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When Fall comes around I generally get in the fishing mood. Just being out near a pond of water trying to catch something with nothing to do but talk to the Lord. Only, I did not have a license and for values sake I waited until the first of January to get a license. Wow, it is too cold...lol.
Mat 4:18 And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.
Mat 4:19 And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.
Mat 4:20 And they straightway left their nets, and followed him.
Jesus invited his disciples to be fishers of men. You catch them and the Lord will clean them, is a humorous saying. Last night in church several people shared of their gifts. John spoke as a great orator, a poem that he wrote to share with us. He has a wonderful gift of poetry and his voice is with authority. Another friend has a mechanical gift and has restored several cars. He shares this gift to help people in church. One lady teacher spoke of having a tiny piece of gravel in her slipper. It was small, but it is often the small things, small hindrances unattended that can become giants in our life. Using a spiritual gift just might keep someone from falling away.
This Wednesday we are beginning a Bible study at the Frontier Senior Center. A friend at church has another friend who wanted to be in a Bible study. Hopefully there will be more as I enjoy leading them. Maybe we will catch a fish? Let's go fishing!
Jer 6:15 Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? nay, they were not at all ashamed, neither could they blush: therefore they shall fall among them that fall: at the time that I visit them they shall be cast down, saith the LORD.
Jer 6:16 Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein.
Many have left the Lord but have not found peace in the world that has grown more and more perverse. Just turn around, repent, forgive old hurts and look for the old paths that were good and right. Start a new walk for this new year and walk with the Lord in his word. Live by faith and speak good words. There is God's peace, truth and grace that is yours for the asking.
Php 3:8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,
Php 3:9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
Php 3:10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
Php 3:11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.
Rest in Jesus, be thankful and follow him. He loves and cares for you.
1Pe 1:4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,
1Pe 1:5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
1Pe 1:6 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:
1Pe 1:7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:
I was thinking about our incorruptible inheritance "reserved" in heaven for us. To reserve a place is to hold it for you. When making a trip we reserve a motel space. When we arrive we pay the price of the room and have it for a night or two. Our heavenly reservation is our inheritance, already paid for by the blood of the Lamb of God.
John 14:1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
John 14:2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
John 14:3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
John 14:4 And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.
It will be worth it all when we see Jesus.
It will be worth it alll
Eph 1:4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
I understand this to say that we, who have confessed Jesus as our Lord and Savior are the chosen of God. How he chose us, I do not know, but he did know that the believers would believe in the Son of God, because that was His will from the beginning of creation. Jesus was the Son of God in the beginning and in the fullness of time he came as a baby human to make the way for us to live with God forever. He is both God and a man. He took the form of a human to pay the legal price for our sins. He is risen in glory at the right hand of the Father in heaven.
Eph 1:5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
Predestined is big word that the Calvinist use to explain that God had chosen those who will be saved before they were born. How do we know who were chosen? One explanation is that in John 3:16 it says "whosoever will", they are the chosen. John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Eph 1:6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
We responded to God's calling, his drawing us to himself. We received Jesus as our Lord and Savior, wherein "he hath made us accepted in the beloved." We may say, is it fair that some were chosen and others were not before they had a chance to respond to the calling of God? A good question and there is the scripture where Jesus wept over Jerusalem. This looks to me like all may choose to respond to God's calling. No one is purposely kept away before they were born.
Mat 23:37 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!
It appears to me that Jesus was concerned for the lost people of Jerusalem.
2Pe 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
The workings of God are for him to know. He is absolutely just and true. I trust him and his revealed word and I know my understanding is limited. There are some things we will not understand until we are with Him.
Rom 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
Rom 8:15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
Rom 8:16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
Rom 8:17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
Rom 8:18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
All this, to say this.
Rom 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
First we must be an adopted son or child of God. We must be led by the Spirit of God and if and when we suffer, we still belong to God and we can know that all things work together for good, for we are called according to his purpose. If we are led by the Spirit our sufferings will not be to complain in the flesh, but in all things we are to give thanks to the LORD.
