We first heard of Paul's desire to go to Rome in Acts 19:21. Then we learned in Acts 23:11 that the Lord Jesus confirmed that He was sending Paul to Rome. In today's study of the last chapter of Acts we see that Paul finally arrives in Rome, safe and sound, but no doubt a bit sea sick and weary after account we covered in Acts 27.
Every toss and turn in Paul’s journey to Rome was orchestrated by God. But Paul is in Rome at last and we find that once he arrives, he continues contending for the faith that was once delivered unto the saints. Despite the opposition. Despite the “questionable weather” and lesser than 5-star accommodations along the way, Paul, along with Dr Luke and Aristarchus, arrive in the most prominent city on planet earth at that time….Rome. He arrives as a prisoner and tells his fellow Jews that for “the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain”. But because Paul was set free by Jesus Christ, he never regarded himself as the prisoner of Rome, but as the prisoner of Jesus Christ (Ephesians 3:1; Philemon 1:1;9 ).
What the world would call a radical and skewed way of seeing things, Jesus would call the normal Christian life. While it is true that not many of God’s children are called to live as dramatic a Christian life as Paul did, we are all called to live what’s been named by some, ‘The Glorious Exchanged Life’. The Glorious Exchanged Life is this: Jesus died to save my soul, and now I die (Luke 9:23), to live for Him. Each and every follower of Jesus has a “Rome” as the final stop in their pilgrimage here on earth. God is right now working in your life every single detail that is designed to prepare you for when you land there. There is not a storm or venomous snake bite that is wasted in the marvelous testimony of Jesus that God in forming in your life. You see beloved, you are no longer a prisoner of your circumstances, you are a prisoner of Jesus Christ. Keep your eyes and faith on the One whom the natural eye cannot see.
So wherever you are on your way to your Rome, the Gospel mandate and itinerary is simple. Abide in Jesus. Pray without ceasing. Preach the kingdom of God. Share those things concerning the truth and gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. Some will believe, and some will not. May God be glorified in each and every one of your lives, beloved.
Storms in the Will of God
May 26, 2024 • Pastor Ray Viola • Acts 27
When Jesus calmed the storm on the Sea of Galilee, the disciples said, “What manner of man is this! for he commandeth even the winds and water, and they obey him” (Luke 8:24). It is very easy for us to read the account of Paul’s boat ride to Rome and lose sight of the fact that God is in complete control the entire situation. We remember back in Acts 23:11, “And the night following the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome”.
Matthew Henry wrote, “it was determined by the counsel of God, before it was determined by the counsel of Festus, that Paul should go to Rome; for God had work for him to do there”. But we also saw in Acts 26, Paul could have been set free from going to Rome because there were no charges that Festus and Agrippa could have presented to Caesar. By appealing to Caesar, Paul was not so much intent on going to Rome in defense of himself, as much as he knew that it was the will of God for his him to testify before Caesar, regardless of the cost or consequences. So we see the supernatural work of God in every aspect of this boat rude to Rome from the weather to the passengers own board. This Euroclydon or typhoon like storm was a God ordained boat ride for Paul and the 276 fellow passengers. Despite the reality of the danger that they faced on this voyage, Paul knew that God was in control of everything, and he made it a point to pass that along to everyone else onboard.
Beloved follower of Jesus, do you realize that the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ is in control of everything that you are facing today? One of the things that every child of God must come to terms with is the fact that the supernatural work of God is often displayed in our every day, natural circumstances. Stop for a moment and ponder that through right now beloved. Do you realize that everything in your life is working together for your good and God’s glory?
One of the most oft repeated promises of God throughout Scripture is Fear Not. God told Paul to fear not in Acts 27:24. Every time that we read that promise of God fear not, God is talking to someone who is afraid of something or someone. Fear is a very real human emotion that can drive a person to despair.
God told the national Israel, “But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. For I am the LORD thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Savior:” (Isa 43:1-3).
