To Know Him, Acts 22:24-23:11

 

Have you ever heard the phrase; no good deed goes unpunished? It’s probably akin to the Scripture, “All who live Godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” 2 Timothy 3:12.

It’s probably how Paul was feeling about now.

He was in the middle of doing a favor, a good deed for the Christian Jews, but then the religious Jews stirred up the mob and they attacked him.

The mob would’ve beat Paul to death if the Romans hadn’t rescued him.

When Paul tried to speak to the mob, they flew into a frenzy.

Acts 22:24
the commander ordered him to be brought into the barracks, and said that he should be examined under scourging, so that he might know why they shouted so against him.

That they may know Him

Picture the scene.

Paul was the one beaten. Paul was the one arrested. Paul, still bleeding from the beating, is the one about to get whipped in a Roman interrogation.

Why?

Sadly, because the mob has influence.

It shouldn’t be this way, but the spoiled child screams and cries and throws a fit, because it works.

The mob shouts and protests and riots, because it works.

The peacemakers appease the child, cave in to the mob, just to regain some peace and order and figure out what happened.

In the process, many times, the innocent pay, and the mob goes free.

However, there’s more here to the story than what meets the eye.

Tune out the chaos and confusion and noise of the crowd and we can hear the heartbeat of someone searching.

Twice the heart of the commander is revealed. Verse 24: “That he may know why they shouted so against him.” Then again in verse 30: “He wanted to know for certain why he was accused by the Jews.”

On the outside he was just doing his job, but on the inside was he wondering what was so different about this man, that made the mob so mad?

Perhaps he pondered about another Man that not so long ago in that same town had the same effect on the mob. Did he hear the disciples speak of how that Man died and rose again?

Maybe he marveled at how they faced death with courage and conviction rarely seen in the bravest of soldiers.

Did he long to know Someone as, intimately, intensely, as they knew the Man they called Jesus?

Did he want to believe in something as strongly they as they believed in this thing they called Eternal Life? 

Jesus prays it like this:

John 17:3.
And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.

Lord, through the noise and confusion and chaos of the crowd, help us to see those who are searching, flow through us to them, so that they may know You and receive You and have Eternal Life with You.  

25 And as they bound him with thongs, Paul said to the centurion who stood by, “Is it lawful for you to scourge a man who is a Roman, and uncondemned?”

26 When the centurion heard that, he went and told the commander, saying, “Take care what you do, for this man is a Roman.”

27 Then the commander came and said to him, “Tell me, are you a Roman?”

He said, “Yes.”

28 The commander answered, “With a large sum I obtained this citizenship.”

And Paul said, “But I was born a citizen.”

That I may know Him

Verse ²⁵ Bound with thongs? No, not weirdo underwear.

Leather straps, bound him to a whipping post in preparation for scourging.

Of course, Paul knew it was not legal to bind or punish a Roman citizen without allowing the opportunity to state his case, to defend himself.

The punishment intended for the accused could fall upon the accuser if they violated this law.

Paul was born in the Roman empire, in the city of Tarsus; thus, he knew he was automatically a Roman citizen. More prestigious than purchasing citizenship, as the commander had done.

Paul knew who he was, a Jew by blood, a Roman citizen by birth.

He knew this citizenship gave him rights.

So, he played the Roman citizen card.

There’s no shame in that. Why take a beating, if you don’t need to?

Besides he already had one that day.

Paul knew who he was on earth by birth, but most importantly, he knew who he was by being born again, as a citizen of heaven, a child of the King of all the earth.

The other day as I was leaving Church someone outside asked, “You’re not one of those born again people, are you?”

It was an awesome open door to explain from Genesis to Jesus what being born again, really means. And then, because I know Him, I was happy to say, yes, I am born again.

Paul knows Him, that’s why he wrote:  

Philippians 3:8-11.
Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; 10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, 11 if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.

To follow Christ, is to walk in Love. To walk in Love does NOT mean you are to be walked on as a doormat.

You turn the other cheek, yes.

Take the lowest seat, no problem.

Be servant of all, gladly.  

You know doing such things is not lowly or demeaning but honoring and pleasing to your Lord.

 You have nothing to prove to the world, and the world has nothing to offer you.

2 Timothy 1:12
I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.

Hosea 6:3
3So let us know— let us press on to know the LORD. As surely as the sun rises, He will appear; He will come to us like the rain, like the spring showers that water the earth. (Berean Standard Bible).

29 Then immediately those who were about to examine him withdrew from him; and the commander was also afraid after he found out that he was a Roman, and because he had bound him.

This reminds me of a movie where a man was being arrested, until he pulled back his shirt and revealed the medal of honor hanging around his neck.

The soldiers suddenly released him, stepped back and saluted him.

Knowing Paul was a Roman citizen caused them to step back.

