Tag Archive | Jesus

2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 341

Dec7

   Day 341—We are in the LAST month of Bible reading for the year and studying The ACTS of the Apostles with the LETTERS of the Apostles.

Day 341 – Romans 1 – 3 (Paul writes, the doctrine of salvation by faith alone, all are guilty sinners, God’s righteous judgment, justification through Christ)

Paul writes this letter to the Roman church while still in Corinth, waiting to collect their offering for Jerusalem. He’s always wanted to visit Rome, but it’s been impossible so far, so he writes this meaty letter.

He wrote to teach the great truths of the gospel of grace to believers who had never received apostolic instruction. His letter to the Romans also introduced him to them when God eventually allowed him to visit. 

Romans 1.

In the first (very long) sentence, Paul identifies himself and his ministry, capsulizes the gospel, and includes the church at Rome as those called to belong to Jesus Christ.

He thanks God for them because “all the world” has heard about their faith. They have been in his prayers, and Paul has been asking God to allow him to come to them. He wants to be mutually encouraged by them. He’s also eager to preach the Gospel to them.

His statement of faith is very familiar. “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.”

He talks about the wrath of God against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth.  All are without excuse, for God’s invisible attributes have been clearly perceived in the world since creation.  Yes, all knew God, but they did not honor Him as God or give Him thanks. So God darkened their understanding and gave them up to impurity and dishonorable passions. The list of these passions is long, twenty-one in all. (Verses 29-31) They would be good for each of “us” to consider, too.

And not only did ungodly men DO these things, but they approved and applauded others doing them.

Romans 2.

Paul then knuckles down about God’s righteous judgment on men like these, who have hardened and unrepentant hearts. Each will receive according to their deeds. Those who seek to honor God He will give eternal life. Those who are self-seeking and disobedient will receive God’s wrath and fury.  And it doesn’t matter whether a person is Jew or Gentile. 

Don’t depend on being “instructed in The Law,” for some Gentiles obey God’s laws without even knowing them.  You Jews, be sure you practice what you teach. 

Romans 3.

Paul continues, “Yes, there are advantages of being a Jew. To begin with, God entrusted Jews with His Word and His directions on how to live righteously.  But are Jews better off than Gentiles?  Not at all!  Jews and Gentiles alike are ALL under sin and need to be saved by God’s grace.

“NONE is righteous, no, not ONE; no one understands; no one seeks for God. ALL have turned aside; TOGETHER they have become worthless; no one does good, not even ONE.” (Psalm 14:1-3 and 53:1-3)about 

So, whether under the law (Jews) or outside the law (Gentiles), none are justified in themselves. However, NOW, God’s righteousness has been revealed apart from the law through faith in Jesus Christ.

“All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by His GRACE as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. God put Him forward as a propitiation (an appeasement) by His blood, to be received by faith.”  

This clearly shows that God is JUST in punishing sin while JUSTIFYING the sinner who has faith in Jesus. And so, no one can boast about themselves.

 

 

2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 340

Dec6

   Day 340—We are in the LAST month of Bible reading for the year and studying The ACTS of the Apostles with the LETTERS of the Apostles.

Day 340 – 2 Corinthians 10 – 13 (Paul defends his ministry, compares self to false apostles, his sufferings, A revelation of heaven, thorn in flesh, examine yourselves!)

2 Corinthians.

Paul speaks of Christ’s meekness and gentleness and hopes he can come to the Corinthians with the same attitude and not with boldness, scolding their disobedience. For the believers’ “weapons” have divine power to destroy arguments and lofty opinions, and take every thought into captivity to obey Christ, and are ready to punish every disobedience.

But that’s not how Paul wants to visit them.  He admits they think he is “soft” in person while fiery in his letters. But he can be tough too, although he doesn’t want to.

2 Corinthians 11.

Paul here begs the Corinthians to “bear with him in a little foolishness” as he boasts and compares himself to the false apostles plaguing them. He is a Hebrew, an Israelite, an offspring of Abraham, and a servant of Christ.  Are these other men?

He far surpasses them in labor and hardships, if that is the criteria for apostleship. He’s been beaten five times with 39 stripes and once stoned and left for dead.  He’s been in shipwrecks, adrift on the sea, on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, robbers, irate Jews, Gentiles, and false brothers, in the city, wilderness, at sea, in toils, sleepless nights, hunger, thirst, cold and exposure.  PLUS, Paul has the daily pressure of anxiety for all the churches. He even escaped arrest and imprisonment by being let down a city wall in a basket, for goodness sake!

