Acts 23:11-22

In these verses we find Paul needing reassurance that the Lord would be with him in this dangerous spot. After all He was God's chosen Apostle. Paul is given a vision assuring him that the Lord would not only take care of him in Jerusalem, but he would also later fulfill his dream of going to Rome. We can also be assured that if we put our lives in His hand, He will take care of us!

Next we find that forty men have plotted to ambush and kill Paul. It is ironic that Paul's sister's son just so happens to overhear their plot. This is a direct answer to the Lord's Word in verse eleven. Was this a coincidence or was it Providential? I believe God indeed has a sense of humor here. I'm at the place in my life where I realize that nothing is accidental. God is in control at all times working out His perfect plan for our lives. Every person He brings into my path is intentional and for a specific purpse! The prayerful words of this song: "Lord lead me to some soul today, and teach me Lord just what to say" are very fitting. We can trust God in quiet anticipation of what HE will do next.

God used Paul's very own nephew to foil the plot of his enemies! As a result, Paul is one step closer to his goal of taking the Gospel message to Rome. I want my life to be ordered like that...don't you?

Witnessing In God's Will! - Acts 22:1-30

Paul was committed to using every opportunity to be a witness. God has promised to be with us and to empower us if we have this kind of commitment.

1. Divine Protection - from the mob
2. Divine Provision - citizenship of Rome
3. Divine Possibility - witness to the Sanhedrin

Just as God promised He will be with us as we witness in His will.

Walk with the Lord and be a witness in His will!!!

Willing To Reach All Men! - Acts 21:15-26

Paul was willing to yield rights in any area as long as he did not violate God's Word in order to gain a hearing with the unsaved.

1. Report
2. Rejoicing
3. Request
4. Reply

Paul did not argue that the Jews could not keep their customs during this transition time as long as they did not trust these religious rituals for salvation or impose their desire on others.

Be willing to be flexible to "become all things to all men" in order to win them to Jesus Christ.

Walk with the Lord and be willing to reach all men!!!

Acts 20:25-38

The verses of this passage are Paul's last words to the Ephesian elders before he leaves for Jerusalem, and from there he ends up in Rome as a prisoner, possibly never again a free man.

There are some interesting phrases here in this section. One of them is that Paul said that because of continuous preaching that he was innocent of the blood of all men. If one who heard Paul would end up in Hell, it would not be the fault of Paul. I could not say that altogether, but I carry gospel tracts that warn men of the coming disaster if they don't turn to Christ. Do you warn people of that kind of coming disaster?

Paul also warned the elders that there would be men who would come in with false doctrine twisting the truth into lies. He called these men wolves. We still have these kind of people with us today. Would you recognize the truth over a half-truth or a total doctrinal lie?

Paul goes on to commend these elders to God and the Word of His grace. Before he leaves them, he declares that he coveted no ones silver or gold. Shame on those preachers who seem to be in the ministry for only the money. They will have the greater condemnation. He quotes the words of the Lord Jesus that it is better to give than to receive. Then there is the sorrowful farewell to their beloved Apostle. I want to be loved like that, don't you?

Worship In The Local Church! - Acts 20:1-12

Paul conducted a farewell worship service for the local church.

1. The Lord's Day
2. The Lord's People
3. The Lord's Supper
4. The Lord's Message
5. The Lord's Power

God has designed for believers to function as a body in the local church setting. My worship experience should contain these same elements.

Walk with the Lord and worship in the local church !!!

Be Affirmed In The Truth! - Acts 19:1-10

Paul's apostleship is affirmed as he lays hands on these early converts of John the Baptist.

1. Peter to the Jews - Acts 2
2. Peter to the Samaritans - Acts 8
3. Peter to the Gentiles - Acts 10
4. Paul to the Jews - Acts 18

These "sign gift" experiences were designed to affirm the truth of the apostles' message. I have the Word of God now complete to affirm the truth!

Walk with the Lord and be affirmed in the truth!!!

Acts 18:1-17

Many Christians have heard of the term "tentmaker" and maybe don't understand what that means. This is used for a missionary or Christian worker who goes into a foreign country and finds a job for sustaining income to be able to preach and win people to Christ. This could be true of Pastors who serve country churches here in the U.S. where there is not enough incoming funds to sustain the Pastor. This is a worthy occupation. In verse three of this passage we find Paul does this so he wouldn't be a burden to the Corinthian people.

There was also a principle that Paul worked by called "the Jew first", and then to the Gentiles. Here in verse six he shook his garments and said to the Jews, "Your blood be upon your own heads, I go to the Gentiles."

Corinth was a wicked city and the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision that he was not to be afraid for He had much people in that city. Although we don't get this in visions and dreams anymore, there are ways that God can affirm a servant as to where to go. I rely on people giving me names or suggestions of people to see. Usually in the morning, I ask the Lord where I am to go that day. Then I seem to come up with something. Are you ever moved to do anything that way?