Acts 16:11-21
Paul went outside the city gate to the river, they sat down and began to speak to the women who had gathered there. One of those listening was a woman named Lydia, the Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul's message. After they baptized, she invited Paul's team to her home.
They met a slave girl who had a spirit by which she predicted the future. This girl followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, "These men are servants of the Most High God who are telling you the way to be saved."
Paul became so troubled that he turned around and said to the spirit, "In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!
When the owner of the slave girl realized that their hope of making money was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace to face the authorities.They said, "These men are Jews, and are throwing our city into an uproar by advocating customs unlawful for us Romans to accept or practice."
In each place he visited, Paul normally went first to the synagogue (for which a minimum of ten men was required). At Philippi there was simply a group of women, meeting for prayer. So the church at Philippi, whose loving faithful support and unfailing concern would bring Paul such joy beings with the response of Lydia, a local businesswoman.
When Paul frees a slave-girl whose psychic powers earn her owners easy money, trouble quickly follows.
Why?
Drive devil spirit out with the name of Jesus Christ for his name is power.
Working with the Holy Spirit then the spirit will know.
The main reason is the man lost the hope of easy money, but he claimed false reason and try to recover his loss with lie and angry.
Who will be saved we do not know before we preach the gospel. God will open their heart if they are deserved. Our joy is show to them and talk to them the good news.
There was not synagogue in Philippi city.
How?
How to show my life of Christ and preaching the gospel to others?
The power of Christ and the grace of gospel may come upon one who I can't predicted.
Wednesday, September 7, 2016
Tuesday, September 6, 2016
Follow the leading way of the Holy Spirit
Acts 16:1-10
At Lystra and Derbe, Timothy is added to the company.
Timothy joined Paul and Silas, whose father was a Greek whose mother was a Jewess and a believer.
They traveled from town to town, delivered the decisions reached by the apostles and elders in Jerusalem for the people to obey.
After Paul had seen the vision, they got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called them to preach the gospel to them.
Timothy: The decision to circumcise Timothy was taken in order to regularized his position as a Jew, not in order to secure his salvation. Paul had a special affection fro his loyal, though timid, companion and successor/ He came to regard him almost as his won son.
At Troas, close to ancient Troy, Luke joins the party for the first tome, and Paul receives his call to cross to Europe. It is tempting to think that Luke(whose home town may have been Philippi) was the man in Paul's dream.
Why?
To a missionary, when I chose one then I have to give up other choices. we need take responsibility for ourselves. If we have not vision we can not do anything.
How to know the way of the Lord?
1)Using the wisdom and knowledge from the Lord to analysis information I got, to make conclusion which consistent with God's word.
2)Put it in praying, and waiting for the instruction from the Lord. If there is not vision shows, do it as we planned.
Don't do God's work and wanted to do the target on the world. Focusing on the work and target of the mission.
How?
What I needed to give up and follow the leading of the Holy Spirit?
At Lystra and Derbe, Timothy is added to the company.
Timothy joined Paul and Silas, whose father was a Greek whose mother was a Jewess and a believer.
They traveled from town to town, delivered the decisions reached by the apostles and elders in Jerusalem for the people to obey.
After Paul had seen the vision, they got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called them to preach the gospel to them.
Timothy: The decision to circumcise Timothy was taken in order to regularized his position as a Jew, not in order to secure his salvation. Paul had a special affection fro his loyal, though timid, companion and successor/ He came to regard him almost as his won son.
At Troas, close to ancient Troy, Luke joins the party for the first tome, and Paul receives his call to cross to Europe. It is tempting to think that Luke(whose home town may have been Philippi) was the man in Paul's dream.
Why?
To a missionary, when I chose one then I have to give up other choices. we need take responsibility for ourselves. If we have not vision we can not do anything.
How to know the way of the Lord?
1)Using the wisdom and knowledge from the Lord to analysis information I got, to make conclusion which consistent with God's word.
2)Put it in praying, and waiting for the instruction from the Lord. If there is not vision shows, do it as we planned.
Don't do God's work and wanted to do the target on the world. Focusing on the work and target of the mission.
How?
What I needed to give up and follow the leading of the Holy Spirit?
