It all works together
Then Paul stood up, and motioning with his hand said, “Men of Israel, and you who fear God, listen: Acts 13:16
Sometimes it seems like the Old Testament and the New Testament are two different stories. Many times, I only look to the New Testament scriptures for encouragement and reinforcements. However, the truth is, without the Old Testament there would be no foundation for the New. Without the Old Testament saints starting with the beginning of creation, there would be no New Testament Church or Salvation in Christ Jesus.
In today’s scripture reading, Paul and Barnabas show up at Antioch, and on the Sabbath, they went into the synagogue. It was what they did, much like we go to church now on Sundays. On this particular Sabbath, they were invited to share a word of exhortation to build up the people there. Paul started his message all the way back to the beginning of Israel. He taught them how God raised up the Savior, Jesus for the nation of Israel and the world, and how His coming was prophesied throughout the history of Israel.
It is easy for us who believe now, to look back at the hundreds of passages that predicted Jesus’ birth, ministry, death on the cross and resurrection, but when Paul laid it out on that Sabbath, this was all new revelation. The message created such a hunger and energy in that city that on the next Sabbath, almost the whole city came out to hear the word of God.
So, what was the secret to the draw of God’s message back then and why don’t we see whole cities coming together today to hear more about the message of salvation? I could say it is because America has been saturated in the message and all have already heard, but that would not be quite accurate. In fact, over 40% of people in our country have not heard this message. In the world we live in today and the ability we have to spread news, this is a staggering number. However, this explains much of the troubles we see in our nation.
The solution? First of all, start filling up your own heart with God’s Word and His love. Become so filled up with His Spirit and the good news of salvation that you minister to others from that overflow. Then start sharing. Seek God for direction and prepare a plan for the message of His love that you can share when you have the opportunity. Ask for Him to bring people to you that are searching for answers in this life and looking for purpose for their existence. Pray for the Holy Spirit to remind you of the words and actions that you prepared ahead of time to say and do when those opportunities come. America needs the salvation message as much as the rest of the world does. Start today to pray to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers.
Today I want to encourage you to once again pray for boldness. Equip yourself with the words of God’s love and provision ready to share every time you have an opportunity. You may have to get up earlier in the morning to press into Him or put away some things that may be distracting you from what is most important, but when you do, life will become much clearer. look for opportunities to pray with others who are struggling in life and invite people to small groups and weekend services where they can learn about the love of God that will change their life forever. We only get a few short breaths here in this world to make an impact. Begin today to touch the world around you and make a difference that will count toward eternity.
Today’s scripture reading: Acts 13:13 – 52
13 Now when Paul and his party set sail from Paphos, they came to Perga in Pamphylia; and John, departing from them, returned to Jerusalem.
14 But when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day and sat down.
15 And after the reading of the Law and the Prophets, the rulers of the synagogue sent to them, saying, “Men and brethren, if you have any word of exhortation for the people, say on.”
16 Then Paul stood up, and motioning with his hand said, “Men of Israel, and you who fear God, listen:
17 The God of this people Israel chose our fathers, and exalted the people when they dwelt as strangers in the land of Egypt, and with an uplifted arm He brought them out of it.
18 Now for a time of about forty years He put up with their ways in the wilderness.
19 And when He had destroyed seven nations in the land of Canaan, He distributed their land to them by allotment.
20 “After that He gave them judges for about four hundred and fifty years, until Samuel the prophet.
21 And afterward they asked for a king; so God gave them Saul the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years.
22 And when He had removed him, He raised up for them David as king, to whom also He gave testimony and said, ‘I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after My own heart, who will do all My will.’
23 From this man’s seed, according to the promise, God raised up for Israel a Savior—Jesus—
24 after John had first preached, before His coming, the baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel.
25 And as John was finishing his course, he said, ‘Who do you think I am? I am not He. But behold, there comes One after me, the sandals of whose feet I am not worthy to loose.’
26 “Men and brethren, sons of the family of Abraham, and those among you who fear God, to you the word of this salvation has been sent.
27 For those who dwell in Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they did not know Him, nor even the voices of the Prophets which are read every Sabbath, have fulfilled them in condemning Him.
28 And though they found no cause for death in Him, they asked Pilate that He should be put to death.
29 Now when they had fulfilled all that was written concerning Him, they took Him down from the tree and laid Him in a tomb.
30 But God raised Him from the dead.
31 He was seen for many days by those who came up with Him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are His witnesses to the people.
32 And we declare to you glad tidings—that promise which was made to the fathers.
33 God has fulfilled this for us their children, in that He has raised up Jesus. As it is also written in the second Psalm: ‘You are My Son, Today I have begotten You.’
34 And that He raised Him from the dead, no more to return to corruption, He has spoken thus: ‘I will give you the sure mercies of David.’
35 Therefore He also says in another Psalm: ‘You will not allow Your Holy One to see corruption.’
36 “For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell asleep, was buried with his fathers, and saw corruption;
37 but He whom God raised up saw no corruption.
38 Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through this Man is preached to you the forgiveness of sins;
39 and by Him everyone who believes is justified from all things from which you could not be justified by the law of Moses.
40 Beware therefore, lest what has been spoken in the prophets come upon you:
41 ‘Behold, you despisers, Marvel and perish! For I work a work in your days, A work which you will by no means believe, Though one were to declare it to you.’ ”
42 So when the Jews went out of the synagogue, the Gentiles begged that these words might be preached to them the next Sabbath.
43 Now when the congregation had broken up, many of the Jews and devout proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas, who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God.
44 On the next Sabbath almost the whole city came together to hear the word of God.
45 But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy; and contradicting and blaspheming, they opposed the things spoken by Paul.
46 Then Paul and Barnabas grew bold and said, “It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken to you first; but since you reject it, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles.
47 For so the Lord has commanded us: ‘I have set you as a light to the Gentiles, That you should be for salvation to the ends of the earth.’ ”
48 Now when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and glorified the word of the Lord. And as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed.
49 And the word of the Lord was being spread throughout all the region.
50 But the Jews stirred up the devout and prominent women and the chief men of the city, raised up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them from their region.
51 But they shook off the dust from their feet against them, and came to Iconium.
52 And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.
The Daily Dose 