Verse of the Day

Monday, September 29, 2014

Pastor's Sermon Notes: The Conclusion of Paul’s Second Journey, and the Beginning of the Third (Acts 18:18-23)

The Conclusion of Paul’s Second Journey,
and the Beginning of the Third
Acts 18:18-23



18 And Paul after this tarried there yet a good while, and then took his leave of the brethren, and sailed thence into Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila; having shorn his head in Cenchrea: for he had a vow. 19 And he came to Ephesus, and left them there: but he himself entered into the synagogue, and reasoned with the Jews. 20 When they desired him to tarry longer time with them, he consented not; 21 But bade them farewell, saying, I must by all means keep this feast that cometh in Jerusalem: but I will return again unto you, if God will. And he sailed from Ephesus. 22 And when he had landed at Caesarea, and gone up, and saluted the church, he went down to Antioch. 23 And after he had spent some time there, he departed, and went over all the country of Galatia and Phrygia in order, strengthening all the disciples.

Introduction:

The travels of Paul and others recorded in these verses bring us to the end of what is referred to as his second missionary journey, and the beginning of the third.

Outline:

I. The Conclusion of the Second Missionary Journey (18:18-22)
II. The Beginning of the Third Missionary Journey (18:23)

Transition:  Observe how focused Paul is on his goals.

I. The Conclusion of the Second Missionary Journey (18:18-22)

1. From Corinth to Syria (18:18)
2. In Ephesus (18:19-21)
3. From Caesarea to Antioch (18:22)

1. From Corinth to Syria (18:18)

And Paul after this tarried there yet a good while, and then took his leave of the brethren, and sailed thence into Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila; having shorn his head in Cenchrea: for he had a vow.

1) The Extension of His Ministry at Corinth
And Paul after this tarried there yet a good while,

2) The Departure from Corinth
and then took his leave of the brethren,

3) The Destination of Syria
and sailed thence into Syria,

4) The Inclusion of Priscilla and Aquila
and with him Priscilla and Aquila;

5) The Nazirite Vow
having shorn his head in Cenchrea: for he had a vow.

2. In Ephesus (18:19-21)

 19 And he came to Ephesus, and left them there: but he himself entered into the synagogue, and reasoned with the Jews. 20 When they desired him to tarry longer time with them, he consented not; 21 But bade them farewell, saying, I must by all means keep this feast that cometh in Jerusalem: but I will return again unto you, if God will. And he sailed from Ephesus.

1) His Purpose for Aquila and Priscilla (18:19a)
19 And he came to Ephesus, and left them there

2) His Ministry at Ephesus (18:19b-c)
but he himself entered into the synagogue, and reasoned with the Jews

3) His Refusal to Remain (18:20)
 20 When they desired him to tarry longer time with them, he consented not

4) His Reason for Leaving (18:21a-c)
 21 But bade them farewell, saying, I must by all means keep this feast that cometh in Jerusalem

5) His Desire to Return (18:21d-e)
but I will return again unto you, if God will

6) His Departure from Ephesus (18:21f)
And he sailed from Ephesus

3. From Caesarea to Antioch (18:22)

 And when he had landed at Caesarea, and gone up, and saluted the church, he went down to Antioch.

1) His Arrival in Syria
And when he had landed at Caesarea

2) His Fulfillment at Jerusalem
and gone up, and saluted the church

3) His Return to Antioch
he went down to Antioch

II. The Beginning of the Third Missionary Journey (18:23)

 And after he had spent some time there, he departed, and went over all the country of Galatia and Phrygia in order, strengthening all the disciples.

1. At Antioch
2. Back to Galatia and Phyrgia
3. The Effect of His Ministry

1. At Antioch
And after he had spent some time there,

2. Back to Galatia and Phyrgia
he departed, and went over all the country of Galatia and Phrygia in order,

3. The Effect of His Ministry
strengthening all the disciples

Ask the questions.
Search the Scriptures seeking for the answers.
Answer the questions.

Ask the questions:

(who, what, when, where, why, how, so what)

1) Who needs to be strengthened?

2) What does it mean to be strengthened?

3) When do we need to be strengthened?

4) Where do we go for strength? Where do we look for strength?

5) Why do we need to be strenthened?

6) How are we strengthened?

7) What difference does it make whether we are strengthened or not?

Search the Scriptures seeking for the answers:

Acts 14:21-22 - 21 And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch,
22 Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.

Acts 15:32 - And Judas and Silas, being prophets also themselves, exhorted the brethren with many words, and confirmed them.

Acts 15:41 - And he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches.

Acts 16:5 - And so were the churches established in the faith, and increased in number daily.

Acts 16:40 - And they went out of the prison, and entered into the house of Lydia: and when they had seen the brethren, they comforted them, and departed.

Dt. 3:28 - But charge Joshua, and encourage him, and strengthen him: for he shall go over before this people, and he shall cause them to inherit the land which thou shalt see.

