The Journey Continues

Acts Chapter 25

1) “I have done nothing wrong.”  This is what Paul said in 25:8.  What would it take for you to be able to say this?  What freedom would you experience if this was the case?

2) What’s the big deal about Jesus’ resurrection?  What is different because He rose from the dead?

3) How far above the line do you live?  How hard would it be for someone to bring a charge against you?

“I thank God, whom I serve, as my forefathers did, with a clear conscience, as night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers.”  Found in 2 Timothy 1:3, this sums up the freedom Paul experienced because of the way he lived.  He had a clear conscience because he had done nothing wrong.

Festus takes advantage of a visit by King Agrippa to try to understand the issue the Jews are having with Paul (25:14).  In a very casual manner, Festus sums up his understanding of the situation as, “some points of dispute with him about their own religion and about a dead man named Jesus who Paul claimed was alive.”  Festus didn’t have a clue.  The difference between Jesus being dead or alive is everything.  Here is how Peter captured this truth in 1 Peter 1:3: “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.”

Since Paul had appealed to Caesar, he would be sent to Rome.  However, none of the charges the Jews brought against Paul would stick (25:7).  This created a dilemma for the Roman authorities who now had to send a prisoner to the Emperor without knowing what to tell him (25:26-27).  Paul had lived properly and rightly before all men.  And now, when people were looking for something negative to say about him, nothing could be found.  I pray we would live our lives with that high standard in mind.

Acts Chapter 26

1) How obvious is your faith?  How apparent to those around you is the fact that you are a follower of Jesus?

2) What does it take to persuade someone to follow Christ?  What is your part in this process?

3) What do you do when God’s plans seem to contradict what makes sense to us?  How do you respond when life happens in ways you don’t understand?

As Paul continues his defense before Festus and Agrippa, he pleads to the reality that all that has taken place concerning Jesus was not “done in a corner (26:26).”  That is, Jesus lived, died, and rose again in full view of everyone.  Even more, God had been preparing the way for Christ through the prophets for generations.  The question for us is this – do our lives clearly demonstrate the reality of Jesus in the world today?  I pray that those around us see Jesus and that our faith is not lived out in a corner.

Paul’s defense was more of an evangelistic appeal.  His words were certainly received this way by Agrippa (26:28).  Although we know it is the work of God’s Spirit in the lives of those far from Him that ultimately draws people, we have the privilege and responsibility to help “persuade” them to follow Christ.  Paul said is this way in 2 Corinthians 5:20, “We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.” 

The Jews had no case against Paul.  Rome could find nothing he was guilty of.  In fact, King Agrippa said, “This man could have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar (26:32).”  But Paul’s freedom was not God’s plan.  Years earlier, God told Paul, “Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome (23:11).”  God’s plans don’t always make sense to us.  At these times, we must learn to defer to His wisdom and His perspective.  “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”  Isaiah 55:9

Acts Chapter 27

1) Are you clear about your relationship with God?  How would you tell others where you stand?

2) How can your faith help others?  Is there a time when your faith isn’t enough for someone else?

3) How do you respond to the criticism that Christianity is too narrow of a belief system?  How do you answer people who challenge the notion that Jesus is the only way?

No identity crisis; no confusion of purpose.  Paul knew whose he was and whom he was serving (27:23).  In the midst of the storm, in the midst of danger, in the midst of uncertainty, Paul spoke of God as the one thing he was sure of.  At times life is less than predictable.  Uncertainty gains the upper hand and we find ourselves with more questions than answers.  Storms push us about and we seem to lose our bearing.  During these times, we can hold firmly to the identity we have in God through Jesus Christ.  “…I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day.”  2 Timothy 1:12 (NIV)

Paul’s faith provided a source of hope and encouragement for those he was traveling with (27:25).  When it seemed like all hope was lost (27:20), Paul’s assurance of safety became something his shipmates could lean on.  While it’s true that others can be encouraged, motivated, comforted and supported by our faith, their reliance on us can only go so far.  Ultimately, everyone must make their own decision about placing their faith in Christ.

