Purification

Posted on January 11, 2022 by paulwlane

Acts 24:17-18

Now after many years I came to bring alms and offerings to my nation, in the midst of which some Jews from Asia found me purified in the temple, neither with a mob nor with tumult.

Purified

The Greek Word “Hagnizo”, a verb (action word) means pure (chaste), to purify, cleanse from defilement, is used as follows.

Ceremonially – In the ceremonially cleansing spoken of in John 11, the Jews were following the Levitical law when anyone touched anything considered unclean. See Leviticus 11 – 17 for the various kinds of cleansing.

John 11:55 – And the Passover of the Jews was near, and many went from the country up to Jerusalem before the Passover, to purify themselves.

Acts 21:24, 26 – Take them and be purified with them, and pay their expenses so that they may shave their heads, and that all may know that those things of which they were informed concerning you are nothing, but that you yourself also walk orderly and keep the law. Then Paul took the men, and the next day, having been purified with them, entered the temple to announce the expiration of the days of purification, at which time an offering should be made for each one of them.

Morally – the heart

James 4:7-10 – Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.

Morally – the soul

1 Peter 1:22-23 – Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart, having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever.

Morally -oneself

1 John 3:2-3 — Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.

Purification for All

To the Gentiles as well as Jews.

Acts 15:8-9 – So God, who knows the heart, acknowledged them by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He did to us, and made no distinction between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.

All Men:

Titus 2:11-14 – For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.

Sanctification

Sanctification, like purification, is an act of divine grace. We may ceremonially go through some ritual but it is the act of God’s divine grace that purifies or sanctifies. The rituals do not do the work, but it is an internal spiritual work done only by God. It is the Word of God and the Spirit of God which purifies and sanctifies. The basis on which God performs this act of grace is the blood of Christ’s atonement

Psalms 51:7 – Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

John 15:2 – Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.

I Corinthians 6:11 – And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.

What we fail to understand, many times, is that when we are saved, we are forgiven from “past, former” transgressions, and the work of the Spirit in our life is a purifying and sanctifying agent to set us apart to new works, a new life style, a changed mind, a new man.

Psalm 51:10-11 – Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence

Paul’s Citizenship – Our Citizenship

Posted on January 9, 2022 by paulwlane

Acts 22:22-30

And they listened to him until this word, and then they raised their voices and said, “Away with such a fellow from the earth, for he is not fit to live!” Then, as they cried out and tore off their clothes and threw dust into the air, the commander ordered him to be brought into the barracks, and said that he should be examined under scourging, so that he might know why they shouted so against him. And as they bound him with thongs, Paul said to the centurion who stood by, “Is it lawful for you to scourge a man who is a Roman, and uncondemned?” When the centurion heard that, he went and told the commander, saying, “Take care what you do, for this man is a Roman.” Then the commander came and said to him, “Tell me, are you a Roman?” He said, “Yes.” The commander answered, “With a large sum I obtained this citizenship.” And Paul said, “But I was born a citizen.” Then immediately those who were about to examine him withdrew from him; and the commander was also afraid after he found out that he was a Roman, and because he had bound him. The next day, because he wanted to know for certain why he was accused by the Jews, he released him from his bonds, and commanded the chief priests and all their council to appear, and brought Paul down and set him before them.

Paul’s Citizenship, Paul’s Persecution & Claim to Legal Rights

He was rejected by the mob. At hearing the word “Gentile” they reacted violently. Furious, they demanded Paul’s death. They were apparently getting ready to stone him because they removed their outer garments. The Jewish mob here did not object to Paul reaching out to the Gentiles because there were Gentile converts to Judaism. Their objection was that the Gentiles were being given the privilege of following God without becoming Jews first. They were not being required to be circumcised and accept the Jewish Law.

He was rescued again by soldiers. This time, those in charge of the situation were fed up with the entire situation. They simply did not understand why the crowd was so violently opposed to Paul and they were determined to find out by beating him.

