DC – 02/23, Session 21, Day 4 – Acts 15:1-2,6-11,22-29

From Chris -

Acts 15:1-2: Certain people came down from Judea to Antioch and were teaching the believers: “Unless you are circumcised, according to the custom taught by Moses, you cannot be saved.” This brought Paul and Barnabas into sharp dispute and debate with them. So Paul and Barnabas were appointed, along with some other believers, to go up to Jerusalem to see the apostles and elders about this question.

Acts 15:6-11: The apostles and elders met to consider this question. After much discussion, Peter got up and addressed them: “Brothers, you know that some time ago God made a choice among you that the Gentiles might hear from my lips the message of the gospel and believe. God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us. He did not discriminate between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith. Now then, why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of Gentiles a yoke that neither we nor our ancestors have been able to bear? No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are.”

Acts 15:22-29: Then the apostles and elders, with the whole church, decided to choose some of their own men and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They chose Judas (called Barsabbas) and Silas, men who were leaders among the believers. With them they sent the following letter:

The apostles and elders, your brothers,

To the Gentile believers in Antioch, Syria and Cilicia:

Greetings. We have heard that some went out from us without our authorization and disturbed you, troubling your minds by what they said. So we all agreed to choose some men and send them to you with our dear friends Barnabas and Paul— men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore we are sending Judas and Silas to confirm by word of mouth what we are writing. It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to burden you with anything beyond the following requirements: You are to abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals and from sexual immorality. You will do well to avoid these things.

1. The Jews wanted the Gentiles to become circumsized to join the church. The apostles met after much arguing to settle the matter, establishing that it is only by faith that we are saved.

2. If there is an issue, the person should be approached. If it’s still an issue, bring a witness or two. If still an issue, the Pastor should be the first to know – then the elder board or leadership team. But mostly, in complete faith and trust in God and great humility and gentleness.

DC – 02/22, Session 21, Day 3 – Acts 16:16-24

From Chris -

Acts 16:16-24: Once when we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a female slave who had a spirit by which she predicted the future. She earned a great deal of money for her owners by fortune-telling. She followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you the way to be saved.” She kept this up for many days. Finally Paul became so annoyed that he turned around and said to the spirit, “In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!” At that moment the spirit left her.

When her owners realized that their hope of making money was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace to face the authorities. They brought them before the magistrates and said, “These men are Jews, and are throwing our city into an uproar by advocating customs unlawful for us Romans to accept or practice.”

The crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas, and the magistrates ordered them to be stripped and beaten with rods. After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer was commanded to guard them carefully. When he received these orders, he put them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks.

1. Their teachings contradicted the money making schemes of the Roman business men who played on the people’s superstitions.

2. Loving our enemies is one that I find people struggle with… especially youth. Someone that has betrayed or hurt them… deeply.

DC – 02/21, Session 21, Day 2 – Acts 13:1-3

From Chris -

Acts 13:1-3: Now 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 called them.” So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.

1. They acted right away to obey the Lord’s command! Not just obeying, but obeying in prayer and fasting with reverence, passion and Spirit.

2. God has called me to serve Him by serving the younger generations, He has called me to youth and families as my mission field, and I respond with great joy and real humility. Who am I, that I should be gifted and called to be with those I love?

DC – 02/20, Session 21, Day 1 – Acts 1:6-8

From Chris -

Acts 1:6-8: Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”

He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

1. That we are witnesses of Jesus to everyone and everywhere.

2. Constantly. It’s a life of service, and it’s all for Him. The problem for me is sin.

DC – 02/18, Session 20, Day 6 – Acts 22:6-21

From Chris -

1 Peter 2:9: But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

1. To proclaim the good news of salvation from our sins through faith in Jesus Christ and eternal life! To share all God has done for us!

2. Boldly teach the Word, pray for Kingdom building, pray for others, reach out in love and forgiveness… at every youth club, work environment and with everyone. Stand out for Christ.

DC – 02/17, Session 20, Day 5 – Acts 22:6-21

From Chris -

Acts 22:6-21: “About noon as I came near Damascus, suddenly a bright light from heaven flashed around me. I fell to the ground and heard a voice say to me, ‘Saul! Saul! Why do you persecute me?’

“‘Who are you, Lord?’ I asked.

