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S-Scripture: Acts 25:19, “19 but had some questions against him about their own religion and about a certain Jesus, who had died, whom Paul affirmed to be alive.”
O-Observation: Paul is on trial for his faith in the resurrection of Jesus Christ and for blasphemy of the Jews Religion. One must remember that Paul was a Roman Citizen. Henry Halley said, “Festus succeeded Felix as Governor, 60 AD. The Jews were still plotting to murder Paul. Festus, though convinced of Paul’s innocence, was disposed to turn him over to the Jews; which Paul as a Roman Citizen, he had a right to do, and which appeal Festus had to honor. Paul’s Roman Citizenship, probably conferred on his father for some service to the State, more than once saved his life.” 1. Halley, Henry H., Halley’s Bible Handbook(Minneapolis: Special Edition printed by permission of Zondervan Publishing House, 1962), p. 477
A-Application: The Apostle Paul did his part in taking the Good News to Governors, Kings, Jews, Gentiles, Rich, Poor, Religious and Nonreligious. Now, it’s our turn! We have been given the responsibility of reaching our Generation for Christ. How will we do it? We will do it with the same fervor, the same boldness, the same Spirit in which the Apostle Paul did it! We must be about Life-Style Evangelism! I believe Paul did not have an outline or a program to help him spread the Good News, but what he had was a life that had been radically changed by Jesus! We must learn to pray for boldness, courage and strength to share God’s love with the people in our communities, and in the world.
P-Prayer: Father in Heaven, help us to make known the gospel of Jesus Christ to those who do not know, and those who have yet to believe! Lord, I pray that you’ll give me an opportunity today to make a new disciple for You! I ask this in the precious Name of Jesus! Amen!
S-Scripture: Acts 16:25, “Around midnight, Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening.” (NLT)
O-Observation: Paul and Silas had been beaten and thrown into prison for casting a demon out of a fortune-teller. The masters’(of this fortune-teller) hopes of wealth were shattered, they grabbed Paul and Silas, and caused an uproar in the city. Paul and Silas were beaten, their feet were placed in stocks, and they were thrown into prison. At Midnight, Paul and Silas prayed and were singing praises to God. The great thing about this story is their personal testimony. They were not only a testimony of the greatness of God with their words, but their actions, and because of this, many came to faith in Christ.
A-Application: I can learn to be more bold in my witness for Christ. Part of the reason many Christians are not being persecuted for their faith (in America) is because we are not bold. We’re not making a difference. We are reacting to culture, instead of creating culture.
P-Prayer: Father in heaven, it is my prayer to be more bold for You! I want to be a testimony of Your greatness with both my words and actions. Help all of your disciples (especially in America) to see that our greatest reason for existence is to see those outside the Christian faith (those who are lost) come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. In Jesus Name. Amen.
S-Scripture: Acts 15:25-26, “it seemed good to us (the local church), being assembled with one accord (unity), to send chosen men to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
O-Observation: Acts 15 is full of good stuff. This chapter deals with salvation by grace through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. The local church reassured the believers that the Holy Spirit, and the church did not lay any greater burden on the Gentiles. They were saved the exact same way the Jews were saved. Praise the Lord! As great of a message as salvation by grace is in this chapter, I felt compelled to write about these faithful men who had risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Many of these men boldly preached the gospel of Jesus Christ. If you’ll remember, Paul was stoned and left for dead in Acts 14:19. These faithful men were willing to go to their grave because of the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
A-Application: Today, we aren’t willing to go across the street for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ! I need to step it up! I need to be willing to risk my life for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. His Name is above all names. One day, every knee will bow and tongue will confess that Jesus is Lord to the glory of God the Father. It is His name that we represent! Let us be men and women who are found faithful!
P-Prayer: Father, Your Name is above all names! You deserve our best! Help us to be found faithful. Give us boldness to tell of the wonders and the glory of Your name. In Jesus Name. Amen!
S-Scripture: Acts 4:13, “Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marvelled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus.” (NKJV)
O-Observation: Peter and John had just healed a man who was crippled from birth in Acts 3:6. Peter and John’s boldness and mercy cost them a night in the Poky! When the rulers gathered together to discuss this matter, here is what happened:
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They saw the boldness of Peter and John.
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They marvelled at their wisdom.
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They realized that these men had been with Jesus.
A-Application: As a Christ Follower, I must pray for boldness, wisdom, and a genuine heart. When people see my life, what do they see? Do they say, “What a coward?” or do they say, “What a man of God?” May they never boast of my accomplishments, but may they always know by my testimony that I am a man who has been with Jesus!
P-Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for the example of Peter and John. Thank you for the boldness that you give us when we share the wonderful message of the gospel. Father, I pray for a woman named Krista and a man named Jeff M. tonight. Lord, open their eyes, so that they may see Jesus! Thank you for the opportunities that you give to us to share Your message. In Jesus name. Amen.
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