How much more valuable is the honor of knowing our great God?

Peter puts it like this:

1 Peter 2:9-10
But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.

30 The next day, because he wanted to know for certain why he was accused by the Jews, he released him from his bonds, and commanded the chief priests and all their council to appear, and brought Paul down and set him before them.

The commander, wanting to know for certain why Paul was accused, brought him before the religious leaders.

The mindless mob might’ve hated Paul for no good reason, they’re just looking for a reason to riot.

But surely the more refined, educated, levelheaded officers of religion would see through the foolishness of the mob and settle the matter in a peaceful manner.

Right?

Acts 23:1 Then Paul, looking earnestly at the council, said, “Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.”

2 And the high priest Ananias commanded those who stood by him to strike him on the mouth.

That all may know Him

Chapter 23 opens with Paul extending an olive branch.

“Men and brethren,” he calls the very ones who stirred up the mob against him.

But Paul’s olive branch is met with a punch in the mouth in verse 2. (Maybe Paul invented that phrase, “no good deed goes unpunished.”)

Paul also said, “I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.”

Do you, or have you ever felt guilty? Dirty? Spotted? Unclean?

Acts 23:1 reveals that all may know Him. All can be cleansed from the past. All can be free of guilt, spot or wrinkle.

How does this verse say that?

Because Paul says, “I have lived in all good conscience.” Paul, the once genocidal terrorist against Christians. The guy who intensely pursued, chased, hunted Christians to the death. (See last week’s lesson: Diókó.)

If Paul can have his conscience cleansed. If he can know Him. So can I. So can you. So can all.   

3 Then Paul said to him, “God will strike you, you whitewashed wall! For you sit to judge me according to the law, and do you command me to be struck contrary to the law?”

4 And those who stood by said, “Do you revile God’s high priest?”

5 Then Paul said, “I did not know, brethren, that he was the high priest; for it is written, ‘You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.’ ”

Speak the Truth in love, even if it's a rebuke, “You white washed wall”.

But the Word of God trumps all. “I did not know he was the high priest, brethren; for it is written ‘You shall not speak evil of the ruler of your people’

Note: Paul did not apologize. He simply stated the fact that he did not know Ananias was the high priest, and so he spoke.

He accepted his wrong but stood by the Truth of his words.

Unafraid and unashamed to speak Truth to power.

6 But when Paul perceived that one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, “Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee; concerning the hope and resurrection of the dead I am being judged!”

7 And when he had said this, a dissension arose between the Pharisees and the Sadducees; and the assembly was divided. 8 For Sadducees say that there is no resurrection—and no angel or spirit; but the Pharisees confess both.

Sadducees don’t believe in afterlife, no heaven, no angels, this is all you get.

That’s why Sadducees are so sad you see. 😊

Paul must’ve been tired of fighting, so he throws a bone he knows the Pharisees and Sadducees will fight over. The resurrection of the dead.

9 Then there arose a loud outcry. And the scribes of the Pharisees’ party arose and protested, saying, “We find no evil in this man; but if a spirit or an angel has spoken to him, let us not fight against God.”

Now Paul has some allies.

Now it’s nice to watch a fight rather than being on the receiving end of one.

10 Now when there arose a great dissension, the commander, fearing lest Paul might be pulled to pieces by them, commanded the soldiers to go down and take him by force from among them, and bring him into the barracks.

God is not the Author of confusion, or division. However, He has used it in the past. He is Sovereign. 2 Chron. 20:22. As soon as they began singing, the LORD confused the enemy camp.

This didn’t take an act of God. Paul just knew how to trigger them by bringing up a subject they always fought over.

As Paul expected, a great division broke out.

The sad part is, those are the people who profess Godliness, who profess to know the LORD, and the Word. They should be united in peace and faith.

And yet, the Romans are the ones to bring peace, the secular law steps in to keep the peace amongst those who ought to be peacemakers.

Oh Lord God, we Your Church have fallen so far, we’ve fought amongst ourselves enabling secular Godless governments to rise and rule the world. Forgive us. Have mercy on us. Revive US again, to be Your glorious Church without spot or wrinkle.

So that all may know You.

11 But the following night the Lord stood by him and said, “Be of good cheer, Paul; for as you have testified for Me in Jerusalem, so you must also bear witness at Rome.”

That all may know Him.

Through this tangled web, Jesus steps in and weaves a golden thread, His Divine Plan, His wonderful ways, into the wicked ways of man.

So that all may know Him.

This is to help complete His Divine Plan stated in Acts 1:8.

Acts 1:8
“But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

From Rome, the Holy Spirit, used Paul to pen books that preached the gospel to the ends of the earth, and will do so until the end of this age.

Let’s pray.

Lord Jesus, we want to know You, to love You, so intensely, that Your love shines through us to all those around us, so all those You’ve given us, know You too.

