The Art of Persuasion
Acts 17:1-4 (NIV) 1 When they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a Jewish synagogue. 2 As his custom was, Paul went into the synagogue, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, 3 explaining and proving that the Christ had to suffer and […]
Open Season on Christians
Acts 16:35-39 (NIV) 35 When it was daylight, the magistrates sent their officers to the jailer with the order: “Release those men.” 36 The jailer told Paul, “The magistrates have ordered that you and Silas be released. Now you can leave. Go in peace.” 37 But Paul said to the officers: “They beat us publicly […]
Pass it on!
Acts 16:26-34 (NIV) 26 Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everybody’s chains came loose. 27 The jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself […]
On Demons, Money, and Lies
Acts 16:16-21 (NIV) 16 Once when we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl who had a spirit by which she predicted the future. She earned a great deal of money for her owners by fortune-telling. 17 This girl followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, “These […]
The Church, the Gospel, and Women
Acts 16:13-15 (NIV) 13 On the Sabbath we went outside the city gate to the river, where we expected to find a place of prayer. We sat down and began to speak to the women who had gathered there.14 One of those listening was a woman named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth from the […]
Strengthening Your Core
Acts 15:41 (NIV) 41 He went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches. After the important church council of Acts 15, Paul and Barnabas head in different ministry directions. Luke follows Paul through Syria and Cilicia. Paul’s purpose: strengthening the church. I had a coach in college that insisted you were only as strong […]
Learning to Lose
23 Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord, in whom they had put their trust. Acts 14:23 (NIV) The goal in sports is to win. But one of the most important lessons you learn as an athlete is how to lose. Because, […]
Winning! By Oxycodone
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1568229660683{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]“They preached the good news in that city and won a large number of disciples. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch…” (Acts 14:21, NIV) The Greek in this verse, describing Paul and Barnabas’ time in Derbe, says: “They evangelized that city and made a great number of disciples.” But I […]
Good News / Bad News
When Paul and Barnabas came to Lystra and Derbe, a man who had been crippled since birth was healed. Amazed, the people jumped to the conclusion that these apostles were gods: Zeus and Hermes. One of the priests of Zeus even began preparations for sacrificing bulls to Paul and Barnabas. The apostles urged them to […]
Go Team!
“At Iconium Paul and Barnabas went as usual into the Jewish synagogue. There they spoke so effectively that a great number of Jews and Gentiles believed. But the Jews who refused to believe stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers. So Paul and Barnabas spent considerable time there, speaking boldly for […]
Being the Church of Second Chances
“From Paphos, Paul and his companions sailed to Perga in Pamphylia, where John left them to return to Jerusalem.“ (Acts 13:13, NIV) Like any good historian, Luke gives us the facts. John left Paul and Barnabas’ team to return to Jerusalem. But Luke’s also a great story-teller…and this is a great story! John was mentioned […]
Diversity!
“In the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul. While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have […]
