Notes From The Lifeline

Numbers 15

2009-05-23T21:08:00.001-07:00

Numbers_15
5/24/09

Numbers_15
I. In our last study:
A. In response to the unbelief and rebellion of Israel, God gave them what they wanted, they said it would be better to die in the wilderness than to trust Him to deliver the Promised Land to them; so God decreed that all those twenty years and older would die in the wilderness (with the exception of Joshua and Caleb) and that He would give the land to their children.
1. But He had declared that He would spare them as a nation by giving the land to their children, those who were under twenty years old at the time of the failure and judgment there in Kadesh Barnea.
2. Also we were told that the ten spies who brought back the bad report and stumbled the nation died before the Lord by plague.
II. In chapter-15 we find various laws summarized for us which may seem odd to us stuck between two different cycles of rebellion. (that with the 10 spies and the rebellion of Korah and crew)
A. Laws of grain and drink offerings
Numbers 15:1-12 (NKJV)
1 And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying,
2 “Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them: ‘When you have come into the land you are to inhabit, which I am giving to you,
3 and you make an offering by fire to the Lord, a burnt offering or a sacrifice, to fulfill a vow or as a freewill offering or in your appointed feasts, to make a sweet aroma to the Lord, from the herd or the flock,
4 then he who presents his offering to the Lord shall bring a grain offering of one-tenth of an ephah of fine flour mixed with one-fourth of a hin of oil;
5 and one-fourth of a hin of wine as a drink offering you shall prepare with the burnt offering or the sacrifice, for each lamb.
6 Or for a ram you shall prepare as a grain offering two-tenths of an ephah of fine flour mixed with one-third of a hin of oil;
7 and as a drink offering you shall offer one-third of a hin of wine as a sweet aroma to the Lord.
8 And when you prepare a young bull as a burnt offering, or as a sacrifice to fulfill a vow, or as a peace offering to the Lord,
9 then shall be offered with the young bull a grain offering of three-tenths of an ephah of fine flour mixed with half a hin of oil;
10 and you shall bring as the drink offering half a hin of wine as an offering made by fire, a sweet aroma to the Lord.
11 ‘Thus it shall be done for each young bull, for each ram, or for each lamb or young goat.
12 According to the number that you prepare, so you shall do with everyone according to their number.
1. Israel had failed miserably at Kadesh Barnea rebelliously rejecting God's offer to bring them into the land and as a result the door to the Promised Land had closed for one generation and they would spend the next thirty-eight years wandering somewhat aimlessly in the wilderness.
a. But God speaks these wonderful words of encouragement and comfort through Moses to the nation, particularly to those who were under the age of twenty ‘When you have come into the land you are to inhabit, which I am giving to you,
(1) The reassurance that He will bring them into the land and give it to them, He has not changed and His promises to them have not failed.
b. And the offerings spoken here are free will offerings not compulsory offerings, and the focus is on the supplementary grain and drink offerings that were to accompany these free will offering all of which speak of joy and thanksgiving.
(1) Is this not a statement that He will bless them with blessings which will evoke their worship and thanksgiving?
(a) I thank so much of the time we don't recognize the abundance of God's blessings to us because we have become spoiled and somehow think of these blessings as what we deserve, our just rights, and we pout and complain when something is taken away with the misconception that God is depriving us.
i) We have become a people that is more focused on not having what we want than on what we have been undeservedly blessed with.
(2) What a wondrous thing to know that God delights to bless His people even in the midst of their failure.
2. Note that the grain and drink offerings that accompanied blood sacrifices increased progressively with the size and value of the sacrifice.
a. The greater our sacrifice to God the greater should be our joy and thanksgiving if the sacrifice is rightly motivated.
B. The universal or community nature of these laws.
Numbers 15:13-16 (NKJV)
13 All who are native-born shall do these things in this manner, in presenting an offering made by fire, a sweet aroma to the Lord.
14 And if a stranger dwells with you, or whoever is among you throughout your generations, and would present an offering made by fire, a sweet aroma to the Lord, just as you do, so shall he do.
15 One ordinance shall be for you of the assembly and for the stranger who dwells with you, an ordinance forever throughout your generations; as you are, so shall the stranger be before the Lord.
16 One law and one custom shall be for you and for the stranger who dwells with you.’ ”
1. God had told Abraham that all the nations of the earth would be blessed through his offspring (particularly looking forward to the Messiah), and we see here that under certain conditions the gentile could enter into community with the Jew and worship the God of the Jew.

2. Secondly we should note that sacrifice is to be made with gladness and joy; not begrudgingly and with complaint.
3. Consider the words of Psalm-100
Psalm 100 (NKJV)

1 A Psalm of Thanksgiving. Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands!
2 Serve the Lord with gladness; Come before His presence with singing.
3 Know that the Lord, He is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.
4 Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.
5 For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting, And His truth endures to all generations.
4. I am the spiritual seed of Abraham, and a disciple of the Jesus the Messiah, I wonder do I bless others in such a way that they are drawn to a place of worship and thanksgiving?
a. Worship of the living God is the community we should desire to draw others into.
C. First fruit offerings.
Numbers 15:17-21 (NKJV)
17 Again the Lord spoke to Moses, saying,
18 “Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them: ‘When you come into the land to which I bring you,
19 then it will be, when you eat of the bread of the land, that you shall offer up a heave offering to the Lord.
20 You shall offer up a cake of the first of your ground meal as a heave offering; as a heave offering of the threshing floor, so shall you offer it up.
21 Of the first of your ground meal you shall give to the Lord a heave offering throughout your generations.
1. When they entered the land and began to enjoy the produce of that land they were to show their devotion to the Lord and their thanksgiving by presenting a cake baked from the first cutting of the grain each harvest.
a. They were to be mindful of God and that o was the one that supplied their daily sustenance.
2. Note we read the words again "When you come into the land to which I bring you" for the second time in this chapter
a. They were a long way out from entering the Promised Land, thirty-eight years to go, but God is setting their minds on the land and on His promises, so it we read in Colossians.
Colossians 3:1-4 (NKJV)
1 If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God.
2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.
3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
4 When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.

(1) A key part of our victory here in this land and in our pilgrimage is where we fix our thoughts, we see that unbelief and rebellion usually are born out of complaint, and so our meditations and attitudes affect our ability to walk in faith and be thankful.
(a) We want to learn to be mindful of God, mindful of His promises, and looking forward to the land He has promised us.
D. Now the third category of offerings found here concern sin offerings.
Numbers 15:22-29 (NKJV)
22 ‘If you sin unintentionally, and do not observe all these commandments which the Lord has spoken to Moses—
23 all that the Lord has commanded you by the hand of Moses, from the day the Lord gave commandment and onward throughout your generations—
24 then it will be, if it is unintentionally committed, without the knowledge of the congregation, that the whole congregation shall offer one young bull as a burnt offering, as a sweet aroma to the Lord, with its grain offering and its drink offering, according to the ordinance, and one kid of the goats as a sin offering.
25 So the priest shall make atonement for the whole congregation of the children of Israel, and it shall be forgiven them, for it was unintentional; they shall bring their offering, an offering made by fire to the Lord, and their sin offering before the Lord, for their unintended sin.
26 It shall be forgiven the whole congregation of the children of Israel and the stranger who dwells among them, because all the people did it unintentionally.
27 ‘And if a person sins unintentionally, then he shall bring a female goat in its first year as a sin offering.
28 So the priest shall make atonement for the person who sins unintentionally, when he sins unintentionally before the Lord, to make atonement for him; and it shall be forgiven him.
29 You shall have one law for him who sins unintentionally, for him who is native-born among the children of Israel and for the stranger who dwells among them.
1. They were provided as a remedy for unintentional sin.
a. God provided a sin solution (atonement) for both the people collectively as well as for the individual.
b. And they were also universal (those that desired to be in relationship to Jehovah...) and not for Israel only.
c. We are here reminded that blood is required for atonement.
Leviticus 17:11 (NKJV)
11 For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul.’

Hebrews 9:22 (NKJV)
22 And according to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission.

Romans 6:23 (NKJV)
23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
(1) It is the blood of Jesus and His substitutionary death for us that provides the remedy (permanent remedy) for our sins.
2. By contrast we have in verses-30-31 law concerning intentional sin.
Numbers 15:30-31 (NKJV)
30 ‘But the person who does anything presumptuously, whether he is native-born or a stranger, that one brings reproach on the Lord, and he shall be cut off from among his people.
31 Because he has despised the word of the Lord, and has broken His commandment, that person shall be completely cut off; his guilt shall be upon him.’ ”
a. The word presumtpiously is the Hebrw word ruwm (room)
7311 [ruwm /room/] v. A primitive root; TWOT 2133; GK 3727 and 3753 and 8123 and 8225 and 8249; 194 occurrences; AV translates as ?(lift?, ?hold?, ?etc ? ) up? 63 times, ?exalt? 47 times, ?high? 25 times, ?offer? 13 times, ?give? five times, ?heave? three times, ?extol? three times, ?lofty? three times, ?take? three times, ?tall? three times, ?higher? twice, and translated miscellaneously 24 times.
1 to rise, rise up, be high, be lofty, be exalted. 1a (Qal). 1a1 to be high, be set on high. 1a2 to be raised, be uplifted, be exalted. 1a3 to be lifted, rise. 1b (Polel). 1b1 to raise or rear (children), cause to grow up. 1b2 to lift up, raise, exalt. 1b3 to exalt, extol. 1c (Polal) to be lifted up. 1d (Hiphil). 1d1 to raise, lift, lift up, take up, set up, erect, exalt, set on high. 1d2 to lift up (and take away), remove. 1d3 to lift off and present, contribute, offer, contribute. 1e (Hophal) to be taken off, be abolished. 1f (Hithpolel) to exalt oneself, magnify oneself. 2 (Qal) to be rotten, be wormy.
Strong, James: The Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible : Showing Every Word of the Text of the Common English Version of the Canonical Books, and Every Occurrence of Each Word in Regular Order. electronic ed. Ontario : Woodside Bible Fellowship., 1996, S. H7311
(1) I believe the sin here goes beyond the intentional commission of a sin that is being struggled against, what we see here is blasphemous sin, defiant rebellious God rejecting sin which will not be forgiven.
Mark 3:28-30 (NKJV)
28 “Assuredly, I say to you, all sins will be forgiven the sons of men, and whatever blasphemies they may utter;
29 but he who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is subject to eternal condemnation”—
30 because they said, “He has an unclean spirit.”
(2) To reject the witness of the Holy Spirit concerning Christ by rejecting Christ and the rest provided in Him.
3. Look at the example we are given in verses 32-36
Numbers 15:32-36 (NKJV)
32 Now while the children of Israel were in the wilderness, they found a man gathering sticks on the Sabbath day.
33 And those who found him gathering sticks brought him to Moses and Aaron, and to all the congregation.
34 They put him under guard, because it had not been explained what should be done to him.
35 Then the Lord said to Moses, “The man must surely be put to death; all the congregation shall stone him with stones outside the camp.”
36 So, as the Lord commanded Moses, all the congregation brought him outside the camp and stoned him with stones, and he died.
a. Here is the violation of the law, undoubtedly it was the violation of a law known to all the camp, but they were not sure what to do with this violation so they put him under guard while they sought God to indicate the appropriate judgment.

(1) God returned the verdict and it was death, this man's heart and motive were examined and found to be deserving of death!
(2) Mercy was withheld; he was taken out of the camp and stoned to death.
b. All who lift themselves up against God refusing to submit themselves to His Lordship are self declared enemies against God and will one day be put to death for their rebellion.
Philippians 2:5-11 (NKJV)
5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus,
6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God,
7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.
8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.
9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name,
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth,
11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
c. The Sabbath rest points to Jesus and the rest that we have in Him, since no amount of good works that we can do could ever satisfy the perfection demanded by a perfect and Holy God, the only solution is for us to enter into the perfect work of Christ on the cross.
(1) And to reject His provision leaves us in a condition of death and enmity against God.
(2) But note as we read in Romans 6:23 "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."
(a) There is no gift like the gift of life in Christ, and God's desire is for us to obtain life in Him!
E. Now the chapter closes with this wonderful instruction.
Numbers 15:37-41 (NKJV)
37 Again the Lord spoke to Moses, saying,
38 “Speak to the children of Israel: Tell them to make tassels on the corners of their garments throughout their generations, and to put a blue thread in the tassels of the corners.
39 And you shall have the tassel, that you may look upon it and remember all the commandments of the Lord and do them, and that you may not follow the harlotry to which your own heart and your own eyes are inclined,
40 and that you may remember and do all My commandments, and be holy for your God.
41 I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, to be your God: I am the Lord your God.”
1. Tassels made with or attached with blue thread to the corners of the hems of their garments.
a. That as they looked at them they would be reminded that they were a holy people whose God was a holy God and that they were to keep His commandments.
(1) Also they would be reminded that the natural bent of their hearts would be to do that which was contrary to the commands of God and that they constantly needed to be reminded to make holy choices.
b. One of the ways in which God was reminding them to keep their minds set on Him so that they could walk in holiness and victory.
2. Just one more example of God's goodness and love for His people.
F. You know what strikes me powerfully as I stop and consider this portion of scripture is that love involves sacrifice, and lots of it, but if it is not willing sacrifice it is not love.
1. It cost God to love me, if I am going to love God and love you it will cost me something!
2. If you are going to love me it will cost uou something.
3. And the major cost for us is that we will have to lay aside our own self with all its selfish desire.
4. 1 Corintians-13
1 Corinthians 13:1-8 (NKJV)
1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal.
2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.
3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.
4 Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up;
5 does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil;
6 does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth;
7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
8 Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away.

1 John 4:7-8 (NKJV)
7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.
8 He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.
III. Appendix for future reference:
Num 15:1?16 Ezek 46:4?15
Animal Grain + Oil Wine Grain + Oil (only)
Lamb 1/10 ephah + 1/4 hin 1/4 hin 1/6 ephah + 1/3 hin
Ram 2/10 ephah + 1/3 hin 1/3 hin 1 ephah + 1 hin
Young Bull 3/10 ephah + 1/2 hin 1/2 hin 1 ephah + 1 hin
Comparative weights and measures (approx.)
Ephah (~ 1 bushel) 1/10 eph = 2 qts 2/10 eph = 4 qts liters
3/10 eph = 6 qts

Numbers 10

2009-03-21T19:28:00.001-07:00

Number_10
3/22/09

Number_10 Final preparation and the journey begins.
I. Trumpets for communication
Numbers 10:1-2 (NKJV)
1 And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying:
2 “Make two silver trumpets for yourself; you shall make them of hammered work; you shall use them for calling the congregation and for directing the movement of the camps.
A. Make two trumpets:
1. These were not like the shofar or sliver trumpets that are similar to a coronet, but long silver tubes flared at the end, much like the horns used to herald a king.
a. They were made out of silver, which speaks of redemption and blood, we learned this in our study of Exodus.
2. Use them for:
a. Calling the congregation/assembly together
b. Directing the movement of the camps.
B. When the trumpets are blown as a call to the people we read
Numbers 10:3-4 (NKJV)
3 When they blow both of them, all the congregation shall gather before you at the door of the tabernacle of meeting.
4 But if they blow only one, then the leaders, the heads of the divisions of Israel, shall gather to you.
1. When both trumpets are blown the whole congregation was to gather together at the door of the Tabernacle of meeting.
a. They were to assemble themselves together in the place where God's presence dwelt among them.
(1) It was the place where God meets with men.
2. It was both an invitation and a command.
a. There were two trumpets made and to gather the whole congregation both trumpets were sounded at one time.
(1) Two is the number of witness and by application on the one hand we can think of the trumpets as the gospel.
(a) There are two aspects to the gospel.
i) First the gospel is the message that Christ died, was buried, and rose again the third day in order to redeem men who would by faith trust Him for redemption and eternal life.

ii) Secondly it is a message to be communicated, and invitation to be sounded.
(1) And they made two trumpets and both trumpets were blown to call the people together, we might say the message was sounded with everything they had and so should we sound the message of the gospel with all we have.
(2) And so we see that to be called to the place where God meets with men is an invitation, it represents a wonderful opportunity and a special privilege.
b. But for those people who were identified with God it was more than an invitation it was a command.
(1) As we consider ourselves part of the church NT believers who are a part of the New Covenant we need to come together, and there is a sense of command to it, not a sense of legalism but of practical need and desire.
Hebrews 10:23-25 (NKJV)
23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.
24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works,
25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.
(a) Regular attendance at church should be a priority with us, missing service ought to be an exception not the rule, because we love each other and want to stir each other up in the things of God.
c. Jesus Christ is the meeting place between men and God, and when we are in Christ we are a part of His body, thus we are a people motivated and directed by the Gospel.
3. Note that when only one trumpet was sounded then only the leaders were gathered together and it would seem they were gathered to Moses not necessarily the tent of meeting.
a. There are things that are to be discussed only amongst the leaders (church business involves things we don't consider often)...
(1) Investigation into problems...
(a) Reports of sin
(b) Reports of problems
(c) Reputations discussed
(d) Just because you hear them doesn't mean you believe them
(e) We should however not repeat a matter...
b. Peoples time is valuable and we ought not waste it...
C. Also the trumpets were to be sounded in order to direct the movement of the camps, that is sounding the advance, which was different than the blast which called them together.
Numbers 10:5-8 (NKJV)
5 When you sound the advance, the camps that lie on the east side shall then begin their journey.
6 When you sound the advance the second time, then the camps that lie on the south side shall begin their journey; they shall sound the call for them to begin their journeys.
7 And when the assembly is to be gathered together, you shall blow, but not sound the advance.
8 The sons of Aaron, the priests, shall blow the trumpets; and these shall be to you as an ordinance forever throughout your generations.
1. When you sound the advance:
a. The tribes on the east were to set out and start the journey.
b. When the advance was sounded the second time then the tribes camped to the south were to set out.
2. As the signals to advance were sounded each tribe set out in the predetermined order as we have already studied.
a. The command was initiated by God, as we have been told and as we shall see when the cloud representing the presence and glory of God moved from over the tabernacle they knew it was time to move.
b. It was the responsibility of the priests to sound the trumpets, and so we see the directions given to them though initiated by God involved human agency.
(1) God uses men in ministry as a part of His communication and direction...
(2) Required listening and paying attention.
(3) There was a distinct sound that could be differentiated from other signals.
(4) Today I watch people leave the church and they say that God is leading them.
(a) We will see in the “order of march” that God is typically very definite and organized in how or when we are to set out.
i) What I have observed is that most people leave because they are redirected by there own discontent and complaining, as we will see this becomes a main issue in the coming chapters
(b) So when leaving involves someone’s own idea w/o confirmation among human agency particularly within the leaders God has raised up, things are suspicious.
(c) When leaving causes confusion or leaves uncovered gaps, it is suspect.
(d) When it is unannounced or done with malice, deceit, or what we might say is the absence of light, it is the flesh and not God.
(e) When people leave there ought to be a sense of sending and excitement at what God is doing.
3. This phrase "these shall be to you as an ordinance forever throughout your generations" suggests to me that there are eternal or kingdom of God principals involved here.
D. Other reasons for sounding the trumpets
Numbers 10:9-10 (NKJV)
9 “When you go to war in your land against the enemy who oppresses you, then you shall sound an alarm with the trumpets, and you will be remembered before the Lord your God, and you will be saved from your enemies.
10 Also in the day of your gladness, in your appointed feasts, and at the beginning of your months, you shall blow the trumpets over your burnt offerings and over the sacrifices of your peace offerings; and they shall be a memorial for you before your God: I am the Lord your God.”
1. When you go to war sound an alarm with these trumpets.
a. And as a result God promises to act on their behalf and save them for their enemies.
(1) What a wonderful promise to be reminded of,
(a) We need to learn to sound the trumpet in time of battle, not always an easy thing to do.
(b) Sometimes we lose battles so that God can give us victory in the greater war (the eternal battle)
i) In the book of Joshua the battle of Ai might be an example of this.
2. Also these trumpets were to be sounded to announce their gladness, sounded in their celebrations, and in proclamation of their worship of God.
a. Contained in this is the idea of Joy, Exuberance, and Celebration.
b. But also there is a sense of solemnity that sometimes needs to be associated in these things.
c. Always there should be a sense of reverence, the idea of special should come through the proclamations and celebrations.
d. When temple worship was restored under Hezekiah, we read of the trumpets being used.
2 Chronicles 29:25-30 (NKJV)
25 And he stationed the Levites in the house of the Lord with cymbals, with stringed instruments, and with harps, according to the commandment of David, of Gad the king’s seer, and of Nathan the prophet; for thus was the commandment of the Lord by his prophets.
26 The Levites stood with the instruments of David, and the priests with the trumpets.
27 Then Hezekiah commanded them to offer the burnt offering on the altar. And when the burnt offering began, the song of the Lord also began, with the trumpets and with the instruments of David king of Israel.
28 So all the assembly worshiped, the singers sang, and the trumpeters sounded; all this continued until the burnt offering was finished.
29 And when they had finished offering, the king and all who were present with him bowed and worshiped.
30 Moreover King Hezekiah and the leaders commanded the Levites to sing praise to the Lord with the words of David and of Asaph the seer. So they sang praises with gladness, and they bowed their heads and worshiped.
E. In these ten verses a key lesson for us is the need to communicate;
a. In a sense not only can we see the need to communicate the Gospel, and the trumpets not only represent the Gospel of Christ to us,
b. But they represent prayer, communication between men and God, we sound the alarm, we express thanksgiving and worship, we make petition for others.
II. So with this final preparation, the time of preparation come to an end and the time to journey begins.
A. Some of the preparation we have seen:
1. They were cleansed and purified, set apart from sin, and set apart to God.
2. With that came acceptance and blessing.
3. They were taught to give and assigned responsibilities
4. They were given a powerful reminder of that they were a redeemed people
5. And most importantly they were given God's presence of God to go with them, to guide them, to provide for them, and to protect them.
B. So the journey begins.
Numbers 10:11-13 (NKJV)
11 Now it came to pass on the twentieth day of the second month, in the second year, that the cloud was taken up from above the tabernacle of the Testimony.
12 And the children of Israel set out from the Wilderness of Sinai on their journeys; then the cloud settled down in the Wilderness of Paran.
13 So they started out for the first time according to the command of the Lord by the hand of Moses.

1. So on the twentieth day of the second month of the second year after they came out of Egypt the cloud is lifted and they set out on the first leg of their journey toward the Promised Land.
a. Remember the time to depart was initiated by God, but then the leaders were to recognize it and signal it.
c. Verse-12 is a summary statement the first destination was the Wilderness of Paran, but that was not the first stop, it was probably a three-day journey with several stops in between.

Numbers 11:35 (NKJV)
35 From Kibroth Hattaavah the people moved to Hazeroth, and camped at Hazeroth.

Numbers 12:16 (NKJV)
16 And afterward the people moved from Hazeroth and camped in the Wilderness of Paran.

(1) So they were departing on the first leg of their journey.
2. The order of their march
Numbers 10:14-28 (NKJV)
14 The standard of the camp of the children of Judah set out first according to their armies; over their army was Nahshon the son of Amminadab.
15 Over the army of the tribe of the children of Issachar was Nethanel the son of Zuar.
16 And over the army of the tribe of the children of Zebulun was Eliab the son of Helon.
17 Then the tabernacle was taken down; and the sons of Gershon and the sons of Merari set out, carrying the tabernacle.
18 And the standard of the camp of Reuben set out according to their armies; over their army was Elizur the son of Shedeur.
19 Over the army of the tribe of the children of Simeon was Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai.
20 And over the army of the tribe of the children of Gad was Eliasaph the son of Deuel.
21 Then the Kohathites set out, carrying the holy things. (The tabernacle would be prepared for their arrival.)
22 And the standard of the camp of the children of Ephraim set out according to their armies; over their army was Elishama the son of Ammihud.
23 Over the army of the tribe of the children of Manasseh was Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur.
24 And over the army of the tribe of the children of Benjamin was Abidan the son of Gideoni.
25 Then the standard of the camp of the children of Dan (the rear guard of all the camps) set out according to their armies; over their army was Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai.
26 Over the army of the tribe of the children of Asher was Pagiel the son of Ocran.
27 And over the army of the tribe of the children of Naphtali was Ahira the son of Enan.
28 Thus was the order of march of the children of Israel, according to their armies, when they began their journey.
a. We see that the order of their march was just as we were previously instructed, with the exception that the families of Gershon and Merari who carried the curtains, and the frames and boards for the tabernacle departed between the tribes camped on the east and the tribes camped on the south.
(1) This was so the tent could be set up when the holy furniture arrived, which followed the tribes of the south which departed second in the general order,
(2) In this we see the orderly fashion and detail exercised by God in the sending and moving of His people.
b. After the family of Kohath carrying the furniture of the Tabernacle came the tribes camped to the west and finally the tribes camped to the north came last as the rear gaurd.
c. 28 Thus was the order of march of the children of Israel, according to their armies, when they began their journey.
(1) He is a God of order and not confusion.
1 Corinthians 14:33 (NKJV)
33 For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.

James 3:17 (NKJV)
17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.
C. Moses invites his brother-in-law Hobab along.
Numbers 10:29-32 (NKJV)
29 Now Moses said to Hobab the son of Reuel the Midianite, Moses’ father-in-law, “We are setting out for the place of which the Lord said, ‘I will give it to you.’ Come with us, and we will treat you well; for the Lord has promised good things to Israel.”
30 And he said to him, “I will not go, but I will depart to my own land and to my relatives.”
31 So Moses said, “Please do not leave, inasmuch as you know how we are to camp in the wilderness, and you can be our eyes.
32 And it shall be, if you go with us—indeed it shall be—that whatever good the Lord will do to us, the same we will do to you.”
1. Sometimes Hobab is confused with Reul Moses' father-in-law who is also known as Jethro, but it is pretty clear that this is his son.
a. Moses is no doubt desiring to take advantage of his knowledge of the desert routes along the way.
(1) Much speculation about the wisdom or godliness or lack of it is made over this...
(a) I could make arguments either way and I am sure you could also, but we simply don't know whether it was a problem or not.
i) Maybe Moses is being evangelistic???
b. The last thing we are told here is that he said no he wouldn't go with them, but there are indications that Moses was able to convince him.
Judges 1:16 (NKJV)
16 Now the children of the Kenite, Moses’ father-in-law, went up from the City of Palms with the children of Judah into the Wilderness of Judah, which lies in the South near Arad; and they went and dwelt among the people.

Judges 4:11 (NKJV)
11 Now Heber the Kenite, of the children of Hobab the father-in-law of Moses, had separated himself from the Kenites and pitched his tent near the terebinth tree at Zaanaim, which is beside Kedesh.
(the root used to denote father-in-law is not always used expressly for father-in-law and can refer to any in-law relation)

D. So we have the first leg of the journey
Numbers 10:33-36 (NKJV)
33 So they departed from the mountain of the Lord on a journey of three days; and the ark of the covenant of the Lord went before them for the three days’ journey, to search out a resting place for them.
34 And the cloud of the Lord was above them by day when they went out from the camp.
35 So it was, whenever the ark set out, that Moses said: “Rise up, O Lord! Let Your enemies be scattered, And let those who hate You flee before You.”
36 And when it rested, he said: “Return, O Lord, To the many thousands of Israel.”
1. We see in the warlike nature of the journey in the battle cry of Moses each time they set out.
a. The way to the Promised Land involves warfare, and conquest, so be prepared.

Numbers 9

2009-03-14T19:59:00.001-07:00

Do to computer issues we will not be posting this weeks notes.
God Bless You!

Numbers 7-8

2009-03-07T20:14:00.001-08:00

Chapters_7-8 Consecration of the Tabernacle and Levites
3/8/09

I. In chapters 5-6 the purging of the whole camp of Israel, the next thing set before us is the consecration tabernacle and the Levites.
Numbers 7:1
1 Now it came to pass, when Moses had finished setting up the tabernacle, that he anointed it and consecrated it and all its furnishings, and the altar and all its utensils; so he anointed them and consecrated them.
A. The events of this chapter are looking back retrospectively to the day the Tabernacle was erected.
B. God has blessed His people in giving them the means for His presence to dwell among them, a meeting place, the "Tabernacle of Meeting" where no matter where they went He would be in their midst to guide and help them.
II. At the dedication of the tabernacle and the altar the leader of each tribe brought gifts an offering to the Lord.
A. The word for offering used here as gifts for the dedication is "qurban - corban" and it describes gifts to God that are of a general nature, it is a different word from that which is used to describe the offering such as the burnt offering or the grain offering.
1. And there were two separate sets of offerings brought.
B. The first gifts that were brought:
Numbers 7:2-3 (NKJV)
2 Then the leaders of Israel, the heads of their fathers’ houses, who were the leaders of the tribes and over those who were numbered, made an offering.
3 And they brought their offering before the Lord, six covered carts and twelve oxen, a cart for every two of the leaders, and for each one an ox; and they presented them before the tabernacle.
1. The gift they brought was six covered carts one for each two tribes, and one ox for each tribe or twelve oxen total.
2. The gifts were accepted and distributed.
Numbers 7:4-9 (NKJV)
4 Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying,
5 “Accept these from them, that they may be used in doing the work of the tabernacle of meeting; and you shall give them to the Levites, to every man according to his service.”
6 So Moses took the carts and the oxen, and gave them to the Levites.
7 Two carts and four oxen he gave to the sons of Gershon, according to their service;
8 and four carts and eight oxen he gave to the sons of Merari, according to their service, under the authority of Ithamar the son of Aaron the priest.
9 But to the sons of Kohath he gave none, because theirs was the service of the holy things, which they carried on their shoulders.
a. The tribe of Kohath did not receive any carts or oxen because their responsibility was for the holy furniture of the tabernacle and God had prescribed that these were to be carries on their shoulders.
3. The work of the Lord is varied, some requires practical labor, some requires a more personal touch, but God provides what is necessary for the work.
C. The second set of gifts:
Numbers 7:10-11 (NKJV)
10 Now the leaders offered the dedication offering for the altar when it was anointed; so the leaders offered their offering before the altar.
11 For the Lord said to Moses, “They shall offer their offering, one leader each day, for the dedication of the altar.”
1. Each day for twelve days the leaders of one of the tribes brought a gift for the dedication of the altar.
2. The gift and the manner in which they were brought.
Numbers 7:12-17 (NKJV)
12 And the one who offered his offering on the first day was Nahshon the son of Amminadab, from the tribe of Judah.
13 His offering was one silver platter, the weight of which was one hundred and thirty shekels, and one silver bowl of seventy shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, both of them full of fine flour mixed with oil as a grain offering;
14 one gold pan of ten shekels, full of incense;
15 one young bull, one ram, and one male lamb in its first year, as a burnt offering;
16 one kid of the goats as a sin offering;
17 and for the sacrifice of peace offerings: two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs in their first year. This was the offering of Nahshon the son of Amminadab.
a. The gifts were acceptable to the Lord and were to be used for "doing the work of the tabernacle" and were to be given to the Levites according to the service they performed.
(1) Two carts and four oxen to the family of Gershon who had responsibility for transporting the fabrics of the tabernacle
(2) Four carts and eight oxen to the family of Merari because they had the heavier task of transporting the framework of the tabernacle.
b. The gift consisted of:
(1) One silver platter weighing 130 shekels (about 3 pounds)
(2) One silver bowl weighing 70 shekels (about 2 pounds)
(a) Both of them were full of fine flour mixed with oil as a grain offering.
(3) One gold ladle weighing ten shekels (about 4 ounces)
(a) Filled with incense.
(4) For a burnt offering a young, bull, a ram, and a yearling male lamb.
(5) One male goat for a sin offering
(6) And for a peace or fellowship offering, 2 oxen, 5 rams, 5 male goats, and 5 yearling male lambs.
c. The first to bring his gift was Nashon the leader of the tribe of Judah.
d. And in the following order each subsequent day the leader of another tribe brought exactly the same gift (verses 18-83).
(1) Nashon - Judah
(2) Nethanel - Issachar
(3) Eliab - Zebulon
(4) Elizur - Reuben
(5) Shelumiel - Simeon
(6) Eliasaph - Gad
(7) Elishama - Ephraim
(8) Gamaliel - Manasseh
(9) Abidan - Benjamin
(10) Ahiezer - Dan
(11) Pagiel - Asher
(12) Ahira - Naphtali
e. Some observations of the gifts and the giving.
(1) First they were generous (God loves a hilarious giver)
2 Corinthians 9:7 (NKJV)
7 So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.
(a) As Guzik points out
Clearly, this was generous giving. God must show Promised Land people how to be givers - one of the best measures of one who has moved from a slave mind-set to a Promised Land mind-set. The slave by nature is a taker, because he is often unsure of provision. Promised land people are generous, because they trust in a God who promised to meet all their needs.
(2) By offering the same gifts there was no attempt for one tribe over the other to draw attention to themselves through their giving.
(3) And we might ask why the same detail is given tribe by tribe, and it would seem to be to highlight the fact that God noted what was given.
Mark 12:41-44 (NKJV)
41 Now Jesus sat opposite the treasury and saw how the people put money into the treasury. And many who were rich put in much.
42 Then one poor widow came and threw in two mites, which make a quadrans.
43 So He called His disciples to Himself and said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all those who have given to the treasury;
44 for they all put in out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all that she had, her whole livelihood.”

(4) Our giving supports the work of advancing the kingdom and the work that centers on fellowship.
(a) Both time and finances are involved.
(b) When we don't give or support it makes the work a lot harder than necessary, and we miss out on the blessing associated with giving.
Malachi 3:10 (NKJV)
10 Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, That there may be food in My house, And try Me now in this,” Says the Lord of hosts, “If I will not open for you the windows of heaven And pour out for you such blessing That there will not be room enough to receive it.

verse-8 says when we don't support we are robbing God!

Malachi 3:8 (NKJV)
8 “Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed Me! But you say, ‘In what way have we robbed You?’ In tithes and offerings.

i) But again it needs to come from a right heart, and when we grasp the wonder of God working through ministry it becomes a joy to participate by giving.
D. Then in verses 84-89 the gifts are summarized and totaled.
Numbers 7:84-89 (NKJV)
84 This was the dedication offering for the altar from the leaders of Israel, when it was anointed: twelve silver platters, twelve silver bowls, and twelve gold pans.
85 Each silver platter weighed one hundred and thirty shekels and each bowl seventy shekels. All the silver of the vessels weighed two thousand four hundred shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary.
86 The twelve gold pans full of incense weighed ten shekels apiece, according to the shekel of the sanctuary; all the gold of the pans weighed one hundred and twenty shekels.
87 All the oxen for the burnt offering were twelve young bulls, the rams twelve, the male lambs in their first year twelve, with their grain offering, and the kids of the goats as a sin offering twelve.
88 And all the oxen for the sacrifice of peace offerings were twenty-four bulls, the rams sixty, the male goats sixty, and the lambs in their first year sixty. This was the dedication offering for the altar after it was anointed.
89 Now when Moses went into the tabernacle of meeting to speak with Him, he heard the voice of One speaking to him from above the mercy seat that was on the ark of the Testimony, from between the two cherubim; thus He spoke to him.

1. We see God speaking to Moses in the tabernacle from above the mercy seat, an indicator that God was pleased with the heart of the leaders (who are the representative heads of the people) and the generosity of their gifts.
a. It was a “get to” mentality not a “have to” mentality that motivated them at this time.
III. Now the arranging of the Lamps and the consecration of the Levites
A. Arrangement of the Lamps
Numbers 8:1-4 (NKJV)
1 And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying:
2 “Speak to Aaron, and say to him, ‘When you arrange the lamps, the seven lamps shall give light in front of the lampstand.’ ”
3 And Aaron did so; he arranged the lamps to face toward the front of the lampstand, as the Lord commanded Moses.
4 Now this workmanship of the lampstand was hammered gold; from its shaft to its flowers it was hammered work. According to the pattern which the Lord had shown Moses, so he made the lampstand.

1. Chapter-8 opens with the instruction that the lampstand in the holy place was to be situated (by Aaron) in such a way that the light from the seven lamps on the lampstand were to provide light in front of the lampstand.
a. This was the only light in the tabernacle and so the work that was to be done in the tabernacle was to be done by the light displayed on the lampstand.
(1) The lampstand could not give the light, lamps had to be placed upon it, the lampstand could only make the light more visible.
(2) Revelation 1:20 draws a picture of the church as a lampstand, we the church are to make Jesus who is the light of the world more visible.
2. Verse-4 describes the lampstand, and that it was made according to the pattern of God's design. (The church should be the design of God not man)
3. I find the placement of this instruction interesting, here sandwiched between the generous giving of the leaders of each tribe, and the consecration the Levites.
a. The leaders were the representative heads of each tribe, so it can be said that all gave - and I believe we are all to give and support the work of the ministry.
b. Only Aaron and his son's the priests could minister inside the tabernacle, and so it is that God calls some to work that could be said to be internal or dealing expressly with the spiritual.
c. And the Levites were given to Aaron to support him in his ministry, so God raises up other to help in a more external way.
B. Cleansing and consecration of the Levites.
1. They were set apart by a special ceremony of cleansing
Numbers 8:5-7 (NKJV)
5 Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying:
6 “Take the Levites from among the children of Israel and cleanse them ceremonially.
7 Thus you shall do to them to cleanse them: Sprinkle water of purification on them, and let them shave all their body, and let them wash their clothes, and so make themselves clean.
a. They were to be sprinkled with water of purification which was water mixed with the ashes of the red heifer
Numbers 19:9 (NKJV)
9 Then a man who is clean shall gather up the ashes of the heifer, and store them outside the camp in a clean place; and they shall be kept for the congregation of the children of Israel for the water of purification; it is for purifying from sin.

b. Also they were to be shaved all over and their clothes washed.
(1) Acts associated with the cleansing from sin.
2. And then the Levites were dedicated by sacrifice.
Numbers 8:8-15 (NKJV)
8 Then let them take a young bull with its grain offering of fine flour mixed with oil, and you shall take another young bull as a sin offering.
9 And you shall bring the Levites before the tabernacle of meeting, and you shall gather together the whole congregation of the children of Israel.
10 So you shall bring the Levites before the Lord, and the children of Israel shall lay their hands on the Levites;
11 and Aaron shall offer the Levites before the Lord like a wave offering from the children of Israel, that they may perform the work of the Lord.
12 Then the Levites shall lay their hands on the heads of the young bulls, and you shall offer one as a sin offering and the other as a burnt offering to the Lord, to make atonement for the Levites.
13 “And you shall stand the Levites before Aaron and his sons, and then offer them like a wave offering to the Lord.
14 Thus you shall separate the Levites from among the children of Israel, and the Levites shall be Mine.
15 After that the Levites shall go in to service the tabernacle of meeting. So you shall cleanse them and offer them like a wave offering.
a. Two young bulls, one for a burnt offering and the other for a sin offering along with the Levites were brought before the Lord together with the whole congregation.
(1) The congregation laid there hands on the Levites as a sign of releasing them from the possession of the nation and assigning them to the Lord, and also as a sign of transferring the obligation of the first-born sons of the nation to serve the Lord to the Levites in their stead.
(2) Then Aaron presented the Levites to the Lord as a wave offering, they sealed the transfer by offering the bulls for the burnt and sin offerings.
b. And they were then to begin there service for the tabernacle.
3. More detail is given confirming the fact that the Levites were regarded as Israel's firstborn, given to the Lord.
Numbers 8:16-19 (NKJV)
16 For they are wholly given to Me from among the children of Israel; I have taken them for Myself instead of all who open the womb, the firstborn of all the children of Israel.
17 For all the firstborn among the children of Israel are Mine, both man and beast; on the day that I struck all the firstborn in the land of Egypt I sanctified them to Myself.
18 I have taken the Levites instead of all the firstborn of the children of Israel.
19 And I have given the Levites as a gift to Aaron and his sons from among the children of Israel, to do the work for the children of Israel in the tabernacle of meeting, and to make atonement for the children of Israel, that there be no plague among the children of Israel when the children of Israel come near the sanctuary.”

a. God had taken the Levites for Himself.
C. Verses 20-22 affirm that they did as the Lord had commanded them to do.
Numbers 8:20-22 (NKJV)
20 Thus Moses and Aaron and all the congregation of the children of Israel did to the Levites; according to all that the Lord commanded Moses concerning the Levites, so the children of Israel did to them.
21 And the Levites purified themselves and washed their clothes; then Aaron presented them like a wave offering before the Lord, and Aaron made atonement for them to cleanse them.
22 After that the Levites went in to do their work in the tabernacle of meeting before Aaron and his sons; as the Lord commanded Moses concerning the Levites, so they did to them.

