May 16, 2008...3:12 am
Friday, May 16th - Acts 14
As we read these missionary stories, I find myself with snapshot images in my mind. I would love to have been there to see for myself! In today’s blog, I offer some random reflections of Paul and Barnabas’ time in Asia Minor.
INSIGHTS
ICONIUM:
Clearly both Paul and Barnabas were gifted communicators - it’s nice to see a team approach like this (we see in Lystra that Paul was the “chief speaker”)…
Poisoned minds require a longer stay, not a hasty exit…
Miracles are designed to “confirm the message of His grace”, not be a circus side-show of their own (it makes me doubt all the more the popular miracle workers of today, when they’re gospel has become so distorted)…
Why the incredible anger, especially among Gentiles?…
LYSTRA
Paul “saw that he had faith” — how? Is it possible for us to see if someone has faith, or was this a prophetic gift for the apostles only?…
The people of this world love to take people and convert them into the leaders of their own making, and will turn on them in an instant if they won’t bend to their ideas!…
There’s that gospel again: good news, creator God, man’s sin, God’s grace…
From sacrificing to them, to stoning them. People sure are fickle…
He went back into the city? I probably would have called it quits after the attempted stoning…
DERBE
“Won a large number of disciples.” I wonder what a “large number” was to Luke…
THE WAY BACK HOME
“Encouraging them to remain true to the faith. ‘We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God.” The had great success, but this was not like today’s “seeker sensitive” message. They called for sacrifice from the beginning…
“Appointed elders in each church and, with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord.” From new convert to elder in a matter of weeks. Probably devout Jews-turn Christians, with advanced understanding of the scriptures, and good standing in the community…
Lystra, Iconium, Pisidian Antioch, Pamphylia, Perga, Attalia. Just names, but I’m sure there are marvelous stories behind those names…
ANTIOCH
“The work they had now completed.” One trip was all that was commissioned at the beginning, but Paul was to become a life-long missionary…
“They stayed there a long time with the disciples.” A long furlough at home base before they embark on the next trip…
CHALLENGES
1. Not every seed sown by these men were “4th Seeds.” Not only did some of the seeds not sprout, but some seemed to attack back! Are you willing to faithfully sow seeds like Paul and Barnabas, even if the response is violent?
2. How would you like to be an elder in the city where they tried to stone the founding church planter? Now that is a tough call!
Tomorrow, the most famous church leadership meeting in the New Testament! See you then…
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Bill Hartley
2 Comments
May 16, 2008 at 2:41 pm
Why I’m thankful ’signs and wonders done by their hands’ aren’t done by ours.
I love to be close to people of importance, people who are significant and held in high esteem. I have a book personally autographed by my hero John Piper, a personal treasure. I long to be recognized by influential people like Tom or even Bill. And these longings aren’t limited to just the religious community, how cool would it be to meet Tiger or Harrison Ford or Oprah. (Just kidding on Oprah) My brother had lunch with President Bush and I even found myself boasting in that.
Taking a glance back at ch 8 we find a magician, Simon who had great attention paid to him. He hears Philip preach and he becomes a believer. Then he sees the power oh the Holy Spirit and offers money to have that power. Peter rebukes him and calls him to repentance because of “the intent of his heart” vs 22 Now back to the boys in ch 14. I don’t trust that I would even make the attempt to restrain the praise like Paul and Barnabas did. I would be far more likely to welcome it, with some outward attempt at humility.
Or if I were only the observer of the signs and wonders the the miracle worker would become my hero.
May i be amazed by Christ and bring much attention to Him alone.
May 16, 2008 at 4:00 pm
Can you imagine while in Queen Creek healing people and sharing the good news you hear about a plan to have you stoned (we’re talking huge rock’s, not bongs!) so you take off to aviod death!
(This is where I would have said, enough is enough, this is crazy and bailed on this whole church planting thing!)
Then we go to Tempe where the stoners from Queen Creek track us down, stone you, and leave you for dead, however, you live, and head back into Tempe. (Are these guys nuts?) Then we head to Gilbert to preach the good news, After we’re done in Gilbert we head back to Queen Creek and Tempe (where the stoners that left you for dead reside!)
Talking about hero’s!!! WOW!!! I can’t wait to meet these dudes!!!
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