Unhindered

 

Theme:  Unhindered

 

un·hin·dered:  adjective: unhindered - not hindered or obstructed

 

Read:  Numbers 9:15-23 and Acts 28

 

S.O.A.P.

Scripture – Observation – Application – Prayer

 

S:  At the command of the Lord they camped, and at the command of the Lord they set out; they kept the Lord’s charge, according to the command of the Lord through Moses.  Numbers 9:23

 

O:  We end our study of Acts today (sadly).  I have so enjoyed reading and studying the life and ministry of Paul, but as our passage in Numbers says, sometimes we camp and sometimes we move on.  Tomorrow we will be going back into the gospels and studying through the book of Mark.  I feel like I know Paul a little more after our month long study through the book of Acts.  I have so enjoyed getting to know the characters of the book and seeing the story come to life!

 

In today’s reading, Paul and the other passengers found themselves on the Island of Malta where Paul did many great works of healing.  After winter they sailed from Malta to Syracuse, to Rhegium, to Puteoli (what is known as modern day Sicily and Italy) and finally to Rome.

 

 

 

An interesting side note is that Malta today has a day they celebrate Paul’s Shipwreck on February 10^th of each year.  In Malta, it is called 'San Pawl Nawfragu'.  The day is a time for family gatherings and it is observed by religious ceremonies and processions, particularly at the the Church of St. Paul Shipwrecked in Valletta.

 

After Paul arrived in Rome it says he was there two years preaching with openness and unhindered.  Nicole Querido says this, “Isn’t it amazing and so like our God, to take the very thing that from our human perspective would seem to cause the greatest hindrance to Paul’s ministry, turn it around, and cause it to remove all hindrances instead?  Here is Paul, a prisoner for two years, continuing to preach and teach about Jesus without all the difficulties he faced during his time traveling.”  She goes on to say this, “We too are called to an unhindered life, called to be a testimony, a convincing proof that Jesus is alive and powerful.”  As Beth Moore once said, “We don’t have time for bondage;” let’s “do what it takes to be free!” 

 

A:  What hinders you from being an unhindered testimony?  As Nicole Querido states, “Let’s throw off all that hinders and surrender whatever life circumstances we are in right now to our all loving God.  It just may be the perfect place to proclaim the kingdom unhindered and show the all surpassing power of a life lived for God.”

 

P:  Dear Jesus, Thank You for this study on the life of Paul.  Thank you that we have this example of how Paul shared the gospel “unhindered”.  What a beautiful picture of what we are called to be.  LORD, so often we (I) have lived hindered and weighted down with things I should never be carrying.  God I pray that all who are reading this today, including myself, would surrender anything that is hindering our testimony and that we would move past those things and be FREE to share about Your Kingdom through words, but also through the visible example of our lives.  In the Freeing Name of Yeshua our Messiah I pray, Amen & Amen.

Fearing the Unknown

 

Read:  Leviticus 25:17-19; Psalm 25; and Acts 22

 

“We fear what we do not know.” ~ Unknown

 

S.O.A.P.

Scripture – Observation – Application – Prayer

 

S:  The troubles of my heart are enlarged; bring me out of my distresses.  Look upon my affliction and my trouble, and forgive all my sins.  Look upon my enemies, for they are many, And they hate me with violent hatred.  Guard my soul and deliver me; do not let me be ashamed, for I take refuge in You.  Psalms 25:17-20

 

O:  I imagine the above Scripture passage was a prayer Paul might have prayed often.  The Psalms are a great prayer prompter for the things we are facing in our lives!

 

As I read through the Leviticus passage I was impressed with the fact that God’s got a plan and He has it all under control!  (See Leviticus 25:17-19)  All we have to do is follow His plan!

 

A man by the name of Dan Brown writes in The Lost Symbol this quote, "What we don't understand, we fear. What we fear, we judge as evil. What we judge as evil, we attempt to control. And what we cannot control...we attack." UNKNOWN

 

I think that quote sums up Paul’s life after his conversion.  The religious Jewish leaders did not understand Paul’s conversion.  They were fearful of him and what he was teaching.  They judged him harshly and as “not religious” and therefore evil.  When he tried to explain and give his testimony they listened up to the point he began telling them about the Gentiles; then they began to attack him.  Their prejudices and jealousy kept them from understanding and it kept them bound to fear.