1. Learning to do what God says is an important part of preparation for living in the Promised Land.
D. And the chapter closes with God setting a time limit for service of the Levites.
Numbers 8:23-26 (NKJV)
23 Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying,
24 “This is what pertains to the Levites: From twenty-five years old and above one may enter to perform service in the work of the tabernacle of meeting;
25 and at the age of fifty years they must cease performing this work, and shall work no more.
26 They may minister with their brethren in the tabernacle of meeting, to attend to needs, but they themselves shall do no work. Thus you shall do to the Levites regarding their duties.”
1. According to Numbers chapter-4 the Levites began their service at age 30 and served until they were 50.
Numbers 4:3 (NKJV)
3 from thirty years old and above, even to fifty years old, all who enter the service to do the work in the tabernacle of meeting.
a. So from the age of 25 there were types of work they could participate in until they were 30, probably it was a time of training and apprenticeship, but they could not actually have responsibility for transporting the tabernacle and that which pertained to it until the age of 30.
(1) After the age of 50 they had to retire, they could however assiste the younger men in some aspects of tabernacle service.
b. These limitations insured that the Levites served the Lord during their prime years.
(1) God always deserves our best.
Also a reminder for us that we get to serve at the pleasure of God…
E. Wrap up:
1. People who are prepared for living in the Promised Land are not enslaved by their stuff, but generously give to support the work of God both of their time and resources, freely and willingly.
2. They are to be a cleansed people (putting off the old man).
3. They are to be a dedicated people, that is a people set apart for God (putting on the new man) living differently, in ways that please the Lord.
4. And they are to be a serving people actively involved in what God is calling them to .
5. Please Pleas understand what I am saying here, we do no, can not work to earn God's favor, but as we walk in the Spirit and not the flesh, these will be byproducts of such living.
a. And as God is preparing us for such a way of life the desires of our heart begin to change.

Numbers 6

2009-02-28T20:27:00.001-08:00

Numbers_6
3/1/09

I. In Numbers chapters 5, 6 we encounter the first group of laws contained in this book.
A. They relate to the theme of separation from impurity and dedication to the Lord.
B. Chapter-5 dealt with Separation from sin; we want to be separated FROM our sin, and separated TO God.
1. So as we move into chapter-6 we have some laws that pertain to dedication and separation of our selves TO or toward God.
II. The Law of the Nazarite
A. Purpose of the vow
Numbers 6:1-2 (NKJV)
1 Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying,
2 “Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them: ‘When either a man or woman consecrates an offering to take the vow of a Nazirite, to separate himself to the Lord,
1. The key phrase for us is "to separate himself to the Lord"
a. Nazarite is the transliteration of the Hebrew word nazir and it means consecrated or devoted one.
(1) And it comes from the nazar which means to dedicate.
2. So the vow of a nazarite was an expression of special desire to draw near to God.
3. It was a voluntary vow, something desired in the heart of the one making the vow.
B. What a wonderful principal is contained in this, the priests and Levites were called by God and specially separated to Him obviously a very great honor and privilege.
1. But here is a way that any Jew could set himself apart from the norms of life and dedicate himself to God for some special service or communion.
a. Both men and women could devote themselves for a special time of separation as a nazarite.
2. What a wonderful truth it is to know that God wants us to draw near to Him, to dedicate ourselves to Him, that it is something that pleases His heart, but that it is something that needs to be taken seriously as we will see in the upcoming verses.
a. Consider the NT instruction of James 4:8
James 4:8 (NKJV)
8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
(1) As we desire to draw near to God, He meets us, He draws near to us, but it begins with separating ourselves (with His help) from impurities of our sinful natures.
3. It is good to draw near God
Psalm 73:28 (NKJV)
28 But it is good for me to draw near to God; I have put my trust in the Lord God, That I may declare all Your works.
a. May each of us have such a desire: voluntary actions motivated by love…
(1) Also we want to keep in mind that here in this section of numbers we are looking at preparation for the Promised Land, and so as the Promised Land is analogous to the Spirit filled life, special dedication to God is an ingredient that prepares us or helps us in the journey.
(a) Fasting from time to time may be a kind of special dedication to draw near to the Lord (week of prayer and fasting coming up in May I believe...)
C. Dedication to any cause or purpose or person involves sacrifice and discipline...
1. Before we move on to look at the requirements of a nazarite vow let me just say don't confuse nazarite with Nazarene or Nazareth, there isn't really a connection
D. Requirements of the vow
Numbers 6:3-8 (NKJV)
3 he shall separate himself from wine and similar drink; he shall drink neither vinegar made from wine nor vinegar made from similar drink; neither shall he drink any grape juice, nor eat fresh grapes or raisins.
4 All the days of his separation he shall eat nothing that is produced by the grapevine, from seed to skin.
5 ‘All the days of the vow of his separation no razor shall come upon his head; until the days are fulfilled for which he separated himself to the Lord, he shall be holy. Then he shall let the locks of the hair of his head grow.
6 All the days that he separates himself to the Lord he shall not go near a dead body.
7 He shall not make himself unclean even for his father or his mother, for his brother or his sister, when they die, because his separation to God is on his head.
8 All the days of his separation he shall be holy to the Lord.
1. There were three things that marked nazarite separation.
a. Abstinence from wine or any product of grapes.
(1) Symbols of blessing and joy so this was a form of self-denial
b. No razor was to come upon his head.
(1) So his hair was to grow and not be cut during the period of the vow, and then shaved off at the conclusion of the vow.
(2) It was an outward demonstration that the person was under a special vow.
(a) In churches such as the Russian Orthodox Church, long hair is considered a sign of piety.
i) Many people misunderstand 1 Corinthians 11 and the statement Paul makes about it being a shame for a man to have long hair, in its context there Paul is referring to authority and the place of men and women concerning God given authority and responsibility.
(c) And they were not to go near a dead body even that of a close relative (death remember is the effect of sin).
2. They were obligatory to the vow, they were not optional, so the vow involved counting the cost and was only to be entered into in a serious manner not haphazardly or rashly.
E. Penalty of breaking the vow.
Numbers 6:9-12 (NKJV)
9 ‘And if anyone dies very suddenly beside him, and he defiles his consecrated head, then he shall shave his head on the day of his cleansing; on the seventh day he shall shave it.
10 Then on the eighth day he shall bring two turtledoves or two young pigeons to the priest, to the door of the tabernacle of meeting;
11 and the priest shall offer one as a sin offering and the other as a burnt offering, and make atonement for him, because he sinned in regard to the corpse; and he shall sanctify his head that same day.
12 He shall consecrate to the Lord the days of his separation, and bring a male lamb in its first year as a trespass offering; but the former days shall be lost, because his separation was defiled.
1. If someone dies very suddenly beside the nazarite his hair was to be shaved off, a sacrifice made and he started back at the beginning of the vow the days already completed were lost.
2. You were not free to say I don't want to do this anymore.
F. Concluding the nazarite vow.
Numbers 6:13-15 (NKJV)
13 ‘Now this is the law of the Nazirite: When the days of his separation are fulfilled, he shall be brought to the door of the tabernacle of meeting.
14 And he shall present his offering to the Lord: one male lamb in its first year without blemish as a burnt offering, one ewe lamb in its first year without blemish as a sin offering, one ram without blemish as a peace offering,
15 a basket of unleavened bread, cakes of fine flour mixed with oil, unleavened wafers anointed with oil, and their grain offering with their drink offerings.
1. He was brought to the door of the tabernacle so it was a public ceremony, and the items needed were –
a male lamb for a burnt offering,
a ewe lamb for a sin offering,
a ram for peace offering,
and a basket of unleavened bread as a grain offering along with the drink offering associated with it.
a. This obviously was a costly endeavor, but let me tell you that there is a cost to worship.
2 Samuel 24:24 (NKJV)
24 Then the king said to Araunah, “No, but I will surely buy it from you for a price; nor will I offer burnt offerings to the Lord my God with that which costs me nothing.” So David bought the threshing floor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver.
(1) Worship involves the best we have to offer, not our leftovers.
b. This was an offering that was presented to the Lord; I wonder how mindful we are in our service to God that it is to be done as an offering presented to Him?
2. Verses 16-21
Numbers 6:16-21 (NKJV)
16 ‘Then the priest shall bring them before the Lord and offer his sin offering and his burnt offering;
17 and he shall offer the ram as a sacrifice of a peace offering to the Lord, with the basket of unleavened bread; the priest shall also offer its grain offering and its drink offering.
18 Then the Nazirite shall shave his consecrated head at the door of the tabernacle of meeting, and shall take the hair from his consecrated head and put it on the fire which is under the sacrifice of the peace offering.
19 ‘And the priest shall take the boiled shoulder of the ram, one unleavened cake from the basket, and one unleavened wafer, and put them upon the hands of the Nazirite after he has shaved his consecrated hair,
20 and the priest shall wave them as a wave offering before the Lord; they are holy for the priest, together with the breast of the wave offering and the thigh of the heave offering. After that the Nazirite may drink wine.’
21 “This is the law of the Nazirite who vows to the Lord the offering for his separation, and besides that, whatever else his hand is able to provide; according to the vow which he takes, so he must do according to the law of his separation.”
a. The priest and the Nazarite would make the offering and the vow would be completed.
III. The Priestly Blessing.
A. God gave a command and instruction for Aaron and his sons to bless the people
Numbers 6:22-23 (NKJV)
22 And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying:
23 “Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, ‘This is the way you shall bless the children of Israel. Say to them:
1. "This is the way you shall bless them", so the priests were not only commanded to bless the people but God gave them a formula to follow for blessing the people.
a. Spurgeon wrote concerning this:
"Free prayer is most useful, and it will ordinarily consort best with the movements of the free Spirit; but in the case of a benediction, it is well that it was dictated to the man of God. The children of Israel might miss blessing through the ignorance, or forgetfulness, or unbelief of Aaron; and therefore it was not left to him; but he had to learn by heart each word and sentence. In this wise, and in no other, was he to bless the people. I like this; for if God himself puts the very words into the mouth of his priest, then they are God’s words." (Spurgeon)
2. And here is the blessing, it is known as the "Aaronic Blessing"
Numbers 6:24-26 (NKJV)
24 “The Lord bless you and keep you;
25 The Lord make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you;
26 The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace.” ’
a. The Lord Bless You
(1) God delights in blessing His people, and reminds us that all blessing come from the Lord.
(a) We need to understand that God's blessing has our higher good in mind, not simply our temporal comfort.
i) We often desire or settle for things such as comfort and happiness, which may have nothing to do with God's true blessing.
b. And Keep You
(1) As a shepherd keeps his sheep, so the Lord desires to keep His people, protecting them, guarding them, setting boundaries and limits for them, sustaining them.
c. The Lord Make His Face to Shine Upon You
(1) To have God look upon us and be pleased with us is one of the greatest blessing we can have.
(a) And He is pleased with us not for what we have done, but because we are in Christ.
d. And be Gracious to You
(1) The expression that God would show care and tender mercy for us His people.
(a) Boy how I need this blessing daily!
e. The Lord lift Up His Countenance Upon You
(1) That God would look upon His people and pay attention to them
(a) And so He does.
f. And Give You Peace.
(1) Not simply the cessation of hostility, but wholeness, goodness, the abundant life that Jesus spoke of
John 10:10 (NKJV)
10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.
g. Note the Phrase "The Lord" is repeated three times, a hint at the Trinity
As Guzik points out:
(1) God the Father blesses and keeps us
(2) God the Son makes God's face to shine upon us and brings us grace.
(3) God the Holy Spirit communicates God's attention to us, and gives us peace
(4) And six times we read you (God wants to bless you)
B. The Fruit of the Blessing
Numbers 6:27 (NKJV)
27 “So they shall put My name on the children of Israel, and I will bless them.”
1. To be blessed by God means to have His name put on us and thus be identified with who He is and all that pertains to His nature.
a. The blessing was commanded for the people of God not the surrounding nations, so we have to be joined to Him to gain this blessing.
(1) Like in marriage.
2. And God says "I will bless them" so in response to this blessing God promises to bless what a wonderful truth for us to take to heart and walk in by faith.
C. May we desire to set ourselves apart in special ways in order to experience more intimacy in our fellowship with God.
1. Not working for reward, but taking time to draw near to Him, allowing Him to draw near to us.
a. Quiet times, retreats, special study, fasts, special service...
D. And may we seek and walk in His blessings by faith
IV. Communion

Numbers 5

2009-02-21T23:33:00.001-08:00

Numbers_5
2/22/09

Numbers_5
I. Opening Statements.
A. In Numbers we see the walk and warfare of the wilderness, which is typical of our pilgrimage here in a sinful world.
1. And we are looking for lessons that will help us with our journey of faith.
2. And as we noted this first main division of the book of Numbers chapters 1-10 relates to preparation to go to the Promised Land.
a. As we think about the Promised Land and the people who are to inhabit the Promised Land we need to ask ourselves what they represent to us.
(1) In the literal historical sense the people are Israel, descendants of Abraham and the land has a specific geography in the Middle East God promised to give them.
(2) But spiritually speaking the people represent the spiritual offspring of Abraham (children of faith...) and the land; while on one hand we think of heaven, it is generally agreed that the promised land is symbolic of living a spirit filled life.
(a) So some of the lessons we learn will teach us of how walk in the Spirit and how not to walk in the flesh.
B. Now as we move into chapters 5 and 6 we encounter the first group of laws found in this book, and at first they appear to be somewhat random or unrelated: skin disease, fraud, adultery, Nazarite vows, and priestly blessing.
1. But they relate to the theme of separation from impurity and dedication to the Lord.
2. The consecration of Israel is set before us in two stages here, chapters 5-6 relate to the purging of the whole camp, and chapters 7-8 relate to the consecration of the tabernacle and the priesthood.
3. The goal is God's presence in their midst and blessings as they go.
II. Separating from Sin.
A. Separting from the effects of sin.
Numbers 5:1-4 (NKJV)
1 And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying:
2 “Command the children of Israel that they put out of the camp every leper, everyone who has a discharge, and whoever becomes defiled by a corpse.
3 You shall put out both male and female; you shall put them outside the camp, that they may not defile their camps in the midst of which I dwell.”
4 And the children of Israel did so, and put them outside the camp; as the Lord spoke to Moses, so the children of Israel did.
1. The Lord speaks to Moses “Command the children of Israel that they put out of the camp every..."
a. Leper
b. Everyone who has a discharge
c. Whoever becomes defiled by a dead body.
2. God had commanded these laws as stated in the book of Leviticus but now the time has come to execute them as they prepare for the journey.
a. As we look at this list observe that none of these things prove a person to be terrible sinners, they refer to those who are ceremonially unclean.
(1) And they were to be put out or separated from the rest of the camp until they could be made ceremonially clean.
b. While these are not terrible sins in fact we would struggle to see them as sin at all, rather what we see is that they are a reminder of the effects of sin
Romans 5:12 (NKJV)
12 Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned—
(1) It is sin that has separated us from God.
Isaiah 59:2 (NKJV)
2 But your iniquities have separated you from your God; And your sins have hidden His face from you, So that He will not hear.
c. So they are being challenged to purity, by putting out from among them impurity.
(1) People that inhabit the Promised land are to be a purified people.
(a) To walk in the Spirit as opposed to the flesh means we need to look to God to help put-off that which impure the things which defile or contaminate.
i) In thinking what this might look like for us we could look down a laundry list of sins such as sexual immorality, drunkenness, drug addiction etc. the worst being unbelief.
ii) But don't overlook things like anger, malice, gossip, backbiting, causing division (sins of the heart and sins of the tongue).
3. Verse-3 says "You shall put out both male and female; you shall put them outside the camp, that they may not defile their camps in the midst of which I dwell.”
a. Male and female, perceptions of sympathy or superiority for one over another were not to spare someone from the consequences of sin there were no exceptions.
b. Separation from these things were because God lived in the camp,
(1) We are to walk in the newness of the life we have in Christ, while we as people who are to inhabit the promised land fall short in many ways, we don't live in sinless perfection, we are not to be openly and obviously walking in the sin nature.
4. "as the Lord spoke to Moses, so the children of Israel did." remember that we are to do the things God says not merely hear them or know them.
B. The Damage of sin.
Numbers 5:5-7 (NKJV)
5 Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying,
6 “Speak to the children of Israel: ‘When a man or woman commits any sin that men commit in unfaithfulness against the Lord, and that person is guilty,
7 then he shall confess the sin which he has committed. He shall make restitution for his trespass in full, plus one-fifth of it, and give it to the one he has wronged.
1. Sin hurts or damages others and we see that when the effects of our sin are realized then confession and restitution are required.
a. The sin before us here are sins against others and withholding from God what belongs to Him.
(1) First the sin is to be owned, demonstrated by confession "I did it, I'm guilty"
(2) Secondly repaying was taken or withheld plus 20%.
b. The concept of our sins hurting others and of making restitution is so foreign in the church today...
(1) Restitution is as important for the guilty party as it is for the victim, look at verse-8.
Numbers 5:8 (NKJV)
8 But if the man has no relative to whom restitution may be made for the wrong, the restitution for the wrong must go to the Lord for the priest, in addition to the ram of the atonement with which atonement is made for him.
(2) When we don't make things right with others we have wronged it impacts our walk, and puts a hold on real fellowship with God..
Matthew 5:23-24 (NKJV)
23 Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you,
24 leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.

2. Fellowship with God is what we are aiming for.
Numbers 5:9-10 (NKJV)
9 Every offering of all the holy things of the children of Israel, which they bring to the priest, shall be his.
10 And every man’s holy things shall be his; whatever any man gives the priest shall be his.’ ”

a. Some of the offerings such as the peace offering were intended to have a portion of them returned to the one who brought the offering so they and their family could have a fellowship meal with God.
(1) This opportunity was the right of every Israelite, a right that was not to be denied them by others.
(a) However if they were unclean and cast out of the camp they could not enjoy this benefit.
(b) So here in the midst of this chapter which deals with separation from sin is the reminder that God's people are to be separated (from) sin in order to be separated (TO) God for fellowship with Him.
3. When asked what the greatest commandment was Jesus replied
Matthew 22:37-40 (NKJV)
37 Jesus said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’
38 This is the first and great commandment.
39 And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’
40 On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”
a. Love for God and love for others should dominate our attitudes and behaviors.
b. When we separate ourselves from the effects and damage of sin then the door of fellowship with God is opened up.
Jesus taught
Matthew 5:8 (NKJV)
8 Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God.
C. Separation from the suspicion of sin.
Numbers 5:11-14 (NKJV)
11 And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying,
12 “Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them: ‘If any man’s wife goes astray and behaves unfaithfully toward him,
13 and a man lies with her carnally, and it is hidden from the eyes of her husband, and it is concealed that she has defiled herself, and there was no witness against her, nor was she caught—
14 if the spirit of jealousy comes upon him and he becomes jealous of his wife, who has defiled herself; or if the spirit of jealousy comes upon him and he becomes jealous of his wife, although she has not defiled herself—
1. Set before us are an adulteress wife and a jealous husband; and the adultery may or may not be true.
a. The two extremes of the spectrum are hidden unfaithfulness on the part of a wife, and unwarranted jealousy on the part of a husband.
(1) Both can destroy a marriage relationship, and both undermine the very fabric of godly living so God gave Israel a means for dealing with it.

(2) Whether there is unfaithfulness in marriage or unwarranted jealousy it must be resolved for there purity and fellowship in the relationship.
b. The problem is symptomatic of unfaithfulness to God and so a breach of the relationship between husband and wife could not be tolerated.
2. An offering to resolve a spirit of jealousy
Numbers 5:15 (NKJV)
15 then the man shall bring his wife to the priest. He shall bring the offering required for her, one-tenth of an ephah of barley meal; he shall pour no oil on it and put no frankincense on it, because it is a grain offering of jealousy, an offering for remembering, for bringing iniquity to remembrance.

a. The jealous husband was to being his wife and an ephah of barley to the priest, note that it was only the grain and no oil or frankincense which were customary with grain offerings.
(1) Oil and frankincense were thought to sweeten a grain offering but neither was to be poured on this offering thus there is nothing sweet about this offering, rather it is a bitter thing.
(a) Either the wife will be found guilty of adultery or the husband will be guilty of unwarranted suspicion.
i) Each one is heartbreaking in its own right and the antithesis of love.
(2) Note what it says here at the end of verse-15 it is "an offering for remembering, for bringing iniquity to remembrance."
(a) The idea isn't that the wife committed adultery and didn't remember it, this isn't about the memories of the husband and wife but about reminding the whole congregation of the horrible nature of both adultery and false accusation.
i) Let me say that there are times where suspicions are genuinely raised and need to be brought into an arena a proper arena for the truth to be addressed, but that arena usually does not involve the whole camp. (watch out how and where and to whom you make or receive accusations)
3. The ceremony of this offering is described in verses 16-28
Numbers 5:16-28 (NKJV)
16 ‘And the priest shall bring her near, and set her before the Lord.
17 The priest shall take holy water in an earthen vessel, and take some of the dust that is on the floor of the tabernacle and put it into the water.
18 Then the priest shall stand the woman before the Lord, uncover the woman’s head, and put the offering for remembering in her hands, which is the grain offering of jealousy. And the priest shall have in his hand the bitter water that brings a curse.
19 And the priest shall put her under oath, and say to the woman, “If no man has lain with you, and if you have not gone astray to uncleanness while under your husband’s authority, be free from this bitter water that brings a curse.
20 But if you have gone astray while under your husband’s authority, and if you have defiled yourself and some man other than your husband has lain with you”—
21 then the priest shall put the woman under the oath of the curse, and he shall say to the woman— “the Lord make you a curse and an oath among your people, when the Lord makes your thigh rot and your belly swell;
22 and may this water that causes the curse go into your stomach, and make your belly swell and your thigh rot.” ‘Then the woman shall say, “Amen, so be it.”
23 ‘Then the priest shall write these curses in a book, and he shall scrape them off into the bitter water.
24 And he shall make the woman drink the bitter water that brings a curse, and the water that brings the curse shall enter her to become bitter.
25 Then the priest shall take the grain offering of jealousy from the woman’s hand, shall wave the offering before the Lord, and bring it to the altar;
26 and the priest shall take a handful of the offering, as its memorial portion, burn it on the altar, and afterward make the woman drink the water.
27 When he has made her drink the water, then it shall be, if she has defiled herself and behaved unfaithfully toward her husband, that the water that brings a curse will enter her and become bitter, and her belly will swell, her thigh will rot, and the woman will become a curse among her people.
28 But if the woman has not defiled herself, and is clean, then she shall be free and may conceive children.
a. The priest would set the woman before the Lord, take holy water and sweep up some dust from the floor of the tabernacle and put it in the water then he would place the grain offering in her hand which was a reminder of fellowship with God.
(1) The with the vessel of bitter water that brings a curse in his hands he would put her under oath that if she was innocent she would be free of the effects of the bitter water, but if guilty the curse would come upon her causing her belly to swell and her thigh to rot to which she would respond amen so be it.
(a) In doing this she was agreeing that if innocent she would be vindicated, but if guilty she was deserving of the punishment the curse brought.
(2) The priest would then write the curses down, and when the ink dries he would scrape the words of the curse off into the bitter water.
(3) The priest would then take the grain offering from her hands and take it to the altar and burn it, and then she would drink the bitter water.
(a) Then over time the judgment of God would become evident...
Our sin has a way of coming out, God sees and knows all that we do, nothing is hidden to Him.
4. And the chapter concludes
Numbers 5:29-31 (NKJV)
29 ‘This is the law of jealousy, when a wife, while under her husband’s authority, goes astray and defiles herself,
30 or when the spirit of jealousy comes upon a man, and he becomes jealous of his wife; then he shall stand the woman before the Lord, and the priest shall execute all this law upon her.
31 Then the man shall be free from iniquity, but that woman shall bear her guilt.’ ”
a. Clearly God did not want His people to suffer the heartache of infidelity or labor under the burden of unresolved suspicion associated with jealousy in marriage and demonstrates to us that such things must be dealt with and the impurity such thing bring to the holy state of marriage are intolerable and must be put away.
b. We might also note as we consider the bitter cup that we deserve to drink and which rightfully would bring about our judgment and damnation, we need not drink of it because Christ drank the bitter cup in our place!
III. People who are to dwell in the Promised Land:
A. If we are to be such people;
if we are going to be the people who walk in the Spirit and not in the flesh;
we are going to have to see our sin through the eyes of Christ;
we are going to have to put the things that separate from God out of our lives as we become aware of them, and we are going to need to trust God to help us do it.
1. But that means we need to humble ourselves and we need to be honest with God.
a. I hate it may not be accurate, I love it (my sin) may be more honest, what ever the case is I pray God helps us to drag the impurity permeating our lives into His glorious light so that the things that defile us can be put away from us.
(1) So that we can be separated from our sin, and separated to God.

Numbers 3-4

2009-02-15T06:10:00.001-08:00

Numbers_3-4
2/15/09

Numbers_3-4: The Priests and the Levites

I. Aaron and his sons.
A. They were part of the tribe of Levi, but Aaron and his sons were specially set aside and chosen by God to be priests.

Exodus 28:1 (NKJV) (God speaks to Moses and says)
1 “Now take Aaron your brother, and his sons with him, from among the children of Israel, that he may minister to Me as priest, Aaron and Aaron’s sons: Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.

B. Numbers 3:1-4

Numbers 3:1-4 (NKJV)
1 Now these are the records of Aaron and Moses when the Lord spoke with Moses on Mount Sinai.
2 And these are the names of the sons of Aaron: Nadab, the firstborn, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.
3 These are the names of the sons of Aaron, the anointed priests, whom he consecrated to minister as priests.
4 Nadab and Abihu had died before the Lord when they offered profane fire before the Lord in the Wilderness of Sinai; and they had no children. So Eleazar and Ithamar ministered as priests in the presence of Aaron their father.

1. In introducing this section we read these are the records (Genealogies) Aaron and Moses...
a. Usually we find Moses' name mentioned before Aaron's but here in connection with the word translated "records" (toledoth) we find Aarons name first.
(1) While he was the older of the two the point being made for us is that the focus of this section of the record is the relationship of the Aaronic priesthood to the Levites.
2. Aaron was the High Priest, and his sons were priests under him, two of his four sons (Nadab and Abihu) were killed by God when they offered strange fire before the Lord, this left the other two sons Eleazer and Ithamar to serve with their father as priests .
a. Since only Aaron and his direct descendents could serve as priests (thus the Aaronic priesthood) it would be impossible for Aaron and his two sons to keep up with all the religious duties themselves .
b. So the entire tribe of Levi was chosen to assist with the religious needs of the nation but their responsibilities stopped short of the duties assigned solely to the priests.
c. Since Aaron was a Levite, we see that all priests are Levites, but not all Levites are priests.
3. A lesson for us in this is that it is God who assigns our place in the body of Christ.

1 Corinthians 12:12-19 (NKJV)
12 For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ.
13 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body— whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit.
14 For in fact the body is not one member but many.
15 If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I am not of the body,” is it therefore not of the body?
16 And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I am not of the body,” is it therefore not of the body?
17 If the whole body were an eye, where would be the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where would be the smelling?
18 But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased.
19 And if they were all one member, where would the body be?

a. But whatever that place is, it is a needful part of the whole, and essential to the work and service God has assigned to build and sustain the body of Christ, and to accomplish the delivery of the Gospel .
II. The Levites were given to Aaron

Numbers 3:5-10 (NKJV)
5 And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying:
6 “Bring the tribe of Levi near, and present them before Aaron the priest, that they may serve him.
7 And they shall attend to his needs and the needs of the whole congregation before the tabernacle of meeting, to do the work of the tabernacle.
8 Also they shall attend to all the furnishings of the tabernacle of meeting, and to the needs of the children of Israel, to do the work of the tabernacle.
9 And you shall give the Levites to Aaron and his sons; they are given entirely to him from among the children of Israel.
10 So you shall appoint Aaron and his sons, and they shall attend to their priesthood; but the outsider who comes near shall be put to death.”

A. They were given to Aaron the priest to serve him and attend to his needs, as well as to those of the whole nation to do the work of the tabernacle.
1. They could not serve as priests, offering sacrifices or other function in within the tabernacle, instead they helped in the transport of the furnishing and structure, as well as other labor associated with the tabernacle.
III. The Levites were a possession to God.

Numbers 3:11-13 (NKJV)
11 Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying:
12 “Now behold, I Myself have taken the Levites from among the children of Israel instead of every firstborn who opens the womb among the children of Israel. Therefore the Levites shall be Mine,
13 because all the firstborn are Mine. On the day that I struck all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, I sanctified to Myself all the firstborn in Israel, both man and beast. They shall be Mine: I am the Lord.”

A. Though they were given to Aaron to serve his needs, God says they belonged to Him.
1. They were chosen in lieu of the first born and represent the firstfruits of the people.
a. The Lord had spared the first born of all Israel during the tenth plague in Egypt when all the first born of the Egyptian were killed, and as a result God had decreed that all the first born belonged to Him
IV. Numbering the tribe of Levi
A. The command to number the Levites.

Numbers 3:14-20 (NKJV)
14 Then the Lord spoke to Moses in the Wilderness of Sinai, saying:
15 “Number the children of Levi by their fathers’ houses, by their families; you shall number every male from a month old and above.”
16 So Moses numbered them according to the word of the Lord, as he was commanded.
17 These were the sons of Levi by their names: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.
18 And these are the names of the sons of Gershon by their families: Libni and Shimei.
19 And the sons of Kohath by their families: Amram, Izehar, Hebron, and Uzziel.
20 And the sons of Merari by their families: Mahli and Mushi. These are the families of the Levites by their fathers’ houses.

1. All the males of the Levites from the age of 1 month and up ward were to be numbered and categorized by the families and grouped by their affiliation to the three sons of Levis - Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.
B. The family of Gershon

Numbers 3:21-26 (NKJV)
21 From Gershon came the family of the Libnites and the family of the Shimites; these were the families of the Gershonites.
22 Those who were numbered, according to the number of all the males from a month old and above—of those who were numbered there were seven thousand five hundred.
23 The families of the Gershonites were to camp behind the tabernacle westward.
24 And the leader of the father’s house of the Gershonites was Eliasaph the son of Lael.
25 The duties of the children of Gershon in the tabernacle of meeting included the tabernacle, the tent with its covering, the screen for the door of the tabernacle of meeting,
26 the screen for the door of the court, the hangings of the court which are around the tabernacle and the altar, and their cords, according to all the work relating to them.

1. The Gershonites numbered 7500 males and they were to camp behind the tabernacle on the west side between the three tribes camped under the banner of Ephraim and the tabernacle itself
a. Their duties or responsibilities were to take care of the skins that covered the tabernacle, and the curtains including those that surrounded the outer courtyard.
C. The family of Kohath

Numbers 3:27-32 (NKJV)
27 From Kohath came the family of the Amramites, the family of the Izharites, the family of the Hebronites, and the family of the Uzzielites; these were the families of the Kohathites.
28 According to the number of all the males, from a month old and above, there were eight thousand six hundred keeping charge of the sanctuary.
29 The families of the children of Kohath were to camp on the south side of the tabernacle.
30 And the leader of the fathers’ house of the families of the Kohathites was Elizaphan the son of Uzziel.
31 Their duty included the ark, the table, the lampstand, the altars, the utensils of the sanctuary with which they ministered, the screen, and all the work relating to them.
32 And Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest was to be chief over the leaders of the Levites, with oversight of those who kept charge of the sanctuary.

1. The Kohathites numbered 8600 males and camped to the south of the tabernacle, between the tabernacle and those who camped with the tribe of Reuben.
a. Their duties and responsibilities were the furniture of the tabernacle, such things as the ark, the table of show bread, the lamp stand etc. and they did so under the direction of Eleazer the priest, Aaron’s son.
D. The family of Merari

Numbers 3:33-37 (NKJV)
33 From Merari came the family of the Mahlites and the family of the Mushites; these were the families of Merari.
34 And those who were numbered, according to the number of all the males from a month old and above, were six thousand two hundred.
35 The leader of the fathers’ house of the families of Merari was Zuriel the son of Abihail. These were to camp on the north side of the tabernacle.
36 And the appointed duty of the children of Merari included the boards of the tabernacle, its bars, its pillars, its sockets, its utensils, all the work relating to them,
37 and the pillars of the court all around, with their sockets, their pegs, and their cords.

1. The males of the family of Merari totaled 6200 males and they camped to the north between the tabernacle and the tribes who camped under the banner of Dan.
a. They had responsibility for the structural aspect of the tabernacle, the pillars and boards and such.
E. The camp of the priests

Numbers 3:38-39 (NKJV)
38 Moreover those who were to camp before the tabernacle on the east, before the tabernacle of meeting, were Moses, Aaron, and his sons, keeping charge of the sanctuary, to meet the needs of the children of Israel; but the outsider who came near was to be put to death.
39 All who were numbered of the Levites, whom Moses and Aaron numbered at the commandment of the Lord, by their families, all the males from a month old and above, were twenty-two thousand.

1. The families of Moses and Aaron were to camp on the East side of the tabernacle, the entrance to the tabernacle was always set to the east, and so they would be between the tabernacle and the tribes that were encamped with Judah.
2. The total number of Levite males we are told in v-39 was 22,000 which doesn't match the totals of the numbers given to us in vv- 22, 28, and 34 which add up to 22,300.
a. The most likely problems are that the number in verse 28 was corrupted and was actually 8300 not 8600, which is the change of one small mark in Hebrew.
b. Or there were 300 males that were not abloe to serve and therefore to redeem the firstborn of Israel.
V. The exchange of the Levites for the first born of Israel.

Numbers 3:40-51 (NKJV)
40 Then the Lord said to Moses: “Number all the firstborn males of the children of Israel from a month old and above, and take the number of their names.
41 And you shall take the Levites for Me—I am the Lord—instead of all the firstborn among the children of Israel, and the livestock of the Levites instead of all the firstborn among the livestock of the children of Israel.”
42 So Moses numbered all the firstborn among the children of Israel, as the Lord commanded him.
43 And all the firstborn males, according to the number of names from a month old and above, of those who were numbered of them, were twenty-two thousand two hundred and seventy-three.
44 Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying:
45 “Take the Levites instead of all the firstborn among the children of Israel, and the livestock of the Levites instead of their livestock. The Levites shall be Mine: I am the Lord.
46 And for the redemption of the two hundred and seventy-three of the firstborn of the children of Israel, who are more than the number of the Levites,
47 you shall take five shekels for each one individually; you shall take them in the currency of the shekel of the sanctuary, the shekel of twenty gerahs.
48 And you shall give the money, with which the excess number of them is redeemed, to Aaron and his sons.”
49 So Moses took the redemption money from those who were over and above those who were redeemed by the Levites.
50 From the firstborn of the children of Israel he took the money, one thousand three hundred and sixty-five shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary.
51 And Moses gave their redemption money to Aaron and his sons, according to the word of the Lord, as the Lord commanded Moses.

A. So all the firstborn of Israel from a month old and up were to be numbered, the firstborn were considered the best or the most favorable, and always belonged to God; but instead of giving the firstborn to God, the tribe of Levi was given to God in their place.
1. However there were 22,273 firstborn sons of Israel and only 22,000 firstborn sons of Levites so a redemption price of five shekels for each of the extra 273 men was collected and give to the priests to be used for tabernacle needs .
2. The number of firstborns is a low number in ration to the totals of the tribes and probably relates to the firstborn sons from the time of the exodus until the present time a period roughly thirteen months.
VI. The duty of the Kohathites
A. Those fit for service.

Numbers 4:1-3 (NKJV)
1 Then the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying:
2 “Take a census of the sons of Kohath from among the children of Levi, by their families, by their fathers’ house,
3 from thirty years old and above, even to fifty years old, all who enter the service to do the work in the tabernacle of meeting.

1. Another census is taken of the males between the ages of 30 and 50 these were the ones that would actually do the work
B. The packing of the furniture and utensils of the tabernacle.

Numbers 4:4-14 (NKJV)
4 “This is the service of the sons of Kohath in the tabernacle of meeting, relating to the most holy things:
5 When the camp prepares to journey, Aaron and his sons shall come, and they shall take down the covering veil and cover the ark of the Testimony with it.
6 Then they shall put on it a covering of badger skins, and spread over that a cloth entirely of blue; and they shall insert its poles.
7 “On the table of showbread they shall spread a blue cloth, and put on it the dishes, the pans, the bowls, and the pitchers for pouring; and the showbread shall be on it.
8 They shall spread over them a scarlet cloth, and cover the same with a covering of badger skins; and they shall insert its poles.
9 And they shall take a blue cloth and cover the lampstand of the light, with its lamps, its wick-trimmers, its trays, and all its oil vessels, with which they service it.
10 Then they shall put it with all its utensils in a covering of badger skins, and put it on a carrying beam.
11 “Over the golden altar they shall spread a blue cloth, and cover it with a covering of badger skins; and they shall insert its poles.
12 Then they shall take all the utensils of service with which they minister in the sanctuary, put them in a blue cloth, cover them with a covering of badger skins, and put them on a carrying beam.
13 Also they shall take away the ashes from the altar, and spread a purple cloth over it.
14 They shall put on it all its implements with which they minister there—the firepans, the forks, the shovels, the basins, and all the utensils of the altar—and they shall spread on it a covering of badger skins, and insert its poles.

