Friday Devo
Scripture:
Acts 14
23 Paul and Barnabas also appointed elders in every church. With prayer and fasting, they turned the elders over to the care of the Lord, in whom they had put their trust. 24 Then they traveled back through Pisidia to Pamphylia. 25 They preached the word in Perga, then went down to Attalia.
23 Paul and Barnabas also appointed elders in every church. With prayer and fasting, they turned the elders over to the care of the Lord, in whom they had put their trust. 24 Then they traveled back through Pisidia to Pamphylia. 25 They preached the word in Perga, then went down to Attalia.
Commentary:
14:23 Paul’s churches followed the synagogue pattern of leadership by elders. It is significant that elders were appointed from the beginning for such young churches (cf. James 5:14, which dates to sometime between a.d. 40 and 50). The language here indicates a plurality of elders in every church (cf. also Acts 11:30; 15:2, 4, 6, 22–23; 16:4; 20:17; 21:18; 1 Tim. 5:17; Titus 1:5; 1 Pet. 5:1, 5). See also note on 1 Sam. 4:3.
Questions:
- Paul and Barnabas appointed elders at each church. But this was way more than just an administrative exercise. It was also a spiritual one. They did all this "with prayer and fasting." Choosing church leadership was a big deal, and they relied on wisdom from God. How often are you praying about decisions, or are you mostly relying on your own wisdom and reasoning? When was the last time you coupled prayer with fasting?
- Brandon ended his talk on Sunday sharing what is looks like to be a world changer. This comes from the first church, the earliest believers, who despite the opposition and persecution they faced set the world on fire and started a movement that still continues to this day. World changers are team players, they don't go it alone. They surround themselves with other believers and submit to a local church's leadership and authority. They remain faithful and fearless in the face of adversity, working towards spiritual maturity. An they live with their eyes on the prize of eternity, giving their lives for something bigger than themselves. What has God been speaking to you over the course of this week? Are you truly planted in the church? Are you growing towards spiritual maturity? Are you stalled out or stuck in a rut? Are you truly living for God's Kingdom or your own? What are you going to do about it?!
Prayer Topics:
- That you would make prayer and fasting a regular practice in your life.
- That God would lead you towards what He is asking of you.
This Week's City 7:
Try to commit to memory!
1. Who is Jesus? I believe Jesus is God because Jesus said He is God and proved it by rising from the dead and appearing to His disciples, His brother James, 500 others at one time, and Paul.
(Mark 3:21; John 8:58, 10:30-33, 14:9-11; Acts 9:1-6; 1 Corinthians 15:3-8; Colossians 1:15-20; Hebrews 1:2-3; James 1:1)
(Mark 3:21; John 8:58, 10:30-33, 14:9-11; Acts 9:1-6; 1 Corinthians 15:3-8; Colossians 1:15-20; Hebrews 1:2-3; James 1:1)
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