 

When we deal with people who do not understand our conversion stories do not be surprised when instead of being received we are attacked.  Partly it is from a lack of understanding and fear on their part and partly from reading Psalm 25 I think it is because the enemy of God uses people to afflict us and to tear us down, not because of you and I, but because of the One who lives in us. 

 

The enemy was doing everything in his weak power to thwart the message of Paul, but time and time again God won through Paul and used him mightily to further His Kingdom.  We must do as Psalm 25 says and WAIT ON THE LORD!  We must be patient.  God is at work and He does have everything in control and HE HAS A PLAN!

 

A:  Wait on the LORD.  Walk in the ways He shows me and to trust in Him.

 

P:  To You O LORD do I lift up my soul.  It is in You God that I trust.  Do not let me be ashamed or let the enemy exult himself over me.  LORD I pray for good understanding.  I pray that You would teach me Your ways and truth.  Thank you for being my Salvation!  I will wait on You all the days of my life.  Through Christ I pray, Amen & Amen.

 

 

 

Sharing the Wonderful Grace of God

 

Read Leviticus 22:31-33 and Acts 20

 

“Tumults or opposition may constrain a Christian to remove from his station or alter his purpose, but his work and his pleasure will be the same, wherever he goes.”
~ Matthew Henry

 

S.O.A.P.

Scripture – Observation – Application - Prayer

 

S:  “I want to finish the work that the Lord Jesus gave me to do—to tell people the Good News about God’s grace … I never stopped reminding each one of you how you should live, counseling you day and night and crying over you …”  Acts 20:24, 31 Easy to Read Version

 

O:  The people loved Paul.  He mentored them and taught them in the Word (verses 1-2).  He would go about the churches encouraging them and often staying for months at a time to teach and instruct them (verses 3, 7).  The Spirit of the LORD spoke to Paul and helped him to discern when it was time to move to the next church or place (verse 22).  But no matter where he went the Gospel and the Good News of God’s Kingdom was his primary task (verse 25).  The hardest part perhaps for Paul was when he had to move on.  These were his spiritual children and it was with great sadness that he would have to leave them and go on to the next church or task at hand.  When he left them he would leave them in God’s care and with the hope that God’s grace would strengthen them (verses 32-35), but it was never easy (verses 36-38).

 

A:  To do the work that the LORD gives me and to continue to share the Good News of God’s grace. 

 

P:  Father God, thank You that You direct our steps through the Holy Spirit within us.  I pray that those reading and studying Your Word today would hear You speaking to them.  Encourage them about how special they are to You LORD according to Leviticus 22:31-33.  You call them out to be a special people, a treasure to You.  Help us each to finish the work(s) that You give us to do.  In Christ Jesus I pray.  Amen & Amen.

 

“It is good for friends, when they part, to part with prayer.

Those who exhort and pray for one another,

may have many weeping seasons and painful separations,

but they will meet before the throne of God, to part no more.”

 

~ Matthew Henry

Persevering through Persecution

 

Read Leviticus 5:1; Acts 14

 

“If Paul would have been Mercury, he might have been worshipped; but if he will be a faithful minister of Christ, he shall be stoned, and thrown out of the city. Thus men who easily submit to strong delusions, hate to receive the truth in the love of it.” ~ Matthew Henry

 

S.O.A.P.

Scripture – Observation – Application - Prayer

 

S:  “… they gathered the church together and declared all that God had accomplished with them and how He had opened to the Gentiles a door of faith …”  Acts 14:27

 

O:  Paul and Barnabas had a great success in preaching the gospel, but not without difficulties (see verse 2, 4, 5, 18 and 19).  Paul even stated in verse 22, “ … it is through many hardships and tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God …”  But because of the Holy Spirit being with them they were able to have much success.  Paul and Barnabas persevered and kept telling people about Christ in the strength that was given to them by the Holy Spirit. 

