No Other God

From there we circled round and reached Rhegium. And after one day the south wind blew; and the next day we came to Puteoli, where we found brethren, and were invited to stay with them seven days. And so we went toward Rome. And from there, when the brethren heard about us, they came to meet us as far as Appii Forum and Three Inns. When Paul saw them, he thanked God and took courage.
Act 28:13-15

Back in June of 2012 (that’s right, it’s been nearly 5 years!), we began our study of the book of Acts. I can hardly believe that it’s been that long ago. Last week, we reflected over some of the practices of the early Christian church that have been repeatedly highlighted in our study. Our text above mentions one of those themes, namely the constant care for one another found in the early church. Paul was a prisoner, accused of crimes worthy of death by his Jewish brethren, yet when he reached Puteoli, the church embraced him with open arms and cared for him during his stay. When he made it to Appii Forum and Three Inns, the brethren sought him out that they might encourage him in the Lord. The result was that Paul thanked God for them, being strengthened in his spirit by their love and care.

This text reminds us of how we are instructed to give particular attention to the needs of those whom God has called to deliver His word to us. These faithful men labor without material reward as their goal, and yet the church should feel an obligation to see that they are sustained. Twice in Paul’s letters he quotes the Old Testament commandment to not muzzle the ox that treads the corn. (Deu 25:4) As he points out in 1Co 9:6-14, this OT rule was not for the benefit of oxen but rather to teach us that we ought to care for those who labor to give us the spiritual food of God’s word. As he puts it bluntly in v. 14, “Even so the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should live from the gospel.” Paul quotes the verse concerning oxen again in 1Ti 5:17-18 to teach us how we ought to especially value those “who labor in the word and doctrine,” reminding us that “the laborer is worthy of his wages.”

This pattern of care is shown over and over in the book of Acts, but not only towards the apostles and pastors. There was a sincere care for the church as a whole. They clearly lived Gal 6:10: “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.” We saw that from the very outset of the formation of the Christian church, there was a spirit of sharing and unity as they diligently sought to make sure that no one lacked anything within the assembly. Acts 4:32-37 reveals they were “of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common… Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, and laid them at the apostles’ feet; and they distributed to each as anyone had need. (Act 4:32-35)

Certainly, the church over the ages has been burned. In spite of the severe judgment upon Ananias and Sapphira in Act 5, many have followed their sinful example over the years and have taken advantage of God’s people. But such sinful acts should never prompt believers to be hesitant in caring for one another as we are called to do. What God expects from his church hasn’t changed. May we be obedient to His command, “that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.” (1Co 12:24-26) Remember, “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” (Joh 13:35)

Jamie

 

 

 

 

 

I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.
2Ti 4:1-5

If we’ve seen anything as we’ve studied the latter half of the book of Acts, we’ve seen the tremendous burden the Apostle Paul had for preaching the word of God. We just recently read in 28:23 how when he met with the Jews of Rome, “he explained and solemnly testified of the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus from both the Law of Moses and the Prophets, from morning till evening.” We’ve seen this fervency as he tirelessly taught God’s word over and over again, and in our text today, as Paul writes to the younger preacher Timothy, he conveys to Timothy why he viewed this task to be so important.

1) It was a responsibility given by God.

Paul told Timothy, “fulfill your ministry”. (2Ti 4:5) It’s no one else’s. In other words, it was a specific, unique ministry given of God to Timothy. He reminded Timothy of that fact at the outset of this same letter as he urged him to “stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.” (2Ti 1:6) God had intentionally gifted Timothy for this ministry, and therefore he had a special calling to attend to it. If the CEO or President phoned and said, “I have a task that I think you are best equipped to complete,” would we refuse that opportunity,? Of course not! We would understand the great privilege and honor in him calling on us. How much more so ought we to recognize the privilege in attending to the task God has given.

2) He would have to answer to God for how he handled it.

When Paul charged Timothy to fulfill this call to preach the gospel in v. 1 of our text, he also reminded him that a day was coming when all men would give an account before the Lord. Because God had called Timothy for this task, then he would have to answer to God for how he had responded. Heb 13:17 says that those called to rule over the flock of God by giving them His word “watch out for your souls, as those who must give account.” With this calling comes an accountability and men will answer to God for how they used their opportunity to preach His word.  This truth should have some preachers shaking in their boots! When God gives an ability, with that comes a responsibility. Every servant in the parable of the talents was given “according to his own ability,” and so each had the ability to gain more by using properly what he had. But the servant who came back with nothing but the initial talent given was cast “into the outer darkness”! (Mat 25:15, 30)

3) He had a limited opportunity with each group of people he encountered.

Paul understood every time that he preached the gospel that he may never have that opportunity again. “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine,” (2Ti 4:3) and so it was necessary to strike while the iron was hot. Jesus said in Luk 10:2, “The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.” The harvest comes at a particular season and ends in a short time. If not handled promptly, the crop rots and is lost. Likewise, the word must be preached faithfully as God provides the appropriate season for it, knowing that the time is short-lived and will not last. You may never see that person again. They may never be willing to listen again. “Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time.” (Col 4:5)

Children, we may be reading about the Apostle Paul and his son in the faith Timothy, but we all have a calling of God. “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden…Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Mat 5:14-16) It is a call of God for which we must give account, and we have a limited opportunity to attend to it. May we see faithfully to our calling!

