Acts 19

As I've read through Acts approaching the 19th chapter, we've had great discussions in my small group, my discipleship group and at home regarding the adversaries and obstacles that Paul, Peter, Philip, Stephen and others faced as they sought to advance the gospel to the ends of the earth. One real obstacle were the bands of Jewish "groupies" who seemed to show up just as people were responding to the gospel. They always knew where Paul was and they seemed always to be able to stir up the very people who were responding - or the city leaders - against "the Way". In the midst of this constant opposition, how did the apostles and disciples keep going? It would be so discouraging to me to be dogged by people (who had a lot of time on their hands and) who were opposed to the very thing I stand willing to give my life to.

More than a distraction, there was very real dangerous and angry opposition. Each incident resulted in a flogging, stoning, jailing or what appeared to be a withdrawal, regrouping, or hasty exit. But each incident also resulted in a testimony, a miraculous recovery, a miraculous delivery or a confirmation of the next step on their journey. Can we look at our adversity that way? Can we view it as God preparing to show His glory, to develop His glory in us, or to move us to the place He has designed for us to be?

How differently would Paul's life and his fruitfulness have played out, if he had been solely guided by his own emotions, expectations or plans? He would have been thwarted, defeated and halted, just like he was on the road to Damascus. Instead, he listened to His Lord Jesus and followed Him. He persevered and walked in the path God prepared for him, just like he describes in his letter to these Ephesians (2:8-10). As His created people made perfect by the Cross, He has prepared good works for us, even down to the footsteps, that we should walk in them. Will we give up our plans and join His and experience all of the life God has for us?

Another key point I was impressed by was the importance of living and walking by the power of God and not on our own (trying to impress God). Paul encountered twelve men who were attempting to follow God and even called themselves "disciples". But they were missing the foundation!! They had been baptized with the "baptism of John" for the purpose of repenting (a change of mind that results in a change of direction) from their previous path. They wanted to be more godly, but had not encountered the full meaning of Jesus's invitation to follow Him - and they had no idea regarding who the Holy Spirit was or that He even existed! Paul told them that the whole purpose of John's baptism was to point to Jesus - the One whose sandal strap he was not worthy to even untie.

Because Paul was walking in the Spirit and was in the place God wanted him to be (through many dangers, toils and snares), these 12 were able to hear the truth about Jesus, be baptized in His name and receive the Holy Spirit. Foundation laid! In Jesus, they received forgiveness of the sin they had repented from and the pure righteousness that only the Son of God can give. In the Holy Spirit, they received the Spirit of God's Son into their hearts (so that they are now children of God - I John 3:1-3) and the power to live the supernatural life that they (and we) inherit as God's children (Galatians 5:16-25, Romans 8:1-18).

What a God we have!! He doesn't leave us with a set of rules to obey that we will continually fail at. Instead, He draws us to Himself, He satisfies the Rules by the death-sacrifice of His Son on the cross, and then gives us His righteousness and His Spirit so that we can walk the life He's called us to - a life in Him and with Him and for Him. May our lives move from the mundane, self-planned, self-defined to the amazing, day-by-day walk with the Son of God through His Spirit in us. May we be Followers and not fans only. If you don't have that in your life, ask someone who does and they will gladly share it with you.

You can also find the simple gospel message here: http://tinyurl.com/fourlaws.

This message is available in a computer-friendly version in many languages here: http://www.campuscrusade.com/four_laws_online.htm

and in a printable Spanish/English bi-lingual version here: http://www.4laws.com/laws/downloads/Spn1Eng4pWBw05Apr.pdf

 TOM ALBERS | Elder Chairman

Tom committed his life to Christ as a junior in high school in 1975. After moving to Austin in 1995, Tom and Cindy attended Hill Country Bible Church in Cedar Park before becoming part of the HCBC Pflugerville and Hutto Bible church plants. Tom serves as a Small Group Leader and in Youth ministry and in other ministry oversight roles. Tom and Cindy were married in 1986 and are parents to Will, Emily, Clare, Hannah and Nathan and grandparents to Owen.