After my wife died, a young widow in my church came to me and said" I know what you are going through". She was comforting me and helping me to bear the burden of losing my wife. She had suffered herself, so her words were more meaningful than some of the other comments that are not from the heart. She showed her love, fulfilling the "law of Christ" to love one another.
Gal 6:2 Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
Gal 6:5 For every man shall bear his own burden.
Having someone to encourage you is a blessing, but we still must bear our own burdens. They will not go away. When problems and burdens come, be an encourager and be strengthened and above all trust the Lord through your difficulties. Keep going, for Jesus is on the other side.
I ask the Lord to encourage you, to strengthen you and to be in your midst comforting you with his healing presence. Lord may we pray for others who need help, for then we understand that you also will help us.
Gal 5:14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
We can only fulfill the command to love one another if the Spirit of Jesus Christ abides in us. He will be with you if you have confessed him as your Lord and Savior. The Spirit has His own fruit, and it is all good and positive.
Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Gal 5:23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
These are the actions of a Spirit filled believer in Jesus Christ. All of the Spiritual fruit are given to us. There are also spiritual gifts some of which are listed in other scriptures (Rom 12 and 1 Cor 12). We must learn to walk in the love of God, loving others and experiencing joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and self control. These are the fruit of a Spirit filled believer.
Jesus spoke of knowing a person by his fruit.
Luk 6:43 For a good tree bringeth not forth corrupt fruit; neither doth a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
Let us not show both good and evil in our manner of living.
Gal 5:24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
Gal 5:25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
Gal 5:26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.
We are to live and walk in the Holy Spirit of God so that all will see your good fruit and glorify God.
Gal 1:22 And (I Paul) was unknown by face unto the churches of Judaea which were in Christ:
Gal 1:23 But they had heard only, That he which persecuted us in times past now preacheth the faith which once he destroyed.
Gal 1:24 And they glorified God in me. (KJV)
The ESV Bible says:
Gal 1:24 And they glorified God because of me.
The ERV Bible writes:
Gal 1:24 These believers praised God because of me.
I think that the KJV is more correct. And they glorified God in me. (KJV)
It was the Spirit of God in Paul that gave him the grace to repent and to follow the will of God. To God be the glory. Jesus had chosen Paul to be his apostle to the Gentiles. He spoke by revelation of a mystery.
Col 1:26 Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:
Col 1:27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:
Col 1:28 Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:
Col 1:29 Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.
It is not Paul and it is not you or I, but it is Christ in you, the hope of glory who works through us His good works. Give all glory to our God who has chosen us unto good works.
Eph 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
Amen
Gal 1:3 Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ,
Gal 1:4 Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:
Gal 1:5 To whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Another title might be"Glory to God the Father". How great is our heavenly father, that we may be called his sons and daughters through faith in his Son, by which we receive grace and peace. Grace is greater than mercy, because it gives to us a new heart, a new title and it enables us to follow Jesus by the power of God. Peace is the first thing we receive that confirms that he has given to us his grace and that we are become new in him, free of the condemnation of the devil.
In these short verses is the gospel, the good news that Jesus gave himself, who had no sins, to die as the legal payment for the pardoning of our sins. The penalty for sin was death and separation from God. He is risen from the tomb and has freely given to us the spirit of peace, being delivered from this present evil world. We are delivered into the hands of our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. This is the will of God for us from the beginning of the world. No matter what happens in this world our soul is safe with God. We freely give glory to God the Father, forever and ever, amen.
Mat 2:1 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,
Mat 2:2 Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.
Mat 2:3 When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.
Mat 2:4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.
Mat 2:5 And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet,
Mat 2:6 And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.
Mat 2:7 Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared.
Mat 2:8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.
Mat 2:9 When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.
Mat 2:10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.
Mat 2:11 And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.
Mat 2:12 And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.
Were these wise men taught through the teachings of Daniel of future events in prophesy?
