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Friday, November 25, 2022

Bible Reading Reflection from Acts 8-14

[Originally posted in a WhatsApp group (SSEU) as a daily reading update (reflection) from each chapter of the Bible] 

ACTS 8:9-25

Simon was impressed with the works of God. He wasn't convicted. It's one thing to be impressed and sought after, it's another thing to be convicted and be converted.

That's one of the problems I see in certain ministries of Apologetics. Their preaching are oriented to impress people, and not designed to convict the sins of their listeners.

Nobody enters heaven because they are impressed with God. If so, God would have shaken heaven and earth every now and then. Our Lord Jesus, Himself refused to work miracles when demanded. Those who had seen His miracles didn't believe too. It is through repentance and faith in Jesus that brings the wonders in life!

As a preacher, I look at great men of God and would like to be like them, but that could possibly be compared to Simon wanting to be like Philip and the Apostles.

As a preacher, I would like my hearers to listen to me attentively. No sinners want to be offended; they want their ears to be tickled. It's easier to impress them by quoting this and that, talking this and that, but I am called to preach nothing else but only Christ!

 

ACTS 9 Reflection:

5 unique characters:

1. Saul the terrible being converted and becoming a trophy of Grace for Christ.

2. Ananias, a timid disciple who restored sight to Saul the terrible.

3. Barnabas, who knew powerful Apostles, brought Paul to them.

4. Peter the Cephas

5. Simon the host of Peter the Cephas.

All of them, appointed by God, each having his own calling into the ministry!

I've had enough of Paul and Peter😝 I don't think I have the courage of Ananias to go and preach to RSS people. I do not know great people like Barnabas did, to introduce anyone to them. But maybe I can think of Simon the tanner, and work on developing hospitality all the more!

 

ACTS 10:31

"And said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard, and your alms are remembered in the sight of God.’"

What a wonderful God we have! No impartiality in Him (v34). Whoever calls on Him will be saved. Cornelius, a gentile called on Him, and God saved Him.

Whoever seeks God will find God. But we know it is God who first seeks us. He is the one who stirs up our hearts to seek Him. We are lost sheep. Jesus is the real seeker. The person to be found is the lost one, a sinner. Sinners are dead people needed to be awakened by the Spirit of God. Ought we to give all credits to God for our salvation!

As we see, God's means of Salvation is the gospel. Peter went and proclaimed the gospel. God didn't just justify Cornelius for those prayers and alms in Caesarea. That's why I am delighted in the ministry of the gospel because it is the only way to save sinners.

Unreached people need the Gospel to hear and believe and obey. God is not going to save those Sentinelese in Andaman and Nicobar Islands or those in Amazon jungles without hearing the gospel!

Lord, stir up a passion to weep for the lost and to reach out to them! For I was once lost and was found by Your grace through Your preachers!

 

ACTS 11

v7 "Rise, Peter, kill and eat."

v9 "What God has cleansed you must not call common"

Hmm! If you aren’t eating pork, you are wasting your life! 🤣😂

Joke aside! But praise God that He hasn't restricted us! Israelites were chosen to be the people of God in the Old Testament. They were to live a different life; thus, they had those dietary laws. In the NT, the people of God are Christians. There is no distinction between a Jew and a Gentile, thus there is no need for dietary distinction.

v18 confirms it: "Then God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life." Guys, let's enjoy pork with thanksgiving😇 Btw, I'm texting this just after eating pork! 😂

 

ACTS 12

Herod killed James the apostle for preaching the gospel (v2). Herod enjoyed persecuting Christians and arrested Peter again (v4). But God freed Peter and eventually killed Herod (v8, 23). And with or without persecution, Christians continued to spread the gospel, and more were saved (v24)

The work of Satan is real. And I think even these many restrictions and responses to Covid19 have the hands of Satan. But God is sovereign. And His people shall prevail! There lies my hope, assurance, joy, and peace!

 

ACTS 13 OBSERVATION FROM PAUL'S SERMON

Tone and mood is exhortation/ encouragement (v15)

Audience: chosen people of God and those who fear God (v16)

Theme: God raised up for Israel a Saviour—Jesus (v23). The most repeated word is "raised".

His main exhortation starts at v38 till 41. His exhortation is mostly a negative—warning and ended with a stern warning of doom "lest you marvel and perish" (v41)

His Outline: 3 times he addressed "Men" "brethren" and they serve as his sermon outline.

I. 16-25 God in His promise gives Jesus as Saviour for Israel.

II. 26-37 (but they killed Him) but God in His promise raised up Jesus

III. 38-42 God promises to justify (forgive, save) anyone who believes in Him

Illustration: from Old Testament

Main Theological Doctrine: Justification by Faith (v39)

Main Implication/Application: there is justification (forgiveness) when we believe Christ. v38-39

In short, Believe or Perish!

 

ACTS 14:22

“Strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, ‘We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.’”

If I am living a very comfortable life, well, I must question whether I am really with Jesus or with the world!

If I haven't suffered or lost anything because I chose to follow Christ, well, it's not the Christ of the Bible.

If I am not rejoicing in all the mundane things of life (boredom, wants, challenges, sin, trouble, sickness, and anything), well, I may as well quit Christianity.

If I am looking for a prosperous, secured, and peaceful future, well, Jesus didn't promise those for His ministers, what He promised is tribulation and the sufficiency of His grace in it!

If the lovingkindness of God is not better than life, well, neither heaven nor God is a matter of joy!

But God is my joy! God is my Salvation! God is my life! And therefore, my life is worth living, suffering, and dying! Thank You, Lord 🙏