As the storm continued, some on the ship were not willing to place their confidence in Paul’s god, so they took matters into their own hands (27:30).  When Paul saw this, he told them that they would only be saved if they followed the plan (27:31).  A way of salvation had been prepared, but this was the only way to be saved.  Imagine the sailors arguing that Paul was being narrow-minded in thinking his way was the only way.  How ridiculous!  The same is true with our salvation through Christ.  The issue isn’t that God has provided only one way of salvation.  What’s amazing is that He has provided any way at all!

Acts Chapter 28

1) What do you do when people won’t listen to the truth?  Is there a time to move on to others who will listen?

2) How do people respond to the good news of Jesus today?  Has the way people respond changed over the years?

3) What could keep you from sharing your faith?  What situation might limit your ability to tell your story?

Upon arriving in Rome, Paul operated in the same manner he had throughout his journeys.  His first contact in Rome was with the Jews (28:17).  He had a heart for his people and wanted them to believe the truth.  However, as usual, he found he had to go beyond the Jews to those who were opening to hearing his message (28:28).

As Paul meets with the Jews of Rome, we find the same response to his message as always: “Some were convinced by what he said, but others would not believe (28:24).”  This is the sad reality still today.  We offer a message of hope, comfort and peace, but not everyone will believe.

The final verse of Acts finds Paul faithfully carrying out God’s purpose for him.  He was still under arrest, although he enjoyed a little more freedom (28:16).  Yet this did not hamper his efforts to preach about the kingdom of God and teach about the Lord Jesus Christ (28:31).  In fact, it is during this time that Paul wrote Ephesians, Colossians, Philemon and Philippians.  The story of Acts ends leaving us hanging as to what becomes of Paul.  While we don’t have all the details, we can be sure that Paul was on mission until his final day on earth.

Colossians Chapter 1

1) Do you pray for others?  What requests do you bring to God on behalf of others?

2) How clearly can you articulate the essence of your faith?  Is there one word you can speak that would tell what it is all about?

3) Do you enjoy solving mysteries?  How do you feel when what you’ve been trying to figure out becomes clear?

Praying for others is a great way to be involved in the lives of those near and far.  At times we pray specifically for people we know.  Other times we pray generally for people we’ve never met.  While there is certainly a wide variety of topics and issues we can pray about for others, consider the nature of Paul’s prayer in 1:9-12.  Paul was asking God that the Colossians would be filled “with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding.”  Why was this the focus of Paul’s prayer?  So they would live worthy lives pleasing to God.  What would it be like if this is the way we prayed for others today?

Paul clearly spells out the absolute superiority, dominance and supremacy of Jesus (1:9-12).  He created all things.  He is over all things.  He is before all things.  He is the head of all things.  All we believe in and hope for is found in Him.  Everything about our faith can be summed up in one word – Jesus!

Paul says he has been commissioned to reveal a mystery to the church (1:25-26).  This was not a mystery in that it was something strange, but rather it was something that had been hidden in the past.  So what mystery did Paul reveal?  “Christ in you, the hope of glory.”  The incredible truth of the gospel is that through Jesus, God made a way for us to have hope.  And even more, He did so in such a way that we not only benefit from what Jesus did for us, but we also enjoy His very presence in our lives.

Colossians Chapter 2

1) What is one of the greatest challenges to your faith?  What is it that you need to be prepared to defend against?

2) What made Jesus a man?  What made Him God?  How could He be both?

3) What is an oxymoron?  Give some examples?

One of the biggest challenges for the early church wasn’t persecution from the government, but instead it was false teachings from those that claimed to represent Christ.  Paul desired the church to have complete understanding (2:2) so they wouldn’t be deceived (2:4).  How do we keep from being deceived today?  Know the truth.  And we do this by spending time in the Word every day.

Colossians 2:9 is one of the clearest verses regarding Jesus’ nature.  Here Paul affirms that Jesus was fully God and fully man.  This is an absolutely critical teaching to know, understand and believe.  As a man He stood in the gap between us and God.  As God, His perfect sacrifice was acceptable.  Allow Him to be fully man so He can totally connect with all that we go through.  And allow Him to be fully God so He can do something about it. 