2 Corinthians 12.

Paul, embarrassed, goes on with his boasting, sure that none of “them” have had such a vision as he. Fourteen years before, just ten years after his conversion, Paul was “caught up to the third heaven (whether in the body or not, he didn’t know). There, he heard things that cannot be told, which man may not speak.”

“To keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh,  a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited.  Three times, I pleaded with the LORD about this that it should leave me.  But He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.'”

Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities.  For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Then, Paul claims that he’s been a fool to boast like this, but they “made him so it” with their tales of those “super-apostles.”   But he will most gladly spend and be spent for their souls.

2 Corinthians.

Paul reminds the Corinthian church that he is coming to them (He’ll pick up their offering for the Jerusalem church.). He wants to make sure that everything has been dealt with.  He tells them to “Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves.”

He’s writing to them strongly so that, when he arrives, he can be gentle.  “REJOICE, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace, and the God of love and peace will be with you.”

“The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.”

2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 338

Dec4

   Day 338—We are in the LAST month of Bible reading for the year and studying The ACTS of the Apostles with the LETTERS of the Apostles.

Day 338 – 2 Corinthians 1 – 4 (Greetings, comfort, delayed coming, forgiving, preaching, Gospel ministers)

This letter follows quite a bit of going and writing to Corinth. Here’s a bit of history. 

  1. Paul spent 18 months in Corinth, living and working with Aquila and Priscilla, preaching and planting the church. 
  2. While in Ephesus, he heard of gross immorality and sent them a confrontational letter (which was lost). 
  3. He then hears about divisions splitting the church and receives a letter from them asking him to clarify some do’s and don’ts.
  4. Paul writes 1 Corinthians to address this, sending it with Timothy. 
  5. News from Timothy describes the arrival of a group of false apostles who “dis” Paul and divide the church. 
  6. Paul immediately goes to Corinth for what is known as “the painful visit.” It was not successful.
  7. After returning to Ephesus, Paul writes what is known as “the severe letter.”  He sends this one to Corinth with Titus (also lost).
  8. After the “silversmith riot” in Ephesus, Paul goes to Troas. Even though there is an open door for ministry there, Paul is too concerned about the Corinthian church to stay.  He leaves for Macedonia (Philippi), hoping to meet Titus there. Titus has good news. The church at Corinth has repented. 
  9. Paul then writes this letter (2 Corinthians) to express his relief, defend his apostleship, and confront any false prophets still there.
  10. Later, he goes to Corinth to pick up their offering for the destitute in Jerusalem.

2 Corinthians 1.

You can hear Paul’s joy in “If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; and if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which you experience when you patiently endure the same sufferings we suffer.  Our hope for you is unshaken….”

2 Corinthians 2.

 After getting the good news about the Corinthian church from Titus, he exclaims, “But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere. For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life.”

And, in defense of his own ministry, “For we are not, like so many, peddlers of God’s word, but as men of sincerity, as commissioned by God, in the sight of God we speak in Christ.”

2 Corinthians 3.

 Paul praises them for being “his” letter of recommendation to others, written not with ink but “with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone, but on tablets of human hearts.”

Paul wants them to go on, then to the higher things of the Lord. “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.  We all, with unveiled faces, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another.”

2 Corinthians 4.

Paul explains the difference between his ministry and that of the false Apostles.  “Having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart. But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God’s Word, but by the open statement of the truth, we would commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God. 

“For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for the sake of Jesus.”

2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 337

Dec3

   Day 337—We are in the LAST month of Bible reading for the year and studying The ACTS of the Apostles with the LETTERS of the Apostles.

Day 337 – 1 Corinthians 15 – 16 (Resurrection of Jesus and believers, Offerings for the needy, End talk)

1 Corinthians 15.

Paul now addresses another problem in Corinth. Some had stopped believing in the physical resurrection of the Lord and of those who died (or will die).

He reminds them that at their conversion, when he was first in Corinth, they had believed in the Gospel, which teaches how Christ died for our sins, was buried, and was RAISED ON THE THIRD DAY, all according to the Scriptures.  Paul then mentions many who SAW the resurrected Jesus: the disciples, 500 followers, James, and at last, Paul himself.