Paul’s claim to legal rights as a Roman citizen was listened to very carefully. No Roman citizen could be beaten. It was the law. If you were found guilty of beating a Roman citizen you might lose your own life. A Roman citizen was a privileged person of the Empire and literally had the protection of the Emperor.

Paul verified his citizenship before the commander. His claim to citizenship was greater than that of the commander.

Paul’s rights were respected. In fact the commander was afraid because of Paul’s claim. The soldiers had over-stepped the law and he might be held accountable, since he was in charge.

In his search for the truth, the commander called the Sanhedrin Court for an official meeting to get to the bottom of the matter.

Note: First of all, God used Paul to be a witness of God’s grace. He faced opposition but was not concerned about saving his own neck as much as he was to publish the good news. He was committed to Christ. Secondly, God will use us in various situations if we will be committed to Him. If we are truly committed, he will use us so that He might receive glory. All too often we approach God and want to be used of Him first, and then we will be committed.

Our Citizenship

In this passage of scripture, Paul quickly points out his citizenship status, his relationship to the Roman State, the condition of his citizenship. His was that he had been born a citizen. The commander had purchased his. There were privileges as a citizen of Rome.

As a child of God we have dual citizenship. One is our citizenship of this country and the greater of the two is our citizenship in heaven. We were physically born of woman to this earthly citizenship and spiritually born of the Lord Jesus Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit at our confession of sins into the citizenship of heaven.

We, the family of God, are fellow citizens of all God’s children throughout the world. Like it or not you are brother or sister to red, brown, yellow, black and white. You are brother or sister to Spanish, Colombian, German, Russian, Japanese, Chinese, Angolan, Cuban, Egyptian and every other nationality under the sun if they have accepted the Lord Jesus Christ. Get used to it! You are a multiracial family. If you have a problem getting around to that kind of understanding perhaps a bit of confession regarding your bigotry is in order. God’s Word says we are neither Jew nor Greek but have all been made one in Christ.

Philippians 3:17-20 (The Amplified Bible) – Brethren, together follow my example and observe those who live after the pattern we have set for you. For there are many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, who walk (live) as enemies of the cross of Christ (the Anointed One). They are doomed and their fate is eternal misery (perdition); their god is their stomach (their appetites, their sensuality) and they glory in their shame, siding with earthly things and being of their party. But we are citizens of the state (commonwealth, homeland) which is in heaven, and from it also we earnestly and patiently await (the coming of) the Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah) (as) Savior, who will transform and fashion anew the body of our humiliation to conform to and be like the body of His glory and majesty, by exerting that power which enables Him even to subjecting everything to Himself.

If our citizenship is in heaven, then we have a pattern to follow after. God must be first in every area of our life. If we are going to be members of His church (the Body) then we must be pure, holy, without spot, without blemish, an example to those about us. Our citizenship is not to be taken lightly or for granted. If we are His representatives here on the earth we must walk according to the Word of God.

Philippians 1:27 (The Amplified Bible) — Let your conduct (citizenship) be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel.

What Have I (You) Done for God Lately?

Posted on January 8, 2022 by paulwlane

Acts 21:10-13

And as we stayed many days, a certain prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. When he had come to us, he took Paul’s belt, bound his own hands and feet, and said, “Thus says the Holy Spirit, ‘So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man who owns this belt, and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.’” Now when we heard these things, both we and those from that place pleaded with him not to go up to Jerusalem. Then Paul answered, “What do you mean by weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.

GO!!!

Matthew 28:19 – GO therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

Luke 7:22 – Jesus answered and said to them, “GO and tell John the things you have seen and heard: that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have the gospel preached to them.

Acts 1:8 – But you shall receive power (ability, efficiency, might) when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and YOU SHALL BE WITNESSES to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.

PREACH!!!

Romans 10:14-15 – How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, who bring glad tidings of good things!”

Isaiah 61:1 – The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, because the Lord has anointed Me to preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound.

