by Sal Huckel
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As they went out, the people begged that these things might be told to them the next Sabbath (Acts 13:42).
Read Acts 13:26–43
What a response to Paul’s message! When have we been so keen to hear the word of the Lord brought to us that we cannot wait to hear it again next week?
Perhaps you are part of a Bible study group and look forward to attending each week. You may look forward to Sunday, for refuelling with word and sacrament. Or perhaps many of us might feel we can miss a Sunday here and there, or that attending church once in a while is enough.
As Lutherans, we believe that the word of God is efficacious and that he works through it to produce faith and obedience. Certainly, we see an example here of that happening in the synagogue as a result of Paul’s teaching.
We have the privilege of a free country. The word of God can sit openly on our bookshelves, in our pews, on our phones and computers. Look at how much opportunity there is for God to work if we give him the opportunity. While our faith is a gift from him and not something we create ourselves – we need to allow him to work. We must move on from spiritual milk to solid food. Are we as hungry for the word as the hearers of Paul’s message?
Choose a book of the Bible, and commit to reading it daily, asking the Lord to work through his word and create a deeper faith in you. Ask him to give you desire and passion for his word and the ability to encourage others in their faith. In this world where so many voices call out to us daily, let’s give the Lord the priority of our attention. Go to church!
Father God, you declare that the word that goes out from your mouth shall not return to you empty, but it shall accomplish that which you purpose and shall succeed in the thing for which you sent it (Isaiah 55:11). Work in our lives through your word brought to us by faithful pastors and increase our desire to learn from you through them. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Sal is married to Pastor Matthew Huckel and they live in Victoria with their six children. Music, theology, literature and languages are passions the family share and explore together. Sal loves writing, speaking and walking to the beach at every opportunity.
by Sal Huckel
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After the reading from the law and the prophets, the synagogue rulers sent a message to them, saying, ‘Brothers, if you have any word of encouragement for the people, say it’ (Acts 13:15).
Read Acts 13:13–25
Visitors to the synagogue were invited to give the message from the Scriptures read that day, which is why we find Paul teaching here. We may recall Jesus being invited to do the same. Paul begins with the history of Israel in Egypt, and this passage continues to the genealogy of Jesus from the line of David, and the preparation of the people for Jesus, by John the Baptist.
We have no idea what the rulers of the synagogue were expecting when they invited Paul to speak, but one may liken this teaching to the account Stephen gives before he is stoned to death (Acts 7). Paul (Saul) was present to hear Stephen’s testimony and approve of his death. Now Paul is giving his testimony and teaching right in the synagogue. We will find out in our next passage how this turns out for Paul.
There is a small detail in this passage to cross-reference. We learn that John left Paul’s mission and returned to Jerusalem (verse 13). We hear nothing more of this as Paul continues to serve where the Lord has sent him. However, the departure of John becomes the source of a ‘sharp disagreement’ between Paul and Barnabas (Acts 15:36–41).
The root of that disagreement and eventual separation began here while carrying out the Lord’s mission together and bringing many to faith. Even for Paul and Barnabas, partnering in the gospel in miraculous ways, this divides their ministry. The result of this of course is that the mission is divided up and more ground is covered. What the enemy intends for evil God will use for good (read Genesis 50:20).
Again, we see through the readings this week that God has a plan. Through the early church and the members’ adversity and interference from the enemy, God works his purpose out and brings the gospel to save the lost. He works through imperfect human beings who are persecuted, who sometimes persecute each other, and who are sometimes even killed while doing his work. How are you encouraged through this knowledge today?
If you have time, seek out a recording of the hymn, ‘The Church’s One Foundation’.
Lord, you work through your people, in our weaknesses, and our disagreements. Even in times when ministries divide, you are glorified and your will prevails. Help us to remember that you are in control, you are glorified and what the devil intends for harm, you will use for good. We submit to your will in our lives for your glory. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Sal is married to Pastor Matthew Huckel and they live in Victoria with their six children. Music, theology, literature, and languages are passions the family share and explore together. Sal loves writing, speaking, and walking to the beach at every opportunity.
by Sal Huckel
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
While they were worshipping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them’ (Acts 13:2).
Read Acts 13:1–12
We are familiar with Paul’s letters being read in church and we may think about them as we encourage each other with Scripture. Let’s take some time today to read this passage about Paul’s first mission. Grab your Bible or click on the link, if you haven’t already. I’ll wait …
Saul is new to the faith. Here, we have his commissioning, in accordance with the Holy Spirit, who instructs the apostles to set him apart from Barnabas and send them out together. On their first mission trip, they encounter a false prophet, a magician, who tries to turn a proconsul away from the faith (verses 7,8).
What stands out to you in this encounter? For me, it’s the continuance of the theme we encountered yesterday. Nothing will stop the word of God, through the power of the Holy Spirit, from accomplishing what the Lord is setting out to do.
‘But Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked intently at him and said, “You son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, full of all deceit and villainy, will you not stop making crooked the straight paths of the Lord? And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you will be blind and unable to see the sun for a time”’ (verses 9–11).