Num 24:17 I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth.
Balaam the prophet spoke this prophecy of a coming star and king. The star referred to the brightness of his glory. When the wise men saw a new star in the east they followed it to Jerusalem and then they were told that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem. They went to Bethlehem and the star stood over head. Stars are distant and they do not appear to stop over something. This was a special star that the wise men followed from God. I have wondered if it might have been an angel? Jesus has been called the bright and morning star.
Rev 22:16 I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.
When Jacob blessed his son Judah he spoke of his future.
Gen 49:9 Judah is a lion's whelp: from the prey, my son, thou art gone up: he stooped down, he couched as a lion, and as an old lion; who shall rouse him up?
Gen 49:10 The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be.
The sceptre is a symbol of royal authority, an everlasting king from the lineage of David, Shiloh refers to Jesus, the bright and morning star.
Herod was a liar and he planned to kill the new born king.
Luk 2:8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
Luk 2:9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
Luk 2:10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
Luk 2:11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
Luk 2:12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
Luk 2:13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
Luk 2:14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
An angel of the LORD appeared before the shepherds and the glory of the LORD shone round about them. Then suddenly the glory light showed a multitude of angels praising God, and saying. Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. The shepherds were frightened, but they also were willing to look for the baby. The baby was born unto them. He was born for the humble, the lowly and the homeless. The Lamb of God was born in a barn. He was also to be a good shepherd, so the first to hear of the one who was to be their savior were shepherds. The baby was born to be our sacrifice and our salvation and the eternal Son of God. The prince of peace was born and those who receive him receive the peace of God.
John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
At this Christmas time we celebrate the birth of Jesus who was called Immanuel or Emmanuel, God With Us
Isa 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
Mat 1:23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
Jesus, the Son of the Highest, a king on David's throne, That holy thing is the Son of God
Luk 1:30 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.
Luk 1:31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.
Luk 1:32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:
Luk 1:33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.
Luk 1:34 Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?
Luk 1:35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.
He was called many names including, that holy thing. In the Old Testament sacrifices were offered as an atonement for sins. These sacrifices were holy things.
Lev 5:17 And if a soul sin, and commit any of these things which are forbidden to be done by the commandments of the LORD; though he wist it not, yet is he guilty, and shall bear his iniquity.
Lev 5:18 And he shall bring a ram without blemish out of the flock, with thy estimation, for a trespass offering, unto the priest: and the priest shall make an atonement for him concerning his ignorance wherein he erred and wist it not, and it shall be forgiven him.
That holy thing is the last Adam, a life giving spirit from heaven.
1Co 15:45 And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.
1Co 15:46 Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual.
1Co 15:47 The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven.
Jesus is the Lord from heaven, the Son of God. Like His Father he was too wonderful to define in names. Isaiah lists some of the names of Jesus, that Holy Son of God.
Isa 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
Isa 9:7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.
At this Christmas season we celebrate the birth of Jesus who is the promised Messiah, the anointed one of God. God came down in the form of a man, Emmanuel, Jesus. God with us, a savior from our sins. Jesus was the holy offering as an atonement for sins. He is the everlasting living Son of God. He gave of his flesh and blood a sinless sacrifice and is risen as the first born of a new spiritual people.
1Co 12:3 Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.
I have had well meaning religious people come to my doorstep with religious pamphlets who would never say that Jesus was accursed, but they would not say that Jesus is Lord. We may agree on many things from the Bible. Jesus died for our sins, but he is also Lord God. They do not have the Holy Spirit teaching them. The Holy Spirit testifies of Jesus.
Php 2:10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
Php 2:11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Col 1:12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:
Col 1:13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:
Col 1:14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:
Col 1:15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:
Mat 10:32 Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.
Mat 10:33 But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.
I believe that Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God who came as a man, to redeem mankind and to be the way for us to be with God who is our creator and eternal Father. May the Holy Spirit show you the truth and give to you eternal life through Jesus His Son.
