Microchurch Minute
Three Main Takeaways from Acts 18:
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God provides encouragement and people for the mission (vv.9-11):
As Paul faced resistance, God appeared to him in a dream and declared “Do not be afraid… I have many people in this city.” Regardless of your leadership level in the church, we can all use reassurance from the Lord that He is going ahead of us to prepare hearts and circumstances for the Good News to be received.
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Faithful partnership strengthens ministry (vv.2-3, 18-28):
watch what we see from Aquila and Priscilla, they not only worked with Paul, but hosted him, learned from him and eventually were able to disciple Apollos. They faithfully used their gifts of hospitality, eagerness to learn and abilities to teach to greatly impact believers in the Kingdom.
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The gospel flourishes even amid opposition (vv.6-17):
Contrary to popular belief, resistance doesn’t stop God’s plan, but in this case was use to highlight the power of His message. We see Jewish opposition and legal challenges that would be enough to discourage anyone. But the conversion of Crispus, support of Titus Justus and the way Gallio dismissed charges all contributed to a strategically fruitful period for this major city.
Microchurch Minute
Good afternoon, house church family. We gathered on mother’s day and discussed humility modeled after Christ, as we saw in Paul’s letter to Philippi. How do we actively model our lives after this type of perfect humility? It’s tough! We are called to pursue the unity that comes from living amongst believers. We aren’t to place ourselves above others and elevate our own importance or agendas. The only final plan here that matters is God’s plan. He has provided all that we need (and more). Every resource that we have been blessed with ultimately belongs to Him, we get to care for it for a short period of time before He nudges us to pass it on. In the beginning uprisings of Christianity we saw groups selling off their wealth to live in community and elevate one another. If the Creator of the universe could humble Himself to be a lowly son of a carpenter on earth, what gives us the right to selfishly pursue the wants of our earthly greed? The fallen world is filled with temptations of self-centeredness. I pray that the posture of our hearts is so in tune with God’s plan, that we can separate from the lure of self-want and remain unwaveringly committed to exalting Jesus, making ourselves less important, and freely distributing what God has temporarily placed in our hold.
Microchurch Minute
When you’re ready to declare your faith to the world, you get to be baptized. What an opportunity to accept the perfect gift that God designed for us to die to our earthly-selves and be raised again with the power of the Holy Spirit alive in us! How many believers don’t really get that? The same power that defeated death as Jesus rose from the grave abides in those that choose Christ. It’s the divine power that we are blessed with when we choose to turn from our own ways in favor of a walk next to our Savior. Knowing that this is available to you, ask yourself how you are using it. God speaks to us all differently and provides us the power to act, small or magnificent, on His behalf. We are to use the message from the Holy Spirit to empower, educate and persuade those that God places around us. Do you daily decide to dedicate all of yourself to discipleship like Paul did? We see that even when he faced opposition, Paul simply withdrew with those whom were genuinely thirsting for more truth and continued to teach them. Keep the practice of persistence, even in conditions when your environment changes. As God uses the Holy Spirit to work through you, there will be evidence of His power surrounding you. You look different than the false witnesses. Someone asked once, if you were put on trial today and accused of being a disciple of the Lord, would there be enough evidence to convict you? Take inventory of your life and your actions. Are you taking time to silence yourself and allow the Holy Spirit to act through you? Make time in your routine for the Holy Spirit to use you for discipleship. Lean into your relationship with Jesus. How fortunate we are that we are allowed the opportunity to lead others to the same promise of eternity with our heavenly Father that we so confidently rest in.
Microchurch Minute
Good morning y’all! We enjoyed gathering Sunday to discuss Acts 20. We made note of the followers that were listed and locations referenced. The historically documented people and locations help to provide authenticity to the writing, they could be referenced and known by readers and help us historically retrace Paul’s route! We gather the importance of their gatherings, as we note that Paul was speaking in an evening setting and wanted to make the most of their time together. I applaud the dedication of these individuals. They had definitely been working all day and used every ounce of their energy to enthusiastically gather and discuss teachings with Paul until all hours of the night. Then, another opportunity to see God’s goodness at work! When Eutychus falls from the window after surrendering to his complete exhaustion, he’s immediately pronounced dead. But, with the loving power of the Holy Spirit, Paul throws himself on Eutychus and he wakes. The crowd returns to break bread and continue their evening. May we all be so vigilant as to actively worship God by giving thanks and coming together. As we wrapped up this chapter, we are reminded to never stop sharing the good news. After all, if you are given the opportunity to share and you withhold, the blood of the fallen will lay heavy on your heart. But as we confidently move forward, sharing His word in every opportunity big and small, we can trust that we have played the piece God has asked us to and prayerfully move forward knowing He will move in the hearts of those that will have Him. Remember: it’s your job to plant the seeds. God will help them grow.
Microchurch Minute
What is in the blueprint of your DNA as a Christian? In Acts 21 we see Paul’s 3rd missionary journey as he has continued his venture in planting churches and spreading the good news. Paul wasn’t on a cushy vacation, as a matter of fact, his colleagues encouraged him not to go to Jerusalem. Sensing God’s calling, Paul pressed on ready to be uncomfortable. The holy spirit will often lead us into difficult things, not away from them. This is where the enemy likes to get a foothold and cast doubts in your mind, trying to consume you with fear. My friends, fear is not from your Heavenly Father. Even when leading us into uncomfortable missions, God will give you spiritual peace in honor of your perseverance and obedience. As Paul boldly spoke at the temple, in the midst of his enemies, he was arrested and led away. Speaking in Greek, Paul sought an opportunity to address the crowd he was being led through and his captors obliged. Have you ever found yourself in a less than favorable position? Was God using it to set up an opportunity for you to glorify Him? After all, He can use any circumstance for His glory (and our good). It’s pretty cool, when we align our hearts with where He is leading us, fear has no place because we are convicted by the word of God. Run an assessment of yourself and your beliefs. Are you going to church just to say that you do? Or are you a convicted Christian, so focused on pleasing the Lord that your every action is being used to glorify Him? This won’t always be comfortable, but I challenge you to pursue unity over your own selfish comfort. Expect opposition. The enemy wouldn’t be pushing you back so hard if you weren’t on the edge of revealing God’s greatness.