TEACH!!!

Matthew 28:20 – teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Amen.

1 Peter 2:2 – as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word that you may grow thereby.

2 Timothy 2:15 – Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

James 1:22 – But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.

B – Basic
I – Instructions
B – Before
L – Leaving
E – Earth

Focus on Mission

Posted on January 6, 2022 by paulwlane

Acts 20;24

But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.

Gospel – Good News

G – God’s
O – one and
O – only
D – declaration for

N – North
E – East
W – West
S – South

Paul’s stated mission was “to testify of the grace of God.” Grace is at the center of our mission. The essence of the Gospel is the declaration of God’s free grace to a guilty world.

God’s amazing grace had swept Saul of Tarsus (Paul) into fellowship with the Christ he had sought so hard to discredit. It was also God’s amazing grace that brought each of us into the fold. Do you remember where you were when God’s amazing grace rescued you?

We are appalled when we look at the sins of the world. But as inventive as he is the devil has not invented one new sin since you and I were redeemed. The mission of the church is rescuing sinners from the depths of sin and from the wrath of God’s judgment. This is the immense message of the Gospel to the entire world.

We focus on sins; God focuses on grace. We focus on success; God focuses on obedience. We focus on competition; God focuses on unity. We focus on independence; God focuses on interdependence. We focus on money’ God focuses on mission.

Do we really know our mission? Do we really know what God has called the Church to be? Do we really know our role in it? What does it mean to be a church community? Do you know why your church is here? Why you are here?

Do you know what your church’s mission statement is? “Mission”, not as in missionaries and exotic lands, but “mission” as in job, task.

God’s mission for the church is to ‘win the lost at any cost” and the “good news of the grace of God.”

The church is not built in one generation. It requires the passing of fortitude and faith from one generation to another. How well are you and your church doing?

The good news cannot be passed to the next generation in a weakened condition. The future of the church depends on how well we finish, and how well we hand off the baton to another generation.

Perhaps we have been too preoccupied with whether our churches are growing, when we should have been preoccupied with whether our mission is dying. We are a missionary fellowship. Without sustained mission, there will be no lasting fellowship.

Our calling is to reach the lost and disciple believers! Nothing is more useless than a church that has lost its mission. It is a poor substitute for mere entertainment. God’s Word says “Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature.” Matthew 28:19-20.

Thomas Aquinas said, “If the primary aim of a captain were to preserve his ship, he would keep it in port forever.

My greatest fear is that we will lose sight of our mission and move into insignificance. I fear we may use our energies and resources to fine-tune our programs, trim our organizational edges, put higher steeples on our churches, deeper padding on our pews, and more stain in our glass windows. I fear that in the process, we will fail to pass this mission on to a new generation.

Brothers and sisters, please hear me and hear me well. If we violate the purpose for which we have been called, we will not survive. And what’s more important, we should not survive. Some people have paid a high price to bring the church to where it is today. We cannot stop at mid-course. Where do we go from here? The choice is ours. Do we continue business as usual, or do we make a move toward greatness?

We are either facing our finest hour or our most disappointing failure. The choice is ours.

Sydney Harris said, “People are fond of saying ‘the past is dead,’ but it is actually the future that is dead – and we make it come alive only by applying what we have learned from the past to the present.’

Hebrews 12:1-2 – we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

The Church at Corinth

Posted on January 4, 2022 by paulwlane

Acts 18:1-18

Corinth was a major city of Greece. It was on a peninsula at the southern tip of Greece. The land at this point was only about five miles east to west. Bordered by two harbors on either side, all traffic north and south passed through the city. It was known as the lookout, the guard, the eye of Greece. Made up of Greeks, Romans, Jews and adventurers who dwelt in business transactions during the day and parties in the night clubs by night, the city was a pleasure-made city. The goddess of fertility, Aphrodite, had her temple here. It was home to the Isthmian Games, second only to the Olympic Games. It was to this sophisticated city that Paul came to spread the gospel.

