? Why? Why must Christ s resurrection be a part of any gospel message? discussion guide... Christianity is unique because of God s gracious act of salvation demonstrated through Jesus death and resurrection. Christ alone offers salvation from the final judgment. Jesus must be our message, because He is the only source of hope for those to whom we witness today. No other scheme or philosophy can take His place. APPLICATION How does our culture challenge Christianity s uniqueness? How do you emphasize Christianity s uniqueness in your marketplace? Paul used idols and Greek poetry as points of contact with the people in Athens. What are some more specific connections you can make with friends or family who need to hear the gospel? What would it take for the words as usual (v. 2) to describe the way you naturally seek to introduce Jesus to everyone you meet? As a group, what can we do to pray for and reach out to people in our community and around the world who don t know Christ? PRAY Pray that God would give us boldness in sharing our faith with others. Ask that all would willingly allow God to stretch and strengthen us to be better used by Him. 20/20: The Life of Paul 66

68 FOLLOW UP Midway through this week, send a follow-up to your group with some or all of the following: 1. Questions to consider as they continue to reflect on what they learned this week: Who in your world is giving evidence of an interest in God or spiritual things? What will you say to this person to identify yourself as a Christ-follower who has found truth? Are you personally facing the day of judgment with confidence, knowing that Jesus Christ has paid for your sins? How can you assure yourself of this? Who can you tell? What can you do to emphasize the message of Jesus resurrection and the coming judgment as you share His story with your friends and neighbors? How will you demonstrate your gratitude to God for your salvation by your life and actions through the coming week? 2. The challenge to memorize Acts 17: COMMENTARY ACTS 17: :1-4. Paul and his fellow missionaries traveled to Thessalonica, 100 miles southwest of Philippi. Thessalonica was the capital and largest city of Macedonia. It had a Jewish community, and Paul followed his usual pattern of beginning his witness in the synagogue. After preaching there on three successive Sabbaths, opposition developed; and Paul had to abandon his synagogue witness. Many believed, however, including Jews and God-fearing Greeks. discussion guide... 17:5-9. Eventually Jewish opponents stirred up a riot against Paul and Silas, and they left the town. The missionaries went to Berea, 50 miles southwest of Thessalonica. Paul found the synagogue there more receptive to his teaching and led the people in serious Bible study. Jews eventually came from Thessalonica and incited crowds in Berea against Paul. 17: Paul fled to Athens in the southern Greek province of Achaia. Paul did not stay long in Athens. It was a stopping place where he awaited the arrival of his coworkers, Timothy and Silas. 17: In Athens Paul encountered all sorts of people from many religious backgrounds. Athens was the intellectual center of the Roman empire. It was filled with teachers and students of every persuasion. Two representative groups were the Stoics and Epicureans (17:18). These were leading philosophies of the day. Both had schools in Athens. 20/20: The Life of Paul 67

