v. 3 Often the Lord will give us opportunities for greater fellowship with those who are like us, of who share our interest or our trade. We should count these opportunities for great blessing and take full advantage of the time. Training and fellowship will often occur during the participation of some activity. This ought not to be despised, but instead, embraced and given thanks for.

v. 6 Paul was innocent because he proclaimed the Word of the Lord to them. But he would not have been innocent had he held back with the Word of the Lord. No doubt this way of thinking flowed from the word of the Lord to Ezekiel. All of us are watchmen, over those within our sphere, and we will be held accountable for how well we pointed them to Jesus.

v. 8 No doubt Crispus was a key convert, because of his place of leadership. No doubt Crispus’ leadership had prepared the way for Paul, because if he was humble enough to hear the Word, those under his care were probably largely the same.

v. 10 Note the Lord’s words, “for I have many in this city who are my people.” The present tense is amazing. They are His people. But had they all believed yet? No. Of course not. That is why the Lord told Paul to continue preaching His Word. But they are still among the people of God. So it continues today. We go not to create the people of God, but to find them through the faithful proclamation of the gospel. They were set apart from the foundation of the world. Jesus came for His sheep and gave His life up for them. We do not know who they are, but we can find out by persistently pointing all people to Jesus.

v. 11 That is quite a time investment. And surely this was not the only place Paul spent a great deal of time. He moved rapidly, but the Lord graciously grants times of extended fellowship and ministry–all within His gracious providence.

v. 17 These Jews acted like children who, desiring their parents’ attention, beat up on others. Yet Gallio wisely did not go for it.

Gallio’s actions in this circumstance show the mentality of the Romans towards the Jews and Christians at the time–at least in some regions that is.

v. 23 “strengthening all the disciples.” No matter where he went, he served to strengthen the disciples. Surely with the teaching of much truth and great exhortation. He pointed them to Jesus time and again.

v. 26 So Priscilla and Aquila remained in Ephesus to teach the church. So much of the fruit in Ephesus was their fruit. In particular, they helped to train Apollos, or at least give him a great depth by giving him a greater understanding of things.

v. 2 Imagine the disciples’ shock when they heard Jesus’ words. Of course, they should have been used to this by now, for Jesus was continually surprising them with His responses. Yet here is one of the disciples, making a simple observation when Jesus to some extent, ‘shoots him down.’ You never know what you are going to get from Jesus. You cannot figure Him out. Jesus really does blow apart all the contemporary notions of how we ought to live as Christians. We are surely far too predictable in our behavior, because we adhere to a standard that we have devised ourselves. Most of us measure our own behavior and the behavior of others not after Jesus Christ, but after the popular notion of Christian conduct, a notion that is probably not too well informed by the Jesus we find in Scripture.

Let’s break free from that mold. Not entirely of course, because there are plenty of good things within that mold. But we are desperate for the grace to embrace the standard of human conduct we find in the Incarnate Son.

v. 3 Here we find the two sets of brothers together. You have to imagine that this happened quite often.

v. 6 “they will lead many astray.”

v. 8 All these we find in the world right now and throughout history.

v. 9 “But be on your guard.” Here is a command we hear time and time again throughout Scripture, in various forms of course. Be ready. Be diligent. Stay awake. Never is their moment that we can ‘relax’ spiritually. No vacation from the pursuit of God. That is a main reason why it is so difficult. We always must be pressing forward in pursuit. We must always be on our guard to the glory of God.

v. 10 This must take place before Jesus returns. And it is probably not finished yet. It could be, but it probably isn’t.

v. 13 Hated by all, meaning people from every sphere of life anywhere. Just as the elect are a representative people, meaning people from every tongue, tribe, language, and nation and every sphere of life, rich and poor, etc. etc, so also the unbelieving are a representative people. Everywhere we turn there will be unbelievers. We will be hated and opposed by people in every sphere.

Yet endurance is needed, for ‘the one who endures to the end will be saved.’ So those who fail to endure will not be saved. Eternal security and the perseverance of the saints do not conflict, but instead work hand in hand.

v. 20 And this isn’t the only thing the Lord does for the sake of His elect.