Embrace those words of the prophet Isaiah from our Heavenly Father, loved ones. They remind us of a basic fact that there are waters and fires in the life of every follower of Jesus Christ, but our lives are in the hands of God. He is in control of everything. We are all homeward bound beloved, and until we arrive safely in glory, every storm has a purpose that is designed for the glory of God and the Name of Jesus Christ. SELAH
Ordinary Christian Conversion
May 19, 2024 • Dylan Ocorr • Acts 26
When I was in 5th grade, the biggest enemy I faced was my list of chores. Nothing terrified me more than walking downstairs on Saturday morning, and slowly peering into the kitchen to see if that mother of mine had scribbled out one of those motherly death sentences. They usually read like this: “Dylan, before you watch TV or go play with friends, do these three things.” A 5th graders gallows if you ask me. So, I would do my best to avoid my chores, but eventually, I was forced to complete them. Then one day, I was practicing the piano, and my mom said, “Aww! I could listen to you play piano all day long.” And suddenly it dawned on me - as long as I play the piano, my mom will never force me to do my chores. And thus began one of the most rigorous practice schedules ever known to a 5th grader.
In Acts 26, Paul finds himself facing an actual death threat, not just a list of chores. But, this isn’t his first rodeo. Back in Acts 22 and 23, he faced nearly the same thing - on trial, retelling his story of conversion as his legal defense. In Acts 23, Paul faced a council of leaders and escaped only because he was able to stir up division amongst his accusers. “Now when Paul perceived that one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, ‘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.’ And when he had said this, a dissension arose between the Pharisees and the Sadducees…” (Acts 23:6-7). After much confusion, almost being illegally flogged, and nearly killed, Paul resorted to some old school tactics - the enemy of my enemy is my friend. And, miraculously, it worked!
Now, over two years later, Paul is before a council of leaders again. This time, he knows how to handle the situation. He’s learned how to avoid the mob uprising, just like I learned how to avoid the chore list. So, he begins his testimony by bringing up this heated point of contention, instead of waiting until the end.
But does Paul bring up this dispute at the beginning only to avoid danger? Or is there a deeper reason? Back in Acts 23, the Pharisees and Sadducees split over Paul because of the issue of the Resurrection. The Pharisees believed that there is a Resurrection, whereas the Sadducees held that there was no none (Acts 23:8). So, when Paul brought up the dispute, they took sides. But their siding with Paul was simply a matter of philosophical discussion. It was purely about what things are reasonable to believe and what are not. The Pharisees and the Sadducees were not concerned about anything fundamental to the Gospel itself. Their only concern was with general metaphysical realities. As it were, in an attempt to avoid death, Paul turned their attention away from the person of Jesus, and onto a philosophical debate.
Knowing this, Paul takes a different approach in Acts 26. He begins by bringing up this heated debate regarding the reality of the resurrection because he wants to drive home a different main point. Right after mentioning this societal ‘hot topic’, he says, “I myself was convinced that I ought to do many things in opposing the name of Jesus of Nazareth.” (Acts 26:9). Paul turns their attention away from the philosophical debate around the feasibility of the resurrection, and turns their attention onto the person of Christ. Paul sees that when he was opposed to the gospel and living in sin, he still believed in the Resurrection (since he was a Pharisee). It didn’t matter at all where the Jews landed in the debate around the resurrection of the dead. What mattered was that they reckon with the person of Christ. There is no saving faith in affirming correct metaphysical truths. There is only salvation in relating rightly to the person of Christ, by repenting and turning to him alone.
The Call to be a Witness
April 28, 2024 • Pastor Ray Viola • Acts 25
The past few weeks, we’ve been journeying through the time in the life of Paul when he is being falsely accused of both religious offenses and violations of or rebellion and disorderly conduct against the Roman government. We have learned that neither of those accusations were true. However, we have also been given a “fly on the wall” so to speak insight into how Paul lived his life during those trying times. Through it all, Paul was being a witness of the Lord Jesus Christ. The Lord Jesus said to the disciples before He ascended up into heaven, “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth” (Acts1:8).
