Paul explained that the Macedonian churches began by first offering themselves to God and then to their leaders. 2 Corinthians 8: 3 For I can testify that they gave not only what they could afford, but far more. And they did it of their own free will. 4 They begged us again and again for …
Isaiah is transformed from unclean lips to holy service as God calls him to be a prophet. Standing before the overwhelming holiness of God, Isaiah became painfully aware of his own spiritual condition. After seeing the Lord seated on His throne, he was in despair. Isaiah 6:5 “It’s all over! I am doomed, for I …
Freedom in Christ is the reason Paul wrote the book of Galatians, because the people in the churches of Galatia were going backward in their faith.Galatians 5:1So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law.[1] Scholars have called the …
The apostles understood that through Jesus’ work on the cross and His resurrection, they were now saved by grace through faith. These were new times for the Jews, especially for the Pharisees, who focused on the law. Thus, the reason they were debating was whether Gentiles must first become Jews to be saved. Peter had …
Returning to strengthen souls is part of Paul and Barnabas’s first missionary journey. This reveals that God’s mission includes returning to strengthen what He has begun. Acts 14:21 After preaching the Good News in Derbe and making many disciples, Paul and Barnabas returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch of Pisidia.[1] After facing persecution, rejection, and danger, …
Paul tried to show God’s witness in everyday blessings to the people of Lystra. God had healed a cripple, and the Gentiles there assumed their gods, Zeus and Hermes, had come to visit. Paul tried to explain that they were only human beings bringing the Good News about the living God. To do this, Paul …
A hunger for God is a true blessing. It reflects a heart that is open to the Holy Spirit and receptive to His Word. The ministry of Paul and Barnabas beautifully illustrates this. During this trip, something remarkable began to unfold. Acts 13:42 As Paul and Barnabas left the synagogue that day, the people begged them …
We all need to practice granting grace to those who fail, because at some point in our own journey, we will also fail. There is a quiet yet weighty moment during Paul’s first mission trip. Acts 13:13 Paul and his companions then left Paphos by ship for Pamphylia, landing at the port town of Perga. There …
God demonstrated His grace for the Gentiles through Saul and Barnabas. Jews had always considered that they were the only people of God and had excluded the Gentiles. However, God had always planned to include the Gentiles. The prophets had foretold what Jesus, the Messiah, would do. Isaiah 49: 6 He says, “You will do more …
Jesus is the cure for bitterness. This is the healing news of the Gospel! As Jesus made His way to Jerusalem to give His life for us, He encountered some Pharisees and teachers of the Law once more. They saw Jesus as a threat to their power, and many were bitter towards Him. They themselves …