Podcasts about Lystra

Send us a textActs 14:19-23But Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and having persuaded the crowds, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead. But when the disciples gathered about him, he rose up and entered the city, and on the next day he went on with Barnabas to Derbe. When they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God. And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed.Support the show

Wednesday, 25 June 2025   As they departed, Jesus began to say to the multitudes concerning John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? Matthew 11:7   “And these going, Jesus, He began to speak to the crowds about John: ‘What you went out into the wilderness to view? A reed wavering by wind?'” (CG).   In the previous verse, Jesus finished His words to the disciples of John, saying, “And blessed, he is, who if not he should stumble in Me.” Matthew next notes, “And these going.”   It is referring to the departure of John's disciples, carrying Jesus' words back to him. As they are departing, “Jesus, He began to speak to the crowds about John.”   This is specifically noted by Matthew to ensure that we can see what transpired. The words of Jesus about stumbling would have left John with a negative feeling about his ministry and his efforts. He would feel that he had failed the Lord, and prison was his just due because of it.   Likewise, any in the crowd who heard it, including the disciples, might come to an erroneous conclusion about John. They may laugh off his ministry as a failure, shun his message, look down on him for having been so weak, etc.   Any such thing may come to the minds of the people. Jesus, not wanting anyone to assume they were somehow better than John, or that his ministry was a failure, will speak about him to correct such thoughts.   And He is doing it while the disciples are departing. Thus, these would be the last words they would hear and carry to John. As such, Jesus begins with, “What you went out into the wilderness to view?”   It is a probing question. The people went out in the wilderness to see John, but what was the impetus behind it? Curiosity? Looking for enlightenment? Freedom from a day of boredom? Each person went out for his own reasons. Jesus wants them to consider their reasoning.   The word Jesus uses, theaomai, indicates to look closely at, notice, view, etc. It is the root of théatron, a spectacle in a theater, something one carefully sees and contemplates.   The fact that they had gone out into the wilderness to see John and that they were now there with Jesus meant that the connection between the two was likely the reason why they were now with Jesus. As such, Jesus next asks, “A reed wavering by wind?”   Here are two new words. The first is kalamos, a reed. This is a general word for reed which includes a reed such as the one mentioned now, and which would have grown in regularly flooded areas. This would probably include types of reeds from tall grass to stronger reeds like cane.   This can be deduced from other uses of the word where this same word describes a reed used to beat Jesus (Matthew 27:30), to put a sponge doused with vinegar on it to give Jesus a drink (Matthew 27:48), as a pen (3 John 1:13), and as a measuring rod (Revelation 21:15).   The word corresponds to the Hebrew word qaneh, a reed or a cane, which is translated at times as calamus, a sweet-smelling fragrance derived from cane.   The second new word is saleuó, to waver. It is used to describe agitation, something shaken, etc. Figuratively, it can signify being disturbed (shaken) in the mind, such as in 2 Thessalonians 2:2. In this verse, it signifies the wavering of reeds as the wind blows across them.   The intent of Jesus' question is to alleviate any perceptions by the people that maybe Jesus felt John may have been a vacillator or unsure of his teachings. He did not want such a thought to arise in their minds. This is all the more likely because people in general, including Israel as seen in the Bible, are just like this.   It is a common trait among people to waver and vacillate. Single reeds do not normally pop up. Rather, they come up in clumps or even thick lines. The wind will blow over them and they will all waver. Thus, it would be a common trait possessed by the people that they may have now thought John possessed as well. Jesus will correct this thinking.   Life application: Of this verse, Bengel states, “The world praises to the face, reviles behind the back.” The people went out to see John. They probably felt his words were sound and reasonable. In fact, that idea is seen in the comparable passage to this one in Luke 7:29. After hearing Jesus' words about John, they “justified God, having been baptized with the baptism of John.”   But would they have done so if Jesus hadn't corrected their thinking first? People tend to hear things and then respond according to what the speaker is saying without really thinking things through, especially when gathered in crowds. If Jesus had said, “John was a great guy, but he really let the ball drop,” the people would have agreed and reviled John from that point forward.   Instead of justifying God, they would justify themselves. “Yeah, we left John for Jesus because John was a failure!” This is how fickle humans can be. A great example of this is when Paul and Barnabas spoke to the people in Lystra. In one breath, they were calling them gods. In the next, they were preparing to stone them.    It happened again to Paul on Malta, where the people called him a murderer and a few minutes later a god. Jesus is setting the stage to explain the importance of John's ministry while at the same time getting the people to see that they need to be careful in quick, rash judgments about things.   As we read the Bible, we should allow it to mold us to be people who are steady, clear-thinking, and willing to justify God rather than ourselves. We are the ones who are easily swayed. God's purposes and plans are unchanging and unwavering. How He presents them (such as in various dispensations) is what we need to learn so that we don't come to faulty conclusions about what He is doing.   Glorious God, help our minds to be clear and unvacillating as we consider Your word. When we see things that seem contradictory, we can know it is not so because You are God, unchanging and reliable. Therefore, the perception is faulty on our part. As this is so, help us to contemplate and understand what we are unclear about. Help us in this, O God. Amen.  

Send us a textActs 14:8-10Now at Lystra there was a man sitting who could not use his feet. He was crippled from birth and had never walked. He listened to Paul speaking. And Paul, looking intently at him and seeing that he had faith to be made well, said in a loud voice, “Stand upright on your feet.” And he sprang up and began walking.Support the show

Send us a textActs 14:1-7Now at Iconium they entered together into the Jewish synagogue and spoke in such a way that a great number of both Jews and Greeks believed. But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers. So they remained for a long time, speaking boldly for the Lord, who bore witness to the word of his grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands. But the people of the city were divided; some sided with the Jews and some with the apostles. When an attempt was made by both Gentiles and Jews, with their rulers, to mistreat them and to stone them, they learned of it and fled to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and to the surrounding country, and there they continued to preach the gospel.Support the show

Acts 14:19-28 KJV - 19 And there came thither certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded the people, and, having stoned Paul, drew him out of the city, supposing he had been dead. 20 Howbeit, as the disciples stood round about him, he rose up, and came into the city: and the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe. 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. 23 And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed. 24 And after they had passed throughout Pisidia, they came to Pamphylia. 25 And when they had preached the word in Perga, they went down into Attalia: 26 And thence sailed to Antioch, from whence they had been recommended to the grace of God for the work which they fulfilled. 27 And when they were come, and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles. 28 And there they abode long time with the disciples.

Full Text of ReadingsMemorial of Saint Barnabas, Apostle Lectionary: 580/361The Saint of the day is Saint BarnabasSaint Barnabas' Story Barnabas, a Jew of Cyprus, comes as close as anyone outside the Twelve to being a full-fledged apostle. He was closely associated with Saint Paul—he introduced Paul to Peter and the other apostles—and served as a kind of mediator between the former persecutor and the still suspicious Jewish Christians. When a Christian community developed at Antioch, Barnabas was sent as the official representative of the church of Jerusalem to incorporate them into the fold. He and Paul instructed in Antioch for a year, after which they took relief contributions to Jerusalem. Later Paul and Barnabas, now clearly seen as charismatic leaders, were sent by Antioch officials to preach to the gentiles. Enormous success crowned their efforts. After a miracle at Lystra, the people wanted to offer sacrifice to them as gods—Barnabas being Zeus, and Paul, Hermes—but the two said, “We are of the same nature as you, human beings. We proclaim to you good news that you should turn from these idols to the living God” (see Acts 14:8-18). But all was not peaceful. They were expelled from one town, they had to go to Jerusalem to clear up the ever-recurring controversy about circumcision, and even the best of friends can have differences. When Paul wanted to revisit the places they had evangelized, Barnabas wanted to take along his cousin John Mark, author of the Gospel, but Paul insisted that since Mark had deserted them once, he was not fit to take along now. The disagreement that followed was so sharp that Barnabas and Paul separated: Barnabas taking Mark to Cyprus, Paul taking Silas to Syria. Later they were reconciled—Paul, Barnabas and Mark. When Paul stood up to Peter for not eating with gentiles for fear of his Jewish friends, we learn that “even Barnabas was carried away by their hypocrisy” (see Galatians 2:1-13). Reflection Barnabas is spoken of simply as one who dedicated his life to the Lord. He was a man “filled with the Holy Spirit and faith. Thereby, large numbers were added to the Lord.” Even when he and Paul were expelled from Antioch in Pisidia—modern-day Turkey—they were “filled with joy and the Holy Spirit.” Saint Barnabas is the Patron Saint of: Cyprus Saint of the Day, Copyright Franciscan Media

Friends of the Rosary,Today is the Feast Day of St. Barnabas the Apostle, designated by the Holy Spirit to expand Christianity beyond the Jewish world.Born in Cyprus, he was a Hellenist, that is, a Jew who lived outside of Palestine and spoke the Greek tongue.Barnabas embraced the faith soon after the death of Christ, becoming a member of the original Jerusalem community. His first noteworthy deed was to sell his belongings and place the money at the feet of the apostles.Barnabas introduced the newly converted Paul to the other apostles when everyone was still distrusting the former persecutor. Later, he would befriend Paul and become his companion on the first missionary journey (about 45-48 A.D.). He was present with Paul at the Council of Jerusalem (ca. 50).Barnabas was a leader (Acts 13-14) with an impressive appearance among the inhabitants of Lystra, as they regarded him as Jupiter. He was martyred in Cyprus around 63 A.D.Ave Maria!Jesus, I Trust In You!Come, Holy Spirit, come!To Jesus through Mary!Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will.Please give us the grace to respond with joy!+ Mikel Amigot w/ María Blanca | RosaryNetwork.com, New YorkEnhance your faith with the new Holy Rosary University app:Apple iOS | New! Android Google Play• ⁠June 11, 2025, Today's Rosary on YouTube | Daily broadcast at 7:30 pm ET