Monday, September 5, 2016
Encourage a failed person and faith of brothers in the church
Acts 15:30-41
The people of Antioch read the letter and were glad for its encouraging message.
Disagreement between Paul and Barnabas, because Mark had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in the work. They parted company.
Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus, but Paul chose Silas and left, commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord. He went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.
A 'sharp argument' about John Mark results in two missionary campaigns instead of one. Barnabas, the 'encourager', not doubt helper his young nephew to make the grade and eventually win Paul's approval.
Silas: Representative of the Jerusalem church. Like Paul, he was a Roman citizen. He traveled with the apostle as far as Beroea and rejoined him at Corinth. Silas was associated with Paul in the writing of 1 and 2 Thessalonians; also with Peter in the writing of his first letter.
Paul said to Barnabas,'Let us go back and visit the brothers in all the towns where we preached the word of the Lord and see how they are doing.'
Why?
New believers are easy to be disturbed by the world and personal difficulty, so needed to be encouraged in their faith and help them.
Encourage the young men in the work of God is difficult but good work before the Lord.
Bad record doesn't mean he is unchanged, depends on his mind and works.
Confirm the church and keep growing of the brothers in the church is an important matter.
How?
Not only preach gospel to others but confirm brothers in church is main issue to service in the church.
The people of Antioch read the letter and were glad for its encouraging message.
Disagreement between Paul and Barnabas, because Mark had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in the work. They parted company.
Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus, but Paul chose Silas and left, commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord. He went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.
A 'sharp argument' about John Mark results in two missionary campaigns instead of one. Barnabas, the 'encourager', not doubt helper his young nephew to make the grade and eventually win Paul's approval.
Silas: Representative of the Jerusalem church. Like Paul, he was a Roman citizen. He traveled with the apostle as far as Beroea and rejoined him at Corinth. Silas was associated with Paul in the writing of 1 and 2 Thessalonians; also with Peter in the writing of his first letter.
Paul said to Barnabas,'Let us go back and visit the brothers in all the towns where we preached the word of the Lord and see how they are doing.'
Why?
New believers are easy to be disturbed by the world and personal difficulty, so needed to be encouraged in their faith and help them.
Encourage the young men in the work of God is difficult but good work before the Lord.
Bad record doesn't mean he is unchanged, depends on his mind and works.
Confirm the church and keep growing of the brothers in the church is an important matter.
How?
Not only preach gospel to others but confirm brothers in church is main issue to service in the church.
Sunday, September 4, 2016
這到底是誰？
路8:22-25
9/4/2016。 台南聖教會。 高敏智牧師
前言
不熟裝熟 ...攀關係
熟卻是負面... 抱怨聲 生活在旁邊，卻常常要求這個、那個，我不要這樣...
新神的故事 看見神
我們看見，所以我們戰戰兢兢！
思想：
1.以瑪杵斯的門徒：
直到主擘餅…重新認識復活的主，原來他們不熟
2.十字架下的百夫長
…這真是個義人
3.馬利亞，使女的順服
…主阿！我情願！
我不知道耶穌，我願意學習認識所不知道的！
簡易大綱：
1. 沒有同行卻以為與主同行？
背十字架跟從的路。沒有背十字架跟從，就不是同行
2.沒有對話，卻當作有對話 以利的時代
3. 原來真是不熟.....這人到底是誰?
大綱：
1.與主同行 …耶穌睡著了…
湖上起了暴風！
仍然會遇到危險？
耶穌睡著了嗎？
漁夫與木匠間的對話？
2. 與主對話？…門徒叫醒他？
…夫子！我們喪命啦！
1.叫醒了他？
2.夫子！夫子！我們喪命了！
3.耶穌對他們說：你們的信心在那裡呢？
3. 與主認識？…這人到底是誰？
…連風和水也聽從他。
1.斥責那狂風大浪;風浪就止住，平穩了
2.又懼怕又稀奇。
3.他吩咐風和水，連風和水也聽從他了。
挑戰：
1.神對摩西說：我是自有永有的：
又說：你要對以色列人這樣說：那自有的打發我到你們這裡來。
2.求我們主耶穌基督的神，榮耀的父，將那賜人智慧和啟示的靈賞給你們，使你們真知道他，並且照亮心中的眼睛，使你們知道他的恩召有何等的指望，他在聖徒中的基業有何等豐盛的榮耀;並知道他向我們這信的人所顯的能力是何等浩大…
9/4/2016。 台南聖教會。 高敏智牧師
前言
不熟裝熟 ...攀關係
熟卻是負面... 抱怨聲 生活在旁邊，卻常常要求這個、那個，我不要這樣...
