Now many have undertaken to compile an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, like the accounts passed on to us by those who were eyewitnesses and servants of the word from the beginning. So it seemed good to me as well, because I have followed all things carefully from the beginning, […]
Acts 13:4–12 On Cyprus with Sergius Paulus
Sergius Paulus on Cyprus had a Jewish sorcerer in his cabinet This shows he was into spiritual stuff, which gives us some insight into why he wanted to listen to Paul speak. Paul said “you are going to be blind for a time, not even able to see the light of the sun” and Elymas […]
WCAGLS: Session 14: Andy Stanley
Session 14: Andy Stanley Jesus asked His disciples, who do you say that I am? Peter said: you are the son of the living God Jesus said: On this rock I'm going to build a congregation, an assembly, and death isn't going to stop it. There is no way that those guys had any idea […]
Work It
Ephesians 2 gives a great balance to some order that a lot of people have screwed up. Ephesians 2:8-10 ESV For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we […]
Full Armor Prayer Guide
When Paul was in prison, he wrote about a way to pray and a way to be that everyone in a Roman occupied city could relate to…
Divisions, Teams, and Defeat
In 1 Corinthians 1, the apostle Paul tells the Corinthian church that they should not be choosing sides and boasting about which traveling preacher they will follow. Some are saying they side with Apollos, others with Paul, and others boast but still separate themselves and say they are better than others because they are just […]
Judaism at the time of Paul
Here is an interesting quote from the opening pages: “Temples were still erected for the old gods, priest continued to serve and sacrifice to be offered, but these were obsolete; and the myths about the gods were a spent force, no longer capable of satisfying the individual’s longing fr protection and blessing, salvation and redemption, in this world and the next. … “This is the background against which we have to view Judaism with all its differences and strangeness, its belief in the one, invisible God, Lord of heaven and earth, the rigor of its law, its ethical and ritual commandments (observance of the Sabbath, the dietary laws, etc.), its uniform way of life throughout the whole world, the venerable antiquity of its history, its call to turn away from all idolatry and moral confusion, and its proclamation of the judgment about to overtake the impenitent and of the peace and righteousness which the Messiah, soon to come, would bring in his train.” – p.7 It kind of boggles my mind to realize that people were attracted to the rule of law and the moral standards of Judaism.
Paul Goes All Habakkuk in Pisidian Antioch
For I am doing a work in your days, a work you would never believe, even if someone tells you.’ – Acts 13:41 Paul tells the people in Pisidian Antioch all about how all of Jewish history has been leading up to the birth of Christ, and then he quotes Habakkuk at the end of it. … Now if you who are Israel won’t turn to God and believe Jesus is the Messiah, the Gentiles will come in and plunder the blessing that is for you!”