Widening the Table

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 1 Peter 2:9

The Spirit of God empowers the church to join in reaching all people. That is why our Mission Statement is: "To Be and To Make Disciples of Jesus Christ." We can't do it on our own, that isn't how it works. 

We are empowered by the Holy Spirit to reach out to all people. That is the mission we have been intentionally preaching and teaching about for the past few years.

While this has always been our mission, it is Jesus' mission for us too. Just look at scripture and you realize it is our calling, our duty as disciples to reach out and widen our horizons. People used to speak of the priesthood of all believers. 

In Old Testament times, people did not approach God directly. There was a priestly intermediary. Now, since Jesus' death and resurrection, we can come directly into God's presence, as Hebrews 4:16 says.  Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. 

The Sky is Falling

Acts 24:10-16

 

 

^“I do admit this to you: I worship the God of our ancestors by following that Way which they say is false. But I also believe in everything written in the Law of Moses and the books of the prophets.”      Acts 24:14 GNT

 

In the children’s story Chicken Little, the lead character of the same name, went around telling everyone that “the sky is falling” because an acorn had fallen on his head. He truly believed this was the case and acted accordingly, but of course he was seriously wrong.

 

Like Chicken Little, Paul had an event happen in his life that got his attention. On his way to Damascus, Jesus struck him blind with a bright light. As a result, Paul went around telling everyone about Jesus. And now, defending himself before Governor Felix, Paul claims to believe in the same God and the same Old Testament as those men who were accusing him of wrongdoing.

 

If Paul truly believed the same as his accusers, why is there such a dramatic difference in their lives?

 

God is at work in each of our lives to draw us to Him, to mold us into His image and to serve Him. How has He got your attention? What version of an acorn or a bright light has He used to accomplish this? How has God spoken into your life? And most importantly, how have you responded?

 

You may have heard the saying, “A man is only as good as his word”. The same is true of God, and God is always faithful to His word. That is why Paul trusted Him before Governor Felix. That is why we can trust Him.

 

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”        Jeremiah 29:11

 

God is faithful and because of that, His Word can be trusted. It was true thousands of years ago. It is true today for you and for me.

 

So, how indeed have you responded to the acorns and bright lights in your life? Do you run around saying “the sky is falling”? Or do you trust in the Living God of the Old Testament like Paul did?

 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=acts%2024%3A10-16&version=NIV;GNT

https://www.biblegateway.com/audio/mclean/niv/Acts.24.10-Acts.24.16

 

 

The Story - Chapter 30 - Paul's Final Days

There was a plan underfoot to ambush and kill Paul. He was being railroaded and unjustly charged. It would appear the people were so afraid of him and his words, they needed him to disappear.

"...the Jews formed a conspiracy and bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul. (Acts 23:12)  

Paul was innocent of all charges and boldly told his accusers so. "Paul answered: "I am now standing before Caesar's court, where I ought to be tried. I have not done any wrong to the Jews, as you yourself know very well". (Acts 25:10) 

Have you ever found yourself accused of something you did not do?  Have the words to your defense fallen on deaf ears?  Then you know some of the feelings Paul must have felt.  Reading this portion of Acts is eye-opening for this writer.  Once again, we can see the hand of God in motion.  A few chapters ago we read, "...the LORD stood near Paul and said, 'Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome." (Acts 23:11)

God said it and Paul could take it to the bank.  He would not die yet; he was going to Rome to bear witness to the truth there. Those words, Take Courage, we have heard before in various Old Testament readings.  It is a theme for us to embrace.  We have lots of work to do for Jesus' sake and it is going to require Courage; the kind of courage that only comes from faith and love.

Paul was faithful and he loved God and he loved others.  That was all that was needed, obedience to the two greatest commands of the One to whom he was testifying.

Read Acts 25:1-12

Listen to Acts 25:1-12