Lk 22:32 - But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.

Lk 22:43 - And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him.
[Dan. 11:1 - Also I in the first year of Darius the Mede, even I, stood to confirm and to strengthen him.]

Rom. 15:1 - We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.

Rom. 16:25 - Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,

1 Cor. 1:25 - Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

1 Cor. 4:10 - We are fools for Christ's sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak, but ye are strong; ye are honourable, but we are despised.

2 Cor. 1:15 - And in this confidence I was minded to come unto you before, that ye might have a second benefit;

2 Cor. 12:10 - Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

2 Cor. 13:9 - For we are glad, when we are weak, and ye are strong: and this also we wish, even your perfection.

1 Th. 3:2-3 - 2 And sent Timotheus, our brother, and minister of God, and our fellowlabourer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith:
3 That no man should be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto.

1 Th. 3:13 - To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.

1 Th. 4:18 - Wherefore comfort one another with these words.  

1 Th. 5:14 - Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.

2 Th. 2:17 - Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.

2 Th. 3:3 - But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil.

1 Pt. 5:10 - But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.

2 Pt. 1:12 - Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth.

2 Pet. 2:14 - Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children:

2 Pet. 3:14-18 - 14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.
15 And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;
16 As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.
17 Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.
18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.

2 Jn. 9 - Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.

Rev. 3:2 - Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God.

Answer the questions:

1) Who needs to be strengthened?

            disciples - all disciples

2) What does it mean to be strengthened?

            “more firm and unchanging in attitude or belief” [1]

3) When do we need to be strengthened?

            We never outgrow our need for strengthening

4) Where do we go for strength? Where do we look for strength?

            To Christ and to His Word, to one another in the Church

5) Why do we need to be strenthened?

            Because of our weakness
            Because of what we are facing and will face
            Because of our sinful tendencies

6) How are we strengthened?

            By the power of Christ through His Spirit, His Word, and His Church

7) What difference does it make whether we are strengthened or not?

            We will be susceptible to false teaching and falling away otherwise

Conclusion:

Heb. 11:32-40 - 32 And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets: 33 Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, 34 Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.
35 Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: 36 And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: 37 They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; 38 (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. 39 And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: 40 God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.

He 12:12- 13 - 12 Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees;
13 And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.
[Is. 35:3-4 - 3 Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees.
4 Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompence; he will come and save you.]

Complete outline:

I. The Conclusion of the Second Missionary Journey (18:18-22)

1. From Corinth to Syria (18:18)

1) The Extension of His Ministry at Corinth

2) The Departure from Corinth

3) The Destination of Syria

4) The Inclusion of Priscilla and Aquila

5) The Nazirite Vow

2. In Ephesus (18:19-21)

1) His Purpose for Aquila and Priscilla

2) His Ministry at Ephesus

3) His Refusal to Remain

4) His Reason for Leaving

5) His Desire to Return

6) His Departure from Ephesus

3. From Caesarea to Antioch (18:22)

1) His Arrival in Syria

2) His Fulfillment at Jerusalem

3) His Return to Antioch

II. The Beginning of the Third Missionary Journey (18:23)

1. At Antioch

2. Back to Galatia and Phyrgia

3. The Effect of His Ministry

1) Who needs to be strengthened?

2) What does it mean to be strengthened?

3) When do we need to be strengthened?

4) Where do we go for strength? Where do we look for strength?

5) Why do we need to be strenthened?

6) How are we strengthened?

[Sermon preached 21 SEP 2014 by Pastor John T. “Jack” Jeffery at Wayside Gospel Chapel, Greentown, PA.]

Resources on Acts:

G. K. Beale and D. A. Carson, eds., Commentary on the New Testament Use of the Old Testament (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2007), pp. 513-606.

Paul Barnett, The Birth of Christianity: The First Twenty Years, After Jesus, Vol. 1 (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 2005).

Darrell L. Bock, Acts, Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament, eds. Robert W. Yarbrough and Robert H. Stein (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2007).
                                                  
F. F. Bruce, The Acts of the Apostles: The Greek Text with Introduction and Commentary, 2nd ed. (Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1951, 1952).

I. Howard Marshall, Acts: An Introduction And Commentary, Vol. 5 in Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, gen. ed. Leon Morris (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1980; 2008 reprint).

David G. Peterson, The Acts of the Apostles, in The Pillar New Testament Commentaries, gen. ed. D. A. Carson (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 2009).

John B. Polhill, Acts, Vol. 26 in The New American Commentary, gen. ed. David S. Dockery (Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman, Publishers, 1992).

Eckhard J. Schnabel, Acts, Vol. 5 in the Zondervan Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament, gen. ed. Clinton E. Arnold (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2012).

William H. Willimon, Acts, in Interpretation: A Bible Commentary for Teaching and Preaching, series ed. James Luther Mays, New Testament ed. Paul J. Achtemeier (Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press, 2010).