Galaten (5 minuten) In Paulus' tijd was Galatië een regio in Klein-Azië, grofweg het huidige Turkije. Een interessant weetje is dat hier veel Galliërs woonden die enkele eeuwen daarvoor, vanuit wat nu Frankrijk is, waren verhuisd. Uiteindelijk veroverden de Romeinen deze regio. Paulus stichtte kerken in enkele grote steden in het zuiden van Galatië: Antiochië, Ikonium, Lystra en Derbe. Je kunt hierover lezen in Handelingen 13 en 14. De brief die wij ‘Galaten' noemen, is gericht aan de kerken in de hele regio. En hij is niet mals. We hadden natuurlijk in Handelingen al gezien dat er veel strijd was tussen de Joodse en de niet-Joodse volgelingen van Jezus. Het ging dan om de vraag of de wetten en voorschriften uit het Oude Testament moesten worden nageleefd. De Joden hielden zich nog steeds aan de gebruiken en wilden dat de niet-Joden dat ook gingen doen. De ‘wet' hoorde er gewoon bij en wilde je bij Gods familie horen, dan moest je je daaraan houden. Paulus teleurgesteld Het ging zelfs zover dat deze Joodse christenen hun niet-Joodse broeders wilden dwingen zich te laten besnijden. Velen ondergingen deze pijnlijke operatie. Toen Paulus dit hoorde, was hij zwaar teleurgesteld en gefrustreerd. Hij schreef daarom deze brief, waarschijnlijk kort na het jaar 49. Hij vermeldt namelijk de Jeruzalem-conferentie waarin de kerkleiders met elkaar discussieerden over de wet en deze bijeenkomst vond waarschijnlijk plaats in 49. Het zit Paulus hoog dat de christenen in Galatië de lijn hebben gekozen dat mensen zich nog steeds aan de wet moeten houden om te worden gered. Dat is een verdraaiing van het evangelie. Jezus redt, niet de Wet. Twee dingen vallen op in deze brief. Ten eerste dat Paulus geen positief woord over heeft voor de christenen en ten tweede dat deze brief heel erg lijkt op de brief aan de Romeinen, die Paulus een jaar of tien later zou schrijven. Dezelfde thema's komen aan bod, al is de brief voor de gelovigen in Rome een stuk positiever. Samenvatting van het goede nieuws Paulus geeft eerst een samenvatting van het goede nieuws en vertelt hoe God hem heeft gered, terwijl hij nota bene de christenen vervolgde. God koos hem uit om het evangelie aan de niet-Joden te vertellen. Na zijn bekering op de weg naar Damascus bracht Paulus drie jaar door in Arabië, het huidige Jordanië. Pas daarna bezocht Paulus Jeruzalem, waar hij sprak met ‘Kefas'. Kefas is een andere naam voor Petrus. Vervolgens ging Paulus evangeliseren onder de heidenen en hij kwam pas veertien jaar later terug in Jeruzalem. Hij sprak daar met de leiders van de kerk en vertelde hun dat in de kerken die hij had gesticht, de niet-Joden zich niet hoefden te laten besnijden. De kerkleiders in Jeruzalem waren het met hem eens. Toch kwam het enige tijd later tot een confrontatie met Petrus. Want toen Petrus op bezoek ging in Antiochië, ging hij opeens alleen met de Joden eten, en niet met de niet-Joodse kerkleden. Paulus riep hem openlijk ter verantwoording en Petrus verontschuldigde zich. (Die arme Petrus. In de evangeliën moet Jezus hem regelmatig corrigeren, nu zoveel jaar later doet Paulus dat.) Paulus vat dit als volgt samen: ‘Hoewel wij Joden van geboorte zijn en geen zondaars uit andere volken, weten we dat niemand als rechtvaardige wordt aangenomen door de wet na te leven, maar door het geloof in Jezus Christus. Ook wij zijn tot geloof in Christus Jezus gekomen om daardoor, en niet door de wet, rechtvaardig te worden, want niemand wordt rechtvaardig door de wet na te leven.' - Galaten 2:15-16 Met ‘rechtvaardig worden' bedoelt hij dat we vrijgemaakt zijn van zonde en dus weer bij God kunnen komen. Je houden aan Gods voorschriften is goed, maar kan je innerlijk niet schoonmaken. In mijn woorden: vergelijk jezelf eens met een spiegel. Door te zondigen, veeg je modder op die spiegel. Door niet te zondigen, wordt de spiegel niet smerig. Maar als de spiegel eenmaal vies is, hoe maak je die dan schoon? Jezus heeft dat gedaan. Als wij in Jezus geloven, wast God ons schoon van die zonden. God ziet de volmaaktheid van Jezus in ons Dat is belangrijk, omdat God volmaakt goed is. Hij kan geen onvolmaaktheid in Zijn nabijheid tolereren, want dan is Hij zelf niet meer volmaakt. Die standaard is voor ons te hoog gegrepen, zoals de wet heeft aangetoond. Door ons vertrouwen op Jezus te stellen, verbinden we ons met Hem. Als God naar ons kijkt, ziet Hij de volmaaktheid van Jezus. In Paulus' woorden: ‘Want ik ben gestorven door de wet en leef niet langer voor de wet, maar voor God. Met Christus ben ik gekruisigd: ikzelf leef niet meer, maar Christus leeft in mij. Mijn leven hier op aarde leef ik in het geloof in de Zoon van God, die mij heeft liefgehad en Zich voor mij heeft prijsgegeven.' - Galaten 2:19-20 Als je gelooft in Jezus, accepteer je het offer dat Hij heeft gebracht. Je bent nu met Hem gekruisigd en gestorven. De dood is de straf voor de zonde. Dus die straf is betaald. Je bent ook met Christus opgestaan. Hij leeft in jou en dus hoef je niet te leven voor de wet maar kun je leven voor God. Vertrouwen maakt rechtvaardig Dit is een bevrijdende waarheid. We hoeven niet te werken om rechtvaardig te worden. We zijn al rechtvaardig, omdat we in Jezus geloven. Dat principe gold trouwens ook al voordat Jezus voor ons stierf. Paulus toont aan dat Abraham vertrouwde op Gods belofte en dat maakte hem rechtvaardig. Iedereen die gelooft in Jezus, is dus een kind van Abraham. Maar iedereen die vertrouwt op de wet is vervloekt, want niemand kan zich daaraan houden. De poorten van het koninkrijk van God staan dus wijd open voor zowel Joden als niet-Joden. Het zijn niet Gods voorschriften die ons toegang verlenen, maar ons geloof in Jezus Christus. Waarom gaf God dan toch de wet? Paulus legt dit in Romeinen uitgebreider uit, maar ook hier laat hij zien dat de rol van de wet is om aan te tonen wat goed en niet goed is. De wet is goed, maar de idealen zijn te hoog gegrepen. Daarom was Jezus' offer nodig. Zijn offer was in eerste instantie bestemd voor Israël, maar zeker ook voor de niet-Joden. Vanuit Israël verspreidt de zegen van God zich over de wereld, precies zoals God duizenden jaren geleden tegen Abraham zei. Abrahams nageslacht zou de aarde zegenen. Hoe dan? In de eerste plaats doordat Jezus een afstammeling is van Abraham en in de tweede plaats doordat het goede nieuws zich vanuit Israël verspreidde over de rest van de wereld. Gods Geest in ons Omdat Jezus voor ons de wet heeft vervuld, hoeven we ons aan veel voorschriften niet meer te houden. Mannen hoeven niet besneden te worden en we mogen vrijwel al het voedsel eten dat de natuur ons te bieden heeft. Maar stelen, overspel plegen, een ander haten, et cetera is natuurlijk nog steeds fout. Met dat soort zonden willen we afreken. Niet omdat de wet dit zegt, maar omdat de Geest van God nu in ons leeft. We proberen de ander lief te hebben zoals we onszelf lief hebben. De vrucht van de Geest is namelijk liefde, vreugde, geduld, vriendelijkheid, goedheid, geloof, zachtmoedigheid en zelfbeheersing. Als we leven door de Geest, worden we liefdevoller, ervaren we vreugde enzovoort. We leven nog steeds in een wereld met tekortkomingen en maken zelf ook fouten, maar het is mogelijk om de Geest ons leven te laten leiden. Hier mogen we wél voor werken. Dan gaan we steeds meer op Jezus lijken. We proberen te stoppen met slechte gewoontes en gedrag dat niet past bij een christen. We werken dus niet voor onze verlossing. Jezus heeft ons al bevrijdt. Wij geloven in Hem, waardoor Gods Geest in ons werkzaam wordt. Daardoor kunnen wij aan onszelf werken en zo worden we de persoon die God in gedachten heeft als Hij aan ons denkt.

2 Timothy 3:1-16But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. 2 For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, 4 treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people. 6 For among them are those who creep into households and capture weak women, burdened with sins and led astray by various passions, 7 always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth. 8 Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these men also oppose the truth, men corrupted in mind and disqualified regarding the faith. 9 But they will not get very far, for their folly will be plain to all, as was that of those two men.10 You, however, have followed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness, 11 my persecutions and sufferings that happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, and at Lystra—which persecutions I endured; yet from them all the Lord rescued me. 12 Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, 13 while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it 15 and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,

Continuing on in our Evangelism series, Vijay Takes us through the sermon. The sermon is titled 'Pointing to Jesus, Not Ourselves'. The passage we look at is Acts 14:8-18. Whilst sharing the gospel, Barnabas and Paul are believed to be God's by the people of Lystra.   

