Category: Devotions

This is where I have come from but it is not where I am staying

Acts 22:3 Then Paul said:  “I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city. I studied under Gamaliel and was thoroughly trained in the law of our ancestors. I was just as zealous for God as any of you are today.”

If we indeed need reminding Paul is being accused of rejecting Judaism and encouraging the Gentiles not to think of converting the Jewish way of life. Here is Pauls defence and it gives us a glimpse into the man:

1. This is my city (Jerusalem). I was brought up here. I know it and the people.
2. I studied under the famous teacher of Israel.
3. I have been thoroughly trained:
   1. I know all your laws
   2. I know about the Sabbath rules
   3. I know what is expected and needed in the Temple worship.
   4. I have memorised the Torah.
4. I have been zealous as you are and have been willing to kill non-Jews if that was needed.
5. I am one of you.

This is where I have come from but it is not where I am staying. I have changed dramatically. I will never forget my upbringing but I am a work in progress.

The language of the people

Acts 22:2 “When they heard him speak to them in Aramaic, they became very quiet.”

They had expected Greek and Paul could have spoken it. But if he had it would have only confirmed that he was worthy of death being someone who was turning away from Judaism.

But he spoke in their mother tongue, in Aramaic. It was some proof to show them that he would not dishonour the Hebrew Scriptures as an Aramaic-speaking man and they were wrong to try and get rid of him. Whether it did or not remains to be seen as we continue to read the account. But for now, it silenced them.

What can you give, do or tell of yourself that may cause people to listen? How can you build a bridge so that they give you their attention?

Maybe before you give the message to a person you focus on how you deliver it. Maybe people are not put off Christ because of the message but the messenger. Maybe the Church has lost ground in being able to communicate effectively and the presentation offends and becomes a greater stumbling block to the message.

Maybe you need to learn another language. The language of the people.

There is a nicer place to be at

Acts 22:1 ““Brothers and fathers, listen now to my defense.”

The way Paul addresses the crowd is how Stephen did at his defence in chapter 7 verse 2. It appears to be that this was the Jewish way in order to show respect.

However let’s not forget that the people Paul is now respecting were the ones who were trying to kill him only a short while ago!

This is extravagant and amazingly instant forgiveness from Paul or it is because he refuses to stoop to the level they are at and will not be disrespectful no matter who the people are and what they have done.

Maybe today you have been hurt. Maybe people are talking about you. It could be that you have been disrespected or worse. But you have a choice how you respond and conduct yourself. Don’t lose your dignity. Don’t be unkind. No matter how bad you feel. You can hold your head up high and speak to people how you would want to be spoken to. You can be better than your enemy and those who have been against you. You can rise to a nicer level.

 

Silence the noise

Acts 21:40 “Having received the commander’s permission, Paul stood on the steps and motioned to the crowd. When they were all silent, he said to them in Aramaic:”

Paul speaks to them in their mother tongue, in Aramaic. But that wasn’t what silenced the crowd so that he could speak. It was the use of his hand.

What did he actually do?

Did he put his finger to his mouth to suggest they should be quiet?

Did he wave his hands downwards to suggest they settle down?

Maybe,

Whatever he did he did not antagonise them further, so he didn’t give any rude gestures that’s for sure!

Sometimes in order to be heard we need to silence the crowd of voices. We need to find a way to capture the attention of people. If we are going to communicate the love of God then we need to overcome the disputing and competing voices.

I am not sure how that applies to you but Paul knew what he should do and it worked.

 

 

Use your life story well

Acts 21:39 “Paul answered, “I am a Jew, from Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no ordinary city. Please let me speak to the people.”

Paul prepares to defend himself.

“I am a Jew, like those outside trying to kill me”

“I am from a special Jewish city of Tarsus”

He could have said he was also a Roman citizen.

But if that had been leaked to those outside then maybe they would have waited for an opportunity to finish off the job of killing him. Hence the need to stress his Jewish citizenship and upbringing.

He had the wisdom of choosing which part of his curriculum vitae to use.

There are aspects of our past in all our lives which can be used in the present. We just need the wisdom on which experiences to draw from, which qualifications to state and when to declare these.

Yesterday I had the privilege of ordaining some new reverends in Swaziland. I have that title myself and sometimes I use it if I want access to some place. Sometimes I use my qualifications. Sometimes I use my childhood narrative to win friends, to perhaps find bridges that can be shared in conversation and to ultimately gain influence.

Be thankful for where you come from and your story of life for nothing is wasted it can always be used for the good.

I know who I am and I am not who you think I am!

Acts 21:38 “Aren’t you the Egyptian who started a revolt and led four thousand terrorists out into the wilderness some time ago?”

Are you not …? NO!

Many commentators say they know who the Egyptian was. They have interesting theories but none of them match this question’s details per se. It doesn’t matter. Here is the point.

The commander and his troops came rushing into the crowd on that day believing perhaps because a rumour had started that the said Egyptian had been captured. They had been looking for him and now here he was in their city. Maybe his 4,000 terrorist soldiers were also with him?

As soon as Paul spoke eloquent Roman Greek the commander was disturbed. He was not expecting this. Are you not …? The answer was obviously NO!