Resources on Paul:

Kenneth E. Bailey, Paul Through Mediterranean Eyes: Cultural Studies in 1 Corinthians  (Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic, 2011).

F. F. Bruce, Paul: Apostle of the Heart Set Free (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1977).

D. A. Carson, The Gagging of God: Christianity Confronts Pluralism (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1996), pp. 496-501.

W. J. Conybeare and J. S. Howson, The Life, Times and Travels of St. Paul, 2 vols. in 1, unabridged American ed. (New York: E. B. Treat U Co., 1869); on Google Books at http://books.google.com/books?id=Bn1CAAAAIAAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false [accessed 12 FEB 2013].

Adolf Deissmann, Paul: A Study in Social and Religious History, 2nd ed., trans. William E. Wilson (New York: Harper Torchbooks, n.d.).

F. W. Farrar, The Life and Work of St. Paul (New York: E. P. Dutton and Co., 1889); on Google Books at http://books.google.com/books?id=RB2KeCSM6KsC&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false [accessed 12 FEB 2013].

Bruce N. Fisk, “Paul: Life and Letters”, in The Face of New Testament Studies: A Survey of Recent Research, ed. Scot McKnight and Grant R. Osborne (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2004), pp. 283-325.

Richard B.Gaffin, Jr., "Acts and Paul", 46 lectures (MP3 format), WTS Resources Media Center on Westminster Theological Seminary at http://wts.edu/resources/media.html?paramType=audio&filterTopic=5&filterSpeaker=10&filterYear=2005 [accessed 20 MAR 2013].

Frank J. Goodwin, A Harmony of the Life of the St. Paul According to the Acts of the Apostles and the Pauline Epistles (New York: American Tract Society, 1895); on Google Books at http://books.google.com/books?id=YgpEAAAAYAAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false [accessed 12 FEB 2013].

Richard N. Longenecker, The Ministry And Message Of Paul (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1971).

Richard N. Longenecker, Paul, Apostle Of Liberty (New York: Harper & Row, 1964).

Richard N. Longenecker, ed., The Road From Damascus : The Impact Of Paul's Conversion On His Life, Thought, And Ministry (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1997).

Richard N. Longenecker, Studies In Paul, Exegetical And Theological (Sheffield : Sheffield Phoenix Press, 2004).

J. Gresham Machen, The Origin of Paul's Religion: The James Sprunt Lectures Delivered at Union Theological Seminary in Virginia (Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1925).

Leon Morris, The Apostolic Preaching of the Cross (Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1955).

John Pollock, The Apostle: A Life of Paul, 3rd ed. (Colorado Springs: David C. Cook, 1969, 2012); also published as The Man Who Shook the World (Wheaton: Victor Books, 1972; originally The Apostle: A Life of Paul, New York: Doubleday, 1969).

Stanley E. Porter, Paul in Acts, in Library of Pauline Studies, gen. ed. Stanley E. Porter (Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers, Inc., 1999; 2001 reprint of The Paul of Acts: Essays in Literary Criticism, Rhetoric and Theology, in Wissenschaftliche Untersuchungen zum Neuen Testament 115, by Mohr Siebeck, Tubingen).

W. M. Ramsay, The Cities of St. Paul: Their Influence on his Life and Thought (New York: A. C. Armstrong and Son; London: Hodder and Stoughton, 1908); on Google Books at http://books.google.com/books?id=JryEbmKool0C&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false [accessed 13 FEB 2013].

W. M. Ramsay, Pauline and Other Studies in Early Christian History (New York: A. C. Armstrong and Son, 1906); on Google Books at http://books.google.com/books?id=-1ZJAAAAYAAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false [accessed 13 FEB 2013].

W. M. Ramsay, St. Paul the Traveler and the Roman Citizen, 10th ed. (London: Hodder and Stoughton, 1907); on Christian Classics Ethereal Library (CCEL) at http://www.ccel.org/ccel/ramsay/paul_roman.html [accessed 13 FEB 2013].

W. M. Ramsay, The Teaching of Paul in terms of The Present Day: The Deems Lectures in New York University (London: Hodder and Stoughton, 1914); on Internet Archive at http://ia600404.us.archive.org/2/items/teachingofpaulin00rams/teachingofpaulin00rams.pdf [accessed 13 FEB 2013].

A. T. Robertson, Epochs in the Life of Paul: A Study of Development in Paul's Character (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1974).

Eckhard J. Schnabel, Paul The Missionary: Realities, Strategies And Methods (Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic, 2008).

Udo Schnelle, Apostle Paul: His Life and Theology, trans. M. Eugene Boring (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2003; trans. from Paulus: Leben und Denken, Berlin: Walter de Gruyter GmbH & Co., n.d.).

Thomas R. Schreiner, Paul, Apostle of God's Glory in Christ: A Pauline Theology (Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic, 2001).