“ ‘I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting,’ he replied. My companions saw the light, but they did not understand the voice of him who was speaking to me.

“‘What shall I do, Lord?’ I asked.

“ ‘Get up,’ the Lord said, ‘and go into Damascus. There you will be told all that you have been assigned to do.’ My companions led me by the hand into Damascus, because the brilliance of the light had blinded me.

“A man named Ananias came to see me. He was a devout observer of the law and highly respected by all the Jews living there. He stood beside me and said, ‘Brother Saul, receive your sight!’ And at that very moment I was able to see him.

“Then he said: ‘The God of our ancestors has chosen you to know his will and to see the Righteous One and to hear words from his mouth. You will be his witness to all people of what you have seen and heard. And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name.’

“When I returned to Jerusalem and was praying at the temple, I fell into a trance and saw the Lord speaking to me. ‘Quick!’ he said. ‘Leave Jerusalem immediately, because the people here will not accept your testimony about me.’

“‘Lord,’ I replied, ‘these people know that I went from one synagogue to another to imprison and beat those who believe in you. And when the blood of your martyr Stephen was shed, I stood there giving my approval and guarding the clothes of those who were killing him.’

“Then the Lord said to me, ‘Go; I will send you far away to the Gentiles.’ ”

1. Jesus can use and forgive and empower anyone. He is in control and has a plan. He is Sovereign.

2. That Jesus can even use a fool and sinner like me, for His glory. Not that I always glorify Him, but that He can use the good in me (that comes from Him) for his glory in spite of my many weaknesses, my pride, my sins… what a gracious, forgiving and all loving God. What a Savior!

DC – 02/16, Session 20, Day 4 – Acts 22:1-5

From Chris -

Acts 22:1-5: “Brothers and fathers, listen now to my defense.” When they heard him speak to them in Aramaic, they became very quiet. Then Paul said: “I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city. I studied under Gamaliel and was thoroughly trained in the law of our ancestors. I was just as zealous for God as any of you are today. I persecuted the followers of this Way to their death, arresting both men and women and throwing them into prison, as the high priest and all the Council can themselves testify. I even obtained letters from them to their associates in Damascus, and went there to bring these people as prisoners to Jerusalem to be punished.

1. He was one of them. And he came to them as one of them.

2. I would need God’s guidance and the power of the Holy Spirit to lead me and protect me, from myself. So I don’t get prideful, use my knowledge rather than my faith in Christ, trusting myself instead of following the Spirit, and ultimately, so i don’t get discouraged, angry or frustrated.

DC – 02/15, Session 20, Day 3 – Matthew 5:43-48

From Chris -

Matthew 5:43-48: “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

1. Ananias lives out this very teaching to Paul of Tarsus. What wonderful and complete trust and faith he shows us all!

2. Are you kidding? No more war, no more racism, no more divorce even? What incredible possibilities, and here’s what I think.. the church should lead the way, and the church can lead the way.

DC – 02/14, Session 20, Day 2 – Acts 9:10-22

From Chris -

Acts 9:10-22: In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, “Ananias!”

“Yes, Lord,” he answered.

The Lord told him, “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.”

“Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people in Jerusalem. And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.”

But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.”

Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, and after taking some food, he regained his strength.

Saul spent several days with the disciples in Damascus. At once he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God. All those who heard him were astonished and asked, “Isn’t he the man who raised havoc in Jerusalem among those who call on this name? And hasn’t he come here to take them as prisoners to the chief priests?” Yet Saul grew more and more powerful and baffled the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Messiah.

1. Ananias was a true servant of God, obedient in the midst of fear and empowered by the Spirit.

2. I would be shocked, and also a little suspicious. Trust of course must be earned. However, when you hear and feel the power of the Gospel, there is no fear. There is only Christ. And when you realize it, you can’t stop thanking Him and trying to love Him all the more!

DC – 02/13, Session 20, Day 1 – Acts 9:1-9

From Chris -

Acts 9:1-9: Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”

“Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked.

“I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”

The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything.

1. I imagine he was thinking about what it meant that Jesus was God. He must have been in deep prayer, questioning himself, maybe even God, but as the reality became clear, he had to be both heartbroken and excited. He had been called!

2. God used circumstances and other people in my life to change me completely.