You, however, have followed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness, my persecutions and sufferings that happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, and at Lystra—which persecutions I endured; yet from them all the Lord rescued me. Indeed, all who desire to…

Send us a textGood morning! Thank you for taking a few minutes to listen. If you are interested in the Daily Bible Devotional, you can find it at the links below:Amazon - (paperback, hardcover, and Kindle)Spiritbuilding.com - (premium quality paperback)Youtube Video Introducing the ContentFeel free to reach out with any questions: emersonk78@me.comActs 14 Paul and Barnabas continue their missionary journey, preaching the gospel in Iconium, where many people believe. However, opposition arises, forcing them to flee to Lystra and Derbe. In Lystra, Paul heals a man who has been crippled from birth, leading the crowd to mistake them for the Greek gods Zeus and Hermes. Paul and Barnabas tear their clothes and urge the people to worship the living God rather than men. Jewish opponents arrive from Iconium and Antioch, resulting in Paul being stoned and left for dead; however, he survives and continues preaching. They travel back through previous cities, strengthening the disciples, encouraging believers to remain faithful, and reminding them that hardship is a part of entering God's kingdom. They appoint elders in each church and entrust them to the Lord. All glory belongs to God for every good work done in His name. Paul and Barnabas performed miracles that changed lives, drawing praise from the people. However, they emphatically redirected that praise to God, proclaiming that He created all things and that every blessing comes entirely from His graciousness. We too must share God's gifts, bless others, and ensure everyone knows that all good things come from above. The goal is to build local churches with full allegiance to God and His will. This includes praising Him and honoring His design for churches, such as establishing elders in every church.  Great Protector, we praise You for the blessings You bestow upon Your people. We believe You equip us to do good work in any environment, even when opponents of Christ are present. Please grant us wisdom to know how to serve You and others. When people respond positively, instill in us the humility to give all credit and praise to You. We ask for the maturity to not only stand firm but also to become active encouragers of others to do so as well. Use us in Your local churches, establishing them according to Your will and for Your glorification.   Thought Questions: -       The time came when apostles had to move on to teach others. How do you know when it is time to do that with someone in your life? -       Paul went from being called a god to being stoned almost immediately. What does that tell you about the life of a sharer of the gospel? -       Teaching people is more than initial submission to Christ. Why is it important to continue to strengthen and encourage disciples?

Pastor Mike preaches on Sts. Paul & Barnabas healing of the crippled man, the reaction of the people in Lystra to the healing, their response to the people's reaction, and how Jesus is the one whom their stories of divine visitation point towards. 6th Sunday in Easter, Year C: Acts 14:8-18; Revelation 21:1-4, 22-27, 22:1-5; John 14:21-29

Acts 16:6-15They went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia. When they had come opposite Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them; so, passing by Mysia, they went down to Troas. During the night Paul had a vision: there stood a man of Macedonia pleading with him and saying, ‘Come over to Macedonia and help us.' When he had seen the vision, we immediately tried to cross over to Macedonia, being convinced that God had called us to proclaim the good news to them.We set sail from Troas and took a straight course to Samothrace, the following day to Neapolis, and from there to Philippi, which is a leading city of the district* of Macedonia and a Roman colony. We remained in this city for some days. On the sabbath day we went outside the gate by the river, where we supposed there was a place of prayer; and we sat down and spoke to the women who had gathered there. A certain woman named Lydia, a worshipper of God, was listening to us; she was from the city of Thyatira and a dealer in purple cloth. The Lord opened her heart to listen eagerly to what was said by Paul. When she and her household were baptized, she urged us, saying, ‘If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come and stay at my home.' And she prevailed upon us. This weekend kicks off not only the start of summer for so many, but it also serves as the unofficial beginning of graduation season. In the office this week, I asked the question: what gift should you get a graduate? I told them about a friend's mom who would give monogrammed towels as her graduate gift. +Mark and Amanda informed me that I should not pick up that tradition. Money was the consensus, just get a card with some cash. I don't disagree, but I am warning you graduates now, I can almost guarantee that someone will give out a copy of the Dr. Suess classic, “Oh The Places You'll Go”. And it is a fitting tribute for the occasion:“ Congratulations! Today is your day. You're off to Great Places! You're off and away! You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You're on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the person who'll decide where to go.”It is a remarkable feeling, no? To be on the precipice of what comes next and then to set off on the journey. It is so exciting, perhaps a little frightening, if not for you, then for your parents or grandparents and other loved ones. Timothy likely felt this same way when he began his journey with Paul and Silas. In our text, the “they” we hear is in reference to those three Paul, Silas, and Timothy, maybe more. Timothy just joined the group. In the passage immediately before this, Paul and Silas stop in Lystra, where they hear about this young disciple named Timothy. Among believers in Lystra, Timothy is well spoken of. So Paul asks Timothy to join him on this mission. Timothy probably thought “oh the place I'll go”. And go they did, from town to town, the churches were growing, everything was great!That is until they came to Phrygia. Paul and crew want to go to Asia. They think, “that's where God is calling us to proclaim the Gospel. So that must be the right place for us.” So they went to turn left and head to Asia, but the Holy Spirit forbade them to go. That's strange… why would the Holy Spirit not let me go? And what does that even mean? Did a giant wind push against them every time they tried to turn left? Did their compass only point them east? However it happened, they couldn't go into Asia. So the crew thinks well what do you do when you can't turn left… you go right! And so they try to turn right and go to Bithynia, but the Holy Spirit doesn't allow that either. With no other options left, they go to Troas.If you are Timothy, you've got to wonder what went wrong? Everything was so good? We were going to all these places, the church was growing, we had a great plan! But just when everything seemed great, suddenly it wasn't anymore. Graduates, this will undoubtedly happen to you. Surely everyone gathered has had a time like that: when everything seemed to be going great, you thought you were doing what God wanted you to do, but suddenly your plans changed (or they were changed for you), and the roads you wanted to take became blocked. Maybe the major you'd hope for didn't work out. Or you didn't get that job you thought you always wanted or were let go of the job you loved. Maybe that relationship you never thought would end came to a close. Or an unexpected trip to the doctor makes you put everything on hold. Despite your best efforts you ended up in a place you never wanted to be. We've all been there. As Dr Suess says: “I'm sorry to say so but, sadly, it's true that Bang-ups and Hang-ups can happen to you. You can get all hung up, in a prickle-ly perch. And your gang will fly on. You'll be left in a Lurch. You'll come down from the Lurch with an unpleasant bump. And the chances are, then, that you'll be in a Slump. And when you're in a Slump, you're not in for much fun. Un-slumping yourself is not easily done.Yet, it is at those places you never wanted to be, in the times you least expect, that something will happen or someone will come and help and get you unslumped. For Timothy and crew their unslumping came from a vision that Paul had while in Troas: a man saying “Come to Macedonia and help us.” The three of them got up and immediately headed to Macedonia, “convinced that God had called them to proclaim the good news there”.They set sail from Troas, landed in Samothrace, and then came ashore at Neapolis. Neapolis is this wonderful little seaside town, the kind of place you want to land in, and maybe put down some roots; enjoy the sandy beaches and nice weather. I could imagine Timothy saying to Paul and Silas, “we don't really need to follow that vision, that dream, that call, right?” But Paul and his companions don't stop and stay there. It's nice, but they know it's not where they are supposed to be. You'll have your own Neapolis too, places and opportunities that seem really nice, the city or job or relationship you could see yourself in. And the temptation to stay will be strong, yet you'll know it's not right. Heed the voice, the vision, the calling God has placed on you. There will be a reason you move on, even if it is not clear in the moment.Finally Paul, Timothy, and Silas land in Philippi, even though that was not the original goal. Remember Paul wanted to spread the Gospel and grow the church in Asia. But listen to how this part of Paul's mission ends. On the sabbath they all go to the river, hoping to find people praying. They join a group of women and among them is Lydia, likely a wealthy business woman with great influence. She listened eagerly to Paul, had herself and her whole family baptized, and then opened her home to Paul and Timothy and Silas. Lydia is from Thyatria, which is in Asia, the very place Paul hoped to spread the gospel in the first place. Through all the travels, the wrong turns, and the change of plans, Paul does in fact fulfill his mission of growing the church in Asia, just not where and how he expected too.Despite our best efforts, God's calling and leading come through mistaken directions and failed attempts, which can certainly be frustrating and make discernment difficult.We'd like to think “we are the one's who decide where to go”. As Dr/ Seuss puts it. But that's where he's wrong. As Paul, Timothy and Silas attest, it is an illusion to think it's all up to us. God is in charge of the journey you're on. At times, it won't look the way you want or lead to the places you'd hoped. But thankfully Jesus promises us an Advocate, the Holy Spirit, that helps us in discernment and guides us to where we need to go, what we need to do, and who we should meet along the way. For Paul and Timothy, the journey nor the destination were likely what the team imagined. The wandering, the rejection, the vision in a dream, and the people they met. They did not expect a woman, that wasnt what the vision showed. Yet, in the end God's will was done, not their own, which is what we all pray for.Graduates/young people, it's okay if your journey in life looks like this. Parents/grandparents, it's okay if your young person's journey looks like this. God is still at work in the mess of it all. The reality for not just graduates but for all of us is our own journeys will be less like us deciding the places we go, and more like the wanderings of Paul and the rest: ending up in places we didn't expect, receiving direction in ways we didn't anticipate, and meeting people we never predicted, but trusting that God is still leading.“Plans are made. Plans come apart.” Says Kate Bowler, “New delights or tragedies pop up in their place. And nothing human or divine will map out this life, this life that has been more painful than I could have imagined. More beautiful than I could have imagined.”Amen.

Stoned at Lystra | Acts 14:8-20 | 21 May 2025 - Wednesday Evening | Dr. Brad Weniger, Pastor

Paulus erlebt in Lystra alles: Heilung, Missverständnis, Ablehnung, Gewalt. Und trotzdem steht er auf. Was treibt ihn an? In dieser Predigt geht es nicht nur um Worte, sondern um gelebte Nachfolge. Um eine Botschaft, die nicht immer nützt, aber immer trägt. Was bedeutet es, Jesus nachzufolgen, wenn es unbequem wird? Und wo kann gerade in Schwäche Gottes Kraft sichtbar werden? Eine Predigt von David Schimmel

May 25, 2025 Acts 14:8-15 (ESV) 8 Now at Lystra there was a man sitting who could not use his feet. He was crippled from birth and had never walked. 9 He listened to Paul speaking. And Paul, looking intently at him and seeing that he had faith to be made well, 10 said in a loud voice, “Stand upright on your feet.” And he sprang up and began walking. 11 And when the crowds saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in Lycaonian, “The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!” 12 Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker. 13 And the priest of Zeus, whose temple was at the entrance to the city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates and wanted to offer sacrifice with the crowds. 14 But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they tore their garments and rushed out into the crowd, crying out, 15 “Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men, of like nature with you, and we bring you good news, that you should turn from these vain things to a living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them.

