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November 26th

The bible reading today is in Acts 17 and 18.

We were in Acts chapter 16 three days ago. There, Paul and Silas and young Timothy were on Paul’s second missionary journey.

“And when they had come up to Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them. So, passing by Mysia, they went down to Troas. And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing there, urging him and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭16:7-9‬

Paul believed that God was leading his missionary band into Bithinyia. But...The Spirit of Jesus changed the apostle’s plan.

Paul did life with Jesus. Or said another way...Wherever and whenever Paul felt or saw or heard that Jesus was at work, Paul took that as Jesus’ invitation to join him in that kingdom spreading work.

Or said another way...Paul was open to the Holy Spirit’s promptings in his life.

Here was one such prompting. One door of opportunity closed and another one opened. So Paul changed direction....just getting in on what God was up to. And that meant leaving Asia and going over to Macedonia.

“And when Paul had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go on into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭16:10‬

Paul and Silas and Timothy and Dr. Luke believed that God was calling them to go to Phillipi to preach the gospel to them.

This speaks tons to me. This group of disciples believed that the call to help the Macedonians would be to preach the gospel. There would be sick people to minister to. There would be young people and old people in need. There would be all kinds of needs to address.

But the missionaries knew that the primary need of the people was to hear and believe the gospel of Jesus Christ. Certainly, they made themselves available to serve the Macedonians. But they understood what their main objective was...Share Jesus with those they came into contact with...Jew and Gentile.

The Lord gave them spiritual fruit right away. They witnessed to a woman who made her living selling purple cloth in the region. Her name was Lydia. Lydia placed her full faith and trust in Jesus for his great salvation. Then she immediately shared her experience with her family and they got saved too.

The missionaries also shared the good news of Jesus with a demonic woman who was in the service of some idol makers and sellers in Phillipi. Jesus used Paul to cast out the demons and the slave girl began to believe Jesus too.

It was amazing to many. But not to the idol builders and sellers. They had Paul and Silas put in jail on trumped-up charges.

But guess what? God had his purposes for that imprisonment.

He used the faithful testimonies of Paul and Silas to lead the jailer and all of his family to Christ. How awesome are the ways of God!

Then Paul and his friends left Phillipi...walking 100 miles to Thessalonica. And when they reached that city they went to the synagogue three straight Sabbaths.

“And Paul went in, as was his custom, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and proving that it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead, and saying, “This Jesus, whom I proclaim to you, is the Christ.”

And some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a great many of the devout Greeks and not a few of the leading women.”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭17:2-4‬

Paul, from the scriptures, reasoned, explained, and laid out evidences concerning the life and work of Jesus, especially his atoning death and His triumphant resurrection from the dead.

Some Jews were persuaded and a great many Greeks. That had to thrill the missionaries’ hearts.

From Thessalonica, Paul sailed to Athens, Greece. He left Silas and Timothy in Thessalonica to encourage and teach the kingdom’s newest laborers in Christ.

From Athens, Paul went to Corinth. There he met and led a Jewish couple from Rome, Aquilla, and Priscilla. Paul led them to Jesus and for the next year, they partnered in ministry there in Corinth. Some people got saved and became the church at Corinth. But persecution caught up with Paul there...

“And the Lord said to Paul one night in a vision, “Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent, for I am with you, and no one will attack you to harm you, for I have many in this city who are my people.”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭18:9-10‬ ‭

Friends...let us go on speaking of Jesus and his salvation...perhaps he still has many in this city who are his chosen people.

Have a great day