Category Archives: Jesus

Acts 17- Paul preaches at Thessalonica

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Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews: And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures, Opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ. And some of them believed, and consorted with Paul and Silas; and of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and of the chief women not a few.  Acts 17:1-4

Here we see Paul and Silas preaching in the city of Thessalonica, you might be familiar with this Church from the books of 1 Thessalonians and 2 Thessalonians, this is where it all began. Its very cool to be able to read the fruits of Paul and Silas labor in these books from the mission trip. What did they preach to Thessalonica, simply the gospel, Christ died, Christ is Risen, and Christ will come again

The city of Thessalonica had a large Jewish population as well as Greek. Paul reasoned with them through the Messianic scriptures in the Old Testament. The Church of Thessalonica was composed of Jew and Gentile including some prominent women of the city. 

But the Jews which believed not, moved with envy, took unto them certain lewd fellows of the baser sort, and gathered a company, and set all the city on an uproar, and assaulted the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people. And when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also; Whom Jason hath received: and these all do contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, one Jesus.  Acts 17:5-7

Of course anywhere the gospel is preached, there is going to be resistance. The Orthodox Jews created an uprising against Paul and Silas. Its interesting , even though the Jews were persecuted by Caesar, they used Caesar to persecute the Christians. Of course Paul and Silas declared Jesus Is Lord and not Caesar! As we know the persecution of this Church only makes it grow!

And they troubled the people and the rulers of the city, when they heard these things. And when they had taken security of Jason, and of the other, they let them go. Acts 17:8-9

As we’ve seen throughout Paul’s ministry, just when it seems like its the end, God delivers him again. Jason and others bail Paul and Silas out of jail and rescue them. Of course this is God’s sovereignty as he has bigger plans for Paul yet and the Church!

Doesn’t matter who is president , king , or ruler of your country, Jesus is always King of Kings! Stay faithful to God, because He will never leave or forsake us, Amen!

Acts 16- The Jailer

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And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled. But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here. Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas, And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? Acts 16:27-30

We always hear the term “God will use what was meant for our harm, and use it for our good” (Romans 8:28) Here we see this happen, as Paul and Silas were beaten and imprisoned for preaching the gospel. But God delivered Paul and Silas from prison with a great earthquake, this turned into a great testimony for non believers

The jailer who was in charge of watching Paul and Silas, was ready to kill himself for letting them escape. However Paul revealed to the jailer that he was alive and well, the jailer had a “Come to Jesus moment” when he realized God was in control. The jailer then asked “What must I do to be saved”? This is a great question, would you know how to answer the jailer? 

And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house. And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway. And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house. Acts 16:31-34

You want to be saved? Simple, believe Jesus is your Lord! Many people throughout history try to earn their salvation by good works or religion, but its only Christ alone that can save you! Jesus paid it all for you on the cross, put your faith in Christ! Notice Paul then preached the gospel to the entire household and they all believed and were baptized

So notice Paul and Silas’ suffering resulted in an entire family being saved by Christ. Sometimes we ask “Why would God allow this”? But then we see situations like this where what was meant for our harm actually was used for our good. Many people became saved due to Paul and Silas suffering

And when it was day, the magistrates sent the serjeants, saying, Let those men go. And the keeper of the prison told this saying to Paul, The magistrates have sent to let you go: now therefore depart, and go in peace. Acts 16:35-36

God was with Paul and Silas, even when Satan thought he had them defeated, God is in complete control. Trust in The Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding in Jesus Name Amen!

Acts 16- Rebuking Demons

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And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying: The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation. And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour Acts 16:16-18

Here we see a story of a demon possessed woman who was tormenting Paul and Silas day after day. Finally Paul got tired of it and rebuked the demon in the name of Jesus , and the demon immediately fled. How many of us are tormented by demons on a daily basis? Do you rebuke your demons? Instead of allowing these demons to torment you daily, put them in their place. You as a Born Again Child of God have the power and authority of demons. Jesus said “He gives us power and authority over power of Satan, and all demons will submit to you” (Luke 10:18-19) 

Now some will say Jesus only gave this power to the Apostles, however if you start with verse 1 in Luke 10, Jesus is sending out 72 disciples with this authority, this authority was given to his disciples not just Apostles. Remember the Bible says “The Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead is living inside of You “ (Romans 8:11) The Holy Spirit , the power of the Living God, is inside of you. Rebuke the demons in Jesus name!

And when her masters saw that the hope of their gains was gone, they caught Paul and Silas, and drew them into the marketplace unto the rulers, And brought them to the magistrates, saying, These men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city, And teach customs, which are not lawful for us to receive, neither to observe, being Romans. And the multitude rose up together against them: and the magistrates rent off their clothes, and commanded to beat them. Acts 16:19-22

Now we see the wickedness of people, some would say “Look Paul and Silas are being persecuted, we dont have authority over demons” Jesus never promised we would have an easy life, in fact he taught us the opposite, Jesus said “Those who endure to the end, will be saved “ (Matthew 24:13) Why? Because many will fall away from the faith during hard times. Endure to the end, Jesus has already death and Satan!