Grace is offensive. Holiness is offensive. Yet people everywhere are hungry for both. This tension sits at the heart of the missionary journeys of Paul and Barnabas as they navigate the treacherous waters of sharing the gospel in first-century cities.Following their progress through Antioch, Iconium, Lystra and beyond reveals a striking pattern. Initial enthusiasm often erupts into fierce opposition when the exclusive Jewish establishment realizes that God's chosen family is expanding to include "any old, pork-eating, idol-worshipping social reprobate." The message that anyone could come, repent, be baptized and experience transformation threatens those who've built their identity on being spiritually superior.What's remarkable is not just the opposition they face—public denunciation, stoning, plots against their lives—but their extraordinary resilience. They knew when to stay and when to flee, when to endure and when to move on. Their teaching to new believers wasn't false promises of ease but the stark reality that "it is necessary to go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God." This counterintuitive approach strengthened rather than weakened the early church.The episode in Lystra highlights a particularly relevant challenge for modern Christians. When Paul heals a lame man, the crowd mistakes him for Hermes and Barnabas for Zeus, completely missing the true source of the miracle. In our spiritually curious but biblically illiterate world, even supernatural encounters won't automatically point people to Jesus without clear explanation.Following Jesus will make your life better, but not necessarily easier. The spiritual disciplines Paul practiced—solitude, fasting, prayer—build the resilience needed for the journey. In a society increasingly lacking the ability to handle setbacks, these practices prepare us for the inevitable valleys on the path to the kingdom. The gospel still grows most vigorously not in the soil of comfort, but through the faithful perseverance of those willing to count the cost.© Bentley Baptist Church Inc. www.bentleybaptist.org

In today's episode, we explore Paul's exhortation to Timothy to keep the faith in the midst of growing opposition and false teaching. Paul provides a two-fold encouragement: remember the past and remain rooted in the Word of God. Through this passage, we are reminded that faithful Christian living involves following godly examples and standing firm on the unshakable foundation of Scripture. This episode is a challenge to all believers to live lives of conviction, endurance, and biblical fidelity.Main Points Covered:

Send us a textJoin Fr. Aaron & Marissa Burt for this week's episode, in which they consider the readings for the sixth Sunday of Easter: Acts 14:8-18 or Joel 2:21-27; Psalm 67; Revelation 21:1-4, 22-22:5; John 14:21-29.They discuss Paul and Barnabas' time in Lystra, the prophetic imagery of the New Jerusalem in Revelation, and Jesus's promise of the Holy Spirit.Notes:--Dwell App--Prayers of the People for Easter--2019 Book of Common PrayerEaster: The Season of the Resurrection of Jesus, by: Wesley Hill--Dominion: How the Christian Revolution Remade the World, by: Tom Holland--Book recommendation re: substitution—Lamb of the Free: Recovering the Varied Sacrifical Understandings of Jesus's DeathThe Bible ProjectBible Project summary of Revelation: Part 1 and Part 21:09 Collect1:51 Acts 14:8-1817:59Psalm 6726:05 Revelation 21:1-4, 22-22:536:22 John 14:21-29 251:05 Joel 2:21-27 Our outro music is an original song by our friend Dcn. Jeremiah Webster, a poet and professor whose giftedness is rivaled by his humbleness. You can find his published works, including After So Many Fires, with a quick Google.

Reading IActs 14:21-27After Paul and Barnabas had proclaimed the good newsto that cityand made a considerable number of disciples,they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch.They strengthened the spirits of the disciplesand exhorted them to persevere in the faith, saying,“It is necessary for us to undergo many hardshipsto enter the kingdom of God.”They appointed elders for them in each church and,with prayer and fasting, commended them to the Lordin whom they had put their faith.Then they traveled through Pisidia and reached Pamphylia.After proclaiming the word at Perga they went down to Attalia.From there they sailed to Antioch,where they had been commended to the grace of Godfor the work they had now accomplished.And when they arrived, they called the church togetherand reported what God had done with themand how he had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles.Reading IIRevelation 21:1-5aThen I, John, saw a new heaven and a new earth.The former heaven and the former earth had passed away,and the sea was no more.I also saw the holy city, a new Jerusalem,coming down out of heaven from God,prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.I heard a loud voice from the throne saying,“Behold, God's dwelling is with the human race.He will dwell with them and they will be his peopleand God himself will always be with them as their God.He will wipe every tear from their eyes,and there shall be no more death or mourning, wailing or pain,for the old order has passed away.”The One who sat on the throne said,“Behold, I make all things new.”GospelJohn 13:31-33a, 34-35When Judas had left them, Jesus said,“Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him.If God is glorified in him,God will also glorify him in himself,and God will glorify him at once.My children, I will be with you only a little while longer.I give you a new commandment: love one another.As I have loved you, so you also should love one another.This is how all will know that you are my disciples,if you have love for one another.”

Join us as we dive into Acts 14 and explore the exciting events in the early Christian church! In this video, we'll discuss the pivotal apostles' journey to Iconium, the miraculous healing of a lame man, and their resulting persecution. We'll also examine the significance of Paul and Barnabas' ministry in Lystra and Derbe, and how the people received their message of salvation. Get ready to gain a deeper understanding of the book of Acts and the spread of Christianity in the 1st century!

[2 Timothy 1:5] I remember your genuine faith, for you share the faith that first filled your grandmother Lois and your mother, Eunice. And I know that same faith continues strong in you.The POWER of the Jesus's resurrection didn't stop at the TOMB.[2 Timothy 3:15] You have been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus.Legacy doesn't just HAPPEN, it's built INTENTIONALLY over time.[Acts 16:1] Paul went first to Derbe and then to Lystra, where there was a young disciple named Timothy. His mother was a Jewish believer, but his father was a Greek.God specializes in turning DISADVANTAGES into ADVANTAGES.You don't need PERFECT conditions to plant eternal SEEDS.[Galatians 6:9] So let's not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don't give up.All of us can INVEST in the faith of others.[1Corinthians 3:6-8] I planted the seed in your hearts, and Apollos watered it, but it was God who made it grow. [7] It's not important who does the planting, or who does the watering. What's important is that God makes the seed grow. [8] The one who plants and the one who waters work together with the same purpose. And both will be rewarded for their own hard work. We are all called to PLANT seeds of faith, but God is in charge of making them GROW.[2 Timothy 2:1-2] Timothy, my dear son, be strong through the grace that God gives you in Christ Jesus. [2] You have heard me teach things that have been confirmed by many reliable witnesses. Now teach these truths to other trustworthy people who will be able to pass them on to others.The easiest way to leave a faith legacy is simply to LIVE your faith well.[1 Timothy 4:12] Don't let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity.

One of the better known stories in the Bible is when Paul was in Athens and confronted the idol worshippers. He gave a challenging speech on Mars Hill, (modern Bibles translate it as Areopagus) Paul observes how religious (AV ‘superstitious') they are! (Acts 17 v.22).“Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious: for I passed along and observed the objects of your worship.” He seizes on the fact they had even made an altar to the unknown god, in case they had missed one! This is Paul's chance to describe the God they do not know as the one true God, a God that is REAL and not the product of human imagination. Today we have ‘evolution' as a concept of human imagination which is, in a sense, ‘worshipped' by many of the intellectuals of this age.This ‘evolution God' frees its worshippers from any sense of developing a conscience that they need to obey and serve as the ‘being' that created them. At the end of Acts 17 we read how “some mocked” [v.32] Paul's message, especially the teaching that the dead are to be raised. This is comparable to the way you hear some ‘mock' today at belief in the Bible.It occurred to us to wonder why Paul performed no miracle at Athens as this would have challenged the thinking of the people. When the Apostle's started their preaching there had been a dramatic healing in Jerusalem. Miracles occurred again in Cyprus and then at Iconium where “the Lord bore witness … granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands” [14 v.3] and again at Lystra and Philippi. The healings helped convince many, so why not at Athens?We suspect that the people of Athens were so set and confident in their ways of religious thought that they did not deserve to witness a miracle! Is not that comparable to today? But is not the resurrection of the nation of Israel from the dead a miracle!? . It is to those who know the word of God – a wonder that those who knew that word in the 19th Century could anticipate this event, despite the lack of any political indication of this150 years ago. When the miracle of Christ's return overwhelms the world – it will be too late to start believing. Belief in God has its foundations built on a true faith grounded in a real knowledge of His word! How strong is your foundation? 

