Focal Passage: Acts 15:39-16:10 

Sometimes things happen, which at the time, seems to be devastating. However, later we discover was the best thing that could have happened. Let me give you an example. There was a church that was strong and healthy in the community in which I lived. It was an evangelical church, and had a strong presence in our town. 

An issue arose over the use of musical instruments in worship. Some of the congregation wanted to expand their use in worship, others wanted to limit their use in worship. 

Soon, the church developed divisions within the fellowship with each side refusing to relinquish their position. As a result, one part of the congregation broke from the other an began another church just a few miles down the road from the original church. It looked like a terrible unfortunate situation. 

Everyone in the community watched with great interest to see what was going to happen. However, what did happen surprised everyone. Both churches began to grow. Now, where there was only one church, there are now two healthy, strong and growing congregations. Sometimes, what seems to be an unfortunate disaster, God is re-shaping His kingdom work.  [Read more…]

Focal Passage: Acts 15:7-9, 22-31 

Entitlement is not a virtue most of us would consider a good thing. Entitlement can cause us to develop many other undesirable such as pride, jealously, envy and selfishness. It can also cause us to look at others with contempt and arrogance. 

The dictionary defines entitlement as “the belief that one is inherently deserving of privileges or special treatment”. Entitlement is something most people would consider undesirable. In our study this week we can see how this trait can have devastating effects when it comes to reaching our world with the gospel of Jesus Christ. [Read more…]

Focal Passage: Acts 14:11-23 

Sometimes we may find ourselves in a position of miscommunication. This is especially true when we have different languages, cultures and social practices. Years ago, we ministered at a church that was close to a large university. The university would close a number of dormitories during long holidays to conserve energy and costs since most of the students would return home during this time. 

The international students, however would either have to move to another dorm or go somewhere else if they could not go home. My wife and I thought it would be a wonderful way to share the love of God and the gospel message on a global venue. If you cannot go to the world, bring the world to you. We contacted the university’s international student relations department and offered to host a student, who could not return home for the holidays. It was a wonderful experience and we enjoyed doing it for many years.   [Read more…]

Focal Passage: Psalm 8:1-6, 14:1-7 

God’s creative purpose for this world and humanity is greater than any fulfillment we can find ourselves.  Because of the Fall, however, mankind has rejected God’s ideal and sought selfish ways to find meaning in life.  As we studied last week, this only leads to frustration and despair.  Only when we seek the Lord shall we find true and lasting purpose in our lives.  

God created a world of purpose. The Lord is majestic and magnificent in His creation! The beauty of Psalm 8 is that God finds His glory and majesty in creating humanity.  Genesis 1:26 illustrates God’s desire to create man and woman in His image and to maintain an eternal relationship with us. As King David writes this Psalm, he stands in awe of God’s handiwork. The more we observe the heavens, we grow astounded at the grandeur and immensity of the cosmos the Lord has fashioned.   [Read more…]

Focal Passage: Acts 13:42-52 

In this study, we find that Paul and Barnabas have left Paphos and traveled to Perga in Pamphylia  (modern-day Turkey). John Mark was the cousin of Barnabas and had accompanied them as a helper according to Luke in Acts 13:5. 

It was here that John Mark abandoned Paul and Barnabas and returned to Jerusalem. Luke gives no details as to why he left. We do not know what role he played, but his departure created some difficulty for the missionary team. So much so, that later a division developed between Paul and Barnabas when Barnabas wanted to take him with them again on their second missionary journey. As a result of this division, Barnabas took John Mark and returned to Cyprus and Paul took Silas and headed toward Syria.

The missionary team did not stay in Perga, but traveled on to Pisidian Antioch. It is believed they arrived several days before the events Luke describes in the passage. By this time, no doubt the two had made introductions and had some communication with the rulers, and/or, leaders of the synagogue.  [Read more…]

Focal Passage: Acts 13:1-12 

I have served in several churches during my 40-plus years of ministry, range from three to eight years to my longest ministry at one church of 14 years. I once was asked, “If you love a church and its congregation, and they love you, why leave and go somewhere else and start all over?”

There are many reasons pastors would give, some of which would have negative connotations in certain instances. But I have been blessed and personally never left any church under duress. The only difficulty I experienced with each change was the heartache of leaving those you have come to love. And, the only reason I left was because I felt the Holy Spirit calling me to another place of ministry. This week’s lesson talks about that very thing.

Beginning in Acts 13:1, Luke mentions several prophets and teachers, Barnabas and Saul being two among them. That is significant because these men were the pillars and posts of the church leadership in the church at Antioch. Losing any of these individuals would significantly impact the church. Later we will see that God’s desire for Barnabas and Saul would come to the attention of the congregation through probably the prophets among them. The congregation would need this leadership to determine God’s will for not only Barnabas and Saul, but for the church as well. [Read more…]