Day 191: Acts 27:1-20

“The next day we put in at Sidon. And Julius treated Paul kindly and gave him leave to go to his friends and be cared for.”- ‭‭Acts‬ ‭27:3‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Many believe this group of Christians that shows kindness to Paul were in Sidon as a result of Stephen’s martyrdom (26 years earlier), as believers scattered from Jerusalem.

“Paul received permission to go ashore and visit members of this community (for so we should certainly understand “his friends”) and enjoy all the attention that their Christian love could suggest while the ship was in harbor.”  - Bruce, F. F. (1988). The Book of the Acts (p. 478)

SPOILER ALERT: Tomorrow, there will be a shipwreck.

It is interesting here to play a “what-if” game. Knowing what Paul and the boat’s occupants (totaling 276) were about to face, it should not surprise us that God gave Paul favor with Julius the Centurion.

God will always give us what we need now to help us lead and persevere later.

So, what happens if the Jesus-followers here at Sidon don't meet Paul’s needs? Does he have the strength or focus necessary to lead well throughout the storm and shipwreck? We can’t know for sure, but we do know from the rest of the chapter that he was a difference-maker.

Ready for two challenges today from our passage?

1) Be open to receiving kindness from fellow Christians.

2) Be ready to extend encouragement to those who need this kind of care.

We will be amazed at what Jesus does in us and through us because of these two life-giving acts of openness.

Day 190: Acts 26:1-32

“to open their eyes, so they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God. Then they will receive forgiveness for their sins and be given a place among God’s people, who are set apart by faith in me.” - Acts‬ ‭26:18‬ ‭NLT‬‬

As you read through Acts 26, you can’t help but be drawn into Paul’s heart-cry and mission. He echoes what we see more than once in the writings of the prophet Isaiah (42:6-7, 49:6). It is the idea that, in future generations, the Jews were going to be a light to the nations. It was promised to Abraham at the very beginning of his call as well when God said, "...in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed." (Genesis 12:3 ESV) Paul was the first real champion of this cause, and he literally gave his life to see it through.

We are on the same mission today. If we aren’t calling those we are trying to reach to a brand new life of freedom, then what is the point? Following Jesus isn’t just a nice sentiment; it has the power to overcome any darkness, in any place. Being a Christian isn’t just a label; it is activating something that cannot be stopped. Satan himself is rendered ineffective.

Paul's desire was for these two Roman rulers to understand who was really in charge. Jesus Christ (the light to the nations) was running the show, and they would do well to worship Him as soon as possible.

“The net effect of all this is that the reader understands that God’s hand continues to be on Paul, and God’s plan for his life will be worked out.” - Witherington, B., III. (1998). The Acts of the Apostles (p. 745)

Day 189: Acts 25:1-27

“Paul argued in his defense, “Neither against the law of the Jews, nor against the temple, nor against Caesar have I committed any offense.”” - Acts‬ ‭25‬:‭8‬ ‭ESV‬‬

In the Roman Empire and the Jewish system, Paul was not a rule-breaker. He knew that the government that he sought to reform was the very same one that was keeping him alive. 

Instead of choosing a stubborn, anti-establishment stance, Paul decided to have influence.

In another place, he described it this way:  “To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some.” - 1 Corinthians 9:22 ESV

Consider that this is coming from a man who wasn’t shy about telling you what he thought. Yet, he was looking for sustained influence over temporary gloating. This was about him having the opportunity to tell the entire known world about this Jesus he claimed was alive (see verse 19).

How do you intend on having influence (for Jesus) in the United States and beyond? How will you help cure the injustices you see?

We will do it one humble, winsome conversation at a time.

Let's close with another encouragement from another one of Paul's letters:  "I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called." - Ephesians 4:1 ESV

Day 188: Acts 24:1-27

“...as he told them about his faith in Christ Jesus. As he reasoned with them about righteousness and self-control and the judgment to come, Felix was terrified.” - Acts 24:24-25

Paul is able to have a private audience with one of Rome’s provincial guardians, a governor. He had the opportunity to share his “faith in Christ Jesus”in any way he wanted. So how did he proceed? He used “reason” (διαλέγομαι dialegomai converse; discuss; argue) to tell them about three things:

1. Righteousness (God’s way of saving us through Jesus’ blood)

2. Self-control (“to exercise complete control over one’s desires and actions” - Nida/Louw)

3. Judgment to come (Felix wasn’t just going to have to answer to Rome for his deeds. He would also answer to Jesus upon his death; see John 5:29).

How would you have presented the gospel to a powerful, political man like Felix? It doesn’t do us or those to whom we share the gospel any favors by skirting around the apparent truths of scripture.