After leaving Antioch in Pisidia following the persecution from the Jews Paul and Barnabas come to Iconium and enter the synagogue and begin preaching. Chapter 14 of Acts tells of the unbelieving Jews who stir up the peace of the city, whose people then make an attempt to stone the two Apostles. Their response is to flee to the nearby cities of Lystra and Derbe in Lycaonia (which means “wolf country”) in the wild north of Turkey. Verse 10 says that the Apostles cure a crippled man. The unsophisticated heathen now decide that Paul and Barnabas are gods clothed as men. These citizens think that Barnabas is Zeus, the chief god; and Paul is Hermes, the messenger of Zeus. Paul and Barnabas quickly tear their own clothes trying to convince the pagan priests that the Apostles are men like themselves. Paul and Barnabas teach the people of Lystra from the Word of God. The first quotation used was from Jeremiah 10:12 – one should read the entire context where “Yahweh the Living God” is contrasted with the idols of the nations. Next the population of Lystra turn on Paul, who continues to be persecuted by the Jews who came from Iconium. They stone Paul and drag him out of the city thinking that he was dead. Paul writes on this in 2nd Timothy 3 and I believe he also alludes to it in2 Corinthians 1 verse 8-10 (which seems to imply that he was in fact resurrected at that time). Did Paul avoid these vicious foes? No! He stands again and walks back into Lystra – what a witness this is to the power of God. The next day the Apostles continue to travel to Derbe. These cities are part of Galatia – the Apostle Paul would later write a letter to the Galatians. Shortly after the events we have read, Paul and Barnabas revisit those believers and tell them (14:22) that, “it would be with great pressures on believers that God would bring them into His kingdom”. Paul's personal example strongly bore witness to that. The Apostles make administrative arrangements in the communities of the believers and return to Antioch in Syria from where the first missionary journey had started. There they rejoice with their home ecclesia about what God had accomplished through them. Chapter 15 commences by telling us that the Apostles, Paul and Barnabas, had not been with their home ecclesia for very long before believers from Jerusalem come to Antioch in Syria seeking to enforce Jewish customs on these newly baptised converts. A decision is made to resolve the matter by way of a conference in Jerusalem- the year is 44AD. Verse 5 speaks of the matters which are of prime concern to the converts from the Pharisees ie circumcision and the keeping the laws of Moses. Peter commences the discussion by explaining how by the conversion of Cornelius God had indicated that these matters were not necessary. What mattered was what they believed. Further the keeping of law was a yoke of bondage which the Jews themselves were not able to keep. Paul and Barnabas speak next and describe how the miracles and signs God did through those Apostles was evidence of God's acceptance of Gentiles, who He would save by His grace. James, the Lord's half brother, who had acted as Chairman of the Conference, summarises the outcomes in verses 13-21. He adds many supporting Scriptures in his summary. The Council (Conference) writes a letter, the contents of which we are told in verses 22-35; only four binding essentials were to be required of Gentile believers and these were mostly moral behaviours and an attempt not to offend Jewish believers. Two representatives from Jerusalem (Judas and Silas) are chosen to accompany Paul and Barnabas with the circular letter letter to Gentile converts which was to begin its journey at Antioch. The chapter concludes with a sad rift between Barnabas and Paul over the matter of whether Barnabas' nephew John Mark should accompany them in this task.

After leaving Antioch in Pisidia following the persecution from the Jews Paul and Barnabas come to Iconium and enter the synagogue and begin preaching. Chapter 14 of Acts tells of the unbelieving Jews who stir up the peace of the city, whose people then make an attempt to stone the two Apostles. Their response is to flee to the nearby cities of Lystra and Derbe in Lycaonia (which means “wolf country”) in the wild north of Turkey. Verse 10 says that the Apostles cure a crippled man. The unsophisticated heathen now decide that Paul and Barnabas are gods clothed as men. These citizens think that Barnabas is Zeus, the chief god; and Paul is Hermes, the messenger of Zeus. Paul and Barnabas quickly tear their own clothes trying to convince the pagan priests that the Apostles are men like themselves. Paul and Barnabas teach the people of Lystra from the Word of God. The first quotation used was from Jeremiah 10:12 – one should read the entire context where “Yahweh the Living God” is contrasted with the idols of the nations. Next the population of Lystra turn on Paul, who continues to be persecuted by the Jews who came from Iconium. They stone Paul and drag him out of the city thinking that he was dead. Paul writes on this in 2nd Timothy 3 and I believe he also alludes to it in 2 Corinthians 1 verse 8-10 (which seems to imply that he was in fact resurrected at that time). Did Paul avoid these vicious foes? No! He stands again and walks back into Lystra – what a witness this is to the power of God. The next day the Apostles continue to travel to Derbe. These cities are part of Galatia – the Apostle Paul would later write a letter to the Galatians. Shortly after the events we have read, Paul and Barnabas revisit those believers and tell them (14:22) that, “it would be with great pressures on believers that God would bring them into His kingdom”. Paul's personal example strongly bore witness to that. The Apostles make administrative arrangements in the communities of the believers and return to Antioch in Syria from where the first missionary journey had started. There they rejoice with their home ecclesia about what God had accomplished through them. Chapter 15 commences by telling us that the Apostles, Paul and Barnabas, had not been with their home ecclesia for very long before believers from Jerusalem come to Antioch in Syria seeking to enforce Jewish customs on these newly baptised converts. A decision is made to resolve the matter by way of a conference in Jerusalem- the year is 44AD. Verse 5 speaks of the matters which are of prime concern to the converts from the Pharisees ie circumcision and the keeping the laws of Moses. Peter commences the discussion by explaining how by the conversion of Cornelius God had indicated that these matters were not necessary. What mattered was what they believed. Further the keeping of law was a yoke of bondage which the Jews themselves were not able to keep. Paul and Barnabas speak next and describe how the miracles and signs God did through those Apostles was evidence of God's acceptance of Gentiles, who He would save by His grace. James, the Lord's half brother, who had acted as Chairman of the Conference, summarises the outcomes in verses 13-21. He adds many supporting Scriptures in his summary. The Council (Conference) writes a letter, the contents of which we are told in verses 22-35; only four binding essentials were to be required of Gentile believers and these were mostly moral behaviours and an attempt not to offend Jewish believers. Two representatives from Jerusalem (Judas and Silas) are chosen to accompany Paul and Barnabas with the circular letter letter to Gentile converts which was to begin its journey at Antioch. The chapter concludes with a sad rift between Barnabas and Paul over the matter of whether Barnabas' nephew John Mark should accompany them in this task. The result is that Barnabas takes Mark with him and goes to Cyprus; while Paul travels with Silas throughout Syria and Cilicia.

Ever have one of those days when everything is going along just fine, and then you're knocked off your feet out of nowhere? Things went from great, to bad in a hurry. We've all been there I'm sure of it. In Acts chapter fourteen, The Apostle Paul is in Lystra and is about to experience one of those days. Let's see what we can learn from this experience today on Sound Doctrine. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/621/29

To support the ministry of Celebration Church please click here: https://subsplash.com/celebrationchurchtn/giveSubscribe to receive our latest content: https://tr.ee/2b6XuDKlaS...FOLLOW US►► Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rwmccollum/►► Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rwmccollum/►► Twitter: https://twitter.com/rwmccollum#celebrationchurchnashville #online #jesus #celebrationchurch #church #onlinechurch #sermon #nashville....When they (Paul and Barnabas) had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying, “We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God."Acts 14:21-22A thoughtful reading of these 2 verses should make one wonder... “How far have we fallen away from the biblical model of how to encourage the saints?” The modern American church does it by promising people an easy pathway to Paradise. But the Apostles had a different message!"It is necessary to pass through many troubles on our way into the kingdom of God."Acts 14:22 (HCSB)“If you find it easy to be a Christian, you probably aren't one.”Matt WalshWe hope you enjoy this weekend's Bible study, “Blessing and Testing”.

6 April 2025 | This week Pastor Evan concludes the Pastoral Epistles sermon series in 2 Timothy 3:10-4:8 on how we can overcome our sinful nature, persecution and deception by being rooted in sound biblical teaching. 2 Timothy 3:10-4:8 All Scripture Is Breathed Out by God 10 You, however, have followed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness, 11 my persecutions and sufferings that happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, and at Lystra—which persecutions I endured; yet from them all the Lord rescued me. 12 Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, 13 while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom[a] you learned it 15 and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God[b] may be complete, equipped for every good work. Preach the Word 4 I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: 2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. 3 For the time is coming when people will not endure sound[c] teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, 4 and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. 5 As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. 6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.

Acts 14:8-18 | Lystra and Idols | March 23, 2025

In Iconium and Lystra, Paul is met with both opportunity and opposition. Though the message of the kingdom of God is good news, Paul is stoned and left for dead because of his efforts.

Paul has left Jerusalem after conferring with other apostles and elders about giving instructions for the new Gentiles believers. Having delivered instructions to them in Antioch, Paul and Silas return to Lystra (where Paul was almost stoned to death) to visit the growing church, and while there, they pick up a young man named Timothy who continues on with them. This is the same Timothy to whom Paul later writes the books of 1 & 2 Timothy. They also pick up Luke, our narrator, along the way, which can be noted when he changes from third person plural to first person plural. Later, a slave girl is delivered from demonic possession, which means her owners can no longer profit from her fortune-telling. They rile up the crowd, beat Paul and Silas with rods, and throw them in jail, but the Lord has other plans for them and for their jailer. :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by the Christian Standard Biblefacebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org

What can you do to make this Lent the most fruitful Lent ever? Join Lisa and Laura as they dive into the Walking with Purpose Bible study, Passionate Discipleship. In nine powerful podcast episodes, they'll unpack Paul's wisdom to his closest friend, Timothy, and reflect on how we can apply it to our lives today. As we grow in personal holiness, we will boldly step into our call as true disciples by reaching out to the next generation and passing on all that we've learned. Are you ready to put away despair and resurrect hope as we rise to the call of discipleship? If so, grab your study guide and settle in. We have a generation to raise. Open your Heart to our key Scripture. 2 Timothy 1:7: God has not given us a spirit of fear but a spirit of power and of love and a sound mind. (NKJV) Open your Bible to other Scriptures referenced in this episode. Judges 2:6–10: When Joshua dismissed the people, the sons of Israel went each to his inheritance to take possession of the land … And all that generation were also gathered to their fathers; and there arose another generation after them, who did not know the Lord or the work which he had done for Israel. 2 Timothy 1:5 (1–7): I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you. Acts 16:1: And he came also to Derbe and to Lystra. A disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer; but his father was a Greek. Invite Him in with this episode's questions for reflection. Make two lists. List your fears and all the excuses why you are not equipped to step out and disciple others. List your gifts, traits, talents, passions, and God-given uniqueness. Ask the Lord, “Is there something on this list that You have given me for the sake of leading others to You?” Is there a young woman in your life whom you want to know Christ in a personal way? Write her name down and share it in our Facebook group. Let's start praying for the next generation by name. Show mentions. Lisa Brenninkmeyer and Mallory Smyth, Passionate Discipleship: A Study of 2 Timothy Lisa Brenninkmeyer, Passionate Discipleship Lesson 1, Talk 1, Passionate Discipleship Grab your free conversation cards to help with important life questions and get the conversation started. Beth Moore, quote Charles Spurgeon, quote Let's stay connected. Don't miss an episode. Subscribe to our podcast on your favorite platform.  Want to keep the conversation going? Join our private Facebook community. Stay in the know. Connect with us today.  We are committed to creating content that is free and easily accessible to every woman—especially the one looking for answers but unsure of where to go. If you've enjoyed this podcast, prayerfully consider making a donation to support it and other WWP outreach programs that bring women closer to Christ. Learn more about WWP on our website. Our shop. Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, X, and YouTube.