Mistaken identity.

This can be far more dangerous than simply believing the seagull above you is a low-flying aeroplane, as I did the other day.

People are imprisoned and killed for mistaken identities.

I received a phone call from a young leader the other day who was being accused by a colleague that she had reportedly said something that she had never said. She was so upset having to defend herself saying, “I did not” and more than that, “I would not.”

Life contains seasons when you simply have to defend yourself. You can only do that if you are confident in who you are.

On Friday night I listened to the amazing Swaziland Children’s Choir who belong to our Elim partner, Challenge Ministries Swaziland. Their final song was this: “I know who I am” written by Nigerian Gospel singer, Sinach. Try and find it on google, it is bouncy, loud, the lyrics are affirming and strengthening:

I know who God says I am; What He says I am
Where He says am at; I know who I am

The Bible says Satan is a liar. He will set lies against your name.

The Bible says Satan blinds minds of unbelievers. If he can do that he will do it against you too, so that people mistake you.

The Bible says Satan masquerades as an angel. He will use people to appear on your side but who will fool you if they can.

I know who God says I am; What He says I am
Where He says am at; I know who I am

Are you not …? NO! I know who I am and I am not who you think I am!

Are you speaking the right language?

Acts 21:37 “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.”

On my travels into non-English speaking countries I become excited when I finally meet someone who speaks my language. I no longer feel isolated, not knowing what is going on or where I am, I have found someone who can tell me. I am instantly connect to that person whether or not we have any other shared interests, the language joins us together.

Paul addressed the commander in the language he would be understood in.

The commander was taken aback by Paul’s ability to speak Greek. Paul had got his attention.

Last Sunday I attended the farewell service of a new missionary going to Chad to engage people in the Bible using their own tribal and national languages. It’s a tough task but I have every confidence in her ability to do well.

Every tongue (language) every tribe, every nation kneeling at the feet of Jesus, that is our dream.

Mission has taught me that every person on this planet needs to hear the gospel in their own language. If we want their attention we need to reach them in their mother tongue. We need to find a way.

Not everyone will vote for you

Acts 21:36  “The crowd that followed kept shouting, “Away with him!”

Rule number 1 (maybe) of leadership: not everyone will want to follow.

I have recently been dealing with a situation where one leader went to another leader with a word from God. It wasn’t a word of encouragement but it was “God wants you to finish and leave.” Why God went through a third party for this message is a strange thing!

The crowd truly felt the same. But worse than that. God wanted Paul dead!

There will always be people who want you out of position.

For all kinds of selfish reasons they will want to get rid of you.

You are a disturbance to them, your presence a provocation, your words a challenge and the only way to deal with this if not to engage is to do away with you.

They will want your marriage to end.

They will want your friends to walk away.

They will want your popularity to decline.

They will want you to lose that job.

They seek your demotion not promotion. They will even use God’s name.

It’s gone on since the days of Cain and it won’t change.

But God has your back and you are in His plan. The voice to listen to is not “Away with him” but that of the King who says “I’m with you!”

 

God’s soldiers will lift you up.

Acts 21:35 “When Paul reached the steps, the violence of the mob was so great he had to be carried by the soldiers.”

As Paul was being led away to the barracks the mob surged forward. They had one desire for Paul which had already been made clear but they will reiterate it with their shouts in the next verse! They wanted Paul dead. So Paul is hoisted up into the arms of the soldiers and on other occasions this could look like Paul had been victorious but it was for his safety.

Very simply today I want to say that there are times when the enemy of our lives will press in so quickly and so violently that God will lift us up into the arms of safety.

God can reach you.  He knows where you are. You may be in the middle of a violent mob. You may have people shouting at you. You may even be the victim of a whispering campaign but the damage is equally as severe.

Well don’t give up, don’t lose all hope. He knows where you are. He will lift you up like Paul in the arms of the soldiers. God has soldiers He will use. God will use anyone. But you will be lifted.

Only believe, don’t doubt, only believe. Don’t look at what you don’t have, only believe. Don’t think of the lost opportunities, only believe. Don’t look at the danger, only believe. Don’t think of what might happen, only believe. God can and will take hold of you.

God is more involved in your life than any angry mob.

An audience with One.

Acts 21:34 “Some in the crowd shouted one thing and some another, and since the commander could not get at the truth because of the uproar, he ordered that Paul be taken into the barracks.”

“I can’t hear myself think!” I am sure we have all said that, well those of us in Britain anyway as it is one of our many sayings. Simply meaning it is too noisy.

There were mixed messages being shouted from the crowd and it was so noisy that it was just impossible to know where the truth lay in whom Paul was and what he had done. The commander ordered Paul into the barracks. The answers would not lay in the loudness of the crowd but in a one to one with Paul

Maybe today there are decisions to make. You need to turn down the volume. The traffic noise from all kinds of technology and people will try and prevent you from seeing and knowing the truth. The crescendo of different opinions can lead you not knowing what to do.

Shutting down the computer, turning off your phone and closing the door could be the most important things you have done for some time. The truth lies not in the loudness of the crowd but in the audience with the One. Who is that One for you?

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