Thursday, April 24, 2014

The Message We Share

Yesterday we learned how Barnabas and Paul left their “comfort zone” and went to Barnabas’ home province to tell people about Jesus. Elymas the sorcerer opposed them, but God struck him with blindness and the proconsul put his faith in Jesus.

In reading the portion of the Bible today, name some people you think would be among the top 10 most famous people in the Philippines. Today we will read about the most famous King of Israel.

In Acts chapter 13, Paul reminded the people of how God brought the Israelites out of Egypt and gave them the Promised Land. Then he narrated about King Saul and King David. How did God feel about Saul turning away from Him and not following His instructions? God was grieved.

Acts 13: 22 told what God did with King Saul. He removed him and replaced him with King David. What does this tell us about how God feels about sin? God hates sin.

How does God describe David, son of Jesse? “A man after my own heart…who will do everything I want him to do”

Our reading says, according to Paul King David was a great man. He was the most famous king of Israel. But Jesus, the Son of God, was much greater still. According to verses 36-37, what is the evidence that Jesus is greater than King David? God raised Him from the dead.

Why is it important to your faith that Jesus has been raised from the dead and is alive today?
Jesus is a living Savior!

According to verse 38 of our day’s reading, what does Jesus do with our sins when we put our faith in Him? He forgives us of all our sins.

According to verse 39, everyone who believes in Jesus is “justified.” This means God looks at us as people who are fully cleansed and acceptable in His sight!

Read verse 36. Like King David, we too should serve the purpose of God in our own generation. What do you think God wants you to do during this generation? Share the good news about Jesus with others.

Pray: Ask God to show us His purpose for us in this generation. How does He want us to get out of our comfort zone to do His will? Pray for opportunities to share the Good News about Jesus, greater than any person who has ever lived - the Resurrected Savior.

Go: Who will you talk with about Jesus this week?

13 From Paphos, Paul and his companions sailed to Perga in Pamphylia, where John left them to return to Jerusalem.
14 From Perga they went on to Pisidian Antioch. On the Sabbath they entered the synagogue and sat down.
15 After the reading from the Law and the Prophets, the leaders of the synagogue sent word to them, saying, “Brothers, if you have a word of exhortation for the people, please speak.”
16 Standing up, Paul motioned with his hand and said: “Fellow Israelites and you Gentiles who worship God, listen to me!
17 The God of the people of Israel chose our ancestors; he made the people prosper during their stay in Egypt; with mighty power he led them out of that country;
18 for about forty years he endured their conduct in the wilderness;
19 and he overthrew seven nations in Canaan, giving their land to his people as their inheritance.
20 All this took about 450 years.“After this, God gave them judges until the time of Samuel the prophet.
21 Then the people asked for a king, and he gave them Saul son of Kish, of the tribe of Benjamin, who ruled forty years.
22 After removing Saul, he made David their king. God testified concerning him: ‘I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do.’
23 “From this man’s descendants God has brought to Israel the Savior Jesus, as he promised.
24 Before the coming of Jesus, John preached repentance and baptism to all the people of Israel.
25 As John was completing his work, he said: ‘Who do you suppose I am? I am not the one you are looking for. But there is one coming after me whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.’
26 “Fellow children of Abraham and you God-fearing Gentiles, it is to us that this message of salvation has been sent.
27 The people of Jerusalem and their rulers did not recognize Jesus, yet in condemning him they fulfilled the words of the prophets that are read every Sabbath.
28 Though they found no proper ground for a death sentence, they asked Pilate to have him executed.
29 When they had carried out all that was written about him, they took him down from the cross and laid him in a tomb.
30 But God raised him from the dead,
31 and for many days he was seen by those who had traveled with him from Galilee to Jerusalem. They are now his witnesses to our people.
32 “We tell you the good news: What God promised our ancestors
33 he has fulfilled for us, their children, by raising up Jesus. As it is written in the second Psalm:“‘You are my son; today I have become your father.’
34 God raised him from the dead so that he will never be subject to decay. As God has said,“‘I will give you the holy and sure blessings promised to David.’
35 So it is also stated elsewhere:“‘You will not let your holy one see decay.’
36 “Now when David had served God’s purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep; he was buried with his ancestors and his body decayed.
37 But the one whom God raised from the dead did not see decay.
38 “Therefore, my friends, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you.
39 Through him everyone who believes is set free from every sin, a justification you were not able to obtain under the law of Moses.
40 Take care that what the prophets have said does not happen to you:
41 “‘Look, you scoffers, wonder and perish, for I am going to do something in your days that you would never believe, even if someone told you.’”
42 As Paul and Barnabas were leaving the synagogue, the people invited them to speak further about these things on the next Sabbath.
43 When the congregation was dismissed, many of the Jews and devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, who talked with them and urged them to continue in the grace of God. - Acts 13:13-43 (NIV)
10 Just as he finished making the offering, Samuel arrived, and Saul went out to greet him.
11 “What have you done?” asked Samuel.Saul replied, “When I saw that the men were scattering, and that you did not come at the set time, and that the Philistines were assembling at Mikmash, - 1Samuel 13:10-11 (NIV)

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