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Project Acts
Project Acts (67)A Journal that looks at the 75 stories in the Book of Acts. This exciting Book of the NT carefully documents the birth of the early Church throughout the Roman Empire. In this journal we will want to highlight our key verse and a personal key truth as well as an application or prayer that we can take from this portion of Scripture. Read along with me - journal or comment on what you discovered. Acts 28 The Story: After the shipwreck the ship's crew finds that they have landed on the shore of the island, Malta. The people there show them great kindness. Paul is bitten by a viper while they were building a fire. The island people think he must be a god because nothing happens to him. Paul heals the chief official's father and then many people brought the ill to Paul and he healed them as well. After 3 months they set sail and arrive in Rome. Paul is given much freedom there. He rents his own home with only one guard. Paul calls to the leaders of the Jews to come so that he can speak to them about his case. Many believed but there were those that didn't. Paul was in Rome for two years where he faithfully continued to preach and teach about the kingdom of God and the Lord Jesus Christ. What we can learn: One thing strikes me about Paul's final years. He remained faithful. He knew what God had called him to and he remained faithful to this. His attitude surprises me as well. You never read about Paul going through a "woe is me" slump. It is described in the final verses that from morning to evening Paul declared the teachings of Christ to his audience. What a testimony! Praise God!
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Acts 27:27-44 The Story: After 14 days lost at sea in a violent storm, the sailors sense that they are coming close to shore because their depth measurements are rising rapidly. They drop 4 anchors on the stern side. Some sailors tried to escape via the lifeboats but Paul stands and warns them for all to stay aboard the ship if they want to live. They listen to him this time. Paul urges them all to eat a good meal (right, after 14 days in a storm) and they listen to him again. The ship run aground a sandbar and the ship broke apart. All 276 on board arrived safely on shore. What Can We Learn: God will always get what he wants. Much earlier, Acts 23:11, God had told Paul that he was going to testify in Rome. That could not help but happen. There were those that went the opposite direction that God wanted them to go but they always landed up getting back on course. Whatever God has purposed for you to do, do it in joyful obedience. Following God is always the best way.
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Acts 27:13-26 The Story: This passage starts out, "A gentle south wind..." and so the pilot thinks this to be a great time to set sail, meanwhile Paul has told them of God's warning not to sail (Acts 27:10). "Before long" (Acts 27:14) the northeastern wind catches the ship and drives it out to sea. It got so bad that they had to pass ropes around the ship just to hold it together. On the third day they began throwing tackle overboard to help keep the ship afloat. Paul stands in front of the men during the storm and actually says, "I told you so" but then encourages them to take courage because His God has told him that not one of the men would be harmed but that the ship would run aground and be destroyed. What we can learn: Every time we launch out contrary to what we know God says, you can count on the biggest storms ahead. "But it seems so right" is what the argument is. That's how it usually happens. We make decisions according to our human senses and think that this judgment is better than God's plans. And yet we continue. "There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death" Proverbs 14:12. If God's Word tells you something you can count on it being the Truth.
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Acts 27:1-12 The story: These verses provide a captain's log of their voyage. For the most part it seems uneventful. What is interesting is that Julius, a soldier that belonged to the Imperial Regiment saw the integrity of Paul and came to trust him. When they docked in Sidon, Julius even let Paul go and meet friends there so that he could meet with them and in turn they could meet some of the personal needs of Paul. They are nearing the winter season and for sailors that meant the danger of sailing in open sea only escalated. Storms were inevitable. In Acts 27:10 Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, warns the pilot of the impending danger but they ignore Paul and set sail. They set sail, hoping to dock in Phoenix, a harbor in Crete. That was the Pilot's plan.
What can we Learn: There is a quality about Paul that the average person respected. The Kings and Governors could see it as the majority of gentiles. It was only the Jewish Leaders that wanted him dead and refused to see it. What was it that people saw? They were looking at the indwelling spirit of Christ. There is a natural attraction when a person has the fullness of the Holy Spirit as resident in their life.
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Acts 26 The Story: In this passage we read about Paul's defense to King Agrippa. In the outset it strikes me interesting that Paul's story never changes. It is simply the truth. When you tell the truth it is easy to stick to your story. When you read the Jews' account, they have a new accusation and a new slant to the story each time they take the stand. It's also interesting as to how Paul addresses the King. He is in a new court and you can hear his respect to those in his audience. King Agrippa is his earthly king and deserves Paul's respect. Paul addresses him as a fellow Roman. Paul also is aware of the King's current knowledge. Perhaps the Holy Spirit was giving wisdom. In the end of Paul's address (Acts 26:27) he directs the question against the King and asks if he believes the prophets. In Acts 26:32, King Agrippa's final opinion is that Paul has nothing wrong. "I would let him go, but he has appealed to Caesar." As a result, Paul is going to Rome. What we can learn: Know your audience when you speak to them about anything and specially the things of God. Paul did that well. He also spoke with great respect to King and those that were listening. We also see that Paul spoke nothing but the truth and as a result the argument for his defense never changed. Great lessons.