Therefore, if “Christ raised from the dead” is part of the Gospel that saved them, how can they question it?  Indeed, their faith is in VAIN if Christ has not been raised.

He tells them again that Jesus is the FIRST FRUITS of the resurrection.  He first, then all who believe shall be made alive at His coming.

The Corinthians also asked what a resurrection body is like.  Paul reminded them of growing plants.  You plant a withered, brown seed in the ground, and in due time, a glorious, fruitful plant grows. And so, a dead body is sown in dishonor, weakness, and natural form. At the coming of the Lord Jesus, it will be raised in glory and power as a spiritual body. “Just as we have borne the image of the man of dust (Adam), we shall also bear the image of the Man of heaven (Jesus).”

It’s a mystery, Paul agrees, but flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God.  We will be changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet sound.  The dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. When that happens, it will fulfill Isaiah 25:8 and Hosea 13:14.

“Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?

The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!

1 Corinthians 16.

Now for the mundane.  Paul is heading to Jerusalem with an offering for destitute believers in the famine-stricken city. He has already collected from Galatia, Macedonia, and Achaia, but now he asks them again. They were to put aside money on the first of every week, and when he arrived, he would collect it all.  It was to be a free-will offering of love.

He says a few words about their beloved teacher, Apollos, who will return to them again when he has the opportunity. Meanwhile, they are to be watchful, standing firm in the faith. He reminds them of what he said in chapter 13, that all they do should be done in LOVE.

He sends greetings from all the churches in Asia, and from Aquila and Priscilla (who were there when he first planted the church). He gives his final blessing: “May the grace of the Lord Jesus be with you. My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.”

2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, days 335 & 336

Dec2

   Day 335—We are in the LAST month of Bible reading for the year and studying The ACTS of the Apostles with the LETTERS of the Apostles.

Day 335 – 1 Corinthians 9 – 11 (Rights, privileges, & service, Idolatry, the glory of God, Head coverings, The Lord’s supper)

1 Corinthians 9.

In the previous chapter, Paul talked about his freedom to eat meat offered to idols, EXCEPT when it offended a weaker brother. He would never do anything to make such a one stumble.

Now, he talks about his freedoms and rights he does NOT insist upon.  Other apostles and missionaries,  like Jesus’ brothers and even Peter, took their believing wives with them. Was it only Barnabas and Paul who worked for a living as well as preached?  Wasn’t a soldier due his own expenses? Didn’t a vineyard planter eat the fruit?   He then quotes Deuteronomy 25:4 about not muzzling an ox who grinds the grain. Does not HE have the same rightful claim?

Yet, Paul chose NOT to claim the privilege but to work and impose no obligation on the people. He would rather die than have anyone deprive him of his ability to “present the gospel free of charge.”  He’s made himself a servant of all, that he might win more of them, Jews or Gentiles.  He compares this self-discipline to men in a race, running to “win the prize.”  He does it to win “the imperishable victory.” (Souls for the Lord Jesus)

1 Corinthians 10.

Next, Paul segues into comparing the Israelites of Moses’ time to those alive in that day.  “Those ancient Jews were examples for current believers.  Although they saw the miracles of God firsthand, they desired evil, were idolaters, and committed sexual immorality when they worshiped the golden calf Aaron made. That day, 23,000 were killed by God’s wrath. When they complained, thousands were destroyed by serpents. 

Paul urges the Corinthian church, “We must not put Christ to the test.” He encourages them, “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful and will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation He will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.”

And so, he tells them to FLEE FROM IDOLATRY. (Corinth was full of idolatry, a great temptation.)  You can not worship idols (demons) and worship Christ too. 

“All things are lawful, but not all things are helpful. All things are lawful, but not all things build up.”  “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.  Give no offense to Jews or Gentiles or the church of God.  Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.”

1 Corinthians 11.

Paul then addresses head coverings for both men and women. Culturally, Corinthian men covered their heads when worshiping in pagan temples, while women only covered theirs when married.  Paul says men are to stand with heads uncovered because Christ is the head of every man in Christ.  

These traditions worked in the early church in Corinth to distinguish Christians from pagans. The same is true for women who covered their heads and had long hair, while men did not. The idea is to glorify Christ in all you do.