Paul was apparently discouraged when he came to Corinth (1 Corinthians 2:3). He had been run out of the three previous cities where he had ministered – Philippi, Thessalonica and Berea. In Athens he had seen little success. In Corinth he was facing a proud, intellectual, busy and immoral populace. Silas and Timothy had remained behind in Macedonia to minister, so he was apparently alone on this part of the trip.

God met Paul’s need. He appeared to Paul in a vision and assured him of His presence and His protection (Acts 18:9). He led Paul to the path of two believers, Aquila and Priscilla (husband and wife team), who were also tentmakers like Paul. Expelled from Rome along with all the other Jews by Emperor Claudius, they had just recently arrived in Corinth. Paul was able to live with them and work alongside of them to provide for his needs. Later Timothy and Silas joined him, bringing news of the strong faith of the believers in Thessalonia.

Strengthened by God, Paul remained in Corinth for 1 1/2 years with great success in sharing the gospel. The chief ruler of the synagogue became a believer along with a great number of Gentiles. The Gentiles of that time were often attracted to the Jewish religion, especially the well-to-do women. They lived in an immoral world that gave no rights to women. Thus, they found great security in a religion of high morality.

There were wealthy converts also. Gaius was Paul’s host (Romans 16:23). Erastus was the chamberlain (treasurer) of the city. Chloe was probably a lady of extreme wealth with business interests in both Corinth and Ephesus (1 Cor. 1:11).

But it appears the majority of believers were average people who came from very sinful backgrounds. Paul clearly says, “…not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble were called: But God has chosen the…base things of the world and the things which are despised…” (1 Corinthians 1:26-29).

Evangelism and Discipleship

Paul left Athens where his reception was unproductive to go to another area to preach the gospel.
Matthew 10:14 – And whoever will not receive you nor hear your words, when you depart from that house or city, shake off the dust from your feet.
Matthew 7:6 – Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces.

Paul found and developed people.

Matthew 28:19-20 – Go and teach (make disciples of) all nations.
2 Timothy 2:2 – And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.

Ministry vs. Secular Labor

Minister should be supported in his labor.
1 Corinthians 9:13 – Do you not know that those who minister the holy things eat of the things of the temple, and those who serve at the altar partake of the offerings of the altar. Even so the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should live from the gospel.
Bottom line: word of God must be given.
Acts 4:20 – For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.
1 Corinthians 9:16 – For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for necessity is laid upon me, yes, woe is me if I do not preach the gospel.

Preaching-Teaching-Witnessing

Like Jesus, Paul was in the house of God on the Sabbath.
Paul “reasoned” – presented sound, thoughtful, logical points, answered and settled questions in a reasonable way.
Paul “persuaded” – prevailed, urged, induced, pleaded, begged, sought to move and bring about a change of heart and mind.
1 Peter 3:15 – But sanctify (set apart) the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear.

Sharing the Gospel May Bring Rejection – Requires Effort

Paul was “compelled” (sunecho – to grip tightly – describes affliction of pain or fear, being held fast). The love of Christ leaves us no choice but to live our lives for Him and share the gospel with others.
2 Corinthians 5:14 – For the love of Christ compels us because we judge thus, that if One died for all, then all died.
Paul was rejected. When the message we share is rejected, we are not to give up. We are to simply try another person. Rejection does not feel good – but we must press on and share with others.
Matthew 10:12-14 – And when you go into a household, greet it. If the household is worthy, let your peace come upon it. But if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. And whoever will not receive you nor hear your words, when you depart from that house or city, shake off the dust from your feet.
Acts 13:51 – But they shook off the dust from their feet against them, and came to Iconium

