Acts 13:42-52

 Acts 13:42-52

There is a pattern common in many, if not most, churches, and we can find its prototype in these verses. Paul and Barnabas begin their ministry, and in short order, rapid growth occurs. Here we see the prototypical pattern. In response to the rapid growth, two patterns or behaviors become evident. The second of these is seen in verse 52: “The disciples were continually filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit“. This is especially important when we see the context, namely persecution. In the midst of conflict, separation, and persecution, those who were disciples were filled with the joy of the Holy Spirit. 

The first reaction to the growth and progress in the ministry was seen in verse 45. The writer is very careful to give us three descriptions of the reaction, which are specifically noted. First they, that is, the Jews, those in control of the synagogue, were filled with jealousy. The word jealousy can be translated as zeal but in a negative context. The point is that they were highly motivated. Second, they begin contradicting the apostles teaching. The truth of the gospel, along with any other truth, will be antithetical to fulfilling their goals. Third, they spoke injuriously toward God and His anointed one. There was no limit to what they would do to oppose Paul and Barnabas. They will not lose control of their place of prominence or see the wrong people coming into their religion club.

This pattern has repeated itself across the centuries of the church and individual congregations more times than can be counted. What is especially worth noting is the reaction of Paul and Barnabas. Paul doesn’t try to placate the opposition, he doesn’t try to get along, and he doesn’t try to dial back the commitment to growing and evangelizing. Rather, he tells the old core group in short, “If you want to go to hell, that is your choice, but I am going to continue the ministry.” Many ministers through the years have been bullied and intimidated by evil people whose agenda is control. And in too many cases churches have allowed these evil, dysfunctional people to have their way, and the church has degenerated into a religion club. Having done this, it has become totally ineffective and allowed the most dysfunctional and loud voice of opposition to take control. For Paul it was better to just walk away and carry on ministry in another context. 

 "Lord, let my focus always be on serving You with my whole being. AMEN"

Acts 13:16-41

 Acts 13:16-41

Paul’s first recorded sermon begins with the retelling of the history of Israel. Paul’s comments would not have been news to the audience as far as the history of Israel was concerned. What was new was Paul’s explaining the “why” of the history, “and when they had carried out all that was written concerning Him” vs. 29. The focal point of the history of Israel, of the Old Testament, and of all of history for that matter, is what happened on the cross. 

This explains a lot. It explains the ongoing existence of the Jewish people. It explains why God put up with them. It explains the family tree of Jesus and the rise of kings in ancient Israel. It explains the formation of the Old Testament writings, the dispersal of the people, and the rise of the synagogues. All of history was preparing for the coming life, death, resurrection, and proclamation of Christ. Christ in fact accomplished what the Law of Moses could never accomplish.

We can’t sit in judgment of Christ; rather, we are judged by our response or reaction to Him and His resurrection. Yes, it is almost beyond belief that the God of the universe would become a human. Would die for us, come to life again, and offer us salvation; this is hard to believe. So some rejected and scoffed at it. It may seem too good to be true, so some choose to reject it. Perhaps it fails their pseudo-intellectual test, and so they hold on to their unbelief. It may violate their pride, and they want nothing to do with any belief system that requires them to admit they were wrong and powerless. It may pose a threat to their control and authority, and so they attempt to shout it down. Rejection of the gospel message is a real possibility that grows from various motives. Nevertheless, the message stays the same and will forever be the center of God’s dealings with man. We will one day discover the reason is the cross, and the judgment is our response to that cross.

 "Lord, keep me focused on the Cross. AMEN"

Acts 13:1-15

 Acts 13:1-15

While the phrase may sound a bit odd at times, we must be “patient with God.” Perhaps we should say, “We must learn patience while waiting for God.” There is no doubt that Paul was the most influential missionary in the history of the church. He took the gospel places no one else did. He is the dominant character in the second half of the book of Acts. But we sometimes lose sight of an important aspect of his timeline. Saul was converted about the year 34 AD. He spent three years in the desert in a unique training program. Apart from a few mentions in Acts, he is all but invisible. It is almost as if this five-star recruit is benched and almost forgotten until verse two in chapter 13. This occurred about the year 48 AD. For about 14 years this remarkable talent was left unused. At the beginning of the chapter, Saul is one of five prophet/leaders in the church at Antioch. In verse two we find he is one of two being set aside for a special project, and it appears that he will be Barnabas’ assistant. By the time they finish at Paphos, the troop is called “Paul and his companions“. This is not about Paul pushing himself to the head of the band. Rather, it is about Paul being lifted up by God to fulfill his calling at the right time. 

We must not fail to notice the 14 years of being patient with God's plan and timing. For us the timeline is almost always now. We want to serve with the gifts and the talents we now have. We can’t imagine long delays as being part of God‘s plan. God’s timeline is never the same as ours until we reject our own timeline and adopt His timeline as our own. It takes a good deal of faith to wait. We, by waiting, are expressing a confidence both in God's plan and in His goodness and love. Our nature and our culture struggle with this because we want to be doing something great all of the time. The very idea of waiting is hard for us.

Patience is not just a passive, sluggish thing, but actively doing what is right in the opportunities that are given and serving where we are. For those 14 years, Saul waited, and when the call was issued, he was ready, having learned lessons that could only be learned in the waiting.

 "Lord, give me the Grace to wait well. AMEN"