Thank You.

We love You, forever.

Amen.

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This was feed for you to read. Now it’s Seed for you to sow.

Thank you for sharing.

In Egypt but Not of It, Genesis 47:27-31

 

For generations, God had promised to make them a great nation.

To Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, He promised to give them the land flowing with milk and honey.

That was the part of God’s Word we would’ve memorized, underlined and highlighted.

We like the milk and honey stuff, the Phil. 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me, stuff. The, Deuteronomy 28:12-13, I’m the lender, not the borrower, the head and not the tail, above only and not beneath. We like that stuff.

But not so much Luke 9:23, anyone who comes after Me must deny himself take up his cross daily and follow me. Not, 2 Timothy 3:12, all who live Godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. Not so thrilled about, lay down your life, turn the other cheek, wash your brother’s feet.

So, if we were them back then, there was this little caveat we wouldn’t memorize, underline or highlight. 

It was the little conversation God had with Abraham over 200 years prior, before Isaac and Jacob were ever born.

God told Abraham your descendants will be strangers in a foreign land, they’ll be enslaved and mistreated for 400 years.

After that, I’ll bring them out, with a strong arm and great possessions and give them the land flowing with milk and honey.

We’d say, Lord, can’t we just skip the part where You said we’d be strangers, foreigners, enslaved and mistreated? It was just a little part. If I remember right, it was only about three sentences back in Genesis 15:13-16?

Just skip a little of God’s Word?

Yeah, just a little, straight to the great nation flowing milk and honey part.

The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands forever.” Isaiah 40:8.

Sure, but Lord—

Forever, O LORD, Your word is settled in heaven. Psalm 119:89.

Yeah, but—

All flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of the grass. The grass withers, and its flower falls away, but the Word of the Lord endures forever. 1 Peter 1:25.

What if—

So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it. Isaiah 55:11.

Just once, can’t we make an excep—

My covenant I will not break, nor alter the word that has gone out of My lips. Psalm 89:34.

Oh. Who asked that dumb question about skipping God’s Word?

If God said it, every jot, every tittle will be fulfilled.

So, that’s where we find Israel in our text today, near the end of Genesis 47, fulfilling God’s little caveat to Abraham.

Israel is not in the Promise Land, but over 300 miles southwest, in Egypt.

Why were they in Egypt?

Due to a severe seven-year famine, they had no food. But there was food in Egypt.

Why was there food in Egypt?

Because God warned Pharaoh in a couple dreams what was going to happen. But Pharaoh didn’t have a clue what the dreams meant. So, God gave Joseph, Jacob’s son, the interpretation, and the wisdom to know what to do about it.

Pharaoh was so impressed he put Joe in charge of the whole country.

What was Joseph doing in Egypt? 

Over two decades earlier Jacob’s other sons had sold their brother Joseph into slavery, out of jealousy. (It’s like a soap on steroids).

So, imagine their surprise when they went to Egypt to buy groceries and found Joe running the store

Okay, so now, at the request of Joseph, Jacob and his entire family of 70 people have packed up and moved to Egypt.

Genesis 47:27 So Israel dwelt in the land of Egypt, in the country of Goshen; and they had possessions there and grew and multiplied exceedingly. 28 And Jacob lived in the land of Egypt seventeen years. So the length of Jacob’s life was one hundred and forty-seven years. 29 When the time drew near that Israel must die, he called his son Joseph and said to him, “Now if I have found favor in your sight, please put your hand under my thigh, and deal kindly and truly with me. Please do not bury me in Egypt, 30 but let me lie with my fathers; you shall carry me out of Egypt and bury me in their burial place.”

And he said, “I will do as you have said.”

31 Then he said, “Swear to me.” And he swore to him. So Israel bowed himself on the head of the bed.

Outline:

1.    Bloom Where You’re Planted (v 27)

2.    Prepare to be Planted (v 28)

3.    Plant for the Promise Land (vv 29-31)

 

Bloom Where You’re Planted

27 So Israel dwelt in the land of Egypt, in the country of Goshen; and they had possessions there and grew and multiplied exceedingly.

Have you ever had to relocate?

Ever had to change plans that you thought were set in stone?

Marriage? Health? Job? Home?   

Ever said, this isn’t what I signed up for? This isn’t how it’s supposed to be. This is not what I was promised, (or at least not the way I remember the promise). It’s not what I expected, planned, or wanted. This is not the Promise Land. It sure doesn’t feel like home.

They were, (we are) strangers in a foreign land, just as God had said.

Nevertheless, the Israelites dwelt in the land of Egypt, they worked hard and prospered well.

Note: they did not prosper just because they were Joe’s family, they did not obtain possessions because of their relationship with the big guy Joe running the show. That could never happen, right?