James Stalker, The Life of St. Paul, (Edinburgh: T. & T. Clark, 1885; rev. ed. 2010 by Kessinger Publishing from 1912 ed.); on Google Books at http://books.google.com/books?id=vT0HAAAAQAAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false [accessed 7 FEB 2013].

James Ironside Still, St. Paul on Trial (London: Student Christian Movement, 1923).




End Notes:

[1] Louw, J. P., & Nida, E. A. (1996). Vol. 1: Greek-English lexicon of the New Testament: Based on semantic domains (electronic ed. of the 2nd edition.) (677). New York: United Bible Societies. See also Günther Harder, Vol. 7: Theological dictionary of the New Testament. 1964- (G. Kittel, G. W. Bromiley & G. Friedrich, Ed.) (electronic ed.) (653–657). Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans.

Tuesday, September 16, 2014

Ocean City Bible Conference 2014 notes

Ocean City Bible Conference [1]
7-10 SEP 2014

SUN 7 SEP 2014

Session 1: Don Whitney, "Family Worship: in the Bible, in the History, and in your Home"


God deserves to be worshipped daily in our homes by our families
Gen. 18:19; 22:6-8
Dt. 6:4-9
Josh. 24:15
Ps. 78:1-8
"Every Christian family ought to be as it were a little church."
- Jonathan Edwards

MON 8 SEP 2014

Alex Crain introduced us to The Psalms of David by Isaac Watts.
This is freely available online and as a digital download on Project Gutenberg at http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/13166 [accessed 11 SEP 2014].
See also Psalms and Hymns of Isaac Watts on Christian Classics Ethereal Library (CCEL) at
Note: Alex Crain is the editor of Christianity.com and blogs at http://www.christianity.com/blogs/alex-crain/ [accessed 12 SEP 2014].

Session 2: Don Whitney, "When Revival Comes" (Acts 2)

The best example of revival in the Bible is found in Acts 2.

"There will never be another Pentecost."

Core things common to all revivals:
"Counterfeit revivals killed true revival."
When revival comes -

1. We won't be able to stop telling the mighty deeds of God (2:1-11).
"Flesh and blood cannot contain it."
"True revival cannot be contained or controlled."

2. There will be a renewed emphasis on Jesus and recovery of the Gospel (2:12-36).
What is the Gospel?
"Any message that leaves the hearer more impressed with the messenger than the message is the wrong message."

3. When the Revival comes great power and dramatic results will accompany the preaching of the Gospel (2:37-41).
"If you are not awestruck then whatever it is is not awesome!"

4. When revival comes there will be sacrificial and irresistible devotion to the things of God and Christian living (2:42-47).
"An atmospheric sense of the presence of God"
"Communism says what's yours is mine. Christianity says what's mine is yours."

5. When revival comes God can change everything in one hour.
"Revival people are always different; they are never the same."

Session 3: Kevin O'Brien, "Our Amazing Adoption" (Eph. 1:4-6)

7 aspects of adoption:

1. Adoption is a process
2. Adoption is unnecessary and superabundant grace
God could have saved you without it.
Justification - courtroom
Redemption - slave market
3. Adoption is gender specific for a reason
4. Adoption is our only source of lasting identity
5. Adoption is unlike any human adoption
6. Adoption is loaded with spiritual privileges
7. Adoption is a challenge for us to consider earthly adoption

Session 4: Ed Moore, "Providence" (Rom. 8:28)

8 aspects of the sovereignty of God in providence in Romans 8:28:
1. It has a Cause
2. It is Comprehensive
3. It is Coordinated
4. It has a Conclusion
5. There is a Condition
"I believe Satan is a 5-point Calvinist."
6. It includes a Calling
7. God is Consumed with His own glory
"If God were committed to anyone or anything other than Himself He would be an idolater."
8. It translates into Confidence
Four points of application:
1. Preparation
2. Counseling
3. Perspective
4. Salvation

TUES 9 SEP 2014

Session 5: Phil Moser, "Christ's Humanity and your Christian Walk"


The Deity of Christ - Jn. 1:1; Col. 1:15-17; Heb. 1:1-2
"As God, Jesus was the creator and is the sustainer of the large and the small, the seen and the unseen."

Dr. Doug Bookman [2] quote on the humanity of Christ -
see a similar quote on Bookman's blog The Rabbit Trail at www.therabbittrail.wordpress.com/category/life-of-christ/jesus-humanity [accessed 12 SEP 2014].

Resources:
1. prayer
2. Spirit
3. Scriptures
4. submission

"He prayed early, He prayed late, and He prayed even when He didn't get the answer He desired (Mk. 1:35; Lk. 6:12; Mk. 14:36)."

The lies of temptation

WDJD - "Not what would Jesus do, but what did Jesus do."

"Jesus prepared and so should we."