Oxymorons, such as free rent, 100% chance and silent alarm, cause us to chuckle or at least smile a little as contradictory terms are paired together.  But what about when the focus of an oxymoron is the work of God and we are the beneficiaries of the seeming contradiction?  Consider the oxymoron found in 2:15 – triumph through the cross.  The cross was a symbol of defeat, shame and pain.  Yet Paul says it was through the cross that triumph came as our sins were forgiven (2:13) and the authorities were disarmed (2:15).  Oxymorons often cause us to scratch our heads a little.  This is certainly the case when we consider what God did on our behalf through Jesus.

Colossians Chapter 3

1) What would you think about if you thought about heaven during the day?  What would it be like to live here but think about there?

2) Does the way you dress make a difference in how you approach your day?  Does the way you dress impact how others view you?

3) What are some rules you live by?  Are these rules your own or are they imposed on you by someone else?

Since you’ve already been raised, look up!  Because of what Jesus did, we have already been given a place in heaven with Him.  So, while you’re in the midst of day-to-day life, look up!  Tune your heart and mind to things above.

Like a first-century version of “What Not to Wear,” Paul helps us to choose the way we clothe our lives.  We are instructed to take off the old (3:9) and put on the new (3:10).  Then, as a top designer, Paul tells us what would look great on us.  Verse 12 says, “Clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”  More than dressing to impress, how we clothe ourselves as Christ-followers really makes a difference.

Paul concludes Chapter 3 with a series of rules targeted to different groups of people.  These rules are not complicated or confusing.  But usually the challenge with the Bible is found more in living it than understanding it.  Which of these rules is directed to you?  What would it take for you to live it out?

Colossians Chapter 4

1) What words would you use to describe your prayer life?  What words would you like to use?

2) How does the way you live out your faith impact those who don’t share your faith?  How can you live well before those on the outside?

3) How strong are you at the end of the race?  How well do you finish the tasks you are given?

Paul uses an intense word to address the manner of prayer in our lives.  He says (4:2), “Devote yourselves to prayer.”  The ideas behind this word are to persevere, be constantly diligent.  Does this describe your prayer life?  What would it take to make this the case for you?

Paul has been writing to the church about life in the church.  But here (4:5-6), as he nears the end of his letter, he instructs us how to act toward outsiders; those that don’t share our faith in Christ.  Be wise.  Be gracious.  Be prepared.  Peter echoed a similar thought in 1 Peter 3:15, “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.”

We know nothing about the man or the task he had been given.  But Paul used this opportunity (4:17) to encourage and challenge him to finish well: “See to it that you complete the work you have received in the Lord.”  How you finish really matters.  Be a person that sees tasks through to the end.

Philemon

1) What challenges to your faith do you face when things are not going well?  How can you better approach the difficulties of life?

2) Can you recall the time when you were most in need of being refreshed physically?  What was that like?  What provided refreshment for you?

3) How long does it take you to do the right thing?  How do you respond when you are put on the spot?

Paul opened this letter by stating the obvious about his current situation.  He was in prison after appealing his case to Caesar (this is where the book of Acts ended).  However, take note of the way he identifies his captor in verse 1 – “Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus.”  Although there were Roman soldiers guarding his Roman jail cell, Paul understood the sovereignty of God and considered himself His prisoner.  Paul had the right perspective about his situation and used it for good.

We speak about love as something that is practical and tangible; something much more than just emotion.  And it is.  Yet Paul speaks of the love that Philemon shared with others as a love that was refreshing.  What a wonderful picture of caring for and ministering to others.  What would it look like for you to refresh others with your love?  Consider what Jesus said in Matthew 11:28, “Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”  (Refresh and rest are from the same Greek word).

Paul wrote real letters regarding real issues to real people.  These letters were handwritten, and then hand carried.  But get this; Onesimus the slave was the one carrying this letter to Philemon the master (see Colossians 4:7-9).  Can you say, “Awkward?”  Paul was very direct with Philemon in how he should respond to Onesimus (see verses 15-17 and verse 21).  And while Philemon is reading this, Onesimus is standing right in front of him!  It was time for Philemon to live out what he believed without delay.