The Lord Will Always Encourage His Servant

Do not be afraid.
Speak.
Do not keep silent.
I am with you.
No one will harm you.
There are others on your side.
Isaiah 41:10 – Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.
Isaiah 43:1-3 – But now, thus says the Lord, who created you, O Jacob, fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned. Nor shall the flame scorch you.
2 Timothy 1:7 – For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
Matthew 28:20; Hebrews 13:6; Psalm 28:7; 2 Peter 2:9; Isaiah 54:17

He Rejoiced

Posted on January 2, 2022 by paulwlane

Acts 16:25-34

About midnight, as Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns of praise to God, and the (other) prisoners were listening to them, suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the very foundations of the prison were shaken; and at once all the doors were opened and everyone’s shackles were unfastened. When the jailer, startled out of his sleep, saw that the prison doors were open, he drew his sword and was on the point of killing himself, because he supposed that the prisoners had escaped. But Paul shouted, Do not harm yourself, for we are all here! Then (the jailer) called for lights and rushed in, and trembling and terrified he fell down before Paul and Silas. And he brought them out (of the dungeon) and said, Men, what is it necessary for me to do that I may be saved? And they answered, Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ (give yourself up to Him, take yourself out of your own keeping and entrust yourself into His keeping) and you will be saved, (and this applies to both) you and your household as well. And they declared the Word of the Lord (the doctrine concerning the attainment through Christ of eternal salvation in the kingdom of God) to him and to all who were in his house. And he took them the same hour of the night and bathed (them because of their bloody) wounds, and he was baptized immediately and all (the members of) his (house-hold). Then he took them up into his house and set food before them; and he leaped much for joy and exulted with all his family that he believed in God (accepting and joyously welcoming what He had made known through Christ). The Amplified Version

HE REJOICED

He rejoiced. He believed in God.
He rejoiced. All his household believed in God.
He rejoiced. His sins were gone.
He rejoiced. No more condemnation.
He rejoiced. His family was saved.
He rejoiced. His name was written down in the Lamb’s Book of Life.
He rejoiced. His family’s names were written down in the Lamb’s Book of Life.
He rejoiced. There was a change in His life.
He rejoiced. There was a change in the life of His family.
He rejoiced. He opened His heart to receive the Word of God.
He rejoiced. He received peace everlasting.
He rejoiced. Peace had come to him.
He rejoiced. Peace had come to his family.
He rejoiced. Peace had come to his home.
He rejoiced. He had no more guilt.
He rejoiced. He had no more sadness.
He rejoiced. He had no more sorrowing for wrong doing.
He rejoiced. He followed in obedience and was baptized.
He rejoiced. His family followed in obedience and was baptized.

LET US REJOICE

Let us rejoice. Our lives are changed.
Let us rejoice. Our hearts are made anew.
Let us rejoice. Our attitudes have been reprogrammed.
Let us rejoice. Our family is different.
Let us rejoice. Our job is different.
Let us rejoice. Our walk is different.
Let us rejoice. Our names are written down in the Lamb’s Book of Life.
Let us rejoice. Our family’s names are written down in the Lamb’s Book of Life.
Let us rejoice. We are different.
Let us rejoice. There has been a change.
Let us rejoice. Let us rejoice. Let us rejoice.

The Church at Philippi

Posted on December 31, 2021 by paulwlane

Acts 16:6-40

Philippi was the gateway to Europe. Named after Philip of Macedonia, Alexander the Great’s father, Philippi lay on the great Roman road, the Egnatian Way. This road connected Europe from Asia, the West from the East.

It was a proud Roman colony. Veteran Roman soldiers ready to retire were granted citizenship if they would go out and settle colonies. As these colonies proved loyal to Rome, they were granted the title of a Roman Colony. Their citizens were Roman citizens. They kept the Roman language, customs, and dress.

Philippi’s strategic location on the Egnatian Way made it an excellent place for a church. Travelers passed through the city from both Asia and Europe and from here the gospel could be carried throughout the known world.

The church at Philippi was founded on Paul’s second missionary journey. It was here that the gospel first entered Europe. The church began with three important conversions: (1) Lydia, an important and successful business woman, with her household; (2) a slave girl set free from a demon possession; (3) the jailer and his entire household.