Then Paul gives explicit instructions for the Lord’s Supper. Verses 23-26 are often repeated in our services today when we observe Communion. 

He reminds us, too, of Jesus’ sacrificial death, his blood as a ransom payment for our sins, and his bodily death in our place.  He urges the Corinthians (and us) to examine and judge themselves and partake worthily.

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Day 336 – 1 Corinthians 12 – 14 (Spiritual gifts, the Love Chapter, Prophecy & tongues, orderly worship)

1 Corinthians 12.

Paul next clarifies a controversial subject in the Corinthian church. Spiritual gifts were needed in the newly planted churches because the New Testament had not yet been written. Not many Gentile churches would have the Torah, Prophets, and Teachings scrolls of the Old Testament.  And so the Spirit of God distributed to each church what the leaders and congregations needed.  The Corinthian church was fully blessed in this way. But they were viewing and using these gifts in the wrong ways.

First, they were to discern if the gifts in question were from the Spirit of God. Paul reminded them how they’d been fooled by worshiping idols and demons.  “No one speaking in the Spirit of God ever says that Jesus is accursed.  And no one can say Jesus is Lord except in the Holy Spirit.” 

Once that is settled, he describes the various spiritual gifts, services, and activities that are given to the church by the Holy Spirit…FOR THE COMMON GOOD, not for individual glory. They are the gifts of wisdom and knowledge spoken to edify the church, extraordinary faith, gifts of healing and working of miracles, prophetic speaking, discernment of spirits, various tongues, and the interpretation of the tongues. (Others are included in lists in Romans 12 and 1 Peter 4)

“All these gifts are empowered by one Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as He wills.”  “God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as He chose.”

They were not to quarrel, envy each other’s spiritual gifts, or seek the “flashiest” ones.  All the gifts were needed and valuable.

Next, Paul lists the “gifted men” God appointed to lead the church. These were: Apostles, Prophets, Teachers, Miracle workers, Healers, Help ministers, Administrators, and Speakers of various languages.  In these, Paul recommends asking God for the “higher” gifts, but ALL were to be used in a “MORE EXCELLENT WAY.”

1 Corinthians 13.

And, that excellent way was/is in…LOVE.  

This chapter is known as “The Love Chapter.” Paul says that any of the above gifts and gifted offices, if used purely for selfish motives and not with the Spirit’s fruit of LOVE, are merely annoying noise, less than nothing.

Then, Paul lists the numerous aspects of love that believers will show towards one another if ruled by God’s Spirit.  (These are very convicting. Take some time to read verses 4 – 8 and apply them to yourself.  Then ask God to make them evident in your life.)

Eventually, all the gifts will disappear when the Lord returns and takes His family to Heaven. But love never ends.  “So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three, but the greatest of these is love.”

1 Corinthians 14.

After that strong teaching on how all the gifts of the Spirit are to be used – with true love – Paul sheds more light on two gifts being abused in the Corinthian church: Prophecy and Tongues.

Paul urges them to pursue love and the spiritual gift of prophesy. (Not necessarily of FORE-telling, but of FORTH-telling the Word of God, for the edification of the whole church.)  And if the gift of tongues is used, they were to make sure someone was there to interpret what was said, or else how could the entire church be helped?

Paul tells them that these ministry gifts IN CHURCH MEETINGS were to be performed by men only. Yes, women would be blessed by gifts, but they should use them in the home or as in our times, in women’s ministries. 

Paul concludes by saying, “Earnestly desire to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. But everything should be done decently and in order.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 333

Nov29

   Day 333—We are in the ELEVENTH month of Bible reading and studying The ACTS of the Apostles with the LETTERS of the Apostles.

Day 333 – 1 Corinthians 1 – 4 (Paul writing to approve and scold the church in Corinth.)

1 Corinthians 1.

In Acts 18, we saw Sosthenes as the ruler of the synagogue in Corinth. Now, he is a believer and a helper of Paul, concerned about what they’ve heard happening in that city.  Paul is writing from Ephesus. (This is his second letter to Corinth. We don’t have #1.)

Paul begins by thanking God for the Corinthian church and the grace He showed them in Christ Jesus. However, he scolds them too.  They were given great mercy and gifts, but now they had fallen into disunity, a church split. The believers sought importance by bragging about whom they followed; Paul, Apollos, Cephas, or Christ. It was by faith in Christ that they were saved, not by who baptized them.

