Daily Bread Acts 28
Daily Bread Acts 28
23They arranged to meet Paul on a certain day, and came in even larger numbers to the place where he was staying. From morning till evening he explained and declared to them the kingdom of God and tried to convince them about Jesus from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets. 24Some were convinced by what he said, but others would not believe. 25They disagreed among themselves and began to leave after Paul had made this final statement: "The Holy Spirit spoke the truth to your forefathers when he said through Isaiah the prophet:
26" 'Go to this people and say,
"You will be ever hearing but never understanding;
you will be ever seeing but never perceiving."
27For this people's heart has become calloused;
they hardly hear with their ears,
and they have closed their eyes.
Otherwise they might see with their eyes,
hear with their ears,
understand with their hearts
and turn, and I would heal them.'
28"Therefore I want you to know that God's salvation has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will listen!"
30For two whole years Paul stayed there in his own rented house and welcomed all who came to see him. 31Boldly and without hindrance he preached the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ.
Observation:
This last chapter from Acts ends with Paul under house arrest in Rome. It is here Paul wrote most of his letters except probably 1 and 2 Timothy and Titus (called the pastoral letters), which make reference to his activities post Rome and his second imprisonment. At the end of 2 Timothy, Paul is in prison again and pessimistic about his release. Many people believe he died there or shortly thereafter, and some church historians say he was executed.
Whatever the case, we see that Paul had reached Rome, which for him was the furthest western outpost of civilization. Paul spoke first to Jewish believers, who had gathered in masse to hear Paul. His arrival was much anticipated. Like his experience at so many of the other temples, some believed and others did not and caused disturbances in the group.
By this time you hear the frustration in Paul’s voice. His heart was to bring the Gospel, first the lost sheep of Israel, for whom the promises of God were made manifest through. And yet, he had an inkling from the prophet Isaiah, that they might not be very receptive. After this Paul vows to turn his attention to the Gentiles to be an apostle (one who is sent) to them.
Application:
As we finish the Acts of the Apostles, over the last several chapters we have seen firsthand the greatest apostle of all time, the apostle Paul. We see Paul’s heart for the gospel and his effort to live a life worthy of his calling in Christ. We see Paul, who was a person like us with many weaknesses, using even his weaknesses to show Christ’s power.
We see his love for Jews and Gentiles alike, and though he is sent to the Jews first, we see his heart is so big he wants all to believe. As he writes in Romans 1:16-17 “I am not ashamed of the Gospel for it is the power for all who believe, first for the Jew and then for the Gentile. For in the Gospel we see a righteousness from God that has been revealed that is by faith. As it is written the righteous shall live by faith.”
Oh that we would have just a little of the passion, courage and commitment Paul had to spread that Gospel at whatever the cost. Oh that our lives would count for something that would make a difference for eternity. Oh that we might not be ashamed of the Gospel, because it is the only truly Good News that is for every man, woman and child. And best of it is a gift of God. It is free. It is available to all. And we are free to share it with all whom God brings across our path. The only question is, will you be ashamed of the gospel? Or will you let the power of God work through you for something that really matters. God looks to and fro across the earth for more people that have hearts like Paul’s so that everyone might have a chance to access this great gift.
Prayer: Give us hearts like your servant Paul. Help us to seek first Your kingdom and Your righteousness and leave things behind us that don’t matter in the long run. Help us to be courageous in sharing Your Word and testimony about Your Son, Jesus, through whom your gift of grace and faith flow. Send Your Holy Spirit so your power will help us overcome our innate weaknesses. Do it now Lord, do it now! In Jesus’ name, Amen.
23They arranged to meet Paul on a certain day, and came in even larger numbers to the place where he was staying. From morning till evening he explained and declared to them the kingdom of God and tried to convince them about Jesus from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets. 24Some were convinced by what he said, but others would not believe. 25They disagreed among themselves and began to leave after Paul had made this final statement: "The Holy Spirit spoke the truth to your forefathers when he said through Isaiah the prophet:
26" 'Go to this people and say,
"You will be ever hearing but never understanding;
you will be ever seeing but never perceiving."
27For this people's heart has become calloused;
they hardly hear with their ears,
and they have closed their eyes.
Otherwise they might see with their eyes,
hear with their ears,
understand with their hearts
and turn, and I would heal them.'
28"Therefore I want you to know that God's salvation has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will listen!"
30For two whole years Paul stayed there in his own rented house and welcomed all who came to see him. 31Boldly and without hindrance he preached the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ.
Observation:
This last chapter from Acts ends with Paul under house arrest in Rome. It is here Paul wrote most of his letters except probably 1 and 2 Timothy and Titus (called the pastoral letters), which make reference to his activities post Rome and his second imprisonment. At the end of 2 Timothy, Paul is in prison again and pessimistic about his release. Many people believe he died there or shortly thereafter, and some church historians say he was executed.
Whatever the case, we see that Paul had reached Rome, which for him was the furthest western outpost of civilization. Paul spoke first to Jewish believers, who had gathered in masse to hear Paul. His arrival was much anticipated. Like his experience at so many of the other temples, some believed and others did not and caused disturbances in the group.
By this time you hear the frustration in Paul’s voice. His heart was to bring the Gospel, first the lost sheep of Israel, for whom the promises of God were made manifest through. And yet, he had an inkling from the prophet Isaiah, that they might not be very receptive. After this Paul vows to turn his attention to the Gentiles to be an apostle (one who is sent) to them.
Application:
As we finish the Acts of the Apostles, over the last several chapters we have seen firsthand the greatest apostle of all time, the apostle Paul. We see Paul’s heart for the gospel and his effort to live a life worthy of his calling in Christ. We see Paul, who was a person like us with many weaknesses, using even his weaknesses to show Christ’s power.
We see his love for Jews and Gentiles alike, and though he is sent to the Jews first, we see his heart is so big he wants all to believe. As he writes in Romans 1:16-17 “I am not ashamed of the Gospel for it is the power for all who believe, first for the Jew and then for the Gentile. For in the Gospel we see a righteousness from God that has been revealed that is by faith. As it is written the righteous shall live by faith.”
Oh that we would have just a little of the passion, courage and commitment Paul had to spread that Gospel at whatever the cost. Oh that our lives would count for something that would make a difference for eternity. Oh that we might not be ashamed of the Gospel, because it is the only truly Good News that is for every man, woman and child. And best of it is a gift of God. It is free. It is available to all. And we are free to share it with all whom God brings across our path. The only question is, will you be ashamed of the gospel? Or will you let the power of God work through you for something that really matters. God looks to and fro across the earth for more people that have hearts like Paul’s so that everyone might have a chance to access this great gift.
Prayer: Give us hearts like your servant Paul. Help us to seek first Your kingdom and Your righteousness and leave things behind us that don’t matter in the long run. Help us to be courageous in sharing Your Word and testimony about Your Son, Jesus, through whom your gift of grace and faith flow. Send Your Holy Spirit so your power will help us overcome our innate weaknesses. Do it now Lord, do it now! In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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