The Spiritual Benefit of Integrated Circuits

Now . . . they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. And according to Paul’s custom, he went to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and giving evidence that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, “This Jesus whom I am proclaiming to you is the Christ.” And some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, along with a large number of the leading women. But the Jews, becoming jealous and taking along some wicked men from the market place, formed a mob and set the city in an uproar; and attacking the house of Jason, they were seeking to bring them out to the people. When they did not find them, they began dragging Jason and some brethren before the city authorities, shouting, “These men who have upset the whole world have come here also; and Jason has welcomed them, and they all act contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, Jesus.” They stirred up the crowd and the city authorities who heard these things. And when they had received a pledge from Jason and the others, they released them. Acts 17:1-9

Intro: It may be a miracle that Paul never developed Social Anxiety Disorder

People were always sending him away
– from the start, he was sent from Damascus and then Jerusalem (9:25, 30)
• in this chapter he is sent from

Thessalonica: The brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night . . . (v. 10)
Berea, Then immediately the brethren sent Paul out to go as far as the sea . . . (v. 14)

• even praying in temple, Paul got this same treatment from the Lord Jesus

Go! For I will send you far away to the Gentiles (22:21)

– why was Paul considered such a trouble-maker?
• first, his message was revolutionary, truly life-changing
• secondly, because so many people were drawn to it
◦ there would have been no problem if Paul affirmed the status quo
◦ or if he was ignored — like most streetcorner preachers

Let’s get out the magnifying glass and take a closer look at this story

Paul designed his message to counter objections

You may have learned in a highschool or college speech classe
– there are different types of speeches–e.g., to inform, entertain, persuade
– Paul delivered a persuasive speech in the synagogue
• this is indicated by four words that appear here

1. Reasoned – his topic was about an overlooked biblical insight
   • the Christ (Messiah) had to suffer, die and rise from dead
   • he had to prove this was a reasonable interpretation of scripture
2. Explaining – same word translated ‘open’ of scripture and hearts (Lk. 24:32 & 45)
   • help them see it and understand it
3. Giving evidence – lay it out for them to see
   • he quoted and explored with them various biblical passages
4. Persuaded (v. 4)
   • Paul’s message made sense or seemed clear and they were convinced

Why was it important that Paul took this particular approach?
– the concept of a suffering Messiah was not an established belief
• it certainly was not orthodox among Jewish scribes and rabbis
• it had never occurred to most religious Jews, but just the opposite
◦ Peter’s initial reaction to it was typical (Mt. 16:21-23)

. . . we preach Christ [Messiah] crucified, to Jews a stumbling block and to Gentiles foolishness (1 Cor. 1:23)

– Jesus’ life, teaching and miracles in themselves could have a strong appeal to many people
• but as soon as death came up, especially on a cross, he would be rejected as Messiah
• this was an obstacle Paul had to overcome, so he started there

Once Paul laid out his premise, he demonstrated that Jesus met the criteria
– Jesus’ crucifixion was not something that just happened Continue reading →

Change Agents

So putting out to sea from Troas, we ran a straight course to Samothrace, and on the day following to Neapolis; and from there to Philippi, which is a leading city of the district of Macedonia, a Roman colony; and we were staying in this city for some days. And on the Sabbath day we went outside the gate to a riverside, where we were supposing that there would be a place of prayer; and we sat down and began speaking to the women who had assembled. A woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple fabrics, a worshiper of God, was listening; and the Lord opened her heart to respond to the things spoken by Paul. And when she and her household had been baptized, she urged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house and stay.” And she prevailed upon us. Acts 16:11-15

Intro: Some people who travel a lot take along photographs of family members
– they set them on their hotel desk or night stand
• or pull them up on their cell phone or computer
• it is a way of keeping them close to one’s heart and shaking off loneliness
– I imagine Paul having a mental photo album (cf. the list of names in Romans 16)
• settling into a new place, he was able to bring them to mind and hold them in prayer
• here are photos of a business woman, a young female slave, a prison warden
◦ each one is a story and each story warms his heart

These are three of the many lives changed by Paul’s ministry and message
– let’s look again at his message

Jesus Christ came to us (humankind in general, and us, his disciples, in particular) from the one true and living God. His mission was to lead us home to our heavenly Father, by bringing our Father to us in his own person (cf. Jn. 14:8-11). Now, in Jesus Christ we meet the infinite, invisible God (Col. 1:15; 2:9-10). In Jesus we discover that God is love, goodness, forgiveness, and so on. Through his death and resurrection, Jesus resolved every roadblock that could prevent people from coming to God as his children and knowing him as their Father in heaven.

