KEY SCRIPTURE: Acts 17:16 ” Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was stirred in him, when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry.”

Apostle Paul was waiting for Silas and Timothy to return from Berea. He therefore had a good time to observed the city of Athens critically. He noticed that the city was dominated by idolatry. He did not just notice it but was also stirred by his spirit about this error.

  Many people might have lived or visited the same place yet would not have noticed the high degree of idolatry.  What made Paul to be stirred up this way? Paul was a man on an assignment for God. He had a sense of duty. He was also prepared to fulfil this assignment for God. Please let’s consider what Paul said in Romans 1:14-15 as follows ” I am a debtor both to the Greeks and to the Barbarians, both to the wise and the unwise. So as much as in me is I am ready to preach the Gospel to you that are in Rome also.” 

Paul’s statement speaks volumes. He says he is a debtor. He implies wherever I go, I owe these people with the good news, and how can I pay such a debt? He also added; as much as in me is I am ready to preach the Gospel to them. Apostle Paul had a very positive attitude about the task the Lord gave him to do. Get positive today.

Our world is filled with so much challenges and evil. Just look around and you would see young men and women given to drugs and sex. Even among Christians many love their phones more than the word of God. Homosexuality and lesbianism is eating deep into our societies. Money ritual is swallowing our youth. Indeed, there is so much to stir up the spirit of any serious child of God. Have you noticed the deprivation of our world? Are you stirred in your spirit to do something?

Apostle Paul was not only stirred up but did something about the situation. Acts 17:17 reads “Therefore disputed he in the synagogue with the Jews and with the devout persons and in the market daily with them that met with him”. Apostle Paul took the truth to the synagogue, the devout persons and daily at the market place We must likewise get to the youth and reason with them from the word as Paul did.

 CONFESSION

I am a man on an assignment for God. I work His works while it is day, for the night comes when no man can work.

FURTHER STUDIES

1 Corinthians 9:16” For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!”

1 Corinthians 9:19 ” For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more.”

KEY SCRIPTURE:  Galatians 6:17 ” From henceforth let no man trouble me: for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus”.

 Apostle Paul declares in our key scripture the following “from henceforth let no man trouble me: for I bear in my body the marks of our Lord Jesus. ” At this period some Jewish Christians were accusing Paul for his stance on the grace of God against the law of Moses… He makes an emphatic statement that ‘within his body is a visible sign of the sufferings that he has gone through in the name of Jesus. In our previous studies we looked at some of the various areas where Paul had to undergo sufferings.

  What are some of the various areas that the Christian of today must prepare his or her mind to suffer for our Lord Jesus Christ. The following are some of the areas that a Christian may be subjected to various kinds of suffering for the name and course of the gospel. John 15:20 ” Remember the word that I said unto you, the servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also”.

1) Suffering persecution to the point of losing our lives for the course of Christ.  The bible speaks on a number of occasions about being killed for the course of our faith.  

2) There are other forms of suffering persecutions in which the Christian is tortured like imprisonment or attacked and beaten for his faith. Some are sacked from their homes etc.

3)When one Forsakes the comfort of his home or town to go to a deprived area to spread the Gospel is also a form of suffering for Christ 

4) Some people would have to forsake their lucrative jobs and big salaries to go into missions to minister to the poor.

5) Using your money to support the spread of the Gospel.

6) Forsaking certain pleasures in order to bring honour to our Lord.

7) Fasting often for the course of Christ.

8) Standing for truth against certain wrong standards at your work places:  For an example; It is a norm for politicians in power to take kickbacks before giving out contracts, and so as a Christian when you refuse such a thing the contract may not be given to you.

9)  Some Christian ladies would have to forsake certain employments or promotions because they would not accept to have sex with their bosses before being promoted or offered certain jobs.

  In actual fact, Satan raises all kinds of oppositions to cause the believer to fall. The essence of persecution from Satan’s view is to make you yield to him and sin against God. Resist him.

 PRAYER

Dear heavenly farther may the church be armed with a mind ready to suffer for the name of our Lord Jesus resulting in the salvation of many.

FURTHER STUDY:

Hebrews 12:3-4 ” For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin”.

Matthew 24:9 ” Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake.”

KEY SCRIPTURE: Galatians 6:17 From henceforth let no man trouble me: for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.