What is the calling of every born again son or daughter of the Living God? It is to be a witness, here on earth, of the fact that Jesus rose from the dead after He paid the full price for man’s redemption. In other words, we are called to testify of the good news, or gospel, of Jesus Christ. Throughout all of his appearances before religious and political individuals, Paul is always seeking to find a way to bring into the light, the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
Paul tells the church at Ephesus, as well as you and I this morning that a vital part of the armor of God is that “your feet are to be shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace” (Ephesians 6:15). Paul was constantly being a witness of the truth of the gospel. And as we learned last week, he was doing it both inside and outside of prison. Peter declared on the day Pentecost, “This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses” (Acts 2:32). We see in Acts 4:33, “And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all”. To witness is to attest to a fact.
As Bible believing Christians, our witness here on earth is our attesting to the facts of truth of Scripture and the record of the Lord Jesus Christ. “For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified” (1 Cor 2:2).
“Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the Scriptures” (1 Cor 15:1-4).
Beloved, we are ambassadors of Jesus Christ. As you and I engage with people, we will find ourselves engaging in many types of cultural discussions. May we prayerfully seek for ways to bring eternity into those to discussion by being a witness of the everlasting gospel of Jesus Christ. SELAH
Paul's Confession
April 21, 2024 • Pastor Ray Viola • Acts 24
In the midst of being falsely accused on trumped up religious crimes, Paul makes a statement about what he could be and was guilty of. “But this I confess unto thee (this I do confess unto you), that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets: And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust” (Acts 24:14-15).
Now that is the kind of confession that every follower of Jesus Christ should be “guilty” of. He worshipped The Living God, believing all things which are written in the law and the prophets. He declared to the household of Cornelius, “To Him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins” (Acts 10:43). He cites the witness of all the prophets bearing testimony to The Lord Jesus Christ. When Jesus was speaking to the two disciples on the Road of Emmaus, it says in Luke 24:27 that, “beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.” May The Spirit of God ignite within each one of our hearts a desire to read and believe all The Word of God. Paul then quickly mentions the hope that all believers have, as well as a promise/warning about the bodily resurrection of the dead.
Every person is going to be raised from the dead to live forever in glory with The Lord Jesus Christ, or to live forever in everlasting fire with the devil. The Prophet Daniel declared, Dan12:2 “And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.” Note two groups of people will raised from the dead, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. The Lord Jesus said in John 5:28-29, “Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.”
According to Rev 20:6-13, the 2 resurrections will be separated by time period of 1,000 years. Every person who has ever lived is going to be raised from the dead to live either forever in glory with The Lord Jesus Christ, or to live forever in everlasting fire with the devil. John 3:36 says: "He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him." Romans 10:9-10 states: "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation."
Have you made that profession of faith in The Lord Jesus Christ? In 2 Thess 1:7-9 we read: “when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power.”
Reader, make your calling and election sure. Today is the day salvation. Two resurrections. Two eternal destinations. The choice is yours. SELAH
The Providence of God
April 14, 2024 • Pastor Ray Viola • Acts 23:12–35
We continue our study in the book of Acts and the account of a group of men who were determined to have the apostle Paul killed. "For we have found this man a pestilent fellow, and a mover of sedition among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes: Who also hath gone about to profane the temple: whom we took, and would have judged according to our law." (Acts 24:5,6)
In this portion of our study, we are going to see firsthand an amazing account of the providence of God intervening in the life of Paul, and what we read in Psalm 33:10-11 "The LORD bringeth the counsel of the heathen to naught: he maketh the devices of the people of none effect. The counsel of the LORD standeth forever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations." We read in Proverbs 19:21, "There are many devices in a man’s heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand."