It is interesting to note that in our present religious culture, one cannot speak like Jesus without facing much opposition. In this instance, I mean speaking of God’s elect. In many circles, these are dangerous words, yet here they are flowing from the mouth of our Lord.

v. 23 “But be on your guard; I have told you all things beforehand.” Notice that Jesus wants to take the element of surprise away from us. We ought not to be surprised when we face opposition or when false Christs show up on the scene. We must be on our guard to remember the Word of the Lord and take even great opposition in stride, for we should know it is coming.

v. 27 This surely speaks of the final day. And again, Jesus calls us “His elect.” His chosen ones. How humbling it is to be among the chosen of God! We have no room to boast. For we have chosen Him solely because He chose us before the foundation of the world. O Lord, give me the grace to think through this truth until it takes my breath away–as it ought!

v. 33 “Be on guard, keep awake. For you do not know when the time will come.” We cannot be reminded of this great need enough. The need to be on our guard. The need to stay awake. Life is war and there is no letting up without losing ground. May the Lord grant us grace to continually be on our guard and to stay awake for the glory of His great name.

v. 37 Time and time again, Jesus returns to this simple command, “Stay awake.” Watch out. Be careful. O Lord, grant us such grace for the sake of Your name! Grant us such grace even today.

v.1-2 Those whom the Lord blesses are responsible to bear great fruit. Those who sit under the Word day after day are more responsible for fruit than the one who has heard the Word only once. So also the man who has the opportunity to hear the Word, but who neglects to do so is held more responsible than the man who has no opportunity. Let us beware of despises our privileges. Or of taking them for granted and thinking that they somehow belong to us rather than Another.

v. 2 There comes a day of reckoning. That day is the final day. But there are also seasons of blessings that the Lord checks in on to see our response. That is, He showers blessings upon us and then wants to see what we do with those blessings. He is checking in on us, just as we would check in on our children after we bless them with something that we expect them to make a return upon.

Note also that we are called to maximize the abilities that the Lord has given us, just as the servants were called to maximize the potential fruit in the garden. He has given ample provision for great fruit. Thus, we are responsible for great fruit. This means cultivation, work, discipline, diligence. We must be careful not to neglect these things on the basis of their being difficult.

We all have various abilities that we are called to maximize to the glory of God. Of course this maximization must fit into the whole scheme of life. That is, every ability and gift must be weighed and discerned through, so that one can understand the place it is supposed to have in one’s life, at the time you now find yourself in.

v. 4 Notice how patient the Lord is with His people. He gives them opportunity after opportunity. He is patient with you, not wanting any perish, but all to come to repentance.

v. 9 Those who persist in failing to bear the fruit of the kingdom will have the blessings of the kingdom taken away. America, we must beware!

v. 14 This statement is very true, though it comes through the mouth of deceitful men. Notice that they were trying to soften Him up by speaking truth concerning Him.

v. 17 There is no contradiction between submission to governing authorities and submission to God (Romans 13). And where there clearly is, it is better (much better!) to obey God rather than man.

v. 28 This wording seems to point to the possibility that the scribe really wanted to know this answer.

v. 30-31 If one obeys these two commandments, one obeys all of God’s commandments.

v. 34 You have to wonder how the scribe responded to Jesus’ words. “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” No false hope here. We would have probably offered a big congratulatory speech, but Jesus utters these simple and convicting words, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” Clearly, He is implying that the scribe is not in the kingdom of God. He simply means what He says, the scribe is not far from the kingdom. His heart is in a good place, but not the best place.

v. 41-44 What is one to do with this? Jesus commends this radical, risky giving. The widow banked her entire hope upon the Lord. She held nothing back and trusted that the Lord would provide for her needs accordingly. Clearly, the Lord loves sacrificial giving, not as an end in and of itself, but as means to the greater end of manifesting the worth and beauty of Almighty God.

What do we know of such risky giving?

v. 16-24 The owners of this girl probably had little problem with Paul and Silas until they took away their hope of gain. Their response shows what they truly worshiped, namely, money. Of course, they go before the magistrates with another story, but their motivations are very plain. Clearly they wanted punishment dished out to these two men. Usually, unbelievers have very little problem with the gospel until it does something to mess with the comfort of their own lives. This could include the conversion of a family member even. Also, when we want something, we are good manipulators. We argue well by not giving away our true motivations. In this instance, the men argued quite religiously although their primary motivation was selfish for sure. We do the very same thing and ought to beware of our selfish motivations.

v. 25 No doubt this was a primary way in which Paul and Silas fought for their faith in the midst of this difficult circumstance. They were rejoicing yes, but that does not necessarily mean that such rejoicing was an easy thing to do! When trouble comes and we have no Bible with us, we are wise to pray and to sing.

v. 30 Apparently, the jailer had already heard the message to some extent, for he knew the right question to ask.

v. 31-34 Here is a middle of the night conversion. Here is a night full of joy!

