Germantown UMC Devotionals

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Opening: What is the strangest thing you have ever seen? An odd animal behavior? An unexplainable sighting? An unbelievable act?

Scripture: Read Acts 19:11-41.

Insights:

There are three fascinating events in today’s passage:

1. Luke records Paul’s unusual miraculous power. Unusual is an understatement! If you ever wondered why some TV “evangelists” sell specially blessed handkerchiefs with promises of healing, here it is in the Bible (there is no other occasion of this happening in the Bible). Of course, it is God who did these things.

2. There are records of extensive ceremonies and spoken formulas that Jewish people in the 1^st century used to try to free themselves from the influence of evil spirits, but it is unlikely that these were very effective, since the people were astounded when Jesus was able to cast out demons with “authority and power” (see Luke 4:36). Here in Acts, it is clear that true faith in Jesus is required, not just uttering His name. And here, a “reverse exorcism” occurred, with the demon driving out the exorcists. Their nudity enhanced their humiliation.

3. The backlash in Ephesus was about economics, patriotism, and religious loyalty. Demetrius gathers merchants and argues that Paul is bad for business. The people of Ephesus were also very proud of their temple to Artemis, which was one of the wonders of the ancient world. Artemis was a goddess of fertility. She was represented by a carved female figure with many breasts. The festival of Artemis involved wild orgies and carousing. Obviously the religious and commercial life of Ephesus reflected the city’s worship of this pagan deity.

Even the account of the botched exorcism was a positive for the church in Ephesus, just as had happened in Jerusalem (see Acts 5:11). As a result, there was a sorcery book burning. The value of the books was estimated at several million dollars of today’s money.

Life Questions:

The evil spirit says, “Jesus I know, and I know about Paul, but who are you?”[1] Once again, demons know Jesus. This one says he knows about Paul. What about you? Do demons know about you because of your work for the Kingdom of God?
For the third time in the book of Acts, Luke tells us that the “name of the Lord Jesus was praised.”[2] The actions, attitudes, and activities of believers can produce both praise and derision of Jesus. It is an awesome responsibility to represent Christ.

Prayer Focus: That our witness would bring honor and praise to our Lord Jesus Christ.

[1] Acts 19:15 (NIV), my emphasis

[2] Acts 19:17 (NRSV). Also see Acts 6:7; 12:24.

Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Opening: What is it like to return to your former school, a previous church, or the house you grew up in? What is it about familiar faces and places to touches our souls so?

Scripture: Read Acts 18:23-19:10.

Insights:

Paul’s Third Missionary Journey begins with Paul returning through Asia Minor (current Turkey) visiting churches he established in his First Missionary Journey. Look in your Bible to see a map of this Third Missionary Journey or go to http://www.keyway.ca/htm2002/paulthir.htm. · You may remember that it was in Antioch that the believers were first called “Christians” (see Acts 11:26). However, we find that in other places, the movement was called “The Way” (see Acts 18:25 plus 9:2; 19:9,23; 22:4; 24:14, 22).
We are introduced in this passage to Apollos. We are told that he knew only the baptism of John, which suggests that he had not heard about the baptism that Jesus commanded after his resurrection (see Matthew 28:19), and which began to be administered to all believers in Christ on and after the day of Pentecost (see Acts 2; 8:12; etc.). Therefore Apollos’ knowledge of the Christian gospel must have been deficient in some ways, though he taught accurately the things concerning Jesus as far as he knew them. He certainly knew about Jesus’ life and teachings, but he may not have known about Jesus’ death and resurrection, or about the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. Apollos would become a powerful evangelist for the Lord (see 1 Corinthians 3:4; 16:12).
Ephesus was a Roman capital for Asia (Turkey). It was colonized principally from Athens. In the time of the Romans, it bore the title of “the first and greatest metropolis of Asia.” It was distinguished for the Temple of Diana, and for its theatre, which was the largest in the world and capable of containing 50,000 spectators (Great American Ball Park has 42,319 seats).[1] Paul spent three years as the pastor of this church, and would later write a letter to the Ephesians while he was in a Roman prison.
It is notable that the four occasions in Acts when the Holy Spirit was given in a spectacular manner had to do with the entrance of different groups into the Church: the original Jewish believers (Acts 2), the Samaritans (Acts 8), the Gentiles (Acts 10), and now the half-taught men in Ephesus (Acts 19:6). God indicated His approval of each group by special manifestation of His Spirit.

Life Questions:

Apollos and some in Ephesus only knew the “baptism of John.” They did not have the full Gospel. Has there been something in your faith journey that you were unaware of until later? The Holy Spirit? Grace? Spiritual Gifts? Is there some tenet of the Christian faith you still are not too certain you understand? Maybe you should attend the November 4 “FirstSunday” class, when the topic will be “Christianity 101.”