69 17: The philosophers led Paul to a meeting of the Areopagus. The Greek word Areopagus means Hill of Ares. Ares was the Greek god of war; Mars was the Roman god of war. Thus, sometimes the site is referred to as Mars Hill. The term was used to designate both a hill and a court that met there from ancient times. The court was responsible for dealing with such matters as the introduction of new religions into the city. 17:22. Paul began by seeking to win the good will of his audience. He referred to their being very religious. He used an ambiguous word that could mean religious or superstitious. His hearers probably understood the remark as a positive compliment for their piety. Paul s disdain of their idolatry would indicate that he saw their religiosity negatively, as an empty superstition. 17:23. Several ancient writers referred to such altars dedicated to unknown gods. Most sculptures were dedicated to particular gods and goddesses. Those dedicated to UNKNOWN gods probably were furnished in case some god might have felt neglected and taken out his wrath on the people. The idol Paul referred to was thus a particularly blatant example of the religiosity of the Athenians. They had room for all the gods, known or unknown. Paul seized his opportunity to introduce them to the one true God. He proclaimed to them the God they did not know and who was the only One that counts, the only One that exists. In speaking of their ignorance of this God, Paul was striking at the very self-identity of the philosophers. discussion guide... 17: Paul first presented God as Creator. Stoics were pantheistic. They did not believe in a divine Creator. Instead, they believed that creation itself was divine. For them divinity was to be found in creation, not over it. Paul concluded that because God is Creator of all, He is the Lord of heaven and earth above His creation and thus does not live in temples built by people and with materials He created (see also Acts 7:48-50). He drew a further conclusion that the Creator of all that exists needs nothing from His creation such as idols or any other external form of human piety. The Athenian philosophers probably agreed with that idea. They believed that divinity is complete in itself and needs nothing. However, they and Paul did not understand divine all-sufficiency in the same way. They believed that humans shared in the divine, that everyone has a divine spark within them. Paul understood that humans are in no sense divine. 17: Paul s first teaching focused on God s distance from us; the second emphasized His nearness. From one man, Adam, God made all nations. The wording could mean national boundaries or the habitable areas of the earth. The Greek philosophers could resonate with Paul s words. Indeed Paul quoted two of the Stoic poets in 17:28: Epimenides (around 600 B.C.) and Aratus (who lived around B.C.). The Stoics took the poet s words we are his offspring to mean that all humans are divine. Paul understood that we are God s children, not in the sense of sharing divinity but in the sense of being His creation. 17:30. The Athenians idolatry was a sign of their sinfulness, worshiping the world rather than God. Paul proceeded to the next step: he called on his hearers to repent, to turn from their sins to God. God had overlooked their sins of ignorance in the sense that He had not brought to them the judgment they deserved. He had instead sent the gospel to them. God now commanded them to repent. 17:31. The final step is judgment. If we fail to repent in light of the gospel, only judgment remains for us. God has set a day for judgment. That day is associated with the return of the man God had raised from the dead. He will return as Judge of the entire world. Paul did a lot of bridge-building. He presented biblical truths in a way the philosophers would understand. He even quoted their poets. However, He never compromised the gospel. He declared the central truths of the resurrection and judgment, though he probably was aware that this would cost him most of his audience. 17: Paul s address was cut short by mockers who found the idea of Jesus resurrection to be foolish. (See 1 Cor. 1:23-24.) A second group were unconvinced, but still open. They wanted to hear more. The third group believed. It was not a large group. Two believers are mentioned: Dionysius, a member of the Areopagus; the other was a woman named Damaris. A number of others also believed. 20/20: The Life of Paul 68

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71 ADULT DEVOTIONALS WEEK 6: MONDAY You know how I lived the whole time I was with you... -Acts 20:20 When I think of looking back with no regrets, I think about the legacy that I will be leaving to the next generation. What will I be remembered for? Will my children, my grandchildren, and even my friends feel that their interaction with me was meaningful? In Acts 20, Paul talks about three things that he could say the Ephesians knew about him: (v. 18) You know how I lived the whole time I was with you, (v. 20) You know that I have not hesitated to preach anything that would be helpful to you, but have taught you, and (v. 34) You yourselves know that these hands of mine have supplied my own needs. These three statements tell us quite a bit about Paul. Firstly, his life was consistent. The Ephesians saw how he lived the whole time he was with them. Paul was not wishy washy in his behavior, but rather lived his life in such a way as to leave no doubt where he stood in his walk with God. He chose to serve God with his whole heart. I wonder if the same can be said of me? He was also concerned. He was bold to speak the truth that he felt would be helpful to those around him. I would suggest that in order to understand what might have been helpful to others, he spent time with them, observing them and interacting with them. I have some serious work to do in this area of my life. All too often I m so caught up in my daily tasks that I don t welcome the interruptions that come when someone needs my attention. Lastly, Paul he was conscientious. He was not afraid of doing the necessary hard work to provide for his own physical needs. He didn t want to be a burden to anyone else while on his various journeys. Will I be remembered as someone who wasn t afraid to pull my own weight and work diligently, or as someone who always found an excuse so that others were needed to fill in the gap? As I get older, this legacy issue has taken on greater importance for me. I so want my life to have made a difference to those around me so that those who come behind will have found me faithful. 20/20: The Life of Paul 70

