Key Passage: Acts 13:13-43

Topic: Bible Study

"And we bring you the good news that what God promised to the fathers, this he has fulfilled to us their children by raising Jesus" (Acts 13:32-33, ESV).

The Bible is a big book containing roughly 800,000 words. It's separated into two major divisions; the Old Testament, and the New Testament.

The Old Testament is by far the largest containing about 75% of the Bible's content--and yet it is often ignored by Christians today.

But already in the Book of Acts, we've seen the importance of the Old Testament.

Before Stephen was executed (Acts 7), he retold the Old Testament story, going all the way back to Abraham. Now in this chapter, Paul, in Antioch of Pisidia, does the same thing starting with the Israelites' exodus out of Egypt.

Why is the Old Testament important? Because it all points to Jesus. On the road to Emmaus, just after His resurrection, Jesus explained to the travelers walking with Him how all of the Old Testament pointed to Him (see Luke 24:27).

Don't fall into the trap of thinking only the New Testament is important because of its stories of Jesus and letters on Christian living.

The whole Bible is about Jesus and about what He did for sinners on the cross.

Key Passage: Acts 13:4-12

Topic: New Life

He was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, a man of intelligence, who summoned Barnabas and Saul and sought to hear the word of God (Acts 13:7, ESV).

Put yourself in the place of Sergius Paulus.

You're a man of intelligence--the Bible makes a special point of mentioning Sergius' intelligence so it must have been above normal. You're a pronconsul--an appointed governor of a city or region. Because of your status, you enjoy a measure of power and influence. And you're a leader. Most people on this island know who you are and probably have some opinion of you.

Now, news has reached you of some traveling preachers who've been preaching about a man named Jesus. You're interested and you want to hear what these "Christian" preachers, Saul and Barnabas, have to say.

Yet Elymas, one of your advisors, is dead-set against this idea. He opposes Saul and Barnabas and tries to keep you from hearing their message: that Jesus is the Son of God.

What do you do? You could go along with Elymas; he's familiar and he's reportedly a magician with special powers. You're a public figure. Is it worth the hassle to satisfy your curiosity and hear what Saul and Barnabas have to say? What's your decision?

What about Sergius, what did he decide?

He summoned Saul and Barnabas and he did hear about Jesus. The magician, Elymas, was silenced. And Sergius? He believed "for he was astonished at the teaching of the Lord" (Acts 13:12).

I am just curious, how many people still say Please and Thank you on a regular basis.  When you go to Starbucks, or McDonalds and place your order, do you say "give me a"_________, or "I want a"_________.  Or do you say "Id like a _______ Please"    and when you get your order, do you say "Thank you"

More often than not I have observed people not doing tha latter. 

Thanks for reading.

Jeff

Key Passage: Acts 13:1-3

Topic: God; Obedience/Discipleship

While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them" (Acts 13:2, ESV).

It's one of the basic rules of physics: a body in motion is easier to move than a body at rest. And it's not just physics; God knows it also applies to people.

Case in point: these men mentioned here in Acts 13. They're busy guys, doing the work of God, obeying Him and using the gifts He's given them. They're leaders, teachers and prophets. They're "bodies in motion."

Then God says, "Let's roll." He has more for two of these men to do. A special mission that He's prepared for them, something for which they are ready and equipped.

Through the Holy Spirit, Barnabas and Saul (also known as Paul), were set apart or called out for the next phase in God's mission: to take the Good News of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles and the nations beyond their own borders.

We'll see how the mission unfolds in the rest of Acts, but look again at where these men started. They were faithful servants, worshiping, praying, fasting and doing the work of God.

If you're sitting around just waiting and hoping God will call you to do something big, you're wasting time.

Start with the work in front of you. What can you do to serve Him in small ways, in your church, in your family, in your community? Are you faithful in worship, prayer, studying His Word, being prepared to serve?

Say yes to the opportunities you have now and if God has something bigger in mind for you, He'll show you when it's time. And if He wants to serve where you are, that's good too.

Be faithful with the small things. And remember, a body in motion is one God can use.

Your cell phone is in your pocket.
He  clutches the cross hanging on his chain next to  his dog tags.

You  talk trash about your 'buddies' that aren't with  you.
He  knows he may not see some of his buddies &nb sp;again.

You  walk down the beach, staring at all the pretty  girls.
He  patrols the streets, searching for insurgents and  terrorists.

You  complain about how hot it is
He  wears his heavy gear, not daring to take off his  helmet to wipe his brow.

You  go out to lunch, and complain because the  restaurant got your order wrong.
He  doesn't get to eat today.

Your  maid makes your bed and washes your  clothes.
He  wears the same things for weeks, but makes sure  his weapons are clean.  

You  go to the mall and get your hair redone.  
He  doesn't have time to brush his teeth today.  

You're  angry because your class ran 5 minutes  over.
He's  told he will be held over an extra 2  months.

You  call your girlfriend and set a date for  tonight.
He  waits for the mail to see if there is a letter  from home.  

You  hug and kiss your girlfriend, like you do  everyday.
He  holds his letter close and smells his love's  perfume.

You  roll your eyes as a baby cries.
He  gets a letter with pic tures of his new child, and  wonders if they'll ever meet.

You  criticize your government, and say that war never  solves anything.
He  sees the innocent tortured and killed by their own  people and remembers why he is fighting.  

You  hear the jokes about the war, and make fun of men  like him.
He  hears the gunfire, bombs and screams of the  wounded.

You  see only what the media wants you to see.  
He  sees the broken bodies lying around him.  

You  are asked to go to the store by your parents. You  don't.  
He  does exactly what he is told even if it puts his  life in danger.

You  stay at home and watch TV.
He  takes whatever time he is given to call, write  home, sleep, and eat.

You  crawl into your soft bed, with down pillows, and  get comfortable.
He  tries to sleep but gets woken by mortars and  helicopters all night long.