Paul claimed his ministry was to preach Christ and Him alone, which was foolishness to the Greeks and a stumbling block to the Jews.  God CHOSE what was foolish and weak to reveal His glory so that no one could boast.  “Let the one who boasts boast in the LORD!”

1 Corinthians 2.

Paul repeats that he did not come to them with fancy words or the world’s wisdom (it hadn’t worked in Athens, after all) but with only the message of Jesus Christ and Him crucified. 

1 Corinthians 3.

Paul calls the Corinthian church immature because they persist in divisions. They can be fed only the essential “milk” of God’s wisdom and not the “solid food” of doctrine. Paul says they are not ready for strong teaching while still “in the flesh.” 

“Who is Apollos? Who is Paul” he asks. “I merely planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. Apollos and I are fellow workers. YOU are God’s field, God’s building.”

Paul laid the foundation when he first went to Corinth.  Apollos and others have built on it. The foundation is Christ, so let anyone who builds on it take care.  Use only materials that will last in “the fire of That Day.”  You, Corinthians, are the building, the temple, and now the Holy Spirit lives IN you. 

1 Corinthians 4.

Paul says that the Corinthians should view them all as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. And yes, it is required that stewards be trustworthy.  Paul applied this to himself and to Apollos for the Corinthian church’s benefit, so they would learn from them and not be “puffed up” in favor of one against the other.

“I think that God has exhibited us apostles as last of all, like men sentenced to death, because we have become a spectacle to the world.  We are FOOLS for Christ’s sake. We are weak. We are held in disrepute. We hunger and thirst; we are poorly dressed and buffeted and homeless. We labor, working with our own hands.  When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure; when slandered, we entreat.  We have become, and are still like the “scum of the world,” the “refuse of all things.”  Whoa, Paul!!

Paul doesn’t write the above to shame them but to admonish them as loved children.  Paul had become like a father to them through the Gospel of Jesus.   He urges them to imitate him in the above ways and not be boastful. 

He tells the Corinthians that he sent Timothy to remind them of his ways in Christ and that he will soon personally come to them. He asks them if they want him to arrive with a “paddle” or with a spirit of gentleness.  

Stand up and fly right, he says, or Daddy’s coming to spank you!

2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 332

Nov28

   Day 332—We are in the ELEVENTH month of Bible reading and studying The ACTS of the Apostles with the LETTERS of the Apostles.

Day 332 – Acts 18 – 19 (Paul in Corinth, Priscilla & Aquila in Ephesus, Apollos, Paul in Ephesus, riots)

Acts 18.

After a minimal harvest of souls in Athens, Paul went to Corinth. There, he met Aquila & Priscilla, recently ejected from Rome. They were tentmakers and believers, so Paul (also a tentmaker) stayed with them and worked. He also reasoned every Sabbath in the synagogue.

Silas and Timothy finally arrived from Macedonia to help. The Jews rejected Christ, so Paul went exclusively to preach to the Gentiles. Titius Justus, a believer, lived next to the synagogue, so Paul set up headquarters there. Crispus, the leader of the synagogue, with his household and many Corinthians, believed and were baptized.  The Lord encouraged Paul in a vision, telling him to remain in Corinth and not be afraid, for He was with Paul, and there were many to be saved. Paul stayed for 18 months.

There was an incident with the Roman authorities, but the proconsul, Gallio, dismissed them (like Pilate did), telling the Jews to take care of their own matters.

Meanwhile, Paul had taken a vow, probably in gratitude to God, which included not cutting his hair. That vow was about to end, so he cut his hair. (The shorn hair needed to be presented in the Temple within 30 days.)  So, taking Aquila & Priscilla, he sailed for Syria. He left the couple in Ephesus, and after preaching a few times in the synagogue, he set sail for Caesarea.  From there, he went up to Jerusalem to fulfill his vow and greet the church there.  Then he returned to his sending church in Antioch for a while.

Later, Paul traveled back by land through Galatia, strengthening the churches he and Barnabas had planted on the first missionary journey.

Meanwhile, back in Ephesus, a Jew from Alexandria arrived. He was eloquent and competent in the scriptures. And he preached “the way” of the Lord, being fervent in spirit. He accurately taught the things concerning Jesus, though he knew only the baptism of John (and his sermons).  Priscilla and Aquila took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately.

