"Also, many of those who had practiced magic brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all. And they counted up the value of them, and it totaled fifty thousand pieces of silver. So the word of the Lord grew mightily and prevailed." (Acts 19:19-20)

Strange and marvelous things occurred during Paul’s ministry in Ephesus.  For two years he taught in the school of Tyranus, and the word of God spread through all of Asia.  Paul did extraordinary miracles including curing those possessed with evil spirits.  When Jewish priests attempted to imitate Paul, an evil spirit jumped on the impostors and seized them!  This prompted many in Ephesus to honor the name of Jesus and to publicly burn their books of sorcery.  

Ephesus was a chief seat of black magic during this time.  It was popular to engage in these pretentious “supernatural” acts.  Magicians and astrologers swarmed the streets with a profitable trade of charms, divinations, and rules for interpreting dreams.  By destroying these books the people publicly acknowledged the sinfulness of such practices. 

Accepting Jesus means giving all of our life to him.  Paul commends the Thessalonians for such action:  For they themselves declare concerning us what manner of entry we had to you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God. (I Thessalonians 1:9)  The Christian must learn to completely trust in the living God, and not in the useless idols of the world.  


Receiving Christ requires giving up all that is hateful to him.  How can we say we love Jesus and not shun the devices and deeds that are painful to him?  Jesus demands radical surgery:  If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell. (Matthew 5:29)   This involves turning our backs upon all that is unholy and impure.  Old cherished values are abandoned no matter what the cost!

Those lives who are truly converted will have a profound influence upon the neighborhood.  So the word of the Lord grew mightily and prevailed. (Acts 19:20) This public display got the attention of the people.  There is no better way to win others to Christ than by living examples of the gospel’s power.  When the world witnesses Christians denying worldly pleasure it can be attractive! 

By this marvelous deed the Ephesians removed the temptations that could cause a possible relapse on their lives and opened doors for others to receive Christ!

By George Slover



 

Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus. (Acts 4:13)

The apostles, Peter and John, were put in custody because they had filled Jerusalem with the doctrine of Christ. The number of disciples grew rapidly during the early days of the church. (Acts 5:4). Thus, the rulers of Judaism questioned the apostles: "By what power or by what name have you done this?" (Acts 4:7) The answer of Peter and John rang loud and clear: "by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead." (Acts 4:10)

The courage and resolve of Peter and John gets the attention of the enemy. There was something very different about these two. It was not their remarkable intellect that got their attention. It was the boldness of the apostles that was worthy of note. It was Peter and John standing fearless before the Sanhedrin. There was nothing apologetic about their demeanor. They stood fast as those courageously speaking for God.

Their witness for Christ demonstrates a great change had taken place in their lives. Fishermen, Jews, once filled with fear, now bold and eloquently proclaiming a doctrine the enemy hates. They were passionately devoted to proclaiming the kingdom of God that men might be saved from sin. Even the enemy was impressed with their character. If we are attaining to heights in our spiritual growth, our daily behavior will manifest the spirit of Christ.

Their witness testified of the new and guiding principle in their lives. This is the principle of love- love for God and love for lost souls. Peters words ring loud and clear: "We ought to obey God rather than men". (Acts 5:29) Their passion for souls is recorded in Acts 5:42: And daily in the temple, and in every house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ. (Acts 5:42)

We should always keep in mind that we are being watched, some times by friends, and some times by the enemy. Others will "take note" of us. If we easily fit into the world, something is wrong with our conduct. Let us be faithful at our post; speaking boldly for him. Let others observe and say: "they have been with Jesus." (Acts 4:13)

Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus. (Acts 4:13)

The apostles, Peter and John, were put in custody because they had filled Jerusalem with the doctrine of Christ. The number of disciples grew rapidly during the early days of the church. (Acts 5:4). Thus, the rulers of Judaism questioned the apostles: "By what power or by what name have you done this?" (Acts 4:7) The answer of Peter and John rang loud and clear: "by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead." (Acts 4:10)

The courage and resolve of Peter and John gets the attention of the enemy. There was something very different about these two. It was not their remarkable intellect that got their attention. It was the boldness of the apostles that was worthy of note. It was Peter and John standing fearless before the Sanhedrin. There was nothing apologetic about their demeanor. They stood fast as those courageously speaking for God.

Their witness for Christ demonstrates a great change had taken place in their lives. Fishermen, Jews, once filled with fear, now bold and eloquently proclaiming a doctrine the enemy hates. They were passionately devoted to proclaiming the kingdom of God that men might be saved from sin. Even the enemy was impressed with their character. If we are attaining to heights in our spiritual growth, our daily behavior will manifest the spirit of Christ.