 The strength of every establishment, institution or Organisation is how much the members of such a body are ready to sacrifice their life for the Organisation. The inability of Christians to break certain geographical barriers is not because of how strong those barriers or resistances are, but the inability of the Christians to lay their lives down for the sake of the course of Christ.

Apostle Paul says in Galatians 6:17 that “Front henceforth let no man trouble me, for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.”  

Paul, for the course of the Gospel had to suffer so much physical attacks such that his body was filled with scars all over. In Lystra, he was stoned and dragged out of the city, supposing he was dead. The present-day teaching and projection of comfort and pleasure is seriously weakening the impact of the Gospel in our days. The church of God must grow in love for the master, ready to be totally obedient to Him, in everything to win our world for him.

Shall we consider some of the sufferings apostle Paul had to go through so the Gospel would prevail in his time. 2nd Corinthians 11:24-33 ” of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one, thrice I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned thrice I suffered shipwrecks,  a night and a day I have been in the deep ,in journeyings often, in perils of water, in perils of robbers , in perils by my own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren”…..

the list goes on and on. 

You may not be called to go through all these kinds of sufferings apostle Paul suffered, yet the Christian must be ready to suffer in certain ways so that the name of our master would be exalted.  Be mindful of the fact that one of the basic sins and area where men fall short is for them to love themselves. more than their love for God (2nd Timothy 3:1-3). Apostle Peter tells us in 1st Peter 4:1 the following ” for as much as then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind, for he that has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin.” The preparedness to suffer for the master is a way to keep us against sin.

Dear child of God, do not be afraid to stand for the master in persecution or various trying times.

 PRAYER

I pray for a new and fervent love for the master, that would drive Christians to seek to honour the interest of Jesus above self and all personal ambitions.

FURTHER STUDY

2 Timothy 3:1-2 ” This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.

For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,”

Romans 8:17 ” And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together”.

KEY SCRIPTURE: Acts 17:10-11 And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews.

During the call of Apostle Paul, the Lord said specifically to him that “for I will show him how great things he must suffer for my name sake.”

Indeed, Paul was assailed by so much persecutions in whatever city he went to. Every word of God would have to be fulfilled. No word of God is void of power. Paul’s case was peculiar. This does not mean every child of God is to face that level of opposition that came upon Paul.  You have got to know what God said to you. In any case every child of God would have to face some level of persecution. It may not be to the degree to which Paul faced.  

Paul and Silas were sent from Thessalonica at night so the ranging mob will not attack them. Why would God allow Paul to go through so much persecutions? There was no city or town that he preached without being persecuted or attacked. The following are some of the reasons Paul had to go through persecutions;

1) In Acts 9:16, the Lord said he would suffer for his name sake.

This is suffering is to project the course and name of the Lord. This is not suffering for any personal wrongs done, but to foster the course of the Gospel. We as children of God must not shrink from suffering for the sake of the name of Christ. The Lord said to his disciples in Matthew 16:24 that “……if any man will come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me”  

2) Paul would have to go through suffering for Christ in order to finish his work  with Joy according to Acts 20:24 ” But none of  these things move me, neither count my life dear unto myself so that I might finish my  course with joy……” Satan  and his devils will not sit down idle while we go around saving souls. He would raise various resistances to frustrate the work. It takes endurance of some amount of suffering to overcome the barriers, especially human resistance to the advancement of the Gospel.

3) These sufferings work for him and us an eternal weight of glory. (2nd Corinth 4:17)                           

(Note: The sufferings that our Lord Jesus bore in His redemptive work, like taking away our sicknesses, poverty, curses and sins are not included in the suffering that the Christian must go through. If they come your way, resist them.)

  PRAYER

Father open the eyes of all children of God to accept suffering through persecutions as a necessary part of the Christian life.

FURTHER STUDIES:

1 Corinthians 15:31” I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.”

2 Corinthians 4:17 ” For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;”

KEY SCRIPTURE: Acts 17:4 ” And some of them believed, and consorted with Paul and Silas; and of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and of the chief women not a few.”

Our key scripture says that, after Paul had continuously discussed with the Jews for 3 Sabbath days some of the Jews believed and of the devout Greeks a great multitude and of the chief women as well. This was a great success in ministry. 