And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely: Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks. And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one’s bands were loosed. Acts 16:23-26

Paul and Silas were being persecuted, beaten and thrown in prison, what was their response? They were singing hymns and praising God. Paul and Silas had unshakable faith, they knew Jesus is Lord and in complete control. Whatever Satan or evil is coming against you , rebuke it in Jesus name!

Notice then God delivered Paul and Silas with a great earthquake, Satan thought he had Paul defeated then God stepped in. Put your faith and trust in Jesus, he is King of Kings and Lord of Lords, Jesus is in complete control, sitting at the right hand of God The Father Amen!

Acts 16- Let God lead You

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Then came he to Derbe and Lystra: and, behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timotheus, the son of a certain woman, which was a Jewess, and believed; but his father was a Greek: Which was well reported of by the brethren that were at Lystra and Iconium. Him would Paul have to go forth with him; and took and circumcised him because of the Jews which were in those quarters: for they knew all that his father was a Greek. And as they went through the cities, they delivered them the decrees for to keep, that were ordained of the apostles and elders which were at Jerusalem. Acts 16:1-4

As we know in the BIble, Paul wrote two letters to a man named Timothy, well we see him here in the book of Acts. The people spoke favorably of Timothy as a disciple, so Paul mentored him to preach the gospel. I think the relationship between Paul and Timothy should be well noted by pastors and all Christians. It’s important to mentor and train people, to make disciples as Jesus commanded us. Paul became like a “Spiritual Father” to Timothy

Now notice, even though from the Council of Jerusalem it was decided that circumcision was not required for the New Covenant, Paul had Timothy circumcised anyway to be accepted by the orthodox Jewish community. This was a matter of making the Gentile Timothy more appealing to the Jewish people so he could preach the gospel of Christ to them. This is also an important note to preachers and Christians, don’t just preach the word , build relationships with the community you’re in. It’s not about winning arguments , it’s about winning souls

And so were the churches established in the faith, and increased in number daily. Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia, After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not. And they passing by Mysia came down to Troas. Acts 16:5-8

Paul and Timothy were establishing new Churches, we notice Galtia, where we get the Epistle of the Galatians. However, Paul went to preach in certain regions and was forbidden by the Holy Spirit. It’s important while we are doing God’s work we stay in the will of God. Its not about us, its all about Christ, let God lead You to where you are called to be!

And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us. And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavoured to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them.  Acts 16:9-10

God eventually gave Paul a vision where he was to go next, notice it wasnt Paul’s decision or choice where to go, it was Gods. How many ministries and Churches would be more successful if we followed God’s will instead of our own?

Whatever we do , we are to do it for the glory of God, listen to the Holy Spirit and allow God to lead you in Jesus name Amen!

Acts 15- Council of Jerusalem Part 2

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Then all the multitude kept silence, and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul, declaring what miracles and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them. And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Men and brethren, hearken unto me: Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name. And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written, After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up: That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things.Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world. Acts 15:12-18

 We continue to look at the event known as the “Council of Jerusalem” . This is an important event to the Church, why? Because the Apostles answered some major questions and doctrines that are still disputed today. We noticed that the Apostle Peter originally spoke , followed by the Apostle Paul and Barnabas. Now we are hearing the knowledge of the Apostle James. Anyone who disputes the verdict of the Council of Jerusalem, is disputing the Apostles and the New Testament

One of the main points of the Council of Jerusalem is the New Covenant. That salvation has been given to the Gentiles through Jesus Christ. Many Jews had a hard time accepting this, even many Jews today still can’t comprehend this, that Gentiles are now Children of God through Christ

Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God: But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood. For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath day. Then pleased it the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren: Acts 15:19-22

The Apostle James went on to teach that we are not to trouble the Gentiles with holding The Law. Then James went on to list the expectations of the Gentiles who are grafted into the family of God. Abstain from Idolatry, sexual immorality, and from false gods. There is still much confusion today among Christians about what is expected from them , remember Jesus said Love God and Love your Neighbor, (Matthew 22:37) this is the fulfillment of the Law. 

For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things; That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well. So when they were dismissed, they came to Antioch: and when they had gathered the multitude together, they delivered the epistle:Which when they had read, they rejoiced for the consolation. Acts 15:28-31

The news of this Council was then sent out to a letter to all the Churches, notice the list, it was the same one I mentioned previously. Also notice who authorized this, the Holy Spirit. There are many today who argue about this Council of Jerusalem, but you would be arguing against the Holy Spirit. 

Instead of arguing, the Churches of the first century rejoiced! Because Jesus has set us free from the Law and delivered us under grace by his blood Amen!