72 ADULT DEVOTIONALS WEEK 6: TUESDAY You know how I lived the whole time I was with you, from the first day I came into the province of Asia. I served the Lord with great humility and with tears, although I was severely tested by the plots of the Jews. -Acts 20:18-19 What a powerful claim to say we ve served the Lord with great humility! Remember from Paul s letter to the Philippians (3:4-6), he speaks about his credentials those characteristics that gave him reason to boast. But he goes on in verse 7 to say But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. He realized that no amount of fame, success, or notoriety compares to being a child of God and His spokesperson in this world. We, too, are called to serve God with humility in whatever area He places us. Paul s service was also with tears. How often have I been moved to tears by the condition of the world today or over a loved one or friend who has hardened their heart to the calling of God on their life? In our present culture, the shedding of tears often seems to be a sign of weakness, but I think rather in God s eyes, it s a sign of tenderness and compassion. In Psalm 126:5 we read, Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy. May we not be ashamed to shed tears as we serve the Lord, and may our hearts break over what breaks His great heart of love. Finally, we see that Paul persevered in his service, even though he was severely tested by those who opposed him. When Jesus prayed in John 17:14, he said the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. If I am truly seeking to live for Christ in this world, I, too, will face opposition. Can I remain faithful to Him through it all? The legacy of true Christian service humility, compassion, perseverance. May it be so as I walk with Him today. 20/20: The Life of Paul 71

73 ADULT DEVOTIONALS WEEK 6: WEDNESDAY You know that I have not hesitated to preach anything that would be helpful to you but have taught you publicly and from house to house. I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus. -Acts 20:20-21 As I mentioned on Day 1, Paul was concerned for those with whom he interacted. Once he encountered them, he didn t hesitate to share profitable comments and teachings with them. In our daily activities, we have opportunities to impact others around us. Do we take advantage of these opportunities? Perhaps our preaching is nothing more than to share a smile, a kind word, or just to address someone by name (when buying coffee or a newspaper on the way to work), thus making them feel that they have value as individuals. I have yet to get a negative response from someone treated this way especially if they don t expect it! More often than not, they respond with a smile themselves, just to think someone noticed them. I would put forth this challenge then if you get coffee and a paper from the same place every day, learn the name of your server and remember it! Seeing you come every day might just boost their spirit in a way you may never know. At some point you might have an opportunity to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give a reason for the hope that you have. (1 Peter 3:15) The fact that Paul says he spoke to both Jews and Greeks would indicate that he was not influenced by the background of anyone. He treated everyone alike. Do we do the same, or do we harbor some secret biases that are reflected in how we treat others? May it not be so. What was Paul s message? Repentance and faith in Christ. May God give us the wisdom to live each day in concern for those around us, and never to forget that each one is a soul for whom Christ died. Our example today may plant the seed in the heart of someone for future reaping a harvest of belief and faith. 20/20: The Life of Paul 72

74 ADULT DEVOTIONALS WEEK 6: THURSDAY The third point Paul made in Acts 20 reflected his conscientious lifestyle: I have not coveted anyone s silver or gold or clothing. You yourselves know that these hands of mine have supplied my own needs and the needs of my companions. -Acts 20: It would have been very tempting, I m sure, for Paul to depend on others to supply his needs as he traveled on his missionary journeys; and he probably would have been justified in doing so, but that was not his way. He didn t want others to sacrifice on his behalf, so he worked with his own hands to supply his needs as he went. Back in Acts 18:3, we find that he was a tent maker not an easy job at all while in verses 33 to 34 we see Paul s conscientious lifestyle. In verse 35 he calls it hard work. Conscientious workers are not easy to find those who consistently do more than what is asked of them, and do it with excellence. I would propose that as Christ-followers, that is exactly what is expected of us. As others view our work ethic, can it be said that we always went above and beyond what was asked of us, and that we could always be trusted to do the task to the best of our ability? In Ephesians 6:7, Paul admonishes us to serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men. But there is another purpose in our wholehearted work. Verse 35 goes on to say I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: It is more blessed to give than to receive. Our work is not so that we can accumulate more material wealth, but so that we can be prepared to help others who truly have a need. Often this giving can be sacrificial, but God is no man s debtor He will always bless our caring for others in ways that we cannot imagine. So how is your legacy barometer doing? Are you leaving a consistent example in your Christian walk? Are you making an effort to show concern for others? Does your work ethic need a conscientiousness upgrade? As Christ-followers, we have the Holy Spirit indwelling us so none of these areas need to remain static or under-productive. Let s press on toward the goal. 20/20: The Life of Paul 73