1. When the camp prepared to journey (headed towards the promised land) it would have to be carried long distances and thus it had to be prepared for safe travel.
a. Since the furniture it self was holy it had to be packed up and prepared by the priests before it could be given to the Kohathites to carry.
b. Detailed instruction of how to pack things up were given.
C. The moving of the furniture and utensils.

Numbers 4:15-20 (NKJV)
15 And when Aaron and his sons have finished covering the sanctuary and all the furnishings of the sanctuary, when the camp is set to go, then the sons of Kohath shall come to carry them; but they shall not touch any holy thing, lest they die. “These are the things in the tabernacle of meeting which the sons of Kohath are to carry.
16 “The appointed duty of Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest is the oil for the light, the sweet incense, the daily grain offering, the anointing oil, the oversight of all the tabernacle, of all that is in it, with the sanctuary and its furnishings.”
17 Then the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying:
18 “Do not cut off the tribe of the families of the Kohathites from among the Levites;
19 but do this in regard to them, that they may live and not die when they approach the most holy things: Aaron and his sons shall go in and appoint each of them to his service and his task.
20 But they shall not go in to watch while the holy things are being covered, lest they die.” Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying:

1. When they were set to go the furniture of the tabernacle was made with poles to carry them and the Kohathites were not to touch the furniture lest they die, but carried the furniture by the poles.
2. Eleazer the priest supervised the work of the Kohathites.
VII. The duty of the Gershonites.
A. Those fit for service

Num 21-23
21Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying:
22Also take a census of the sons of ?x?Gershon, by their fathers' house, by their families.
23 From thirty years old and above, even to fifty years old, you shall number them, all who enter to perform the service, to do the work in the tabernacle of meeting.

B. Duties of the Gershonites

Numbers 4:24-28 (NKJV)
24 This is the service of the families of the Gershonites, in serving and carrying:
25 They shall carry the curtains of the tabernacle and the tabernacle of meeting with its covering, the covering of badger skins that is on it, the screen for the door of the tabernacle of meeting,
26 the screen for the door of the gate of the court, the hangings of the court which are around the tabernacle and altar, and their cords, all the furnishings for their service and all that is made for these things: so shall they serve.
27 “Aaron and his sons shall assign all the service of the sons of the Gershonites, all their tasks and all their service. And you shall appoint to them all their tasks as their duty.
28 This is the service of the families of the sons of Gershon in the tabernacle of meeting. And their duties shall be under the authority of Ithamar the son of Aaron the priest.

1. There duties were over the coverings and the artistically woven curtains that made up the walls and roof of the tent.
a. And they were under the supervision of Aarons son Ithamar.
VIII. The duty of the family of Merari.
A. Those fit for service.

Numbers 4:29-30 (NKJV)
29 “As for the sons of Merari, you shall number them by their families and by their fathers’ house.
30 From thirty years old and above, even to fifty years old, you shall number them, everyone who enters the service to do the work of the tabernacle of meeting.

B. There duties

Numbers 4:31-33 (NKJV)
31 And this is what they must carry as all their service for the tabernacle of meeting: the boards of the tabernacle, its bars, its pillars, its sockets,
32 and the pillars around the court with their sockets, pegs, and cords, with all their furnishings and all their service; and you shall assign to each man by name the items he must carry.
33 This is the service of the families of the sons of Merari, as all their service for the tabernacle of meeting, under the authority of Ithamar the son of Aaron the priest.”

1. So the Gershonites were to pack and carry the boards and pillars the structural part of the tabernacle, these items were overlaid with precious metals and probably weighed around 19,000 pounds .
a. Each man was assigned by name what he was to carry, it was not pick up what ever you want to carry, no doubt this was for accountability and order as things were set back up.

Dependability in service is so important...

IX. Summary of the census of the Levites,

Numbers 4:34-48 (NKJV)
34 And Moses, Aaron, and the leaders of the congregation numbered the sons of the Kohathites by their families and by their fathers’ house,
35 from thirty years old and above, even to fifty years old, everyone who entered the service for work in the tabernacle of meeting;
36 and those who were numbered by their families were two thousand seven hundred and fifty.
37 These were the ones who were numbered of the families of the Kohathites, all who might serve in the tabernacle of meeting, whom Moses and Aaron numbered according to the commandment of the Lord by the hand of Moses.
38 And those who were numbered of the sons of Gershon, by their families and by their fathers’ house,
39 from thirty years old and above, even to fifty years old, everyone who entered the service for work in the tabernacle of meeting—
40 those who were numbered by their families, by their fathers’ house, were two thousand six hundred and thirty.
41 These are the ones who were numbered of the families of the sons of Gershon, of all who might serve in the tabernacle of meeting, whom Moses and Aaron numbered according to the commandment of the Lord.
42 Those of the families of the sons of Merari who were numbered, by their families, by their fathers’ house,
43 from thirty years old and above, even to fifty years old, everyone who entered the service for work in the tabernacle of meeting—
44 those who were numbered by their families were three thousand two hundred.
45 These are the ones who were numbered of the families of the sons of Merari, whom Moses and Aaron numbered according to the word of the Lord by the hand of Moses.
46 All who were numbered of the Levites, whom Moses, Aaron, and the leaders of Israel numbered, by their families and by their fathers’ houses,
47 from thirty years old and above, even to fifty years old, everyone who came to do the work of service and the work of bearing burdens in the tabernacle of meeting—
48 those who were numbered were eight thousand five hundred and eighty.

A. The total number of Levites involved in this work was 8580 (30-50 years old).
1. Kohathites 2750
2. Gershonites 2630
3. Merarites 3200
B. Each one had a specific part to play and yet they were dependent on each other for to do that work.
1. A lot of trouble occurs in the service of the Lord when people desire a different calling that God has given them.
a. Or by exalting one thing over the other.
C. When we all do our part, the church is built up, made or kept strong and healthy, and the gospel is advanced.
1. Far too often the church is weakened by those who interpose themselves into things and situations that were not for them to get involved in...
a. We spend more time dealing with internal murmurings and troubles than one would think possible and it detracts from what we could be doing to advance the gospel.

1

Numbers 1

2009-02-07T22:17:00.001-08:00

Numbers _Intro_chapters_1-2
2/8/09

Numbers
I. English name comes from the Septuagint where it is called "arithmoi", numbers.
A. Because twice in the book the children of Israel were numbered (census taken).
1. It contains many statistics or population counts of tribes, priests and Levites, as well as other numerical data.
B. The Hebrew title is "midbar" which means "in the wilderness"
1. It tells the story of God leading the children of Israel from Mt. Sinai to the Plains of Moab opposite Jericho, to Canaan and the Land of promise, and the years spent wandering in the wilderness due to unbelief.
2. It has or could be titled
a. "And He spoke" from the first words of the book and is an important phrase as well as an important theme of the book.
(1) God has/is spoken/speaking, are we listening?
b. The Book of Journeyings
(1) Much can be learned to help us with our journey, by learning from the journey of others.
Romans 15:4 (NKJV)
4 For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.
c. The Book of the March and the Roll Call
(1) We might point out a number of things about marching and marching order related to our spiritual life, something for you to ponder on as we journey through this book.
(2) Roll Call is reminiscent of the old hymn ""When thr roll is called up yonder i'll be there"
(a) When the children of Israel finally made it to the promised land, only two names from the original roll call were there, how about you will you be there, or has unbelief taken hold in your life.
d. The Book of Murmurings
(1) Uncontentedness and unbelief work together, often bringing about rebellion and disinheritance.
(a) There are some great lessons in this book about such things.

3. While Numbers is a historical account of events in the history of ancient Israel, we could read it as an analogy of the Christian life.
a. It is a journey filled with trials, tests, and challenges, all of which require faith and confidence in God.
(1) Fear held them back trapped in their unbelief, but we are not to walk in fear but in love.
1 John 4:18 (NKJV)
18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.
b. Like them we are a redeemed people, on a journey to a land God has promised us.
c. As God was faithful to them, He will be faithful to us. (Don't miss His faithfulness the way they did).
d. We see many pictures of grace in God's dealings with Israel, and God is dealing with you and I in His grace, we need the reminders.
C. Relationship of Numbers to the previous books.
The first book, Genesis, teaches us that we are elected unto salvation.

Exodus the second book instructs us how we are saved, by redemption.

The third book, Leviticus shows us what we are redeemed for, worship. In it we learn of the Holy requirements of God and His Gracious provision.

In Numbers is the walk and warfare of the wilderness, which is typical of our pilgrimage here in a sinful world.
1. Exodus spans about a year of time, Leviticus spans only about a month, but Numbers spans a period of almost 40 years.
a. Having said this, there is a lesson in it for us, of the 40 years there is a span of almost 38 years about which not much is said, this is the time of their wandering aimlessly in unbelief.
(1) There is much about the time we spend in unbelief that is vanity or emptiness, and that is one of the great lessons in this book.
(a) Yet the wonderful thing is that God will use (redeem if you will) even those years if we allow Him to.
II. Divisions of the Book (There three main divisions or sections).
A. Preparation to go to the Promised Land in Chapters 1-10.
B. Journeying to the Promised Land in chapters 11-25
C. New preparation for inheriting the Promised Land chapters 26-36.
III. Background information.
A. In the book of Exodus we saw how God had miraculously delivered Israel out of Egypt, by God's wonderful hand they had escaped slavery and hundreds of years of bondage.
1. They came through the Red Sea, where God had opened a door for them which no man could shut, but we know that God is able to shut doors that no man can open and God shut that very same door on the Egyptian army drowning them in the Red Sea as they pursued Israel.
2. Then God provided for them as they traveled through the desert to Mt. Sinai.
3. At Mt. Sinai God gave them the Law.
4. And there encamped at Mt. Sinai, they built the Tabernacle of Meeting, the Priesthood was established, and they received God's over all plan for the priests and the nation outlined in Leviticus.
a. At the end of the book of Leviticus they had been out of Israel just over a year.
b. So let’s jump into Numbers chapter-1
IV. Numbering the people, the first census.
A. Verse-1
Numbers 1:1 (NKJV)
1 Now the Lord spoke to Moses in the Wilderness of Sinai, in the tabernacle of meeting, on the first day of the second month, in the second year after they had come out of the land of Egypt, saying:
1. The Tabernacle was set up on the first day of the first month of the second year
Exodus 40:17 (NKJV)
17 And it came to pass in the first month of the second year, on the first day of the month, that the tabernacle was raised up.
2. So we begin one month after the Tabernacle was established.
B. Verses 2-3
Numbers 1:2-3 (NKJV)
2 “Take a census of all the congregation of the children of Israel, by their families, by their fathers’ houses, according to the number of names, every male individually,
3 from twenty years old and above—all who are able to go to war in Israel. You and Aaron shall number them by their armies.
1. So God commanded Moses to count by tribe only the males who were over twenty years old and who were fit to go out to war.
a. He was not to number women and children.
C. And Moses was to have the chief man of each tribe assist him.
Numbers 1:4-7 (NKJV)
4 And with you there shall be a man from every tribe, each one the head of his father’s house.
5 “These are the names of the men who shall stand with you: from Reuben, Elizur the son of Shedeur;
6 from Simeon, Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai;
7 from Judah, Nahshon the son of Amminadab;

1. I won't take the time to read through all the names but the chief man of each tribe is listed by name in this pattern down to verse-15 and verse 16 says.
Numbers 1:16 (NKJV)
16 These were chosen from the congregation, leaders of their fathers’ tribes, heads of the divisions in Israel.
a. So the 12 men listed in verses 5-15 are the captains or princes over the various tribes.
(1) Now the meanings of each man's name is interesting, according to verse-17 they are expressive or descriptive of the man, so let me encourage you to get out a concordance and look up each mans name to see what it means, and ponder the fact that these are the men chosen to be leaders.
Get a Strong’s concordance or a bible program, or go to blueletterbible.org
D. Verses 17-46
Numbers 1:17-21 (NKJV)
17 Then Moses and Aaron took these men who had been mentioned by name,
18 and they assembled all the congregation together on the first day of the second month; and they recited their ancestry by families, by their fathers’ houses, according to the number of names, from twenty years old and above, each one individually.
19 As the Lord commanded Moses, so he numbered them in the Wilderness of Sinai.
20 Now the children of Reuben, Israel’s oldest son, their genealogies by their families, by their fathers’ house, according to the number of names, every male individually, from twenty years old and above, all who were able to go to war:
21 those who were numbered of the tribe of Reuben were forty-six thousand five hundred.
1. So they gathered together and they listed the men twenty years and older who were able to go out to war, tribe by tribe, and the numbers by tribe are given to us after the manner verses 20-21 all the way down to verse-45 and I won't read them I will summarize them for you.

Reuben 46,500 (v. 21)
Simeon 59,300 (v. 23)
Gad 45,650 (v. 25)
Judah 74,600 (v. 27)
Issachar 54,400 (v. 29)
Zebulun 57,400 (v. 31)
Ephraim 40,500 (v. 33)
Manasseh 32,200 (v. 35)
Benjamin 35,400 (v. 37)
Dan 62,700 (v. 39)
Asher 41,500 (v. 41)
Naphtali 53,400 (v. 43)

Total 603,550 (v. 46)
a. Verse-46 gives us the total
Numbers 1:46 (NKJV)
46 all who were numbered were six hundred and three thousand five hundred and fifty.
(1) It is speculated that perhaps as many as three million people were involved here when you add in the rest of the population.
b. We need to note that the tribes are not listed here in birth order, but in the order in which they will encamp around the tabernacle, which we have more to say in chapter-2.
E. Verses 47-54
Numbers 1:47-54 (NKJV)
47 But the Levites were not numbered among them by their fathers’ tribe;
48 for the Lord had spoken to Moses, saying:
49 “Only the tribe of Levi you shall not number, nor take a census of them among the children of Israel;
50 but you shall appoint the Levites over the tabernacle of the Testimony, over all its furnishings, and over all things that belong to it; they shall carry the tabernacle and all its furnishings; they shall attend to it and camp around the tabernacle.
51 And when the tabernacle is to go forward, the Levites shall take it down; and when the tabernacle is to be set up, the Levites shall set it up. The outsider who comes near shall be put to death.
52 The children of Israel shall pitch their tents, everyone by his own camp, everyone by his own standard, according to their armies;
53 but the Levites shall camp around the tabernacle of the Testimony, that there may be no wrath on the congregation of the children of Israel; and the Levites shall keep charge of the tabernacle of the Testimony.”
54 Thus the children of Israel did; according to all that the Lord commanded Moses, so they did.
1. So we see that the tribe of Levi was not numbered because they were not to go out to war in the sense of carrying weapons.
a. But they were appointed to take care of the Tabernacle and its furnishings.
(1) As they moved about the Levites were to take down the Tabernacle, to carry it and to set it back up when they stopped.
(a) Also through Aaron and the priests they had responsibility for service within the Tabernacle.
V. Now as we move into chapter-2 and briefly look at it we need to bear in mind the main theme of chapters 1-10 is "Preparation to go to the Promised Land"
A. So what we see in the instructions of this chapter is "preparation for travel".
B. Let me read the first seven verses for you to give you a flavor for the wording and then I will summarize the rest for us.
Numbers 2:1-9 (NKJV)
1 And the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying:
2 “Everyone of the children of Israel shall camp by his own standard, beside the emblems of his father’s house; they shall camp some distance from the tabernacle of meeting.
3 On the east side, toward the rising of the sun, those of the standard of the forces with Judah shall camp according to their armies; and Nahshon the son of Amminadab shall be the leader of the children of Judah.”
4 And his army was numbered at seventy-four thousand six hundred.
5 “Those who camp next to him shall be the tribe of Issachar, and Nethanel the son of Zuar shall be the leader of the children of Issachar.”
6 And his army was numbered at fifty-four thousand four hundred.
7 “Then comes the tribe of Zebulun, and Eliab the son of Helon shall be the leader of the children of Zebulun.”
8 And his army was numbered at fifty-seven thousand four hundred.
9 “All who were numbered according to their armies of the forces with Judah, one hundred and eighty-six thousand four hundred— these shall break camp first.

Numbers 2:1-9 (NLT)
1 Then the Lord gave these instructions to Moses and Aaron:
2 “When the Israelites set up camp, each tribe will be assigned its own area. The tribal divisions will camp beneath their family banners on all four sides of the Tabernacle, but at some distance from it.
3 “The divisions of Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun are to camp toward the sunrise on the east side of the Tabernacle, beneath their family banners. These are the names of the tribes, their leaders, and the numbers of their registered troops:
Tribe Leader Number
Judah Nahshon son of Amminadab 74,600
5 Issachar Nethanel son of Zuar 54,400
7 Zebulun Eliab son of Helon 57,400

9 So the total of all the troops on Judah’s side of the camp is 186,400. These three tribes are to lead the way whenever the Israelites travel to a new campsite.
1. So God instructed Moses the order in which the tribes were march and camp with the tabernacle at the center, and the census numbers and the twelve leader’s names are listed.

2. So let me summarize:
a. First to the East side of the Tabernacle were the tribes of Judah, Issachar, and Zebulon while each tribe would camp under its own banner, they would collectively camp under the banner of Judah, and the total number of their troops was 186,400.
(1) And they would break camp first and lead the way.
b. Next to the south were the tribes of Reuben, Simeon, and Gad collectively they would camp under the banner of Reuben, the total number of troops was 151,450.
(1) They would be the second to break camp.
c. Next to break camp would be the Levites with the Tabernacle
Numbers 2:17 (NKJV)
17 “And the tabernacle of meeting shall move out with the camp of the Levites in the middle of the camps; as they camp, so they shall move out, everyone in his place, by their standards.

d. After the Levites and the Tabernacle and on the West side of the Tabernacle were the tribes of Ephraim, Manasseh, and Benjamin collectively camped under the banner of Ephraim and the total number of troops was 108,100.
e. Last of all were the tribes of Dan, Asher, and Naphtali who were camped on the North side of the Tabernacle collectively under the banner of Dan, with the total number of troops being 157,600.
3. Someone has pointed out the population counts were uneven to the east was the highest count and opposite it to the west was the lowest count, while the counts to the north and south were almost identical to each other, so that if you were to look at the nation of Israel camped around the Tabernacle from overhead it would have an appearance similar to a cross!
C. The chapter closes
Numbers 2:32-34 (NKJV)
32 These are the ones who were numbered of the children of Israel by their fathers’ houses. All who were numbered according to their armies of the forces were six hundred and three thousand five hundred and fifty.
33 But the Levites were not numbered among the children of Israel, just as the Lord commanded Moses.
34 Thus the children of Israel did according to all that the Lord commanded Moses; so they camped by their standards and so they broke camp, each one by his family, according to their fathers’ houses.
1. With a summary statement and that as God instructed so they did.
VI. Let me close with these two points or spiritual lessons.
A. Number one we see that our God is a God of order, He has a plan and purpose for all that concerns us, we would do well to search them out in the scriptures.
1. Order for the family, for the government, for the church...
B. Secondly we see that God's people we to dwell around the Tabernacle, the tent of meeting, the place where God dwells among His people.
1. The lesson is that God is to be the center of our existence, our very being, the main and master passion in our life,
a. We will learn lessons about letting this happen as we go along in our study, but let me encourage you to desire and pray a closer relationship with Him as we consider what we have heard today, and what lays ahead in the exciting lessons of this book.

Acts 27-28

2009-01-31T18:08:00.000-08:00

Acts_27-28
2/1/09

I. Now we come to Paul’s journey to Rome.
Acts 27:1-8 (NKJV)
1 And when it was decided that we should sail to Italy, they delivered Paul and some other prisoners to one named Julius, a centurion of the Augustan Regiment.
2 So, entering a ship of Adramyttium, we put to sea, meaning to sail along the coasts of Asia. Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica, was with us.
3 And the next day we landed at Sidon. And Julius treated Paul kindly and gave him liberty to go to his friends and receive care.
4 When we had put to sea from there, we sailed under the shelter of Cyprus, because the winds were contrary.
5 And when we had sailed over the sea which is off Cilicia and Pamphylia, we came to Myra, a city of Lycia.
6 There the centurion found an Alexandrian ship sailing to Italy, and he put us on board.
7 When we had sailed slowly many days, and arrived with difficulty off Cnidus, the wind not permitting us to proceed, we sailed under the shelter of Crete off Salmone.
8 Passing it with difficulty, we came to a place called Fair Havens, near the city of Lasea.
II. So it was decided to put Paul on a ship to Italy in order to get him to Rome for his appeal.
A. He along with other prisoners is put into the charge of a Roman Centurion for the journey, whose name was Julius.
1. Luke and Aristarchus accompany Paul.
2. We see that the Centurion treats Paul with kindness, and some measure of respect.
a) How we treat others is important – (not talking down to others).
B. They first board a ship that is sailing along the coast of Asia minor, and in Myra they find a ship headed to Italy and transfer to that ship.
1. With much difficulty the ship reaches the island of Crete and the harbor of Fair havens
Acts 27:9-12 (NKJV)
9 Now when much time had been spent, and sailing was now dangerous because the Fast was already over, Paul advised them,
10 saying, “Men, I perceive that this voyage will end with disaster and much loss, not only of the cargo and ship, but also our lives.”
11 Nevertheless the centurion was more persuaded by the helmsman and the owner of the ship than by the things spoken by Paul.
12 And because the harbor was not suitable to winter in, the majority advised to set sail from there also, if by any means they could reach Phoenix, a harbor of Crete opening toward the southwest and northwest, and winter there.
III. Having taken too much time to reach Crete the sailing season had become dangerous and would soon be impossible.
A. The “Fast” referred to is probably the Day of Atonement which took place in the late Sept. to early Oct. time frame -and sea traffic in those days ceased completely in early Nov.
B. So a debate about whether to winter there in Fair Haven or make a run up the coast to Phoenix which was a better place to winter, arose.
1. Paul is evidently taken into the council process because of his extensive travel experience.
2. Paul perceives that the journey will end in disaster advises against going on.
a) Check in his heart or just due to experience??
b) The final decision belongs to the centurion because grain ships were considered government property, so Paul is out voted by the ships owner and captain.
(1) We see here a basic human failure, what pilots refer to a “go-itis” (purchases, marriage, etc.) where we act because we want something so bad, or the alternative is inconvenient!!
Acts 27:13-38 (NKJV)
13 When the south wind blew softly, supposing that they had obtained their desire, putting out to sea, they sailed close by Crete.
14 But not long after, a tempestuous head wind arose, called Euroclydon.
15 So when the ship was caught, and could not head into the wind, we let her drive.
16 And running under the shelter of an island called Clauda, we secured the skiff with difficulty.
17 When they had taken it on board, they used cables to undergird the ship; and fearing lest they should run aground on the Syrtis Sands, they struck sail and so were driven.
18 And because we were exceedingly tempest-tossed, the next day they lightened the ship.
19 On the third day we threw the ship’s tackle overboard with our own hands.
20 Now when neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest beat on us, all hope that we would be saved was finally given up.
21 But after long abstinence from food, then Paul stood in the midst of them and said, “Men, you should have listened to me, and not have sailed from Crete and incurred this disaster and loss.
22 And now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship.
23 For there stood by me this night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve,
24 saying, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must be brought before Caesar; and indeed God has granted you all those who sail with you.’
25 Therefore take heart, men, for I believe God that it will be just as it was told me.
26 However, we must run aground on a certain island.”
27 Now when the fourteenth night had come, as we were driven up and down in the Adriatic Sea, about midnight the sailors sensed that they were drawing near some land.
28 And they took soundings and found it to be twenty fathoms; and when they had gone a little farther, they took soundings again and found it to be fifteen fathoms.
29 Then, fearing lest we should run aground on the rocks, they dropped four anchors from the stern, and prayed for day to come.
30 And as the sailors were seeking to escape from the ship, when they had let down the skiff into the sea, under pretense of putting out anchors from the prow,
31 Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, “Unless these men stay in the ship, you cannot be saved.”
32 Then the soldiers cut away the ropes of the skiff and let it fall off.
33 And as day was about to dawn, Paul implored them all to take food, saying, “Today is the fourteenth day you have waited and continued without food, and eaten nothing.
34 Therefore I urge you to take nourishment, for this is for your survival, since not a hair will fall from the head of any of you.”
35 And when he had said these things, he took bread and gave thanks to God in the presence of them all; and when he had broken it he began to eat.
36 Then they were all encouraged, and also took food themselves.
37 And in all we were two hundred and seventy-six persons on the ship.
38 So when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship and threw out the wheat into the sea.
IV. Things start out smooth and conditions seem favorable, but soon become dire.
A. Ignoring the check in our hearts can be very dangerous.
B. A Euroclydon or Nor’easter comes up, a terrible storm that drives them into the open sea.

1. For fourteen days they will battle this storm, but at some point the Holy Spirit, comes and comforts Paul and gives him the revelation that no lives will be lost, only the ship.
2. Paul says you should have listened to me before and didn’t (but listen to me now).
a) Credibility or the lack of it often flows from our everyday mannerisms…
b) God has said I must be brought before Caesar in Rome and God has granted me your lives also (standing in the gap).
(1) There were 276 lives at stake including Paul’s, and the situation is dangerous enough not to expect that there be at least some loss of life.
(2) The sailors aware of the risks attempt to save their own lives (lack of trust in what God has said), but Paul says to the soldiers it is everyone or no one…
(a) Responsibility vs. personal preferences…can you imagine a fireman running the other way when a rescue was required???
c) Paul is clearly in charge now, an effective leader in time of crisis, as well as credibility extraordinaire with all on board by this time.
(1) They have not been able over the past 14 days to eat a regular meal so Paul instructs and set the example to nourish themselves physically because they will need the strength and energy.
(a) You get the impression of letting go and accepting the inevitable as well the conviction that ALL Paul has said will prove true.
Acts 27:39-44 (NKJV)
39 When it was day, they did not recognize the land; but they observed a bay with a beach, onto which they planned to run the ship if possible.
40 And they let go the anchors and left them in the sea, meanwhile loosing the rudder ropes; and they hoisted the mainsail to the wind and made for shore.
41 But striking a place where two seas met, they ran the ship aground; and the prow stuck fast and remained immovable, but the stern was being broken up by the violence of the waves.
42 And the soldiers’ plan was to kill the prisoners, lest any of them should swim away and escape.
43 But the centurion, wanting to save Paul, kept them from their purpose, and commanded that those who could swim should jump overboard first and get to land,
44 and the rest, some on boards and some on parts of the ship. And so it was that they all escaped safely to land.
V. At day break they pick the best looking place to try to beach the boat and make a run for it, running aground.
A. The prisoners were going to be killed (no risk of an escape)…
1. But the Centurion intervenes in order to save Paul.
VI. We see the open proclamation of God, a true and faithful witness, the influence of setting a good example, and the gift of encouragement on the part of Paul throughout this chapter (and the next).
Acts 28:1-10 (NKJV)
1 Now when they had escaped, they then found out that the island was called Malta.
2 And the natives showed us unusual kindness; for they kindled a fire and made us all welcome, because of the rain that was falling and because of the cold.
3 But when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat, and fastened on his hand.
4 So when the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he has escaped the sea, yet justice does not allow to live.”
5 But he shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm.
6 However, they were expecting that he would swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But after they had looked for a long time and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds and said that he was a god.
7 In that region there was an estate of the leading citizen of the island, whose name was Publius, who received us and entertained us courteously for three days.
8 And it happened that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and dysentery. Paul went in to him and prayed, and he laid his hands on him and healed him.
9 So when this was done, the rest of those on the island who had diseases also came and were healed.
10 They also honored us in many ways; and when we departed, they provided such things as were necessary.
VII. Shipwrecked on the Isle of Malta.
A. Natives (barbarians) refers to non-Greek speaking people.
1. They demonstrated unusual hospitality in caring for the shipwrecked people, light a fire for them to be warmed by.
2. We see Paul pitching in, being a servant and collecting firewood.
a) When Paul placed a stack of stick on the fire a viper latched on to him and bit him and Paul shook the snake of and into the fire.
b) The native people thought boy this must be one wicked guy, somehow he escaped the sea during the shipwreck, but now the snake bite will kill him (he won’t cheat death).
(1) But when time passed and no harm came to Paul they came to the conclusion that he must be a god.
(2) This opened the door for ministry in the way of healing people and brought about tremendous blessings and provisions for the shipwrecked people.
(a) How we view things…
Acts 28:11-16 (NKJV)
11 After three months we sailed in an Alexandrian ship whose figurehead was the Twin Brothers, which had wintered at the island.
12 And landing at Syracuse, we stayed three days.
13 From there we circled round and reached Rhegium. And after one day the south wind blew; and the next day we came to Puteoli,
14 where we found brethren, and were invited to stay with them seven days. And so we went toward Rome.
15 And from there, when the brethren heard about us, they came to meet us as far as Appii Forum and Three Inns. When Paul saw them, he thanked God and took courage.
16 Now when we came to Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard; but Paul was permitted to dwell by himself with the soldier who guarded him.
VIII. So after wintering there for three months they caught another Alexandrian ship and sailed to Puteoli.
A. Finding Christians there they stayed for seven days and then began the journey by road to Rome.
1. And Paul was encouraged from place to place as they traveled toward Rome by other believers.
2. When they arrived in Rome the other prisoners were turned over to the captain of the guard, but Paul was able to dwell in his own place along with a soldier who was guarding him (house arrest of sorts).
Acts 28:17-31 (NKJV)
17 And it came to pass after three days that Paul called the leaders of the Jews together. So when they had come together, he said to them: “Men and brethren, though I have done nothing against our people or the customs of our fathers, yet I was delivered as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans,
18 who, when they had examined me, wanted to let me go, because there was no cause for putting me to death.
19 But when the Jews spoke against it, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar, not that I had anything of which to accuse my nation.
20 For this reason therefore I have called for you, to see you and speak with you, because for the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain.”
21 Then they said to him, “We neither received letters from Judea concerning you, nor have any of the brethren who came reported or spoken any evil of you.
22 But we desire to hear from you what you think; for concerning this sect, we know that it is spoken against everywhere.”
23 So when they had appointed him a day, many came to him at his lodging, to whom he explained and solemnly testified of the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus from both the Law of Moses and the Prophets, from morning till evening.
24 And some were persuaded by the things which were spoken, and some disbelieved.
25 So when they did not agree among themselves, they departed after Paul had said one word: “The Holy Spirit spoke rightly through Isaiah the prophet to our fathers,
26 saying, ‘Go to this people and say: “Hearing you will hear, and shall not understand; And seeing you will see, and not perceive;
27 For the hearts of this people have grown dull. Their ears are hard of hearing, And their eyes they have closed, Lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, So that I should heal them.” ’
28 “Therefore let it be known to you that the salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will hear it!”
29 And when he had said these words, the Jews departed and had a great dispute among themselves.
30 Then Paul dwelt two whole years in his own rented house, and received all who came to him,
31 preaching the kingdom of God and teaching the things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ with all confidence, no one forbidding him.
IX. After three days Paul calls the Jews together and laid out his case before them, and he persuaded them concerning Christ.
A. Paul “explained and solemnly testified of the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus from both the Law of Moses and the Prophets, from morning till evening”
B. Some believed, and some did not believe.
1. Ultimately Paul gave the message to the gentiles.
C. Paul spent two years in his own rented house, teaching all who would come and listen about Jesus.
D. Probably released at this time!
X. What a strange way to end the book, Luke left us w/o a conclusion, he just simply stops writing.
A. Because the book of Acts is ongoing…
1. And the center piece is not the works of Peter or the works of Paul, but the working of the Holy Spirit in the life of the church (you and I).
2. The witness continues to go out.
XI. Communion

Acts 25-26

2009-01-24T19:28:00.000-08:00

Acts_25-26
Sunday 1/25/09

Chapter-24 closed with Paul still in custody due to the false accusations of the Asian Jews.
Acts 24:27 (NKJV)
27 But after two years Porcius Festus succeeded Felix; and Felix, wanting to do the Jews a favor, left Paul bound.
I. Paul’s defense before Festus.
Acts 25:1-12 (NKJV)
1 Now when Festus had come to the province, after three days he went up from Caesarea to Jerusalem.
2 Then the high priest and the chief men of the Jews informed him against Paul; and they petitioned him,
3 asking a favor against him, that he would summon him to Jerusalem— while they lay in ambush along the road to kill him.
4 But Festus answered that Paul should be kept at Caesarea, and that he himself was going there shortly.
5 “Therefore,” he said, “let those who have authority among you go down with me and accuse this man, to see if there is any fault in him.”
6 And when he had remained among them more than ten days, he went down to Caesarea. And the next day, sitting on the judgment seat, he commanded Paul to be brought.
7 When he had come, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood about and laid many serious complaints against Paul, which they could not prove,
8 while he answered for himself, “Neither against the law of the Jews, nor against the temple, nor against Caesar have I offended in anything at all.”
A. This section is important because it establishes Paul’s appeal to Caesar, sets the direction for the rest of the book, and shows us how Paul reaches Rome.
B. We don’t know much about Porcius Festus, but what is known is positive…
1. Josephus writes that Festus ruled wisely and justly; in contrast to Felix.
a) Under his rule the Sicarii bandits (named after the small swords they carried) that plagued the Palestinian country side was eliminated.

2. We are told that after only three days in Caesarea Festus travelled to Jerusalem, an indicator of his earnestness in improving the problems of the region.
a) Relations between the Jews and the rest of the population were terrible having been greatly aggravated by Felix so Jerusalem was a very volatile city.
b) Festus in spite of his wise rule was ultimately unable to reverse the damage done by Felix.
C. Note that the religious leaders are looking to lay another ambush for Paul which is testimony as to how weak their case against Paul is. (after 2 years their hatred is fresh)
1. We are told that they were unable to prove any of their accusations against Paul.
D. Festus evidently felt their request to bring Paul to Jerusalem was unreasonable so he refuses but agrees to re-open the case in Caesarea.
E. They bring many serious charges against Paul which he categorically denies.

9 But Festus, wanting to do the Jews a favor, answered Paul and said, “Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem and there be judged before me concerning these things?”
10 So Paul said, “I stand at Caesar’s judgment seat, where I ought to be judged. To the Jews I have done no wrong, as you very well know.
11 For if I am an offender, or have committed anything deserving of death, I do not object to dying; but if there is nothing in these things of which these men accuse me, no one can deliver me to them. I appeal to Caesar.”
12 Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered, “You have appealed to Caesar? To Caesar you shall go!”
F. Festus looking for a compromise to placate the Jews asks Paul if he is willing to go to Jerusalem to stand trial before him there.

1. Paul refuses; knowing that there is danger in the travel back, that he won’t get a fair trial in Jerusalem, and that since it is a civil trial he is in the right court already.
2. So Paul appeals to Caesar.
a) The right of appeal to the supreme power, in matters of life and death, was provided by law to every Roman citizen.
b) With this appeal, Paul has given up the hope of going to Rome as a free citizen, and will ultimately travel to Rome as a prisoner.
II. Paul’s defense before Agrippa.
Acts 25:13-27 (NKJV)
13 And after some days King Agrippa and Bernice came to Caesarea to greet Festus.
14 When they had been there many days, Festus laid Paul’s case before the king, saying: “There is a certain man left a prisoner by Felix,
15 about whom the chief priests and the elders of the Jews informed me, when I was in Jerusalem, asking for a judgment against him.
16 To them I answered, ‘It is not the custom of the Romans to deliver any man to destruction before the accused meets the accusers face to face, and has opportunity to answer for himself concerning the charge against him.’
17 Therefore when they had come together, without any delay, the next day I sat on the judgment seat and commanded the man to be brought in.
18 When the accusers stood up, they brought no accusation against him of such things as I supposed,
19 but had some questions against him about their own religion and about a certain Jesus, who had died, whom Paul affirmed to be alive.
20 And because I was uncertain of such questions, I asked whether he was willing to go to Jerusalem and there be judged concerning these matters.
21 But when Paul appealed to be reserved for the decision of Augustus, I commanded him to be kept till I could send him to Caesar.”
22 Then Agrippa said to Festus, “I also would like to hear the man myself.” “Tomorrow,” he said, “you shall hear him.”
23 So the next day, when Agrippa and Bernice had come with great pomp, and had entered the auditorium with the commanders and the prominent men of the city, at Festus’ command Paul was brought in.
24 And Festus said: “King Agrippa and all the men who are here present with us, you see this man about whom the whole assembly of the Jews petitioned me, both at Jerusalem and here, crying out that he was not fit to live any longer.
25 But when I found that he had committed nothing deserving of death, and that he himself had appealed to Augustus, I decided to send him.
26 I have nothing certain to write to my lord concerning him. Therefore I have brought him out before you, and especially before you, King Agrippa, so that after the examination has taken place I may have something to write.
27 For it seems to me unreasonable to send a prisoner and not to specify the charges against him.”
A. This is king Agrippa-II, son of Agrippa-I, and great grandson of Herod the Great.
1. He was about 30 years old at this time and was ruler of the territories northeast of Palestine, with the title of king.
2. Because of his friendship with the imperial family he was granted the privilege of appointing the Jewish high priest and was custodian of the temple treasury.
a) He was well acquainted with the religion of the Jew’s so his background made him particularly qualified to hear Paul.
b) Festus on the other hand was straight forward in confessing that he was incapable of handling the case and in particular did not understand Paul’s insistence on the resurrection of Christ.
c) Agrippa and Bernice had come to pay their respects to Festus.
(1) They are brother and sister, but having an incestuous relationship.
(2) She had a tendency to be supportive of the Jews, but was known to be grossly self-indulgent.
3. They make a flashy entrance…to show off.
B. Verse-25 shows us that like Felix before him, Festus can find no fault deserving of death (which the Jews are demanding).
1. He is reluctant to send Paul to Rome without specific charges, so his belief is that Agrippa will know how to charge Paul specifically enough to send him on the Nero in Rome.