新神的故事 看見神
我們看見，所以我們戰戰兢兢！
思想：
1.以瑪杵斯的門徒：
直到主擘餅…重新認識復活的主，原來他們不熟
2.十字架下的百夫長
…這真是個義人
3.馬利亞，使女的順服
…主阿！我情願！
我不知道耶穌，我願意學習認識所不知道的！
簡易大綱：
1. 沒有同行卻以為與主同行？
背十字架跟從的路。沒有背十字架跟從，就不是同行
2.沒有對話，卻當作有對話 以利的時代
3. 原來真是不熟.....這人到底是誰?
大綱：
1.與主同行 …耶穌睡著了…
湖上起了暴風！
仍然會遇到危險？
耶穌睡著了嗎？
漁夫與木匠間的對話？
2. 與主對話？…門徒叫醒他？
…夫子！我們喪命啦！
1.叫醒了他？
2.夫子！夫子！我們喪命了！
3.耶穌對他們說：你們的信心在那裡呢？
3. 與主認識？…這人到底是誰？
…連風和水也聽從他。
1.斥責那狂風大浪;風浪就止住，平穩了
2.又懼怕又稀奇。
3.他吩咐風和水，連風和水也聽從他了。
挑戰：
1.神對摩西說：我是自有永有的：
又說：你要對以色列人這樣說：那自有的打發我到你們這裡來。
2.求我們主耶穌基督的神，榮耀的父，將那賜人智慧和啟示的靈賞給你們，使你們真知道他，並且照亮心中的眼睛，使你們知道他的恩召有何等的指望，他在聖徒中的基業有何等豐盛的榮耀;並知道他向我們這信的人所顯的能力是何等浩大…
Saturday, September 3, 2016
Freedom and restriction to live out holy life
Acts 15:22-29
The apostles and elders sent their own men Judas and Silas with Paul and Barnabas to Antioch.
Their bring the letter to them, sending Judas and Silas to confirm by word of mouth what we are writing.
It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to burden you with anything beyond the following requirements: You are to abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals and from sexual immorality.
Why?
The rule of living set up because among Gentiles there were many bad custom or culture to eat blood strangled animals or sexual immorality etc. Showing the different spirit of God and away from the world.
These rules is the basic requirement to a Christian.
I need to keep away any sexual immorality even the mind of immorality.
We are enjoy the freedom of the salvation of the Lord but we have to follow rules of the Holy life for the Lord. May church has peace!
How?
Freedom of the salvation and living out holy life in the world.
The apostles and elders sent their own men Judas and Silas with Paul and Barnabas to Antioch.
Their bring the letter to them, sending Judas and Silas to confirm by word of mouth what we are writing.
It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to burden you with anything beyond the following requirements: You are to abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals and from sexual immorality.
Why?
The rule of living set up because among Gentiles there were many bad custom or culture to eat blood strangled animals or sexual immorality etc. Showing the different spirit of God and away from the world.
These rules is the basic requirement to a Christian.
I need to keep away any sexual immorality even the mind of immorality.
We are enjoy the freedom of the salvation of the Lord but we have to follow rules of the Holy life for the Lord. May church has peace!
How?
Freedom of the salvation and living out holy life in the world.
Friday, September 2, 2016
Obey the word of the Lord
Acts 15:12-21
James spoke up: The words of the prophets are in agreement with this, as it is written by Amos 9:11,12. That the remnant of men may seek the Lord, and all the Gentiles who bear my name says the Lord, who does these things. Gentiles is nations in Amos.
And James make judgment, therefore, that we should not make it difficult for the gentiles who are turning to God.
Write to them to abstain from food polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from the meat of strangled animals and from blood.