 

 

(Paul's first Missionary Journey)

 

My kids and I watched a movie yesterday called, Paul the Apostle, on Amazon Prime.  It was a pretty good movie, but it did show some of the horrible things that the early church had to endure; James the brother of John being executed by Herod and the stoning of Stephen, and all the things we have been reading about together.  It was hard to explain to my kids why God’s people had to suffer the way they did.  We do not fully grasp the idea of persecution the way others do perhaps.

 

A:  Persevere.  We may not face the persecution that Paul and others in the early church suffered, but that certainly is a possibility in days to come.  I do believe however there are things we are called on to endure and to persevere through that we might enter the kingdom of God.  Here are a few verses to meditate on:

 

James 1:12 - Blessed [is] the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.

 

Revelation 3:21 - To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.

 

Isaiah 41:13 For I am the LORD your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.

James 1: 2 Consider it wholly joyful, my brethren, whenever you are enveloped in or encounter trials of any sort or fall into various temptations.  3 Be assured and understand that the trial and proving of your faith bring out endurance and steadfastness and patience.  4 But let endurance and steadfastness and patience have full play and do a thorough work, so that you may be [people] perfectly and fully developed [with no defects], lacking in nothing.

P:  Father in Heaven, I know that You are working in us Your will and pleasure.  I also know that sometimes that requires us to endure trials or tribulations or even persecution.  Father I lift up those reading this now who are enduring hard things for Your Name’s Sake.  I pray that they would endure and overcome through this situation or trial knowing You are with them to help them and give them strength.  Father I pray when this life is said and done that we would be counted as those who overcame by the Blood of the Lamb.  In Jesus’ name, Yeshua the Messiah, I pray, Amen & Amen.

 

Discussion questions: 

1.     What trial(s) have you or are you enduring?

2.     When you read about people being stoned and the persecution of the early church, how do you relate that to our present day events?

 

Good News

Read Acts 13

“What light, what power, what a treasure does this gospel bring with it! How excellent are its truths, its precepts, its promises!” ~ Matthew Henry

 

 

In our house and family of five for the past two weeks someone has been sick!  Am I ready for some good news?  Oh YES!  There are days things get the best of us and we are ready to hear some good news!  In our passage today Paul brings good news to the Church at Antioch.  Let’s listen in on Paul’s sermon as we read and study Acts 13 together on this Sabbath day.

 S.O.A.P.

Scripture – Observation – Application - Prayer

 

S:  “… on the Sabbath day they went into the synagogue … After the reading of the Law and the Prophets, the leaders [of the worship] of the synagogue sent to them saying, Brethren, if you have any word of exhortation or consolation or encouragement for the people, say it … we are bringing you the good news (Gospel) that what God promised to our forefathers …  And so the Word of the Lord [concerning eternal salvation through Christ] scattered and spread throughout the whole region … And the disciples were continually filled [throughout their souls] with joy and the Holy Spirit.”  Acts 13:14-15, 32, 49, 52

 

O:  Paul got up and preached a word of encouragement.  “The bare reading of the Scriptures in public assemblies is not enough; they should be expounded, and the people exhorted out of them. This is helping people in doing that which is necessary to make the word profitable, to apply it to themselves.” ~ Matthew Henry

 

How?  He recounted their history and how God led and protected them and gave them the Gospel as follows:

1.      God has brought to Israel a Savior as promised (v. 23)

2.      God raised Him from the dead (v. 30, 33-34) “The resurrection of Christ was the great proof of his being the Son of God.” ~ Matthew Henry

3.      Repentance is available to all the people (v. 24)  “We are justified [made right], not only by him as our Judge but by him as the Lord our Righteousness.” ~ Matthew Henry

4.      Forgiveness and removal of sins is for everyone who believes (v. 38)

5.      We are given right standing with God (v. 39)

6.      We serve God’s will and purpose and counsel in our own generation (v. 36)  Matthew Henry says, “ … the Lord raises up instruments for his work, from various places and stations in life … It is by the Spirit of Christ that his ministers are made both able and willing for his service, and taken from other cares that would hinder in it. Christ's ministers are to be employed in Christ's work, and, under the Spirit's guidance, to act for the glory of God the Father … [may we] serve our generation according to his will; and when death comes, may we fall asleep in him, with a joyful hope of a blessed resurrection.”