Is it really possible to be as strong as Paul and also remain as respectful as he was toward the Jews and Felix? Only by God’s power!

The following quote is an excellent picture of what God wants to do in every life: “Imagine yourself as a living house. God comes in to rebuild that house. At first, perhaps, you can understand what He is doing. He is getting the drains right and stopping the leaks in the roof and so on; you knew that those jobs needed doing and so you are not surprised. But presently He starts knocking the house about in a way that hurts abominably and does not seem to make any sense. What on earth is He up to? The explanation is that He is building quite a different house from the one you thought of - throwing out a new wing here, putting on an extra floor there, running up towers, making courtyards. You thought you were being made into a decent little cottage: but He is building a palace. He intends to come and live in it Himself.”  - C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity

Day 187: Acts 23:11-35

“The following night the Lord stood by him and said, ‘Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome.’” - Acts‬ ‭23:11‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Someone who is unafraid doesn’t need to be told to “take courage.” It isn’t an accident that Jesus meets Paul in a place of fear. He knew what it would take to see this through to Rome.

Courage.

The Greek word here is tharseō. Louw and Nida define it as "to have confidence and firmness of purpose in the face of danger or testing."  Louw, J. P., & Nida, E. A. (1996). In Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament (Vol. 1, p. 305)

Jesus similarly used the same word when speaking to his disciples the night He was betrayed. He said, “In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world." (John 16:33 NASB95)

What Paul was about to face (imprisonment and shipwreck) required more than he currently possessed. He was going to need courage.

Isn’t it fascinating what kind of sign God gives him immediately? Paul’s nephew, whom many believe was between high school and college-age, warns of an assassination attempt that was about to take place.

Courage always comes with a crew, and sometimes that group is comprised of family. This is the only way Paul would make it to Rome, and it’s the only way we will fight this good fight as followers of Jesus today.

Day 186: Acts 22:17-30, 23:1-10

“Now when Paul perceived that one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, ‘Brothers, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees. It is with respect to the hope and the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial.’” - Acts 23:6 ESV

In our reading for today, Paul found himself in an impossible situation. He faced back-to-back threats:

1. Flogging and interrogation

2. Condemnation of the Sanhedrin (Jewish High Court)

He craftily sidestepped them both.

Did he do this because he was a coward? No. We know for a fact that he wasn't opposed to suffering for Christ's sake. He saw it as part of the Christian experience.

Check out 2 Corinthians 11:25: “Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked. I spent a night and a day in the open sea.” (see also, 2 Timothy 3:12)

Yet, in this instance, Paul wasn't going to be unnecessarily mistreated. He would use his intellect to his advantage in order to ensure safe passage to Rome, the largest microphone of his day.

Did you know it is also acceptable for you to use your intellect to ensure you have maximum influence among those who have yet to follow Jesus by faith? We aren't afraid to become martyrs for Christ's sake. We don't have to acquiesce to avoidable mistreatment.

Jesus, give us the kind of wisdom that Paul had, which only comes through your Holy Spirit.

Day 185: Acts 21:37-40, 22:1-16

"And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name." - Acts 22:16 ESV

Paul's enter-at-your-own-risk trip to Jerusalem has led to an incredible opportunity. The mob which was trying to kill him now becomes an audience for his testimony. This speaks to how much compassion Paul had for the Israelite people (who were his own).

In this carefully crafted message, Paul gives us a few more details about Ananias' role in his conversion to Christianity. As you may recall from Acts 9, Ananias was not, at first, a willing participant in being sent to the murderous Pharisee. He responded to Jesus' command with a question: "Have you not heard how bad this guy is toward Your people?" Jesus had heard (and seen) it all.

The language Ananias uses is so powerful. This time, he asked Paul a question: "Why do you delay?" Paul didn't need more than three days to realize that this Jesus who knocked him on his back (with light) was the Son of God, risen and exalted.

One of the ways I've been praying this verse is to ask that certain non-Christians would not delay, that they would respond quickly in faith via confession and baptism.

Who are you praying for to come to faith in Jesus? Perhaps praying this verse is a way to refocus us on the urgency and necessity of salvation from sin.

In contrasting Cain's descendants with Seth's, Moses includes this detail as he wrote:

"Seth also had a son, and he named him Enosh. At that time people began to call on the name of the Lord." - Genesis 4:26 NIV

May we and all those we are working to reach do the same. We pray it in Jesus' name, Amen.