They didn’t just sneak across the border and get a free ride, free food, clothes, cell phone, hotel, health care. That could never happen, right?

Remember, the first question Pharaoh asked Joseph's family was: “What’s your occupation?” Genesis 47:3.

He expected them to show up with something to offer.

They were shepherds, they brought their flocks. They came humbly, respectfully, willingly, ready to work.

Even though Egypt was not their home. They bloomed where they were planted.

God honors that.

They were blessed and grew and multiplied exceedingly.

But it wasn't always like that. Before they got to Egypt growing was slow. It took 215 years to grow from one man, Abraham, to 70 people with Jacob and family.

Then, because of the exclusive, segregated nature of the Egyptian lifestyle, Israel grew as a distinct nation, inside a nation. One nation under God.

In Egypt but not of Egypt.

And just as God had said, in about 400 years they grew into a great nation, about two million strong.

Likewise, as Christians this earth is not our home, we are in the world, but not of the world, as per Jesus’ prayer for us, in John 17.

According to 1 Peter 2:9, God's people, (Ekklésia) are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, set apart, to proclaim His praise, called out of darkness into His marvelous Light.

Set apart, called out, but not to bury our head (or gifts and talents) in the sand, but to bloom where we’re planted.

Like the parables of Jesus that show how those who used their gifts and talents were rewarded, however the one who buried his, was called a wicked and lazy servant and cast into outer darkness where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth. Matthew 25:14-30, and Luke 19:11-27.

Whether you know it or not, as a child of God, you have Seed, gifts, talents, a God given Divine Eternal Purpose, with potential to feed many.

But it’s of no value hiding underground.

However, when it breaks out of its shell, shakes off the dirt and presses toward the Son, then, it buds and blooms and bears much fruit, fulfilling your Divine Eternal Purpose and calling.

You are surrounded by opportunities to bloom where you’re planted. They come in the unlikeliest of ways.

Like with Sherri.

My sweet God loving, joy filled, peacemaking sister Sherri, never dreamed she’d have opportunity to bloom where she was planted, into a local gang.

Just the other day, I had this sudden desire to call Sherri. 

She said, “I’m so glad you called, I was going to call you today.”

She told about how a couple of gang members had painted graffiti on the new vinyl siding of her garage.

The cops explained that it was from a local gang.

The neighbor’s security camera caught the culprits in the act, but it was too dark and grainy to identify. A couple of other neighbors had similar incidents.

Sweet Saint Sherri's thinking. Wait. What? Gang members? In my town? We’re a small, sleepy, peaceful, conservative, farming community.  This isn’t what I signed up for. This isn’t how it’s supposed to be. This is not what I was promised in the small-town Promise Land brochure. Graffiti? Gangs? That sure doesn’t feel like home.

But then, a little Seed started to break out of its shell. She heard herself say regarding talk of removing the graffiti, “No wait, leave it there.”

Why?

If you’re listening to and following the Lord’s leading, sometimes you’ll say and do things that don’t make sense in your head, but it makes peace in your heart.

A few minutes later I heard myself say, “You know, maybe Katie (her daughter who’s a good artist) could paint a response. Perhaps something like: “Jesus loves You. He made you a talented artist.” Write it in Spanish, since reportedly the gang is Hispanic.

So, Doug, somebody vandalizes the garage with graffiti and your answer is to add more graffiti?

I know the idea might not make sense in your head, but it made peace in Sherri’s heart, and she said, “I’ve been thinking the same thing.”

For her, it was confirmation.

That’s how God works.

Maybe it will open a dialogue. Plant a Seed. Lead to the saving of a soul. A whole gang. A book and movie, instead of The Cross and the Switchblade with Nicki Cruz and David Wilkerson, it’ll be The Cross and the Paintbrush. 😊

Lord, we pause and pray for that gang. You know them and love them, we pray you reach them, help them to turn to You and use their gifts and talents to honor You. We pray for Your dear daughters Sherri and Katie, please protect them, give them Your wisdom and favor, and cause them to bloom and blossom and bear much fruit. Thank You.  

Wherever you’re at today, you are Seed.

Bloom where you’re planted.

Watch God give the increase, and through you, bear much fruit.

28 And Jacob lived in the land of Egypt seventeen years. So the length of Jacob’s life was one hundred and forty-seven years. 29 When the time drew near that Israel must die, he called his son Joseph...

Prepare to be Planted

Here the Lord pauses to glance at the calendar.

Periodically providing years and ages throughout the Bible is one of the ways God gives undeniable proof of the accuracy of Scripture.

The more we discover through archeology, the more we uncover the historical accuracy of the Bible.

But of course, the Bible’s not just a history lesson, it’s His Story lesson to us.

2 Timothy 3:16-17. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: ¹⁷ That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

Additionally, our text pauses not just to point at the Biblical calendar, but also at our own.