The will of God for Paul was that he testify before Herod in Rome, but we learn in today's passage that "when it was day, certain of the Jews banded together, and bound themselves under a curse, saying that they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul. And they were more than forty which had made this conspiracy." (Acts 23:12,13). They are going to learn the hard way that in spite of their planning and plotting to kill Paul, the will and purposes of God for Paul are going to prevail. The Prophet Isaiah declared, "The LORD of hosts hath sworn, saying, Surely as I have thought, so shall it come to pass; and as I have purposed, so shall it stand." (Isa 14:24). Proverbs 21:30 states, "There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD."
Glory to God that His counsel shall stand and nothing and no one is able to thwart it. Every single prophetic plan and purpose of God will come to pass, beloved. The Lord Jesus said to Paul: "Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome." (Acts 23:11) So tell me beloved, whose will is going to come to pass, man’s or God’s? We both know the answer. Thus, we must bear in mind this “Christianity 101” principle of being a disciple of Jesus Christ: When it comes to our walk with Jesus Christ, may we always seek to know and believe, and do the will of God in all things, in spite of how we think or feel, because the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand and His will and His counsel is the best for our lives and His glory. SELAH
A Word About Conscience
April 7, 2024 • Pastor Ray Viola • Acts 22:22—23:11
Because we have touched on Paul’s love for his fellow Jews, saved and unsaved in previous studies, I’ve opted to center this weekly devotional on the first verse of Acts 23. "Paul, earnestly beholding the council said, Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God unto this day" (Acts 23:1).
Throughout his epistles and recorded sermons, there are numerous references by Paul to the importance of having a clear conscience with God and man. In Acts 24:16, he says, And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offense toward God, and toward men. Paul insisted on his personal integrity before God in the matter that he was being falsely accused of by his religious opponents. He had not violated God’s law or done any of the things they accused him of doing. Paul would write in 2 Cor 1:12, For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward. He would write in 2 Cor 4:2, But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.
You cannot read those passages without concluding that Paul knew that he lived his life in the presence of God and his fellow man. There was no area of his life that was a “shade of grey”. In 2 Tim 1:3 he says, I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers with pure conscience, that without ceasing I have remembrance of thee in my prayers night and day. The writer to the Hebrews writes in 13:18, Pray for us: for we trust we have a good conscience, in all things willing to live honestly. Peter writes to the church in his first epistle (1 Pet 3:16) of the importance of having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.
Beloved, may we never forget that we are called to be salt and light in this fallen world. To do that we must determine to live a life that is void of offense to both God and man. Words like honesty and integrity are necessary ingredients of a good conscience. No one is sinless. Nobody is perfect. But we can and must seek to strive to live the kind of life, that when push comes to shove, we can affirm like Paul did in his time of testing or trial, I have lived in all good conscience before God unto this day (Acts 23:1). SELAH
Sharing Your Story
March 24, 2024 • Pastor Ben Hiwale • Acts 22:1–2
Nobody’s life personified second chances like the life of the Apostle Paul. We can learn a lot by observing the relationship that Paul had with God throughout his life. Earlier in his life, Paul persecuted people for following Jesus. He had them beaten, imprisoned, and even put to death because of their belief in God’s only Son, yet God forgave him and offered him a second chance.
Sometimes we are too hard on ourselves. Sometimes we wonder if God could still love us after all of the sins we have committed. Paul’s story reminds us that God’s love, mercy, and grace know no limits!
Wrongly accused of disrespecting Jewish law, Paul shares his upbringing, religious training, and conversion to Christianity with the crowd. As soon as he says, “Gentiles,” people remember their anger and begin rioting again. There are few things more powerful and disarming than a story, particularly the story of how Jesus can change someone’s life.
Paul could have argued the finer points of the law with anyone in the crowd. He could have expounded on Jesus’ fulfillment of every nook and cranny of Old Testament prophecy. Instead, Paul shared his story of transformation with a vicious mob. A murderer of Christians morphed into a preacher of the Gospel, all that is compelling stuff. Paul’s conversion on the road to Damascus was a life-changing event. From that moment on, Paul went from persecuting Christians to risking his life repeatedly in his service to the Lord.
