No Other God

And when they had come to him, he said to them: “You know, from the first day that I came to Asia, in what manner I always lived among you, serving the Lord with all humility, with many tears and trials which happened to me by the plotting of the Jews; how I kept back nothing that was helpful, but proclaimed it to you, and taught you publicly and from house to house, testifying to Jews, and also to Greeks, repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.
Acts 20:18-21

In our text today, the apostle Paul is describing to the Ephesian elders the type of ministry he had as he served their souls for three years. His ministry in Ephesus seemed typical of his pattern everywhere else–he started preaching in the synagogue, and after being rejected by the majority of the Jews, he separated from them and taught elsewhere.  As usual, the preaching of the gospel eventually brought intense persecution that threatened his life. It may be easy for us to gloss over such events. Surely Paul was used to resistance by now, but v. 19 in the above passage really hit home with me. We’re not reading about some cold, mechanical process. This brother gave his heart and soul to the ministry, “serving the Lord with all humility, with many tears and trials”. He adds in v. 31, “I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears.” His heart was tender towards these souls, and it grieved him deeply that any would reject eternal salvation in Jesus Christ!

This recap of Paul’s manner of life was not given in order to toot his own horn; rather, he was reminding the Ephesian elders of how they ought to minister to the church. In addition to serving them with humility and tears, the apostle notes that he “kept back nothing that was helpful, but proclaimed it to you”. (v. 20) What a difference such a mindset would make in our speech from day-to-day if we measured our words against this goal! Such was the apostle’s resolve. If it was beneficial, he gave it to them; if it would hinder, he kept it back. In a word, he gave the church only that which would edify their souls.

In Rom 14, we find that Christians are often at different levels of maturity. Because of these various stages in our spiritual growth, we are prone to different temptations, and thus we must be careful that any liberty we have in Christ not cause another brother or sister to stumble because of their weaker conscience. Continuing with this thought, the apostle begins Rom 15 by stating: “We then who are strong ought to bear with the scruples [of conscience] of the weak, and not to please ourselves.” If we will be Christ-centered, then we will in turn be others-centered rather than self-centered. So, “Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, leading to edification.” Just Paul practiced in Ephesus, we should seek to build others up in the faith rather than say and do that which would tear them down. Why? Because ultimately, that pattern reflects the Lord Jesus! “For even Christ did not please Himself; but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached You fell on Me.” (v. 1-3)

It should be obvious to us that words of cruelty and unkindness are not edifying, but even good, religious things can be detrimental when used improperly. Such was the case in the church at Corinth. During a time when the Spirit was manifesting Himself in miraculous ways, they had hearts more focused on spiritual gifts than the Giver of those gifts, and so the use of those gifts were hindering rather than helping. In 1Co 14:1, Paul instructed them to, “Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.” Why the emphasis on prophesying? Well, to prophesy was simply to speak as inspired by God with clarity for all to understand. The benefit of this gift in contrast to others is seen clearly in v. 4: “He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church.” The reason that the gift of prophecy should have been first on the Corinthians list is because the entire church benefited from it! Our activity within the assembly should always be judged by this purpose. “Even so you, since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, let it be for the edification of the church that you seek to excel.”(v. 12)

With that goal in mind, the apostle asked a valid question in v. 26, “How is it then, brethren? Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation.” If my goal is to build up myself alone, then it makes perfect sense that I should always want to be the one speaking, singing, and teaching. But does that attitude reflect the humility with which Paul served the Ephesians? Of course not! Nor does it reflect the servant’s heart that our Lord possessed. If the point is the good of others, then we won’t care who speaks, as long as God is glorified and His people are built up in faith. Thus, Paul reiterates one more time at the end of this verse, “Let all things be done for edification.” So next time, before we speak or act, let us examine our intentions to be sure we are motivated by a desire to eternally benefit all affected by what we do and say. The most glorious attribute of God is reflected in our lives when we live with this singular purpose because “love edifies”. (1Co 8:1)

