February 12, 2012 (Leviticus 18-19; Psalm 13; Acts 19)
From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:
Scripture: “But some became stubborn, rejecting his message and publicly speaking against the Way. So Paul left the synagogue and took the believers with him. Then he held daily discussions at the lecture hall of Tyrannus.” Acts 19:9 NLT
Observation: Paul begins to minister to the people of Ephesus and once again he is confronted by those who reject the message of Christ. They not only rejected Paul and his message but actually began speaking against it publicly. They wanted Paul to leave and to take his gospel with him! So Paul left the “synagogue”, (church, place of worship, Temple) and began having daily discussions at a local lecture hall teaching people the gospel of Jesus Christ. He took the believers with him and started a New Testament church and left the religious pretenders behind doing what they do best.
Application: Have you noticed that it was mostly the religious people that rejected Paul and the other disciples? Isn’t it odd that when Paul began a ministry in a new town he went to the local synagogue first and started his work there? Could it be that Paul and the other disciples realized and understood that judgement must indeed begin at the house of God? I know of many new churches that have started right here in my community, but none have had the boldness to start their ministry at the local church that is leading people astray. What would it look like today for a “Paul” to enter into a church and lead the true believers out, while leaving behind the religious pretenders? Oh, I can visualize people picking up stones now and once again wanting to kill the messenger of Christ for messing up their pretend religious playhouse!
Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for men like Paul that are bold enough to start a ministry at the center of where we have gone astray. Thank You for those whom You have chosen to hear and receive the gospel message of Jesus Christ. May they be led out of the depths of religious despair by a disciple that seeks to bring only Your name glory. Thank You for Your grace and mercy that provides and protects me daily. Fill me with Your Spirit and prepare me to perform the work You’ve called me to do, in Jesus name, Amen!