As we study Paul’s life, we will see three things:
1. God had a plan for Paul.
2. Paul was Obedient.
3. Paul became one of the most significant people in the history of the world.
Just as He did for Paul, God has a plan for each of us. The question is, will we follow it? Will we allow God’s plan to work in our lives? When God’s plans take us out of our comfort zone in a direction that we did not foresee, will we stay the course? If we do, our reward in Heaven will be great!
Every Christ follower has a story to tell. All of us have been rescued from a life of sin and disobedience, set free to follow Jesus. We don’t need to be articulate salesmen or well-educated theologians to tell others about Jesus. God has given each of us a story of transformation and the power of the Gospel.
Who are we sharing our stories with? What does this passage teach us about God? How does it apply to you? How do you feel when faith comes up with people who don’t believe? Do you shy away from talking about Jesus with friends, family, and co-workers? Why or why not?
A Successful Disaster
March 17, 2024 • Pastor Ray Viola • Acts 21:27–40
How do we measure whether or not a ministry outreach is a failure or a success? As we continue our journey through Acts, earlier in chapter 21, we read And as we tarried there many days, there came down from Judea a certain prophet, named Agabus. And when he was come unto us, he took Paul’s girdle, and bound his own hands and feet, and said, Thus saith the Holy Ghost, So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that owneth this girdle, and shall deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.(Acts 21:10,11).
In spite of the danger, Paul was determined to go to Jerusalem to deliver a financial gift to the struggling Jewish from their Gentile brethren. When Paul arrived, he was made aware of a problem by some of the Jewish brethren who accused Paul of teaching all the Jews which are among the Gentiles that they were to forsake Moses, saying that they ought not to circumcise their children, neither to walk after the customs. To “solve” the problem, the Jewish brethren in Jerusalem suggested this. We have four men which have a vow on them; Them take, and purify thyself with them, and be at charges with them, that they may shave their heads: and all may know that those things, whereof they were informed concerning thee, are nothing; but that thou thyself also walkest orderly, and keepest the law (Acts 21:23,24). Paul agrees. Problem solved right? Wrong!
The Jews which were of Asia, when they saw him in the temple, stirred up all the people, and laid hands on him, Crying out, Men of Israel, help: This is the man, that teacheth all men every where against the people, and the law, and this place: and further brought Greeks also into the temple, and hath polluted this holy place (Acts 21:27,28). Their attempt to solve the problem “backfired.” Or did it? Not really.
Paul asked for an opportunity to share the gospel with the very same angry crowd of Jews who were out to kill him. The desire to share the gospel with his fellow Jews was the prayer of Paul’s heart (Romans 9:1-3). Outwardly speaking, it would appear that Paul’s ministry there was a disaster. But in the eyes of God, it was a success, because God spells success by our obedience and faithfulness, in spite of the outward response, good or bad. SELAH
Rumors, Attacks, and the Will of God
March 10, 2024 • Pastor Ray Viola • Acts 21:17–26
When Paul arrived in Jerusalem, he presented the church with both a gift and a problem. He brought a gift for the financially struggling church in Jerusalem from the Gentile churches, but he also brought a problem because rumors had been spread that he was encouraging the Jewish believers to forsake the Mosaic traditions and customs.
In light of our study today, I see two reasons for Paul’s readiness to go to Jerusalem in spite of what trouble awaited him there: (1) Paul’s had an intense love and concern for the Jewish Christians that were hurting financially and (2) according to Paul’s own words in Romans 9:1-5, Paul had an intense love to win his fellow unsaved Jews to come to know Jesus as The Christ. Personal comfort or safety was of no concern to Paul when it came to being obedient to the will of God in his life. Paul’s love for Christ, along with his intense love for his fellow Jewish people, both saved and lost, constrained him to live the way that he did. Truly, the Spirit and heart of Jesus Christ was alive in him.