'And in the act of being baptized his invocation of Jesus as Lord would declare the dominant power in his life henceforth." - Bruce, F. F. (1988). The Book of the Acts (p. 418)

Day 184: Acts 21:18-36

“On the following day Paul went in with us to James, and all the elders were present. After greeting them, he related one by one the things that God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry.” - Acts 21:18-19 ESV

As he promised, Paul finds his way to Jerusalem. The experience starts with a strong report of what God had been doing among the nations (Gentiles). This positive report will be interrupted by a concern for the "zealous for the Law" Christians in the city. Things won't end well.

Until then, let's focus on the language Paul uses to describe what was happening among the non-Israelites.

First of all, he itemizes what God had done (one by one). Each story mattered because they represented individuals that Jesus deeply loved. The church is composed of many individual souls with stories.

Second, it wasn't Paul's ministry that was proprietary. We won't be able to do things exactly the way he did throughout the first-century Mediterranean world, but we do worship the same God that worked through their efforts. This means we can be assured that a hopeful movement is still possible in Jesus' name today.

Do you have at least one person you're actively praying for to receive Christ as their Savior? If so, look for the windows God is providing to share the gospel.

God, help us reach one soul at a time, and please do what only You can do (as You have done) in our point of history. In Jesus' name, we pray, Amen.

"It was a noble account to render. Since he had saluted the Church (ch. 18:22), when he had probably seen James last, he had laboured at Antioch, in Galatia and Phrygia, and had wrought a mighty revolution in Asia. He had consolidated his work in Macedonia and Achaia; he had held his visitation of Gentile elders in Miletus; he had visited Tyre, Ptolemais, and Cæsarea, great Gentile cities, and had seen everywhere astonishing tokens of the grace of God which was with him. And now he pours his tale into the ears of the chief pastor of the mother Church of Jerusalem, and those of the Jewish elders. A tale of wonder indeed!" - Spence-Jones, H. D. M., ed. (1909). Acts of the Apostles (Vol. 2, pp. 172–173)

Day 183: Acts 21:1-17

“Then Paul answered, ‘What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.’ And since he would not be persuaded, we ceased and said, ‘Let the will of the Lord be done.’” - Acts 21:13-14 ESV

What is it with us and our aversion to pain? For most of us, safety for ourselves and our families is our top priority. It is understandable. Why would we willingly walk into a situation that we know will bring harm to us?

This is what was confusing to all of the prophets among the Christians in every city Paul visited. The Holy Spirit was saying the same thing, "Pain awaits Paul in Jerusalem!" It is interesting to note that the Holy Spirit didn't say that Paul shouldn't go into the city; He only said that opposition awaited him.

How about us? Do we sometimes discourage someone from doing something difficult, maybe even painful, even if it's the right thing to do?

Since we have the advantage of hindsight, we can now see that this would be the beginning of Paul's most significant opportunity for influence throughout the Roman Empire. More letters would be written (think New Testament). More rulers would be engaged. He would journey toward the largest platform in the known world: Rome itself.

All because he was willing to face opposition in Jerusalem.

What pain are we currently avoiding that could lead to greater influence on those who have yet to confess Jesus?

The grief displayed by Paul’s friends had the effect of pounding at his heart as they attempted to dissuade him. But for himself Paul was quite prepared not merely for what was prophesied but also for possible death at Jerusalem. It was not that there was any virtue in such sufferings for their own sake, but only if they were accomplished on behalf of the name of Jesus, i.e. as a necessary part of Christian service." - Marshall, I. H. (1980). Acts. (Vol. 5, p. 360)

Day 181: Acts 20:1-37

"Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood." - Acts 20:28 ESV

This encouragement that Paul gives to the Ephesian elders gets me every time. When you put great care into any group of people, whether that's teaching kids at church or coaching a little league team, your heart remains with them for quite some time. We want to think that the investments we've made will produce fruit for future generations.

Paul can see that there was great spiritual warfare taking place in Ephesus. Their church was started in the midst of an insane book/scroll burning (see Acts 19:21-40). This wasn't an easy place to be a Christian, and the same is true to this day (there is no known Christian church in Ephesus today).

Leadership will always start first with us. We cannot expect to lead anyone anywhere without first being affected by God's grace. Then we have to turn our eyes toward those we are attempting to lead. How much quality time have we spent with them? People don't select leadership in the church like we select a president. The Holy Spirit selects them, and we merely identify them.

How do we know Jesus cares for the church? His blood is all the proof we need, and it continues to power His people day in and day out to do the work He initiated in the first century. May we all be the leaders God has called us to be, and may we be in prayer for our elders, asking God to give them wisdom and strength.

"Their responsibility was the greater in that the flock which they were commissioned to tend was no other than the church of God which he had purchased for himself (an echo here of Old Testament language)—and the purchase price was nothing less than the life-blood of his beloved Son." - Bruce, F. F. (1988). The Book of the Acts (pp. 392–393)