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Acts 25:13-27 The Story: A screen writer for Hollywood could not have set it up any better. Back in Acts 21:4 we see how Paul's friends are begging him not to go on to Jerusalem. Again in Acts 21:10 a Prophet named Agabus begs the same. Yet Paul is urged by the Lord to proceed. When Paul arrives in Jerusalem, the danger that his friends talked about came about and he is arrested and plots against his life with 40 men making the vow to make it happen. In all of this you begin to see how God has a specific plan for God In Acts 23:11, the Lord stands with Paul and tells him that he will testify his name in Rome. Plots continue against his life but God's story begins to unravel. In the unlikelihood of a prisoner of making an appearance before Caesar, God begins to set up divine appointments with the authorities. Today's story sees Paul with an appearance with the King and his high ranking officers and leading men. Can you see the picture? King Agrippa and his wife make an entrance with all pomp and ceremony (Acts 25:23). The audience of his top men stand with respect until the King has seated. An then Paul is invited in and the King asks Paul to speak. And Acts 23:11 continues to unfold. Amazing! What we can learn: God's story is unraveling in your life. Always trust him, love him and follow him.
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Acts 25:1-12 The Story: You have to give the Jewish leaders some points for tenacity. It was not good enough for them to see Paul locked up. After all, while in prison, Paul was not going be causing them any trouble, but there where those that had taken an oath to kill him (Acts 23:12). Nero recalled Felix in A.D. 57 or 58, and Festus was appointed to his vacant office in A.D. 57, 58, or 59 (Josephus). He was more willing to appease the Jews. The Jewish leaders come up once again to Caesarea to confront Paul and appeal to Festus, he was willing to give in to them. But God gives Paul wisdom once again and appeals to Caesar. "To Caesar you will go" was Festus' response (Acts 25:12). What we can learn: We can do what we want to have our own way but in the end, God will get what he wants. The Jews wanted to kill Paul but God had already told Paul he would testify about Christ in Rome (Acts 23:11). That was going to happen no matter how hard others would try to have him killed. In this passage we continue to see God's Sovereignty and now his Protection. If God has purposed for you to do something, he will sustain your life until his will has been satisfied.
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Wednesday, 14 April 2010 08:20
Acts 24 Paul Testifies Christ to Governor FelixWritten by Gerry PetersActs 24 The Story: God's plans are amazing. We find in this story that Paul's day in court with the Governor. It seems to be a very cordial affair with each side presenting their case. There is no cross-examination or refuting the other person's statement. Paul's training in his youth has prepared him for events such as this. He presents his case well and presents some questions of his own. After the hearing, Felix dismisses everyone and says he will make a decision at a later time. Several days later, Felix along with his wife, Drusilla (a Jewess) have a private hearing with Paul where Paul is asked to speak to them of "the Way". At one point Felix is under great conviction and so he dismisses Paul. However, he sends for Paul frequently to listen to him. What we can learn: God has a plan for our lives. Even though all seems to go wrong, according to us, and then continue to follow God with all patience, He will turn our grief into Kingdom gold. Yes, Paul has been captured and is prison. Yet he is being held within the palace - not too shabby - and he is permitted for friends to visit him and take care of him. And the bonus? He is invited to speak frequently to the Governor about Christ, righteousness, self-control and the judgment. You're talking about a great privilege!
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Tuesday, 13 April 2010 08:37
Acts 23:11-35 God's Sovereignty and Paul's NephewWritten by Gerry PetersActs 23:11-35 The Story: 40 men have come together and they make a solemn oath to kill Paul. They were not going to eat or drink until they are successful. They take their plan to the Chief Priest to let them know of their plan and ask that they ask for Paul be sent to them to clarify some matters. During that time they would ambush Paul. Paul's nephew (I'm thinking a boy around age 6) is close by when the leaders of the band were telling their plan to the High Priest. He hears the plan and runs to tell Paul, and in turn he gets the centurion to take him to the commander. All this is done and sits with the commander to testify what he has heard. The Commander acted on the boy's testimony and secretly, by night, sent Paul to Governor Felix in Caesarea. Flanked by a cavalry, Paul's arrival there is successful. Had this boy not bravely acted wisely, Paul could likely have been killed by these men. Key Truth: God's Sovereignty. God had purposed for Paul to go to Rome. Along the way there will be numerous situations where death would be certain, but God's plan cannot be changed. In today's story, God uses a young boy to carry on God's plan for Paul. He helps him be near, to hear, remember and then gives him bravery and wisdom to communicate the message to the Commander. Application and Prayer: If God can use a young boy, he can use every one of us, to do what God wants us to do and make a great difference in the life of others. Dear Lord, I want to be that person who hears what you want me to do and be. I am willing to carry out your plan in my neighbourhood and among those you bring to me.
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Acts 23:1-11 The Story: I'm amazed at the wisdom and knowledge of Paul. We have to recognize that God was with Paul, giving Him wisdom as how to deal with every situation.
Paul calls out to the Sadducees to tell them that he was a Pharisee and that he believed in the resurrection (the Sadducees did not believe in the resurrection, angels or spirits). With that a great and heated debate broke out between the Pharisees and Sadducees. In the moment they actually forgot about Paul. Paul is then escorted back to the barracks. While there an angels appears and tells Paul to be courageous because he was about to be taken to Rome where he would have to testify. What can we learn:
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