Acts 21. 12.25.25
SCRIPTURE :Acts 21:35-37, 39 NIV
“When Paul reached the steps, the violence of the mob was so great he had to be carried by the soldiers. The crowd that followed kept shouting, “Get rid of him!”
As the soldiers were about to take Paul into the barracks, he asked the commander, “May I say something to you?” “Do you speak Greek?” he replied.
Paul answered, “I am a Jew, from Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no ordinary city.
Please let me speak to the people.””
OBSERVATION
Paul was forewarned by God and other believers that trouble awaited him in Jerusalem. Once he arrived in Jerusalem, James and the elders rejoiced over the amazing work God had done through Paul’s report.
Then, through a complicated trail of rumors, lies, and wrong assumptions, things go exactly according to the Holy Spirit’s foreknowledge and Paul is arrested several days later.
There was always only ONE purpose for Paul…finish the race Christ had Called him to and KEEP the Faith in Jesus.
“For I am already being poured out like a drink offering,
and the time for my departure is near.
I have fought the good fight,
I have finished the race,
I have kept the faith.
Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness,
which the Lord, the righteous Judge,
will award to me on that day—
and not only to me—but also to all—who have longed for His appearing.”
(2 Timothy 4:6-8 NIV)
Paul was given a brief opportunity to speak to the crowd. It didn’t go exactly as he may have planned or liked— BUT it went EXACTLY as God had Planned.
APPLICATION
MERRY CHRISTMAS
Christmas is a Reminder of Christ’s —Great JOY!
Recently I was asked the difference between Joy and Happiness.
Happiness is reliant on earthy temporal things.
I am happy at the Beach, smelling the Ocean air, listening to the waves ebb and flow, walking in the wet sand as the waves come in.
I am happy when I bake something new and it comes out the way I had hoped, sometimes even better, and get to watch the look on other people’s faces enjoying what I have made.
I am happy seeing the utter excitement in Wolffy’s brown eyes when she knows she is about to go for a walk.
And of course I have countless memories of laughter and happiness over silly little things that come to mind with my dearest husband.
Everything on this list is entirely based on temporary circumstances.
Joy is supernatural—and a Fruit of the Holy Spirit—Coming from God—Himself.
Not temporal…not based on any circumstances—but—Eternal—
JOY in Jesus is Ours Forever—
Romans 15:13
“May the God of hope —FILL you —with all —JOY and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.”
James 1:2-4
“Count it as Great JOY, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, knowing that the testing of your faith [through experience] produces endurance.
And let endurance have its perfect result and do a thorough work, so that you may be perfect and completely developed [in your faith], lacking in nothing.
Psalms 71:23
“My lips will shout for JOY —when I sing praises to YOU; And my soul, which You have redeemed.”
Paul explains Joy in his letter to the Philippian Church:
Although he is in Rome in prison and has every reason to be unhappy—
Paul is FILLED with Supernatural, JOY.
Because Paul is seeing how God is using even his challenging circumstances—to continue to Advance the Spread of Christ’s Gospel and salvations are Happening!
Not only are people continuing to Hear the Gospel Message that Jesus Saves—but Paul rejoices that even his prison guards are being saved.
AND…Paul says, “Your Faith in Christ—Causes me to rejoice”.
(Philippians 1)
Jesus IS our—JOY!
PRAYER
LORD Jesus,
Thank YOU That You Alone make my—our—JOY Complete.
I pray I can learn more and more what it means to Be genuinely FILLED with Your JOY because of The Faith that others are growing in that are near to me and because of Your Gospel Message that has the Power to Move out regardless of any circumstances we find ourselves in. Help me to fully understand the JOY in Advancing Who YOUR Gospel Message of Unmeasurable LOVE.
Thank YOU that My JOY in YOU is not based in Circumstances. It is based in the unshakable TRUTH that our eternity is SECURE in YOU!
Help me, Like Paul, to Listen to what is being said and to Listen between the lines and to Hear YOU and to Look for the common ground to Make Your message accessible to everyone around.
There is nothing comparable to Your JOY!
“Jesus said,
“Until now you have not asked for anything in MY name.
Ask—and you will receive, and your JOY will be—COMPLETE.”
(John 16:24 NIV)
In JESUS Name, amen.
Tina L Kudelka