Session 6: Breakout Seminar - Peter LaRuffa, "Temptation: How to Resist the Lure of Sin"

Handout fill in the blanks:
I. endure, blessing
a. trials
i. in
ii. be
b. grace
i. visit or experience
ii. thorn, messenger
II. fall, loss
a. God
b. inside
i. entice, good
ii. conceive, want
iii. sin, sin
iv. habit, again
Thought - emotion - action - character
"When I rationalize I make rational lies."
cyclical
v. death, cost
[Cathedrals' chorus in "Sin will take you farther"[3]]
III. overconfidence, dependent
1. word
2. Typical
3. Timed
4. Temporary
5. people
6. ponder, no

Session 7: Liam Goligher, "Where Kingdoms Clash: the Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of Man" (Jn. 18:33-40; 19:9-11)

1. Jesus says something about Himself

John 18:37 - "Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice."

"The kingship of Jesus is indistinguishable from His testimony to the truth."

"Pay attention to small details in the church because the trajectory over time is usually away from the Gospel."

2. Jesus says something about the State

John 19:11 - "Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power [at all] against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin."

"The secular state is not the kingdom of God."

3. Jesus says something about His Kingdom

John 18:36 - "Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence."

"The business of the church is to advance the kingdom of Jesus not by coercion but by persuasion."

WED 10 SEP 2014

Session 8: Liam Goligher, "Worship: Form or Substance?" (Jn. 4:19-26)


1. There is a proper hour of worship
2. There is a proper way of worship
3. There is a proper Object of worship
4. There is a proper effect of worship
"The goal of worship is to lead us to the Father through the Son."

Session 9: Ed Moore, "Prayer" (1 Kings 18:41-46)

1. Whatever will be will be.

2. God uses specifically ordained means to accomplish His unalterably fixed ends.

3. Prayer is a means by which His ends are achieved.

Prayer changes things.
James 5:16-18
"It would not have rained without the prayer of Elijah."
1 John 5:14-15

4. We must pray persistently regardless of whether or not we understand points 1-3.

Four aspects of effective prayer:

1) Faith - based on God's revelation and according to His will
2) Humility - posture a reflection of the heart
3) Persistence - there was nothing
4) Evidence

5. The Gospel is of first importance when it comes to prayer.

6. The only difference between Kevin O’Brien and myself is I know I’m not funny!

Notes taken by:

John T. “Jack” Jeffery
Pastor, Wayside Gospel Chapel
Greentown, PA

7-10 SEP 2014



End Notes:

[1] Further information on this conference, including each of the speakers, is at http://ocbibleconference.org/ [accessed 12 SEP 2014].

[2] See Doug Bookman’s faculty page on Shepherds Seminary (Cary, NC) at http://sts.shepherds.edu/academics/faculty/doug-bookman/ [accessed 12 SEP 2014].

[3] “1. As a child I foolishly turned God away
Not knowing the heartache a sinner must face
But God in His goodness has let me return
To share with His children this lesson I’ve learned
(Chorus)
Sin will take you farther than you wanna go
Slowly but wholly taking control
Sin will leave you longer than you wanna stay
Sin will cost you far more than you wanna pay
2. So with pleasure and promises sin took control
Leaving me dying with nothing to show
Gone were my loved ones and my dearest friends
Only a Savior could love me again”
Sin Will Take You Farther, by Harold McWhorter, on Goin’ in Style album (Homeward Bound Music - BMI, 1988); on Southern Gospel Journal at http://www.southerngospeljournal.com/reference/cathedral-quartet/lyrics/sin-will-take-you-farther [accessed 12 SEP 2014]; on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g3_YfBh-4ZY [accessed 12 SEP 2014].

Monday, September 15, 2014

Pastor's Sermon Notes: Paul Before Gallio (Acts 18:12-17)

Paul Before Gallio
Acts 18:12-17

12 And when Gallio was the deputy of Achaia, the Jews made insurrection with one accord against Paul, and brought him to the judgment seat, 13 Saying, This fellow persuadeth men to worship God contrary to the law. 14 And when Paul was now about to open his mouth, Gallio said unto the Jews, If it were a matter of wrong or wicked lewdness, O ye Jews, reason would that I should bear with you: 15 But if it be a question of words and names, and of your law, look ye to it; for I will be no judge of such matters. 16 And he drave them from the judgment seat. 17 Then all the Greeks took Sosthenes, the chief ruler of the synagogue, and beat him before the judgment seat. And Gallio cared for none of those things.

Introduction:

What follows in the next six verses in Luke’s historical narrative must be seen as flowing right out of the previous paragraphs (18:1-11). The contextual connections should be viewed especially in fulfillment of Christ’s promise to Paul in the vision (18:9-10), but also in the provocations involving the breach with the synagogue early in Paul’s ministry in Corinth (18:4-8).

18:9-10 - 9 Then spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision, Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace: 10 For I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I have much people in this city.