III. Paul before Agrippa
Acts 26:1-11 (NKJV)
1 Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You are permitted to speak for yourself.” So Paul stretched out his hand and answered for himself:
2 “I think myself happy, King Agrippa, because today I shall answer for myself before you concerning all the things of which I am accused by the Jews,
3 especially because you are expert in all customs and questions which have to do with the Jews. Therefore I beg you to hear me patiently.
4 “My manner of life from my youth, which was spent from the beginning among my own nation at Jerusalem, all the Jews know.
5 They knew me from the first, if they were willing to testify, that according to the strictest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee.
6 And now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made by God to our fathers.
7 To this promise our twelve tribes, earnestly serving God night and day, hope to attain. For this hope’s sake, King Agrippa, I am accused by the Jews.
8 Why should it be thought incredible by you that God raises the dead?
9 “Indeed, I myself thought I must do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth.
10 This I also did in Jerusalem, and many of the saints I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I cast my vote against them.
11 And I punished them often in every synagogue and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly enraged against them, I persecuted them even to foreign cities.
IV. Paul is now permitted to inform and make his defense before King Agrippa.
A. He opens with complimentary remarks, they are not flattery but rooted in truth. (vv2-3)
1. Agrippa was not only well acquainted with Jewish customs, he was a practicing Jew.
B. Paul gives an outline of his early life. (VV4-8)
1. He asserts that he lived to the highest degree of orthodoxy or piety of the Jewish religion.
a) Particularly as it embraces the hope of the resurrection.
Exodus 3:6 (NKJV)
6 Moreover He said, “I am the God of your father—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look upon God.
(1) Jesus quotes this verse to defend the doctrine of the resurrection.
C. He relates his zeal in opposing Christianity. (VV9-11)
1. Not only was Paul committed to Judaism, he also was fanatical in his opposition to Christianity.
a) When he caught Christians he would try to get them to blaspheme and deny Jesus. (I believe this is why Paul refers to himself as the chief of sinners in 1Tim 1:15…)
b) Paul goes on
Acts 26:12-18 (NKJV)
12 “While thus occupied, as I journeyed to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests,
13 at midday, O king, along the road I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, shining around me and those who journeyed with me.
14 And when we all had fallen to the ground, I heard a voice speaking to me and saying in the Hebrew language, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’
15 So I said, ‘Who are You, Lord?’ And He said, ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.
16 But rise and stand on your feet; for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to make you a minister and a witness both of the things which you have seen and of the things which I will yet reveal to you.
17 I will deliver you from the Jewish people, as well as from the Gentiles, to whom I now send you,
18 to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.’
D. He gives the testimony of his conversion and to the commission given to him by God. (VV-12-18)
1. His commission is clearly to be an ambassador or representative of Jesus to the Gentiles…
Acts 26:19-23 (NKJV)
19 “Therefore, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision,
20 but declared first to those in Damascus and in Jerusalem, and throughout all the region of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent, turn to God, and do works befitting repentance.
21 For these reasons the Jews seized me in the temple and tried to kill me.
22 Therefore, having obtained help from God, to this day I stand, witnessing both to small and great, saying no other things than those which the prophets and Moses said would come—
23 that the Christ would suffer, that He would be the first to rise from the dead, and would proclaim light to the Jewish people and to the Gentiles.”
E. His Ministry
1. Paul took seriously the charge Jesus gave him and began to minister the gospel right away.
2. He shared the gospel and the hope of the resurrection in spite of persecution and personal risk.
3. He affirms that all he has believed and taught others is consistent with the law and the prophets.
a) Including that this message was also to go to gentiles.
Acts 26:24-32 (NKJV)
24 Now as he thus made his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, “Paul, you are beside yourself! Much learning is driving you mad!”
25 But he said, “I am not mad, most noble Festus, but speak the words of truth and reason.
26 For the king, before whom I also speak freely, knows these things; for I am convinced that none of these things escapes his attention, since this thing was not done in a corner.
27 King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you do believe.”
28 Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You almost persuade me to become a Christian.”
29 And Paul said, “I would to God that not only you, but also all who hear me today, might become both almost and altogether such as I am, except for these chains.”
30 When he had said these things, the king stood up, as well as the governor and Bernice and those who sat with them;
31 and when they had gone aside, they talked among themselves, saying, “This man is doing nothing deserving of death or chains.”
32 Then Agrippa said to Festus, “This man might have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar.”
F. Paul then has a verbal debate of sorts with Festus and Agrippa.
1. Festus with his Greek mindset did not believe resurrection possible.
a) Paul asserts that he is not mad and then makes the indictment “the king before whom I speak knows” these things were not done in a corner, or were not hidden but widely known, and there were many witnesses (friendly and antagonistic).
2. And they are in agreement with what the prophets taught, so he presses Agrippa concerning his belief in the resurrection and the teaching of the prophets.
a) What a moment this is, the tension in the room must have been very great, because the assertion is very strong and requires a decision on the part of all who are listening, and there is very little if any room to intelligently wiggle out of it.
b) At this point we can follow Weirsbe and a majority of other translators that Agrippa is belittling Paul’s defense (as his own defense against the conviction he is experiencing).
Acts 26:28 (NLT)
28 Agrippa interrupted him. “Do you think you can make me a Christian so quickly?”
c) But not all agree with this sort of translation, in fact the phrase “so quickly” or in “little time” is not really understood.
(1) Paul’s response argues against this translation because he evidently takes Agrippa seriously.
3. At this point Paul is dismissed and both Festus and Agrippa conclude that Paul should be set free, but must be sent to Caesar because of his appeal.
V. So in conclusion:
A. The world like the Jew’s in Paul’s case are antagonistic toward Christ and His gospel.

1. As we serve and share Christ we can expect opposition.
2. Don’t let it get you down or stop you.
B. Secondly the secret to Paul’s tenacity and passion for the gospel is found in the heart of God for men as stated in the commission given to Paul by Christ - Acts 26:17-18
Acts 26:17-18 (NKJV)
17 I will deliver you from the Jewish people, as well as from the Gentiles, to whom I now send you,
18 to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.’
1. There is a connection between “being turned from darkness” and “from the power of Satan”, because the power of Satan lies in keeping men in darkness.
2. And that is why he is called “the ruler of the darkness of this world (Eph. 6:12)
2 Corinthians 4:1-4 (NKJV)
1 Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not lose heart.
2 But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.
3 But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing,
4 whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them.
C. Repent and turn to God
19 “Therefore, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision,
20 but declared first to those in Damascus and in Jerusalem, and throughout all the region of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent, turn to God, and do works befitting repentance.

Acts 23-24

2009-01-17T20:30:00.000-08:00

Acts 23-25
1/18/09

I. Last time, Paul had been saved from the crowd who was out to kill him, by the commander of the Roman garrison there in Jerusalem.
A. Actually he had to be delivered twice because having been granted permission to address the crowd the riot broke out again when he put the gentiles on equal footing as the Jews.
B. And as we left off the commander was going to have Paul scourged in order to determine what Paul had done to upset the Jews so badly, and so Paul revealed his Roman citizenship in order to get a hearing first.
II. Now we move on and see Paul the prisoner.
Acts 22:30 - Acts 23:1-10 (NKJV)
30 The next day, because he wanted to know for certain why he was accused by the Jews, he released him from his bonds, and commanded the chief priests and all their council to appear, and brought Paul down and set him before them.
1 Then Paul, looking earnestly at the council, said, “Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.”
2 And the high priest Ananias commanded those who stood by him to strike him on the mouth.
3 Then Paul said to him, “God will strike you, you whitewashed wall! For you sit to judge me according to the law, and do you command me to be struck contrary to the law?”
4 And those who stood by said, “Do you revile God’s high priest?”
5 Then Paul said, “I did not know, brethren, that he was the high priest; for it is written, ‘You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.’”
6 But when Paul perceived that one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, “Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee; concerning the hope and resurrection of the dead I am being judged!”
7 And when he had said this, a dissension arose between the Pharisees and the Sadducees; and the assembly was divided.
8 For Sadducees say that there is no resurrection—and no angel or spirit; but the Pharisees confess both.
9 Then there arose a loud outcry. And the scribes of the Pharisees’ party arose and protested, saying, “We find no evil in this man; but if a spirit or an angel has spoken to him, let us not fight against God.”
10 Now when there arose a great dissension, the commander, fearing lest Paul might be pulled to pieces by them, commanded the soldiers to go down and take him by force from among them, and bring him into the barracks.
A. The commander moving slower and more justly gives the opportunity for Paul to hear the accusations of his accusers the Jewish Sanhedrin, and to give a defense to the charges.
1. Paul states he had lived in such a way as to have a clean conscience before God.
2. Conscience
a) One of Paul’s favorite words or themes.
(1) Used 2x in Acts, 20x in his epistles
b) Conscience is an inner judge or witness that approves when we do right or disapproves when we do wrong.
c) Conscience does not set the standard it only makes application of the standard.
(1) A criminal may feel bad about telling the truth about a fellow criminal as much as a Christian would in telling a lie about a friend.
d) We might think of our conscience like a window that lets light in.
e) Light is God’s word which is the true standard.
(1) Our sense of right and wrong is calibrated correctly by God’s word; it is the standard.
Romans 12:1-2 (NKJV)
1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.
2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

(2) Vertigo (Spatial disorientation)
f) Windows get dirty and that dirt can block light out, and when we harden our hearts to the truth refusing to do what’s right we sear or damage our conscience (and block out the light).
1 Timothy 4:2 (NKJV)
2 speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron,

Ephesians 4:19 (NKJV)
19 who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.

Hebrews 3:7-11 (NKJV)
7 Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says: “Today, if you will hear His voice,
8 Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, In the day of trial in the wilderness,
9 Where your fathers tested Me, tried Me, And saw My works forty years.
10 Therefore I was angry with that generation, And said, ‘They always go astray in their heart, And they have not known My ways.’
11 So I swore in My wrath, ‘They shall not enter My rest.’ ”
3. Paul could say he had a clean conscience before God.
4. This infuriated the high priest who commands that he be struck by one of the other council members.
a) So Paul calls him a hypocrite, not knowing he is the high priest. (Why a hypocrite?)
b) When pointed out to him Paul then expresses respect for the man’s office, but does not apologize to the man.
5. Paul recognizing that there is no way he will get a just hearing before this council divides his enemy by stating that the issue is that he believes in the resurrection.
a) The council begins to fight among them selves… and the commander again has his men escort Paul under their protection back to the barracks.
Acts 23:11-22 (NKJV)
11 But the following night the Lord stood by him and said, “Be of good cheer, Paul; for as you have testified for Me in Jerusalem, so you must also bear witness at Rome.”
12 And when it was day, some of the Jews banded together and bound themselves under an oath, saying that they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul.
13 Now there were more than forty who had formed this conspiracy.
14 They came to the chief priests and elders, and said, “We have bound ourselves under a great oath that we will eat nothing until we have killed Paul.
15 Now you, therefore, together with the council, suggest to the commander that he be brought down to you tomorrow, as though you were going to make further inquiries concerning him; but we are ready to kill him before he comes near.”
16 So when Paul’s sister’s son heard of their ambush, he went and entered the barracks and told Paul.
17 Then Paul called one of the centurions to him and said, “Take this young man to the commander, for he has something to tell him.”
18 So he took him and brought him to the commander and said, “Paul the prisoner called me to him and asked me to bring this young man to you. He has something to say to you.”
19 Then the commander took him by the hand, went aside, and asked privately, “What is it that you have to tell me?”
20 And he said, “The Jews have agreed to ask that you bring Paul down to the council tomorrow, as though they were going to inquire more fully about him.
21 But do not yield to them, for more than forty of them lie in wait for him, men who have bound themselves by an oath that they will neither eat nor drink till they have killed him; and now they are ready, waiting for the promise from you.”
22 So the commander let the young man depart, and commanded him, “Tell no one that you have revealed these things to me.”
III. God appears to Paul and brings him comfort (not rebuke).
A. What wonderful comfort and confirmation to have from God at this time.
1. This is the fourth vision the Lord gave Paul (9:4-6, 16:9, 18:9-10).
B. What a contrast between the love of God pictured here, and the intense hatred of these 40 fanatical Jews who take this oath that they would not eat or drink until they had killed Paul.
1. We also see man’s tendency to take matters into his own hands.
a) What a contrast to David their greatest and most revered king.
1 Samuel 24:4-6 (NKJV)
4 Then the men of David said to him, “This is the day of which the Lord said to you, ‘Behold, I will deliver your enemy into your hand, that you may do to him as it seems good to you.’ ” And David arose and secretly cut off a corner of Saul’s robe.
5 Now it happened afterward that David’s heart troubled him because he had cut Saul’s robe.
6 And he said to his men, “The Lord forbid that I should do this thing to my master, the Lord’s anointed, to stretch out my hand against him, seeing he is the anointed of the Lord.”
b) The ways of man are so much different from the ways of God – how does this translate into what I do as an ambassador, and minister (servant) of Jesus.
2. Conspiracy to commit murder the religious leaders also plotted to kill Jesus. (By supposedly holy men!)
3. The plot is revealed; nothing can be hid from God, and we see the direct hand of God at work here to protect his servant Paul…
Acts 23:23-35 (NKJV)
23 And he called for two centurions, saying, “Prepare two hundred soldiers, seventy horsemen, and two hundred spearmen to go to Caesarea at the third hour of the night;
24 and provide mounts to set Paul on, and bring him safely to Felix the governor.”
25 He wrote a letter in the following manner:
26 Claudius Lysias, To the most excellent governor Felix: Greetings.
27 This man was seized by the Jews and was about to be killed by them. Coming with the troops I rescued him, having learned that he was a Roman.
28 And when I wanted to know the reason they accused him, I brought him before their council.
29 I found out that he was accused concerning questions of their law, but had nothing charged against him deserving of death or chains.
30 And when it was told me that the Jews lay in wait for the man, I sent him immediately to you, and also commanded his accusers to state before you the charges against him. Farewell.
31 Then the soldiers, as they were commanded, took Paul and brought him by night to Antipatris.
32 The next day they left the horsemen to go on with him, and returned to the barracks.
33 When they came to Caesarea and had delivered the letter to the governor, they also presented Paul to him.
34 And when the governor had read it, he asked what province he was from. And when he understood that he was from Cilicia,
35 he said, “I will hear you when your accusers also have come.” And he commanded him to be kept in Herod’s Praetorium.
C. The commander puts together a plan to get Paul out of there and to a place where he won’t be responsible if something happens to Paul (it was a bad thing to lose a prisoner and he was not about to lose Paul).
1. What an escort he arranges for Paul, 200 soldiers, 70 horsemen, and 200 spearman.

a) Protection fit for a king.
(1) Think about the parallel spiritually, if God is sending us, who can breach His protection w/o His permission?
2 Kings 6:11-17 (NKJV)
11 Therefore the heart of the king of Syria was greatly troubled by this thing; and he called his servants and said to them, “Will you not show me which of us is for the king of Israel?”
12 And one of his servants said, “None, my lord, O king; but Elisha, the prophet who is in Israel, tells the king of Israel the words that you speak in your bedroom.”
13 So he said, “Go and see where he is, that I may send and get him.” And it was told him, saying, “Surely he is in Dothan.”
14 Therefore he sent horses and chariots and a great army there, and they came by night and surrounded the city.
15 And when the servant of the man of God arose early and went out, there was an army, surrounding the city with horses and chariots. And his servant said to him, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?”
16 So he answered, “Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”
17 And Elisha prayed, and said, “Lord, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.
(2) The key is being led by God and not doing our own thing.
b) We also see that the commander understood the zeal and threat of these 40 men, because they were ready to kill and to die for their cause…
D. The journey from Jerusalem to Antipatris was a little over 35 miles which they covered in a day so this was probably a forced march…
1. The remaining 27 miles to Caesarea only required the escort of the horseman as it was now assumed to be safer.
2. The governor after reading the letter and determining that Paul was from the province of Cilicia agrees to hear the case when Paul’s accusers arrive, which they do five days later.

IV. The charges.
Acts 24:1-9 (NKJV)
1 Now after five days Ananias the high priest came down with the elders and a certain orator named Tertullus. These gave evidence to the governor against Paul.
2 And when he was called upon, Tertullus began his accusation, saying: “Seeing that through you we enjoy great peace, and prosperity is being brought to this nation by your foresight,
3 we accept it always and in all places, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness.
4 Nevertheless, not to be tedious to you any further, I beg you to hear, by your courtesy, a few words from us.
5 For we have found this man a plague, a creator of dissension among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes.
6 He even tried to profane the temple, and we seized him, and wanted to judge him according to our law.
7 But the commander Lysias came by and with great violence took him out of our hands,
8 commanding his accusers to come to you. By examining him yourself you may ascertain all these things of which we accuse him.”
9 And the Jews also assented, maintaining that these things were so.
A. The High priest himself comes and they bring an attorney (an orator) to present their case.
1. Note that he spends almost as much time in his introduction with flattery as he does in presenting the charges against Paul.
a) Felix was a slave who had won his freedom.
b) He was known for his use of repressive force and corrupt self-exaltation. (Flattery…)
c) Tacitus a Roman historian summed up the character of Felix with these words “He exercised royal power with the mind of a slave.”
d) The accusations were three:
(1) Paul was a worldwide troublemaker, stirring up riots everywhere.
(2) He was a leader of the Nazarene sect.
(3) He attempted to desecrate the temple.
V. Paul’s defense before Felix.
Acts 24:10-21 (NKJV)
10 Then Paul, after the governor had nodded to him to speak, answered: “Inasmuch as I know that you have been for many years a judge of this nation, I do the more cheerfully answer for myself,
11 because you may ascertain that it is no more than twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem to worship.
12 And they neither found me in the temple disputing with anyone nor inciting the crowd, either in the synagogues or in the city.
13 Nor can they prove the things of which they now accuse me.
14 But this I confess to you, that according to the Way which they call a sect, so I worship the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the Law and in the Prophets.
15 I have hope in God, which they themselves also accept, that there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and the unjust.
16 This being so, I myself always strive to have a conscience without offense toward God and men.
17 “Now after many years I came to bring alms and offerings to my nation,
18 in the midst of which some Jews from Asia found me purified in the temple, neither with a mob nor with tumult.
19 They ought to have been here before you to object if they had anything against me.
20 Or else let those who are here themselves say if they found any wrongdoing in me while I stood before the council,
21 unless it is for this one statement which I cried out, standing among them, ‘Concerning the resurrection of the dead I am being judged by you this day.’ ”
A. Paul makes several points in his defense.
1. He was in Jerusalem for the purpose of worship (at the feast of Pentecost) and had not been in Jerusalem long enough to incite a riot.
2. His (accusers could not even cite one instance where he had incited a riot.
3. He worshipped the God of Israel in full conformance to the Law and the Prophets.
4. He states that his faith was in God as a Christian which His accusers called a sect known as “the Way” (but it was not a sect).
5. And that his hope of the resurrection was the same as that of the Pharisees. That he did not instigate the riot, his accusers did.

6. And that his real accusers the Jews from Asia who had made the original false accusations were not even present.
Acts 24:22-27 (NKJV)
22 But when Felix heard these things, having more accurate knowledge of the Way, he adjourned the proceedings and said, “When Lysias the commander comes down, I will make a decision on your case.”
23 So he commanded the centurion to keep Paul and to let him have liberty, and told him not to forbid any of his friends to provide for or visit him.
24 And after some days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, he sent for Paul and heard him concerning the faith in Christ.
25 Now as he reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and answered, “Go away for now; when I have a convenient time I will call for you.”
26 Meanwhile he also hoped that money would be given him by Paul, that he might release him. Therefore he sent for him more often and conversed with him.
27 But after two years Porcius Festus succeeded Felix; and Felix, wanting to do the Jews a favor, left Paul bound.
VI. Felix was somewhat knowledgeable about Christianity, probably through his wife Drusilla a Jewess.
A. He stalls the trial not wanting to offend the religious authorities with a wrong decision.
1. No evidence that the commander Claudius Lysias ever came to Caesarea.
2. But evidently being aware of Paul’s innocence he gives him a limited amount of freedom.
B. Returning from an apparent trip with his wife he calls upon Paul to hear about his faith: and Paul speaking of righteousness, self-control, and the coming judgment strikes fear in the heart of Felix, but he does not respond to the conviction, we also see that he was a greedy man hoping for a bribe from Paul.
1. And to placate the Jews he leaves Paul in prison, ultimately Felix is removed from office and Paul is left in prison.

1/11/09

2009-01-10T22:14:00.000-08:00

Acts_22
1/11/09

Acts 22:1 (NKJV)
1 “Brethren and fathers, hear my defense before you now.”
I. Paul speaking in Greek which surprised the commander who thought he was a notorious Egyptian that had sparked another riot and then escaped.
A. Assuring the commander that he was a Jew in fact from an important city (with a good reputation and a learning center) asked permission to address the Jews (He held back sharing at this point that he was a Roman citizen).
1. And when permission was given he began to speak to the crowd in the Hebrew language.
a) As Paul makes his defense to the crowd he does so in three parts.
(1) Vv1-5 his conduct before conversion.
(2) Vv-6-16 the testimony of his conversion.
(3) Vv-17-21 his commission to minister.
b) Bear in mind his hope is that they will become convinced that Jesus is indeed the Messiah and embrace him in faith.
(1) If you have not yet embraced Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord that is the hope for you today.
(2) If you are a believer hearing this today, ask yourself what God wants you to learn from Paul’s experience.
Acts 22:1-5 (NKJV)
1 “Brethren and fathers, hear my defense before you now.”
2 And when they heard that he spoke to them in the Hebrew language, they kept all the more silent. Then he said:
3 “I am indeed a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, taught according to the strictness of our fathers’ law, and was zealous toward God as you all are today.
4 I persecuted this Way to the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women,
5 as also the high priest bears me witness, and all the council of the elders, from whom I also received letters to the brethren, and went to Damascus to bring in chains even those who were there to Jerusalem to be punished.
2. Paul was deeply affected by the sermon Stephen gave some 20 years previously and uses some of the same elements, beginning his address here the same way Stephen did (brethren and fathers).
a) Impressed that a Jew of the dispersion spoke both Hebrew and Greek they quieted down and began to listen.
b) He begins to make the point about what a righteous and zealous Jew he was…
(1) Brought up in this city, could mean raised, but also could mean educated…
(2) At the feet of Gamaliel, perhaps the most respected of Rabbis.
(3) A strict and zealous Jew (commending them for their zeal and identifying himself with it).
(4) He mentions the high priest as being able to testify of his zeal as a Jew and as a persecutor of the church.
c) The implication of all this is that only a supernatural experience could have changed his mind concerning the Way.
(1) And so he begins to relate his conversion (what changed his mind) on the road to Damascus as he was persecuting the followers of Jesus.
Acts 22:6-16 (NKJV)
6 “Now it happened, as I journeyed and came near Damascus at about noon, suddenly a great light from heaven shone around me.
7 And I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?’
8 So I answered, ‘Who are You, Lord?’ And He said to me, ‘I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting.’
9 “And those who were with me indeed saw the light and were afraid, but they did not hear the voice of Him who spoke to me.
10 So I said, ‘What shall I do, Lord?’ And the Lord said to me, ‘Arise and go into Damascus, and there you will be told all things which are appointed for you to do.’
11 And since I could not see for the glory of that light, being led by the hand of those who were with me, I came into Damascus.
12 “Then a certain Ananias, a devout man according to the law, having a good testimony with all the Jews who dwelt there,
13 came to me; and he stood and said to me, ‘Brother Saul, receive your sight.’ And at that same hour I looked up at him.
14 Then he said, ‘The God of our fathers has chosen you that you should know His will, and see the Just One, and hear the voice of His mouth.
15 For you will be His witness to all men of what you have seen and heard.
16 And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.’
B. Stopped in his tracks, knocked from his high horse, he has a very dramatic encounter with the resurrected Christ.
1. This must have been very humbling for Paul.
2. Have you been humbled, are you in need of humbling, ask yourself (Do I have it figured out more than most?)
3. Jesus became very real to Paul, is He real to us?
C. The reference that he will see the “Just One” or the “Righteous One” (Stephen also used this phrase) is important as it qualifies him to be an Apostle.
1. Some confusion comes up about vv-16 is Paul saying that baptism is required for salvation and that he was not saved until he was baptized?
a) No Paul was cleansed from his sin and filled with the Spirit prior to being baptized (having called on the name of the Lord - an aorist participle which refers to an action simultaneous or preceding the main verb ).
b) Now in verses 17-21 Paul states the commission given to him by Christ as a minister of the gospel.

Acts 22:17-21 (NKJV)
17 “Now it happened, when I returned to Jerusalem and was praying in the temple, that I was in a trance
18 and saw Him saying to me, ‘Make haste and get out of Jerusalem quickly, for they will not receive your testimony concerning Me.’
19 So I said, ‘Lord, they know that in every synagogue I imprisoned and beat those who believe on You.
20 And when the blood of Your martyr Stephen was shed, I also was standing by consenting to his death, and guarding the clothes of those who were killing him.’
21 Then He said to me, ‘Depart, for I will send you far from here to the Gentiles.’ ”
II. The crowd listened to Paul up to the point where he states he was commissioned to preach to the Gentiles at which time the crowd again went into a rage.
A. The implication is that Paul was making Gentiles equal to Jews (without the Law of Moses), not simply preaching to them.
Acts 22:22-24 (NKJV)
22 And they listened to him until this word, and then they raised their voices and said, “Away with such a fellow from the earth, for he is not fit to live!”
23 Then, as they cried out and tore off their clothes and threw dust into the air,
24 the commander ordered him to be brought into the barracks, and said that he should be examined under scourging, so that he might know why they shouted so against him.
B. Their response demonstrates that they had completely refused the Gospel and in fact had sealed their fate.
1. Less than twenty years later their Temple was destroyed (A.D. 70) and Jerusalem was destroyed.
2. To reject the Gospel of Jesus Christ is to invite eternal judgment!
C. The commander not understanding the Hebrew language, not understanding what it is that Paul has said that has provoked such a response is more determined than ever to get to the bottom of what is going on.

1. Declaring that Paul should be examined under scourging to make him talk.
a) This is not like the beating with rods he experienced in Philippi and on two other occasions, nor like the Jewish 39 lashes administered with a long whip which Paul received 5 times.
b) This is the Roman scourging with a short whip with pieces of bone and sharp fragments in it which could kill a man or leave him permanently crippled.
(1) The same scourging that left Jesus too weak to carry the cross.
Acts 22:25-29 (NKJV)
25 And as they bound him with thongs, Paul said to the centurion who stood by, “Is it lawful for you to scourge a man who is a Roman, and uncondemned?”
26 When the centurion heard that, he went and told the commander, saying, “Take care what you do, for this man is a Roman.”
27 Then the commander came and said to him, “Tell me, are you a Roman?” He said, “Yes.”
28 The commander answered, “With a large sum I obtained this citizenship.” And Paul said, “But I was born a citizen.”
29 Then immediately those who were about to examine him withdrew from him; and the commander was also afraid after he found out that he was a Roman, and because he had bound him.
III. Paul reveals his Roman citizenship
A. Under Roman law it was unlawful to scourge a Roman citizen who had not been convicted of a crime.
1. It is incredulous to the commander that someone in Paul’s circumstance and so hated by the Jews could be a Roman citizen.
(1) Not only that he was a Roman citizen but freeborn at that.
(2) During the reign of Claudius it was possible to buy Roman citizenship through expensive bribes, but Paul was born a Roman citizen.
(3) Even having bound Paul, he is potentially in trouble.
2. So Paul used his Roman citizenship when it was convenient, as was the case here.
a) And God used it to protect His servant at this time…
IV. We will move next time into observing Paul the prisoner as we continue on in Acts.

Acts 21

2009-01-03T22:47:00.000-08:00

Acts 21-22
1/4/09
I. Review:
A. Saying goodbye to the elders of Ephesus Paul and those travelling with him depart from Miletus
II. Warnings on the way to Jerusalem.
Acts 21:1 (NKJV)
1 Now it came to pass, that when we had departed from them and set sail, running a straight course we came to Cos, the following day to Rhodes, and from there to Patara.
A. Each of these stops evidently represented one day of travel on the ship they first boarded.
Acts 21:2 (NKJV)
2 And finding a ship sailing over to Phoenicia, we went aboard and set sail.
B. Instead of staying on the first ship which pulled into a port each night, in Patara they found a ship that sailed directly to Phoenicia and boarded it for the trip.
Acts 21:3-4 (NKJV)
3 When we had sighted Cyprus, we passed it on the left, sailed to Syria, and landed at Tyre; for there the ship was to unload her cargo.
4 And finding disciples, we stayed there seven days. They told Paul through the Spirit not to go up to Jerusalem.
C. Sailing south of Cyprus they arrived in Tyre and were there for seven days as the ship unloaded her cargo.
1. It is interesting to note that the church (believers) had spread to this region due to the persecution earlier championed by Paul.
2. The word translated “finding” disciples means to find by searching.
a) With all the intensity that accompanied him on his missionary journeys, particularly those of this third journey, and knowing that trouble is waiting for him in Jerusalem, instead of kicking back and taking a break, Paul is searching out fellowship and ministry opportunity.
(1) It is dangerous to take a break from our faith!
(a) What do I mean; when we are on vacation we need to keep up our spiritual practices…
3. Note they told Paul or urged him through the Spirit not to go up to Jerusalem.
a) So the question comes up was Paul violating the will of God in insisting in continuing on to Jerusalem?
(1) I don’t believe so, rather I believe he was merely being warned and prepared by the Spirit for what awaited him.
(2) Consider the following verses as we ponder God’s will and Paul’s character.
Acts 19:21 (NKJV)
21 When these things were accomplished, Paul purposed in the Spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, “After I have been there, I must also see Rome.”
Acts 20:22 (NKJV)
22 And see, now I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will happen to me there,
(3) Both of these verses imply that it was God’s will that Paul continue on to Jerusalem.
(a) At least that is what Paul believed.
Acts 21:14 (NKJV)
14 So when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, “The will of the Lord be done.”
(b) And then in chapter-23
Acts 23:11 (NKJV)
11 But the following night the Lord stood by him and said, “Be of good cheer, Paul; for as you have testified for Me in Jerusalem, so you must also bear witness at Rome.”
(4) Why would God give him such comfort if he was stubbornly insisting on doing what God was warning him not to do?
(5) And Paul could say
Acts 23:1 (NKJV)
1 Then Paul, looking earnestly at the council, said, “Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.”
4. It is not difficult to conclude that Paul was right in the center of God’s will:
a) In spite of the warnings (even discouragement) Paul pressed forward undeterred, truly ready to die for the cause of Christ and the call God had given him.
Acts 21:5-6 (NKJV)
5 When we had come to the end of those days, we departed and went on our way; and they all accompanied us, with wives and children, till we were out of the city. And we knelt down on the shore and prayed.
6 When we had taken our leave of one another, we boarded the ship, and they returned home.
D. This is the first meeting with these believers in Tyre but look at the strong bond that developed between them and Paul in only a week.
1. What a wonderful thing the family of God is, and the bond that we have in Christ. (If we let it!!)
a) Especially when you get around someone that you can really talk about the things of God with and not feel belittled or condemned.
b) And note their public prayer as they kneeled on the beach and prayed as they said goodbye to one another.
(1) What a witness, and often we don’t even know it…
(a) Illustration – the couple I saw praying in Boston at the restaurant.
Acts 21:7 (NKJV)
7 And when we had finished our voyage from Tyre, we came to Ptolemais, greeted the brethren, and stayed with them one day.
E. Leaving Tyre they sailed another 20 miles to Ptolemais for a one day stop and again they encouraged the church there.
Acts 21:8-9 (NKJV)
8 On the next day we who were Paul’s companions departed and came to Caesarea, and entered the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, and stayed with him.
9 Now this man had four virgin daughters who prophesied.
III. Caesarea and Philip.
A. What an interesting meeting this must have been.
1. Philip the evangelist was one of the original seven deacons along with Stephen the first martyr.
2. Paul was present (perhaps even the instigator) as Stephen was stoned to death.
a) And now here is Paul knocking at Philip’s door and taking advantage of his hospitality.
b) What an amazing bridge the cross is…
B. And Philip had seven virgin daughters who prophesied.
1. Again a marvelous testimony of a man in whom we see the qualities of Christian character at work for all these years, reaching into the lives of his own children.
2. Also note that the spiritual gifts were not limited to men.
1 Corinthians 11:5 (NKJV)
5 But every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head, for that is one and the same as if her head were shaved.
a) An appropriate way, which does not usurp authority.

Acts 21:10-11 (NKJV)
10 And as we stayed many days, a certain prophet named Agabus came down from Judea.
11 When he had come to us, he took Paul’s belt, bound his own hands and feet, and said, “Thus says the Holy Spirit, ‘So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man who owns this belt, and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.’ ”
IV. Agabus the prophet was introduced to us in Acts-11 where he prophesied concerning a coming famine in the days of Claudius Caesar ( which came to pass).
A. He in very dramatic fashion as prophets often did prophesies of the arrest and trouble awaiting Paul in Jerusalem, to be instigated by the Jews, but turned over to the Roman courts.
1. Again we shall see that he is a true prophet in this matter.
2. The standard of a prophet:
Deuteronomy 18:20-22 (NKJV)
20 But the prophet who presumes to speak a word in My name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or who speaks in the name of other gods, that prophet shall die.’
21 And if you say in your heart, ‘How shall we know the word which the Lord has not spoken?’—
22 when a prophet speaks in the name of the Lord, if the thing does not happen or come to pass, that is the thing which the Lord has not spoken; the prophet has spoken it presumptuously; you shall not be afraid of him.
B. The Response by those who heard and by Paul.
Acts 21:12-14 (NKJV)
12 Now when we heard these things, both we and those from that place pleaded with him not to go up to Jerusalem.
13 Then Paul answered, “What do you mean by weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.”
14 So when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, “The will of the Lord be done.”
C. Those who heard pleaded with Paul not to go, but Paul says he not only ready to be bound but he is ready to die.
1. Giving counsel to others is an interesting deal, I wonder if we don’t get in the way sometimes of what God wants to do through circumstances.

a) It is not always easy to know…
b) Ultimately we have to fall back on letting the will of God be done – that is to rely upon Him to work it out or to work all things together for the good…
Acts 21:15-16 (NKJV)
15 And after those days we packed and went up to Jerusalem.
16 Also some of the disciples from Caesarea went with us and brought with them a certain Mnason of Cyprus, an early disciple, with whom we were to lodge.
D. From Caesarea to Jerusalem is a journey of 65 miles and would take two to three days depending on if they were walking or riding.
1. Notice that a contingency from Caesarea traveled with them; sometimes it is good to have fellowship and encouragement along the way.
2. We don’t really know much about Mnason, he was an early convert from Cyprus (perhaps from the first missionary Journey of Paul and Barnabas).
a) Some feel that his house was located midway between the two cities and was a convenient place to stay.
Acts 21:17 (NKJV)
17 And when we had come to Jerusalem, the brethren received us gladly.
V. When Paul arrived in Jerusalem He was received gladly.
Acts 21:18-25 (NKJV)
18 On the following day Paul went in with us to James, and all the elders were present.
19 When he had greeted them, he told in detail those things which God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry.
20 And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord. And they said to him, “You see, brother, how many myriads of Jews there are who have believed, and they are all zealous for the law;
21 but they have been informed about you that you teach all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, saying that they ought not to circumcise their children nor to walk according to the customs.
22 What then? The assembly must certainly meet, for they will hear that you have come.
23 Therefore do what we tell you: We have four men who have taken a vow.
24 Take them and be purified with them, and pay their expenses so that they may shave their heads, and that all may know that those things of which they were informed concerning you are nothing, but that you yourself also walk orderly and keep the law.
25 But concerning the Gentiles who believe, we have written and decided that they should observe no such thing, except that they should keep themselves from things offered to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from sexual immorality.”
VI. When Paul presented to them what God had been doing in the Gentile church through his ministry they glorified God for it, but they were also concerned about the rumors flying around which they knew would bring trouble.
A. Here is a clear picture for us of the end result of rumors.
1. Paul the rumors are that you are teaching Jews everywhere to forsake to law.
2. While Paul said that physical circumcision was religiously inconsequential he never taught the Jews not to be circumcised.
B. In light of the rumors the elders urged Paul to go with these 4 men who had taken a Nazarite vow and to accompany and sponsor them in the purification process.
1. In doing so to demonstrate that he still had a reverence for the Jewish laws.
a) Paul said he became all things to all men…
2. But the leaders also clarified that they were standing behind their decision concerning the Gentile church and the Jerusalem counsel held earlier.
C. The plan did not work.
Acts 21:26-30 (NKJV)
26 Then Paul took the men, and the next day, having been purified with them, entered the temple to announce the expiration of the days of purification, at which time an offering should be made for each one of them.
27 Now when the seven days were almost ended, the Jews from Asia, seeing him in the temple, stirred up the whole crowd and laid hands on him,
28 crying out, “Men of Israel, help! This is the man who teaches all men everywhere against the people, the law, and this place; and furthermore he also brought Greeks into the temple and has defiled this holy place.”
29 (For they had previously seen Trophimus the Ephesian with him in the city, whom they supposed that Paul had brought into the temple.)
30 And all the city was disturbed; and the people ran together, seized Paul, and dragged him out of the temple; and immediately the doors were shut.
D. The Jewish crowd (stirred by Jews from Asia) thought Paul had brought into the Temple unclean Gentiles and had defiled the temple and we see the crowd mentality at work again and the whole city is in an uproar.
1. They seized Paul drug him out of the Temple and began to beat him and were ready to kill him.
Acts 21:31-32 (NKJV)
31 Now as they were seeking to kill him, news came to the commander of the garrison that all Jerusalem was in an uproar.
32 He immediately took soldiers and centurions, and ran down to them. And when they saw the commander and the soldiers, they stopped beating Paul.
2. And as the commander of the Roman garrison hearing of the riot that broken out rushes to scene with his soldiers they stopped beating Paul.
a) Commander – chiliarchos/ khil•ee•ar•khos (1000)
b) Centurions – hekatontarches/ hek•at•on•tar•khace (100)
Acts 21:33-36 (NKJV)
33 Then the commander came near and took him, and commanded him to be bound with two chains; and he asked who he was and what he had done.
34 And some among the multitude cried one thing and some another. So when he could not ascertain the truth because of the tumult, he commanded him to be taken into the barracks.
35 When he reached the stairs, he had to be carried by the soldiers because of the violence of the mob.
36 For the multitude of the people followed after, crying out, “Away with him!”
E. The confusion was so great, and the intensity of the hatred to strong that the commander of the Roman garrison put two chains on Paul thinking he must really be bad.

1. And as he was led away toward the fortress of Antonia the crowd followed along crying away with him (just as they did with Jesus).