Give God the glory.
1Co 1:25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
1Co 1:26 For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:
1Co 1:27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;
1Co 1:28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:
1Co 1:29 That no flesh should glory in his presence.
1Co 1:30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:
1Co 1:31 That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.
Php 3:7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.
Php 3:8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,
Php 3:9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
We tend to have too low an opinion of ourselves, or too high of an opinion. The world system seeks to glorify man, his thoughts and achievements. while ignoring our purpose in God. What we are to do and achieve is all to bring glory to God who created us. The parable of the talents (Matthew 25: 14-30) shows us that we are to increase what God has given to us. This increase is from what God has given to us to use for his glory. In the church world we speak of empowerment, we do not like the thought of being weak, but first we must be emptied of "self", and this is so hard to do. Through the power of the Holy Spirit we make a difference. How many times has the Spirit given to us power and abilities that we did not have of ourselves? Amazing grace we receive and we give all glory to God.
The Christian has liberty in Christ Jesus. With that liberty we should not do anything that would cause a brother or sister to stumble or to lose faith. Sometimes a believer will choose to drink wine, but to another it is sin and an occasion to get drunk. It is better to refrain from wine if you will cause another to lose faith or to stumble, or stagger. Whatever we do, we must do by faith, if we go against what we believe, then it is sin to us.
Rom 14:21 It is good not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that causes your brother to stumble.
Rom 14:22 The faith that you have, keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the one who has no reason to pass judgment on himself for what he approves.
Rom 14:23 But whoever has doubts is condemned if he eats, because the eating is not from faith. For whatever does not proceed from faith is sin.
No faith is sin too. Unbelief in God is sin. Not believing that Jesus has taken your sins to the cross, leaves you with sin and condemnation. Choose the right way through Jesus Christ and edify your brothers and sisters. This is the way to go.
Here is an important message using the ERV Bible. Our hope of eternal life is through faith in the blood sacrifice of Jesus Christ. By faith we are saved from the judgement of our sins and eternal hell. Our sins are forgiven by the grace of God through faith in his Son.
Rom 3:23 All have sinned and are not good enough to share God's divine greatness.
Rom 3:24 They are made right with God by his grace. This is a free gift. They are made right with God by being made free from sin through Jesus Christ.
Rom 3:25 God gave Jesus as a way to forgive people's sins through their faith in him. God can forgive them because the blood sacrifice of Jesus pays for their sins. God gave Jesus to show that he always does what is right and fair. He was right in the past when he was patient and did not punish people for their sins. And in our own time he still does what is right. God worked all this out in a way that allows him to judge people fairly and still make right any person who has faith in Jesus.
Rom 3:27 So do we have any reason to boast about ourselves? No reason at all. And why not? Because we are depending on the way of faith, not on what we have done in following the law.
In the early days of AOL chats there were many chats on many topics. Some rooms were about accusations and debates. One type of room was called Christians vs Atheists. I don't think there were any winners in that room. It was a place to argue and I do not enjoy arguing. One night when I was in one of our ministry rooms, a teenager that I knew from our church came in the room in a panic followed by several who were chasing him. He had entered a demonic chat room of some sort and wanted to debate them and confront them. He was way over his head. We do not debate with demonic people, we speak the word of God with his power. You must have the Holy Spirit and be led to speak his word. It is not wise to chase after demons, they will find you if you witness the gospel truth. Here in Acts 19 is an example of people pretending to have the power of God who were taught a lesson.
Act 19:11 And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul:
Act 19:12 So that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them.
Act 19:13 Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth.
Act 19:14 And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests, which did so.
Act 19:15 And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye?
Act 19:16 And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.
Act 19:17 And this was known to all the Jews and Greeks also dwelling at Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified.
Act 19:18 And many that believed came, and confessed, and shewed their deeds.
Act 19:19 Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men: and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver.
Act 19:20 So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.