But a problem arose. "And they are informed of thee, that thou teachest all the Jews which are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, saying that they ought not to circumcise their children, neither to walk after the customs. What is it therefore? the multitude must needs come together: for they will hear that thou art come"(Acts 21:21,22). Nowhere did Paul ever say that it was wrong for a Jewish person to practice their ancestral customs, so long as they did not trust in that particular custom or ritual as the reason for their salvation or the basis of fellowship with the Gentile believers. Paul did teach that circumcision was not necessary for either a Jew or a Gentile to be saved. However, contrary to those rumors, Paul had Timothy circumcised before taking him along on the second missionary journey (Acts 16:1-3).
So to “solve” the problem, these Jewish leaders of the church in Jerusalem suggested to Paul that he demonstrate his respect for the law of Moses by identifying himself with four other men that had taken a Nazarite vow (Num. 6:13-21). By doing so, they were convinced that Paul would give them all to understand that the matters which had been reported concerning him were without foundation. It is important to bear in mind that Paul didn’t take this vow because he was commanded to do so. He took this vow because he wanted to win these fellow Jews to Jesus Christ, The Messiah (see 1 Cor 9:19-23).
So did their advice to Paul work? The very thing by which he hoped to pacify the Jews backfired. Paul was attacked in the temple by a mob incited by the false charge that he had violated the temple. The Romans rescued him and kept him in custody.
There are going to be times in the serving The Lord beloved when others will attack you or judge you or spread rumors about you even though you are doing the right thing with the right heart for the glory of God. This did not stop Paul from fighting the good fight of faith. Do not allow opposition from within or without the church stop you from serving The Lord beloved.
"Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord." 1 Cor 15:58 SELAH
Conflicted on Hearing God
February 25, 2024 • Pastor Ben Hiwale • Acts 21:1–16
This portion of the text gives us a narrative of the events that took place on Paul’s third missionary journey. We as believers regularly face situations where it is not clear whether we are hearing God. When we feel that we have heard something, we may be conflicted and unsure if we should act on it or not. We question if it is really from the Lord, especially if it leaves us feeling uncomfortable.
When we are in these kinds of situations it requires courage on our part; courage to be obedient. Courage involves knowing the danger and yet pressing forward to do what we are convinced about even though there are doubts and concerns. Paul is in the midst of such a situation. Paul is convinced that he must go to Jerusalem regardless of the consequences. His friends on the other hand seem just as convinced and give the impression that they too have heard from the Lord that he should do just the opposite.
So how do we navigate these situations? What would you do if you were in Apostle Paul’s shoes? Do you give in to the persuasion of the godly people in your life or do you stay the course? Certainly, if the outcome seems good, you may find it easier to obey God’s personal message to you, but if the outcome seems bad, it would be difficult to find courage and be obedient.
Which message is from the Lord? Why is it so conflicting? Is it really from God or perhaps from the devil? How does one hear God and know for sure that they have heard from Him?
All of this comes down to submission and obedience, and you may fall into one of three categories:
1. You have no desire to know the will of God.
2. You have knowledge of the will of God but no desire to do it.
3. You know and desire to do the will of God regardless of outcomes.
When it comes to obedience don’t go looking for a loophole, or what we would spiritualize and call, confirmation. God does give us the gift of godly human counsel, but you must discern if you are using it to escape an unpleasant situation or if it is really a confirmation or denial of what you thought you heard from God. We must be resolved to obey more than anything else, do it willingly and not grudgingly and do it completely.
We cannot have reservations about the wisdom of doing it God’s way because we are conflicted about it. We cannot apply the worldly standards of logic because the end does not justify the means. Sometimes God is simply not logical. It is possible the conflict has come to play because compromise has seeped through the cracks. It is also possible that you are focused on just one portion of what God desires and not the whole aspect of obedience. It is well said, God has said it and that settles it!