75 ADULT DEVOTIONALS WEEK 6: FRIDAY I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified. -Acts 20:22 This week we ve been considering the legacy that we will leave behind, and the ability to look back with no regrets. I m sure, as we look back on our lives so far, each of us can confess to having made bad decisions along the way. Fortunately, although we can never regain the past, if we are in fellowship with Christ we know that our past has been forgiven and His mercies never fail, they are new every morning (Lamentations 3:22-23). Paul s prayer for those he left in Ephesus is an appropriate prayer for each of us today. Verse 32 says, I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified. You see, God has given us an inheritance a legacy if you will which comes from being built up through the study of his word and through appropriating his grace and showing it to others. Each of us has the chance to make a difference in the lives of others by our attitudes and the way we choose to live every day. In all honesty, we have no excuse because according to Philippians 2:13, it is God who works in you both to will and to act according to his good purpose. None of us could build a godly legacy in our own strength, but praise God we don t have to!! The Holy Spirit is longing to actively work through us to the glory of God in our lives every day. He provides not only the ability, but even the desire to do his will!! What more can we ask? He seeks willing vessels (even cracked pots!) to accomplish his purpose in this world. Be encouraged, God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. (1 Cor. 1:27) So even when we feel inadequate, we can still be used. From an unknown author: You re writing the gospel, a chapter each day, by the things that you do and the words that you say. Men read what you write, whether faulty or true. Say, what is the gospel according to you? Can you look back with no regrets? If not it s never too late to begin again! 20/20: The Life of Paul 74

76 FAMILY DEVOTIONALS WEEK 6: ACTS 20 Seeing the Finish Line Each day, begin by praying that God would show you and your family what he has in store for you. MONDAY Read Acts 20: Paul continued to travel telling people about Jesus. Check out the map on the next page and track where he traveled. Paul was very confident he did what the Lord asked of him. TUESDAY Read Acts 20: Paul made all his decisions based on his desire to serve God. And when he decided to leave Ephesus, he was sad because he had friends there and he didn t know if he would see them again. Have you ever had to leave a place and say goodbye to friends? How did that make you feel? If you haven t, try to imagine leaving the friends you now have. WEDNESDAY Yesterday we learned that Paul was leaving Ephesus. He knew it was what God wanted, but it was still hard. Let s play a little would you rather. Would you rather be a horse or be a lion? Would you rather be hot or cold? Would you rather be as small as an ant or as large as an elephant? We have to make decisions all the time. Why are decisions sometimes super hard? THURSDAY Let s continue talking about decisions. What helps us make a decision? (What we like or don t like.) What we care about most helps us decide things. You kids mean a ton to us, which helps us make decisions how to spend our money, what kind of car to buy, what trips to take. If we want to please God, how will that change what decisions we make? (What things we watch, how we spend our time, etc.) FRIDAY Find a clean jar. Get some paper and pencils or crayons. We have learned so much from Paul. Write down or draw pictures of how we can live a life that is pleasing to God like Paul did. (Worship God; tell others about Jesus.) Put the finished papers in the jar and write today s date on the lid. Put the jar in a safe place where you can look back on it someday. 20/20: The Life of Paul 75