18:4-8 - 4 And he reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks. 5 And when Silas and Timotheus were come from Macedonia, Paul was pressed in the spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus was Christ. 6 And when they opposed themselves, and blasphemed, he shook his raiment, and said unto them, Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean: from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles. 7 And he departed thence, and entered into a certain man’s house, named Justus, one that worshipped God, whose house joined hard to the synagogue. 8 And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized.

Outline:

I. To the Judgment Seat - Paul does not get to speak! (18:12-14a)
II. From the Judgment Seat - The Jews do not get satisfaction! (18:14b-16)
III. Before the Judgment Seat - Gallio does not get involved! (18:17)

Transition:  What is unique in this passage that should bring us to “full stop”?
What is repeated by way of emphasis or focus?

I. To the Judgment Seat - Paul does not get to speak! (18:12-14a)

12 And when Gallio was the deputy of Achaia, the Jews made insurrection with one accord against Paul, and brought him to the judgment seat, 13 Saying, This fellow persuadeth men to worship God contrary to the law. 14 And when Paul was now about to open his mouth,

1. The Identity of Gallio (18:12a)
2. The Insurrection of the Jews (18:12b)
3. The Indictment of Paul (18:12c-14a)

1. The Identity of Gallio (18:12a)

And when Gallio was the deputy of Achaia

“Proconsul” = Governor

Other government officials that Paul appeared before:
Sergius Paulus, deputy of Paphos, Cyprus (13:7-12)
Governor Felix (24)
Governer Portius Festus (25)
King Agrippa (26)

2. The Insurrection of the Jews (18:12b)

the Jews made insurrection with one accord against Paul

3. The Indictment of Paul (18:12c-14a)

and brought him to the judgment seat, 13 Saying, This fellow persuadeth men to worship God contrary to the law. 14 And when Paul was now about to open his mouth

What other political/government leaders did Paul appear before, and how did those appearances differ from this one?

Moffatt: “Paul was just on the point of opening his lips to reply…” [1]
Phillips: “Paul was all ready to speak, but before he could utter a word…” [2]

Mk. 4:35-41 - 35 And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side. 36 And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships. 37 And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. 38 And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? 39 And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. 40 And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith? 41 And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?

Parallel passages in the Synoptic Gospels: Mt. 8:23-27; Lk. 8:22-25.

Only Mark tells us the words with which He “rebuked the winds and the sea/the wind and the raging of the water,” or commanded “the winds and water.” Only Mark distinguishes between the rebuking of the wind, and the commanding of the sea.

Compare Is. 23:2; Is. 42:14; Jer. 47:6.

Ps. 4:4 - Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah.

Ps. 46:10 - Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.

Is. 26:3 - Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.

Ps. 76:8-9 - 8 Thou didst cause judgment to be heard from heaven; the earth feared, and was still, 9 When God arose to judgment, to save all the meek of the earth. Selah.

Mic. 7:16 - The nations shall see and be confounded at all their might: they shall lay their hand upon their mouth, their ears shall be deaf.
[Compare Jud. 18:19; Job 21:5; 29:9; 40:4; Pr. 30:32.]

II. From the Judgment Seat - The Jews do not get satisfaction! (18:14b-16)

Gallio said unto the Jews, If it were a matter of wrong or wicked lewdness, O ye Jews, reason would that I should bear with you: 15 But if it be a question of words and names, and of your law, look ye to it; for I will be no judge of such matters. 16 And he drave them from the judgment seat.

1. Gallio’s judgment (18:14-15)
2. Gallio’s action (18:16)

1. Gallio’s judgment (18:14-15)

14 Gallio said unto the Jews, If it were a matter of wrong or wicked lewdness, O ye Jews, reason would that I should bear with you: 15 But if it be a question of words and names, and of your law, look ye to it; for I will be no judge of such matters.

I would get involved if…
1) civil complaint; or,
2) criminal acts.

I will not get involved because…
1) words and names; and,
2) Jewish law.

“The mere fact that Gallio refused to take up the case against Paul may reasonably be held to have facilitated the spread of Christianity during the last years of Claudius and the earlier years of his successor.” [3]

2. Gallio’s action (18:16)

And he drave them from the judgment seat.

This is the only usage of this verb in the New Testament. It may mean more than that he merely “dismissed the case.” The sense of this verb may have more in common with the modern order to “clear the court.”

F. F. Bruce refers to this as: “the benevolent neutrality of the imperial authorities,” [4] and “the benevolent neutrality of Roman law” [5]

III. Before the Judgment Seat - Gallio does not get involved! (18:17)

Then all the Greeks took Sosthenes, the chief ruler of the synagogue, and beat him before the judgment seat. And Gallio cared for none of those things.

1. The Reaction of the Gentiles
2. The Non-reaction of Gallio

1. The Reaction of the Gentiles

Then all the Greeks [6] took Sosthenes, the chief ruler of the synagogue, and beat him before the judgment seat.

Who was Sosthenes? 1 Cor. 1:1? This is a common name, and there is no known basis for assuming that this is a reference to the same person.