VII. Paul makes his defense.
Acts 21:37-40 (NKJV)
37 Then as Paul was about to be led into the barracks, he said to the commander, “May I speak to you?” He replied, “Can you speak Greek?
38 Are you not the Egyptian who some time ago stirred up a rebellion and led the four thousand assassins out into the wilderness?”
39 But Paul said, “I am a Jew from Tarsus, in Cilicia, a citizen of no mean city; and I implore you, permit me to speak to the people.”
40 So when he had given him permission, Paul stood on the stairs and motioned with his hand to the people. And when there was a great silence, he spoke to them in the Hebrew language, saying,
VIII. Paul speaking in Greek which surprised the commander who thought he was a notorious Egyptian that had sparked another riot and then escaped.
A. Assuring the commander that he was a Jew in fact from an important city (with a good reputation and a learning center) asked permission to address the Jews (He held back sharing at this point that he was a Roman citizen).
1. And when permission was given he began to speak to the crowd in the Hebrew language.
a) As Paul makes his defense to the crowd he does so in three parts.
(1) Vv1-5 his conduct before conversion.
(2) Vv-6-16 the testimony of his conversion.
(3) Vv-17-21 his commission to minister.
(4) Which we will look at next time:

Acts 20

2008-12-28T04:48:00.000-08:00

Acts_20
12/28/08

Acts_20
I. Greece
Acts 20:1-6 (NKJV)
1 After the uproar had ceased, Paul called the disciples to himself, embraced them, and departed to go to Macedonia.
2 Now when he had gone over that region and encouraged them with many words, he came to Greece
3 and stayed three months. And when the Jews plotted against him as he was about to sail to Syria, he decided to return through Macedonia.
4 And Sopater of Berea accompanied him to Asia—also Aristarchus and Secundus of the Thessalonians, and Gaius of Derbe, and Timothy, and Tychicus and Trophimus of Asia.
5 These men, going ahead, waited for us at Troas.
6 But we sailed away from Philippi after the Days of Unleavened Bread, and in five days joined them at Troas, where we stayed seven days.
A. A challenging consideration.
1. Picture of George Washington kneeling by his horse in the snow and I was thinking how soft we have become.
2. I consider the sacrifices made by so many so that we might enjoy freedom, and I pondered how little we are willing to sacrifice for freedom.
3. And as I read the accounts of the Apostle Paul's ministry I am impressed and challenged by his example.
a. His was not a soft or easy life; he sacrificed much for the sake of the gospel, the glory of God, and the church of Jesus Christ.
B. We read here that after the riot at Ephesus, and when the uproar that led up to it settled down Paul called the church together to say goodbye and departed for Macedonia.
1. He evidently had arranged to meet Titus in Troas for a report on how things were going in Corinth before crossing the Aegean sea to Macedonia We read in 2 Corinthians
2 Corinthians 2:12-13 (NKJV)
12 Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ’s gospel, and a door was opened to me by the Lord,
13 I had no rest in my spirit, because I did not find Titus my brother; but taking my leave of them, I departed for Macedonia.
2. They eventually met up in Macedonia and Paul was encouraged by the report of Titus concerning the Church in Corinth.
2 Corinthians 7:5-7 (NKJV)
5 For indeed, when we came to Macedonia, our bodies had no rest, but we were troubled on every side. Outside were conflicts, inside were fears.
6 Nevertheless God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus,
7 and not only by his coming, but also by the consolation with which he was comforted in you, when he told us of your earnest desire, your mourning, your zeal for me, so that I rejoiced even more.
3. Traveling through Macedonia encouraging the church and then on to Greece for three months undoubtedly doing the same there.
C. After three months as Paul was about to depart from Greece and sail to Syria, he uncovered a plot against his life by the Jews who were evidently plotting to kill him at seas, Paul decides to return back through Macedonia and sail from Philippi to Troas and then on around to Syria.
1. Imagine how wearisome it would be to constantly have people plotting to kill you on account of your service to Christ and His church and not letting it stop you.
a. Commitment and sacrifice like that surely must be born out of love.
b. I have a pastor friend that has had numerous credible death threats over the years I have known him, but never let it stop him.
2. But I would also like you to note that at least at this point Paul has a group of faithful men traveling with him and what an encouragement it is to know that there are others whom you can trust in the thick of battle, to know they have your back so to speak.
a. Partners like that are few and far between today.
b. Now these seven men sailed ahead to Troas and Paul and Luke who appears to have rejoined Paul at this time, went around by land and sailed from Philippi to Troas staying there for seven days.
5 These men, going ahead, waited for us at Troas
II. Ministry at Troas.
Acts 20:7-12 (NKJV)
7 Now on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul, ready to depart the next day, spoke to them and continued his message until midnight.
8 There were many lamps in the upper room where they were gathered together.
9 And in a window sat a certain young man named Eutychus, who was sinking into a deep sleep. He was overcome by sleep; and as Paul continued speaking, he fell down from the third story and was taken up dead.
10 But Paul went down, fell on him, and embracing him said, “Do not trouble yourselves, for his life is in him.”
11 Now when he had come up, had broken bread and eaten, and talked a long while, even till daybreak, he departed.
12 And they brought the young man in alive, and they were not a little comforted.
A. The day before Paul and party were to depart from Troas they were gathered together on the first day of the week which would be a Sunday for a communion service.
1. They were in an upper room till late in the night with many lamps flickering in the room, and Paul had much to say before his departure, speaking to them through the night.

2. And there during the coarse of Paul's message as he went on and on, a young man named Eutychus got sleepier and sleeper as Paul's message went on and on, not only did he fall asleep but he fell out of the window, a third story window and apparently killed by the fall.
a. But Paul went down and fell on the young man and embraced him much as the prophets Elijah and Elisha in the OT had done and his life came back into him.
(1) And they were much comforted by this.
3. Paul had something to say and he said it, God had something to say for God and the people listened to it.
a. Today we must have our three point or five point message and don't dare go over, in fact they say the average adult attention span today is around twenty minutes.
(1) What a sad commentary this is on our society, on our desire to hear what God wants to say to us!
(2) I've watched the clock many times, and it wasn't because the speaker or the message was boring, it was simply because I had a competing priority.
4. And at daybreak Paul departed for the next part of his journey toward Jerusalem, and Rome.
III. Troas to Miletus
Acts 20:13-16 (NKJV)
13 Then we went ahead to the ship and sailed to Assos, there intending to take Paul on board; for so he had given orders, intending himself to go on foot.
14 And when he met us at Assos, we took him on board and came to Mitylene.
15 We sailed from there, and the next day came opposite Chios. The following day we arrived at Samos and stayed at Trogyllium. The next day we came to Miletus.
16 For Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus, so that he would not have to spend time in Asia; for he was hurrying to be at Jerusalem, if possible, on the Day of Pentecost.
A. The group sailed to Assos and Paul went there by foot, Paul evidently sent them ahead because it took longer to sail than to travel by foot which probably gave him more time in Troas than he had intended to spend.
1. From Assos they sailed to Mitylene, then Chios, Samos, and then Miletus, the voyage to these last three ports taking one day each.
2. Paul was trying to reach Jerusalem by Pentecost, so he sailed past Ephesus, but sends for the elders from Ephesus to meet him in Miletus.
IV. Exhortation to the Ephesion Elders
A. Paul the Pastor
Acts 20:17-21 (NKJV)
17 From Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called for the elders of the church.
18 And when they had come to him, he said to them: “You know, from the first day that I came to Asia, in what manner I always lived among you,
19 serving the Lord with all humility, with many tears and trials which happened to me by the plotting of the Jews;
20 how I kept back nothing that was helpful, but proclaimed it to you, and taught you publicly and from house to house,
21 testifying to Jews, and also to Greeks, repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.
1. When the Elders from Ephesus arrived he began to exhort them and while we often see Paul the evangelist we catch here a glimpse of Paul's heart as a pastor and what was important to him as a leader and shepherd of the church.
a. His example to them was as one who lived and worked among them not as a celebrity or VIP.
b. He kept nothing back that was profitable to them, but told them the truth, whether it was popular to him or them or not popular...
c. And he didn't limit his message or his audience but taught the truth to all regardless of who they were.
(1) The demographics of churches today are a tragedy I believe.
B. Paul's heart and mind.
Acts 20:22-27 (NKJV)
22 And see, now I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will happen to me there,
23 except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that chains and tribulations await me.
24 But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.
25 “And indeed, now I know that you all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, will see my face no more.
26 Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men.
27 For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God.
1. Paul feels compelled by the Holy Spirit to go to Jerusalem, not knowing what awaits him there, only that every indication is that is trouble and will be a difficult road for him.
a. But he is not concerned for his own safety only that he finishes well the race God has set before him.
Hebrews 12:1-2 (NKJV)
1 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
(1) Let me encourage you, if you have gotten yourself out of the race somehow or you have not got your eyes on Jesus, put them back on Him now.

2. Paul lets them know that this is the last time they will see his face, and declares himself to be innocent of the blood of all men, because he did not hold back, but taught the whole counsel of God.
a. He considered himself to be a watchman.
Ezekiel 33:7-9 (NKJV)
7 “So you, son of man: I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; therefore you shall hear a word from My mouth and warn them for Me.
8 When I say to the wicked, ‘O wicked man, you shall surely die!’ and you do not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at your hand.
9 Nevertheless if you warn the wicked to turn from his way, and he does not turn from his way, he shall die in his iniquity; but you have delivered your soul.
b. Desire the whole counsel of God and nothing less...
C. Continue in Godly ministry
Acts 20:28-35 (NKJV)
28 Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.
29 For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock.
30 Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves.
31 Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears.
32 “So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.
33 I have coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel.
34 Yes, you yourselves know that these hands have provided for my necessities, and for those who were with me.
35 I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”
1. Take heed to yourselves and the flock
a. Ministry is the outflow of life not an act, so keep yourselves in and encourage the flock to maintain relationship with God the flock Christ purchased with His own blood and whom the Holy Spirit has made you overseers.
(1) Be shepherds who feed and protect the flock, not those who prey upon her.
(a) Feeding is the first duty of the shepherd.
2. He warns them that after he departs savage wolves will come in (false teachers from outside, as well as false teachers from within.
a. Those fro outside are often easier to guard against than those from within.
(1) Those from within Paul says are looking for a following, they want to be popular and have impress others.
b. He warns them to beware and to remember his example, his heart for them and for God, which came through in his tears, and his message.
c. Also reminding them that he wasn't in it for money and thus watch out for those who are in it for money.
3. I am amazed at how many times I have warned and my warnings have gone unheeded...
D. Finally an emotional goodbye
Acts 20:36-38 (NKJV)
36 And when he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all.
37 Then they all wept freely, and fell on Paul’s neck and kissed him,
38 sorrowing most of all for the words which he spoke, that they would see his face no more. And they accompanied him to the ship.
1. Then with a prayer he says goodbye and we see their heart of love expressed for him as they weep on him and kiss him farewell.
a. Grieved not only by the typical sadness that comes when we say goodbye to someone who live far away and we don't see often, but even more so because his words to them that they would not see him again.

December 21, 2008

2008-12-21T05:34:00.001-08:00

Christmas_08
12/21/08
Sunday

Christmas_08
I. Matthew's gospel (good news - so this is in effect Matthew's good news report) opens with a genealogy of Jesus Christ, and in verse-16 we read
Matthew 1:16 (NKJV)
16 And Jacob begot Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus who is called Christ.
A. It does not say that Joseph was the father of or that he begot Jesus, but simply that he was the husband of Mary who gave birth to Jesus who is called Christ
1. This is an unusual statement for a Jewish Genealogy and requires further explanation which will be given to us beginning in verse-18
II. The birth of Jesus Christ.
Matthew 1:18-21 (NKJV)
18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit.
19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly.
20 But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.
21 And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”
A. Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: - What an interesting phrase
1. And it serves two purposes:
a. First it ties what follows back to verse-16 which needs further explanation
b. Secondly it introduces the explanation which follows, and what an interesting introduction it is in light of what follows.
2. Once upon a time often precedes a fairy tale, but these words; imply "fantastic as it may seem here are the facts".
a. In light of the facts it is almost like our exclamations - Too good to be true, I can't believe it, wow someone pinch me I must be dreaming,
B. The existence of God in the mind of man demands a choice of faith, because God is ethereal, supernatural, and altogether different than men.
1. Because we can't see God, or measure God by some kind of gauge or instrument, we are forced to look at the facts we are given and to determine whether we believe them or not, but the facts will always stretch or exceed our natural comprehension or understanding, because that is the very nature of God, God is more and we are less.
a. He is infinite we are finite, He is creator, we His creation.
2. So the birth of Jesus, who is called Christ (Messiah, the annointed one of God, Savior) was as follows:
a. After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit.
(1) Betrothal for a year or so, where they were considered husband and wife but the marriage was not consummated till after this time was allowed to demonstrate faithfulness and purity.
(2) So during this year of betrothal, Mary discovers that she is pregnant and so does Joseph, and this presents some difficulty for each of them.
(a) Imagine Mary...
(b) Imagine Joseph...
3. But they like we are told, this is not a natural pregnancy, but a supernatural pregnancy, and this is to be no ordinary man child.
a. And this leads them and you and I to a crisis of belief or faith; do we or don't we believe?
C. Now we find some facts that are here to help us make a decision, look at verses 22-25
Matthew 1:22-25 (NKJV)
22 So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying:
23 “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.”
24 Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife,
25 and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called His name Jesus.
1. First we are told that this happened this way and it fulfills what the prophet Isaiah proclaimed would happen, 700 years before its fulfillment here.
a. What are the chances of such a crazy thing happening, if it were not true.
(1) What a difficult ruse to pull off.
b. Now Joseph evidently believed or he is in conspiracy with Mary, but there in no gain, only difficulty in this venture...so the only reasonable conclusion is that Joseph was convinced that this child was indeed the child of God.
(1) And look at the sacrifice he was willing to make; Joseph had no physical relation with Mary until after the birth of her firstborn Son, Jesus.
2. And if all this is true think about the implications and the wonder of God stepping physically into our world, Immanuel, "God with us" in order to help us.
III. But we also have the facts of the wise men from the East and Herod.
A. Wise men that were watching, waiting, and believed.
Matthew 2:1-2 (NKJV)
1 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem,
2 saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.”
1. A report had been given to them, a prophecy and they took it to heart and were looking, and when the star appeared, at great inconvenience to their lives they went to worship this child who was born.
Numbers 24:17 (NKJV)
17 “I see Him, but not now; I behold Him, but not near; A Star shall come out of Jacob; A Scepter shall rise out of Israel, And batter the brow of Moab, And destroy all the sons of tumult.
B. Herod
Matthew 2:3-8 (NKJV)
3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.
4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born.
5 So they said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written by the prophet:
6 ‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, Are not the least among the rulers of Judah; For out of you shall come a Ruler Who will shepherd My people Israel.’ ”
7 Then Herod, when he had secretly called the wise men, determined from them what time the star appeared.
8 And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the young Child, and when you have found Him, bring back word to me, that I may come and worship Him also.”

1. Herod took this seriously, he believed the prophecies at least to the point that they spoke of a great king that would be born
a. He believed that the scriptures of the Jews had the information as to where this child was to be born, and that the information would be accurate.
2. He was so convinced of that this babe was a great king and therefore posed a threat to his throne that he had hundreds if not thousands of babies killed to protect his throne from this child.
Matthew 2:16-18 (NKJV)
16 Then Herod, when he saw that he was deceived by the wise men, was exceedingly angry; and he sent forth and put to death all the male children who were in Bethlehem and in all its districts, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had determined from the wise men.
17 Then was fulfilled what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, saying:
18 “A voice was heard in Ramah, Lamentation, weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, Refusing to be comforted, Because they are no more.”
a. The deception of the wisemen was because they did report back to him after they found the child.
3. The wise men
Matthew 2:9-12 (NKJV)
9 When they heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was.
10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy.
11 And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
12 Then, being divinely warned in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed for their own country another way.
a. They were led to the babe supernaturally, and they worshipped Him.
b. They were warned by not to return to Herod, and they believed it to be a divine message and acted on it.
c. The gifts they brought were fit for a king, but were even more unique to this king
(1) Gold speaking of his royalty
(2) Frankincense a perfume speaking of the fragrance of his life, i.e. His deity.
(3) Myrrh was used in embalming, thus foreshadowing his sacrificial death (which is the purpose for which He was birthed into this world).
C. Decisions.
1. Mary had to make a choice - believe and trust and it reuired faith on her part that God was good.
2. Joseph had to believe and trust and it took faith on his part pride and reputation, as well as overcoming doubts that for most would be insurmountable.
3. The wise men, and Herod demonstrated belief and trust in the prophecies as well as the scriptures.
a. They demonstrate for us that the scriptures are true and trustworthy.
4. May you and I be convinced of the supernatural truth, the divine truth presented here, and place out trust in the one who was born Christ, who came intop this world to save us...
a. And may we join the heavenly host of heaven who proclaimed to shepherds in a field on that first Christmas night.
Luke 2:8-14 (NKJV)
8 Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night.
9 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid.
10 Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.
11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
12 And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:
14 “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”
D. Have a blessed Christmas, the greatest gift you could ever get has been given to you already, make sure you are unwrapping him...

Acts 19

2008-12-14T05:02:00.000-08:00

Acts_19
12/14/08

Acts_19 Paul in Ephesus
I. Twelve filled with the Holy Spirit
Acts 19:1-7 (NKJV)
1 And it happened, while Apollos was at Corinth, that Paul, having passed through the upper regions, came to Ephesus. And finding some disciples
2 he said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” So they said to him, “We have not so much as heard whether there is a Holy Spirit.”
3 And he said to them, “Into what then were you baptized?” So they said, “Into John’s baptism.”
4 Then Paul said, “John indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on Him who would come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.”
5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
6 And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied.
7 Now the men were about twelve in all.
A. While Apollos who we met last time was building on the foundation laid by Paul in Corinth, Paul made good on his promise (18:21) to return to Ephesus after his trip to Jerusalem.
1. Arriving back on Ephesus Paul encounters several people who are described to us as disciples depending (about twelve men according to verse-7).
a. Debate is ongoing as to whether they were actually believers or not, they were apparently disciples of John the Baptist, similar in understanding to Apollos having incomplete knowledge.
(1) They are not likely representative of any believers Aquila and Priscilla had been ministering to in Ephesus.
2. Here is what we can say for sure about them they had faith but incomplete knowledge, and there was something lacking spiritually in them that Paul noticed.
a. He asked them "did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?" to which they responded “we haven’t even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.”
(1) Most commentators suggest that this probably means that they had not heard that He had been given or was being given which would be consistent with what Jesus taught in.
John 7:39 (NKJV)
39 But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.
b. And then he asked them “Into what then were you baptized?” So they said, “Into John’s baptism.”

c. Paul clarified the message of John the Baptist for them explaining that his message wad fulfilled in Jesus, believing they were baptized again only this time in the name of the Lord Jesus, publically identifying their selves with Jesus by faith.
d. And when Paul laid hands on them the Holy Spirit came upon them and they spoke in tongues and prophesied.
3. We are not told what it was that Paul saw lacking in their walk that prompted him to ask if they had received the Holy Spirit, but it is a question pertinent to all of us.
a. Chances are that if God's word is drudgery for you, witnessing is a burden, worship is dull and you have no heart for it then you have not received the Holy Spirit.
(1) Perhaps you have incomplete knowledge or you have never asked for God's Spirit to come upon you for His enabling power for your walk and witness, we will be available after service to pray with you.
b. Or perhaps you once had that excitement for the things of God, but you have lost it, maybe you are filling your life up on other things and they are crowding out the things of God, kind of like filling up on junk food and not feeding on anything nutritious.
(1) Ask God to show you what you’re letting into your life and allowing to crowd Him out.
(a) Then respond, tell someone you trust to help you and encourage you...
II. 8-10
Acts 19:8-10 (NKJV)
8 And he went into the synagogue and spoke boldly for three months, reasoning and persuading concerning the things of the kingdom of God.
9 But when some were hardened and did not believe, but spoke evil of the Way before the multitude, he departed from them and withdrew the disciples, reasoning daily in the school of Tyrannus.
10 And this continued for two years, so that all who dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks.
A. Then Paul began ministering in the synagogue we are told "boldly" for three months ( which is probably a record for Paul) reasoning and persuading them concerning the things of the kingdom of God.
1. This boldness that Paul had came from the Holy Spirit at work in his life, it wasn't natural but supernatural, and it was something Paul didn't take for granted as being a permanent part of him, but he saw it as something to be maintained.

a. I know this because of his prayer request in his letter to the Ephesians and the context was spiritual armor needed for the day to day battles we face.
Ephesians 6:18-20 (NKJV)
18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—
19 and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel,
20 for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
(1) If Paul needed such help so do you and I.
(2) But it is also true if Paul received such help so can you and I.
(a) So be encouraged to seek the Holy Spirit and the help He gives.
B. Now at the end of three months of reasoning in the synagogue some (not all) were hardened and did not believe and so Paul moved shop with those who believed and began to teach daily in the school of Tyrannus.
1. Paul wrote to Timothy a young pastor:
2 Timothy 2:14 (NKJV)
14 Remind them of these things, charging them before the Lord not to strive about words to no profit, to the ruin of the hearers.

2 Timothy 2:24-26 (NKJV)
24 And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient,
25 in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth,
26 and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will.
a. So most likely when the reasoning got to the point where it was more about winning a debate than effective reasoning Paul simply withdrew and ministered to those that were interested in truth and not simply wanting to debate.
(1) What a great lesson for us, be ready to give answers and to reason, to present and represent Jesus to others, but don't just look to win debates, there comes a point where we need to walk away and pray more...
2. Teaching daily in the school of Tyrannus - so many of us have a hard time committing to weekly attendence, let alone coming to the midweek study, and personal reading and study time; but the implication of this statement is convicting:
a. One Greek manuscript adds that he was teaching daily from 11 to 4 which is consistent with the pattern of there work day.
7:00 - 11:00 work
11:00 - 4:00 break
4:00 - 9:00 work
b. We know that during this time Paul was working at his trade.
Acts 20:34 (NKJV)
34 Yes, you yourselves know that these hands have provided for my necessities, and for those who were with me.
c. So Paul would work then during the hours of his break time would teach, and undoubtedly there many who were being taught by him who were there on there break time to hear the word of God.
(1) For Paul clearly a labor of love.
d. And the teaching hall of Tyrannus was available because they were at break.
e. What might be said for the priority of God in our lives when we compare ourselves to this example, and I wonder if this might explain why so many of us go through such dry seasons spiritually.
(1) Watch out for pride and legalism here though.
3. And this was the routine for two years.
a. And so effective was the work going on that gospel “went out” from Ephesus throughout the province of Asia (on the west coast of modern day Turkey.
(1) The churches at Colosse, Laodecia, and Hieropolis were founded during this time, and some believe that all seven churches of Revelation 2-3 were founded at this time.
III. 11-12
Acts 19:11-12 (NKJV)
11 Now God worked unusual miracles by the hands of Paul,
12 so that even handkerchiefs or aprons were brought from his body to the sick, and the diseases left them and the evil spirits went out of them.
A. God worked UNUSUAL miracles by the hands of Paul, so that people were healed by and demons cast out through contact with Paul's sweat bands and aprons.
1. These were unusual miracles
2. There was no magic power in the items, they no doubt were useful in triggering faith in those needing healing.
3. We know that Ephesus was city full of superstition and magic practices.
4. We also know that God used miracles to validate the ministry of the Apostles, so evidently God granted these miracles in unusual ways to validate the ministry of Paul.
IV. 13-16
Acts 19:13-16 (NKJV)
13 Then some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists took it upon themselves to call the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, “We exorcise you by the Jesus whom Paul preaches.”
14 Also there were seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, who did so.
15 And the evil spirit answered and said, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?”
16 Then the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, overpowered them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.
A. There were itinerate Jewish exhorsist who would travel about and attrmpt to conjure up evil spirits to bring them out of people
Matthew 12:27 (NKJV)
27 And if I cast out demons by Beelzebub, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they shall be your judges.
1. And seven son of Sceva who is described to us as a chief priest attempted to invoke the name of Jesus whom Paul preached to cast out the demons, themselves having no relationship with Christ personally.
a. The demonic spirit spoke to them Jesus I know (ginosko by interaction and experience), and Paul I know (epistami - to know about and understand) but who are you.
b. Then the man in whom the demon was became supernaturally strong and beat them all up, and they ran out of the house naked and wounded.
B. Jesus we know and Paul we know...
1. Indicative of an organized effort against those who are God's, an enemy with a strategy!
V. 17-20 The result of this encounter
Acts 19:17-20 (NKJV)
17 This became known both to all Jews and Greeks dwelling in Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified.
18 And many who had believed came confessing and telling their deeds.
19 Also, many of those who had practiced magic brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all. And they counted up the value of them, and it totaled fifty thousand pieces of silver.
20 So the word of the Lord grew mightily and prevailed.
A. The result was fear fell on both Jews and Greek throughout the city health fear both of demons and esteem for Christ
1. It would seem that many Christians (many who had believed) had become caught up in spiritism and sorcery and they came confessing their evil deeds
a. The power was thought to be in their secrecy and was renounced in the telling of them.
2. Also many who practiced magic (perierga curious an old word which originally meant a piddelr about trifles, a busybody if you will, but had come to mean impertinent and magical things. It is a technical term for magic) brought their book of magic and burned them.
a. And there were a lot of them brought and burned.
B. And in addition to the repentance of evil deed and the destruction evil materials, we read that the word of God grew and prevailed or gained strength.
VI. 21-22
Acts 19:21-22 (NKJV)
21 When these things were accomplished, Paul purposed in the Spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, “After I have been there, I must also see Rome.”
22 So he sent into Macedonia two of those who ministered to him, Timothy and Erastus, but he himself stayed in Asia for a time.
A. Now prompted by the Holy Spirit sets his sites on Jerusalem then Rome, another shift in ministry begins at this point in Acts.
1. Paul sent Timothy and Erastus ahead of him to Macedonia while he stayed a little longer in Ephesus.
2. He would then travel through Macedonia and Achaia on his way to Jerusalem, probably to pick up the collection which was being taken for the believers in Jerusalem.
VII. 23-28
Acts 19:23-28 (NKJV)
23 And about that time there arose a great commotion about the Way.
24 For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of Diana, brought no small profit to the craftsmen.
25 He called them together with the workers of similar occupation, and said: “Men, you know that we have our prosperity by this trade.
26 Moreover you see and hear that not only at Ephesus, but throughout almost all Asia, this Paul has persuaded and turned away many people, saying that they are not gods which are made with hands.
27 So not only is this trade of ours in danger of falling into disrepute, but also the temple of the great goddess Diana may be despised and her magnificence destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worship.”
28 Now when they heard this, they were full of wrath and cried out, saying, “Great is Diana of the Ephesians!”
A. Ephesus was the capital city of the region larger and more spectacular than Corinth, and the temple of Artemis that was there was considered one of the seven wonders of the world.
1. The idol makers were getting rich from trinkets and such that they sold to tourists and pilgrims.
2. But as the word of God was preached and the truth was embraced, the demand for such things as Demetrius and those of his profession produced was drying up.
a. During the Welch revival of 1901 the bars in Wales all closed up because there was no interest or demand for alcohol.
3. Paul was persuasively teaching people that things made by the hands of men were not gods.
4. The speech of Demetrius instigated a riot and
VIII. 29-34
Acts 19:29-34 (NKJV)
29 So the whole city was filled with confusion, and rushed into the theater with one accord, having seized Gaius and Aristarchus, Macedonians, Paul’s travel companions.
30 And when Paul wanted to go in to the people, the disciples would not allow him.
31 Then some of the officials of Asia, who were his friends, sent to him pleading that he would not venture into the theater.
32 Some therefore cried one thing and some another, for the assembly was confused, and most of them did not know why they had come together.
33 And they drew Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews putting him forward. And Alexander motioned with his hand, and wanted to make his defense to the people.
34 But when they found out that he was a Jew, all with one voice cried out for about two hours, “Great is Diana of the Ephesians!”
A. The riot gains momentum and the whole city rushes to the theater grabbing Gaius and Aristarchus along the way
1. Paul wants to go in and make a defense but the disciples would not let him.
2. Then they grab Alexander a Jew and monotheist out of the crowd to make a defense but anti-semitism took over and the crowd went crazy chanting “Great is Diana of the Ephesians!” for two hours.
IX. 35-41
Acts 19:35-41 (NKJV)
35 And when the city clerk had quieted the crowd, he said: “Men of Ephesus, what man is there who does not know that the city of the Ephesians is temple guardian of the great goddess Diana, and of the image which fell down from Zeus?
36 Therefore, since these things cannot be denied, you ought to be quiet and do nothing rashly.
37 For you have brought these men here who are neither robbers of temples nor blasphemers of your goddess.
38 Therefore, if Demetrius and his fellow craftsmen have a case against anyone, the courts are open and there are proconsuls. Let them bring charges against one another.
39 But if you have any other inquiry to make, it shall be determined in the lawful assembly.
40 For we are in danger of being called in question for today’s uproar, there being no reason which we may give to account for this disorderly gathering.”
41 And when he had said these things, he dismissed the assembly.
A. Finally the city clerk comes in quiets and disperses the crowd letting them know that there was a lawful way to deal with their complaint if they had one, but as it was they were at risk of evoking the wrath of Rome for their unlawful assembly.
1. Note what he says 37"For you have brought these men here who are neither robbers of temples nor blasphemers of your goddess."
a. So we know Paul and company were preaching a pro Jesus message, and not an against everything else message.
(1) While there is a time and a place to point out what we disagree with or to call out problematic teaching and teachers the primary message we need to take to the world is who Jesus is and what He has done for us.
X.

Acts 18

2008-12-06T21:49:00.000-08:00

Acts_18
12/07/08

Acts_18
I. Review
A. Paul had preached his sermon on Mars Hill in Athens and it had born little fruit, though there were some converts in the time he spent in the city.
1. We made the point that what matters is what you and I do in response to the gospel message, and how we let it impact our lives.
2. Now its on to Corinth.
II. Corinth
A. Corinth
Acts 18:1-4 (NKJV)
1 After these things Paul departed from Athens and went to Corinth.
2 And he found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla (because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to depart from Rome); and he came to them.
3 So, because he was of the same trade, he stayed with them and worked; for by occupation they were tentmakers.
4 And he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and persuaded both Jews and Greeks.
1. Luke doesn't detail for the circumstance of Paul's departure from Athens only that he left and went on to Corinth which is about fifty miles distance from Athens.
a. Though geographically they were not far apart, they were very different in character.
(1) Athens was known for its culture and learning, Corinth for its commerce, extravagant indulgence and licentiousness.
(2) It was a center for the worship of Aphrodite the goddess of love, which promoted immorality in the name of religion.
(a) The New American commentary on Acts writes:
Among the Greeks the word translated "to live like a Corinthian" (korinthiazesthai) meant to live immorally.
Polhill, John B.: Acts. electronic ed. Nashville : Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2001, c1992 (Logos Library System; The New American Commentary 26), S. 381
2. In his first letter to Corinth Paul writes describing that it was with weakness, fear, and trembling that he came to the city.
1 Corinthians 2:1-5 (NKJV)
1 And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God.
2 For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.
3 I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling.
4 And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power,
5 that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.
a. It may be due to the unfruitfulness of ministry in Athens that Paul determined to preach as he states here "Christ, and him crucified" the crucifixion not being something mentioned in his Mars Hill sermon as we noted last time.
b. A couple of things may account for this weakness and fear.
(1) First he arrived alone in this city, which undoubtedly would be a difficult city to minister in especially for a single man.
(a) He hooks up fairly quickly with others who are Godly, likely to provide strength and accountability to each other.
(b) He even baptized some in Corinth (see 1 Corinthians 1:14-17) which he normally delegated to others, there is sometimes strength in numbers and so establishing a community of spiritual support may have been all the more important in this city filled with so much outward wickedness.
i) We would learn well from this the importance of involving ourselves in fellowship with believers that can encourage us in Godly living.
(2) Secondly he had already experience much difficulty since coming to Macedonia and this probably added apprehension to him about what might happen in this city.
B. Aquila and Priscilla
1. In Corinth Paul meets a man and his wife Aquila and Priscilla who became faithful friends and co-laborers with Paul in the ministry.
a. They had left Rome because of the order by Claudius, and anti-Semite who drove the Jews out of Rome.
b. They were of the same trade tent makers so they dwelt together.
(1) They worked and ministered together, following Paul's pattern of ministering in the synagogue.
2. The bond of friendship between Priscilla, Aquila, and Paul was life long and full of love and like-mindedness.
a. Let God develop these kinds of relationships for you by submitting yourselves to fellowship, rather than isolating yourself through nonparticipation.
C. The ministry in Corinth becomes more defined
Acts 18:5-8 (NKJV)
5 When Silas and Timothy had come from Macedonia, Paul was compelled by the Spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus is the Christ.
6 But when they opposed him and blasphemed, he shook his garments and said to them, “Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.”
7 And he departed from there and entered the house of a certain man named Justus, one who worshiped God, whose house was next door to the synagogue.
8 Then Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his household. And many of the Corinthians, hearing, believed and were baptized.
1. It would appear that Silas and Timothy brought some financial support with them and so they were able to devote themselves to ministry.
a. Devoting himself to occupying his time with preaching the word is what is meant when it says "Paul was compelled by the Spirit..."
2. Along with this came more opposition, and so Paul shakes out his garments and shifts the primary focus of his ministry toward the gentiles.
a. He begins ministering out of the house of Justus which was right next door to the synagogue, which undoubtedly was designed to provoke the Jews to jealousy.
(1) The life that was in this fellowship of believers eventually impacts the chief of the synagogue (Crispus) who becomes a believer.
(a) Many are now getting saved and being baptized in Corinth.
(b) It is an exciting thing to watch God work through the life of a fellowship.
i) You can't enjoy the wonder of it to the fullest if you are only showing up and not participating.
3. The impact of Crispus being converted, caused others to believe
D. Persecution intensifies as ministry increases.
Acts 18:9-17 (NKJV)
9 Now the Lord spoke to Paul in the night by a vision, “Do not be afraid, but speak, and do not keep silent;
10 for I am with you, and no one will attack you to hurt you; for I have many people in this city.”
11 And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.
12 When Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews with one accord rose up against Paul and brought him to the judgment seat,
13 saying, “This fellow persuades men to worship God contrary to the law.”
14 And when Paul was about to open his mouth, Gallio said to the Jews, “If it were a matter of wrongdoing or wicked crimes, O Jews, there would be reason why I should bear with you.
15 But if it is a question of words and names and your own law, look to it yourselves; for I do not want to be a judge of such matters.”
16 And he drove them from the judgment seat.
17 Then all the Greeks took Sosthenes, the ruler of the synagogue, and beat him before the judgment seat. But Gallio took no notice of these things.
1. The implication of vv-9 is that Paul was beginning to experience some fear but God comes to him and encourages him.
a. This was not to be a short stop like most of the other cities but Paul would be here 1.5 years and so God gave Paul a promise he could stand on whenever fear began to grip his heart.
(1) And he was there TEACHING the word of God for that time.

(a) God had many people in Corinth, this city known for its wickedness and they needed to be established in the Word of God.
(b) So it is in our world and in our day!
(2) Today we focus so much attention on the external building of the church, activities etc.
(a) There are times when I consider the intensity of the warfare we have experienced, that I and others close to me have experienced, I get perplexed wondering where is the great or intense ministry at that would merit such opposition.
i) But then I stop and realize that it is a fleshly measure to look at what this world calls success.
ii) I am convinced more that ever that the success and life of ministry here @ St. Joe is happening on the inside of people, and that one day it will work itself out in ways that would surprise us if we could see it.
Paul wrote to the Ephesians
Ephesians 3:14-19 (NKJV)
14 For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
15 from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,
16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man,
17 that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love,
18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height—
19 to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
2. With Crispus getting saved there was a change in leadership at the synagogue and the Jews thought they could get rid of Paul by taking him before the proconsul of Achaia Gallio charging him with propagating a new religion which Rome did not allow.
a. Gallio was the brother of Seneca; Seneca was a philosopher as well as a tutor to Nero.
b. Gallio throws them out basically telling them that the issue is not a civil matter but a religious matter and they would have to figure that out for themselves, he wasn't going to get involved.
(1) He saw Christianity as an aspect of Judaism which was recognized as a legitimate religion by Rome, the significance of this was almost the equivalent of legitimizing Christianity in the eyes of Roman law.

3. Verse-17 says "Then all the Greeks took Sosthenes, the ruler of the synagogue, and beat him before the judgment seat. But Gallio took no notice of these things."
a. Sosthenes was evidently the man who replaced Crispus as the ruler of the synagogue and we are told that the Greeks took him and beat him before the judgment seat.
(1) Newer translation say the Jews (not the Greeks) beat him
(2) Whether it was Jews who did so because his stand against Paul wasn't strong enough, or the Greeks because Sosthenes and the Jews were being to much trouble with their complaints it is interesting to note that we read in 1Cor. 1:1 where Paul writes "Greet Sosthenes", (and while we don't know for sure it was him) guess who may eventually have become a Christian!
(a) Sometimes those that seem the hardest or most hostile are really the closest.
b. When we read "But Gallio took no notice of these things." it is not indicating his indifference to religion, but simply that he chose not to get involved.
E. Heading to Jerusalem
Acts 18:18-23 (NKJV)
18 So Paul still remained a good while. Then he took leave of the brethren and sailed for Syria, and Priscilla and Aquila were with him. He had his hair cut off at Cenchrea, for he had taken a vow.
19 And he came to Ephesus, and left them there; but he himself entered the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews.
20 When they asked him to stay a longer time with them, he did not consent,
21 but took leave of them, saying, “I must by all means keep this coming feast in Jerusalem; but I will return again to you, God willing.” And he sailed from Ephesus.
22 And when he had landed at Caesarea, and gone up and greeted the church, he went down to Antioch.
23 After he had spent some time there, he departed and went over the region of Galatia and Phrygia in order, strengthening all the disciples.

1. So after a long period of establishing the church in Corinth Paul heads to Jerusalem.
a. Aquila and Priscilla now traveling with him.
2. Why the haircut?
a. Evidently Paul had taken a Nazarite vow.
a) Touch no grapes
b) Drink no wine
c) Touch no dead body
d) And allow his hair to grow before cutting it off as a sign of purification.
b. Undoubtedly so he might minister to the Jews in Jerusalem once he arrived.
1 Corinthians 9:22 (NKJV)
22 to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.
3. Stopping in Ephesus they wanted Paul to hang out for awhile (primarily to hear his teaching…)
a. But Paul wanted to be in Jerusalem by a certain date and so went on promising to return again God willing.
b. Sailing from Ephesus to Caesarea, he went up to Jerusalem (that is the meaning of the words "gone up and greeted the church") and then home to Antioch a short visit.
III. Verse-23 introduces the beginning of Paul's third missionary journey.
A. Paul is on his way back to Ephesus and Luke is going to emphasize Paul's ministry in Ephesus,
1. For this reason with brevity Luke lets us know that on the first part of the journey Paul traveled through Galatia, and Phrygia strengthening the brethren.
IV. In Ephesus Paul had left Aquila and Priscilla behind and in vv-24-28 we are introduced to Apollos.
Acts 18:24-28 (NKJV)
24 Now a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man and mighty in the Scriptures, came to Ephesus.
25 This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things of the Lord, though he knew only the baptism of John.
26 So he began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Aquila and Priscilla heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately.
27 And when he desired to cross to Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him; and when he arrived, he greatly helped those who had believed through grace;
28 for he vigorously refuted the Jews publicly, showing from the Scriptures that Jesus is the Christ.
A. Apollos was a Jew born in Alexandria which was the second largest city in the Roman Empire and 1/3 of the population was Jewish.
1. Alexandria was a city of such intellectual wealth that an Alexandrian Library that was uncovered contained 700k volumes.
2. Apollos was not only intellectually brilliant, he had a fervent heart spiritually.
a. He evidently had not heard of the death and resurrection of Jesus, but was familiar with the message of John the Baptist, repent, Messiah is coming.
(1) He didn't know much, but what he knew he shared.
b. Notice when Aquila and Priscilla heard him they did not look at him with an heir of superiority (we are advanced above that), but realizing he didn't have the whole story privately shared the gospel with him.
(1) They were humble servants sharing the gospel to any who would listen.

c. And look at the humility of Apollo’s, he was teachable and correctable, he did not look at them and say you are only a couple of tent makers why should I listen to you.
(1) And he took what he learned and what he knew and he put it to use.
B.