Paul took this approach and did not allow his well-intended friends to sway him away from listening and obeying God. He was sincere in his desire to live God’s will, nothing more, nothing less and nothing else - regardless of the cost!
A Call of Urgency
February 18, 2024 • Pastor Ray Viola • Acts 20:25–38
As the apostle Paul is preparing to part from his meeting with the church leaders from Ephesus, he passes along to them an urgent message that is timeless and needs to be heeded today as much, if not more so, as when he spoke it back then. “Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears” (Acts 20:28-31).
Do you sense the gravity of those words beloved? Paul tells the leaders of the flock of God that the church is going to come under enemy attack from within and from without. He identifies these individuals as wolves, men who will appear to be sheep, but are actually tares, spiritual counterfeits who will teach damnable heresies, and individuals who will cast out devils and do many wonderful works “in the name of Jesus”. Peter tells us that spiritual frauds “privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you” (2 Peter 2:1-2).
Long story short, these individuals will live lavish lifestyles that will cause people to speak evil of the gospel of Jesus Christ. They will preach a doctrine of covetousness and merchandise that totally misrepresents the name of Jesus. They will preach things with the spirit of antichrist and other metaphysical teachings like Gnosticsm and Mysticism. These, and every other kind of “ism”, are the spiritual grandfathers of the heresies that the church is facing today. The Lord gives ears to hear what the Spirit is saying to us today. SELAH
Living Faithfully
February 11, 2024 • Pastor Ben Hiwale • Acts 20:17–24
It has been well said, the quantity of your life is up to God, but the quality of your life is yours to choose. Paul made his life count! You can feel his passion dripping off of these words. His life was lived on purpose. He was even willing to face suffering and death in order to make his life count for Jesus. I want to encourage you to realize the urgency of this one message and mission. Without Jesus people will spend eternity in Hell. We can make a difference in people’s lives for eternity! Let’s make this one life count. One message, one mission, one life.
Is the gospel we believe, preach, live and practice worth dying for? What does that look like for you? Moral reform? Save yourself through good works? Social action and improvement? Religious traditions? Merely having spiritual conversations? Some mumbo-jumbo? Self-esteem? Ecological salvation? Political correctness? Feel-good?
“Yet there used to be a gospel in the world which consisted of facts which Christians never questioned. There was once in the church a gospel which believers hugged to their hearts as if it were their soul’s life. There used to be a gospel in the world, which provoked enthusiasm and commanded sacrifice. Tens of thousands have met together to hear this gospel at peril of their lives. Men, to the teeth of tyrants, have proclaimed it, and have suffered the loss of all things, and gone to prison and to death for it, singing psalms all the while. Is there not such a gospel remaining?” (Spurgeon)
The Christian life: is it supposed to be tough or easy? Does our faith in Jesus Christ cause us difficulty, hardship, suffering, and loss? Or does it pave for us an easy road to heaven?
These aren’t easy questions. But if we look at some of the people in the Bible, the ones we admire and respect for their obvious faithfulness to the Lord—we see that they didn’t have a life of ease. Paul, for example, faced difficulties that would make most of us wonder where God is: shipwrecks, imprisonments, beatings, and other kinds of abuse (https://koinoniafellowship.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=316ac4c1997d29138bc92ea72&id=510c215b12&e=6d0e736291). It seems he was better off before he started following Jesus.
Following Christ is demanding. One needs to be all in, but when it is presented as one way ticket to heaven, just say a prayer, it is easy, fun and no cost, you are leading people to devastation. Jesus Himself said, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me” (https://koinoniafellowship.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=316ac4c1997d29138bc92ea72&id=0bb491a2e9&e=6d0e736291). That’s a clear call for self-denial.
Paul was given a task, and he did it wholeheartedly for God’s glory, no matter what the cost, “But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God” (Acts 20:24).
Some Christians run nobly at the start of the race, some do well halfway, but blessed is the man who makes a good finish. Paul's last words to Timothy "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course and I have kept my faith” (2 Timothy 4:7).