Prayer Focus: That we would “reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.”[2]

[1] Illustrated Bible Dictionary: And Treasury of Biblical History, Biography, Geography, Doctrine, and Literature.

[2] Ephesians 4:13 (NIV)

Monday, October 15, 2012

Opening: What do you like the most about returning home after a long vacation or business trip? What do you like the least?

Scripture: Read Acts 18:18-22.

Insights:

Cenchreae was 6 east of Corinth and was Corinth’s main port to the Aegean Sea. The Roman harbor of Cenchreae is still visible (though largely submerged), and excavators have identified warehouses, fish tanks, and what they believe may be temples to Isis and Aphrodite.[1]
When a Jew specially wished to thank God for some blessing, he took the Nazirite vow (see Numbers 6:1-21, also Acts 21:20-24). If that vow was carried out in full, it meant that for 30 days, he neither ate meat nor drank wine and he allowed his hair to grow. At the end of the 30 days, he made certain offerings in the Temple; his head was shaved and the hair was burned on the altar as an offering to God. No doubt Paul was thinking of all God’s goodness to him in Corinth and took this vow to show his gratitude.[2]
Paul makes his first stop at Ephesus; however, it is brief. Though the people asked him to stay, he was insistent that he had to leave. It is possible that he wanted to return to Jerusalem for feast, probably of Pentecost.[3] We (and Paul) will come back to Ephesus later.
Paul left Priscilla and Aquila in Ephesus. This brief stop and their presence laid the groundwork for the ministry yet to come.
Paul returned home and briefed the Christian leaders in Jerusalem. This ended the Second Missionary Journey.
If your version of verse 22 refers to going “up” to Jerusalem and “down” to Antioch, these are not references to directions but elevations. Jerusalem was at a higher elevation than Antioch. It would be as if we said, “We are going up to Denver then down to Dayton.” This is typical in the Bible. In fact, Psalm 120-134 are called Psalms of Ascent, because they were sung as people went “up” Mt. Zion to Jerusalem for worship.

Life Questions:

We don’t undertake vows in our Christian faith. I guess the closest thing might be abstaining from something during Lent. Maybe we should, but not to earn some special spiritual “Certificate of Achievement.” What we do when we take a vow is to take on some spiritual discipline (fasting, meditation, solitude, etc.). By doing so, our spiritual lives dig deep into the well-spring of God’s grace, majesty, presence, and direction for our lives. If you would like more information on spiritual disciplines, read Richard Foster’s book “Celebration of Discipline.”

Prayer Focus: That we would seek a deeper spiritual life because of our hunger for God.

[1] ESV Study Bible, Acts 18:18

[2] Barclay’s Daily Study Bible, Acts 18:18

[3] Some manuscripts (and the King James Version) for verse 21 read, “I must be all means be at Jerusalem for the upcoming festival, but I will come back later.”

Sunday, October 14, 2012

Opening: Do you have any friends in the Lord, people who have joined you in ministry, with whom you have grown close because of that ministry?

Scripture: Read Acts 18:1-17.

Insights:

Paul moves on to Corinth, which is 46 miles west of Athens. A Roman colony, it was the most influential city of the province of Achaia, both politically and economically. The church that would be established there would become a source of both joy and frustration for Paul, resulting in the writing of 1 & 2 Corinthians.
Here we are first introduced to Aquila and his wife Priscilla. This is the only time Aquila is listed first. In all other biblical references, her name takes preference (see Acts 18:26; Romans 16:3; 2 Timothy 4:19). This seems to indicate that she was the leader of this preaching duo.
Both Jews and Gentiles were won to the Lord. In verse 8, Crispus is listed as the leader of the synagogue and was one of the few baptized by Paul (see 1 Corinthians 1:14). Later in verse 17, Sosthenes has taken his place, maybe because of Crispus’ conversion. But according to 1 Corinthians 1:1, Sosthenes joined Paul’s team.
Up to this point, opposition to his ministry usually forced Paul to leave a place of witness. But in a vision, God assured him that he would have a successful ministry in Corinth and would suffer no further harm. In obedience, Paul remained there for 18 months (49–51 A.D.), during which time he wrote 1 & 2 Thessalonians. He stayed longer than any other city except Ephesus. God’s assurance was immediately confirmed by Paul’s deliverance from an attempt to condemn him before the proconsul.

Life Questions:

Priscilla and Aquila become important colleagues with Paul in the spreading of the Gospel. Besides their faith, they shared in common the trade of tent making. Is there anyone you are connected with (friend, relative, acquaintance, neighbor) who might join you in some mission or witness.
We don’t like to be confronted, especially with regards to our faith. Reread Acts 18:9-10. Could this message be for you as well? In what area of your witness do you need to hear the imperatives/commands “Don’t be afraid! Speak out! Don’t be silent!”?

Prayer Focus: That we would be fearless in our lifestyle witness and testimony to the saving power of God through Jesus Christ.