Their witness testified of the new and guiding principle in their lives. This is the principle of love- love for God and love for lost souls. Peters words ring loud and clear: "We ought to obey God rather than men". (Acts 5:29) Their passion for souls is recorded in Acts 5:42: And daily in the temple, and in every house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ. (Acts 5:42)

We should always keep in mind that we are being watched, some times by friends, and some times by the enemy. Others will "take note" of us. If we easily fit into the world, something is wrong with our conduct. Let us be faithful at our post; speaking boldly for him. Let others observe and say: "they have been with Jesus." (Acts 4:13)

At the command of the LORD the children of Israel would journey, and at the command of the LORD they would camp; as long as the cloud stayed above the tabernacle they remained encamped. (Numbers 9:18)

According to God’s providence, Israel was delivered from slavery in Egypt.  Moses, their fearless leader, was leading them toward the Promised Land.  An assurance of God’s presence was a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night that appeared above the tabernacle.  When the cloud lifted each tribe, according to God’s orders, would set out to march.  When the cloud rested they would make camp according to God’s instruction.  The journey of Israel is a parable of the life of the Christian as he travels from the bondage of sin, through this world, toward the heavenly home.

First, observe that it was God who clearly determined their route.   At the command of the LORD the children of Israel would journey, and at the command of the LORD they would camp.  The mapping out of our lives is God’s job and not ours.  This may require abandoning the plans we have made, or the plans friends and relatives have made for our lives.  We must yield to God!

Second, note the path is clearly marked.  God gave Israel a clear, visible sign of his intentions.  Today, God provides a simple pattern to follow that is revealed in the New Testament.  Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, (2 Peter 1:2-3).  He left us a blueprint for our daily lives, and gave the local church a pattern to follow in our collective work.  Like Israel, we must respect and follow our Lord’s marching orders.

Third, when Israel failed to follow their guide the result (Numbers 14:44, 45) was disastrous. We must never presume to follow our notions rather than the Lord’s commands.  Our greatest need is redemption from sin.  This salvation is only possible by the work of Jesus.  However, Jesus will present us blameless before God only if we continue in the faith.  (Colossians 1:22,23) God will approve of no life unless it is ordered by the gospel.  

Is not our life like a journey across a wilderness with the Promised Land as our goal?  Along the way do not forget to give glory to God, acknowledge his ruling hand, and commit your way to Him for the time to come.

By George Slover

 

Now as He drew near, He saw the city and wept over it, (Luke 19:4)

Luke records the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. (Luke 19:28-44)  The Lord rode into the city on a colt.  The disciples spread their clothes on the road and lavish Him with praises “saying:" 'Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the LORD!' Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!" (Luke 19:38)  One would think such an occasion would bring happiness, but instead it invoked tears from the Savior.

We are often touched when others cry –the tears of a child or of a grieving mother or wife.  But, when a man of strength, power, and conviction cries, we know we are in the presence of deep emotion.  Why did Jesus weep?

Jesus wept out of sympathy for human suffering and sorrow.  He predicts troublesome days for Jerusalem.  (Luke 19:41-44)  In chapter 23 Luke again records Jesus:  "Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for Me, but weep for yourselves and for your children.”For indeed the days are coming in which they will say, 'Blessed are the barren, wombs that never bore, and breasts which never nursed!' (Luke 23:28-29)  This he said foreseeing the destruction of Jerusalem that would come in 70 AD.  It was compassion for the human race that motivated him to become poor that we might be rich. (II Corinthians 8:9)  It was compassion that prompted him in his tireless ministry to the lepers, lame, blind, hurting mothers, and sorrowful fathers.  It is this compassion that draws the hardened sinner to him today.  This is what makes Jesus so dear to his disciples. 

Jesus wept out of regret for those who are in the wrong.  Jesus promised God would punish Jerusalem "because you did not know the time of your visitation." (Luke 19:44)  God was in their midst and they rejected him!  Are we also affected by sin in the same way?  Do the foolish drunkard, foul-mouthed fool, the negligent parent, and the fool who espouses error leave us with a feeling of contempt and sorrow?  They should, because this is how Jesus felt!

Thus, as Jesus proceeds toward Jerusalem for one final confrontation with its religious leaders, he is overwhelmed with grief and tears.  His tears break into a passionate lamentation, for God had been in their midst and they did not acknowledge him.

Jesus must feel the same way toward a society like ours.  His word is found in almost every home in America, but it is virtually ignored.

By George Slover