The seven son's of Sceva were vagabond Jews. They were wandering around claiming to be exorcists, who bind spirits by some kind of spell. They saw what Paul was doing and wanted to be like him, casting out demons. They tried to cast out demons by the name of the Jesus that Paul preached. They spoke of the Jesus that Paul preached; a second hand knowledge of Jesus. They were overcome, beaten and they ran away naked and shamed. Do we use someone else's Jesus, or our our own personal relationship with him? I have heard second hand preachers, but to witness, to heal and to cast out demons we need to know Jesus and the power of his indwelling Holy Spirit.
In Arlington Cemetery there is a tomb of the unknown soldier. He represents all the men and women who were missing in service to their country. With today's technology the soldier in the tomb may be known by examining the DNA. This would be welcomed by his descendants, but still the tomb is needed to as a memorial to those lost in service.
Paul and Silas were in Lystra where they first met Timothy whose mother was a Jew and his father a Greek. Timothy was invited to journey with them, but first he was to be circumcised as a Jew, which was still the custom for the Jews, but not necessary for the Gentiles. Paul was called to Athens and left ahead of his partners. Athens Greece was the place that philosophers gathered to discuss ideas and new thoughts. While there Paul noticed that there were memorials to many gods, including one to the unknown God. Paul used this unknown god's memorial to tell them about the Almighty God.
Act 17:22 Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars' hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious.
Act 17:23 For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you.
Act 17:24 God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands;
Act 17:25 Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things;
Act 17:26 And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation;
Act 17:27 That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us:
Act 17:28 For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.
Act 17:29 Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device.
Act 17:30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:
Act 17:31 Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.
Act 17:32 And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked: and others said, We will hear thee again of this matter.
Act 17:33 So Paul departed from among them.
Act 17:34 Howbeit certain men clave unto him, and believed: among the which was Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris, and others with them.
Some were interested in Paul's God, others wanted to hear more later and there were always those who mocked him in unbelief. Some receive the good report while others mock and seek to destroy the message and the messenger. Willfully opposing the truth will not remove the truth, it will just leave the unknown unknown to them. They will know the truth, but it will be too late at the judgement seat of God. Let us make the unknown God known to those who are seeking him. Jesus is the way to eternal life with the God who knows you and loves you.
If you are seeking to please people, just know that they can easily be turned against you, especially if you are witnessing about the new life in Jesus. There is one Christian chat room now on AOL and still there are those who come in it to turn others against the word of God. This is not anything new. The crowd yelled hosanna to the Lord as he rode into Jerusalem and not many days after this they were yelling "crucify him". (Mark 11:9 and Mark 15:13)
Paul and Barnabas were witnessing in Lystra, which is located in Turkey. As he was speaking a man who was crippled from birth was seated near him. Paul, by the Holy Spirit perceived that the man had faith to be healed, He commanded him to stand up. And the man leaped up and walked. The people who saw this were amazed and they had supposed that Barnabas was the god, Jupiter and they thought that Paul was the god, Mercury. The people brought garlands to celebrate and oxen as sacrifices. Paul said no to them, for they were men as they were. (Acts 4:8-18)
Now come the mockers and accusers from previous cities where they had witnessed.
Act 14:19 And there came thither certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded the people, and, having stoned Paul, drew him out of the city, supposing he had been dead.
Act 14:20 Howbeit, as the disciples stood round about him, he rose up, and came into the city: and the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe.
They went from being called gods to being stoned and left for dead. Hopefully we will not be stoned for our witness, but we will have persecution.
Act 14:21 And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch,
Act 14:22 Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.
We are not in a perfect and peaceful world yet. Satan is at war against God and his people. Jesus won the war; it is a spiritual war. Resist by the power of God's word and the devil will flee you. If mockers continue against you, then remove yourselves from them. Paul continued to witness in other places and so can we. We offer God's promise of eternal life in heaven, if they refuse then satan will drag them to the hell that was created for him. We witness because we care about their eternal souls