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78 JACKSONVILLE CHAPEL 20/20: THE LIFE OF PAUL WEEK 6: SEEING THE FINISH LINE MAIN POINT Following Jesus impacts the choices we make about our master, our message, our mission, and our money. INTRODUCTION When is the first time you remember saving up money to buy something? In retrospect, do you regret spending your money this way? What is an investment you have made that you are glad you did? What made it worthwhile? Why do we sometimes regret the way we spend our money and our time? What does this tell us about ourselves? As Paul neared the end of his life, he was passionate to leave a strong legacy behind. In his farewell speech to the elders of the Ephesian church, he reminded them of the key choices we must make about our master, our message, our mission, and our money. With so many things competing for our time and attention, Paul s wise hindsight will sharpen our vision of what matters most. UNDERSTANDING > READ ACTS 20: Paul was on his way from the province of Macedonia and headed to Jerusalem in hopes of being there for Pentecost. First, however, Paul wanted to speak with the leaders and friends from Ephesus, so he sent a messenger and they met him at Miletus. Paul wanted to give them some instruction because he was uncertain if he would ever make it back to Ephesus. discussion guide... From verses 19-21, what becomes clear about Paul s master, mission, and message? What sacrifices had Paul made up to this point in his life in order to preach God s Word and testify to the gospel of Jesus Christ? How was Paul able to continue teaching God s Word and preaching the gospel knowing what awaited him at Jerusalem (vv )? What does this help us understand about how he viewed his mission and the choices he made to live it out? 20/20: The Life of Paul 77

79 Paul begins his address to the Ephesian elders by reminding them that he had served them with humility, had suffered, and had been persecuted all so that he could help people know Jesus and turn to Him in repentance. Given all the trials that Paul had recently gone through, we might think that he would be reticent to go to Jerusalem knowing that imprisonment and afflictions awaited him in every city (v. 23). Paul, however, does not question his purpose as he shares that he was constrained by the Spirit, indicating that he felt a strong, divine calling to go to Jerusalem no matter the cost. What has your faith in Christ cost you? What has it brought you? How was Paul able to give his life away without regret? What is the takeaway for us from his example? (See also Philippians 3:7-11.) > READ ACTS 20: discussion guide... What were the warnings Paul gave to the leaders at Ephesus? Which do you think is most important for our church? Why? What references did Paul make to Jesus? What does the example of Jesus mean for leaders? Paul called the leaders to Miletus to tell them he would not see them again face to face and to give final instructions in person. Paul told them he was not worried about the dangers that may come or the accusations that people would put against him. He was so focused on spreading the kingdom and declaring the purpose of God that he did not care about what may happen to him. Paul warned the elders that in his absence false teachers would arise and they must shepherd the church at Ephesus well. He told them to prepare by being in the word of God s grace and to be built up in it for their sanctification. Paul reminded them of Jesus by talking about His blood. He told them they were to lead in accordance with Christ, who gave himself up to save the church. Paul wanted the leaders to understand the weight they had taken on and the dangers that could come to them. How could Paul, in good conscience, say of the Ephesians, I am innocent of the blood of any of you (vv )? What does this tell us about Paul s motivation? About what he treasured? What pressures in your life threaten to keep you from joyfully proclaiming Christ to the people around you? How can you follow the example of Paul instead? Paul served with humility and with his heart; he was even drawn to tears in the midst of trials. Paul did not back down from these trials, but pushed forward into them. When Paul couldn t teach publicly, he went house to house. Paul did not let the trials at the hands of the Jews keep him from ministering to them. He never turned away an opportunity to share the gospel even with his adversaries. Because Paul never shrank from declaring the whole counsel of God, he could declare himself innocent of the Ephesian s blood. He had done everything within his power to point them to Christ (vv ). This tells us that Paul s treasure was not in this world. Jesus was Paul s treasure, and because of this, Paul viewed every moment and every circumstance of his life as another opportunity to proclaim the grace of God that can only be found in Jesus Christ. 20/20: The Life of Paul 78

80 Paul ended his farewell by instructing the church to be generous (vv ). Why is this an important teaching for any church to know? What impact does generosity have on the greater community that a church is located in? Paul concluded his speech with an emphasis on the proper relationship to material goods. He quoted Jesus as having said, It is more blessed to give than to receive. If we have truly experienced God s grace, we will be examples of generous giving, seeking to bless others even as we ourselves have been blessed. APPLICATION Do your priorities indicate that Christ is your master? What are two changes you could make to better reflect that Christ is your master? How might growing to treasure Christ more change your perspective on trials? How might treasuring Christ more change your perspective on your purpose at home? At work? Here at the Chapel? How can we, as brothers and sisters in Christ, encourage one another to serve Christ more? PRAY Thank God for sending His Son to be our sacrifice so that we might have a relationship with Him. Pray that we would see Christ as our master and count everything we have as loss compared to the value of knowing Him as Lord. Pray that, as we value Christ more, we would grow to more actively and passionately engage in His mission. discussion guide... FOLLOW UP Midway through this week, send a follow-up to your group with some or all of the following: 1. Questions to consider as they continue to reflect on what they learned this week: What sacrifices is God calling you to make for the sake of His kingdom? Have you counted the cost? What might be keeping you from moving forward in obedient faith? 20/20: The Life of Paul 79