Then, Apollos felt the call to Achaia (Greece). Priscilla and Aquila wrote the brothers there to welcome him, which they did.  Apollos greatly helped them, for he powerfully refuted the Jews publicly, showing by the scriptures that the Messiah was Jesus.

Acts 19.

So while Apollos was in Corinth, Paul passed through the inland country and arrived in Ephesus.  He found some disciples there who had been taught by Apollos early on. They hadn’t heard of the Holy Spirit’s work, so Paul caught them up. They all agreed to be baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. The Holy Spirit came on them too.

Paul stayed in Ephesus for two years, speaking boldly in the synagogue and reasoning and persuading them about the kingdom of God.  Some believed, but others were stubborn in their unbelief.  Paul simply moved the meeting place to the Hall f Tyrannus.  “All the residents of Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks.”

Now, seven sons of a Jewish high priest named Sceva lived there. They were “itinerant Jewish exorcists.”  They saw the miracles God performed through Paul and were jealous. They tried doing the same things but the evil spirits fought back, saying, “Jesus, I know, and Paul, I recognize… BUT WHO ARE YOU?”   The seven “wannabes” were then attacked and stripped naked, so they ran away wounded.  This caused the residents to become afraid, and the name of Jesus was extolled.

Many of those who had practiced magic arts brought their books and burned them in the sight of all.  So, the word of the Lord continued to increase and prevail mightily in Ephesus and surroundings.

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After about two years, Paul resolved in the Spirit to travel up through Macedonia (Philippi, Thessalonica, & Berea), down to Achaia (Athens, Corinth), and afterward go to Jerusalem.  “After I have been there, I must also see Rome.”  He sent Timothy and Erastus ahead to Macedonia and stayed a bit longer in Ephesus.

However, a disturbance about the teachings of “the Way” (the Gospel) arose in Ephesus, led by a silversmith named Demetrius, whose business was faltering because fewer people were buying his statues. He went to the “union hall” of artisans. and riled them up, saying,

“Men, you know that from this business, we have our wealth. But in Ephesus and almost all of Asia, this Paul has persuaded and turned away a great many people, saying that gods made with hands are not gods.  He is endangering our trade. Our great temple of Artemis may even be discounted as “nothing.”  What should we do??”  

Enraged at these words, they shouted, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!”  The mob rushed everywhere in the city with this cry.  They dragged Paul’s companions into the arena. (Paul’s close friends convinced him NOT to go there.)  There was so much confusion and shouting that some in the crowd did not even know what was happening.

Alexander, a leader, tried to stop the crowd, but when they recognized him as a Jew, they shouted even louder for two hours. Finally, the town clerk quieted them down by saying that if they continued, the Romans would come and accuse them of rioting. Everyone knew that Artemis was sacred and that the temple was great, so they ought to be quiet.  “Let Demetrius and the craftsmen take these men to court in an orderly fashion.”

Finally, the crowd settled and dispersed.

2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 331

Nov27

   Day 331—We are in the ELEVENTH month of Bible reading and studying The ACTS of the Apostles with the LETTERS of the Apostles.

Day 331 – 1 & 2 Thessalonians (Letters of love, reminders, admonitions, and hope)

1 Thessalonians 1.

Paul thanks God for the people of this church and prays for them. They turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, they were waiting for His Son from heaven, and they trusted in the resurrected Jesus to deliver them from God’s wrath.

1 Thessalonians 2.

Paul reminds them of his trial in Philippi before he came to them, and how he came with gentleness and encouragement. He thanks God for their “receiving the word of God and accepting it.”  Paul longed to see them again in person and tried often, but Satan had hindered him.  He calls the Thessalonians his “hope, joy, crown, and glory.”

1 Thessalonians 3.

Paul tells how he was worried about them when he was in Athens and sent Timothy to check up on them. He was comforted when Timothy reported their faith and love endured, and they also longed to see him. “For now, we live if you are standing fast in the Lord. For what thanksgiving can we return to God for you, for all the joy that we feel for your sake before God, as we pray most earnestly night and day, that we may see you face to face…”   “May the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you, so that He may establish your hearts blameless in holiness…at the coming of our Lord Jesus.”