Jacob is 147 years old. Even by Florida Snowbird standards, that’s no spring chicken.

Our bodies get old, break down and die.

Psalm 90:12. So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.

So, wisdom tells us to prepare to be planted.

Which is exactly what Jacob is about to do.

We should too.

Get our house in order.

It’s not morbid, it’s wise, and kind to loved ones left behind, when you die.

Speaking of being left behind.

Something more important than getting our house in order physically, is to get our house in order Spiritually.

Which brings us to our final point.

29 ...and said to him, “Now if I have found favor in your sight, please put your hand under my thigh, and deal kindly and truly with me. Please do not bury me in Egypt, 30 but let me lie with my fathers; you shall carry me out of Egypt and bury me in their burial place.”

And he said, “I will do as you have said.”

31 Then he said, “Swear to me.” And he swore to him. So Israel bowed himself on the head of the bed.

Plant Toward the Promise Land

So that we’re not distracted, wondering, let’s first talk about the phrase please put your hand under my thigh.

In America when saying the pledge, you place your hand over your heart.

In court, when being sworn in to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the Truth so help me God, you place your hand over the Bible, God’s covenant.

In the Bible, back in that day, there was a peculiar way of taking an oath. It was placing your hand under the thigh, (some say loins) near, or on, the sign of the covenant.

The sign of the covenant was circumcision. Genesis 17:11.

We’ve seen the hand under the thigh oath taking twice. 

First in Genesis 24:2-3 where Abraham instructed his servant not to take a wife for Isaac among the Canaanites, but to go to his family over 500 miles north in Haran and find a wife from there.

Then again here in Genesis 47:29, when Jacob has Joseph swear to not bury him in Egypt, but in the place, Abraham purchased as a burial place, in Hebron.

Both times the oath giver (Abraham and Jacob) were basically saying, “I’m putting my trust in you; my future is in your hands.”

By the way, today you can visit (if it’s safe) the burial place in the cave of Machpelah, purchased by Abraham some 3,900 years ago.

Today it’s called the Cave of the Patriarchs, in Hebron (about 20 miles south of Jerusalem). It's the world’s most ancient Jewish site and second holiest site for Jews, after, the Temple Mount.

There lies, Abraham and Sarah, Isaac and Rebekah, and Jacob and Leah. Ancestors of Christ.

Do not bury me in Egypt. More than giving instructions for his physical burial, Jacob was saying do not let my memory die with this world but live on with the God of our fathers in the land of Promise.

Even after he was gone, he left instructions that pointed and sent his family to the Promise Land.

More valuable than all the silver and all the gold in all the world is to leave behind a Godly legacy that points to Eternity.

It’s not too late.

Plant toward the Promise Land.

Start right now.

I don’t know how.

That’s okay. God does. Let’s talk, let’s pray, let’s hear from Him. He has a plan He wants to show you. Guaranteed.

As much as depends on you, plant toward the Promise Land, toward Eternity for all those God’s given you, so none are lost.

There’s no excuse.

But I’ve made too many mistakes, I haven’t lived right, it’s too late, they won’t listen.

It doesn’t matter.

Their response isn’t your responsibility. Your responsibility is to plant the Seed in Love. Water it with prayer and live a Godly example.

Then, trust God to give the increase.

In a moment, we’ll be in Eternity, and then, only what’s done for Christ will last. The rest is just wood, hay and stubble.

Swear to me. Notice Jacob didn’t just settle with an “Okay, dad fine, I’ll do it.” He made him swear to it.

Serving God is a command, not an invitation with an it’s okay either way.

Jesus tells us the greatest command is to “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these.” Mark 12:29-31.

The most important thing we can do is plant toward the Promise Land for all those we may leave behind, for in the twinkling of an eye, 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 and 1 Cor. 15:51-52 will happen:

For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. ¹⁷ Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. ¹⁸ Therefore comfort one another with these words.

Compared to eternity, life is just the blink of an eye.

When Jacob first got to Egypt, Pharaoh asked, “How old are you?” Jacob said he was 130, and few and evil are the days of his pilgrimage. Genesis 47:9.

He called his life a pilgrimage. He knew Egypt was not his home, the earth was not his home, he knew he was just passing through.

In Hebrews 11, the Faith Hall of Fame, Jacob is listed among those faith super heroes who were, stoned, sawn asunder, tempted, tortured, slain by the sword, who wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, afflicted, tormented— of whom the world was not worthy. 

For those super saints, this world had nothing to offer, they knew their home wasn't here, they searched for the far greater city whose Builder and Maker is God.

Bloom where you’re planted

Prepare to be planted

Plant toward the Promise Land

Let's pray.

Holy Lord Jesus thank You for revealing to us that this world is not our home, we’re in it, but not of it. Help us, and all those You’ve given us, to be ready to meet You and hear You say, “Well done, welcome to your forever, Home.”

