“I have coveted no one’s silver or gold or clothes. “You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my own needs and to the men who were with me. Acts 20:33-34

Paul was giving his farewell sermon to the Ephesians, he was headed to Jerusalem for the Day of Pentecost, and presumed he would probably be put to death because of his bold ministry. However before he left he gave a bold message to the Church, one of the topics was money

Today we live in an age where “Prosperity Gospel” has taken over Christianity. Mega church pastors making millions of dollars living in mansions and flying in private jets. Pauls message to The Church was exactly the opposite of what we are seeing today in Christianity.

Paul stated he never coveted anyone’s money or possessions, meaning he didn’t preach to make a living. He goes on to say that he actually supported himself by his own hands, meaning he worked besides ministry, to support himself. And while its always important for The Church to support the needs or their pastors, its also important the pastor doesn’t burden The Church with finances

“In everything I showed you that by working hard in this manner you must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.'” Acts 20:35

Paul goes on to quote Jesus Christ in saying “Its better to give than to receive” Wouldn’t it be nice if modern day “pastors” followed this? In an age where greed and narcissism has invaded the Church, its time for true Christians to get back to their true purpose, spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ

“No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.  Matthew 6:24

Jesus addressed this topic very early, you cant serve God and Money! When Money becomes your God or idol, you lost true Christianity. We need Christian pastors and leaders today to follow the example of Christ and Paul, and not the example of the modern day Church

Heavenly Father, help us to deny ourselves and serve only you, provide all our needs so just like the sparrows we don’t have to worry about our needs in Jesus Name Amen

On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul began talking to them, intending to leave the next day, and he prolonged his message until midnight. Acts 20:7

One of the ongoing debates in Christianity is still the Sabbath. When should Christians worship? Saturday or Sunday? Well the actual answer is both, if Christians such as Messianic Jews or Seven Day Adventist, want to keep the Sabbath , there is nothing wrong with that. However if other Christians want to worship on “The Lords Day” ( Revelation 1:10) Sunday, there is nothing wrong with that either.

We as Christians , need to stop making this a dividing doctrine and understand the Jesus fulfilled the Law (Matthew 5:17) Through Christ we are Under Grace and not Under the Law (Galatians 3:10) Does that mean the Sabbath day was abolished? NO it was fulfilled, however you can still worship on the Sabbath or any day if you want. Jesus is now our Rest (Matthew 11:28)

Therefore no one is to act as your judge in regard to food or drink or in respect to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath day;  things which are a mere shadow of what is to come; but the substance belongs to Christ. Colossians 2:16-17

This is actually an issue the early Christian church had and Paul addressed it.  Hes saying don’t condemn one another based on what day your worship or holidays you keep, these things are a mere shadow of what the blood of Jesus Christ has accomplished

Remember we are now all one through Jesus Christ (Galations 3:28) There is no longer Jew and Gentile, we are all the body of Christ in Jesus Name Amen!

Heavenly Father, help us to love and accept one another, help us to worship and serve together for your Kingdom in Jesus Name Amen

And the evil spirit answered and said to them, “I recognize Jesus, and I know about Paul, but who are you?” Acts 19:15

Does Satan know you? May sound like an odd question, but the fact is if your not a threat to his dark kingdom, then your probably not doing your job as a Christian. False prosperity gospel today teaches people to “live there best life now” and be complacent, this is exactly what Satan wants from you. Because if you truly followed Christ commands and used the power of The Holy Spirit, you would send the demons trembling

The Holy Spirit was doing powerful work through Pauls ministry. It was so powerful that even a touch of their handkerchiefs or aprons, healed sick people and cast out demons. Some Jewish exorcists witnessed this power and decided to mimic it. However these men were not truly disciples of Christ, and the demons laughed and attacked them

You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder. James 2:19

Demons tremble and shudder at the name of Jesus Christ and the power of The Holy Spirit. When you truly follow Gods will by the power of The Holy Spirit, no weapon that Satan has will be formed against you!

Unfortunately, a lot of Christianity today is false and self worship. People are more concerned about their will be done instead of Gods will be done. Don’t be complacent, don’t allow Satan to fool and overcome you! Follow Gods will and allow the Holy Spirit to empower you in Jesus Name Amen!

Heavenly Father, we pray for your will to be done, we set aside our personal agenda and egos for your kingdom, allow the Holy Spirit to work through us in Jesus Name Amen!

and he began to speak out boldly in the synagogue. But when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately. Acts 18:26

Apollos was a Jew who was described as eloquent and “well versed” in the scriptures. He preached about Jesus Christ and was “fervent in spirit” However Apollos was limited in his knowledge of the full gospel of Jesus. He knew about Jesus and about his baptism, but probably wasn’t educated yet on the resurrection and the ascension, ect.

Priscilla and Aquila heard his limited knowledge and took it upon themselves to fully educate him on the gospel of Jesus Christ. We as Christians probably have limited knowledge of certain areas in The Bible also. Don’t let our human pride limit us and learning from other Christians about the full theology of Christianity.

Priscilla and Aquila were a married couple who served under Paul,  Apollo was a well respected preacher and he could have easily allowed his pride get in the way and blow them off. Especially with Priscilla being a woman, during this time period , most woman were not respected or even educated. However Apollo allowed them to train him on Jesus, and he became a better preacher because of it

“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20

Jesus commanded us to make disciples by teaching the gospel. Priscilla and Aquila fulfilled this great commission by training Apollo, as they have trained many others who preached the gospel throughout their ministry. Don’t allow your human pride or ego to miss out on opportunities to learn about God

Heavenly Father, we pray that your Holy Spirit, works through and in us to teach us your ways, grant us wisdom beyond human comprehension in Jesus Name Amen

And the Lord said to Paul in the night by a vision, “Do not be afraid any longer, but go on speaking and do not be silent; Acts 18:9

While Paul was in the city of Corinth, obviously famous for his letters to the Corinthians, he became extremely frustrated. He spent every day preaching the gospel to the Jewish people hoping they would understand that Jesus is the Messiah. However even after all the evidence Paul presented to them from Old Testament scriptures, they would not believe him. Finally, Paul declared “Your blood be on your own heads! I am innocent of it, from now on I will go to the Gentiles”

Paul was at his breaking point of frustration trying to teach the Jews about Jesus Christ and decided to walk away. Many of us can probably relate to Paul with this, maybe not even in ministry. Have you ever tried to teach people something and they just were not getting it? This is what Paul experienced and he let it get the best of him

However God had a different plan, he told Paul to “Keep on Speaking, Don’t be Silent” See Paul might have been done trying to teach the Jews but God wasn’t finished yet.

for I am with you, and no man will attack you in order to harm you, for I have many people in this city.” Acts 18:10

Paul might have felt alone, being rejected by many, but God was with him. Not only was God with him but God promised him protection. We are not alone either, when you are serving God, you are never alone. Don’t be silent about Jesus Christ, Keep Speaking!

Heavenly Father, give us the courage and wisdom to keep speaking about our Lord Jesus Christ, protect us from our enemies in Jesus Name Amen!