From Paul’s experience we see the following;

1)He prepared himself by studying the law and the prophets, allowing the Lord to teach him about Jesus the Messiah from these scriptures.

2) He taught the Jews in the synagogues.

3) He continued to do it over a time.

The results were there to show. Some of the Jews were saved. If he had stayed at home who would have been saved?

The work of evangelism is like what a salesman does. He or she sells a product. His proper presentation and consistency always pay off.  Dear child of God involved in evangelism, keep sharing the Gospel to whatever community, group or people that you have been opportune to reach out to.

In some cases, it may seem nothing is going on. You may not be seeing immediate fruits, yet don’t give up, make evangelism your lifestyle.

The word of God is very potent and would definitely yield good results.

 Acts 17:5 teaches that some of the Jews who did not believe organized some hooligans to raise an uproar against Paul.  They assaulted the house of Jason, a disciple whose home Paul and his team lodged. They found them not and took hold of Jason and drew him to the rulers of the city. The people gave the following testimony about Paul in Acts 17:6 “………. these men who have turned the world upside down are come here also.” This is a very powerful testimony to be said about any child of God and especially ministers of God. Paul and his team made so much impact that they were described as people who turned the world upside down. How did this come to pass? They did it by Consistent, fearless, preaching.  It must be done without fear for anybody and any threat for our lives. For the Christian, living is for Christ and dying is gain.

PRAYER

Stir in the church and in all Christian leaders a commitment to saving our world. May the church be fearless and committed to raise the banner of Jesus very high.

FURTHER STUDIES

 Acts 20:24 ” But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.”

Philippians 1:20 ” According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.”

KEY SCRIPTURE: Acts 17:1 ” Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews:”

 Apostle Paul after his ordeal and victory in Macedonia passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia and finally arrived in Thessalonica, where there was a Synagogue.

 Acts 17:2 says” And Paul as his manner was went unto them, and for three Sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures.” Apostle Paul although his calling was to the gentiles. Romans 11:13 ” For I speak unto you Gentiles, in as much as I am an apostle unto the gentiles, I magnify mine office.”  He made sure that he did not leave the Jews out. Anytime he was in any city where there was a synagogue, he went there to reason out the gospel with them. Paul expressed his heart desire for his people in Romans 10:1 as follows “Brethren my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they might be saved“. Paul never forgot the people who were his lineage. Every child of God must be concerned about his family and relations. You must seek for their salvation. Apostle Paul made sure he went first to the Jews and reasoned with them. In Acts 17:3 he explained from the old testament prophet all that was written about Jesus. He brought to their understanding that Jesus was the Messiah and he had to be killed and raised from death unto life.

  Apostle Paul was not afraid to confront them and reason out with them, because he had a very good understanding of the scriptures. Many of us today are afraid to confront other opposing views because we are not sure of what we know. It is simply because we have not taken time to study the bible. Paul wrote the following to Timothy in 2nd Timothy 2:15 ” Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that need not to be ashamed rightly dividing the word of truth.”

      The call is to study. This word translated study comes from the Greek word “spoudazo” which means “to be diligent”, “to use speed ” or “to labour. ”

 All these meanings tell us to make every effort to show ourselves approved unto God. You must be a studious child of God.  Our effectiveness will be seriously reduced if we don’t do everything or are not diligent to study hard so we could share the good news in all clarity and also in the power of the Spirit. The world lies in darkness and the Gospel remains the only light to illuminate the world.

  CONFESSION

 My life is given to the winning of mankind for the Lord. I feed myself with the truths of His word such that I am not ashamed to express it, because I am never found wanting in sharing it.

FURTHER STUDY:

Hebrews 4:11-12 ” Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief. For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”

Romans 1:16 “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”

KEY SCRIPTURE: Acts 16:30 “And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”

This jailer for the first time had an encounter with the supernatural power of God. It was not any high-sounding convincing words. The Holy Spirit himself using the various events, that is

(1) Paul’s act of worshipping the father even at a perilous moment,

(2) the earthquake which tore their chain and broke the stocks asunder and

(3) the love demonstrated by Paul, when he asked him not to kill himself but they were all there. These events brought the reality of the divine power of God home to him. He had to surrender and accept the message and the truth Paul carried. Dear child of God your comportment and trust in the Lord in times of challenges speaks volumes. It even overshadows or throws great clarity on the messages you have been saying.

