Thursday Devo
Scripture:
Acts 14
19 Then some Jews arrived from Antioch and Iconium and won the crowds to their side. They stoned Paul and dragged him out of town, thinking he was dead. 20 But as the believers gathered around him, he got up and went back into the town. The next day he left with Barnabas for Derbe.
19 Then some Jews arrived from Antioch and Iconium and won the crowds to their side. They stoned Paul and dragged him out of town, thinking he was dead. 20 But as the believers gathered around him, he got up and went back into the town. The next day he left with Barnabas for Derbe.
Commentary:
14:19 The Jews again stirred up opposition, this time coming from Iconium and Antioch, over 100 miles (161 km) distant by road. they stoned Paul. The action was so brutal that they could see no sign of life in Paul. Later, in recounting his sufferings for the gospel, Paul says, “Once I was stoned†(2 Cor. 11:25; cf. 2 Tim. 3:11). supposing that he was dead. Those who stoned Paul apparently thought they had succeeded in killing him. But as “supposing†indicates, they were mistaken in thinking that, even though Paul was indeed gravely injured.
14:20 The presence of disciples indicates that despite the opposition, a nucleus of believers was established at Lystra (including Timothy, 16:1). They gathered about Paul, perhaps at first to mourn, but then, with some sign of life, to pray for his recovery. Amazingly, and apparently miraculously, he rose up and entered the city, apparently under his own strength.
14:20 The presence of disciples indicates that despite the opposition, a nucleus of believers was established at Lystra (including Timothy, 16:1). They gathered about Paul, perhaps at first to mourn, but then, with some sign of life, to pray for his recovery. Amazingly, and apparently miraculously, he rose up and entered the city, apparently under his own strength.
Questions:
- After the people of Lystra tried to say Paul and Barnabas were gods, and after they tried to sacrifice bulls to them, Paul refused to take glory that belonged to God. He proceeded to preach a powerful gospel message. To this point he's done everything right and been completely obedient to the Lord. What was his reward? They stoned him and left him for dead. When you preach the gospel, you will SUFFER. Paul knows this better than anyone. He says in his letter to Timothy later, "I bear on my body the scars that show I belong to Jesus." You probably haven't been almost stoned to death, but have you suffered for Him? If you aren't suffering at least a little because of your faith in Jesus, could it be that something is missing? Could there be a lack of obedience?
- Verse 20 says that believers gathered around Paul when he was left for dead. They were there for him in the absolute lowest moment of his life. No doubt they prayed for him, encouraged him, supported him. When you preach the gospel, do it with OTHERS. Being a disciple isn't a solo act. We need each other in the body of Christ. So many believers today are lacking in close, solid Christian relationships in their life... where you can support and encourage each other and be there for each other and grow towards Jesus together. Do you have these kinds of relationships in your life? If not, how can you take a step in that direction?
Prayer Topics:
- That you would be willing to suffer for your faith.
- That God would bring more godly community into 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)
No Comments