Acts 17

2008-11-30T05:09:00.000-08:00

Acts_17
Sun. 11/30/08

Acts_17
I. Review
A. Paul and Silas had been ministering in Philippi where they were beaten and thrown into prison.
1. In spite of the persecution and suffering through supernatural events they had led the jailer and his household to faith in Christ.
2. The magistrates had sent word to release them the day following the arrest but they confronted the magistrates concerning their unlawful arrest.
a. They finally agreed to go but do so on their own terms, first taking time to visit the believers who were now meeting at the home of Lydia one of the new converts, in order to encourage them.
II. Which brings us to chapter-17 and our text for today, beginning with ministry in Thessalonica.
Acts 17:1-4 (NKJV)
1 Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews.
2 Then Paul, as his custom was, went in to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures,
3 explaining and demonstrating that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, “This Jesus whom I preach to you is the Christ.”
4 And some of them were persuaded; and a great multitude of the devout Greeks, and not a few of the leading women, joined Paul and Silas.
A. Leaving Philippi they traveled through a couple of small towns on their way to Thessalonica.
1. No indication given of ministry by them in the two smaller towns.
2. Paul's pattern was to minister in the larger towns that had a synagogue.
a. And he had the expectation that new believers would evangelize the smaller towns around them.
B. The fact that Paul ministered three weeks in the synagogue is not indicating the length of his stay in Thessalonica.
1. We know he was there long enough to receive financial support from Philippi twice.
Philippians 4:15-16
Now you Philippians know also that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church shared with me concerning giving and receiving but you only. For even in Thessalonica you sent aid once and again for my necessities.

2. He also spent time working in his trade as a tent maker part of the time.
1 Thessalonians 2:9 (NKJV)
9 For you remember, brethren, our labor and toil; for laboring night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, we preached to you the gospel of God.

2 Thessalonians 3:7-10 (NKJV)
7 For you yourselves know how you ought to follow us, for we were not disorderly among you;
8 nor did we eat anyone's bread free of charge, but worked with labor and toil night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you,
9 not because we do not have authority, but to make ourselves an example of how you should follow us.
10 For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat.
C. He presented Jesus to them as the Christ (Messiah)
1. The Jews were faced with a dilemma in the scriptures, because they were familiar with passages like Isa. 53 which speaks of a Suffering Messiah and Psalm-2 which speaks of a Reigning Messiah.
a. The only way to reconcile this in their minds was to have two Messiahs.
(1) The Reigning Messiah they referred to as Messiah Ben David, and the Suffering Messiah they referred to as Messiah Ben Joseph…
2. But Paul laid out to them how both sets of prophecy were fulfilled in one Person - Jesus, who suffered when He was crucified on the cross, but rose from the dead to rule and reign forever.
a. The key to opening the scriptures is to focus on the Person of Christ.
D. The result; a few Jews, a multitude of Greeks, and many of the prominent women believed!
1. That is the result of the word being taught!
III. But not all were persuaded; vv-5-9
Acts 17:5-9 (NKJV)
5 But the Jews who were not persuaded, becoming envious, took some of the evil men from the marketplace, and gathering a mob, set all the city in an uproar and attacked the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people.
6 But when they did not find them, they dragged Jason and some brethren to the rulers of the city, crying out, “These who have turned the world upside down have come here too.
7 Jason has harbored them, and these are all acting contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying there is another king—Jesus.”
8 And they troubled the crowd and the rulers of the city when they heard these things.
9 So when they had taken security from Jason and the rest, they let them go.

A. The unbelieving Jews, prompted by envy decided to take action against Paul and Silas.
1. The accusation is that they are acting contrary to Caesar, but the accusation is really only a cover for their envy.
a. Often those who bring accusation, have a deeper reason or undisclosed motive.

2. And they get together some trouble-makers to start a riot, and attack the house so that they might get to Paul and Silas.
a. Not finding Paul and Silas they drag Jason and some of the brethren to the government officials.
(1) Church historians tell us that six million Christians were killed in the first 2.5 centuries for refusing to say "Caesar is Lord"
3. They refer to the Christians as those who have turned the world upside down! Wow what a great testimony…
a. Since the world is upside down to begin with, they are guilty of making it right again.
b. What contrast there is between God's plan and intent, and the ways and values of man!
4. They make a deal with Jason that as long as Paul and Silas leave they won't press charges, so desiring to see Paul and Silas go free they agree to the deal.
IV. On to Berea vv10-15
Acts 17:10-15 (NKJV)
10 Then the brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea. When they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews.
11 These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.
12 Therefore many of them believed, and also not a few of the Greeks, prominent women as well as men.
13 But when the Jews from Thessalonica learned that the word of God was preached by Paul at Berea, they came there also and stirred up the crowds.
14 Then immediately the brethren sent Paul away, to go to the sea; but both Silas and Timothy remained there.
15 So those who conducted Paul brought him to Athens; and receiving a command for Silas and Timothy to come to him with all speed, they departed.

A. Paul and Silas rather than being discouraged were ready to go on.
1. And they jumped right back into the pattern of ministry they had established, going right to the synagogue.
B. What an encouragement the Berean's must have been as we consider what vv-11 says.
1. The man or woman who receives the word of God, with a ready mind, that is they embrace it, the welcome it, but they diligently examine and scrutinize it for themselves to see if what has been said or taught concerning it is accurate, are considered of noble mind.
a. We are exhorted by scripture
2 Timothy 2:15 (NKJV)
15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

1 Peter 3:15 (NKJV)
15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;

b. The Berean’s, heard it, they searched it out, and they formed an opinion about it!
c. Look at verse-13 "But when the Jews from Thessalonica learned that the word of God was preached by Paul at Berea, they came there also and stirred up the crowds."
(1) It was the word of God, i.e. what God has said, and that is what they preached and that is what changes lives.
(a) Not the theories and opinions of men.
C. The unbelieving Jews from Thessalonica heard that Paul and Silas were in Berea and followed them there and stirred up opposition.
1. The brethren having heard and having received the word of God sent Paul on realizing that it would be better for him to keep moving.
a. But Silas and Timothy remained in Berea.
2. Leaving Berea, Paul traveled on to Athens
a. Athens was the intellectual capital of the world.
(1) It was the city of Aristotle, Plato, and Socrates.
b. When Paul arrived in Athens, Paul immediately sent word back for Silas and Timothy to join him as quickly as possible.
V. Athens
Acts 17:16-21 (NKJV)
16 Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him when he saw that the city was given over to idols.
17 Therefore he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and with the Gentile worshipers, and in the marketplace daily with those who happened to be there.
18 Then certain Epicurean and Stoic philosophers encountered him. And some said, “What does this babbler want to say?” Others said, “He seems to be a proclaimer of foreign gods,” because he preached to them Jesus and the resurrection.
19 And they took him and brought him to the Areopagus, saying, “May we know what this new doctrine is of which you speak?
20 For you are bringing some strange things to our ears. Therefore we want to know what these things mean.”
21 For all the Athenians and the foreigners who were there spent their time in nothing else but either to tell or to hear some new thing.
A. As Paul waited his heart was greatly stirred for this incredible city, so full of the wisdom of men, but so devoid of God's truth.
1. Here in this intellectual center of the world there were over 3000 altars and temples built to different deities.
a. Temple to Aphrodite, abounding with prostitutes, man's attempt to justify sexual promiscuity.
b. Temple to Zeus, for the "make my day mentality" for those into savagery.
c. The temple to Bacchus for those into alcohol.
2. Paul's heart was stirred but he didn't jump up and form committees or political protest groups against idolatry.
a. Instead verse-17 tells us that he began to dialogue (reason), discuss, and dispute, in the churches and on the street (market place) with those in the city who were gripped by idolatry.
3. As he does this the Epicureans and the Stoics get involved.
a. Epicureans - philosophers who taught that man ought to live for pleasure.
b. Stoics - those who taught a disciplined lifestyle, avoiding anything, emotional, sensual, or material.
(1) Enjoy life or Endure life.
c. Neither group believed in eternal life, so talk of the resurrection caught the interest of both groups.
B. They took him to the Areopagus (Mars Hill) where the philosophers and the council of education (which sort stood watch over new teachings) could hear him.
1. The smartest men in the world had the understanding that religion and education could not be separated, how far we have drifted from that idea today.
C. The Athenian's were caught up in the endless analysis of new truth.
1. It has been said that "if it's true it's not new" and if it's new, it's not true". It is not some new novel truth we need but a return to the old truths, which have been with us from the beginning.
a. As we look in scripture we find that we have all the truth we need, and we would do well to learn as much of it as possible.
D.
Acts 17:22-34 (NKJV)
22 Then Paul stood in the midst of the Areopagus and said, “Men of Athens, I perceive that in all things you are very religious;
23 for as I was passing through and considering the objects of your worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Therefore, the One whom you worship without knowing, Him I proclaim to you:
24 God, who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands.
25 Nor is He worshiped with men’s hands, as though He needed anything, since He gives to all life, breath, and all things.
26 And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their preappointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings,
27 so that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us;
28 for in Him we live and move and have our being, as also some of your own poets have said, ‘For we are also His offspring.’
29 Therefore, since we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold or silver or stone, something shaped by art and man’s devising.
30 Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent,
31 because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead.”
32 And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked, while others said, “We will hear you again on this matter.”
33 So Paul departed from among them.
34 However, some men joined him and believed, among them Dionysius the Areopagite, a woman named Damaris, and others with them.
1. Paul seized upon his observation of their culture and used it as a launching pad to present the truth.
a. He speaks of
God's greatness(vv24),
God's goodness (vv25),
the government of God (vv26-27),
the glory of God (vv28,29),
and the grace of God (vv30-34).
b. He quotes from two poets popular within intellectual circles, to support his logic.
(1) Quoted from Epimenides, the Cretan poet
(2) The poet Aratus, from Paul's homeland Cilicia:
2. Yet it wasn't a very fruitful endeavor.
a. While some have said this should be the model of a good sermon (great intro, applicable illustrations, and sequential order of thought)
b. Jon Courson believes it is here as an example of failure, in that it lacks mention of the crucifixion, and the name of Jesus.
(1) That Paul was trying to make it culturally relevant instead of preaching Christ and Him crucified and thus it had little impact!
(2) Certainly there is some food for thought in his notion.
VI. All important is what you do with the message of the gospel
A. Just as Paul points out
29 Therefore, since we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold or silver or stone, something shaped by art and man’s devising.
30 Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent,
1. Since we are the created and He is the creator we are not free to worship the work of our hands.
2. And He has overlooked for awhile our ignorance and has suffered long with us.
a. We have had general revelation, but now in hearing the gospel message we have received specific revelation and we are responsible for how we respond to it.
b. What is your response?

Sunday Nov 23, 2008

2008-11-23T04:29:00.000-08:00

Acts_16_11-40
Acts_16_11-40

I. As we left off
A. Paul has invited young Timothy to join him in this missionary journey, Silas and Luke are a part of the team traveling with them.
B. The Holy Spirit had forbidden them to go into Asia (Roman Asia) or into Bithynia, and they had come down to Troas a sea port where in a vision Paul had seen a man of Macedonia calling to him to come and help them.
1. By this they had determined that God was calling them to preach the gospel in Macedonia, and they immediately set out to travel to Macedonia.
II. Ministry in Philippi
A. Lydia Baptized
Acts 16:11-15 (NKJV)
11 Therefore, sailing from Troas, we ran a straight course to Samothrace, and the next day came to Neapolis,
12 and from there to Philippi, which is the foremost city of that part of Macedonia, a colony. And we were staying in that city for some days.
13 And on the Sabbath day we went out of the city to the riverside, where prayer was customarily made; and we sat down and spoke to the women who met there.
14 Now a certain woman named Lydia heard us. She was a seller of purple from the city of Thyatira, who worshiped God. The Lord opened her heart to heed the things spoken by Paul.
15 And when she and her household were baptized, she begged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.” So she persuaded us.
1. They had to cross the Aegean sea sailing from Troas to Samothrace an Island in the Aegean and then on to Neapolis.
a. Samothrace is about halfway between Troas and Neapolis.
b. They ran a straight course means that they had favorable winds and we see that they made the journey in two days where as later in the reverse direction it took them five days.
2. Then traveling over land they came to Philippi which was a larger city in that part of Macedonia.
a. Paul would target the major cities knowing that it was much easier for the gospel to go out from the large cities than it was for the gospel to come in to the large cities.

b. Luke tells us that it was a colony meaning it was a Roman colony let me read what the "Bible Knowledge Commentary" says here as it is often kind of fun to catch a glimpse of history as we move along.
Philippi, originally named Crenides ("Fountains"), was taken by Philip of Macedon and renamed after him. In 168 b.c. Philippi became a Roman possession. After Mark Antony and Octavian defeated Brutus and Cassius, the assassins of Julius Caesar, near Philippi in 42 b.c., the city was made into a Roman colony. This gave it special privileges (e.g, fewer taxes) but more importantly it became like a "transplanted" Rome (cf. comments on Philippi in the Introduction to Phil.). The primary purpose of colonies was military, for the Roman leaders felt it wise to have Roman citizens and sympathizers settled in strategic locations. So Octavian (who became Caesar Augustus, the first Roman emperor, in 27 b.c.) settled more colonists (primarily former soldiers) at Philippi after his defeat of Antony at Actium, on Greece's west coast, in 31 b.c.

Walvoord, John F. ; Zuck, Roy B. ; Dallas Theological Seminary: The Bible Knowledge Commentary : An Exposition of the Scriptures. Wheaton, IL : Victor Books, 1983-c1985, S. 2:399
3. On the Sabbath "we went out of the city to the riverside, where prayer was customarily made; and we sat down and spoke to the women who met there."
a. Evidently the Jewish population was small in Philippi, they were gathering by the riverside for prayer there not being enough men in good standing to open a synagogue.
b. And to the women gathered there, Paul and company sat down and preached the gospel.
4. Among the women who had gathered was a woman named Lydia who was a seller of purple from the city of Thyatira, who worshipped God.
a. The dyes used for coloring things purple were very expensive and sellers of purple were dealing with very luxurious and highly desired products.
(1) Lydia was apparently successful and had a house large enough to accommodate Paul and his team.
b. We are told that she worshipped God, so likely she was not a proselyte who had converted to Judaism, but had come to believe in and worship Jehovah.
(1) And as Paul preached the Lord open up her heart to believe the message of the gospel and heeding the message she and her household were subsequently baptized.
(2) After her baptism she begs Paul and company to come and stay at her house which they did.
c. Lydia has the distinction of being the first European convert of the Apostle Paul.
(1) Many like to speculate on how history may have been different if the Gospel had gone first to Asia before it went to Europe.
B. A demon possessed girl is delivered
Acts 16:16-18 (NKJV)
16 Now it happened, as we went to prayer, that a certain slave girl possessed with a spirit of divination met us, who brought her masters much profit by fortune-telling.
17 This girl followed Paul and us, and cried out, saying, “These men are the servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to us the way of salvation.”
18 And this she did for many days. But Paul, greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And he came out that very hour.

1. A group of men were exploiting a slave girl who was possessed with a demon of divination and were profiting off her fortune-telling.
2. And the girl sort of latches on to Paul and company following them around and declaring who they were ( the servants of the Most High God) and what they were doing (who proclaim to us the way of salvation).
a. And after many days of her doing this, Paul being greatly annoyed by what she was doing commands the spirit to come out of her, and the spirit obeys, and she is set free from it.
b. Interesting that they were not interested in the free advertisement she brought, they did not want to be in any way identified with sucha spirit even if it was telling the truth.
2 Corinthians 6:14 (NKJV)
14 Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness?
(1) I marvel at the way much of the church is chasing after the endorsement of the world today...
C. Paul and Silas are persecuted because of this
Acts 16:19-24 (NKJV)
19 But when her masters saw that their hope of profit was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace to the authorities.
20 And they brought them to the magistrates, and said, “These men, being Jews, exceedingly trouble our city;
21 and they teach customs which are not lawful for us, being Romans, to receive or observe.”
22 Then the multitude rose up together against them; and the magistrates tore off their clothes and commanded them to be beaten with rods.
23 And when they had laid many stripes on them, they threw them into prison, commanding the jailer to keep them securely.
24 Having received such a charge, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks.
1. Caring nothing for the well being of the girl and motivated solely by their loss of income from their fortune-telling enterprise, the masters of this girl turn on Paul and Silas and drag them before the magistrates of the city.
a. Paul and Silas are singled out because they are Jews and less likely to be Romans there were one set of laws for Roman citizens and quite another for those who weren't.
(1) Roman citizens had civil rights which were zealously gaurded, non-citizens did not have civil rights.
b. The accusation these men being Jews are trouble makers troubling the city;
(1) Took place shortly after Claudius had expelled Jews from Rome
Acts 18:2 (NKJV)
2 And he found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla (because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to depart from Rome); and he came to them.
(2) And the people were permitted to have their own religions but were not permitted proselytize Roman citizens.
2. So moved by the crowd the magistrates beat Pail and Silas then threw them into prison (in stocks)
a. The jailers being given specific instructions to keep them securely.
D. Conversion of the Philippian jailer.
Acts 16:25-32 (NKJV)
25 But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.
26 Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were loosed.
27 And the keeper of the prison, awaking from sleep and seeing the prison doors open, supposing the prisoners had fled, drew his sword and was about to kill himself.
28 But Paul called with a loud voice, saying, “Do yourself no harm, for we are all here.”
29 Then he called for a light, ran in, and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas.
30 And he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”
31 So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.”
32 Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house.
1. In spite of their circumstance Paul and Silas are full of joy and singing to God.
a. Joy comes when we keep in mind not our circumstances but the promise and knowledge that God is in control of our circumstance.
2. The other prisoners were listening, the world watches and listen to us, what example do they see???
3. Suddenly a supernatural earthquake which loosens the chains of everyone of the prisoners including their doors.
a. With good reason the jailer awakened by the earthquake and seeing all the doors opened was about to kill himself, because the penalty for letting a prisoner escape was that you had to fulfill their penalty.
b. Paul realizing that the jailer would likely harm himself cries out and intervenes.
(1) Paul and Silas care more about the others then they do about their own freedom!!!
4. Now the jailer is really shook up and asks them what he must do to be saved...
a. Paul responds “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.”
(1) Salvation is through grace by faith.
(2) Promise of household many feel is specific to the jailer...
5. And they believed and are baptized.
Acts 16:33-34 (NKJV)
33 And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their stripes. And immediately he and all his family were baptized.
34 Now when he had brought them into his house, he set food before them; and he rejoiced, having believed in God with all his household.
a. And he is now ministering to them.
E. They don't go quietly
Acts 16:35-39 (NKJV)
35 And when it was day, the magistrates sent the officers, saying, “Let those men go.”
36 So the keeper of the prison reported these words to Paul, saying, “The magistrates have sent to let you go. Now therefore depart, and go in peace.”
37 But Paul said to them, “They have beaten us openly, uncondemned Romans, and have thrown us into prison. And now do they put us out secretly? No indeed! Let them come themselves and get us out.”
38 And the officers told these words to the magistrates, and they were afraid when they heard that they were Romans.
39 Then they came and pleaded with them and brought them out, and asked them to depart from the city.
1. The earthquake was about the salvation of the jailer and his household and not the release of Paul and Silas or why would the message now come to let them go (God surely knew what would happen)!
2. At any rate the magistrates are now ready to let them go, they have made an example of them which will surely keep everyone else in line.
a. But Paul and Silas are not going to let them off the hook so easily and reveal that they are Roman citizens which they had unlawfully beaten without a trial.
b. I would have been anxious to let the matter go, but they are standing up for the others by their protest.
3. They go on their own terms
Acts 16:40 (NKJV)
40 So they went out of the prison and entered the house of Lydia; and when they had seen the brethren, they encouraged them and departed.
a. first ministering to Lydia and the other believers before they depart...
III. God wants you!!!
A. Your heart
1. Two ways
a. First in relationship...
b. Second in relationship...

Acts_16_1-10

2008-11-15T20:22:00.001-08:00

Acts_16_1-10
11/16/08

Acts_16
I. Introductry
A. Paul and Barnabas had returned to Antioch from Jerusalem after the event known as the Jerusalem council, where the church officially ruled that circumcision and keeping the law are not requirements for salvation.
1. After some time Paul and Barnabas determined to take a second missionary journey to strengthen the churches they planted on their first trip.
2. But a sharp division occurred between them over young John Mark whom Barnabas wanted to take along but Paul refused because he had abandoned them during the first trip.
3. The division was so sharp that Barnabas took Mark and went to Cyprus, and Paul took Silas and traveled through Syria and Cilicia strengthening the churches he and Barnabas had established there.
II. Timothy joins the team.
Acts 16:1-5 (NKJV)
1 Then he came to Derbe and Lystra. And behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a certain Jewish woman who believed, but his father was Greek.
2 He was well spoken of by the brethren who were at Lystra and Iconium.
3 Paul wanted to have him go on with him. And he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in that region, for they all knew that his father was Greek.
4 And as they went through the cities, they delivered to them the decrees to keep, which were determined by the apostles and elders at Jerusalem.
5 So the churches were strengthened in the faith, and increased in number daily.
A. They are traveling in the reverse order from the first missionary journey their approach being from the east this time and thus they came to Derbe first.
1. And at Lystra is a young man named Timothy described as a disciple.
a. Timothy was probably a convert of Paul who refers to him as "his own son in the faith"
1 Timothy 1:2 (NKJV)
2 To Timothy, a true son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.

1 Corinthians 4:17 (NKJV)
17 For this reason I have sent Timothy to you, who is my beloved and faithful son in the Lord, who will remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach everywhere in every church.
(1) Certainly it is clear through the NT references to this young man that Paul Mentored him and trained him for ministry.
b. Here he is referred to as a disciple already, and he has full of knowledge of the persecutions including the stoning which Paul endured on his first trip to Lystra, which indicate he was a convert on that first trip.
2 Timothy 3:10-11 (NKJV)
10 But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance,
11 persecutions, afflictions, which happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra—what persecutions I endured. And out of them all the Lord delivered me.

c. He was the son of a certain Jewish woman who believed, she and his Grandmother had passed along a Godly heritage to him.
2 Timothy 1:5 (NKJV)
5 when I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also.

2 Timothy 3:15 (NKJV)
15 and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

(1) Both by example and by instruction in the scriptures they passed along this Godly heritage to him.
2. His dad was Greek and beyond that we are not told anything about his dad.
3. Timothy himself we are told had a good reputation among the local churches, and the gifting and grace for ministry were evident in his life and attested to by those that knew him.
a. What a great report, and this is as it should be, ordination for ministry should simply be man saying amen (we agree) to what God is already doing in someone’s life.
(1) This sadly is misunderstood and many fill the pulpit of today’s churches simply because they completed a series of prescribed classes, for a profession they chose, rather than being chosen by God to fulfill.
B. So Paul wants to take Timothy along for the rest of the journey, but on account of Jews who lived in the areas they would be ministering to, Paul first circumcises Timothy, who was not already circumcised because his dad was Greek and circumcision was not a common practice of the Greeks.

1. After all the fuss over circumcision in chapter-15 we naturally stop and ask why is Paul first circumcising Timothy before taking him along in ministry.

a. In chapter-15 the issue was over circumcision as a requirement for salvation, that is not the issue here, Timothy is already a believer, having received salvation by faith, and circumcision has nothing to do with it.
b. But in order to avoid conflict with Jews since they would be ministering to both Jew and Gentile, this would allow Timothy to be more effective in the ministry to which God was calling him.
1 Corinthians 9:19-23 (NKJV)
19 For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more;
20 and to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might win those who are under the law;
21 to those who are without law, as without law (not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ), that I might win those who are without law;
22 to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.
23 Now this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I may be partaker of it with you.

(1) This was all the more important because Timothy was both Jewish and Greek.
(a) Lack of circumcision would have prevented him from being able to preach in the synagogues.
(2) How willing are we to sacrifice personally in order that we might minister to others?
2. And so as the trip continued, Timothy joined them and as they went through the cities and as they did so they delivered the decrees made by the church at the Jerusalem council.
a. And the churches were strengthened both in their faith and in their numbers as new converts were made through the preaching of the gospel and the teaching of God's word.
III. The Macedonian call.
Acts 16:6-10 (NKJV)
6 Now when they had gone through Phrygia and the region of Galatia, they were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the word in Asia.
7 After they had come to Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit did not permit them.
8 So passing by Mysia, they came down to Troas.
9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night. A man of Macedonia stood and pleaded with him, saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.”
10 Now after he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go to Macedonia, concluding that the Lord had called us to preach the gospel to them.
A. After traveling through the Phrygian region of Galatia, they attempted to turn and go into the Roman province of Asia of which Ephesus is the capital but the Holy Spirit forbid them to preach the word in this region.
1. Then as they reached Mysia they attempted to turn up and go into Bithynia, but again the Spirit refused to let them go that way, so passing by Mysia, literally skirting by it and not preaching or ministering anywhere, they came to Troas.
a. Paul would eventually preach in the Roman province of Asia, but now was not the time, God had something else in store for them.
(1) What a great lesson this is for us, we somehow get the idea that we can go what ever way we want to for ministry, but that isn't true.
(a) We can minister wherever we go but that is different than picking a place that we want to go to and establish ministries.
(b) Rather we are to be Spirit led, having a great idea, or simply having a burden for something is not enough, we must be God directed, Paul and his group are sensitive to what God is telling them.
i) I imagine that there may have been some disappointment in this, perhaps some frustration, but they didn't give up, they continued to seek out what God had for them.
B. But there in Troas which is a port town on the Aegean sea (near the site of Ancient Troy) Paul has a vision in the night, a man pleading with him to come over to Macedonia and help them.
1. A plea for help would be a very moving event and immediately Paul and team make plans to cross over to Macedonia, concluding that God was calling them to preach the gospel to them; and thus the gospel is headed to Europe.
a. So Paul and company fall in line with how God is working, and in line with God's divine plan, which they have readily allowed to redirect them and turn them aside from their own plans.
b. Note that Luke says "WE sought to go to Macedonia, concluding that the Lord had called US to preach the gospel to them." and so we see that Luke has at some point joined them in this trip and is now eye witness to the events at this point in time.
2. God has a plan and work for us, something that He is doing and that He wants us to join Him in, may we be more diligent in seeking His direction for us, more sensitive to hear, and more diligent in doing what He shows us to do.
IV. Now then what we are reading is a report of what this missionary group did and what they encountered, a report given to the church, so today we are going to take time to hear an actual report of missionary trip that Peggie and her son Michael recently participated in.

Acts 15 Sunday November 9, 2008

2008-11-08T23:50:00.000-08:00

Acts_15
11/9/08

Acts_15
I. Opening Statement
A. The scriptures record for us not only the successes of the church but also some of the churches struggles, failures, and conflicts.
1. In Acts 15 Luke sets before us a couple of struggles and conflicts, we can learn much from them if we will.
II. A conflict arises.
A. The conflict
Acts 15:1-2 (NKJV)
1 And certain men came down from Judea and taught the brethren, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.”
2 Therefore, when Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and dispute with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas and certain others of them should go up to Jerusalem, to the apostles and elders, about this question.
1. Certain men came from Judea, they were driven to persuade other Christians to embrace their belief system.
a. Because they were from Judea, Galatians indicates they were from the mother church in Jerusalem; they had an appearance of authority, though they had not been sent out by the church in Jerusalem, especially with the doctrine they were presenting.
b. What these men were teaching the brethren in essence was that in order to become Christians they would first have to become Jews by submitting to Jewish rituals including circumcision.
(1) It was a hard thing for the Jewish mind to embrace the fact that Gentiles could be admitted to the church as equals to the Jews w/o submitting themselves to the law.
(2) Such teaching says that the work of Christ on the cross was not a finished work, that salvation is not by faith alone, and puts men in bondage again to the law.
(a) There teaching contradicts what Paul taught at Antioch of Pisidia in Acts 13:39
Acts 13:39 (NKJV)
39 and by Him [Jesus] everyone who believes is justified from all things from which you could not be justified by the law of Moses.

c. Jesus taught a parable that addressed this when He taught that you cannot put new wine into old wine skins because it does not work, the church is a new work, and it can't be mixed in with Judaism.
d. We can never work our way into heaven, but heavens work can and should flow out of us.
2. These Judaizers taught that salvation was dependent on keeping the law, so this no small issue where parties could agree to disagree, the doctrine of salvation was and is a core doctrine, and it had to be resolved.
a. Today the doctrine of salvation is finding renewed opposition amongst those who have progressive ideas about how the church should function and what its mission is.
3. Their teaching brought about a sharp dispute and debate from Paul and Barnabas and when no resolution was reached, the Church in Antioch determined that Paul, Barnabas, along with others to act as witnesses should travel to Jerusalem to get an official ruling from the mother church.
a. There is no way that this theological issue is beyond Paul and Barnabas, ant the rest of the leaders of the church in Antioch, there is no confusion on their part.
(1) But they recognize the significance of the issue and that it needs to be settled officially and put to rest or many may be led astray by this false teaching and these false teachers...
B. Back to Jerusalem
Acts 15:3-5 (NKJV)
3 So, being sent on their way by the church, they passed through Phoenicia and Samaria, describing the conversion of the Gentiles; and they caused great joy to all the brethren.
4 And when they had come to Jerusalem, they were received by the church and the apostles and the elders; and they reported all things that God had done with them.
5 But some of the sect of the Pharisees who believed rose up, saying, “It is necessary to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.”
1. As they traveled to Jerusalem they passed through Phoenicia and Samaria, sharing along the way (giving testimony) describing the work of salvation God was accomplishing among the Gentiles.
a. This report brought great joy to the brethren that heard it. (the salvation of others ought to be a source of great joy)
2. Arriving in Jerusalem there was a public welcome for Paul and his associates (they were received by the church), and then probably a private meeting with the leaders (and by the apostles and the elders), at which time they gave a report of what God was doing through them.
a. Then in a second public meeting the Judaizers presented their case concerning salvation and keeping the law.
b. And then a fourth meeting probably public, where the issue is debated in an event known as the Jerusalem council, and where the church will ultimately make a ruling of official church doctrine concerning the issue at hand.
III. The Jerusalem Council
A. Peter speaks first
Acts 15:6-11 (NKJV)
6 Now the apostles and elders came together to consider this matter.
7 And when there had been much dispute, Peter rose up and said to them: “Men and brethren, you know that a good while ago God chose among us, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe.
8 So God, who knows the heart, acknowledged them by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He did to us,
9 and made no distinction between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.
10 Now therefore, why do you test God by putting a yoke on the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?
11 But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved in the same manner as they.”
1. They came together to consider the issue, it was not left to individual conscience.
2. Doctrinally speaking this is a huge issue raised by the Jerusalem council, are Christians saved faith in Christ alone, or by a combination of faith and obedience to the Law of Moses.
3. "And when there had been much dispute, Peter rose up and said to them..."
a. Peter evidently sat there and heard things out before finally speaking,
Proverbs 18:13 (NKJV)
13 He who answers a matter before he hears it, It is folly and shame to him.
b. and he gives them a history lesson reminding them of how God had already opened the door to the gentiles through him, and how God acknowledged them and gave His Spirit to them even though they were uncircumcised, the same way that He had given the Spirit to them.
(1) And that God has spoken to him in a vision that he was not to call what God had clean common or unclean, that is that God makes no distinction between Jew and Gentile.
(a) But that their hearts were purified by faith, not by keeping the law.
c. And Peter makes this observation "Now therefore, why do you test God by putting a yoke on the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?"
(1) The law was a yoke that they were not even able to bear.
d. Peter concludes his argument with this statement "But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we [Jews] shall be saved in the same manner as they [Gentiles].”
(1) It is backwards from the way you would think he might state it
(2) And he is thus making the point, that it is only by grace through faith that anyone could be saved, the Jews were not saved by grace and keeping the law.
B. Paul and Barnabas
Acts 15:12 (NKJV)
12 Then all the multitude kept silent and listened to Barnabas and Paul declaring how many miracles and wonders God had worked through them among the Gentiles.
1. Paul and Barnabas then affirm or support what Peter has said by testifying to the way God was working greatly among the Gentiles.
C. James Speaks
Acts 15:13-21 (NKJV)
13 And after they had become silent, James answered, saying, “Men and brethren, listen to me:
14 Simon has declared how God at the first visited the Gentiles to take out of them a people for His name.
15 And with this the words of the prophets agree, just as it is written:
16 ‘After this I will return And will rebuild the tabernacle of David, which has fallen down; I will rebuild its ruins, And I will set it up;
17 So that the rest of mankind may seek the Lord, Even all the Gentiles who are called by My name, Says the Lord who does all these things.’
18 “Known to God from eternity are all His works.
19 Therefore I judge that we should not trouble those from among the Gentiles who are turning to God,
20 but that we write to them to abstain from things polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from things strangled, and from blood.
21 For Moses has had throughout many generations those who preach him in every city, being read in the synagogues every Sabbath.”
1. James who is the brother of Jesus then speaks, making the point that God had already settled the question in the declaration of Peter as to how God had already visited the Gentiles (ethne- nations) taking out of them a people (laos) for His name.
a. And then he turns to the true authority on which doctrine and any work of God should be judged and that is by the word of God, and he quotes from Amos chapter-9 verses 11-12 demonstrating that the prophets agree with this work among the gentiles with no mention of their keeping the law.
2. "Therefore I judge" which indicates that James had a position of great authority in the church.
a. It is stated as a mutual decision when his determination is published, so his judgment was followed and ratified by all officially.
3. What he determined is that the gentiles should not be troubled that is "we should leave them alone", but that they should abstain from
a. things polluted by idols, strangled, or meat not properly bled, and from sexual immorality, (marriage within the family...)
(1) These were all related to laws found in Leviticus 17 & 18, and the idea was not so much to keep the law but to practice the law of love and by abstaining from these things they would not antagonize or provoke their Jewish brethern.
(a) And thus it would prevent division in the church.
4. Bottom line is he ruled that Peter, Paul and Barnabas were right and the Judaizers were wrong.
D. A letter of decision is drafted.
Acts 15:22-29 (NKJV)
22 Then it pleased the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas, namely, Judas who was also named Barsabas, and Silas, leading men among the brethren.
23 They wrote this letter by them: The apostles, the elders, and the brethren, To the brethren who are of the Gentiles in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia: Greetings.
24 Since we have heard that some who went out from us have troubled you with words, unsettling your souls, saying, “You must be circumcised and keep the law”—to whom we gave no such commandment—
25 it seemed good to us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,
26 men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
27 We have therefore sent Judas and Silas, who will also report the same things by word of mouth.
28 For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things:
29 that you abstain from things offered to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. Farewell.
1. This makes it clear that the issue was ultimately determined by the Holy Spirit who led them and helped them to understand how the scriptures spoke to the issues they discussed.
a. And to their credit they listened and obeyed.
b. Thus they sent a letter back, as well as the men to bear witness and confirm the words of the letter which Paul and Barnabas carried back.
2. And this issue was settled early in the beginning days of the church, that salvation is by grace through faith alone and not mixed with keeping of the law.
E. The letter is well received.
Acts 15:30-31 (NKJV)
30 So when they were sent off, they came to Antioch; and when they had gathered the multitude together, they delivered the letter.
31 When they had read it, they rejoiced over its encouragement.

1. Paul and Barnabas return with the ruling and gather the church together, and when the letter was read, it caused the church in Antioch to rejoice over the encouragement it contained.
IV. Work in Antioch continues
Acts 15:32-35 (NKJV)
32 Now Judas and Silas, themselves being prophets also, exhorted and strengthened the brethren with many words.
33 And after they had stayed there for a time, they were sent back with greetings from the brethren to the apostles.
34 However, it seemed good to Silas to remain there.
35 Paul and Barnabas also remained in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.
A. Judas and Silas minister to the church in Antioch for a time, ultimately Silas remained in Antioch ministering, along with Paul and Barnabas, but Judas headed back to Jerusalem.
V. Contention over John Mark
Acts 15:36-41 (NKJV)
36 Then after some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us now go back and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they are doing.”
37 Now Barnabas was determined to take with them John called Mark.
38 But Paul insisted that they should not take with them the one who had departed from them in Pamphylia, and had not gone with them to the work.
39 Then the contention became so sharp that they parted from one another. And so Barnabas took Mark and sailed to Cyprus;
40 but Paul chose Silas and departed, being commended by the brethren to the grace of God.
41 And he went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.
A. Paul suggest to Barnabas that they return to the cities where they had planted churches on their first missionary journey in order to see how they are doing, which they evidently thought was a great idea.
B. but they divide over the issue of taking Mark with them, who had left them on their first missionary journey.
1. Barnabas was determined to take young Mark with them (ever the man of Grace)
2. But Paul insisted that they not take him, since he had departed from them the first time (Paul obviously thought his departure to be inappropriate)
3. And the contention between them became so sharp that they parted from one another going their separate ways.
a. This seems an unfortunate development, we need to be careful not to simply step over people in the ministry...
b. Barnabas and Mark head to the churches in Cyprus
c. Paul and Silas through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.