The man then asked what must I do to be saved? There is nothing in relation to works that one has to do to be saved. In Matthew 19:16-26 a man came to Jesus and asked good master what good thing must I do to be saved?  The Lord then narrated a number of good things that he had to do “to be saved”. This man said he has been doing these from his youthful age. The Lord then asked him to go and sell all that he had, and give it to the poor, then he would have treasure in heaven. This man could not do that one, and so left with a sad face. Jesus’ disciples then asked who then can be saved? The Lord answered this is impossible with man but with God all things are possible. Jesus was driving the point home that there is nothing one can do to inherit the Salvation of God. It is purely through the power of God.

Ephesians 2:8 and 9 reads “For by grace are ye saved through faith and that not of yourself it is the gift of God “. As the Lord said in Matthew 19:26 “But Jesus beheld them and said unto them, with men this is impossible but with God all things are possible”. All those who are trying to fulfill some righteousness before they could be saved are doing an impossible thing.

In the case of the jailer, Apostle Paul said it straight to him, “believe on the Lord Jesus and you shall be saved and your household”. Paul explained the gospel to him and to those of his household. The man with his household believed and they were baptised. Jesus is the only door through which one could be saved. Good works are the results of salvation not that which effects salvation.

CONFESSION

I am saved and born again, not on the grounds of any good thing I did, but because I accepted the finished work of my Lord Jesus Christ. I now live a holy life because I have received the NEW LIFE that makes holiness possible.

FURTHER STUDIES

Acts 4:12 ” Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved”.

Romans 10:9-10 ” That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto

KEY SCRIPTURE: Acts 16:27 “And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled.”

Paul and Silas received a divine encounter through their faith in God expressed when their praised God. Their chains got broken and so the jailer had wanted to commit suicide. Acts 16:28 reads “But Paul cried with a loud voice saying do thyself no harm for we are all here.”

This man had earlier complicated the pain and suffering of Paul yet he was not the agenda of Paul. Paul’s concern was to please God. They praised God not for deliverance but purely to exalt the name of God and also being counted worthy to suffer for Jesus. Acts 5:41 “And they departed from the presence of the council rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.”  This very verse referred to Peter and John, yet all the other apostles had the same mindset. This is a life committed to God and it is only God’s interest that matters to then. Would you also live likewise? 

There are many Christians these days who are calling for the head of those who persecute or torment them. Jesus said in Matthew 5:44″ But I say unto you, love your enemies bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, pray for them that despitefully use you.” This is the difference between one born from above and an ordinary mortal. We are born from above and must demonstrate love and forgiveness, instead of hate and vengeance.

The jailer knowing the consequences of losing prisoners had wanted to end his life before the authorities got hint of the case. Paul did not say that, good, kill yourself. He shouted, do not do yourself any harm. This man came to Paul and now he was trembling. God had intervened and Paul had also allowed the divine life in him to rule the situation and not the selfish fleshy nature. The truth is that the Christian fleshy nature is dead (Romans 8:10) and it is the supernatural life which is alive. Live with this consciousness. The formerly wicked jailer was now very sober, who brought Paul and Silas out and fell before them and asked ” What must I do to be saved “. Paul did not ‘preach’ to him but demonstrated the power of the new life through praise and thanksgiving coupled with the supernatural visitation of the spirit of God. Actions speaks far louder than words.

 CONFESSION

 Christ lives in me and so my body is dead because of sin, but my spirit is alive. It is my spirit that dominates all that I do, manifesting Christ to my world. I lead a glorious heavenly life on earth in Jesus name.

FURTHER STUDY:

Matthew 5:16 ” Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”

Romans 8:9-10 ” But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.”

KEY SCRIPTURE: Acts 16:25 “And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.”

Paul and Silas were beaten, locked up in the prison. They were kept in the dungeon. The Bible said at mid night Paul and Silas prayed and sang praises unto God, and the prisoners heard them. Don’t be shy to express your faith in a way that glorifies God

These were bound in hands and feet yet the mouths and hearts were not bound. Their God was also not bound. They expressed their gratitude to the Lord. These men did not complain or speak against God. Some Christians easily get bitter when things go bad with them.