Barnabus and Paul are on a missionary journey together, traveling through towns in the Roman empire to tell others the good news of Jesus Christ. They have just left Antioch of Pisidia where they preached Christ in a Jewish synagogue, and while many of the people received them warmly, the Jewish community at large was displeased and expelled them from their district. Today, Barnabus and Paul visit Iconium where the Lord performs signs and wonders through them. When they discover some have plans to stone them, they flee to Lystra. There, a man who is unable stand is healed, and the crowds declare our missionaries to be Greek gods in human form. Jews come from the previous two towns and successfully stone Paul, but escapes death and continues preaching the gospel. :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by the Christian Standard Biblefacebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org

Deep & Wide #9 Acts 16:1-3 & 2 Timothy 1:13-14, 2:2

Paul began the second missionary journey by taking Silas to Derbe and Lystra, and there they met Timothy, a young disciple. Timothy joined Paul, and so did Luke, and the Holy Spirit led them to Macedonia to start a new work of God in Europe. Scripture References: Acts 16:1-15, 1 Timothy 1:2, 2 Timothy 1:5, 2 Timothy 3:14-15 Pastor: Daniel Hendrickson

Today we have the pleasure of hearing a message given by one our missionaries Jon Riemer. From the Book of Acts, he teaches us about Paul and Barnabas' mission trip in Lystra. Join us Sundays at 8:30 and 10:30am!

Episode NotesFor Daily Prayers and more become a Member on PatreonVisit our Website for more www.commonprayerdaily.com Daily Office - Friday in the Fifth Week After Epiphany Opening Words:I will give you as a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth. Isaiah 49:6b Confession:Let us humbly confess our sins unto Almighty God. Most merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done, and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We are truly sorry and we humbly repent. For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us; that we may delight in your will, and walk in your ways, to the glory of your Name. Amen.   Almighty God have mercy on you, forgive you all your sins through our Lord Jesus Christ, strengthen you in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep you in eternal life. Amen.   The InvitatoryLord, open our lips. And our mouth shall proclaim your praise. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen. Alleluia. Psalm 95:1–7The Lord has shown forth his glory: Come let us adore him.Come, let us sing to the Lord; * let us shout for joy to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving * and raise a loud shout to him with psalms. For the Lord is a great God, * and a great King above all gods.In his hand are the caverns of the earth, * and the heights of the hills are his also. The sea is his, for he made it, * and his hands have molded the dry land.Come, let us bow down, and bend the knee, * and kneel before the Lord our Maker. For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture and the sheep of his hand. * Oh, that today you would hearken to his voice!The Lord has shown forth his glory: Come let us adore him.  The PsalterPsalm 88OLord, my God, my Savior, *by day and night I cry to you.Let my prayer enter into your presence; *incline your ear to my lamentation.For I am full of trouble; *my life is at the brink of the grave.I am counted among those who go down to the Pit; *I have become like one who has no strength;Lost among the dead, *like the slain who lie in the grave,Whom you remember no more, *for they are cut off from your hand.You have laid me in the depths of the Pit, *in dark places, and in the abyss.Your anger weighs upon me heavily, *and all your great waves overwhelm me.You have put my friends far from me;you have made me to be abhorred by them; *I am in prison and cannot get free.My sight has failed me because of trouble; *Lord, I have called upon you daily;I have stretched out my hands to you.Do you work wonders for the dead? *will those who have died stand up and give you thanks?Will your loving-kindness be declared in the grave? *your faithfulness in the land of destruction?Will your wonders be known in the dark? *or your righteousness in the country where all is forgotten?But as for me, O Lord, I cry to you for help; *in the morning my prayer comes before you.Lord, why have you rejected me? *why have you hidden your face from me?Ever since my youth, I have been wretched and at the point of death; *I have borne your terrors with a troubled mind.Your blazing anger has swept over me; *your terrors have destroyed me;They surround me all day long like a flood; *they encompass me on every side.My friend and my neighbor you have put away from me, *and darkness is my only companion.  Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.  LessonsIsa. 61:1-9The spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me; he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed, to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and release to the prisoners; to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; to provide for those who mourn in Zion-- to give them a garland instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the mantle of praise instead of a faint spirit. They will be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, to display his glory. They shall build up the ancient ruins, they shall raise up the former devastations; they shall repair the ruined cities, the devastations of many generations. Strangers shall stand and feed your flocks, foreigners shall till your land and dress your vines; but you shall be called priests of the Lord, you shall be named ministers of our God; you shall enjoy the wealth of the nations, and in their riches you shall glory. Because their shame was double, and dishonor was proclaimed as their lot, therefore they shall possess a double portion; everlasting joy shall be theirs. For I the Lord love justice, I hate robbery and wrongdoing; I will faithfully give them their recompense, and I will make an everlasting covenant with them. Their descendants shall be known among the nations, and their offspring among the peoples; all who see them shall acknowledge that they are a people whom the Lord has blessed.The Word of the Lord. Thanks Be To God.  Te Deum laudamusYou are God: we praise you;You are the Lord; we acclaim you;You are the eternal Father:All creation worships you.To you all angels, all the powers of heaven,Cherubim and Seraphim, sing in endless praise:Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,heaven and earth are full of your glory. The glorious company of apostles praise you.The noble fellowship of prophets praise you.The white-robed army of martyrs praise you.Throughout the world the holy Church acclaims you;Father, of majesty unbounded,your true and only Son, worthy of all worship,and the Holy Spirit, advocate and guide. You, Christ, are the king of glory,the eternal Son of the Father.When you became man to set us freeyou did not shun the Virgin's womb.You overcame the sting of deathand opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers.You are seated at God's right hand in glory.We believe that you will come and be our judge.Come then, Lord, and help your people,bought with the price of your own blood,and bring us with your saintsto glory everlasting.  2 Tim. 3:1-17You must understand this, that in the last days distressing times will come. For people will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, inhuman, implacable, slanderers, profligates, brutes, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to the outward form of godliness but denying its power. Avoid them! For among them are those who make their way into households and captivate silly women, overwhelmed by their sins and swayed by all kinds of desires, who are always being instructed and can never arrive at a knowledge of the truth. As Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these people, of corrupt mind and counterfeit faith, also oppose the truth. But they will not make much progress, because, as in the case of those two men, their folly will become plain to everyone. Now you have observed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness, my persecutions and suffering the things that happened to me in Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra. What persecutions I endured! Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them. Indeed, all who want to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. But wicked people and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving others and being deceived. But as for you, continue in what you have learned and firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it, and how from childhood you have known the sacred writings that are able to instruct you for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that everyone who belongs to God may be proficient, equipped for every good work.The Word of the Lord.Thanks Be To God.  Mark 10:32-45They were on the road, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was walking ahead of them; they were amazed, and those who followed were afraid. He took the twelve aside again and began to tell them what was to happen to him, saying, "See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death; then they will hand him over to the Gentiles; they will mock him, and spit upon him, and flog him, and kill him; and after three days he will rise again." James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came forward to him and said to him, "Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you." And he said to them, "What is it you want me to do for you?" And they said to him, "Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory." But Jesus said to them, "You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?" They replied, "We are able." Then Jesus said to them, "The cup that I drink you will drink; and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized; but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared." When the ten heard this, they began to be angry with James and John. So Jesus called them and said to them, "You know that among the Gentiles those whom they recognize as their rulers lord it over them, and their great ones are tyrants over them. But it is not so among you; but whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you must be slave of all. For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many."The Word of the Lord. Thanks Be To God.  Benedictus Dominus DeusBlessed be the Lord, the God of Israel; *he has come to his people and set them free.He has raised up for us a mighty savior, *born of the house of his servant David.Through his holy prophets he promised of old,that he would save us from our enemies, *from the hands of all who hate us.He promised to show mercy to our fathers *and to remember his holy covenant.This was the oath he swore to our father Abraham, *to set us free from the hands of our enemies,Free to worship him without fear, *holy and righteous in his sightall the days of our life.You, my child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High, *for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way,To give his people knowledge of salvation *by the forgiveness of their sins.In the tender compassion of our God *the dawn from on high shall break upon us,To shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, *and to guide our feet into the way of peace.Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: *as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.  The Apostles CreedI believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead.I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.     The PrayersThe Lord be with you.And also with you.Let us pray. Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.    Suffrages BV. Save your people, Lord, and bless your inheritance;R. Govern and uphold them, now and always.V. Day by day we bless you; R. We praise your name for ever.V. Lord, keep us from all sin today; R. Have mercy on us, Lord, have mercy.V. Lord, show us your love and mercy; R. For we put our trust in you.V. In you, Lord, is our hope; R. And we shall never hope in vain.    The CollectsCollect of the DaySet us free, O God, from the bondage of our sins, and give us the liberty of that abundant life which you have made known to us in your Son our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.  Daily Collects:A Collect for PeaceO God, the author of peace and lover of concord, to know you is eternal life and to serve you is perfect freedom: Defend us, your humble servants, in all assaults of our enemies; that we, surely trusting in your defense, may not fear the power of any adversaries, through the might of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. A Collect for Grace O Lord, our heavenly Father, almighty and everlasting God, you have brought us safely to the beginning of this day: Defend us by your mighty power, that we may not fall into sin nor run into any danger; and that, guided by your Spirit, we may do what is righteous in your sight; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.  Take a moment of silence at this time to reflect and pray for others.  Collect of Saint BasilO Christ God, Who art worshipped and glorified at every place and time; Who art long-suffering, most merciful and compassionate; Who lovest the righteous and art merciful to sinners; Who callest all to salvation with the promise of good things to come: receive, Lord, the prayers we now offer, and direct our lives in the way of Thy commandments. Sanctify our souls, cleanse our bodies, correct our thoughts, purify our minds and deliver us from all affliction, evil and illness. Surround us with Thy holy angels, that guarded and instructed by their forces, we may reach unity of faith and the understanding of Thine unapproachable glory: for blessed art Thou unto ages of ages. Amen.   A Prayer of St. John ChrysostomAlmighty God, you have given us grace at this time, with one accord to make our common supplications to you; and you have promised through your well-beloved Son that when two or three are gathered together in his Name you will grant their requests: Fulfill now, O Lord, our desires and petitions as may be best for us; granting us in this world knowledge of your truth, and in the age to come life everlasting. Amen.     DismissalLet us bless the LordThanks be to God! The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us all evermore. Amen 

