We hear and use the word "serve" all the time within the circle of the church, but do we understand the purpose of it? Does the Bible define for us who the recipients of our service should be?

In Acts 13, we leave Peter and pick up with the narrative of Paul. We leave the strong and unlearned fisherman to follow the well-educated tent maker. We leave the man who walked with Jesus in the flesh to follow the man who fell before Him on the road to Damascus. As we see the differences in their personalities and experiences, we will see that one thing was the same: they were both empowered, emboldened and radically changed by the presence of the Holy Spirit living within them.

Jesus told Peter: “It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you” (John 16:7). Paul wrote of the power of that same Spirit in his letter to the Romans: “If the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you” (Romans 8:11). And that is what we’ve witnessed in Peter’s life. It’s what we’ll see in Paul’s life. It’s what is promised to us. As we open the Scriptures, may we also open our hearts to welcome the Helper in our midst, to allow the Spirit to give life to our mortal bodies.

In Acts 13, we leave Peter and pick up with the narrative of Paul. We leave the strong and unlearned fisherman to follow the well-educated tent maker. We leave the man who walked with Jesus in the flesh to follow the man who fell before Him on the road to Damascus. As we see the differences in their personalities and experiences, we will see that one thing was the same: they were both empowered, emboldened and radically changed by the presence of the Holy Spirit living within them.

Jesus told Peter: “It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you” (John 16:7). Paul wrote of the power of that same Spirit in his letter to the Romans: “If the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you” (Romans 8:11). And that is what we’ve witnessed in Peter’s life. It’s what we’ll see in Paul’s life. It’s what is promised to us. As we open the Scriptures, may we also open our hearts to welcome the Helper in our midst, to allow the Spirit to give life to our mortal bodies.

After changing his style of ministry Jesus gives a parable to the crowds on what happens when the message of the Kingdom of Heaven is preached. Four scenarios are given with four varying results. Leaving the disciples with one question to answer: What does it take to live a fruitful life?

For those of you that exercise, the axiom is true, "No pain, no gain." And, the fruit of exercise is a body that works and feels well. How much more of a priority should be our spiritual health? And, just like physical exercise, growth in Christ only comes with diligence in His Word and obedience to Him.

Our reading this week concludes with: “but the word of the Lord

continued to grow and to be multiplied” (Acts 12:24). It grew in their

hearts, in their communities, in their world. I don’t think that just means

knowledge increased or understanding was gained, though certainly that

would have played a role. John tells us in the beginning of his gospel that

Jesus is the Word of God – the Lord Himself spoken into a world

desperate for a Savior. An understanding of the written word of God is

never void of the living presence of the Word of God, Jesus Christ. He

came because of our weakness; He came in spite of rejection; He came in

the face of opposition. And His word continues to increase in light of the

same.

I don’t know what it would mean for the word of the Lord to increase in

your life. But I trust He’s willing. I trust He’s present. I trust that in spite

of, and because of, and regardless of your present circumstance, He comes

to increase His word in and around you. Word of God, meet us in your

written word. May Your word and Your presence grow and be multiplied

among us.

Our reading this week concludes with: “but the word of the Lord

continued to grow and to be multiplied” (Acts 12:24). It grew in their

hearts, in their communities, in their world. I don’t think that just means

knowledge increased or understanding was gained, though certainly that

would have played a role. John tells us in the beginning of his gospel that

Jesus is the Word of God – the Lord Himself spoken into a world

desperate for a Savior. An understanding of the written word of God is

never void of the living presence of the Word of God, Jesus Christ. He

came because of our weakness; He came in spite of rejection; He came in

the face of opposition. And His word continues to increase in light of the

same.

I don’t know what it would mean for the word of the Lord to increase in

your life. But I trust He’s willing. I trust He’s present. I trust that in spite

of, and because of, and regardless of your present circumstance, He comes

to increase His word in and around you. Word of God, meet us in your

written word. May Your word and Your presence grow and be multiplied

among us.

What's your purpose? There's probably no more important question to you, personally, than that. And yet, the answer is quite elementary... TO MAKE DISCIPLES! I hear what you're thinking; "But wait! I thought that's what we paid the pastor for!" Not so.

In Peter’s explanation of what happened while he was with the Gentiles in Caesarea, he said that when the Holy Spirit fell on the Gentiles, he “remembered the word of the Lord” (Acts 11:16). He remembered words Christ had spoken while He walked among them in the flesh. Peter remembered the words, and they took on greater meaning as the hypothetical came to life.

In John 14:26, Jesus promised that one role of the Holy Spirit is to bring to our remembrance the words of God. Before you begin your lesson, ask the Holy Spirit to remind you of promises God has spoken and to give you greater understanding as you need it. Listen for His voice as you walk through this week.

Read the narrative of Acts 10:1-11:18 all the way through.

In Peter’s explanation of what happened while he was with the Gentiles in Caesarea, he said that when the Holy Spirit fell on the Gentiles, he “remembered the word of the Lord” (Acts 11:16). He remembered words Christ had spoken while He walked among them in the flesh. Peter remembered the words, and they took on greater meaning as the hypothetical came to life.

In John 14:26, Jesus promised that one role of the Holy Spirit is to bring to our remembrance the words of God. Before you begin your lesson, ask the Holy Spirit to remind you of promises God has spoken and to give you greater understanding as you need it. Listen for His voice as you walk through this week.

Read the narrative of Acts 10:1-11:18 all the way through.