Jamie

And in a window sat a certain young man named Eutychus, who was sinking into a deep sleep. He was overcome by sleep; and as Paul continued speaking, he fell down from the third story and was taken up dead.
Acts 20:9

Paul arrived in Troas in Act 20:6 with the intention of staying only a week. Obviously the saints there had a strong desire for the word of God preached by the apostle because as they gathered on the first day of the week, Paul was still preaching at midnight! (v. 7) This text is a clear indication of how the hunger a congregation has for the truth will have a positive affect upon the one God has called to preach the word among them. God promises in Mat 5:6 that those who hunger and thirst after righteousness will be filled! It was no doubt a blessed time of communion and worship as the saints gathered in this city, but in the midst of that sweet fellowship, tragedy occurred in v. 9 as a young man suddenly fell to his death. Why would God interrupt such a time of praise with disaster?

Before we continue with this account, let’s contrast this text with 2Sa 6 where David was planning to bring the ark from Baale Judah to Jerusalem. The ark had ended up there after being taken by the Philistines during the reign of Saul. This time was to be a joyous one, a time of worship and praise as the ark was brought to the capital city of Israel. The move was accompanied by much fanfare. V. 5 says, “And David and all the house of Israel played before the LORD on all manner of instruments made of fir wood, even on harps, and on psalteries, and on timbrels, and on cornets, and on cymbals. What a celebration it must have been until v. 7 when God killed Uzzah! The commandment of the Lord was that the ark of the covenant was to be carried by the Kohathites on wooden poles every time it was moved. David, however, had decided to carry the ark on an ox cart, an idea that we first see being practiced by the heathen Philistines! (2Sa 6:3 cmp 1Sa 6:7) Also, when the Kohathites carried the ark, they were not permitted to touch the ark itself under penalty of death! (Exo 25:12-14, Num 4:15, Num 7:9) But, when the oxen pulling David’s cart stumbled, Uzzah reached out to steady the ark and bore the punishment of his sin. Again, a time of celebration and worship was stopped cold in its tracks. The result was that David was afraid and wondered if the ark would ever come to Jerusalem. (2Sa 6:9) Because of disobedience to the Lord’s command, this day ended in despair and defeat instead of rejoicing and worship.

We fast forward now back to our text in Act 20. Similar to 2Sa 6, worship had been interrupted by sudden death, but that’s where the similarities ended. Instead of our account ending in defeat, it concluded with victory! In v. 10, the young man that fell to his death was resurrected, and without missing a beat, Paul and those gathered there enjoyed communion and more of the teaching of the word of God until daybreak. (v. 11) The conclusion of the whole matter was that the people “were not a little comforted,” i.e. they were comforted a whole lot! We asked at the beginning, “Why would God interrupt such a time of praise with disaster?” Now we see why? Because God was going to elevate their praise and worship by miraculous healing this young man! So, why did this tragedy result in comfort when Uzzah’s death resulted in fear and despair? The answer is simple. One group was worshipping God in order while the other was out of order. One gathering was walking in obedience and the other in disobedience.

The apostle Paul wrote a lengthy letter reprimanding the Corinthian church because it was in a mess. The instruction he gave them in 1Co 14:40 summed up the problem: “Let all things be done decently and in order.” We cannot expect God to bless our worship when we worship Him contrary to His instruction! David had patterned his transportation for the ark after the ungodly example of an idolatrous nation. Sadly, much of the practices that go on week after week in houses of worship today originate from the example of the ungodly rather than the instruction of the word of God. I read an article many years ago entitled “Feeding Sheep or Amusing Goats”. I’ve never forgotten it. Given today’s culture, I thought it a timely word, even though it was written in the 1800s! (I found the article online here if you’d like to read it: http://www.biblebb.com/files/spurgeon/amusement.htm) The point is that there is nothing new under the sun. Satan is using the same traps today that he did in years gone by. He would have us remove Christ as the object of our worship and instead put the emphasis upon man. I pray we would return to biblically-based worship which honors the Lord and focuses upon His word. When we diligently seek Him and walk in obedience as they did in Troas, worship will be so strong that even death can’t interrupt it! The Lord is ready to bless us when our hearts are fully fixed on Him: “For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him.” (2Ch 16:9)