Paul and Barnabas faced many tribulations during their first missionary journey, including being mistaken as gods in Lystra, to then being stoned and left for dead. They continued to spread the gospel everywhere they went, while strengthening the souls of the disciples and appointing elders in every church. Scripture References: Acts 14:8-11, Acts 14:13-28, John 16:33 Pastor: Daniel Hendrickson

This is the Apostle to whom two of St Paul's Epistles are addressed. He was from Lystra in Lycaonia, born to a pagan Greek father and a Jewish mother. His mother, whose name was Eunice, and his grandmother, Lois, brought him up in piety and love of the Scriptures. The Apostle Paul converted the two women during his first missionary visit to Lystra; returning seven years later, he found Timothy full of zeal for Christ, and baptized him. Timothy became his closest disciple: in his epistles, St Paul calls calls him "my dearly beloved son." So that Timothy would be able to preach the Gospel in the synagogues, St Paul personally circumcised him.   The Apostle Paul consecrated Timothy as the first bishop of Ephesus. As such, he became a disciple and exarch of St John the Evangelist, who supervised all the churches in Asia. In AD 97, he attempted to oppose the celebration of a festival to Artemis; the pagans, enraged, mobbed him and beat him to death. He was buried near the tomb of St John. In 356 his precious relics were translated (along with those of Sts Andrew and Luke) to Constantinople and enshrined in the Church of the Holy Apostles. In 1204 they were stolen by the Latin Crusaders when they pillaged the city.

How would you respond to a miracle? What would you do? Who would you tell? Would it change your life? In this message, we encounter a miracle and find a variety of responses. As we watch these scenes unfold and witness the responses, one thing will become clear – multiplication is necessary! Join us for Miracle on 34th Lystra Drive.

Title: Miracle on 34th Lystra Drive Series: Multiply Passage: Acts 14:8-23 How would you respond to a miracle? What would you do? Who would you tell? Would it change your life? In this message, we encounter a miracle and find a variety of responses. As we watch these scenes unfold and witness the responses, one thing will become clear – multiplication is necessary! Join us for Miracle on 34th Lystra Drive

Title: Miracle on 34th Lystra Drive Series: Multiply Passage: Acts 14:8-23 How would you respond to a miracle? What would you do? Who would you tell? Would it change your life? In this message, we encounter a miracle and find a variety of responses. As we watch these scenes unfold and witness the responses, one thing will become clear – multiplication is necessary! Join us for Miracle on 34th Lystra Drive

Hungering for GodJanuary 5, 2025Pastor Ken Ecker 1. Hungering for God involves fasting from the pleasures of life. 1 Timothy 4:1-3 NIV1 The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. 2 Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron. 3 They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth.Acts 14:21-23 NIV21 They preached the gospel in that city and won a large number of disciples. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, 22 strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,” they said. 23 Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord, in whom they had put their trust.Daniel 9:3 NIV3 So I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and petition, in fasting, and in sackcloth and ashes.Isaiah 58:6-9a 6 “Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? 7 Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? 8 Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard. 9 Then you will call, and the Lord will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.” 1.  Hungering for God involves fasting from the pleasures of life.2.  Hungering for God involves feasting on the presence of God. Psalm 81:10 10 I am the Lord your God, who brought you up out of Egypt. Open wide your mouth and I will fill it. Matthew 6:16-18 16 “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 17 But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 18 so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. Jeremiah 14:11-12 11 Then the Lord said to me, “Do not pray for the well-being of this people. 12 Although they fast, I will not listen to their cry; though they offer burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them. Instead, I will destroy them with the sword, famine and plague.”1. Hungering for God involves fasting from the pleasures of life.2. Hungering for God involves feasting on the presence of God.3. Hungering for God involves fasting and prayer together.

Thursday, 2 January 2025   Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven. Matthew 6:10   “Your kingdom – it come. Your will – it be done as in heaven, even upon the earth” (CG).   In the previous verse, Jesus began His words concerning the manner of prayer that is appropriate. He continues that example with “Your kingdom – it come.”   There are various views on what Jesus is referring to here. Several are 1) The spiritual kingdom of God ruling over all people, 2) the literal millennial reign of God in Christ that the Jews expected would come immediately, 3) the Lord ruling over all the nations of the world with them subject to His laws (which is similar in thought to the millennial reign but generally held by those who dismiss a millennial reign with Israel as chief of the nations).   A kingdom implies one is reigning as a king. When Paul speaks of the kingdom, it means that Christ is ruling as King. That is to be taken as an axiom. For example –   “He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, 14 in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.” Colossians 1:13, 14   Therefore, it cannot be dismissed that Christ is the King of the church. However, the church is a spiritual entity. This probably does not encompass what Jesus is referring to. He is speaking about the rule of the Father (Your kingdom – it come).   Paul speaks elsewhere of the “appearing of His kingdom” (2 Timothy 4:1) and being preserved for “His heavenly kingdom” (2 Timothy 4:18). Likewise, because of Old Testament prophecies, the Jews anticipated a literal kingdom on the earth from which the Messiah would reign.   In fact, that was the last question His disciples asked Him about in Acts 1:6. Jesus didn't tell them that wasn't coming. Instead, He implied that it was coming, but that they had something else to do in the meantime. The book of Acts then describes that “something else” as the church began to develop. In this process of developing the church, it says –   “And when they had preached the gospel to that city and made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, 22 strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, ‘We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.'” Acts 14:21,22   And so there is a kingdom now with Christ ruling which we have been conveyed into. There is the literal fulfillment of that kingdom yet ahead for us as well at the rapture. There is a millennial kingdom that also lies ahead. Finally, there is the ultimate fulfillment of the kingdom idea as explained by Paul in 1 Corinthians 15 –   “Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power. 25 For He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet. 26 The last enemy that will be destroyed is death. 27 For ‘He has put all things under His feet.'” But when He says ‘all things are put under Him,' it is evident that He who put all things under Him is excepted. 28 Now when all things are made subject to Him, then the Son Himself will also be subject to Him who put all things under Him, that God may be all in all.” 1 Corinthians 15:24-28   This ultimately is the future kingdom Paul speaks of elsewhere. We are a part of it now spiritually, but it is realized in stages. At the same time, other kingdom concepts are being worked out, such as the millennium. As this is true, Jesus' words about the Father's kingdom, “it come,” must encompass all of these.   In other words, it is a general statement concerning the ruling authority of God at all times. It is a petition that in whatever dispensation man finds himself, and in whatever aspect of His kingdom we currently exist, we should pray that it be a part of our existence at that moment and into the future. That then actually parallels the next thought, “Your will – it be done.”   It would be unheard of to expect this to be speaking of some unspecified time in the future, such as the coming millennial reign. Rather, it is a right now and forever statement. The church is in the kingdom right now, even if it is a spiritual entity. Those in the church will be a part of a literal kingdom in the future. Israel will be at the head of the nations in an established kingdom in the millennium. And so forth.   In each of these outcroppings of God's redemptive plan, those who are a part of what is going on are to desire God's will to be done “as in heaven, even upon the earth.” Until the final heavenly kingdom spoken of by Paul in 1 Corinthians 15 is fully realized, it should be the prayer of God's people to desire that what is occurring on earth should be as it is in God's heavenly kingdom at all times.   Life application: Jesus' words are to Israel while under the law. It was during the time of the law that the millennial kingdom was promised. Therefore, it cannot be that Jesus' words are speaking only of the church. In fact, the disciples at that time had no idea a church age was coming, as noted in Acts 1:6. They were anticipating a literal kingdom to come right away.   Therefore, Jesus' words must be inclusive of that. But their lack of understanding of the other things God was doing does not negate that those things exist or would come to pass. Therefore, the prayers of God's people are that what God has planned is what should come about, even if we do not have a full understanding of it.   Now that the Bible is complete, we have the fuller picture they lacked, but the truths remain the same. We should pray for the millennial kingdom's coming. We should pray for the literal kingdom for the church to come (rapture ahead... whoo hoo!). We should pray for the ultimate kingdom of God to be realized when “God may be all in all.” As this is so, let us pray about it...   Lord God, we pray that Your kingdom comes. We also pray that Your will be done, on earth just as it is in heaven. We pray that You, as our King, will lead us into Your heavenly kingdom where we can experience what we now can only anticipate. We pray for Israel to open her eyes to Your Messiah, Jesus, so that He can exercise His rightful rule over them as a nation as they lead the nations during the millennium. Lord God, we pray for these things that You may be glorified in Your people. Amen.