 

A:  I am reminded that God keeps His promises, that He is powerful, that at any point if I am walking contrary to His ways that He offers us a chance to turn back to Him and be forgiven and made right and that He has a plan and purpose for each one of us for such a time as this. 

 

P:  Thank you Heavenly Father that You provided a Savior as You promised and that death could not keep Him in the grave.  Thank you for resurrection power that is available to our lives today.  Thank you that you give us forgiveness for sins and right standing with You.  May we serve You and seek to do Your will and purpose.   Through Christ Jesus, Yeshua the Messiah I pray.  Amen & Amen.

 

Discussion question: 

What part of this message brings you the most encouragement today?

 

"We were not born for ourselves, but there are those living around us, to whom we must study to be serviceable.” ~ Matthew Henry

God Prepares Us

 

□ Read Acts 10

S.O.A.P.

S:  Acts 10:34 Opening his mouth, Peter said: “Most certainly I understand now that God is not one to show partiality [to people as though Gentiles were excluded from God’s blessing], 35 but in every nation the person who fears God and does what is right [by seeking Him] is acceptable and welcomed by Him.  43 All the prophets testify about Him, that through His name everyone who believes in Him [whoever trusts in and relies on Him, accepting Him as Savior and Messiah] receives forgiveness of sins.”

 

O:  Peter, as a Jew, had certain prejudices against the Gentiles that would have prevented his going to Cornelius, unless the Lord had not prepared him ahead of time.  He also was at risk for other Jewish believers to question or even attack his actions.  But God … God knows what lays before us, and how to prepare us.  We do not have to justify our actions to others, but we do have to answer to God.  Peter listened to God and followed what God wanted him to do. 

 

When God gives us a vision or a calling or a task to do, we should not begin to doubt what He has told us.  If there be any lack in knowledge or faith He will give it to us.  “…he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus …” (Philippians 1:6)  God goes with those He anoints; He will be with those to whom He has given His Spirit.  Whatever gift(s) we have, we are to honor God with them.

 

A:  To wait on God’s instructions and to be ready to get up and follow Him no matter what others might think or say. 

 

P:  Thank you Jesus that You prepare us for every task that You call us to.  Give each one reading this today, including myself, a vision for what You want us to do for You.  Show us the people that You want us to share Your WORD with and let the Holy Spirit come on all who hear Your message.  Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love and instruct our hearts.  Through Christ Our Lord I pray, Amen & Amen.

 

Even those who have received the Holy Ghost, must see their need of

daily learning more of the truth. ~ Matthew Henry

 

Bible Study Tip:  The past two decades have provided extraordinary progress in our understanding of the nature of learning.  Share with one person today something you learned from reading and studying.  The more times one repeats an action or recalls the information, the more efficient the brain becomes in its ability to retrieve that memory or repeat that action.  So recall and share God’s Word often and it will become more and more engrained and a part of you!

 

Extra, Extra, Read all about it!

 

Who was Cornelius? Cornelius (Greek: Κορνήλιος) was a Roman centurion (soldier).

 

How do you think Peter would have felt sharing the gospel with a Roman soldier? A patriotic Jew of that day would naturally dislike or even hate him because he was such a loyal servant of the oppressors of Israel. If you were a Jew talking of a Centurion, an image would immediately come to mind of an unclean enemy of God, one who is not only unredeemable, but one who is to be avoided at all costs.  Yet, Cornelius was said to be a devout man; a man who feared God, who prayed to God always and who gave alms generously to those who were in need. Is there anyone in your life that you see "unredeemable".

 

What does God's Word say on this matter?  “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9) Share God's WORD today with everyone to whom you are given an opportunity!  The baptism of Cornelius is an important event in the history of the Early Church, what difference are you willing to make in God’s His-Story today?