1 Thessalonians 4.

Paul urges them to keep “walking to please God” and do it even more.  “For this is the will of God, your sanctification.”   He commends them for their love for the brothers and urges them to do it more and more.  Paul also answers a pressing question about believers who have died. Would they miss the glorious return of Christ?  Paul assures them that they, too, will rise with Jesus. They first, then those who are alive will hear the cry from heaven, the voice of an archangel, and the sound of the trumpet of God, “and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then, we who are alive will be caught up together with them to meet the Lord in the air.”

1 Thessalonians 5.

Paul tells them about the Day of the Lord, which will come as a thief in the night. “While people are saying ‘there is peace and security,’ then sudden destruction will come upon them.”

Paul cautions them not to “sleep” but to keep awake, be sober, and keep on the armor of God. He encourages them, saying, “God has not destined us for wrath but for salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us.”

Rejoice always! Pray without ceasing. Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. Don’t quench the Spirit. Test all things and hold to that which is good. Abstain from evil.

Then his benediction: “Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

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2 Thessalonians 1.

Paul again writes to this church, thanking God their faith and love for each other is increasing.  He tells them the persecutions and afflictions they are enduring are evidence of the righteous judgment of God and that they are considered worthy of the Kingdom.  He prays for them that the name of the Lord Jesus would be glorified in them.

2 Thessalonians 2.

Paul then teaches them about the end times, warning them about the antichrist who will come. “Do not be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either by a spirit, a spoken word, or a letter “seeming” to be from us, that the Day of the Lord has already come.” You won’t miss the wrath of God coming on the antichrist.

So brothers, he writes, stand firm and hold on to the traditions you were taught by us in spoken word and by letter.  And “May our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved you and gave you good hope, and chose you, and called you through grace, comfort your hearts and establish you in every good work and word.”

1 Thessalonians 3.

Paul ends this letter with a request of his own.  Pray for us… that we may come to you and be delivered from wicked and evil men.  And as for them, “Do not grow wearing in doing good.”  Then he gives a final blessing, “the Lord of Peace will give them peace at all times and in every way.

2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 330

Nov26

   Day 330—We are in the ELEVENTH month of Bible reading and studying The ACTS of the Apostles with the LETTERS of the Apostles.

Day 330 – Acts 17 (Paul & Silas, Thessalonica, Berea, Athens)

After being beaten and jailed, loosed in an earthquake, preached to a jailor, and apologized to by the magistrates, Paul and Silas left Philippi. The team (Paul, Silas, Timothy, and Luke) went through Amphipolis and Apollonia to the city of Thessalonica.

As was Paul’s pattern, he preached in the Jewish synagogue for three Sabbaths, explaining how the scriptures pointed to Christ’s death and resurrection. Some Jews were persuaded, plus many devout Greeks and leading women.

But the majority of the Jews were jealous, mobbed him, and set the city in an uproar, saying they preached against Caesar. The mob attacked Jason’s house, where Paul was staying. After the magistrates took security from him to assure Paul would cause no more trouble, Paul and his team left town that very night.

They went to Berea, and Paul immediately went to the synagogue. “Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word eagerly, examining the Scriptures daily to see if the things Paul preached were so.” 

(Can you imagine them taking down the scrolls of the scriptures Paul mentioned, turning to the passages, and verifying what he preached? They would read and nod their heads and eagerly look up for more!)

As a consequence, many of them believed, including many Greek women of high standing. (Faith comes by hearing the Word, Romans 10:17.) However, when the Jews from Thessalonica heard of this, they came to Berea and agitated the crowds against Paul.  The Bereans immediately sent Paul (and Luke?) off by sea.  Silas and Timothy stayed there to continue teaching. But when Paul got to Athens, he sent a message for the two men to come to him as soon as possible.  (But they were delayed.)

Meanwhile, while Paul was waiting for them, his spirit was provoked as he saw all the idols in the city.  He reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews, as usual.  And every day, he spoke with the devout people in the marketplace. He also argued with some Epicurean and Stoic philosophers.  They took Paul to the Areopagus to defend his teaching, for they thought he was preaching “some foreign divinities.”  They enjoyed it immensely, for all the Athenians and foreigners loved to spend time telling or hearing “something new.”

Paul tried. He looked at the one statue dedicated to “the Unknown God” and pointed them towards God, the Lord of heaven and earth, creator of everything.