81 2. The challenge to memorize Acts 20:24. COMMENTARY ACTS 20: :17. Paul s ship landed at the port of Miletus, 30 miles south of Ephesus. He sent for the leaders of the Ephesian church to come to him. Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus because he was in a hurry to reach Jerusalem by the Feast of Pentecost. However, for a messenger to go to Miletus and return with the leaders would have taken at least three days. Perhaps Paul thought that, if he visited Ephesus, he would not be able to pull himself away from the many friends he had made during his three-year ministry there. The leaders who hastened to Paul at Miletus are called elders. Later in his address, Paul called them overseers (20:28). The terms refer to the same group. Paul called the leaders to Miletus in order to instruct them. Of all Paul s speeches in Acts, the Miletus address is most like his letters. discussion guide... 20:18. This verse sets the theme of the entire speech. Ephesus was the main city of Asia, and Paul had ministered there for three years. The Ephesian elders had ample opportunity to observe Paul s style of ministry. Paul often urged his converts to imitate him (see Phil. 3:17). We are wrong to view this as arrogance on Paul s part. He was ministering primarily to Gentiles who came from various religious and cultural backgrounds. The Christian lifestyle was a radically different way of life. 20:19. Paul reminded the Ephesians how he had not always found his ministry among them to be easy. He particularly focused on the opposition of the Jews. The account of Paul s ministry in Ephesus does not include any particular Jewish plots against Paul, but it does point out that Paul had to abandon his witness in the synagogue when opposition arose (Acts 19:9). Such experiences reminded the elders that Christian servants often encounter opposition and hardship. 20:20. Paul had witnessed about the gospel both publicly and from house to house. One of the main settings for his public witness had been his daily discussions in the lecture hall of Tyrannus (19:9). The word translated preach means to tell or announce, which implies preaching the gospel. Such preaching is aimed at leading people to Christ. The word for taught is used to describe instruction, which implies teaching those who already are believers, instructing them in the faith and in the Christian lifestyle. Paul stressed that his ministry in Ephesus had been completely open; his work was done publicly. He had hidden nothing from anyone. Later in his address, Paul warned the elders that false teachers were coming in the future who would be savage wolves ravaging the flock (20:29-30). 20:21. Paul s witness had been inclusive. He had preached to both Jews and Greeks. Paul described his open witness as centering on two essential aspects of Christian commitment. First, people must turn to God in repentance. For Gentiles, this meant they must abandon their gods and acknowledge God as the One True God. For Jew and Gentile alike, it meant that they must repent of their sins, for all are sinners and under the judgment of God (Rom. 3:23). Second, people must have faith in our Lord Jesus. There is no forgiveness of sins apart from faith in the One who died for those sins. 20: Paul was willing to risk dangers because he felt compelled by the Spirit to make the journey. The Spirit had a task for him to complete that eventually would take him to Rome, where he would bear witness before Caesar (Acts 27:24). The task involved much hardship, but Paul was committed to Christ and willing to follow wherever His Spirit led. 20:24. Physical survival was not high on Paul s list of priorities. Instead, he placed supreme value on fulfilling the Lord s purposes for his life. Paul s goal was to complete the task the Lord Jesus had given him the task of testifying to the gospel of God s grace. No one had experienced God s grace more profoundly than Paul himself. He once had been a persecutor of Christ s church, but Christ had turned him completely around. Paul s calling was to lead as many as possible to the good news of God s saving grace in Christ. 20/20: The Life of Paul 80

82 discussion guide... 20: Paul s claim that he was innocent of blood referenced future errors that the church may have had. Paul is only accountable for what he had done. He puts the accountability onto the elders of the Ephesian church. His confidence in his work was because he did not shrink from declaring the whole purpose of God. 20/20: The Life of Paul 81

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