This church was made up primarily of Gentile believers. They appear to have had a very close and loving relationship with Paul, and they were strong supporters of his ministry (see Introduction to Philippians).

Leadership of the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit forbid Paul to preach in Asia. (This was not the continent of Asia, as we know it today. This was the Roman province of Asia which is what is now known as Turkey.)
The Holy Spirit would not allow them to preach in Bithynia. (Look at a map in your Bible. God stopped Paul from proceeding directly west. When he tried to go north, God said no. The only direction left in that location was to go to the city of Troas.)
The Holy Spirit directed Paul through a dream. John 14:16-17; John 14:26; John 16:13

How does the Spirit direct us?

Through supernatural knowledge – Acts 5:1-11
Through angels – Acts 8:26
Through visions – Acts 9:1-8
Through dreams – Acts 9:9-16
Through prophecy – Acts 11:27-30
Through a word from the Holy Spirit – Acts 13:2
Through God’s Word – 2 Timothy 3:16

NOTE: We must never let a closed door stop us from doing what God has called us to do. God, who sees the future as if it were the past, knows what doors should be open, what doors should be closed. Part of learning to trust Him is to accept the doors that are closed, and be obedient while you wait for Him to open the doors that He has for you. Recognize that Paul was not given a reason why the doors were shut. Perhaps he never knew. It was enough that God had closed the doors. Paul trusted Him to lead and direct him in the right way.

Unity in Leadership

Paul shared this vision with his companions, Silas, Timothy and Luke. (Note the use of the word “we” beginning here. Luke, the doctor and writer of Acts, joined Paul at this point. It appears he remained with Paul until Paul left Philippi (Acts 17:1). Apparently Luke stayed in Philippi and reunited with Paul when Paul returned to Philippi (Acts 20:5).
They concluded that God had called the team to preach the gospel in Macedonia.

1 John 4:1 – Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.

1 Thessalonians 5:21 – Test all things; hold fast what is good.

Worship on the Sabbath

There was no Jewish synagogue
There were only women present
NOTE: Jewish law required a minimum of ten men to have a service. Obviously, there must have been a small Jewish population here. The missionaries were not too good or too important to share the gospel with a group of Gentile women (the word used for “worshipped” in verse 10 is the word used for a Jewish proselyte). Although there was no synagogue or church in the area, the men found a group of people praying and seeking God.

Receiving the Gospel

Lydia worshipped God
God “opened” her heart. Romans 12:2; Psalm 51:10; Titus 3:5; Ephesians 2:8-9
She led her household to the Lord. Genesis 18:19; Deuteronomy 6:5-9; Deuteronomy 11:19; Joshua 24:15; Luke 8:38-39; John 1:41; Ephesians 6:4
She opened her home for the ministry of God’s Word. Romans 12:13; Titus 1:8; 1 Peter 4:9

Slave Girl with Spirit of Divination Or ESP

Testimony of slave girl was a true testimony – these men were the servants of the most high God. Satan always mixes a little truth with his deception.
Her testimony was not one of true confession – a true confession is to acknowledge Jesus as “Lord” and to follow him.
ESP, Witchcraft, fortune-telling are not a part of God’s will for the Christian. Galatians 5:19-21; Leviticus 19:31; 2 Kings 17:17; 1 Chronicles 10:13; Matthew 24:24

Power of Jesus’ Name

Paul addressed the evil spirit in the girl – not the girl herself.
Paul relied on the power of Jesus’ name – not his own power.
The evil spirit had to obey – the power of Jesus’ name is greater than that of the devil.

No one is too far gone into sin that God cannot redeem them.

Luke 19:10; Hebrews 7:25.

Greed and Love of Money

Owners lost their top money maker.
Money and greed corrupted the public officials.