Are you wholeheartedly pursuing the mission God has given you? If not why not?
First Century Church Today
February 4, 2024 • Acts 20:1–16
I am writing this week’s devotional from India, and as I’ve been observing their church services and Christian lifestyles, a thought has popped into my mind that I hope you find encouraging. As we journey together through the book of Acts, we often are focusing on the opposition that Paul and apostles and any other servants of the Lord encountered in sharing the gospel. We read about the sacrifices of time and the almost non-existence of personal comfort that was made by them in order to reach the lost and minister to the church.
But I wonder if in our focus on those servants, we have overlooked the radical lifestyle and devotion to Jesus Christ that was being made by the “laypeople” within the local churches. Whatever opposition the leaders faced, these dear saints would be facing long after the apostles and others left town. It was through the sacrificial financial support of these saints that enabled the apostles to travel and spread the gospel and edify their brothers and sisters in other areas.
We know from today’s Scriptures that they made it a priority to meet for teaching and fellowship on the first day of the week, and that they usually met in the evenings because they worked long hours during the day. And at least one of those church services was pretty lengthy, which also was not uncommon in those days. Bear in mind that they did not meet in a comfortable, Western style church building with AC for the summer and heat for the winter. The parents and children would all sit together under the teaching of the Word and worship.
Acts 2:41-47 was the pattern of lifestyle that was adopted by each local church. What would happen each person who calls KF their home church would adopt a Acts 2:41-47 pattern of commitment to Jesus Christ and one another? How radical would that be? Just thinking and praying that we would be a Spirit filled, Godward focused, Christ loving and others centered congregation for the glory of the Lord. SELAH
Radical Gospel
January 28, 2024 • Pastor Ben Hiwale • Acts 19:21–41
When we look back to what Paul’s opponents said about him and his missionary companions in Acts 17:6, they testified that these men who have turned the world upside down have come here, speaks clearly how they lived a radical gospel-shaped life.
The message of the gospel and the lives of those who have believed the gospel confronts sinners with their sin. If people are not sinners, then they have no need for a Savior. Any gospel that presents Jesus as a way to peace and happiness in our lives but ignores sin is no gospel.
Romans 3:23 states, “all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God”. None are perfect by his Holy standards. In our thoughts, words and deeds we rebel daily. We have failed to love Him with our heart, soul, mind and strength. For us to appreciate and respond to the message of the gospel, we must first embrace the bad news about our sin.
You can engage in idolatry without statues. It is idolatry to be devoted to your work, finances, and success more than you are to God and His Kingdom. Our culture’s devotion to sensual pleasure through pornography and immorality is a form of idolatry.
Even some pursuits that are legitimate like a hobby and a sport can become an idol when a person devotes an inordinate amount of time and resources to it. Sitting in front of screens for hours in a day but not spending time in prayer and meditation on His Word and to Him is idolatry.
The fact of the matter is that the first century Church faced unbelievable trials and persecutions. The type of people who walked with Jesus in that time were, by definition, sold out to Christ and His gospel. They had to be. Would we live the way they did and have counted the cost? I very much hope we would have been. I very much hope that all of us are walking with Jesus in such a way that you could pick us up, drop us in the first century, and we would not miss a beat. But is that so? Do we possess the courage and grit and determination it would have required to stand in the crucible of the first century and preach Christ?
The gospel at that time was often met with outrage and violence, unlike in our day when it seems to be met with indifference (in western Europe and the United States anyway). Consider what it meant to follow Jesus at that time. Consider, for example, what happened in Ephesus when Paul stayed and preached and planted churches and followed Jesus there. Want to know what happened? The place rioted!
Do these things impact our culture? Do unbelievers begin to see the effects of the gospel in our lives and be convicted of their sins? If we lived the way Paul lived, would it cause a disturbance in the United States?
The Gospel is a radical message that produces radical change that often provokes radical opposition.