Who beat Sosthenes? Gentiles? Jews? There is a textual issue here that will explain why modern translations do not include any identifying information concerning who was responsible for this. There are actually three different variants in the manuscripts: some read simply “all”, while the majority read “the Greeks”, and a few have it as “the Jews”!

Why did they beat Sosthenes?

2. The Non-reaction of Gallio

And Gallio cared for none of those things.

“turned a blind eye” [7]

RSV: “paid no attention to this” [8]
Moffatt: “took no notice” [9]
Phillips: “remained completely unconcerned” [10]

Conclusion:

There is a time to speak.
There are also times to be still, and behold what God is doing without our personal intervention.
We do not always have to respond.
We do not always have to defend ourselves.
We have a Defender.
His actions speak much louder than our words.

[Sermon preached 14 SEP 2014 by Pastor John T. “Jack” Jeffery at Wayside Gospel Chapel, Greentown, PA.]

Complete outline:

I. To the Judgment Seat - Paul does not get to speak! (18:12-14a)

1. The Identity of Gallio (18:12a)

2. The Insurrection of the Jews (18:12b)

3. The Indictment of Paul (18:12c-14a)

II. From the Judgment Seat - The Jews do not get satisfaction! (18:14b-16)

1. Gallio’s judgment (18:14-15)

2. Gallio’s action (18:16)

III. Before the Judgment Seat - Gallio does not get involved! (18:17)

1. The Reaction of the Gentiles

2. The Non-reaction of Gallio

Resources on Acts:

G. K. Beale and D. A. Carson, eds., Commentary on the New Testament Use of the Old Testament (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2007), pp. 513-606.

Paul Barnett, The Birth of Christianity: The First Twenty Years, After Jesus, Vol. 1 (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 2005).

Darrell L. Bock, Acts, Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament, eds. Robert W. Yarbrough and Robert H. Stein (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2007).
                                                  
F. F. Bruce, The Acts of the Apostles: The Greek Text with Introduction and Commentary, 2nd ed. (Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1951, 1952).

I. Howard Marshall, Acts: An Introduction And Commentary, Vol. 5 in Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, gen. ed. Leon Morris (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1980; 2008 reprint).

David G. Peterson, The Acts of the Apostles, in The Pillar New Testament Commentaries, gen. ed. D. A. Carson (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 2009).

John B. Polhill, Acts, Vol. 26 in The New American Commentary, gen. ed. David S. Dockery (Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman, Publishers, 1992).

Eckhard J. Schnabel, Acts, Vol. 5 in the Zondervan Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament, gen. ed. Clinton E. Arnold (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2012).

William H. Willimon, Acts, in Interpretation: A Bible Commentary for Teaching and Preaching, series ed. James Luther Mays, New Testament ed. Paul J. Achtemeier (Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press, 2010).

Resources on Paul:

Kenneth E. Bailey, Paul Through Mediterranean Eyes: Cultural Studies in 1 Corinthians  (Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic, 2011).

F. F. Bruce, Paul: Apostle of the Heart Set Free (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1977).

D. A. Carson, The Gagging of God: Christianity Confronts Pluralism (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1996), pp. 496-501.

W. J. Conybeare and J. S. Howson, The Life, Times and Travels of St. Paul, 2 vols. in 1, unabridged American ed. (New York: E. B. Treat U Co., 1869); on Google Books at http://books.google.com/books?id=Bn1CAAAAIAAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false [accessed 12 FEB 2013].

Adolf Deissmann, Paul: A Study in Social and Religious History, 2nd ed., trans. William E. Wilson (New York: Harper Torchbooks, n.d.).

F. W. Farrar, The Life and Work of St. Paul (New York: E. P. Dutton and Co., 1889); on Google Books at http://books.google.com/books?id=RB2KeCSM6KsC&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false [accessed 12 FEB 2013].

Bruce N. Fisk, “Paul: Life and Letters”, in The Face of New Testament Studies: A Survey of Recent Research, ed. Scot McKnight and Grant R. Osborne (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2004), pp. 283-325.

Richard B.Gaffin, Jr., "Acts and Paul", 46 lectures (MP3 format), WTS Resources Media Center on Westminster Theological Seminary at http://wts.edu/resources/media.html?paramType=audio&filterTopic=5&filterSpeaker=10&filterYear=2005 [accessed 20 MAR 2013].

Frank J. Goodwin, A Harmony of the Life of the St. Paul According to the Acts of the Apostles and the Pauline Epistles (New York: American Tract Society, 1895); on Google Books at http://books.google.com/books?id=YgpEAAAAYAAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false [accessed 12 FEB 2013].

Richard N. Longenecker, The Ministry And Message Of Paul (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1971).

Richard N. Longenecker, Paul, Apostle Of Liberty (New York: Harper & Row, 1964).