Paul waxed eloquent, as that’s what his listeners wanted. (Paul was all things to all men, so he could win some to the Gospel. 1 Corinthians 9:22) “The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now He commands all people everywhere to repent because He has fixed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by a Man whom He has appointed; and of this, He had given assurance to all by raising Him from the dead.” (verses 30-31)

Now, when they heard about the resurrection of the dead, they mocked Paul.  But some said, “Oh, we’ll hear you another time.”   Only a few believed: Dionysius, the Areopagite, a woman named Damaris, and a handful of others.

Perhaps discouraged at the lack of response, Paul left Athens and went to Corinth.

2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 325

Nov21

    Day 325—We are in the ELEVENTH month of Bible reading and studying The ACTS of the Apostles with the LETTERS of the Apostles.

Day 325 – Acts 13 – 14 (1st missionary journey, Cyprus, Antioch #2, Iconium, Lystra, return home)

Acts 13.

While the prophets and teachers at Antioch were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit pointed out Barnabas and Saul for missionary work in Asia Minor. After those elders put their hands on them and prayed, Barnabas and Saul were sent off. The young John Mark went along to assist them.

The first stop was the island of Cyprus, where Barnabas’s home was, and where a sizeable Jewish population lived. They began at Salamis and proclaimed God’s word in the synagogues. They toured throughout the whole island and came to the capital, Paphos. There, the proconsul, Sergius Paulus summoned them to hear the word of God.  As they preached, the local magician, Elymas opposed them, trying to turn the proconsul’s attention away from the message.

But Paul (now called by his Roman name because he would be serving in the Roman world) cursed the sorcerer with the authority of the Holy Spirit, and this “enemy of all righteousness, full of all deceit and villainy, was made blind for a time.  (Did Paul hope his blindness would lead to his salvation, like Paul’s?)  With the evil man silenced, Sergius Paulus believed in the teaching of the Lord.

Next, Paul (now the group leader) and his companions sailed to Perga. For some reason, John Mark left Paul and Barnabas here and returned home to Jerusalem.  He was very young. Did the harshness of the journey, or the fierceness of the opposition, or maybe personal friction change his mind?

Paul and Barnabas went on to Antioch-Pisidia and preached in the synagogue on the Sabbath. He began with the history of Israel down to King David and segued to David’s greater son, Jesus, the promised Messiah.  But the Jerusalem leadership did not believe and condemned Him to death. However, God raised him from the dead. This Jesus was seen by many people, from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are now His witnesses. We bring you this Good News that God promised our fathers.

Paul then quotes Psalm 2:7, Isaiah 53:3, Psalm 16:10 and Habakkuk 1:5.

The Gentiles loved the message and begged them to return. But jealous Jews contradicted and reviled them.  However, those Gentiles whom God had chosen, believed, rejoiced, and glorified the word of the Lord.

Acts 14.

The missionary duo journeyed on to Iconium and spoke in the synagogue.  Here, a great number of both Jews and Greeks believed.  But the UNbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against Paul and Barnabas.  This only caused the two to stay longer in Iconium, speaking boldly for the Lord. The Holy Spirt granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands.  However, when they heard of a plot to stone them, they moved on to the area of Lystra and Derbe, where they continued to preach the Gospel.

In Lystra, they saw a crippled man listening to the preaching.  Seeing that he had faith, Paul told him to “Stand upright on your feet.”  The man was instantly healed. But, instead of praising God, the people cried, “The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men.” They called Paul, Zeus, and Barnabas, Hermes and brought festooned oxen to sacrifice on their behalf.

“NO, NO, NO!!” cried Paul. “Men, why are you doing this?  We are men like you.  We bring you Good News! You have to turn from these vain things to THE LIVING GOD!”  And he preached to them. Even then, the apostles scarcely restrained the people from sacrificing to them.

Then, Jews from Antioch and Iconium arrived and persuaded the crowd against them.  They stoned Paul and dragged him out of town as a dead man. Whoa!

But the new believers gathered around him (praying?), and Paul rose and entered the city. The next day, they went to Derbe, preached the Gospel, and made many disciples.

Then the duo began the return journey, checking in at each town they’d visited to strengthen the brothers, encourage them to continue in the faith, and saying that “through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.”  They also appointed elders in every church and with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord.

On the return journey, they also preached in Perga before getting on a ship for home.  Back at their sending church at Antioch, “they declared all that God had done with them, and how He had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles.”

And they stayed there for a time.