Wednesday Devo
Scripture:
Acts 14
11 When the crowd saw what Paul had done, they shouted in their local dialect, “These men are gods in human form!†12 They decided that Barnabas was the Greek god Zeus and that Paul was Hermes, since he was the chief speaker. 13 Now the temple of Zeus was located just outside the town. So the priest of the temple and the crowd brought bulls and wreaths of flowers to the town gates, and they prepared to offer sacrifices to the apostles.
14 But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard what was happening, they tore their clothing in dismay and ran out among the people, shouting, 15 “Friends, why are you doing this? We are merely human beings—just like you! We have come to bring you the Good News that you should turn from these worthless things and turn to the living God, who made heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them. 16 In the past he permitted all the nations to go their own ways, 17 but he never left them without evidence of himself and his goodness. For instance, he sends you rain and good crops and gives you food and joyful hearts.â€
11 When the crowd saw what Paul had done, they shouted in their local dialect, “These men are gods in human form!†12 They decided that Barnabas was the Greek god Zeus and that Paul was Hermes, since he was the chief speaker. 13 Now the temple of Zeus was located just outside the town. So the priest of the temple and the crowd brought bulls and wreaths of flowers to the town gates, and they prepared to offer sacrifices to the apostles.
14 But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard what was happening, they tore their clothing in dismay and ran out among the people, shouting, 15 “Friends, why are you doing this? We are merely human beings—just like you! We have come to bring you the Good News that you should turn from these worthless things and turn to the living God, who made heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them. 16 In the past he permitted all the nations to go their own ways, 17 but he never left them without evidence of himself and his goodness. For instance, he sends you rain and good crops and gives you food and joyful hearts.â€
Commentary:
14:11–13 The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men. Since the people were speaking in their native Lycaonian language, Paul and Barnabas were probably unaware of what was transpiring. They realized the gravity of the situation, however, when the local priest began to offer sacrifice. The crowd’s acclamation was based on a local myth that the gods Hermes and Zeus had once visited their region in human form.
14:14–15 tore their garments. Contrast the response of Herod (12:21–23). who made the heaven and the earth. Since the Lystrans were polytheists, it was necessary to begin with the basic message that God is the creator of all that exists.
14:17 rains … and fruitful seasons. Paul tells these Gentiles who had no knowledge of the Jewish Scriptures that their regular harvests, the food they eat every day, and the gladness they experience in the ordinary activities of life are all a witness from God of his existence, wisdom, and goodness. They should not think that these things “just happen†or that they are the work of some local deities, for they are from the one true God “who made the heaven and the earth†(v. 15). The themes of this short speech will be developed in the speech at Mars Hill (17:16–34). These are the two occasions where Paul speaks to Gentiles who worship idols.
14:14–15 tore their garments. Contrast the response of Herod (12:21–23). who made the heaven and the earth. Since the Lystrans were polytheists, it was necessary to begin with the basic message that God is the creator of all that exists.
14:17 rains … and fruitful seasons. Paul tells these Gentiles who had no knowledge of the Jewish Scriptures that their regular harvests, the food they eat every day, and the gladness they experience in the ordinary activities of life are all a witness from God of his existence, wisdom, and goodness. They should not think that these things “just happen†or that they are the work of some local deities, for they are from the one true God “who made the heaven and the earth†(v. 15). The themes of this short speech will be developed in the speech at Mars Hill (17:16–34). These are the two occasions where Paul speaks to Gentiles who worship idols.
Questions:
- After Paul healed the crippled man, things went sideways. After previous healings, people always ended up praising God! God always got the glory. But in this case, with this Pagan crowd, they wanted to glorify the apostles. But Paul and Barnabas weren't having it. They tore their clothes and refused to receive any glory for God's miracle. When you preach the gospel, some will IDOLIZE you. When you're used by God, others can start to think too highly of you, which could start to make YOU think too highly of you. Pride can swell and you can begin to seek the praise of men over the glory of God. Is there anything in your life that God did that you might have inadvertently taken credit for? Where are you not giving Him the glory that He is due?
- When you preach the gospel, IDOLS must DIE. Our message must be like Pauls: Turn from these useless things and turn to the one true God. There also isn't any room for idols in our own lives. We don't get to live any way we want, do our own thing, and then just sprinkle in a little Jesus. When it comes to Jesus, it's either all in or all out. Maybe you don't worship idols like Zeus and Hermes, but we can all develop idols in our lives. Maybe yours is an addiction, a relationship, your money, your comfort. The bottom line is, if Jesus isn't first, everything in front of Him is an idol. Do you have any idols in your life? What needs to be put to death? Is there a priority out of whack?
Prayer Topics:
- That you would never take any of God's glory.
- That God would reveal any idols in your life.
This Week's City 7:
Try to commit to memory!
7. How can I trust that the Bible is still God’s Word today? I trust the Bible is still God’s Word today because Jesus rose from the dead, proving He was God and said His words would never pass away. Through the Holy Spirit, God inspired the writing of the Scripture, determined the canon of Scripture and protected the copying of Scripture so that we might know Him and worship Him to this day.
(Matthew 24:35; 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:16-21; Revelation 22:18-19)
(Matthew 24:35; 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:16-21; Revelation 22:18-19)
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