Thank You Lord.

We love You, forever.

Amen.

Prayer Requests:

Call or text: 612-554-2522

Email: pray4measap@aol.com

Facebook: Church at WPV

Books: amazon.com/author/dougspurling

Watch online:

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This was feed for you to read. Now it’s Seed for you to sow.

Thank you for sharing.

 

Diókó, Acts 22:1-23

 

Imagine, you just returned from an extended mission trip. With joy you tell the Church all the wonderful things the Lord had done.  Then, the Church leaders ask for a favor. Will you go along with some outdated religious rituals?

Why?

Well, because we don’t want to offend the myriad new converts still clinging to the old customs.

Even if you know it’s not a God idea, or even a good idea, out of respect for the elders, out of love for the people, you comply to their appeasement plan, in hopes it may win them over and help them grow.

But now you’re thinking, “What was I thinking?”

Because, while doing your good deed, you’re beaten almost to death.

If not for somebody calling the cops, you’d be dead.

The police carry you from the scene to the station.

The mob follows.

You ask the commander for permission to speak to the crowd.

He looks at you like you’re nuts but opens the door and nods his head.

So, with his permission, and the protection of law enforcement, this is what you say...

“Morons and jerks, now shut your face and listen!”

No, that’s not how it goes.

Well, maybe it’s what I would say, but not what Paul said. What we just read was what happened to Paul in the previous chapter.

Now, this is what Paul said:

Acts 22:1
“Brethren and fathers, hear my defense before you now.”

 

Brethren and fathers, dear family, please hear me.

² And when they heard that he spoke to them in the Hebrew language, they kept all the more silent.

The word for Hebrew is, Hebrais (he-brah-EES). Picture Christian-eez on steroids.

In the first century, the Jews were multilingual. Their ancestral language and Scripture was Hebrew. So, when speaking religion and Scripture they used Hebrais.

Aramaic was their everyday language.

Then, to the Romans they spoke Greek, which was their everyday language. Remember, Paul spoke Greek when asking the Roman commander for permission to speak to the mob. Acts 21:37.

To the Greek I became as the Greek, to the Jew as the Jew. All things to all people that I might win the more. 1 Corinthians 9:20-22.

So, to the Jewish mob that just tried to kill him, he spoke their revered language, and they listened... at least for a little while.

Then he said: ³ “I am indeed a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia...

The region of Cilicia is the area of modern-day Turkey.

The city of Tarsus was the capital of Cilicia, in the Roman Empire.

Like Tallahassee, is the capital of Florida, in the United States of America.

Tarsus to Jerusalem is about 571 miles south by land; 355 miles by sea.

3...but brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel,

Paul, a Jew, was born a Roman citizen in Tarsus, but was raised in this city, Jerusalem.

At the feet of Gamaliel. The Rabbis sat in a tall chair, and their disciples sat on the ground, so they were literally at their master's feet.

Gamaliel was a member of the Sanhedrin (Jewish Supreme Court—of sorts). He was a renowned Pharisee and teacher of the law. According to Jewish tradition, he was the grandson of the famous Rabbi Hillel.

 

In Acts 5:38-39, Gamaliel stood in defense of the early Church saying, “let them alone; for if this plan or this work is of men, it will come to nothing; ³⁹ but if it is of God, you cannot overthrow it—lest you even be found to fight against God.”

He was a mentor to the apostle Paul.

3... taught according to the strictness of our fathers’ law, and was zealous toward God as you all are today.

According to the strictness... meaning the most accurate, the most exact.

In other words, Paul had a Master of Divinity through an Ivy League education. (Back when an Ivy League education meant Academic Excellence and Prestige, rather than woke wacky wicked weirdos).

4 I persecuted this Way to the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women,

Persecuted: Greek: diókó (dee-o'-ko): to intensely pursue, chase, hunt, to press forward.

In context here, with intent to kill, to the death.

Paul (Saul) passionately pursued Christians to the death; a genocidal terrorist.

How could God use a man like that?

Paul must’ve wondered about the same thing and wrote about it to Timothy:

1 Timothy 1:13. I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and a violent man; yet because I had acted in ignorance and unbelief, I was shown mercy.

You see, God sees beyond the deeds, to the thoughts and intents of the heart. Hebrews 4:12.

I persecuted this Way... Christians were called the Way. The word, Way means: road, journey, path.

Jesus says in John 14:6, I AM the Way... I Am the road, the journey, the path.

Christianity is not religion, (man’s way to work his way to heaven).

Christianity is to, diókó Christ. To intensely pursue, chase, hunt, to press forward into Christ, the Way, the Truth, the Life.

Do you diókó Christ?

Are you a CHRIST-ian.