The final summing-up and verdict given by James, the Lord's brother and leader of the Jerusalem church, finds general acceptance. The Gentiles are asked simply to accommodate the Jewish Christians by respecting Jewish food-laws, so that Jews and Gentiles can share the same table and the church meet together as one.
This chapter is a turning-point in Acts. The center now shifts away from Jerusalem and the apostles, with the emphasis on the mission to the Gentiles, and the new churches.
Why?
James used Amos's words proved that God says that Gentiles bear his name. And all the wonder and many miraculous signs are happened as in Jews. So they have not right to reject the way of the Lord.
According to the word of the Lord to make decision is correct way to resolve troubles in church.
How?
Obey to the words of the Lord and subdue to the authority of the Lord.
James spoke up: The words of the prophets are in agreement with this, as it is written by Amos 9:11,12. That the remnant of men may seek the Lord, and all the Gentiles who bear my name says the Lord, who does these things. Gentiles is nations in Amos.
And James make judgment, therefore, that we should not make it difficult for the gentiles who are turning to God.
Write to them to abstain from food polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from the meat of strangled animals and from blood.
The final summing-up and verdict given by James, the Lord's brother and leader of the Jerusalem church, finds general acceptance. The Gentiles are asked simply to accommodate the Jewish Christians by respecting Jewish food-laws, so that Jews and Gentiles can share the same table and the church meet together as one.
This chapter is a turning-point in Acts. The center now shifts away from Jerusalem and the apostles, with the emphasis on the mission to the Gentiles, and the new churches.
Why?
James used Amos's words proved that God says that Gentiles bear his name. And all the wonder and many miraculous signs are happened as in Jews. So they have not right to reject the way of the Lord.
According to the word of the Lord to make decision is correct way to resolve troubles in church.
How?
Obey to the words of the Lord and subdue to the authority of the Lord.
Thursday, September 1, 2016
Keep obey the truth of the Lord and praying for the church with pure heart
Acts 15:1-11
The apostles and elders met to consider this question; "The Gentiles must be circumcised and required to obey the law of Moses."
Paul and Barnabas went to Jerusalem to see the apostles and elders about this question.
Peter got up and addressed them: "God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us. He made no distinction between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith... We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just they are."
Ten years or more have passed since the apostles approved the admission of Cornelius' Gentile household to the church, and opposition has hardened. When reports of Paul's successes among the Gentiles reach the salvation-by-faith and circumcision part, they see the red light and openly oppose his teaching.
On such a vital matter, an authoritative decision by the apostles and elders is essential to avoid a complete split. Peter's reminder of the earlier events, and the account given by Paul and Barnabas of God's work among the Gentiles, carry the day.
Why?
Obey the law or following the grace of our Lord may becomes question among us now. But let believe that through the grace of our Lord Jesus and believe that the Holy Spirit is our helper, there is nothing can dispute and quarrel among us.
Church may argue for the just and love or feel the Pastor is unfair. Our heard should be open and pure and obey the teaching from Jesus Christ.
How?
Argument may lead church more stronger among Christians, because all of us are not completed. We need keep following the truth of the Lord, and praying to bear this mission from the God.
The apostles and elders met to consider this question; "The Gentiles must be circumcised and required to obey the law of Moses."
Paul and Barnabas went to Jerusalem to see the apostles and elders about this question.
Peter got up and addressed them: "God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us. He made no distinction between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith... We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just they are."
Ten years or more have passed since the apostles approved the admission of Cornelius' Gentile household to the church, and opposition has hardened. When reports of Paul's successes among the Gentiles reach the salvation-by-faith and circumcision part, they see the red light and openly oppose his teaching.
On such a vital matter, an authoritative decision by the apostles and elders is essential to avoid a complete split. Peter's reminder of the earlier events, and the account given by Paul and Barnabas of God's work among the Gentiles, carry the day.
Why?
Obey the law or following the grace of our Lord may becomes question among us now. But let believe that through the grace of our Lord Jesus and believe that the Holy Spirit is our helper, there is nothing can dispute and quarrel among us.
Church may argue for the just and love or feel the Pastor is unfair. Our heard should be open and pure and obey the teaching from Jesus Christ.
How?
Argument may lead church more stronger among Christians, because all of us are not completed. We need keep following the truth of the Lord, and praying to bear this mission from the God.
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