What a day! Father, bless those who love to show that they care for us. May they feel Your love and blessing on their lives in palpable ways! Amen.
Acts 13:13-43 (<<click here to read the passage)
I don’t think I’ve seen one in quite a while but growing up I remember making paper chains. They were simple to construct – strips of colorful paper and tape or a stapler were all the supplies you needed. How you put it all together was totally up to you. You could easily follow a color scheme or have just as much fun using all the colors.
When you were done, they could be hung on the walls or from the ceiling, or on a tree. Anywhere and anyhow, you chose. Children could easily help and in the end, you had some nice, colorful décor without a whole lot out of pocket!
When Paul and Barnabas stepped into the synagogue at Antioch of Pisidia (a district in what is now the country of Turkey) they were sent this message: “Brothers, if you have any word of encouragement for the people, come and give it.” v15b
So Paul stood…and started speaking. v16
Remember he was a very well-educated man, a Pharisee of Pharisees…he knew his stuff. He began with the origins of the nation of Israel from the time they lived in Egypt – 460 years in all. With great skill, he linked the chain of their history together – the conquest of Canaan, the judges, their first King Saul, then King David… about whom God said, ‘I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart. He will do everything I want him to do.’ v22b
His chain then linked David with Jesus, one of King David’s descendants…v23a
He then ably spelled out the Good News of the Gospel, clearly explaining the necessity of Jesus’ death and resurrection. He concluded his “sermon” by stating,
“Brothers, listen! We are here to proclaim that through this man Jesus there is forgiveness for your sins. Everyone who believes in him is made right in God’s sight—something the law of Moses could never do.” vs38-39 NLT
Paul used what he knew of his people and his Lord to link together a chain of understanding…at least the possibility of it. Inevitably they – like we – had to choose. The chain was clearly laid out, but they had to embrace what they learned from it.
Paul’s technique is an excellent example to follow when we share the Good News and as my Life Application Study Bible says…begin where your audience is – then tell them about Christ.
Lord Jesus, use us to spread the word about Your Kingdom. May we not forget the focus of the Good News: Forgiveness of sins and freedom from guilt are available through faith in Christ to all people…
It’s that simple.
May 2nd, 2022, Mon, 7:07 pm