v. 40 Their encouragement no doubt included many exhortations.

v. 2 It is interesting that the ‘inner three’ consist of Peter and the two brothers, James and John. A notable name missing from these three is Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. I have to wonder what the ‘dynamic’ within the group was like. As regards Andrew, it is particularly interesting, because he was the one who first introduced Peter to Jesus! And I have to think the formation of this ‘inner circle’ was a rather obvious thing. Surely they still got along and worked well together, but various relational issues must have been addressed. It is also noteworthy that we never find Jesus addressing the matter. Particularly for us today, where everyone expects everything to be ‘equal,’ this is important to note. The leader made the call. Things were as He determined they should be.

v. 10 There were plenty of times that the disciples needed to more carefully think Jesus’ words through, but this time was not necessarily one of them. Instead, they needed to take them for exactly what they meant. It meant He would die and rise again. We can understand why the disciples were looking for something else (in light of Jesus various parables and other sayings). But in this instance, it can probably be said that the disciples had no framework to understand this message, so they looked for something else.

v. 11 Definitely a legitimate question.

v. 15 Just imagine the scene. Jesus could barely go anywhere without being mobbed. Always He was giving out during these 3 hectic years.

v. 23 “All things are possible for one who believes.” The world has highjacked this reality to fit their own devising. You can do anything you believe you can do, they tell us. Yet their going to one extreme must not lead us to go to another. Jesus says it, “All things are possible for one who believes.” We need to deal with this statement. And I would venture to say that often, those who love their Bible most are quick to skim over such verses, because they don’t seem to fit in their theological scheme. Yet that is all the more reason to deal faithfully with such a text and make it one’s own. “All things are possible for one who believes.” Are we seeking the Lord for a great blessing? Well then, do we believe Him for it? Not only, do we believe He can do it? But do we believe that He will? And the difference is a big one.

That which we do not believe we can obtain we will not obtain. Because we can’t. And we can’t b/c we do not believe. Jesus might here be referring to receiving a particular blessing from God. But it is often true that particular blessings must be worked for with diligence. If I want to be blessed with basketball success, I am going to have to work….and I am going to have to believe. My work isn’t the whole story. Unless the Lord builds the house….However, it is still a big part of the story. And belief gives meaning and power and diligence to my work. If I do not believe that God can and will grant it, I will not work for it and thus, achieve it or be blessed with it. Anything is possible for him who believes. And on the flipside, nothing is possible for the man of unbelief. Vision is good, but it is not enough. I must also belief that I can attain that vision and that God wants to grant it. The two go hand in hand.

v. 29 And surely the kind of prayer Jesus is speaking of is a persistent and consistent life of prayer. Jesus had power in prayer because He prayed often. There is simply no getting around this. Jesus prayed with both quality and quantity. Our power in the face of Satan is in large part determined by our power in prayer.

v. 32 What is there not to understand right? But they had no framework that could deal with a crucified Messiah? Therefore, in their minds, Jesus could mean anything, but exactly what He plainly said. How often do the limitations of our theological frameworks hinder our ability to understand greater theological truth? We are blind to some things, but why? How easily we become comfortable with our limited theological frameworks! We are wise to realize that we always have much to learn, that we are always operating with great limitations that we are largely ignorant of. If we are not growing in a depth of theological wisdom that challenges what we already know, we probably aren’t growing, but instead, are simply comfortable with where we are. What a great danger it is to learn a little truth (even great truth) and fail to search out all its implications! Even if we learn nothing ‘new,’ we ought to continually be growing in a greater depth of what we already know. Deep down, a lot of us think we have it all figured out. We have answers for everything. O let us beware of such arrogance! If we think we know, we know not what we think.

I for one am tired of listening to men and women with very limited theological frameworks hold onto a few good and often central things to the neglect of the various implications of all those things. Or to the neglect of greater and more challenging truth. More worldview transforming truth. It is easy for us to get a hold of a few things and to make them our ‘bread and butter’ so to speak. But it is not wise for us to take this road. It often shows that we like where we are and want to remain there. But in the end, this doesn’t help as many people as we might think. Sure, it might seem good to become a ‘theological specialist’ of some sort, a person with a particular burden and emphasis, but in the end, we limit our ability to influence people with our particular burden by limiting our worldview, by limiting our theological knowledge. Theological specialists are good to a certain degree, but only to the degree that they understand their ‘specialties’ in light of the big picture. And often it is the case that our ‘specialties’ become our ‘big picture.’ And when this is the case, we aren’t serving people as well as we might think.