1 John 4:8, tells us, God is Love.

Thus, Christianity is to diókó Love. To intensely pursue, chase, hunt, to press forward into Love, into God.

Therefore, the destination, the target, the objective, of a Christian is not only to miss hell. That motivation is self-centered, self-seeking, self-preserving and diametrically opposed to the heart necessary to enter heaven.

The heart that pleases God and enters heaven is one faithful to deny self and diókó Jesus.

“If anyone desires to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow (pursue, chase, hunt, press forward into, follow hard after) Me.” Luke 9:23.

The Christian life should be one of hot pursuit, not timid apathy.

Paul openly admitted that in his past, he diókóed Christians to the death.

5 as also the high priest bears me witness, and all the council of the elders, from whom I also received letters to the brethren, and went to Damascus to bring in chains even those who were there to Jerusalem to be punished.

Basically, Paul was the bounty hunter, for the Religious Jerusalem Jews.

Now he namedrops some of his old powerful friends (ex-friends) that helped him in his hitman business.

But he’s about to drop the name above all names.

6 “Now it happened, as I journeyed and came near Damascus at about noon, suddenly a great light from heaven shone around me.

It’s high noon. Saul and the boys are almost to their destination, Damascus. They’re smiling, singing, “Blue skies, smilin’ at me, nothing but blue skies do I see. Now it won’t be long, ‘til all the Christians are all gone.”

Then suddenly the Light of the world shows up, and the things of earth grow strangely dim in the Light of His glory and grace.

This happens along every person’s life journey; the Light of the world shows up and shines. Sometimes to dim what we deem so bright. Other times to bring light to our darkest night. What we do with His Light determines our destiny. 

Perhaps this great light is what Paul was thinking of when he penned in his letter to Tim.

Excerpt from 1 Timothy 6:11-16: “...pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. ¹² Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, ¹⁴ ... until our Lord Jesus Christ’s appearing... ¹⁶ dwelling in unapproachable light...”

7 And I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?’ 8 So I answered, ‘Who are You, Lord?’ And He said to me, ‘I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting.’

Persecuting: diókó. 

The original text literally says: Saul, Saul why diókó Me?

Saul, why intensely pursue, chase, hunt... the Christians? My people?

No. Why do you diókó Me to the death? Jesus takes it as a personal attack against Himself.

Every word or deed against a Christian, is an assault against Jesus.

Lord, forgive us for speaking against You, when we spoke against our brother or sister. Lord, help us remember that when we’re persecuted, they’re not persecuting us, but You.

Jesus puts it like this in Matthew 25:31-46:

“When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. ³² All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. ³³ And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. ³⁴ Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: ³⁵ for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; ³⁶ I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’

³⁷ “Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? ³⁸ When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? ³⁹ Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ ⁴⁰ And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’

⁴¹ “Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels: ⁴² for I was hungry and you gave Me no food; I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink; ⁴³ I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, naked and you did not clothe Me, sick and in prison and you did not visit Me.’

⁴⁴ “Then they also will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You?’ ⁴⁵ Then He will answer them, saying, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’ ⁴⁶ And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”

9 “And those who were with me indeed saw the light and were afraid, but they did not hear the voice of Him who spoke to me.

The Lord’s Voice can be heard clearly, unmistakably, seemingly audibly, but somehow, He speaks straight from His Spirit to ours.

10 So I said, ‘What shall I do, Lord?’ And the Lord said to me, ‘Arise and go into Damascus, and there you will be told all things which are appointed for you to do.’

The Lord always comes in Light and His commands are always to arise and go.

Isaiah 60:1. Arise shine for the Light has come and the glory of the Lord is risen upon you.

2 Corinthians 3:17-18. Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

11 And since I could not see for the glory of that light, being led by the hand of those who were with me, I came into Damascus.

The very Light that blinded him, when he thought he could see, is the very Light that guided him, when he knew he was blind.

Pride blinds. Humility opens eyes.

12 “Then a certain Ananias, a devout man according to the law, having a good testimony with all the Jews who dwelt there, 13 came to me; and he stood and said to me, ‘Brother Saul, receive your sight.’ And at that same hour I looked up at him.

Ananias is the Greek form of the Hebrew name Hananiah and means “Yahweh has been gracious.”

What a powerful message of amazing grace (unmerited favor) to Paul.

Lord, help us to be like Ananias, who trusted You over the news reports that said Saul was an enemy. A genocidal terrorist. Help us, like Ananias to fear You more than man. Help us, obey You even when we don’t understand. Help us to forgive, like Ananias who by Your love and grace was able to call Saul the Saint Slayer, his brother.

Brother Saul, receive your sight. And then, just like that, Saul was able to say like the man born blind man in John 9:25, “This one thing I know, once I was blind, but now I see.”