Jamie

And when he had said these things, he dismissed the assembly.
Acts 19:41

The circumstances preceding our text today make it a truly amazing verse! In Acts 19, Paul’s travels take him to the city of Ephesus where he preaches the gospel more than two years. However, as we’ve come to expect in Paul’s missionary journeys, eventually the people can bear the truth no more, and in v. 28-29, the whole city is filled with wrath and in an uproar because of the apostle’s teachings against idolatry. In Lystra, this hatred of the gospel lead to Paul being stoned (14:19), and in Philippi, it resulted in his being stripped, beaten, and imprisoned. (16:22-23) It would seem the apostle was well on his way to a similar outcome when the whole riot in Ephesus fizzled out because of our verse above. It is the “he” in our text which makes it so surprising.  Per v. 35, “he” is the city clerk of Ephesus (similar to a mayor), and he doesn’t intervene and disband the angry mob because he agrees with Paul’s doctrine. On the contrary, we find that this man is also an idolater who worshipped the goddess Diana! So, what does our text teach us? That our God is big enough to use anything and anybody to deliver His children!

This fact should greatly encourage the church. Pro 16 contains several verses which highlight the truth that God is in absolute, sovereign control of all men. This town clerk would have been an enemy to Paul’s teaching that the Lord was the one true God, but Pro 16:7 states, “When a man’s ways please the Lord, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.” Our enemies are under God’s control! They can’t resist us unless God permits it!! And if God will have them on our side, they will be. Even if they devise evil in their hearts against us, they may open their mouths and hear blessings come out instead of curses. Just listen to v. 1: “The preparations of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.” Go ask Haman who built gallows on which to hang Mordecai in the book of Esther. Haman got a hard lesson on Pro 16:9 when he ended up being the one hanged. That verse teaches, “A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.”

Of course, this sovereign control of God doesn’t extend only over the ungodly. We are taught in Jam 4:15 that all men should say, “If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that.” No matter what plans we may make, God’s will is that alone which will always come to pass. No one can stop it. Even what we might call chance, such as casting the lot (an Old Testament equivalent to rolling the dice), is guided by the will of the Lord: “The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord.” (Pro 16:33) The only way to guarantee success is to get in line with God’s will. “Delight yourself also in the LORD, And He shall give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass.” (Psa 37:4-5) When we delight in Him and desire His will, we can expect our plans to be established because our wishes will align with His purposes!

So, be encouraged, dear sheep of His pasture. “Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” (Luk 12:32) If He’s determined to give us the kingdom, it’s a done deal! Don’t let this year’s presidential race disturb your peace in Christ. Surely we desire godly leaders who will rule the people in righteousness and justice, but no matter who sits in the White House, he or she is ultimately under God’s authority. “The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD, Like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes.” (Pro 21:1) Remember, God gave His only begotten Son for our eternal preservation. If he loves us enough to make such a sacrifice, “how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?” (Rom 8:32) If God is for us, who can be against us?!! (v. 31) Our God is big enough to make good on His promise that “all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” So, I hope you’re smiling, church. We of all people have reason to do so! 🙂

Love in Christ,
Jamie

This became known both to all Jews and Greeks dwelling in Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified.
Acts 19:17

Our text today follows on the heels of our passage last week. After seven men who took Christianity lightly were brutalized by a demon (see last week’s post), “fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified”. This account is reminiscent of Acts 5 when Ananias and Sapphira were killed for lying to God. The result of this judgment upon them was that “great fear came upon all the church and upon all who heard these things” and “believers were increasingly added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women”. (Act 5:11, 14) In both accounts, when men had a proper fear of God, the Lord was glorified.

