Distinguished Producer

Lifespring Family member Berean Brother Paul of Seattle

Podcast Introduction

Today is Gospel Saturday. We’ll read Acts 19-20. I’m calling today’s episode “Big Business.” 

Design: Steve Webb | Photo: Niels Steeman on Unsplash

Comments on Acts 19-20

Thoughts on Acts 19

So Paul sort of stirred things up in Ephesus, didn't he? There was a whole industry built around the worship of Artemis. The silversmith, Demetrius, had a financial interest in keeping people devoted to this false god, didn't he? It was big business. 

What really caught my attention about this scene was when, during the confusion at the big assembly, it said in verse 32 that "Most of the people did not even know why they were there." That even happens now at big demonstrations. There's mass confusion, shouting and even violence, and many of the demonstrators don't know why they're even there. And some are there for their own vested interests. 

As it says in Ecclesiastes, "there's nothing new under the sun". Beloved, people don't change. Circumstances change, but men and women are still the same. They needed Jesus in Paul’s time, and we need Jesus now.

Thoughts on Acts 20

For me, the thing that stands out here in Acts 20 is where Paul says, "I want to finish the race that I'm running. I want to carry out the mission I received from the Lord Jesus; the mission of testifying to the Good News of God's kindness." 

Paul had already been on the receiving end of quite a lot of persecution, and the Holy Spirit told him that in every city imprisonment and suffering was waiting for him. Yet he was determined to run…and finish…the race.

I want to have that kind of determination, too. Don't you? When your race is over and you stand before God, don't you want to hear the words, "Well done, good and faithful servant." To me, that will be a glorious day, and I will do whatever it takes, go through any trial, to hear those words. 

What about you? 

As time winds down, and I believe we are in the final days, living for Jesus is not going to get any easier. We look at the news today and we see how persecution against believers around the world is growing. One of the most important things we can do is to decide, before persecution comes to us, what we will do when we look it in the face. That's one of the reasons we're told in scripture that we will face trials. God wants us to know that things aren't going wrong when those times come. He wants us to know that it's part of His plan. And He wants us to prepare mentally, emotionally and spiritually. 

Have you given any thought to what you will do if and when this kind of persecution comes your way? I pray it never does, but it is good to be prepared.

Today's Bible Translation

Bible translation used in today's episode: Ch. 19 CEB; Ch. 20 GWT

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