Jamie

Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus…
Php 2:1-5

During a season when “love” is so emphasized, it’s good to be reminded of the characteristics of true love. Our text above tells us how someone with a “mind…which was also in Christ Jesus” will love. It isn’t simply a syrupy, emotional expression accompanied by flowers and candy. It’s more than romance and intimacy. This love is self-sacrificial, putting itself dead last. (the choice of that last adjective was intentional since “dead” is how you end up when you live a crucified life in Christ’s pattern)

Consider v. 3 with a few key words emphasized: “Let NOTHING be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem OTHERS BETTER than himself.” How many of our actions and intentions must be measured by this standard? ALL of them because NOTHING is excluded! Which people in our lives are in view here? EVERYONE because they all qualify as being OTHERS! And how should we consider these individuals compared to ourselves. As deserving BETTER than we do!

Honestly, I’m afraid if I say much more I’ll detract from the weight of that verse. Imagine the impact we would have as Christians if we were driven every moment by that command. Do we have to attend to our own things at times? Sure! We just need to make sure we “look out not only for [our] own interests, but also for the interests of others.” And when we look out for others, do it BETTER than we do for ourselves! How will men know that we love the Lord our God with all our heart, with all our soul, and with all our mind”? When we love our neighbor AS we love ourselves! (Mat 22:37-40) I’d say we have our work cut out for us today…

Jamie

And it happened that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and dysentery. Paul went in to him and prayed, and he laid his hands on him and healed him. So when this was done, the rest of those on the island who had diseases also came and were healed.
Acts 28:8-9

The natives of the island of Malta were said to have shown Paul and his companions “unusual kindness; for they kindled a fire and made us all welcome, because of the rain that was falling and because of the cold.” (v. 2) Later we read in v. 7 that Publius, who was likely the governor, “received us and entertained us courteously for three days.” In return for this kindness shown the Lord’s servant, our text today tells us that Publius’ father along the rest of the sick on the island were all healed!

We’ve seen this blessing on others elsewhere in Scripture due to their care for God’s people. Though Potiphar likely worshiped false gods like the other Egyptians, Gen 39:5 tells us “the Lord blessed the Egyptian’s house for Joseph’s sake; and the blessing of the Lord was on all that he had in the house and in the field.” If the world understood this principle, there would certainly be less animosity toward the children of God!

But there is one further point to make. The people of Malta did indeed enjoy natural blessings as a result of their kindness to Paul, but they were also left accountable as they heard and saw his witness among them. Sooner or later, men will have to pick sides. Potiphar appreciated Joseph like Herod did John the Baptist (Gen 39:4, Mar 6:20), but both men failed when put on the spot. (Gen 39:19,20, Mar 6:25-28) They sided with the world rather than with God’s men. It is a blessing to have the light for a season, but that blessing becomes a curse if men ultimately walk away from it. They are now more accountable, and “it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them.” (2Pe 2:21)

Jamie

But when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat, and fastened on his hand. So when the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he has escaped the sea, yet justice does not allow to live.” But he shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm. However, they were expecting that he would swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But after they had looked for a long time and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds and said that he was a god.
Acts 28:3-6

I can’t help but think of Satan as I read in our text above of the viper coming out of the sticks to latch onto the apostle. Paul was attacked while doing good (laboring and gathering wood for the fire) not evil! When we labor for the Lord, we put bulls-eyes on our backs. Satan’s not concerned with those practicing wickedness; he’s after the ones following the Lord! “Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.” (2Ti 3:12)

And, what drives the serpent out of hiding to attack Paul? The heat! Why does Satan attack? Because he knows where he’s heading. He can feel the heat of the lake of fire for which he’s destined, and he despises those who will escape his fate. He wants to take as many with him as he can. Rev 12:12 reads, “Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea! For the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time.” His days are numbered, and the consciousness of that truth fills him with rage.

When the heathen idolaters of Malta see Paul being bitten by this venomous snake, they are sure he has committed some horrible sin and has been cursed by the gods. When are we going to get out of our heads the thought that things going well evidences God’s favor and things going badly does not? That’s heathen thinking not Christian thinking! We’re abandoning the central theme of the gospel when we think that way. We’re forgetting what Jesus said to remember every time we participate in the Lord’s Supper, namely His wrongful death! To think in that fashion is to mentally cast off the cross of Christ.

Job’s three friends thought, “How can this man know God and suffer this way?” One of the three, Eliphaz, said to Job, “Is it because of your fear of Him that He corrects you, and enters into judgment with you? Is not your wickedness great, and your iniquity without end?” (Job 22:4-5) He then proceeded to list out the crimes he was sure Job must have been guilty of. But we know that Job was being attacked by Satan himself because God had described him as “a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil”. Men tend to see the attack of the enemy as evidence of being under God’s wrath. In Job’s case, however, it was evidence of God’s favor! They ridiculed Christ in the same way, mocking Him: “He trusted in God; let Him deliver Him now if He will have Him…” (Mat 27:43) They questioned the Father’s favor for the Son, and yet there was no one else of Whom God the Father said, “You are My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” (Mar 1:11)

We can’t take a snapshot and judge a person’s relationship with God. If you compare Job at the moment all of his children are killed (Job 1:18-20) with Haman, the enemy of the Jews in the book of Esther, when he is bragging of the multitude of his offspring (Est 5:11), you might draw a wrong conclusion about the way things are going to turn out. Snapshots can be deceiving. People put on smiles for the camera, but there’s no way to know what they looked like five minutes before or after. You have to wait to see how things turn out. The latter end of Job was better than his beginning. (Job 42:12), and in the end, justice was served Haman as he was hung and all his sons killed! (Est 7:10, 9:10)  We have in our main text a brief presentation of what may take years to be clear in the life of the child of God, but we are encouraged in our account to see that the enemy’s attack will not be fatal. In the end, we will shake him off into the fire and will suffer no harm. Satan’s attacks will only work for our good and will ultimately manifest God’s favor for us. “Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts. Then each one’s praise will come from God.” (1Co 4:5)

Jamie