– this is what the three people in today’s stories discovered for themselves

In verses 11-15 we meet the woman in the first photograph

Responding to the vision that sent Paul to Macedonia, his first stop was Philippi
– Luke mentions that Philippi was a Roman colony
• this will play large in his story – those who lived there were proud of its status
• it was populated by retired Roman soldiers and run by former officers
◦ similar to the unconditional pride of our friends who pronounce America ‘Merica!
(always witht the exclamation mark)
– scholars usually assumed there was no synagogue
• which explains why Paul & Co looked for a place of prayer next to a river
• notice how they identified the location by giving it a name
◦ those were there were drawn by a sincere desire for God
◦ they were the most likely to be responsive to Paul’s message

Lydia’s résumé: a seller and a worshiper
– as she listened intently, three things were interacting:
• Paul’s speech – her heart – and the Lord
• her invitation meant that Paul would be staying in the home of a Gentile
◦ she must have been good at selling, because she prevailed upon us
◦ prevailed translates a Greek word that means to force over against (objections)

In verses 16-18 we move on to the girl in the second photograph

Paul encountered her one day on his way to the place of prayer — now identifiable as such
(wherever we’ve met God or had a significant encounter with him becomes sacred to us)
– the girl had been following them for many days
• Luke says she possessed (or was possessed by) the spirit of Python
◦ Python was a snake that guarded entrance to Delphi
◦ people came to this famous site to receive divine oracles
• I think Luke has intentionally, if subtly, created this contrast
◦ in verse 7 he used the unusual phrase, Spirit of Jesus, now here, spirit of Python
◦ not to suggest a competition, but illustrate conflicting objectives
– unlike Lydia, the slave girl did not benefit from her “skill”
• her masters were the ones to profit from her fortune telling

It seems that Paul could not walk down a street without her trailing behind, crying out,

These men are bond-servants of the Most High God, who are proclaiming to you the way of salvation.

– in scripture, “Most High God” is not always, but frequently used in reference to Gentiles
• notice how it occurs in another famous incident recorded in Luke’s gospel:

(A man possessed with demons,) Seeing Jesus, he cried out and fell before Him, and said in a loud voice, “What business do we have with each other, Jesus, Son of the Most High God?” (Lk. 8:28)

◦ you can imagine Paul’s annoyance as she did this every time he went outdoors
• Paul spoke to the spirit, not with his own authority, but in the name of Jesus Christ
◦ he addressed the spirit to free the person
◦ people who work in recovery have often reminded me that some of the horrible things that addicts say is “the disease talking”
– why was Paul unwilling to accept this free publicity? Continue reading →

Discerning “No,” When Prepared for “Go”

They passed through the Phyrgian and Galatian region, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia; and after they came to Mysia, they were trying to go into Bithynia, and the Spirit of Jesus did not permit them; and passing by Mysia, they came down to Troas.
A vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing and appealing to him, and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” When he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go to Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them. Acts 16:6-10

Intro: Brian and Lorena Wood live in Mozambique

They started and now run and organization — “Transforming Lives Ministry”
– they are not theorizing about transforming lives, they’re doing it
• when Brian was in seminary, he gave me a book by Roland Allen,
◦ Missionary Methods: Saint Paul’s Or Ours?
• it was a serious challenge to Christian thinking and attitudes regarding cross-cultural ministry

R. Allen, “Our missions are in different countries amongst people of the most diverse characteristics, but all [missionary endeavors and in-country organizations] bear a most astonishing resemblance to one another.”

– what was Paul’s “method”? He spelled it out in 1 Corinthians 9:19-23

1. First, even though Paul found freedom in Jesus to be himself, he made himself a slave to others in order to “win more”
2. So he stepped into their world rather than attempt to drag them into his
3. Among Jews, he drew upon his own Jewishness to connect with them
4. Among those who carefully observed the Law given to Moses, Paul carefully observed the Law to connect with them
5. With people who were not bound by religious scruples, Paul lived free of religious scruples to connect with them
   ◦ he did this, never forgetting who he was or betraying his relationship with God
   To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak; I have become all things to all men, so that I may by all means save some. I do all things for the sake of the gospel . . . (1 Cor. 9:22-23)

This answers a question immediately raised in chapter 16

When Paul met Timothy in Derbe, he wanted to add him to his team
– the Jewish population there knew Timothy’s father was a Gentile
• so Paul arranged for him to be circumcised
◦ on the surface, this decision is baffling
• Paul had recently (at least in narrative time) engaged in intense debate
◦ and it was over this very issue! (see ch. 15:1 & 5)
◦ he had lobbied against circumcising Gentile Christians
◦ he was, in fact, at this time publishing the decrees of the apostles (v. 4)
◦ so what was he thinking?!
– the motive behind Timothy’s surgery was not religious, theological or spiritual, but cultural
• it was important to win the acceptance of the Jewish community
◦ he did not submit his team to the Jewish custom to make them better Christians
◦ but to improve communication
• Paul’s spiritual logic went something like this:
◦ Jesus became like us to win us and we become like others to win them
◦ what Luke provides is real-life examples of Paul’s cultural accommodation