Our theological frameworks must have a place for everything. They must have a big vision and understanding of the Lord and His kingdom–and the building of that kingdom. Let us cast off our limited understandings of the Lord and His kingdom in order to dive into greater depths. More challenging depths yes. But more joy-filled depths as well. Indeed, the more we come to understand and search out in the Word of God, the more we will find meaning in every single moment of our lives. Only then will we know what it means to bring glory to God in every facet of life.

v. 34 Here they were like children who recognized after-the-fact how wrong they were to be talking about what they were talking about. In the heat of the moment, we often fail to realize that we should not be doing or saying what we are saying. Then, afterwards, we are slow to acknowledge this fact, even though our silence (when asked about us) plainly exposes our sin. We are wise to repent as quickly as possible, to always keep our accounts short with the Lord.

v. 1 No doubt his approval of Stephen’s execution stuck with Paul for the rest of his life. It is all to God’s glory that a man so zealous to destroy the church would be a primary instrument through which the church would be built up throughout the ages. The Lord uses the most unlikely of men and women to build up His kingdom. 1 Corinthians 1:26-31.

v. 1 It is interesting to note that the apostles were able to remain in Jerusalem. Some have suggested that this is because the persecution arose especially against the believing Hellenists. This seems likely, because the rest of this chapter deals with Philip’s travels–and he was a Greek-speaking Jew. During this time, the believing Jewish church still retained much of their Jewishness. Therefore, persecution against them was not nearly as strong, not to mention they had a much greater hold in the community.

v. 3 In just a few months, he would be entering house to house in order to persuade them that Jesus is the Christ! How awesome is our God! Is anything too hard for Him?

v. 4 Persecution was used here to spread the Word of God to the Gentiles. Persecution is still used to take the Word of God to where it needs to go. Think of all the Christians that go to prison and share the gospel in prison. Maybe one of the reasons why the Lord stirs up persecution is to make His people go where they are so slow to go! There are surely seasons of persecution that in some respect are works of discipline for our disobedience. That is not to say that this is the case here, but it is surely a possibility. Either way, we can be sure that no matter where we are headed, we are commanded to preach the Word–to present Jesus Christ (just as Philip did– v. 5).

v. 6 The Lord always wants His Word accompanied by power. And even if we are not working miracles, we ought to be living lives of power–lives that bear witness to a supernatural work. For apart from this kind of life, what can we really witness to?

v. 7 Christians are called to make the world as it ought to be. We are the agents through which the Lord is going to make thing as they ought to be. Not fully now, but we ought to be working towards it nonetheless. Wellness and wholeness are not abstractions. Disease is. In every sphere of life, we ought to be working to subdue the earth and exercise dominion over it in such a way that the common good is served and the glory of God revealed. v. 8 And when we do so, there will be great joy.

v. 13 Simon was pursuing the loaves.

v. 14 The apostles were sent to authenticate this message to a certain degree. Or maybe the Holy Spirit was withheld for the sake of the Jewish church, so that they might realize that the Lord clearly brought the same blessing upon the Gentiles.

v. 20 Peter wasn’t shy in his rebuke at all. We are probably much too shy in many a situation. A sharp rebuke is a godly and needed thing. Who is dishing such rebukes out today?

v. 24 You have to wonder what ever became of Simon.

v. 25 It is interesting to note that they were already familiar with these regions, because Jesus had led them through there.

v. 27 Philip immediately obeys. Imagine the timing to all these events. Just think of all the little details that had to lead to this encounter. Then think of your day today, all the ‘random’ events that work out precisely according to plan–God’s plan. Sure, Philip was called to go, but the timing of it all is awesome indeed, particularly when you consider all the unmentioned details that went into this encounter. Let us never tire of praising God for His sovereign wisdom and His precise providence!

v. 27 Notice also that this man was prepared to hear the message of the gospel. His heart was humble, prepared, ready. Before the Lord saves a man through the gospel, He prepares His heart to receive the message of the gospel. And He does so in a thousand big and small ways. Regeneration occurs in a moment, but preparation for that moment entails the whole of one’s life.

v. 30 What are the ‘chances’ of him reading this precise prophecy at this precise moment? Let us rejoice in the ‘coincidences’ of life.

v. 31 We all need teachers. This to me commends the reading of many books. Not too many books, but many nonetheless.

v. 31 His invitation to Philip is a clear indication of his humble heart. He knew he needed help.

v. 35 We ought to be able to present the gospel beginning with any Scripture.

v. 37 Those who truly receive the gospel will be jealous to obey. This also indicates that Philip had told him of his need to be baptized.

