Tuesday
Have you ever wondered just what exactly draws people to Christianity and what turns them away?
Paul and Barnabas are “set apart” for a special work that the Holy Spirit has called them to. They are to be missionaries, taking the gospel message to various places.
It was Paul practice to go to the synagogues first and speak to the Jews. They would wait until a time would come when they were offered a chance to speak and Paul would give them a great sermon.
He would first talk about the history of God’s chosen people, using various Old Testament verses and making sure they see the connection between David and Jesus. The promise of the Messiah through the Davidic line making sure that he turns the focus onto Jesus. This Jesus is the promised One, God’s Son, sent into the world to save the world, through his death and resurrection. Jesus’ death and resurrection made for us a way to have our sins forgiven. “Through him everyone who believes is set free from every sin, a justification you were not able to obtain under the law of Moses.” (vs 39).
(On a side-note, this outline of the salvation message is known as the Kerygma, a three-fold message of the early church. We see it at least 8 times in the New Testament.)
On the following Sabbath, Paul once again addresses the congregation and this time is met with opposition. The Jews in authority are jealous and they stir up trouble. Paul then explains to them that this why he is going to go to the Gentiles, using Isaiah 49:6 as his basis.
“We had to speak the word of God to you first. Since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles.” (vs 46) They shook the dust off their feet and left and continued on to Iconium. (Mark 6:11)Did you notice that even though they are met with opposition they leave feeling very joyful? This tells me that even when we are challenged and often ridiculed for our beliefs, we can still feel the joy of the Lord. It is all about doing what you are called to do. It is hard for many to share their testimonies; we don’t like to be criticized or put down or made fun of, but when we do what we know we should be doing, even if we are rejected, remember it is not us that people reject… it is God. We are not in the business of saving people – that’s the Holy Spirit’s job, we are only responsible for witnessing and sharing the message of Christ to those we encounter. So when you feel frustrated because you don’t see people turning to God every time you share, just remember the hope of Isaiah 55:11.
You know there is a gift of God that I like to claim, and that is the “peace that passes all understanding.”
Through the power of the Holy Spirit we can feel the same joy that Paul and Barnabas and the rest of the apostles are experiencing.
Speak the Word of God in Truth
Pastor Kathy