The trip went well for awhile and then suddenly stalled

Their path was not blocked by an avalanche, fire, or army, but by the Holy Spirit
– two items draw our attention:
• first, they received direction from God’s Spirit
• and, secondly, the Spirit told them, “No”
– let’s see what we can learn from this temporary setback Continue reading →

An Argument of Apostolic Proportions

After some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us return and visit the brothers in every city in which we proclaimed the word of the Lord, and see how they are.” Acts 15:36

Intro: This chapter began with great dissension and debate

Now it ends with sharp disagreement and separation
– I believe the first instance was justified, even necessary
• I am not convinced that this other instance was called for
– we’re not given specific details of their debate
• and no one quotes scripture to support his contention
◦ so it would seem they were divided over a matter of principle
• but I’m getting ahead of myself

V. 36, The scene opens with a congenial proposal

Paul’s suggestion made good sense
– he was saying, in effect, “Let’s continue what proved a successful partnership”
• they have already told many people about their successful adventures
– the people in those cities who had come to faith may have been in need of spiritual guidance
• so the purpose of this journey was to see how they are
◦ the Greek word translated “visit” is the rook of Episcopal – a bishop or supervisor (cf. Php. 1:1)
• no doubt Paul envisioned opportunities for further ministry

Vv. 37-38, Something triggered a falling out

Barnabas wanted to take John, called Mark, along with them also. But Paul kept insisting that they should not take him along who had deserted them in Pamphlia and had not gone with them to the work.

Their conflict was not over theology, methodology or travel plans
– but Mark, who quit on them but had now reenlisted
• so now we see why Luke has continued to insert footnotes about Mark
• he was at the heart of this conflict

Luke does not explore what it was that upset Paul
– maybe he merely considered Mark unreliable
• or could have been hurt by desertion, betrayed
◦ Paul experienced a lot of that

I have been on frequent journeys, in dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my countrymen, dangers from the Gentiles, . . . dangers among false brothers (2 Cor. 11:26)

– all of us have our sensitivities
• internal wounds that have been festering for years
• the lightest touch triggers pain, shame, defensiveness, etc.
◦ and often times we respond with an automatic overreaction

As a rule, I’m against psychological analyses of biblical characters
– we’re too far away from their circumstances
• and know too little about their inner experience
• of course, some characters describe their mental state; Job, Jeremiah, the Psalms
– but I think there’s good reason to interpret Paul’s position as overreaction
• my primary reason is because it was Barnabas that gave him a second chance
◦ Barnabas championed Paul when he reconciled him to the church in Jerusalem

. . . they were all afraid of him, not believing that he was a disciple. But Barnabas took hold of him and brought him to the apostles and described to them how he had seen the Lord on the road, and that He had talked to him, and how at Damascus he had spoken out boldly in the name of Jesus (Acts 9:27)

◦ I think of Barnabas as the patron saint of second chances Continue reading →

Culture Conversion or Christian Conversion?

Some men came down from Judea and began teaching the brethren, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved. And when Paul and Barnabas had great dissension and debate with them, the brethren determined that Paul and Barnabas and some others of them should go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and elders concerning this issue. Acts 15:1-2

Intro: The events reported here are extremely serious

So big, it may be the primary reason Luke wrote the Book of Acts
– a crucial decision was reached and a radical breakthrough occurred
– the central problem addressed here recurs in Paul’s letter
• this is a cause he never stopped fighting to resolve
• the crisis at the heart of this chapter appears immediately (v. 1)

Vv. 1-5, The epicenter of the dispute was Antioch

The agitators who set it off were from Jerusalem
– they are not identified other than “some men”
• they came to Antioch without authorization
◦ they had taken this mission to “fix” the church there upon themselves
◦ in their minds, Gentiles were converts to Judaism
• the issue is no less important than salvation, upon which they placed a condition on Gentiles
◦ their thinking was, “If you believe in the God of Abraham, then the rules of Moses also apply to you”
◦ no other Christian leader in Antioch had seen the need for issuing this sort of requirement
– salvation is not only escaping punishment and getting into heaven
• it means to rescue, but also to protect protect (to be kept safe and sound), heal and restore
◦ salvation begins in this life, when we surrender ourselves to Jesus
• God puts our broken lives back together — he makes us whole
◦ for now, our salvation is ongoing, and completed in heaven
◦ but the agitator’s message was, one must become a Jew to become a Christian

Paul and Barnabas adamantly opposed this teaching
– they had spent a couple years among Gentiles, leading them to God
• the people who responded to them had met God through Jesus–apart from Judaism
• it was not only a theological mistake to require something else, it was wrong
– the conflict was so intense that it had to be taken to Jerusalem
• and this is fortunate for us, because of what they resolved
• we don’t have climb over ethnic or religious walls to get to Jesus

It can be shocking to learn of Pharisees who had become believers in Jesus (v. 5) Continue reading →