Acts 14 Sunday November 2, 2008

2008-11-02T04:06:00.000-08:00

Acts_14
11/2/08

Acts_14
I. Opening Remarks
a. We are looking at Paul’s first missionary journey.
II. They continue traveling through modern-day Turkey and press on to Iconium after being kicked out of Antioch.
Acts 14:1-7 (NKJV)
1 Now it happened in Iconium that they went together to the synagogue of the Jews, and so spoke that a great multitude both of the Jews and of the Greeks believed.
2 But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brethren.
3 Therefore they stayed there a long time, speaking boldly in the Lord, who was bearing witness to the word of His grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands.
4 But the multitude of the city was divided: part sided with the Jews, and part with the apostles.
5 And when a violent attempt was made by both the Gentiles and Jews, with their rulers, to abuse and stone them,
6 they became aware of it and fled to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and to the surrounding region.
7 And they were preaching the gospel there.
A. Again we see that pattern of going to major population centers and to the synagogue first.
1. Many believed but those who did not believe set out to sabotage their ministry.
a. Watch out that we don't listen to character assassinations and gossip
2. We read of those who believed and there were also those who were unbelieving
a. The world can be divided into one of these two groups and it is important to know which group you belong to.
(1) The unbelieving group are enemies of the cross in one way or another, there is no middle ground.
(2) Jesus said to the religious leaders who did not believe:
John 8:42-47 (NKJV)
42 Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I proceeded forth and came from God; nor have I come of Myself, but He sent Me.
43 Why do you not understand My speech? Because you are not able to listen to My word.
44 You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.
45 But because I tell the truth, you do not believe Me.
46 Which of you convicts Me of sin? And if I tell the truth, why do you not believe Me?
47 He who is of God hears God’s words; therefore you do not hear, because you are not of God.”
3. Satan has been working since the garden to pervert the truth of God, and the gospel will always meet opposition from some quarter.
1 Corinthians 16:8-9 (NKJV)
8 But I will tarry in Ephesus until Pentecost.
9 For a great and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.
a. But they did not let that overthrow their work but provoked them to preach all the more boldly while they had opportunity.
(1) Opposition depending on its nature can be an indicator that you are on the right track.
B. We see that the Lord confirmed the Word Through signs and wonders.
1. We don't grasp it with the same sense of drama, but this room is full of people that are evidence to the miraculous work of God.
a. Raised from the dead, spiritually not physically...
C. The truth divided the city, and ultimately Paul and Barnabas had to flee for their lives.
1. And they went to Lystra and Derbe… preaching the Gospel.
a. The fact that there is no mention of then going to the synagogue in these cities indicates that there were not enough Jews in the city to have a synagogue.
D. Map

III. A lame man healed (lame from birth).
Acts 14:8-18 (NKJV)
8 And in Lystra a certain man without strength in his feet was sitting, a cripple from his mother’s womb, who had never walked.
9 This man heard Paul speaking. Paul, observing him intently and seeing that he had faith to be healed,
10 said with a loud voice, “Stand up straight on your feet!” And he leaped and walked.
11 Now when the people saw what Paul had done, they raised their voices, saying in the Lycaonian language, “The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!”
12 And Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker.
13 Then the priest of Zeus, whose temple was in front of their city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates, intending to sacrifice with the multitudes.
14 But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard this, they tore their clothes and ran in among the multitude, crying out
15 and saying, “Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men with the same nature as you, and preach to you that you should turn from these useless things to the living God, who made the heaven, the earth, the sea, and all things that are in them,
16 who in bygone generations allowed all nations to walk in their own ways.
17 Nevertheless He did not leave Himself without witness, in that He did good, gave us rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness.”
18 And with these sayings they could scarcely restrain the multitudes from sacrificing to them.
A. Paul looked intently at him, as if he were the only one in the room...
1. Saw that he had faith to be healed???
a. He leaped up and walked, truly a miracle, we have the record, and I know of no dispute to it, how do you explain it?
2. In response they begin to worship Paul and Barnabas as gods {Hermes and Jupiter( Mercury and Jupiter)}.
a. Temptation to receive glory is a dangerous temptation, we like the praise and esteem of men, but glory belongs to God and to Him alone and Paul and Barnabas are very sensitive to this.
(1) They tear their clothes as a strong way of showing their aversion to the crowd’s response of worship toward them.
(2) And they preach to them that they should turn away from their superstitions and worship the true and living God.
(a) And they point to general benefits enjoyed by mankind as an adequate witness to His existence and His goodness.
i) And this implies now that through the church they are receiving direct revelation not just general revelation
3. Even with all they said they were barely able to keep the people from offering sacrifices to them, still supposing them to be gods!
a. But this quickly changes.
IV. Verses 19-2o we see that trouble makers followed Paul around…
Acts 14:19-20 (NKJV)
19 Then Jews from Antioch and Iconium came there; and having persuaded the multitudes, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing him to be dead.
20 However, when the disciples gathered around him, he rose up and went into the city. And the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe.
A. One minute they are crying "they are god's" the next they are stoning them.
B. We too often put our trust in men, and are ready to follow them rather than following God.
C. Why are people so fickle?(why were the men of Lystra so easily backed down from what they appeared to believe?)
Jeremiah 26 gives us some insight into the ficklness of men.
Jeremiah 26:2-3 (NKJV)
2 "Thus says the Lord: 'Stand in the court of the Lord's house, and speak to all the cities of Judah, which come to worship in the Lord's house, all the words that I command you to speak to them. Do not diminish a word.
3 Perhaps everyone will listen and turn from his evil way, that I may relent concerning the calamity which I purpose to bring on them because of the evil of their doings.'

In obedience to the Lord's command Jeremiah stood in the Temple courtyard and preached powerfully a message of repentance.

Jeremiah 26:8 (NKJV)
8 Now it happened, when Jeremiah had made an end of speaking all that the Lord had commanded him to speak to all the people, that the priests and the prophets and all the people seized him, saying, "You will surely die!

But the people said we don't like what your saying so we are going to kill you.

Jeremiah 26:12 (NKJV)
12 Then Jeremiah spoke to all the princes and all the people, saying: "The Lord sent me to prophesy against this house and against this city with all the words that you have heard.

Jeremiah 26:14-15 (NKJV)
14 As for me, here I am, in your hand; do with me as seems good and proper to you.
15 But know for certain that if you put me to death, you will surely bring innocent blood on yourselves, on this city, and on its inhabitants; for truly the Lord has sent me to you to speak all these words in your hearing."

Do what you want with me but if you kill me your problems will be worse and you will have innocent blood on your hands.

Jeremiah 26:16 (NKJV)
16 So the princes and all the people said to the priests and the prophets, "This man does not deserve to die. For he has spoken to us in the name of the Lord our God."

Jeremiah took a stand, he would not back down and his life was spared.

Jeremiah 26:20 (NKJV)
20 Now there was also a man who prophesied in the name of the Lord, Urijah the son of Shemaiah of Kirjath Jearim, who prophesied against this city and against this land according to all the words of Jeremiah.

Jeremiah, what you're saying makes sense so I'm going to prophecy just like you, the very things you say I will say.

Jeremiah 26:21 (NKJV)
21 And when Jehoiakim the king, with all his mighty men and all the princes, heard his words, the king sought to put him to death; but when Urijah heard it, he was afraid and fled, and went to Egypt.

When Urijah heard that his life was at stake he backed down, and raan away.

Jeremiah 26:22-23 (NKJV)
22 Then Jehoiakim the king sent men to Egypt: Elnathan the son of Achbor, and other men who went with him to Egypt.
23 And they brought Urijah from Egypt and brought him to Jehoiakim the king, who killed him with the sword and cast his dead body into the graves of the common people.

A good way to get wiped out is to back away from what you know to be true.
To look to the world (Egypt) for a fix.
Or to take a vacation from the Word.
Urijah backed down because he was not receiving directly from the Lord, he was just mimicking Jeremiah. He agreed mentally but it was not in his heart.
Truth moves from the head to the heart through prayer.

Jeremiah 26:24 (NKJV)
24 Nevertheless the hand of Ahikam the son of Shaphan was with Jeremiah, so that they should not give him into the hand of the people to put him to death.
1. Jeremiah stood his ground and it saved his life.
2. Paul stood his ground and would not backdown, his was the kind of faith that is genuine.
1 Peter 1:6-7 (NKJV)
6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials,
7 that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ,
a. No doubt Paul's faith was strong because he was allowing himself to have communion with Christ on a daily basis.
b. Some believe that Paul actually died when he was stoned (vv-19)
2 Corinthians 12:2-4 (NKJV)
2 I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago-whether in the body I do not know, or whether out of the body I do not know, God knows-such a one was caught up to the third heaven.
3 And I know such a man-whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows-
4 how he was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.
D. Paul got up and went back into the city, and the next day left with Barnabas for Derbe.
Acts 14:21-28 (NKJV)
21 And when they had preached the gospel to that city and made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch,
22 strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, "We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God."
23 So when they had appointed elders in every church, and prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed.
24 And after they had passed through Pisidia, they came to Pamphylia.
25 Now when they had preached the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia.
26 From there they sailed to Antioch, where they had been commended to the grace of God for the work which they had completed.
27 Now when they had come and gathered the church together, they reported all that God had done with them, and that He had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles.
28 So they stayed there a long time with the disciples.
1. We enter the kingdom of God through much tribulation.
a. Paul and Barnabas realized this and that the Christian life is not an easy life, so they went back through the cities where they had preached, and where they had persecuted, to strengthen and encourage the believers they had left behind.
(1) Thank God for the ministry of encouragement.
b. And they appointed Elders in the churches...
2. Preaching along the way they returned to their sending church in Antioch, and there they gave testimony and report to what God had done through them and the work He was doing among the Gentiles.
a. And they remained at home for a long time.

Sunday Oct 26 Acts 13

2008-10-25T23:57:00.000-07:00

Acts_13
10/26/08

Announce Gianna’s Birth
Pastor Pats Granddaughter
Gianna Verona Spousta
Born Oct 23, 2008
at 632pm
6lbs 7ozs
18 1/2 inches

Acts_13
I. Intro Statement
A. Saul and Barnabas had delivered the collection taken up for the church in Jerusalem, and they returned to Antioch and brought John Mark the cousin of Barnabas with them.
1. And we will see God has a new work in mind for them.
II. As we come to chapter-13 we come to a major shift in the book.
Acts 13:1-3 (NKJV)
1 Now in the church that was at Antioch there were certain prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.
2 As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, “Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”
3 Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away.

A. We shift from the leading role of Peter, to the leading role of Paul.
B. We also see coming to pass the final phase of Jesus' commission to the disciples
Acts 1:8 (NKJV)
8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
1. First the early believers were accused of filling all Jerusalem with their doctrine (Acts 5:28).
Acts 5:28 (NKJV)
28 saying, “Did we not strictly command you not to teach in this name? And look, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this Man’s blood on us!”
2. Then persecution scattered the church throughout Judea (Acts 8:1)
Acts 8:1 (NKJV)
1 Now Saul was consenting to his death. At that time a great persecution arose against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.
3. We see revival broke out in Samaria, after Phillip preached Christ to them (Acts 8:8)
Acts 8:8 (NKJV)
8 And there was great joy in that city.
4. Now Paul is about ready to embark on a missionary journey to the uttermost parts of the earth.
a. I like what Jon Courson says, this not only gives a basic feel for the book of Acts, but it reminds us that throughout scripture, the commands of the Lord are not heavy exhortations - they are glorious expectations.

(1) For that reason reading instead of reading Acts 1:8 like this: "You shall be witnesses unto Me, so get out there and pass out tracts. Be my witnesses. That is my command - it should read like this: "You shall be witnesses unto me. It's going to happen!"
C. We see that at the church in Antioch there were both Prophets and teachers.
1. Prophets are those who under inspiration of the Holy Spirit guide the church through edification, exhortation, and comfort.
2. Teachers are those who ground the Church as they point out the ways and mind of God revealed through the Word.
3. Many teach that they are one in the same but we see clearly in Acts 13:1 there is a distinction.
D. Several men mentioned, they are the leaders in the church at Antioch:
1. Barnabas - "Son of consolation"
a. We saw how he took Saul under his wing when no one else in the Jerusalem church would believe that Saul was born again.
b. Later we will see him take young John Mark under his wing and walk him through a season of failure.
2. Simeon who was called Niger (Strong's - Neeger) a nick name (Simon the black)
a. Simon was probably from present day North Africa
(1) Many feel he was probably Simon the Cyrene who carried the cross to Golgotha for Christ.
(2) His nick name comes from the Latin and probably indicates he probably had moved in Roman circles.
3. Lucius of Cyrene
a. Possibly saved through Simeon taking the gospel back home?
4. Manean
a. He was a foster brother of Herod Antipas, who is the Herod that cut off the head of John the Baptist.
(1) Manean grew up in the vile and polluted family of the Herod's, but God rescued him and saved him for ministry.
5. Saul
a. Saul means "requested one" later we will see he changed his name to Paul which means "little".

(1) Early in his ministry Paul said "I am the least of the apostles" (1Cor. 15:9)
(2) Midway through his ministry he said "I am the least of all the saints" (Eph. 3:8)
(3) At the end of his life, he said "I am the chief of sinners" (1Tim. 1:15)
b. The longer Paul walked with God the more he realized how far short of God he was…
6. What a contrast in people and a testimony to the grace and sovereignty of God.
E. They ministered to the Lord and fasted…
1. Not for the Lord, which is probably indicating of their faithfulness.
Ezekiel 44:10-11 (NKJV)
10 "And the Levites who went far from Me, when Israel went astray, who strayed away from Me after their idols, they shall bear their iniquity.
11 Yet they shall be ministers in My sanctuary, as gatekeepers of the house and ministers of the house; they shall slay the burnt offering and the sacrifice for the people, and they shall stand before them to minister to them.

Ezekiel 44:15 (NKJV)
15 "But the priests, the Levites, the sons of Zadok, who kept charge of My sanctuary when the children of Israel went astray from Me, they shall come near Me to minister to Me; and they shall stand before Me to offer to Me the fat and the blood," says the Lord God.
2. As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, "Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them."
a. This message probably came through the prophets mentioned in vv-1.
(1) Paul later writes to young Timothy-
1 Timothy 4:14 (NKJV)
14 Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership
F. Notice in vv-3 it says they were sent, it is not just that they were emotionally impacted by a great missionary presentation and went, but they were sent.
1. What a wonderful thing when the church can get behind someone and send them out into ministry, confirming the call of God on the lives of those being sent.
a. Today so many go out on their own volition, often moved in emotion rather than the call of God.
III. Paul's first missionary journey.
Acts 13:4-12 (NKJV)
4 So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia, and from there they sailed to Cyprus.
5 And when they arrived in Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews. They also had John as their assistant.
6 Now when they had gone through the island to Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew whose name was Bar-Jesus,
7 who was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, an intelligent man. This man called for Barnabas and Saul and sought to hear the word of God.
8 But Elymas the sorcerer (for so his name is translated) withstood them, seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith.
9 Then Saul, who also is called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked intently at him
10 and said, “O full of all deceit and all fraud, you son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease perverting the straight ways of the Lord?
11 And now, indeed, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you shall be blind, not seeing the sun for a time.” And immediately a dark mist fell on him, and he went around seeking someone to lead him by the hand.
12 Then the proconsul believed, when he saw what had been done, being astonished at the teaching of the Lord.
A. Note that being sent they departed, we are to seek the will of God, and wait for Him to speak, but there comes a point where once He has spoken we need to act and take that first step.
B. They went down to Seleucia and sailed to Cyprus
1. Why Cyprus? Probably because it was the homeland of Barnabas.
a. And so God probably directed them in a supernaturally natural way. Hey I know where they really need the Gospel!
b. There indeed was a great need in Cyprus.
(1) Center of the worship of Venus ( Greek; Aphrodite) the Love Goddess.
(a) Every woman on Cyprus was required to serve at least once in her lifetime as a temple prostitute.
(2) The history of Cyprus is filled with a lot of debauchery, disease, and tragedy.
(a) Sin always takes a toll.
2. Salamis was on the east side of the island and we see young John Mark is there with them as they minister.
C. Then to Paphos on the west side of the island where they meet this sorcerer (Bar-Jesus).
1. He was the deputy of the pro-consul Sergius Paulus who was a prudent man, and desired to hear the word of God.
a. But the sorcerer Elymas resisted it, and began to speak against Paul and Barnabas to Sergius Paulus.
(1) With the aim of turning him away from the faith.
(a) The personal threat to his influence if his boss gets saved is obvious.
b. It is here that Saul's name is changed to Paul.
c. Paul is given discernment to see through this man and see that something is not right about him and Paul goes into battle.
(1) But note it is not Lord destroy him it is probably Lord save him.
(a) Remember what happened to Paul when he was struck with blindness.
d. This event is noteworthy in three ways.
(1) It is the beginning of Paul's leadership (up to this point Barnabas appears to have been in charge).
(2) From this point on the ministry takes a decidedly more Gentile slant.
(3) And there are some interesting nuances here.
(a) A gentile with the name Paul accepts the message, while a Jew opposed it.
i) The Jew struck with blindness, is a picture of the judicial blindness that struck Israel
Acts 28:26-27 (NKJV)
26 saying, ‘Go to this people and say: “Hearing you will hear, and shall not understand; And seeing you will see, and not perceive;
27 For the hearts of this people have grown dull. Their ears are hard of hearing, And their eyes they have closed, Lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, So that I should heal them.” ’

Romans 11:25 (NKJV)
25 For I do not desire, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own opinion, that blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.
e. And the pro-consul was astonished not at the miracle but at the doctrine or teaching of the Lord.
(1) "You Mean God loves me, I can be forgiven?"
D. Before it had always read Barnabas and Saul, but now as we move on we read of Paul and his party.
Acts 13:13-15 (NKJV)
13 Now when Paul and his party set sail from Paphos, they came to Perga in Pamphylia; and John, departing from them, returned to Jerusalem.
14 But when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day and sat down.
15 And after the reading of the Law and the Prophets, the rulers of the synagogue sent to them, saying, “Men and brethren, if you have any word of exhortation for the people, say on.”
1. Paul evidently was originally following Barnabas, but Paul has been thrust to the forefront and is now the leader.
Psalm 75:7 (NKJV)
7 But God is the Judge: He puts down one, And exalts another
a. Many speculate this is why young Mark left.
b. Oh how important it is to be able to submit to the one God raises up.
(1) We are to follow the Lord and learn to be committed to where and what He calls us to.
(a) Illustration about me and Dave.
2. Antioch in Pisidia is a different Antioch than they had departed from.
3. And we see Paul's pattern for ministry, first in the synagogue they had knowledge of the O.T. and thus some preparation, they also had the promise of the Messiah, but then he would go to the gentiles.
IV. Paul's first sermon.
Acts 13:16-41 (NKJV)
16 Then Paul stood up, and motioning with his hand said, “Men of Israel, and you who fear God, listen:
17 The God of this people Israel chose our fathers, and exalted the people when they dwelt as strangers in the land of Egypt, and with an uplifted arm He brought them out of it.
18 Now for a time of about forty years He put up with their ways in the wilderness.
19 And when He had destroyed seven nations in the land of Canaan, He distributed their land to them by allotment.
20 “After that He gave them judges for about four hundred and fifty years, until Samuel the prophet.
21 And afterward they asked for a king; so God gave them Saul the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years.
22 And when He had removed him, He raised up for them David as king, to whom also He gave testimony and said, ‘I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after My own heart, who will do all My will.’
23 From this man’s seed, according to the promise, God raised up for Israel a Savior—Jesus—
24 after John had first preached, before His coming, the baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel.
25 And as John was finishing his course, he said, ‘Who do you think I am? I am not He. But behold, there comes One after me, the sandals of whose feet I am not worthy to loose.’
26 “Men and brethren, sons of the family of Abraham, and those among you who fear God, to you the word of this salvation has been sent.
27 For those who dwell in Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they did not know Him, nor even the voices of the Prophets which are read every Sabbath, have fulfilled them in condemning Him.
28 And though they found no cause for death in Him, they asked Pilate that He should be put to death.
29 Now when they had fulfilled all that was written concerning Him, they took Him down from the tree and laid Him in a tomb.
30 But God raised Him from the dead.
31 He was seen for many days by those who came up with Him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are His witnesses to the people.
32 And we declare to you glad tidings— that promise which was made to the fathers.
33 God has fulfilled this for us their children, in that He has raised up Jesus. As it is also written in the second Psalm: ‘You are My Son, Today I have begotten You.’
34 And that He raised Him from the dead, no more to return to corruption, He has spoken thus: ‘I will give you the sure mercies of David.’
35 Therefore He also says in another Psalm: ‘You will not allow Your Holy One to see corruption.’
36 “For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell asleep, was buried with his fathers, and saw corruption;
37 but He whom God raised up saw no corruption.
38 Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through this Man is preached to you the forgiveness of sins;
39 and by Him everyone who believes is justified from all things from which you could not be justified by the law of Moses.
40 Beware therefore, lest what has been spoken in the prophets come upon you:
41 ‘Behold, you despisers, Marvel and perish! For I work a work in your days, A work which you will by no means believe, Though one were to declare it to you.’ ”
A. Paul's sermon is remarkably similar to that of Stephens which Paul had listened to some 14 years earlier.
1. We worry sometimes because we don't see the result as we share God's word with others, but we are told-
Isaiah 55:11 (NKJV)
11 So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it
B. Paul starts by reminding them of their history.
1. Captivity in Egypt and being brought out by the power of God.
2. Forty years in the wilderness where God both "put up with them" and "fed them".
3. He gave them land and gave them Samuel the prophet (Samuel was preparatory to David as John
the Baptist was preparatory to Jesus Christ).
4. They wanted a king, he gave them Saul, who started humble but became proud.
5. And when God had removed him…
a) Why because of the Amalekites and his disobedience concerning them.
6. And he gave them David who like Saul was a sinner, but he was real with God and had a heart for
God and to do what was right before God.
C. Next Paul turns the attention to Jesus beginning in vv23.
1. Hey pay attention, all of history lead to the moment when the Son of David the Promised seed,
Messiah came on the scene.
a) And the fact that you neither recognized nor received Him fulfills prophecy (vv23-27)
2. Why didn't they stone Him as they stoned Stephen and would stone Paul, but asked Pilate a
Roman to put Him to death?
a) Because the scriptures pointed to crucifixion.
b) And thus they were moved by forces they didn't understand.
3. Imagine what they are thinking as this visiting Rabbi relates their history to them then he concludes
with this, And then he hits them with the resurrection and that there are witness to this end
(1 Corinthians says as many as 500 witnesses at one time).
a) The evidence is overwhelming.
4. Begotten Him (from the tomb like from a virgin womb).
a) Never to die again.
5. You can receive forgiveness for your sin through this Man, but you can never be justified by the
law.
V. The text goes on:
Acts 13:42-52 (NKJV)
42 So when the Jews went out of the synagogue, the Gentiles begged that these words might be preached to them the next Sabbath.
43 Now when the congregation had broken up, many of the Jews and devout proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas, who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God.
44 On the next Sabbath almost the whole city came together to hear the word of God.
45 But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy; and contradicting and blaspheming, they opposed the things spoken by Paul.
46 Then Paul and Barnabas grew bold and said, “It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken to you first; but since you reject it, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles.
47 For so the Lord has commanded us: ‘I have set you as a light to the Gentiles, That you should be for salvation to the ends of the earth.’”
48 Now when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and glorified the word of the Lord. And as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed.
49 And the word of the Lord was being spread throughout all the region.
50 But the Jews stirred up the devout and prominent women and the chief men of the city, raised up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them from their region.
51 But they shook off the dust from their feet against them, and came to Iconium.
52 And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.
A. The gentiles hearing it said come tell us more
1. And in verse 43 Paul exhorts those who followed Him and believed to continue in grace (which many of this same crowd did not which is why Paul wrote the letter to the Galatians).
2. Now when the Jews grew contentious and rejected the message we read
46 Then Paul and Barnabas grew bold and said, “It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken to you first; but since you reject it, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles.
47 For so the Lord has commanded us: ‘I have set you as a light to the Gentiles, That you should be for salvation to the ends of the earth.’”
a. Expending energy to where it can be most fruitful (vv47).

Acts 12

2008-10-18T20:44:00.000-07:00

Acts_12
10/19/08

Acts_12
I. Review
A. As we left off in our last study.
1. God was using the church in Antioch and Barnabas in a great way and the church was expanding.
2. Barnabas recognized he needed some help so he went to Tarsus and brought Saul back and the two of them spent a whole year there teaching the people.
3. And as chapter-11 closed in response to a prophecy concerning a coming famine, the church in Antioch, began a collection in order to send some relief to the church in Jerusalem. (In chapter-12 we learn that Barnabas and Saul carry it to Jerusalem)
II. More persecution
Acts 12:1-4 (NKJV)
1 Now about that time Herod the king stretched out his hand to harass some from the church.
2 Then he killed James the brother of John with the sword.
3 And because he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to seize Peter also. Now it was during the Days of Unleavened Bread.
4 So when he had arrested him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four squads of soldiers to keep him, intending to bring him before the people after Passover.
A. This is Herod Agrippa I who was placed on his throne by Caligula.
1. He was an Idumean a descendant of Esau and he had a Jewish mother (a half breed if you will)
a. In a few chapters Paul appears before Herod Agrippa but it is not this one but "Herod Agrippa II"
2. We read here that Agrippa killed James the brother of John and it pleased the Jews, so spurred on by the favor he got from killing James he went after Peter and arrested him and threw him into prison.
B. He delivered him to four squads of soldiers; the worst criminal would normally be entrusted to less than this but Peter has a history of escaping.
1. Squads (quaternion’s) four groups of four each; 1 group for each watch of the night.
a. He was chained between two (vv6) and two more were standing watch outside the door.
2. Knowing it would be an issue to kill Peter during Passover, he was waiting until after Passover before making his move.
C. Verse-5
Acts 12:5 (NKJV)
5 Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church.
1. Here is a beautiful contrast, we see Peter bound, but prayer for him released.
a. As we will see prayer makes a difference, and there is nothing that can prevent us from praying if we just have a heart to do so.
(1) And there is no wall, nor cell that prayer cannot penetrate by the power of God.
D. Verse-6
Acts 12:6 (NKJV)
6 And when Herod was about to bring him out, that night Peter was sleeping, bound with two chains between two soldiers; and the guards before the door were keeping the prison.
1. What a great picture this is, Peter is facing the possibility of death, he is chained between two soldiers in prison and yet he is fast asleep.
a. Peter has peace that is beyond understanding, that surpasses the difficulty of his situation.
Philippians 4:6-7 (NKJV)
6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;
7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
b. Also Jesus had told Peter that his death would come when he was old
John 21:18 (NKJV)
18 Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish.”
E. An angel frees Peter
Acts 12:7-11 (NKJV)
7 Now behold, an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shone in the prison; and he struck Peter on the side and raised him up, saying, “Arise quickly!” And his chains fell off his hands.
8 Then the angel said to him, “Gird yourself and tie on your sandals”; and so he did. And he said to him, “Put on your garment and follow me.”
9 So he went out and followed him, and did not know that what was done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision.
10 When they were past the first and the second guard posts, they came to the iron gate that leads to the city, which opened to them of its own accord; and they went out and went down one street, and immediately the angel departed from him.
11 And when Peter had come to himself, he said, “Now I know for certain that the Lord has sent His angel, and has delivered me from the hand of Herod and from all the expectation of the Jewish people.”
1. So an angel wakes Peter frees him from the chains and hurries him out of the prison. (This is the second time an angel has helped Peter escape from prison)
a. Often when we see angels in scripture they are in a hurry, but we only see God represented as being in a hurry once.

(1) When the father runs down the road to meet his returning prodigal son.
(2) What a tragedy to see God so easily rejected when He so readily desires to accept us back into fellowship that we were created to experience and from which sin has separated us.
(a) Just as the majority of mankind were rejecting the testimony of Jesus in Peter's day, so it is true today.
i) I pray that this is not true of you and I. (If you are a prodigal, God's arm are open...)
b. We might speculate on why angels are so often in a hurry when we encounter them in scripture
(1) Perhaps it has to do with trying to avoid being worship by men, more likely it is the desire to quickly accomplish what the Lord has sent them to do.
(2) Too bad we are not typically in such a hurry to accomplish what God desire for us.
2. Peter thinks he might be dreaming but acts in obedience anyway, he might of just sat there but he acted on it even if were a vision.
a. But in verese-11 when he came to himself, when his bewilderment was over, when he was fully awake and conscious he realized that God had delivered him from what Herod had planned and the Jews were eagerly wanting, and that is his death just as they had desired the death of James.
F. An unsuspected result?
Acts 12:12-15 (NKJV)
12 So, when he had considered this, he came to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose surname was Mark, where many were gathered together praying.
13 And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a girl named Rhoda came to answer.
14 When she recognized Peter’s voice, because of her gladness she did not open the gate, but ran in and announced that Peter stood before the gate.
15 But they said to her, “You are beside yourself!” Yet she kept insisting that it was so. So they said, “It is his angel.”
1. Thinking things through the first thing Peter does is head to the house of Mary the Mother of John Mark a young man we will encounter again.
a. Mary's house was likely the primary meeting place of the church, and Peter anticipated that many would be gathered there for prayer in this difficult time.
(1) Probably same upper room as last supper or Pentecost.
2. Peter knocks and a girl name Rhoda comes to the door (to answer or ask who was there), recognizing Peter's voice she is so shocked and tickled with joy that she doesn't open to him.

3. When she tells the others that it was Peter they thought she was crazy and as she kept insisting they said "It is his angel.".
a. There was a popular Jewish belief that each person has a personal angel.
b. Rhoda means Rose so perhaps she was delicate and not persuasive, at any rate she left Peter standing outside which would be a sort of anxious thing to endure and perhaps involved some peril.
4. Fervency without faith??
a. They are obviously fervent in their prayer for Peter, but it would seem that there was little faith on their part.
Acts 12:16-17 (NKJV)
16 Now Peter continued knocking; and when they opened the door and saw him, they were astonished.
17 But motioning to them with his hand to keep silent, he declared to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, “Go, tell these things to James and to the brethren.” And he departed and went to another place.
(1) Peter kept knocking until they opened for him and they were astonished when they saw that it was really him.
(a) God responds to our little faith.
Matthew 17:20 (NKJV)
20 So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.

Mark 9:23-24 (NKJV)
23 Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.”
24 Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!”
i) We see that their faith must have been small but God worked.
(2) James here is the half brother of Jesus, the same James who was the elder of the Jerusalem church and who wrote the book of James.
(3) After giving testimony how God had brought him out of prison, and making sure that the leadership were also told, Peter departed to another place.
(a) We are not told where that was, but obviously Peter senses the need to stay out of Herod's way for awhile.
G. Herod is furious about Peter's escape.
Acts 12:18-19 (NKJV)
18 Then, as soon as it was day, there was no small stir among the soldiers about what had become of Peter.
19 But when Herod had searched for him and not found him, he examined the guards and commanded that they should be put to death. And he went down from Judea to Caesarea, and stayed there.
1. We see the determination of Herod to find Peter, and lends credence to the idea that Peter was led by the Holy Spirit to lay low, where the first time an angel helped him escape he boldly went back to the temple to preach at God's command.
2. Herod examined the sixteen guards, and had them put to death, presuming that they were irresponsible in letting a prisoner escape
3. But he himself departed for Caesarea which was an opulent and luxurious seacoast town on the Mediterranean sea.
a. It was also the capital of the Roman province of Judea, from which Roman governors governed the nation.
III. The death of Herod Agrippa 1
Acts 12:20-24 (NKJV)
20 Now Herod had been very angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon; but they came to him with one accord, and having made Blastus the king’s personal aide their friend, they asked for peace, because their country was supplied with food by the king’s country.
21 So on a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat on his throne and gave an oration to them.
22 And the people kept shouting, “The voice of a god and not of a man!”
23 Then immediately an angel of the Lord struck him, because he did not give glory to God. And he was eaten by worms and died.
24 But the word of God grew and multiplied.
A. Tyre and Sydon are located in modern-day Lebanon.
1. We don't know why Herod was angry at them but they were non-agrarian cities and relied upon Herod for food.
a. They set up an opportunity to butter Herod up and get in his good graces.
(1) The Herod's were known for their egotism and they played upon this.
2. Royal apparel according to Josephus was made of silver thread.
B. In response to his oratory, they worshipped him as a god, and he allowed it rather than giving glory to God and God struck him dead for it!
1. Danger of not giving glory to God and receiving worship as God.
a. Man is presumptuous when he believes his position in life is due to his own accomplishments, and not the blessing of God.
1 Corinthians 4:6-7 (NKJV)
6 Now these things, brethren, I have figuratively transferred to myself and Apollos for your sakes, that you may learn in us not to think beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up on behalf of one against the other.
7 For who makes you differ from another? And what do you have that you did not receive? Now if you did indeed receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?
2. What a horrible death, eaten by worms and he died!
C. Herod who opposed God and His church died, but the word of God grew and multiplied.
IV. And the chapter closes
Acts 12:25 (NKJV)
25 And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem when they had fulfilled their ministry, and they also took with them John whose surname was Mark.
A. Having delivered the offering collected for the Jewish church Barnabas and Saul returned to Antioch, and a new work God has in mind for them.
1. And they took young John Mark with them.

Acts_11

2008-10-11T22:50:00.000-07:00

Acts_11
10/12/08

Acts_11
I. Review
A. Salvation came to the household of Cornelius and the door of Salvation was opened to gentiles.
1. Peter in a vision was instructed not to consider what God has cleansed common or unclean.
2. The Holy Spirit came upon the gentiles gathered in the house of Cornelius as Peter preached the gospel to them, the same way it had on the Jewish believers at Pentecost.
a. Seeing this Peter and those who accompanied him realized that there was no distinction between Jew and gentile in Gods eyes and so they also baptized them (a sign or recognition or identity).
II. Words of criticism or accusation travel fast and so the story continues in ch-11.
Acts 11:1-3 (NKJV)
1 Now the apostles and brethren who were in Judea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God.
2 And when Peter came up to Jerusalem, those of the circumcision contended with him,
3 saying, “You went in to uncircumcised men and ate with them!”
A. That the gentiles had heard the word of God and responded to the gospel is good news, and as the report of this gets back to Jerusalem the report is received with mixed emotions.
1. The problem is not that the gospel was preached to the gentiles but that Peter and those with him went into the homes of gentiles and ate with them.
a. Peter going into the house of and eating with gentiles was undoubtedly very shocking to his Jewish brethren.
(1) Eating with them was a sign of acceptance and fellowship.
(2) In the thinking of the Jewish mind the world's population was divided into two groups:
(a) Jews and Gentiles.
i) And instead of seeing themselves as a light unto the Gentiles, Jews saw Gentiles as people to be despised and avoided at all costs.
ii) At this time even Jewish Christians were rooted in traditional Judaism no doubt appalled at Peter's contact with the gentiles.
(b) We are to be salt and light in this world, and not an exclusive social club (separate but not exclusive).

Matthew 5:13-16 (NKJV)
13 “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.
14 “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.
15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.
16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
B. Peter makes his defense.
Acts 11:4-17 (NKJV)
4 But Peter explained it to them in order from the beginning, saying:
5 “I was in the city of Joppa praying; and in a trance I saw a vision, an object descending like a great sheet, let down from heaven by four corners; and it came to me.
6 When I observed it intently and considered, I saw four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, creeping things, and birds of the air.
7 And I heard a voice saying to me, ‘Rise, Peter; kill and eat.’
8 But I said, ‘Not so, Lord! For nothing common or unclean has at any time entered my mouth.’
9 But the voice answered me again from heaven, ‘What God has cleansed you must not call common.’
10 Now this was done three times, and all were drawn up again into heaven.
11 At that very moment, three men stood before the house where I was, having been sent to me from Caesarea.
12 Then the Spirit told me to go with them, doubting nothing. Moreover these six brethren accompanied me, and we entered the man’s house.
13 And he told us how he had seen an angel standing in his house, who said to him, ‘Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon whose surname is Peter,
14 who will tell you words by which you and all your household will be saved.’
15 And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them, as upon us at the beginning.
16 Then I remembered the word of the Lord, how He said, ‘John indeed baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’
17 If therefore God gave them the same gift as He gave us when we believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could withstand God?”
1. In response to the accusation Peter repeated the details of the vision he had seen.
a. That Luke records this completely when it is essentially a repetition of what was recorded in chapter-10 underscores it's significance.
(1) Luke would probably be writing on a scroll
(a) The longest scrolls would be about 35 feet long because anything longer would be too big to handle.
(b) So space was limited and yet this was important enough to use up that much space by repeating what was already recorded in the previous chapter.
(2) It would seem that God wants us to catch this idea that what He makes clean is clean indeed.
Colossians 3:8-11 (NKJV)
8 But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth.
9 Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds,
10 and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him,
11 where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all.
(a) How wonderful to know that man can be righteous in God's eyes based on what Christ has accomplished for us and not on what race we are.
Romans 8:1 (NKJV)
1 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.

Philippians 3:8-9 (NKJV)
8 Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ
9 and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith;
(b) Our salvation is an incredible thing and we ought to walk in it and accept His forgiveness.
2. We also see the wisdom Peter exercised in that knowing he was headed to the house of a gentile (though unsure of what awaited him there) he took six men with him to witness what would transpire.
1 Thessalonians 5:22 (NKJV)
22 Abstain from every form of evil. (could be translated all appearance of evil)

C. His defense is basically this wasn't my idea, I didn't put this together, God did it, God confirmed it, and who am I to argue with God.
1. Their response to his defense:
Acts 11:18 (NKJV)
18 When they heard these things they became silent; and they glorified God, saying, “Then God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life.”
a. They were reverentially silent, there were no more objections.
b. It would seem that the lights are starting to go on to the Jewish Christians that God had indeed removed the barriers between Jew and Gentile and that the gospel was to be preached to all the world.
III. Barnabas and Saul at Antioch
Acts 11:19-24 (NKJV)
19 Now those who were scattered after the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to no one but the Jews only.
20 But some of them were men from Cyprus and Cyrene, who, when they had come to Antioch, spoke to the Hellenists, preaching the Lord Jesus.
21 And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number believed and turned to the Lord.
22 Then news of these things came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent out Barnabas to go as far as Antioch.
23 When he came and had seen the grace of God, he was glad, and encouraged them all that with purpose of heart they should continue with the Lord.
24 For he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord.
A. Persecution that arose following the stoning of Stephen caused the church to scatter and travel as far as Phoenicia (southern part of present day Israel on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea).
1. Cyprus is an Island off the coast of modern day Syria, and Antioch.
B. The Christians that scattered still spoke only to Jews but all of that would change in Antioch, which would become the base for missionary work in gentile territory.
1. Antioch was the third largest city in the Roman Empire (population ~500k)
2. It was dedicated to the Greek goddess Daphne (the river nymph) who was pursued by Apollo's.
a. And was perhaps the most immoral city in the Roman Empire with the exception perhaps of Corinth.
3. And it was here in Antioch that Christians were first called Christians (as we shall see in vv26).
C. When they heard that that people were being saved in Antioch the church in Jerusalem sent Barnabas to check it out.
1. And we see that Barnabas lived up to his name "son of consolation or encouragement".
2. He encouraged them to continue in the Lord with purpose or dedication of heart (not merely intellectual knowledge)
D. And we see the testimony of what kind of man Barnabas was.( 24 For he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord. )
IV. Barnabas looks around and sees a need for some help.
Acts 11:25-26 (NKJV)
25 Then Barnabas departed for Tarsus to seek Saul.
26 And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.
A. In the midst of all these gentiles he says I know just the guy and sets off to find Saul whom he left in Tarsus perhaps as many as eight years earler.
1. Someone to teach them(evangelism, exhortation, teaching vv20,23,26).
2. Barnanbas doesn't have to be the main guy, what an attribute.
a. What a difference when we work together, assisting each other, exercising our gifts.
(1) Parenting class was great (The instructor had a gift, what if he didn't use it?)
(2) How many of you believe you have parenting all figured out, how many know you need help? (why were only 9 there, what if babysitters was a problem?)
(a) What a cool thing that there are those that want to assist others, so that the whole body is benefitted.
V. Relief sent to the church in Judea
Acts 11:27-30 (NKJV)
27 And in these days prophets came from Jerusalem to Antioch.
28 Then one of them, named Agabus, stood up and showed by the Spirit that there was going to be a great famine throughout all the world, which also happened in the days of Claudius Caesar.
29 Then the disciples, each according to his ability, determined to send relief to the brethren dwelling in Judea.
30 This they also did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.
A. Prophecy comes from the mind or heart of God and it is given to provoke some sort of action.
1. In this case it is a warning of troubled times ahead.
2. So the church in Antioch went in to action upon hearing the prophecy (let's do something for them- and not looking out for only themselves)
a. This was an act and expression of love, what a difference we can make when we love each other, and it manifests itself through our actions and not merely our words.
b. No doubt this bound these two churches together.
(1) What a blessing to know that churches still do this kind of thing.
(2) We are the beneficiary of other churches blessing us through faithful prayer, encouragement, even financially because they love us and God has put us on their hearts in times of need.
(a) What an awesome God and what an awesome body Jesus has made us part of.
(b) It is sad to me, that so many don't understand what the church is, they don't benefit from it the way God intended, and they seem to be full of criticism as they move from place to place looking for what pleases them, rather than enjoying what God is providing.
(c) Church isn't a spectator sport, and every Christian has a part to play, work to do, help to be received, and help to give...