14 Then he said, ‘The God of our fathers has chosen you that you should know His will, and see the Just One, and hear the voice of His mouth. 15 For you will be His witness to all men of what you have seen and heard.

Paul was chosen by God to know His will, see the Just One, hear His Voice, be His witness.

How in the world could a genocidal terrorist do all that?

Diókó.

Paul continued to diókó, but now for the cause of Christ, instead of against Him.

After one encounter with Jesus, for the rest of his life, he intensely, passionately, pursued, chased, pressed forward to Christ, the Way, the Truth, the Life.

1)    Chosen.

a.     Saul was chosen, not forced. Jesus showed up shining, but did not force.

                                              i.          Saul asked who are You, Lord.

                                            ii.          Saul believed, “I am Jesus.”

                                          iii.          Saul obeyed. Put feet to faith. “What should I do Lord?” 

b.    IF you ask, believe, obey, you too, “are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into His marvelous Light,” 1 Peter 2:9.

2)    Know His will.

a.     All are called, like Paul, to know His will. God wants us to know His will, more than we want to know it.

b.    Romans 12:2. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. (Discerning God’s Will book).

3)    See the Just One.

a.     Hebrews 11:1. Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

b.    You don't need to see to believe, you need to believe to see.

c.     Matthew 5:8. “Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God.”

4)    Hear His Voice.

a.     Romans 10:17. Faith comes by hearing the Word (rhema, spoken) of God.

5)    Be His witness.

a.     Acts 1:8. “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

 

16 And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.’

Ananias spoke Paul’s language. Let’s getter done!

God uses doers.

Many are called, few are chosen (Matt 22:14) because few are doers.

Be a doer of the Word not a hearer only. James 1:22-25.

17 “Now it happened, when I returned to Jerusalem and was praying in the temple, that I was in a trance 18 and saw Him saying to me, ‘Make haste and get out of Jerusalem quickly, for they will not receive your testimony concerning Me.’ 19 So I said, ‘Lord, they know that in every synagogue I imprisoned and beat those who believe on You. 20 And when the blood of Your martyr (witness) Stephen was shed, I also was standing by consenting to his death, and guarding the clothes of those who were killing him.’ 21 Then He said to me, ‘Depart, for I will send you far from here to the Gentiles.’ ”

22 And they listened to him until this word, and then they raised their voices and said, “Away with such a fellow from the earth, for he is not fit to live!” 23 Then, as they cried out and tore off their clothes and threw dust into the air,

They were fine with his testimony of diókó, pursuing, chasing, hunting, imprisoning, beating, stoning to the death, Christians—even Jewish Christians.

BUT, to diókó gentiles for the sake of Salvation?

That’s an abomination, that’s not acceptable, that deems Paul worthy of death.

The religious Jews (not Christians) thought God created gentiles to fuel the fires of hell.

There’s no reasoning with demons. They didn’t want to discuss it, they wanted blood. They wanted Paul’s head; they wanted him dead.

Beware! A religious spirit and prejudice are demonic brothers.

An unreasonable despise or hatred toward a particular class, or race, or person, is an insane demonic cancer.

Jews had it against gentiles.

Religious Jews had it against Jesus. (JDS - Jesus derangement syndrome).

Hitler and genocidal terrorists today, against Jews.

Myriads have it against Trump, (TDS, Trump derangement syndrome).

Some so-called Christians against other denominations.

How do we overcome such a widespread demonic cancer?

Diókó Christ.

Arise and go. Intensely pursue, chase, hunt, press forward into Christ, the Way, the Truth, the Life.

Spiritual Multivitamins infused with Diókó:

Psalm 42:1 As the deer pants for the water brooks, So pants my soul for You, O God.

Pants: from the Hebrew verb "arag” conveying a deep, intense longing or yearning, often used of a soul's deep desire for God.

Matthew 6:33. Seek FIRST, the Kingdom of God, and His righteousness, and all these other things shall be added unto you.

Seek: zéteó: To seek, to search for, to desire, to strive after.

Psalm 34:7. Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.

Proverbs 3:5-6. Trust in the Lord with all your heart lean not on your own understanding in all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths.

Proverbs 16:3. Commit your works unto the Lord and your thoughts will be established.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Romans 12:10-12. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Outdo yourselves in honoring one another. 11 Do not let your zeal subside; keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, persistent in prayer.

Jesus sums it all up with this:

Mark 12:30-31. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ 31... Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these.”

Sounds a lot like: diókó (dee-o'-ko).

Let's pray.

Lord Jesus, thank You for passionately pursuing us to the death—Your death. If you did not diókó us, we’d be lost. Now, please help us to live diókó, to live passionately pursuing Your Presence.

Thank You.

We love You, forever.

Amen.

Prayer Requests:

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This was feed for you to read. Now it’s Seed for you to sow.

Thank you for sharing.