Does faith always lead to miracles? In today's episode, Pastor Breaux walks through the story of Paul and Barnabas in Lystra, where faith led to the miraculous healing of a man who had never walked. While faith doesn't always produce a miracle, it always precedes one. Paul reminds us to trust in the greater miracle—the new life Jesus offers. However, the miraculous moment led to challenges, as Paul and Barnabas were mistaken for gods and faced persecution. Even so, they pressed on, preaching the good news and walking by faith.   ➡️ For more information, visit lakepointe.church/dailydrive

As we continue to follow the missions of Paul and Barnabas, Fr. Mike highlights the fickle nature of humanity and the futility of striving for the praise of men. He also encourages us to remain courageous in the tribulations we face, finding strength in other believers, and running toward the eternal and imperishable goal of salvation. Today's readings are Acts 14, 1 Corinthians 9-10, and Proverbs 28:7-9. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/bibleinayear. Please note: The Bible contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.

Click here for the DRB Daily Sign Up form! TODAY'S SCRIPTURE:1 Timothy 4-5; 2 Thessalonians 1-3 Click HERE to give! One Year Bible Podcast: Join Hunter and Heather Barnes on 'The Daily Radio Bible' for a daily 20-minute spiritual journey. Engage with scripture readings, heartfelt devotionals, and collective prayers that draw you into the heart of God's love. Embark on this year-long voyage through the Bible, and let each day's passage uplift and inspire you. TODAY'S EPISODE: Welcome, dear ones, to the Daily Radio Bible podcast on this 29th day of November, day 334 in our journey through the scriptures. I'm your host, Hunter, and I'm here to walk with you as we dive into God's Word, letting it guide us closer to the Living Word himself. Today, we'll be exploring passages from 1 Thessalonians chapters 4 and 5, and 2 Timothy chapters 1 through 3. We'll be reminded of our call to live holy lives, the promise of Christ's return, and the importance of steadfastness in our faith journeys. Alongside these powerful scriptures, we'll reflect on avoiding the temptation to check out from our spiritual responsibilities and instead, heed Paul's encouragement to engage actively in God's work. We'll conclude with a time of prayer, offering gratitude and seeking strength for the day ahead. Join me as we kindle the fire of His love in our hearts and navigate the path together. Let's begin. TODAY'S PRAYERS: Lord God Almighty and everlasting father you have brought us in safety to this new day preserve us with your Mighty power that we might not fall into sin or be overcome by adversity. And in all we do, direct us to the fulfilling of your purpose  through Jesus Christ Our Lord amen.   Oh God you have made of one blood all the peoples of the earth and sent your blessed son to preach peace to those who are far and those who are near. Grant that people everywhere may seek after you, and find you. Bring the nations into your fold, pour out your Spirit on all flesh, and hasten the coming of your kingdom through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.   And now Lord,  make me an instrument of your peace.  Where there is hatred let me sow love. Where there is injury, pardon.  Where there is doubt, faith. Where there is despair, hope.  Where there is darkness, light.  And where there is sadness,  Joy.  Oh Lord grant that I might not seek to be consoled as to console. To be understood as to understand, to be loved as to love.  For it is in the giving that we receive, in the pardoning that we are pardoned, it is in the dying that we are born unto eternal life.  Amen And now as our Lord has taught us we are bold to pray... Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven, give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our tresspasses as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not unto temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the Kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. Loving God, we give you thanks for restoring us in your image. And nourishing us with spiritual food, now send us forth as forgiven people, healed and renewed, that we may proclaim your love to the world, and continue in the risen life of Christ.  Amen.  OUR WEBSITE: www.dailyradiobible.com We are reading through the New Living Translation.   Leave us a voicemail HERE: https://www.speakpipe.com/dailyradiobible Subscribe to us at YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Dailyradiobible/featured OTHER PODCASTS: Listen with Apple Podcast DAILY BIBLE FOR KIDS DAILY PSALMS DAILY PROVERBS DAILY LECTIONARY DAILY CHRONOLOGICAL Transcript: Hunter: These teachers oppose the truth, just as Janus and Jambres opposed Moses. They have depraved minds and a counterfeit faith, but they won't get away with this for long. Someday, everyone will recognize what fools they are, just as with Janice and Jambres. But you, Timothy, certainly know what I teach and how I live and what my purpose in life is. You know my faith, my patience, my love, and my endurance. You know how much persecution and suffering I have endured. You know all about how I was persecuted in Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra. But the Lord rescued me from all of it. Hunter: Yes. And everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. But evil people and impostors will flourish. They will deceive others and will themselves be deceived. But you must remain faithful to the things you have been taught. You know they are true, for you know that you can trust those who taught you. You have been taught the holy scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus. All scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. Hunter: It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work. The end is coming. The end is near. That's what these so called teachers were saying. And though it is a true statement that the end is coming and is near, these guys were taking it up a notch. They were false prophets trying to lead God's people astray. They were trying to get them to come in from the fields of God's work and head up on the rooftops. Hunter: In effect, they were saying, abandon your call to the gospel. Come, put your flight suits on because Jesus is about to come and take us out of here. Sell out and check out. That was their false message. Now I've never been tempted to sell everything and put on a flight suit and sit on my rooftop to wait for the Lord to come back. No teacher has bamboozled me enough to go that far. But we can look at history, and we can see that there are those that have. This reference in Thessalonians is perhaps the first time we see this apocalyptic escapism come upon the church, but there is something similar that we can be tempted to. Hunter: We can be tempted to find some kind of spiritual justification for checking out and running away. Paul wants to encourage this church in Thessalonica, and he wants to encourage us. There's a work to do. God has reconciled the world to himself in Christ. He has set us free by his grace, and we have a responsibility to proclaim this message to the world, to come back to God. We have a responsibility. He is calling us not to be idle and check out. He's calling us to engage, to roll up our sleeves, and keep at the work that he's called us to do. Hunter: Paul's trying to shore up these folks. They've been rattled. People have told them that it's time to check out. But Paul is telling them this is the time to move forward. There are lots of ways that we can check out. You can check out with the bottle. You can check out online. You can check out a 100 different ways. Hunter: But Paul says, don't do it. Instead, he says, go forward. Don't grow weary in doing good. Keep your hand to the plow. Keep doing what God has asked you to do. Jesus is coming back, but there is work to do in our lives and in this world. There are men and women and boys and girls waiting to hear, waiting to see, waiting to be set free. Paul's prayer is that our hearts, in the meantime, would be full of understanding of what God has called us to as individuals and as communities of faith. Hunter: He prays that we would be a full expression of the love of God. He prays that the mark that distinguishes us would not be that we checked out, but that we engaged with acts of love and kindness in this world. The Lord is coming back. But until that time, we keep at what God has called us to do, allowing his joy to be our strength. And that's the prayer that I have for my own soul. That's the prayer that I have for my family, for my wife, my daughters, my son. And that's the prayer that I have for you. May it be so.  

In this Bible Story, Paul is nearly stoned to death by Jewish Christians who seek to control Gentiles by the law. They are dangerous and controlling. Yet Paul does not let the stones stop him. This story is inspired by Acts 14. Go to BibleinaYear.com and learn the Bible in a Year.Today's Bible verse is Acts 14:19 from the King James Version.Episode 229: As Paul and Barnabas entered Iconium to preach, both Jews and Gentiles were receptive and restored by the message of love and mercy in Jesus that they brought. But not everyone in the city was happy about this change. Certain men of influence added poison to these teachings and stirred the people against Paul and Barnabas. So they fled to Lystra where they healed a man and were called gods by the men of the city. Just as Paul and Barnabas convinced the crowd that they were mere men, the elders of Antioch came and captured Paul, bringing him out to the city to be stoned. But because of what God did for him, Paul went right back to the city the next day to continue preaching the good news of Jesus.Hear the Bible come to life as Pastor Jack Graham leads you through the official BibleinaYear.com podcast. This Biblical Audio Experience will help you master wisdom from the world's greatest book. In each episode, you will learn to apply Biblical principles to everyday life. Now understanding the Bible is easier than ever before; enjoy a cinematic audio experience full of inspirational storytelling, orchestral music, and profound commentary from world-renowned Pastor Jack Graham.Also, you can download the Pray.com app for more Christian content, including, Daily Prayers, Inspirational Testimonies, and Bedtime Bible Stories.Visit JackGraham.org for more resources on how to tap into God's power for successful Christian living.Pray.com is the digital destination of faith. With over 5,000 daily prayers, meditations, bedtime stories, and cinematic stories inspired by the Bible, the Pray.com app has everything you need to keep your focus on the Lord. Make Prayer a priority and download the #1 App for Prayer and Sleep today in the Apple app store or Google Play store.Executive Producers: Steve Gatena & Max BardProducer: Ben GammonHosted by: Pastor Jack GrahamMusic by: Andrew Morgan SmithBible Story narration by: Todd HaberkornSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today's Scripture passages are 1 Chronicles 3:10-16 | Jeremiah 39 - Jeremiah 40:6 | Jeremiah 52:6-27 | 2 Kings 25:8-21 | Acts 14.Read by Ekemini Uwan.Get in The Word with Truth's Table is a production of InterVarsity Press. For 75 years, IVP has published and created thoughtful Christian books for the university, church, and the world. Our Bible reading plan is adapted from Bible Study Together, and the Bible version is the New English Translation, used by permission.SPECIAL OFFER | As a listener of this podcast, use the code IVPOD25 for 25% off any IVP resource mentioned in this episode at ivpress.com.Additional Credits:Song production: Seaux ChillSong lyrics written by: Seaux Chill, Ekemini Uwan, and Christina EdmondsonPodcast art: Kate LillardPhotography: Shelly EveBible consultant: JM SmithSound engineering: Podastery StudiosCreative producers: Ekemini Uwan and Christina EdmondsonAssistant producer: Christine Pelliccio MeloExecutive producer: Helen LeeDisclaimer: The comments, views, and opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the host and/or the guests featured on the podcast and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of InterVarsity Press or InterVarsity Christian Fellowship.