Joshua fails to consult the Lord when the Gibeonites come to him asking for peace. As a result, he makes an oath he should not have made. Then, we find him and the nation of Israel diverted from their present task, because they must now defend the Gibeonites from the kings that Adoni-zeked gathered against them.

We are wise to consult the Lord on any opportunity that comes our way. When we act hastily, we often make decisions that divert our attention from our true calling. Particularly leaders must be diligent to wait upon the Lord. For it is only in His presence that our calling can be clarified and thus, our daily decisions seen in their proper light.

With all that being said, we can still see that the gathering of the kings against Gibeon enabled Israel to defeat them in one full-sweep. This surely was from the Lord. For they were going to have to defeat them either way.

10:8 Joshua clearly learned his lesson and thus, waits until he hears from the Lord.

10:11 Here again is the fierce judgment of God. We must remember how wicked these people had become.

10:29-43 Though they conquered swiftly, notice that they did so little by little–one at a time.

v. 1-6 He is intimately acquainted with all our ways. There is nothing that He does not know with a complete and full knowledge. Nothing about the world. Nothing about us. Before we even think a thought, He knows it completely. He sees our final day with the same clarity that He sees our present day. Surely such thoughts are beyond us–always and forever beyond us.

v. 8-12 He is intimately acquainted with all our ways, b/c He is everywhere. There is no place where He is not. So there is no place we can go where we are not in His presence. Always, God sees perfectly and clearly. Never is there a day of confusion for Him. We see dimly, but He always sees face to face.

v. 13-16 He is intimately acquainted with all our ways, b/c He is our Creator. He knows what motivates us, what stirs us. He knows our inner make-up. He knows our every disposition and response. Never can we surprise Him because He knows us better than we know ourselves. He knows the precise circumstances that will bring about the response He has ordained. And He ordains accordingly, many times using external ‘happening’ to stir internal response. The Lord moves the hearts of kings (and everyone else), most of the time using the most ordinary of means to do so. A word here. A ‘random’ statement from a stranger. A strange ‘coincidence.’ A song. Any number of things really. And it is here that the wisdom of the Lord is especially seen.

v. 15 What a comfort is is to know that the Lord knows not only where we presently are, but where we are headed. He has a plan for us. He knows where He taking us, who He wants us to become, how we fit into His grand plan of redemption. And precisely how He will make us who He wants us to be. Every day is written. I don’t know what this day holds, but God does. And He has promised me that no matter what comes, He is working for my good and His glory. No matter what comes, it comes from His hand, no matter how difficult that may be to believe. Therefore, I can risk. I can ‘go for it.’ I can live wholeheartedly and fall wholeheartedly (if I must) and trust that the Lord is working wholeheartedly for my good through it all.

v. 19-22 Here we see how practical theology really is. David is in the midst of difficulty. And He finds comfort in theological truth. He looks to that which is really real and rejoices. Though his enemies encamp against him, his heart will not fear, because he knows the Lord orders his steps and is working for his good. And if God is for us, who is against is? Who really?

v. 8 “The Lord will fulfill His purpose for me; your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands.”

We can take great confidence in the fact that God will fulfill the purpose for which He created us. But as is usually the case, we must not allow this confidence to lead us to inaction. Instead, we must actively pursue His purpose. We must seek to know HIm and then, His will. We cannot be content to coast and then act as if the Lord is fulfilling His great purpose. If we never struggle with what our purpose is, we will probably never fulfill it. For our confidence that the Lord will fulfill His purpose for us is not meant to keep us from struggle, but to enable us to endure struggle. It is only when we believe that the Lord has a purpose for us and that He will fulfill it, that we can be confident He wants to make it known to us. But let us beware of believing that His making it known will come easy. For nothing could be further from the truth!

Observations from this Psalm concerning worship should be quite plain.

1) Repetition is by no means a bad thing. For this is the means of meditation. We must hold a great central reality before our eyes time and time again. And the best way to do so is by saying it out loud. This is why the preacher should have a heart set ablaze more than anyone else. He gets to exalt over the Word of God out loud week after week! Incredible.

2) Repetition is not enough. As good as the truth is that is repeated (“for his steadfast love endures forever”), we need to put contours on that statement or to support it with facts. And this is exactly what this worship leader does. Truth after truth, fact after fact, reality after reality is cited to make that repetitious statement more full of passion and power.

Our songs today should reflect these two things. Repeat all you want, but make sure to give ample and consistent foundations to make those repetitions full of passion and power!