Tuesday, March 28, 2006
3/28/2006, #120, 1st Quarter 2006
Words received in preparation for writing a Sunday School lesson on Acts 21:17-22:29:
"Brethren and fathers, hear my defense before you now." (Acts 22:1)
A word received: Look how Paul addresses those who are seeking to kill him -- "Brethren and fathers". I want you to be able to address those who attack you with the same love that Paul has.
"Now it happened, as I journeyed and came near Damascus at about noon, suddenly a great light from heaven shone around me. And I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, 'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?' (Acts 22:6-7)
A word received: I want you to know that when people persecute you for believing in me, they persecute me.
So I answered, 'Who are You, Lord?' And He said to me, 'I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting.' (Acts 22:8)
A word received: I long for more of my people to ask who it is when I speak to them instead of thinking it is a passing thought.
"Then a certain Ananias, a devout man according to the law, having a good testimony with all the Jews who dwelt there, 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. (Acts 22:12-13)
A word received: I long for you to go to one another and speak that word 'Brother' to those who have persecuted you. Will you go for my sake?
Then He said to me, 'Depart, for I will send you far from here to the Gentiles.'" 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!" (Acts 22:21-22)
A word received: Being faithful to me is not a popularity contest. Bp. Dan has said that he has a constituency of one, Me. I want to be your constituency as well.
"Brethren and fathers, hear my defense before you now." (Acts 22:1)
A word received: Look how Paul addresses those who are seeking to kill him -- "Brethren and fathers". I want you to be able to address those who attack you with the same love that Paul has.
"Now it happened, as I journeyed and came near Damascus at about noon, suddenly a great light from heaven shone around me. And I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, 'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?' (Acts 22:6-7)
A word received: I want you to know that when people persecute you for believing in me, they persecute me.
So I answered, 'Who are You, Lord?' And He said to me, 'I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting.' (Acts 22:8)
A word received: I long for more of my people to ask who it is when I speak to them instead of thinking it is a passing thought.
"Then a certain Ananias, a devout man according to the law, having a good testimony with all the Jews who dwelt there, 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. (Acts 22:12-13)
A word received: I long for you to go to one another and speak that word 'Brother' to those who have persecuted you. Will you go for my sake?
Then He said to me, 'Depart, for I will send you far from here to the Gentiles.'" 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!" (Acts 22:21-22)
A word received: Being faithful to me is not a popularity contest. Bp. Dan has said that he has a constituency of one, Me. I want to be your constituency as well.