Inevitably, when you start talking about the fear of God, someone will quote 1Jo 4:18: “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.” This verse is a glorious one and is reason for rejoicing! The Lord Jesus has delivered all who trust in Him from fear. Heb 2:14-15 reminds us that He died so that “through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.” Praise God for that truth! If we were always conscious of the great love that bought salvation for us, how could we every be fearful? All improper fear, therefore, should be rejected as we fix our eyes on Christ; however, the Scripture repeatedly reminds us that the fear of the Lord is the one fear which must remain.

The two apostles which we have primarily followed as we have studied the book of Acts are Peter and Paul. Both men instructed the church to maintain a proper fear of God. In 1Pe 1:17, Peter wrote, “And if you call on the Father, who without partiality judges according to each one’s work,  conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear”. An awareness that we will all stand before God and give account to Him should prompt us to live daily in the fear of the Lord. Paul said true salvation always includes it: “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.” (Php 2:12-13) If the Spirit is at work in us, the fear of God will be there!

In case you’re wondering, the Greek word translated “fear” in our verses above is the word from which our English word “phobia” is derived. Some may try to water the term down, but you do the word a disservice if you only say it means “reverence” or “respect”. Certainly those terms are included, but this term is nothing less than real fear. It is healthy because it is proper fear. It will help keep us in line as we walk through this life. It will prompt us to strive for holiness. It will encourage us to obey. As Proverbs reminds us, it is “by the fear of the Lord one departs from evil” (16:6), and the “fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” (9:10). We desperately need it in a day when so much foolishness goes on in the name of Jesus Christ. May we properly fear before Him and find our experience to be the same as that of the church in Act 9:31: “And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, they were multiplied.”

Jamie

Then some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists took it upon themselves to call the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, “We exorcise you by the Jesus whom Paul preaches.” Also there were seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, who did so. And the evil spirit answered and said, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?” Then the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, overpowered them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.
Acts 19:13-16

It was clear that these Jewish exorcists were in over their heads by the way they spoke of Jesus. Our knowledge of Him must be personal. Some people only KNOW ABOUT Him. They can recite facts and quote verses, but it’s nothing more than a parrot mimicking its owner. That’s not close enough for salvation. We must KNOW Him! “And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.” (Joh 17:3) These men didn’t know Christ themselves. Rather, He was only “the Jesus whom Paul preaches,” and so they had no power over the enemy. These are those spoken of in 2Ti 2:25-26 “who are in opposition,” caught in Satan’s snare, “having been taken captive by him to do his will.”

We cannot simply know Christ by association. He must be more than our parent’s God, our spouse’s God, or our preacher’s God. He must be our God! Compare for a moment Ruth and Simon the sorcerer. Simon tried to buy the power of the Holy Ghost, but Peter rebuked him saying, “Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you. For I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity.” The sorcerer’s words revealed he still had a problem in his heart: “Then Simon answered and said, ‘Pray to the Lord for me, that none of the things which you have spoken may come upon me.'” (Act 8:22-24) We must approach God personally, not through some saint, if we will know Him. He must be more than just their God. He must be ours!

In contrast, when Ruth’s mother-in-law, Naomi, told her to return to her own people, the Moabites, Ruth wouldn’t hear of it. Naomi’s other daughter-in-law had already returned to her people and their gods, but not Ruth. She replied, “Entreat me not to leave you, or to turn back from following after you; for wherever you go, I will go; and wherever you lodge, I will lodge; your people shall be my people, and your God, my God.” (Ruth 1:16) What a joy to know Him as MY God! So is He to all His children. He prophesied it would be so in the new covenant, this covenant of grace in Christ Jesus: “I will put My laws in their mind and write them on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. None of them shall teach his neighbor, and none his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them.” (Heb 8:10-11)

Jamie