Acts_9_32-10_48

2008-10-04T23:26:00.001-07:00

Acts_9_32-10_48
10/5/08

Preparing Peter for the opening of a new door.
I. Introductory Statements
A. Saul will become Apostle to the gentiles, but the door will be opened through Peter for reasons we will see as we progress through our message.
II. The Healing of Aeneas.
Acts 9:32-35 (NKJV)
32 Now it came to pass, as Peter went through all parts of the country, that he also came down to the saints who dwelt in Lydda.
33 There he found a certain man named Aeneas, who had been bedridden eight years and was paralyzed.
34 And Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus the Christ heals you. Arise and make your bed.” Then he arose immediately.
35 So all who dwelt at Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord.
A. Peter's purpose for this trip was to visit the churches and strengthen them, as well other forms of ministry as God gave opportunity.
1. Among the cities Peter visited was Lydda, and there he found a man who had been paralyzed and confined to bed for eight years.
2. Peter evidently perceived that Jesus wanted to heal this man, telling him that Jesus the Christ heals him, and commanding him to get up and make his bed, and immediately he is healed.
B. The healing of this man Aeneas becomes the occasion of many turning to the Lord for salvation.
1. "So all who dwelt at Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord." does not mean that everyone in the region was saved, rather that the miracle was not done in private, but in public, and that many outside the Christian circle saw what had been done and believed.
C. Like Peter we need to be open and sensitive and open to the opportunities to minister that the Lord sets before us.
1. And we need to be careful that we don't develop preconceived ideas about what constitutes "important" ministry, note what Peter said "Jesus the Christ heals you", the point being that it is all about Jesus and what He is doing.
a. Anything that Jesus sets before to do is important, or He wouldn't give us the opportunity to do it on His behalf.
III. Resurrection of Dorcas
A. Death of Dorcas
Acts 9:36-38 (NKJV)
36 At Joppa there was a certain disciple named Tabitha, which is translated Dorcas. This woman was full of good works and charitable deeds which she did.
37 But it happened in those days that she became sick and died. When they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room.
38 And since Lydda was near Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent two men to him, imploring him not to delay in coming to them.
1. While Peter was in Lydda Twelve miles away in Joppa a woman name Tabitha (Aramaic), Dorcas in the Greek who had become sick died.
a. This woman whose name means gazelle "the creature with the beautiful look or eyes"... was a disciple or learner of Jesus; and the testimony of her is that she was a woman who continually did good works and charitable deeds.
(1) She was a woman who served others and was much loved for the love that she showed to others.
2. When she died they washed her body in preparation for burial and laid her body in an upper room.
a. And having heard that Peter was in Lydda they sent for him to come with urgency to Joppa.
(1) While we are not specifically told why they wanted him to come with out delay, it would seem that there was some expectation on their part that he might raise her from the dead.
B. Peter Prays
Acts 9:39-41 (NKJV)
39 Then Peter arose and went with them. When he had come, they brought him to the upper room. And all the widows stood by him weeping, showing the tunics and garments which Dorcas had made while she was with them.
40 But Peter put them all out, and knelt down and prayed. And turning to the body he said, “Tabitha, arise.” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up.
41 Then he gave her his hand and lifted her up; and when he had called the saints and widows, he presented her alive.
1. Peter responds to the request and upon arriving he is taken to the upper room where Tabitha's body is laying, and gathered together in the upper room are the widows pressing in on Peter to show him the garments and coats Dorcas (Tabitha) had made for them.
a. Now widows were often the poor and discarded segment of people in that culture, indicating for us the character of this woman's ministry and why she was so dearly loved by them.
James 1:27 (NKJV)
27 Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.

Matthew 25:34-36 (NKJV)
34 Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
35 for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in;
36 I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’
2. Peter puts everyone out of the room and then he prays, after he prays turns to the dead woman calling her by name and commands her to arise.
a. No reason is given for having everyone leave the room, Jesus had done the same when He raised Jairus's daughter from the dead (only his disciples and the little girls parents were allowd to be there).
(1) Possibly it involves removing those who have no faith.
(2) But it also diffuses drama; this keeps it from having any possibility to be a circus or an opportunity for showmanship.
(a) Done this way maximizes the glory given to God for the miracle.
3. Then taking her by the hand and helping her up, Peter called everyone back into the room and presented her to them alive, and you can just imagine the joy that flooded that room.
a. But also can you imagine what each heart felt towards God in those moments, if you have ever been moved by a patriotic moment or been touched when singing a song of worship, then you can begin to understand the deep stirrings of heart they must have been experiencing toward God.
(1) God is so real, and so wonderful, but it seems that we only experience this in small bytes of time, perhaps if it was other than this we would not be able to handle it. (It isn't always tangible this way for us).
C. Further Imformation
Acts 9:42-43 (NKJV)
42 And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed on the Lord.
43 So it was that he stayed many days in Joppa with Simon, a tanner.
1. Again the testimony of what God had done caused many to come to faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
a. The gospel was beginning to reach a much wider audience, and these two miracles were performed in the coastal cities where there was a much larger gentile population.
2. As the chapter closes, we see that Peter stayed many days in Joppa after this miracle with a man named Simon who was a tanner.
a. This is a significant detail, and we see the effective way that Peter is being prepared for the experience he is about to have with a centurion named Cornelius.
b. Tanners were considered to be ceremonially unclean most of the time because they were constantly handling the skins of dead animal.
c. So we have three things that are preparation for what follows.
(1) The two miracles confirm Peter's ministry and that God was with him in a special way.
(2) He is ministering in an area that has a partially gentile population.
(3) Hew is living in the house of a man that is probably ceremonially unclean.
(a) Peter perhaps is unclean himself as a result.
(b) He no doubt at very least is thinking about matters of uncleanness, and thus open for what ensues.
IV. Cornelius sends for Peter
Acts 10:1-8 (NKJV)
1 There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of what was called the Italian Regiment,
2 a devout man and one who feared God with all his household, who gave alms generously to the people, and prayed to God always.
3 About the ninth hour of the day he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God coming in and saying to him, “Cornelius!”
4 And when he observed him, he was afraid, and said, “What is it, lord?” So he said to him, “Your prayers and your alms have come up for a memorial before God.
5 Now send men to Joppa, and send for Simon whose surname is Peter.
6 He is lodging with Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the sea. He will tell you what you must do.”
7 And when the angel who spoke to him had departed, Cornelius called two of his household servants and a devout soldier from among those who waited on him continually.
8 So when he had explained all these things to them, he sent them to Joppa.
A. So here is a gentile man Cornelius, a centurion that is a Roman officer in charge of 100 soldiers who were part of the Italian Regiment consisting of 600 soldiers.
1. And we are told that he was a devout man who feared God, i.e. he was a righteous man who worshipped Jehovah, though probably not a full-fledged proselyte to Judaism for 11:3 indicates that he was not circumcised.
a. But he loved Jehovah and he loved the people of God (the Jews) as evidenced by the way he blessed them.
2. And while he was in prayer at about 3:00 in the afternoon he saw very clearly in a vision an angel of God coming to him calling him by name, and with fear asked the angel of God "what is it, lord?" to which the angel responds with these instructions.
“Your prayers and your alms have come up for a memorial before God.

So this vision is in response to something Cornelius has been seeking from God.

5 Now send men to Joppa, and send for Simon whose surname is Peter.
6 He is lodging with Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the sea. He will tell you what you must do.”
a. Immediately after the angel departed, Cornelius calls two of his servants and a devout soldier in, relates the details to them, and sends them to Joppa to find Peter and bring him.
V. Peter's vision and preparation.
Acts 10:9-16 (NKJV)
9 The next day, as they went on their journey and drew near the city, Peter went up on the housetop to pray, about the sixth hour.
10 Then he became very hungry and wanted to eat; but while they made ready, he fell into a trance
11 and saw heaven opened and an object like a great sheet bound at the four corners, descending to him and let down to the earth.
12 In it were all kinds of four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, creeping things, and birds of the air.
13 And a voice came to him, “Rise, Peter; kill and eat.”
14 But Peter said, “Not so, Lord! For I have never eaten anything common or unclean.”
15 And a voice spoke to him again the second time, “What God has cleansed you must not call common.”
16 This was done three times. And the object was taken up into heaven again.
A. As the men from Caesarea neared the city Peter goes up on the housetop to pray, it is noon and while there were the common times for morning and evening prayer, Peter seems to be following the example of pious men before him such as Daniel and stops to pray at noon.
1. Being hungry and while waiting for the meal to be prepared he fell into a trance (an ecstacy) and in this trance he an object like a great sheet coming out of heaven with all kinds of critters and a voice commanding him to rise, kill and eat.
a. Peter refuses “Not so, Lord! For I have never eaten anything common or unclean.”
b. To which the reply comes “What God has cleansed you must not call common.”
(1) This happens three times and then the sheet is taken up into heaven again.
(2) Things in groups of three were God's way of getting Peter's attention after Peter's denial three times on the night Jesus was on trial at the house of the high priest.
(a) God is emphasizing to Peter that Jesus cleansed all goods from ceremonial uncleanness.
B. Peter summoned to Caesarea
Acts 10:17-23 (NKJV)
17 Now while Peter wondered within himself what this vision which he had seen meant, behold, the men who had been sent from Cornelius had made inquiry for Simon’s house, and stood before the gate.
18 And they called and asked whether Simon, whose surname was Peter, was lodging there.
19 While Peter thought about the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Behold, three men are seeking you.
20 Arise therefore, go down and go with them, doubting nothing; for I have sent them.”
21 Then Peter went down to the men who had been sent to him from Cornelius, and said, “Yes, I am he whom you seek. For what reason have you come?”
22 And they said, “Cornelius the centurion, a just man, one who fears God and has a good reputation among all the nation of the Jews, was divinely instructed by a holy angel to summon you to his house, and to hear words from you.”
23 Then he invited them in and lodged them. On the next day Peter went away with them, and some brethren from Joppa accompanied him.
1. As Peter is pondering the vision and while they come to the door of Simon the tanner's house asking for him, the Holy Spirit speaks to Peter about these men with the instruction to go meet them, God had sent them and Peter was not to doubt anything they said.
a. They commend their master Cornelius to Peter and tell why they have been sent, being to late by this time to travel back to Caeserea Peter invites them to lodge at Simon's house for the night and leaves with them the next day for Caeserea.
(1) Some men from Joppa accompany them.
C. Peter meets Cornelius.
Acts 10:24-33 (NKJV)
24 And the following day they entered Caesarea. Now Cornelius was waiting for them, and had called together his relatives and close friends.
25 As Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him and fell down at his feet and worshiped him.
26 But Peter lifted him up, saying, “Stand up; I myself am also a man.”
27 And as he talked with him, he went in and found many who had come together.
28 Then he said to them, “You know how unlawful it is for a Jewish man to keep company with or go to one of another nation. But God has shown me that I should not call any man common or unclean.
29 Therefore I came without objection as soon as I was sent for. I ask, then, for what reason have you sent for me?”
30 So Cornelius said, “Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing,
31 and said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard, and your alms are remembered in the sight of God.
32 Send therefore to Joppa and call Simon here, whose surname is Peter. He is lodging in the house of Simon, a tanner, by the sea. When he comes, he will speak to you.’
33 So I sent to you immediately, and you have done well to come. Now therefore, we are all present before God, to hear all the things commanded you by God.”
1. Cornelius confident that Peter will come (an example of faith) that he has a crowd gathered in his home to hear what God has to say through Peter to them.
a. Peter corrects Cornelius who bows to worship Peter, stating that he is just a man same as Cornelius.
2. Peter lets Cornelius and those gathered with him, the unusual way God has shown him that it is OK to be there when normally Peter would have considered unlawful.
a. And Peter asks for what reason they had sent for him, and Cornelius tell Peter of his vision and how they are all there to hear the message that God had given Peter for them.

(1) As yet Peter is not aware that he has a message, but they changes in an instant as he begins to speak to them.
D. Peter preaches to the household of Cornelius.
Acts 10:34-43 (NKJV)
34 Then Peter opened his mouth and said: “In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality.
35 But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him.
36 The word which God sent to the children of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ— He is Lord of all—
37 that word you know, which was proclaimed throughout all Judea, and began from Galilee after the baptism which John preached:
38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.
39 And we are witnesses of all things which He did both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem, whom they killed by hanging on a tree.
40 Him God raised up on the third day, and showed Him openly,
41 not to all the people, but to witnesses chosen before by God, even to us who ate and drank with Him after He arose from the dead.
42 And He commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that it is He who was ordained by God to be Judge of the living and the dead.
43 To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins.”
1. As Peter opened his mouth God began to give him the message.
a. First Peter recognizes and acknowledges that God is not partial to one group of people over another.
“In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality.
But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him.
b. And then he preaches the gospel to them, telling them of the crucifixion and the resurrection.
E. Salvation and the Holy Spirit comes to the gentiles.
Acts 10:44-48 (NKJV)
44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word.
45 And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also.
46 For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God. Then Peter answered,
47 “Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?”
48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then they asked him to stay a few days.
1. As they heard the gospel and believed the Holy Spirit came upon them just as He had come to the Jews gathered in the upper room on the day of Pentecost
a. The Jews were astonished by this and Peter recognizing that if the Spirit of God has baptized them, then their truly is no difference between Jew and gentile and offers them baptism, after which he stays with them for a few days (unheard of...)

2. And so through Peter the door of the gospel is opened to the gentile world to whom Paul would become the Apostle to the gentiles, but the door is here opened through Peter. (witness is established by two or more and so it was necessary that two Apostles validate the opening of this door to the gentiles).
a. And most if not all of us here today are fruit from this very experience.
b. How wonderful to know that God loves us, and that He has gone to such great lengths to let us know His arm are open and we are welcome to become part of His family!

Acts_9_10-31 Saul’s Conversion Part-2

2008-09-27T21:56:00.001-07:00

Acts_9_10-31 Saul’s Conversion Part-2
9/28/08

The Conversion of Saul of Tarsus.
I. As we resume our study in the book of Acts we are at the point where Saul of Tarsus is converted from Judaism to Christianity.
He refers to his former conduct in Judaism
Galatians 1:13 (NKJV)
13 For you have heard of my former conduct in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it.

Indicating that he is no longer practicing Judaism, though scripture tells us that he retains a great love for his people and desire for their conversion as well.

Romans 10:1-3 (NKJV)
1 Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved.
2 For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge.
3 For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God.
A. As we left off:
1. Saul had been knocked off his horse and blinded having heard the voice of Jesus speaking to him.
2. Saul had responded to the question Jesus had asked him, with two foundational questions of his own.
a. Who are you Lord?
(1) Jesus whom you are persecuting!
b. What do you want me to do?
(1) To which Jesus responded "Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do."
3. And we left Saul sitting in the city of Damascus blind, praying and fasting.
Acts 9:8-9 (NKJV)
8 Then Saul arose from the ground, and when his eyes were opened he saw no one. But they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus.
9 And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank.
II. Ananias sent to Saul
Acts 9:10-16 (NKJV)
10 Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and to him the Lord said in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.”
11 So the Lord said to him, “Arise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus, for behold, he is praying.
12 And in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias coming in and putting his hand on him, so that he might receive his sight.”
13 Then Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem.
14 And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name.”
15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel.
16 For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake.”
A. In a vision God speaks to a man named Ananias and sends him to Saul to restore Saul's sight.
1. Ananias is understandably reluctant “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem. And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name.”
a. Saul has been a dangerous man for Christians, and this would appear to be a crazy request, was this vision really from the Lord?
b. This is the first time Christian's are called saints.
(1) The Greek word is "hagios" holy or dedicated, and so we see that as Christians we are dedicated or set-apart from that which secular or common for the purposes of God.
We no longer belong to ourselves but have been purchased by the precious blood of Jesus Christ.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (NKJV)
19 Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?
20 For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.
2. Go, for he is a chosen vessel of mine" and we see a summary of Paul's ministry in vv-15.
15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel.
a. Saul would become Paul the apostle to the gentiles, and his ministry would indeed include governors, kings, and his own people.
3. Suffering (vv-16) for the name of Christ was indeed to be Paul's fate, but for him it was not a burden but a privilege.
B. Ananias goes to Saul
Acts 9:17-19 (NKJV)
17 And Ananias went his way and entered the house; and laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”
18 Immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he received his sight at once; and he arose and was baptized.
19 So when he had received food, he was strengthened. Then Saul spent some days with the disciples at Damascus.
1. The Obedience and faith of Ananias and the immediate embracing and encouragement of Saul.
a. He addresses him as "Brother Saul" an acknowledgment that there is now a family bond that exist because of their faith in Christ and the fellowship Christ has provided through redemption.
b. We see the obedience on the part of Ananias in spite of his fear, certainly this took faith.
(1) But there is something else I find noteworthy here and that is the fact that Ananias was Spirit led to do this.
(a) We have standing orders that we are always to observe or obey like a soldier is required to salute a superior officer without being told to do so.
i) The Great Commission is like this, it is a standing order.
Matthew 28:18-20 (NKJV)
18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.
19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.
(b) We share the gospel in our everyday life, and we bloom where we are planted, being involved in discipleship etc.
i) But I believe that we need to be Spirit led as we go out into hostile environments.
(1) A God given burden or plan, though it will involve faith, will have confirmation, it's more than a feeling.
ii) Can you imagine what might have been the result if this was the idea of Ananias and not God's and he had approached Saul a week earlier?
2. Sent that Saul might receive his sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.
a. So as Ananias laid his hands on Saul and prayed for him, something like scales fell off Saul's eyes, he was filled with the Holy Spirit, and he rose up and was baptized.
(1) More of what Ananias said to Saul is given to us in chapter-22
Acts 22:14-16 (NKJV)
14 Then he said, ‘The God of our fathers has chosen you that you should know His will, and see the Just One, and hear the voice of His mouth.
15 For you will be His witness to all men of what you have seen and heard.
16 And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.’
3. Saul was strengthened through fellowship…
19 So when he had received food, he was strengthened. Then Saul spent some days with the disciples at Damascus.

a. Obedience, Identification, Testimony. (This is true for both Saul and Ananias)
C. Verses 20-22
Acts 9:20-22 (NKJV)
20 Immediately he preached the Christ in the synagogues, that He is the Son of God.
21 Then all who heard were amazed, and said, “Is this not he who destroyed those who called on this name in Jerusalem, and has come here for that purpose, so that he might bring them bound to the chief priests?”
22 But Saul increased all the more in strength, and confounded the Jews who dwelt in Damascus, proving that this Jesus is the Christ.
1. Immediately proclaiming the gospel (good news) in the synagogues there in Damascus, and he was growing in faith and understanding, and he was giving answers…
a. As he shared in the synagogues the Jews were confounded by his arguments because we read he was "proving that Jesus is the Christ".
[sumbibazo /soom·bib·ad·zo/] v.
From 4862 and bibazo (to force, causative [by reduplication] of the base of 939); TDNT 7:763; TDNTA 1101; GK 5204; Six occurrences; AV translates as ?knit together? twice, ?prove? once, ?assuredly gather? once, ?instruct? once, and ?compact? once.
1 to cause to coalesce, to join together, put together.
1a to unite or knit together: in affection.
2 to put together in one's mind.
2a to compare.
2b to gather, conclude, consider.
3 to cause a person to unite with one in a conclusion or come to the same opinion, to prove, demonstrate.
3a to teach, instruct, one.

Strong, James: The Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible : Showing Every Word of the Text of the Common English Version of the Canonical Books, and Every Occurrence of Each Word in Regular Order. electronic ed. Ontario : Woodside Bible Fellowship., 1996, S. G4822
(1) He started to make sense out of items in the life of Jesus and what the scriptures taught concerning the Messiah and it was an irresistible argument.
(2) What a statement, even today, for the honest seeker the same is true the facts about Jesus and who He is are irrefutable.
III. Though Luke does not mention it, we know that Saul went from Damascus to Arabia for a short time then returned to Damascus for a few years, before going to Jerusalem. This probably took place between verses 22 and 23.
Galatians 1:10-18 (NKJV)
10 For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ.
11 But I make known to you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man.
12 For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ.
13 For you have heard of my former conduct in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it.
14 And I advanced in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries in my own nation, being more exceedingly zealous for the traditions of my fathers.
15 But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb and called me through His grace,
16 to reveal His Son in me, that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately confer with flesh and blood,
17 nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me; but I went to Arabia, and returned again to Damascus.
18 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and remained with him fifteen days.
A. During this time Jesus the resurrected Christ was teaching/revealing theology to Saul.
1. Without this Saul/Paul would have no right to claim apostleship, an apostle apparently had to be an eye witness to the resurrection
Concerning the replacement of Judas Iscariot

Acts 1:21-22 (NKJV)
21 “Therefore, of these men who have accompanied us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,
22 beginning from the baptism of John to that day when He was taken up from us, one of these must become a witness with us of His resurrection.”
B. Saul was so effective and zealous that soon there is a plot to kill him.
Acts 9:23-25 (NKJV)
23 Now after many days were past, the Jews plotted to kill him.
24 But their plot became known to Saul. And they watched the gates day and night, to kill him.
25 Then the disciples took him by night and let him down through the wall in a large basket.
1. But God protected him, and we see that Saul has endeared himself to the disciples there in Damascus, they are willing to now risk their lives for this one who had been a risk to their lives.
a. What a complete turn around, Saul the persecutor entered the city blind, but now hidden in a basket he is snuck out of town now the persecuted one, persecution that Paul says was a joy to him that he was counted worthy to receive on behalf of Jesus whom he had persecuted.
IV. It is at this time that Saul heads to Jerusalem and the mother church.
Acts 9:26-30 (NKJV)
26 And when Saul had come to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples; but they were all afraid of him, and did not believe that he was a disciple.
27 But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. And he declared to them how he had seen the Lord on the road, and that He had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus.
28 So he was with them at Jerusalem, coming in and going out.
29 And he spoke boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus and disputed against the Hellenists, but they attempted to kill him.
30 When the brethren found out, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him out to Tarsus.
A. That the disciples are still afraid shows us how vehemently Saul had persecuted the church.
1. Saul needed help in Damascus, and God had sent Ananias, now he is in need of another, someone who will brave the risk as to the genuineness his conversion, and it is Barnabas who steps in and open the door for Saul’s acceptance into the church in Jerusalem.
a. Barnabas = "son of encouragement"
b. What fruitful ministry encouragement can be.
2. It is through the ministry of Barnabas that Saul is accepted by the church and the door of ministry is open.
a. Saul spoke and debated with the Grecian Jews, and so frustrated with his debating abilities they plotted to kill him.
b. This would become a pattern for Saul/Paul as many attempts were made on his life, as he proclaimed the gospel so powerfully.
(1) Sauls movements in chapter-9 may be summarized as follows.
2. Damascus (vv. 3-22)
3. Arabia (Gal. 1:17)
4. Damascus (Acts 9:23-25; Gal. 1:17; 2 Cor. 11:32-33)
5. Jerusalem (Acts 9:26-29; Gal. 1:18-20)
6. Caesarea (Acts 9:30)
7. Tarsus (v. 30; Gal. 1:21-24)
3. We read in verse-31
Acts 9:31 (NKJV)
31 Then the churches throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and were edified. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, they were multiplied.
a. It would seem that Paul's ministry was so intense and the antagonism it raised actually brought some peace to a region after he left (vv31a).
b. And we see the church spreading and growing spiritually and in number.
B. We hook up with Paul the apostle to the gentiles again in ch-11, but first the door to the gentiles will be opened by God's sovereign plan, through Peter.
V. What a dramatic conversion was that of Saul of Tarsus, and as we will see what an adventure his life and ministry were.
I wonder had we encountered such difficulty as Saul did, I few would have pressed on???
People give up so easy today…When the slightest offense happens, they are on their way
A. We all have a testimony, and whether it is dramatic like Paul’s or not, God wants to use us and our lives, our testimony for His purpose and His glory, so start sharing.
1. Obedience, Identification, Testimony.

Acts_9_1-9 9/21/08 Saul’s conversion

2008-09-21T04:18:00.000-07:00

Acts_9_1-9
9/21/08
Saul’s conversion

Acts_9
I. Saul's conversion on the road to Damascus.
A. Saul's purpose for traveling to Damascus
Acts 9:1-2 (NKJV)
1 Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest
2 and asked letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.
1. Saul with incredible zeal is persecuting the church.
a. The word "still" points back to chapter 8:3 where we read
Acts 8:3 (NKJV)
3 As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering every house, and dragging off men and women, committing them to prison.
b. So with intense religious energy Saul continues his persecution of disciples or followers of Jesus, breathing threats and murder against them.
(1) What a testimony for a man of God to have murders in his heart!
(a) Yet this is often true, and comes when we lose sight of God and have our eyes on a cause or a man.
(b) Often we are most vocal about things we struggle with… (a defense or a cover-up)
(2) Previously we read how Paul describes his persecution of the church as evidence of his zeal for God
Philippians 3:4-6 (NKJV)
4 though I also might have confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he may have confidence in the flesh, I more so:
5 circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee;
6 concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.
(a) But in Galatians he adds to this notion and informs us that he had actually set out to destroy the church!
Galatians 1:13 (NKJV)
13 For you have heard of my former conduct in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it.
(b) Many have tried to destroy the church, but it is a thing of folly to try, in fact the persecuted church strengthens and grows.
c. Paul was so intent on destroying the church that he asked for letters of permission to travel all the way to Damascus 133 miles North of Jerusalem.
(1) A roughly six day journey, so that he might arrest christians and drag them back to prison.
2. Paul refers to the believers as those who were of the "Way" evidently an early term to describe the followers of Jesus.
a. What an appropriate title, for being a Christian is more than just belonging to a group, or holding a certain teaching, it is a way of life!
B. God meets Paul on that road as he headed toward Damascus.
Acts 9:3-6 (NKJV)
3 As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven.
4 Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?”
5 And he said, “Who are You, Lord?” Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads.”
6 So he, trembling and astonished, said, “Lord, what do You want me to do?” Then the Lord said to him, “Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”
1. Light from heaven shone around him, he heard a voice calling him by name and asking him a question.
a. In Acts chapters 22 and 26 we are told that this took place at noon when the sun is at its highest and brightest, and so this heavenly light was far brighter than the midday sun could ever shine (very unusual way in which God confronts this man with such a light and speaking audibly)
b. And immediately Saul falls to the ground in terror hearing a voice that identifies Himself as Jesus.
(1) Saul, Saul…He knows my name; He knows your name; He calls out to us.
(a) As I thought about this I was reminded of a wonderful old hymn
Softly and tenderly Jesus is calling,
Calling for you and for me;
See, on the portals He’s waiting and watching,
Watching for you and for me.

Refrain

Come home, come home,
You who are weary, come home;
Earnestly, tenderly, Jesus is calling,
Calling, O sinner, come home!

Why should we tarry when Jesus is pleading,
Pleading for you and for me?
Why should we linger and heed not His mercies,
Mercies for you and for me?

Refrain

Time is now fleeting, the moments are passing,
Passing from you and from me;
Shadows are gathering, deathbeds are coming,
Coming for you and for me.

Refrain

O for the wonderful love He has promised,
Promised for you and for me!
Though we have sinned, He has mercy and pardon,
Pardon for you and for me.

When the world-renowned lay preacher, Dwight Lyman Moody, lay on his death bed in his Northfield, Massachusetts, home, Will Thompson made a special visit to inquire as to his condition. The attending physician refused to admit him to the sickroom, and Moody heard them talking just outside the bedroom door. Recognizing Thompson’s voice, he called for him to come to his bedside. Taking the Ohio poet-composer by the hand, the dying evangelist said, “Will, I would rather have written ‘Softly and Tenderly Jesus is Calling’ than anything I have been able to do in my whole life.”
i) Saul, Saul not word of anger, but spoken with great emotion and love.
(2) And the question "Why are you persecuting me" (not why are you persecuting my church)?
(a) When you attack the church He takes it personally.
(b) A glimpse of the reality that we (the church) are in Him.
Romans 8:1-2 (NKJV)
1 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.
2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.

Ephesians 1:3 (NKJV)
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,

Ephesians 2:10 (NKJV)
10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
c. Many things that when polled people say they would ask God if they were given the chance, most of which are already answered in the Bible if people would only read it and believe -
(1) But Saul asks two of the most important and foundational question that can possibly be asked and when embraced by faith make all the others fall into place.
(a) Who are you Lord?
i) Jesus whom you are persecuting.
(1) Jesus was a common name in that day, but notice Saul doesn't have to ask which Jesus, he already knows!
ii) It is hard for you to kick against…(goad a sharp stick)
(1) The harder you kick the deeper the prick goes and inflicts injury to you individually, and it is vanity to think the gospel can be crushed.
(b) If like Saul here we come to know that "Jesus is the Lord" and that is the reality that Saul now understands, then the second question is a natural follow on "Lord what do YOU want me to DO?"
i) Note that Saul ask the question in a personal way, what do you want "ME" to do.
ii) Arise go into the city and you will be told what you must do.
iii) Often God leads us one step at a time, we don't get the next instruction till in faith and obedience we have taken that step which He has presently revealed or commanded.
(1) As we walk with God we don't necessarily need, have, or get all the answers.
2 Corinthians 5:7 (NKJV)
7 For we walk by faith, not by sight.

(a) But we do have His word to guide us.
d. I would like you also to notice that as lay there on the ground, he trembling and astonished
(1) Why is Sail trembling?
Luke 12:4-5 (NKJV)
4 “And I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do.
5 But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear Him who, after He has killed, has power to cast into hell; yes, I say to you, fear Him!

(a) Saul understands that he is being addressed by the One who should be feared and at that He is the all powerful God of whom the Luke 12:5 speaks.

(2) Why is Saul astonished?
(a) Because in his religious zeal persecuting the church he actually thought he was doing God a favor, and a lot of what he thought he understood has just fallen apart in the light of true revelation.
(b) Also I believe that the fact that Jesus says it is hard for you to kick against the goads (added here by a scribe) indicates that Saul has been ignoring what God the Holy Spirit has been speaking to his heart.
i) I suspect today in this room or listening on the radio or over the internet that there are many, who know that you are resisting what God has been speaking to your heart for some time, just like Saul.
C. Saul in obedience takes this step as he was instructed.
Acts 9:7-9 (NKJV)
7 And the men who journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice but seeing no one.
8 Then Saul arose from the ground, and when his eyes were opened he saw no one. But they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus.
9 And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank.
1. Others who were with Saul heard a sound but heard without understanding, we are told they saw no one but later we are told they saw a light.
2. Saul opened his eyes and was blind he could not see anyone, the others however were still able to see and so they led him by the hand to Damascus.
a. And Saul spent three days there blind for three days of waiting and fasting…
b. I am sure he sat there alone and quiet, his mind filled with thought, reflection, and begging God for help, not just for his physical eyes to open, but now with his spiritual eyes open, pleading with God to help to see and understand correctly begging for more truth.
(1) Do you want to know the truth, are you willing to let God show you, because He will if you let Him.
(2) He wants us to see and understand who He is, and He wanst us to be in the place where can follow, worship, and commune with Him,

Just before he led the children of Israel into the promised land,
not those who had left Egypt and refused to believe and trust Him (that generation had died in the wilderness wandering due to unbelief,
but concerning their children we read the following
Joshua 3:1-4 (NKJV)
1 Then Joshua rose early in the morning; and they set out from Acacia Grove and came to the Jordan, he and all the children of Israel, and lodged there before they crossed over.
2 So it was, after three days, that the officers went through the camp;
3 and they commanded the people, saying, "When you see the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God, and the priests, the Levites, bearing it, then you shall set out from your place and go after it.
4 Yet there shall be a space between you and it, about two thousand cubits by measure. Do not come near it, that you may know the way by which you must go, for you have not passed this way before."
D. Consider:
1. Saul has been knocked off his high horse, and is now in a position of humility before the living God.
a. No place for pride, or religious zeal, but merely God I need your help!
b. He is physically blind, but now his eyes are open to God, he has spiritual eyes to see God and receive truth.
c. He is actively seeking God and asking God to show hime what to do, that is he is willing to be led of God, rather than dictate to God what should be done, etc...
2. God has called and he is responding:
a. God is calling some of you (to salvation and relationship)...
b. Others God is calling you to forsake some sin...
c. Still others He is calling you to some action of service or response of faith
d. Softly and tenderly Jesus is calling, won't you please respond right now???

Acts_8_26-40 9/14/08

2008-09-13T22:41:00.000-07:00

Acts_8_26-40
9/14/08

Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch
I. Review
A. In our last study believers had been driven out of Jerusalem by persecution, and God used this dispersion to spread the gospel geographically and expand the church.
B. Philip was one who went out, he had gone to the city of Samaria, and his ministry there was greatly received, many were coming to faith in Jesus.
II. Philip and the Ethiopian.
A. At the command of God Philip leaves this successful work and goes out to the desert.
Acts 8:26-29 (NKJV)
26 Now an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, saying, "Arise and go toward the south along the road which goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza." This is desert.
27 So he arose and went. And behold, a man of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under Candace the queen of the Ethiopians, who had charge of all her treasury, and had come to Jerusalem to worship,
28 was returning. And sitting in his chariot, he was reading Isaiah the prophet.
29 Then the Spirit said to Philip, "Go near and overtake this chariot."
1. This might seem hard to do, but we see Philip is submissive to what God wants him to do.
a. This is an altogether different measure of success than is typical of man.
(1) There is a cost to this kind of success.
(a) Number one it often comes at great personal sacrifice, God's ways are altogether different than ours, and we don't have to look beyond the cross of Christ to see this.
(b) Also many will look down on you because their definition of success is different, and they won't understand what you’re doing or why you’re doing it the way you are. (They looked down on and didn't understand Jesus)
(2) Oh for a heart that consistently listens and is obedient to what God says, and for a value system that measures success by submission to Him, as well as to others in the fear of God.
Ephesians 5:17-21 (NKJV)
17 Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.
18 And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit,
19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord,
20 giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,
21 submitting to one another in the fear of God.
b. It can be difficult at times to know the will of the Lord concerning day to day events, but what if we simply had a heart to do what His word says?
1 John 2:3-6 (NKJV)
3 Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments.
4 He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
5 But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him.
6 He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.
(1) You see we are not under the law anymore, but it is a much higher standard to keep His word than to merely keep His commands, but the point isn't to keep it with a motivation to be justified through our actions, but rather because we love Him, to let His life live in us.
Galatians 2:20-21 (NKJV)
20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.
21 I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain.”
c. Two roads and this is the least traveled road to Gaza from Jerusalem
2. This Ethiopian eunuch is a wealthy and successful man, who worshiped God.
a. But clearly his success and wealth left him empty, thus he was pursuing knowledge of God.
(1) Only fellowship with God who created us for fellowship with Him will ever satisfy the longing desire of our hearts.
(2) “Taste and see that the Lord is good”, in other words we are to experience Him and His goodness in our every day living.
(a) The more we experience His goodness the more readily we do what He instructs us to do.
3. And he is reading from Isaiah the prophet while sitting in his chariot.
a. Would have cost him a lot of money, so he must really have desired to have it!
(1) How much do we desire and appreciate God's word in our lives?
4. The Holy Spirit instructs Philip to catch up with the chariot, God has a mission for Philip and a plan for this Ethiopian.
B. Philip preaches to the Ethiopian
Acts 8:30-35 (NKJV)
30 So Philip ran to him, and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah, and said, "Do you understand what you are reading?"
31 And he said, "How can I, unless someone guides me?" And he asked Philip to come up and sit with him.
32 The place in the Scripture which he read was this: "He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; And as a lamb before its shearer is silent, So He opened not His mouth.
33 In His humiliation His justice was taken away, And who will declare His generation? For His life is taken from the earth."
34 So the eunuch answered Philip and said, "I ask you, of whom does the prophet say this, of himself or of some other man?"
35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning at this Scripture, preached Jesus to him.
1. Do you understand what you are reading?
a. What do you do when you don't understand what you read in God's word?
(1) Do you dive in for answers?
(2) Do you pray over it?
(3) Do you ask others who can teach you?
Luke 8:9-10 (NKJV)
9 Then His disciples asked Him, saying, “What does this parable mean?”
10 And He said, “To you it has been given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God, but to the rest it is given in parables, that ‘Seeing they may not see, And hearing they may not understand.’
(4) Do you wait for answers (Isaac and Mary hid things in their hearts waiting for clarity)
(5) Or do you just blow it off in complacence.
b. How can I???
(1) But note he readily invited explanation; he is hungry for truth, hungry for the word of God.
Acts 17:11 (NKJV)
11 These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.
(2) Ask God to help take delight in His word.
Psalm 1 (NKJV)
1 Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;
2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night.
3 He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper.
4 The ungodly are not so, But are like the chaff which the wind drives away.
5 Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, Nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.
6 For the Lord knows the way of the righteous, But the way of the ungodly shall perish.
2. Jesus as the suffering servant. (From Isaiah 53:7-8)
a. Paul said:
1 Corinthians 2:2 (NKJV)
2 For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.
(1) And Philip proclaimed Jesus to him.
(2) The man had questions and Philip had answers, because he delighted himself in the word of God.
And it was limited to that small portion of Isaiah.
35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning at this Scripture, preached Jesus to him.
C. The Ethiopian responds to the gospel
Acts 8:36-40 (NKJV)
36 Now as they went down the road, they came to some water. And the eunuch said, "See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?"
37 Then Philip said, "If you believe with all your heart, you may." And he answered and said, "I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God."
38 So he commanded the chariot to stand still. And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him.
39 Now when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught Philip away, so that the eunuch saw him no more; and he went on his way rejoicing.
40 But Philip was found at Azotus. And passing through, he preached in all the cities till he came to Caesarea.
1. The Ethiopian not only received the word of God, believing in Jesus as Messiah, but he acted on the word of God!!!
a. What stops me from being baptized?
2. Add as soon as he was baptized as they stood their in the water, the Spirit of God instantly caught Philip away and the Ethiopian was left standing there.
a. Philip was later found in Azotus a city of the Philistines also known as Ashdod.
b. But the Ethiopian went on his way rejoicing, knowing God had met him there in the Chariot as he read the word and responded to its truth.
3. God wants for you and I to know Him and know that He has met with us and to allow Him to fill those deep needs of our hearts, the question is will we let Him?
a. He is willing are we?
III. As we move into a time of communion the whole point is to meet with God, to enjoy connection, communion, fellowship with Him.
A.
B.
C.