There are two powers of influence in this life. God and Satan, good and evil. God is working all things for your good and the devil works to destroy you. Your responds determine which of these you have chosen to have the upper hand and bring His purposes to pass. When you complain and murmur you have chosen to align with Satan. In such a situation God our father is absolutely helpless to do anything. When you maintain your gratitude unto God, honouring His word that says “in all things give thanks, for this s the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you”. The will of God is not that wrong event. God did not cause it. God did not cause the Roman citizen to arrest Paul although He allowed it. His will is that you give thanks unto Him. This is what pleases Him.

When they decided to praise the Lord to the hearing of the other prisoners, the Bible said there was suddenly a great earthquake so that the foundation of the prison was shaken and immediately all the doors were opened and every one’s bands were loosed. (Acts 16:26)

This was never a coincidence. It was a direct response from the Spirit of God. God’s power will show up anytime men place Him first in all they do. What do you do in your moments of disappointments?

Do you act like Job’s wife suggested, that is to curse God and die? No give God the praise. Show an attitude of gratitude. We must be grateful at all times

Psalm 92:1,2,10,11 reads “…It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord and to give praises unto thy name, O most high. To show thy faithfulness every night. But my horn shalt thou exalt like the horn of an unicorn. You shall be anointed with fresh oil. My eye shall also see my desire on mine enemies and mine ears shall hear my desire on the wicked that rise up against me.”

A heart filled with gratitude would experience the following:

1. His horn or strength would he exalted

2. He shall be anointed with fresh oil

3. His eyes shall see his desire on his enemies

4. His ears shall hear his desire on his enemies

This is exactly what apostle Paul and Silas experienced. Never stop being grateful unto God.

 CONFESSION

Praise is beautiful unto the Lord. No matter the challenges of life, His praise shall continually be in my mouth.

FURTHER STUDIES:

Psalms 100:4-5 ” Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.”

Psalms 116:17 ” I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the LORD”.

KEY SCRIPTURE: Acts 16:19 “And when her masters saw that the hope of their gains was gone, they caught Paul and Silas, and drew them into the marketplace unto the rulers,”

After Paul commanded the spirit of divination from the young girl her masters realised they could no longer make money from her services since the demons that worked through her were gone.

Please note, Christianity is not a faith of only talking, but the demonstration of the power of God. Your mouth is the trigger and your heart downloads the power. (Romans 10:10) Believe what God says with your heart and speak it out in faith and you would see the manifestation of the power of God.

Never be afraid to act for God in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.

 They took hold of Paul and Silas and brought them to the market place where the rulers were. They brought them to the magistrates saying these men being Jews exceedingly trouble our city. The Romans said the people are Jews who have come to disturb us. Africans claim Christianity is a Western faith, the Europeans claim this is a Jewish culture and Jews claim it to be alien to them. Please do not listen to anybody who tries to associate Christianity with any particular culture. Christianity is not from any earthly culture. It is purely a heavenly culture. It is characterised by love and the manifestation of power proceeding from believe in the death and resurrection of Jesus. There is no earthly culture that is Christian, it is a heavenly one.

It is superior to every earthly culture. Be very aggressive about sharing your faith, and do not be intimidated about whatever somebody says. Every anti-Christian opposition is not just human, but from demonic origin.

    Please listen to what these people said about Paul and Silas in Acts 16:21 ” And teach customs which are not lawful for us to receive, neither to observe being Romans.”

 Please what customs did Paul teach? He only manifested the power of God that destroyed the power of the devil which they used to deceive men. The whole world lies under the deception of the devil. Never allow yourself to be driven into arguments that would not help anyone. Please let’s consider what Paul said to the brethren in 1st Corinthians 2:1,2&4 “And I brethren when I came to you came not with the excellency of speech or of wisdom declaring unto you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know anything among you, save Christ and him crucified. And my speech and preaching were not with enticing words of man’s wisdom but in the demonstration of the Spirit and of power.” Please do not consider any human being as your opposer. It is against devils. Declare the kind of message that the demons cannot stand. That is the Gospel.  The Gospel is the power of God unto salvation to everyone who believes. (Rom 1:16) The crucifixion and resurrection of our Lord, is what breaks the power of the enemy.

 CONFESSION

My faith in Jesus is sound and the true answer to the woes of humanity. I overcome every challenge opposes my faith in the name of Jesus.

FURTHER STUDY:

Ephesians 6:12 ” For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. “

2 Corinthians 10:4-5 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;