Richard N. Longenecker, ed., The Road From Damascus : The Impact Of Paul's Conversion On His Life, Thought, And Ministry (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1997).

Richard N. Longenecker, Studies In Paul, Exegetical And Theological (Sheffield : Sheffield Phoenix Press, 2004).

J. Gresham Machen, The Origin of Paul's Religion: The James Sprunt Lectures Delivered at Union Theological Seminary in Virginia (Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1925).

Leon Morris, The Apostolic Preaching of the Cross (Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1955).

John Pollock, The Apostle: A Life of Paul, 3rd ed. (Colorado Springs: David C. Cook, 1969, 2012); also published as The Man Who Shook the World (Wheaton: Victor Books, 1972; originally The Apostle: A Life of Paul, New York: Doubleday, 1969).

Stanley E. Porter, Paul in Acts, in Library of Pauline Studies, gen. ed. Stanley E. Porter (Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers, Inc., 1999; 2001 reprint of The Paul of Acts: Essays in Literary Criticism, Rhetoric and Theology, in Wissenschaftliche Untersuchungen zum Neuen Testament 115, by Mohr Siebeck, Tubingen).

W. M. Ramsay, The Cities of St. Paul: Their Influence on his Life and Thought (New York: A. C. Armstrong and Son; London: Hodder and Stoughton, 1908); on Google Books at http://books.google.com/books?id=JryEbmKool0C&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false [accessed 13 FEB 2013].

W. M. Ramsay, Pauline and Other Studies in Early Christian History (New York: A. C. Armstrong and Son, 1906); on Google Books at http://books.google.com/books?id=-1ZJAAAAYAAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false [accessed 13 FEB 2013].

W. M. Ramsay, St. Paul the Traveler and the Roman Citizen, 10th ed. (London: Hodder and Stoughton, 1907); on Christian Classics Ethereal Library (CCEL) at http://www.ccel.org/ccel/ramsay/paul_roman.html [accessed 13 FEB 2013].

W. M. Ramsay, The Teaching of Paul in terms of The Present Day: The Deems Lectures in New York University (London: Hodder and Stoughton, 1914); on Internet Archive at http://ia600404.us.archive.org/2/items/teachingofpaulin00rams/teachingofpaulin00rams.pdf [accessed 13 FEB 2013].

A. T. Robertson, Epochs in the Life of Paul: A Study of Development in Paul's Character (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1974).

Eckhard J. Schnabel, Paul The Missionary: Realities, Strategies And Methods (Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic, 2008).

Udo Schnelle, Apostle Paul: His Life and Theology, trans. M. Eugene Boring (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2003; trans. from Paulus: Leben und Denken, Berlin: Walter de Gruyter GmbH & Co., n.d.).

Thomas R. Schreiner, Paul, Apostle of God's Glory in Christ: A Pauline Theology (Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic, 2001).

James Stalker, The Life of St. Paul, (Edinburgh: T. & T. Clark, 1885; rev. ed. 2010 by Kessinger Publishing from 1912 ed.); on Google Books at http://books.google.com/books?id=vT0HAAAAQAAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false [accessed 7 FEB 2013].

James Ironside Still, St. Paul on Trial (London: Student Christian Movement, 1923).




End Notes:

[1] James Moffatt, The New Testament, A New Translation, rev. ed. (New York: Doubleday, Doran & Co., 1922), pg. 206; and James Moffatt, A New Translation Of The Bible Containing The Old And New Testaments, rev. ed. (New York: Harper & Brothers Publishers, 1922, 1924, 1926, 1935), pg. 171.

[2] J. B. Phillips, The New Testament in Modern English, Student Edition, rev. ed. (New York: Macmillan Publishing Co., Inc., 1955, 1958, 1959, 1960, 1972), pg. 278.

[3] F. F. Bruce, New Testament History (Garden City, NY: Anchor Books, 1969), pg. 317.

[4] Ibid.

[5] Op. cit., pg. 359.  “Seven or eight years previously he had experienced the benevolent neutrality of Roman law in the decision of Gallio at Corinth.”

[6] There is a textual issue here between the Textus Receptus, the Byzantine textform, the Majority Text - all of which include the words here translated “the Greeks” - and the Nestle-Aland and United Bible Society texts which do not. Most modern translations follow the Nestle-Aland and United Bible Society texts. Young’s Literal Translation (1862) was the last English translation to include these words. Since 1881 no translation has done so, while the New King James Version retains the 1611 Authorized Version’s rendering.

[7] Bruce, op. cit., pg. 317. “This is the force of ‘Gallio paid no attention to this’ (Acts 18:17), paraphrased in the Western text, “Gallio pretended not to see’.” Ibid., note 42.

[8] The Revised Standard Version. 1971 (Ac 18:17). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

[9] James Moffatt, The New Testament, op. cit., pg. 206; and  James Moffatt, A New Translation, op cit., pg. 171.

[10] J. B. Phillips, op. cit., pg. 278.