The Forgiveness of Sins

Posted on December 29, 2021 by paulwlane

Acts 13:38-39

Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through this Man is preached to you the forgiveness of sins; and by Him everyone who believes is justified from all things from which you could not be justified by the law of Moses.

The Message is preached unto you.

Acts 13:38-39 – Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through this Man is preached to you the forgiveness of sins; and by Him everyone who believes is justified from all things from which you could not be justified by the law of Moses.

The Source – Jesus, a Prince and Savior.

Acts 5:31 – Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins.

The Ground – for His name’s sake.

1 John 2:12 – I write to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for His name’s sake.

The Means – through His blood

Ephesians 1:7 – In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.

The Condition – if we confess our sins.

1 John 1:9 – If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

The Extent – all trespasses

Colossians 2:13 – And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses.

The Measure – the riches of His grace

Ephesians 1:7 – In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.

A Changed Life

Posted on December 23, 2021 by paulwlane

Acts 9:20-22

Immediately he preached the Christ in the synagogues, that He is the Son of God. Then all who heard were amazed, and said, “Is this not he who destroyed those who called on this name in Jerusalem, and has come here for that purpose, so that he might bring them bound to the chief priests?” But Saul increased all the more in strength, and confounded the Jews who dwelt in Damascus, proving that this Jesus is the Christ.

Paul

Immediately – Paul began immediately to preach about the Christ, “The Anointed One.”

Amazed – “What a change!” Paul was changed because of his own experience in coming face to face with the Anointed One (Acts 9:1-6).

Increased – Paul was increased in spiritual strength.

Confounded – Paul perplexed the Jews in Damascus “for he vigorously refuted the Jews publicly, showing from the Scriptures that Jesus is the Christ” (Acts 18:28).

Immediately – We must begin immediately to serve the Lord – testifying of what He has done in our life.

Amazed – “What a change!” There should be a change in us – in our reactions, our behavior, our attitude – a change that others will notice and know that there has been a change in us.

Increased – Where did that knowledge of Paul come from? The same Lord is available to us to increase our knowledge of His grace and His Word.

Confounded – God will also give us an understanding of His Word – of the message of salvation so that we can share with others.

The Tree of Life and Righteousness

Posted on December 21, 2021 by paulwlane

Acts 5:30

The God of our fathers raised up Jesus whom you murdered by hanging on a tree.

Acts 10:39

The God of our fathers raised up Jesus whom you murdered by hanging on a tree.

1 Peter 2:24

who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed

Trees – used for fruit, lumber, warmth. In the Bible there are 29 kinds of trees listed – hazel, chestnut, poplar, olive, palm, fig, pomegranate, cedar, fir, juniper, almond, apple, oak, pine, box thorn, brier, willow, sycamore, wild olive, bramble, mulberry, frankincense. Besides these there is the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil and the Tree of Life.

Tree of life

Genesis 3:24 – So He drove out the man; and He placed cherubim at the east of the garden of Eden, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to guard the way to the tree of life.

Revelation 2:7 – He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.”’

Revelation 22:1-2 – And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb. In the middle of its street, and on either side of the river, was the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits, each tree yielding its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.

Tree of righteousness

Isaiah 61:3 – To console those who mourn in Zion, to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.

Proverbs 11:30 – The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise.

Matthew 5:13-16 – You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

We understand the light of the world, the salt of the earth, but why trees? What is the significance of trees? Trees have fruit, but besides this: Trees have leaves which give off oxygen and take in carbon monoxide. Oxygen means life for us. Carbon monoxide means death to us, but not to trees.

We are to give off life (oxygen) and absorb the death – the hurt, the pain the suffering (carbon monoxide).

Psalm 52:8 – But^t I am like a green olive tree in the house of God; I trust in the mercy of God forever and ever.
I will praise You forever, because You have done it; and in the presence of Your saints I will wait on Your name, for it is good.

Good tree – young, pliable; symbol of Israel, symbol of righteousness.

Thoughts of a Retired Pastor

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