We might remember Isaiah’s references to making straight the way of the Lord (Isaiah 40:3, 45:2). Here we have the opposite forces of the devil in effect. The false prophet’s ploy fails because Saul’s rebuke and miraculous intervention is a perfect example of the ‘highway being made straight’ through the power of the Holy Spirit.
We serve a God who does what he says he will. If we are in his service, he will flatten the highways and make straight the path of his will. We must, like Paul, resist the false prophets who exist today, sometimes in our midst. The Lord will deal with them, too, so those seeking him will find truth, despite their interference.
Lord, set us apart for your mission. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, received in our baptism, work in us to bring truth to those who seek you and give us discernment to call out and disable false teachings sent from the enemy to distract from, and confuse, your sovereign will. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
by Sal Huckel
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But the word of God increased and multiplied (Acts 12:24).
Read Acts 12:18–25
Earlier in Acts, we find wisdom from a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a ‘teacher of the law held in honour by all the people’ (Acts 5:38,39): ‘ … So in the present case I tell you, keep away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or this undertaking is of man, it will fail; but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You might even be found opposing God!’
It is true we have had some heavy losses by this time in Acts. Apostles have been martyred – but not before seeing visions, appearing radiant and giving powerful testimony, and after performing many miracles through which God increased his church daily.
In our passage today, we may be mildly surprised at the harshness of the death of the unfortunate soldiers guarding Peter in the wrong place at the wrong time. However, in the context of the events up until now, we have seen many life-and-death miracles, including the deaths of Ananias and Sapphira for cheating the Lord financially. Now we see the deaths of these two soldiers and Herod himself. Gamaliel was right – his words are borne out in our reading today. To be found opposing God means death. We know that to be on the Lord’s side means death is not ‘death’ at all – it is life with Christ in eternity.
God’s kingdom is a ‘life-and-death business’. Our faith has stood the test of time: more than 2000 years later we know Gamaliel is still correct. The undertakings of man will fail – but the Lord’s work cannot be overthrown.
We read in Acts how the early church was persecuted and members put to death. We know (as the apostles did) that life in the body is not our main aim – it is life in Christ. The Lord is sovereign over his church. His will is sovereign. What he allows to die and what he allows to continue is not in our human knowledge or understanding. We take comfort in this. We must remain faithful to his word: preaching Christ in season and out.
His will be done.
Your will, Lord, be done on earth, as it is in heaven. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Sal is married to Pastor Matthew Huckel and they live in Victoria with their six children. Music, theology, literature, and languages are passions the family share and explore together. Sal loves writing, speaking, and walking to the beach at every opportunity.
by Sal Huckel
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
Now I am sure that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from the hand of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were expecting (Acts 12:11).
ReadActs 12:1-17
If you haven’t read the beginning chapters of Acts up to this point, it would be worthwhile doing so today over lunch or a cuppa. We may be familiar with the main parts of this account of Peter being rescued from high-security imprisonment. However, putting it into context, we learn that this has occurred as part of an extraordinary series of events since Jesus’ death and resurrection. Miracle after miracle, the imprisonment and miraculous release of the apostles (Acts 5) and the martyrdom of Stephen after his amazing testimony in a trial similar to that of Jesus. Saul is converted and begins his ministry. It is only a matter of time before more apostles are martyred. The believers have prayed for boldness to proclaim the gospel (Acts 4:23–31). Is this Peter’s time? No, it is not. He experiences what he feels is surely a vision and yet is miraculously freed from his chains.
Peter has gone from miracle to miracle and continues zealously for the Lord to bring even the Gentiles to faith in the Lord Jesus.
We know that martyrdom awaits Peter. He knows it too. He doesn’t know when, but this time is not his time.
It is challenging and confronting for some of us to accept that ‘staying alive’ is not the goal of the Christian life. As we read in Paul’s letter to the Philippians, we press on toward the goal of the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:14).
We have in our hands amazing accounts of the strong faith of the early church. We know that the ‘Acts of the Apostles’ are truly the acts of the Lord Jesus, working through them. While we live in very different times, we press on to the same prize. Until we are indeed called to be with Christ Jesus, in whatever manner he chooses, we must continue living daily in our baptism, growing deeper in our knowledge of him and following in obedience wherever he leads.
Lord, we praise you for the mighty works of your hand, establishing your church and desiring all people to be saved and turn to you. Thank you for the gift of your Holy Spirit through my baptism and the new life I have in you. Through the power of your Holy Spirit, may I follow you in obedience until it is my turn to meet you face to face. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
by Sal Huckel
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Jesus said to Philip, ‘Where are we to buy bread, so that these people may eat?’ He said this to test him, for he knew what he would do (John 6:5b,6).
Read John 6:1–21
If you have ever given a juice box to a small child, you know they are filled to the brim and that, within seconds of handing it to a toddler, their immediate squeeze of the box will go everywhere. I fixed this by telling them I was ‘just taking the top off first’. As our family grew, so did my little ‘freebie’ drink and I could give six children a drink without buying one for myself! The older children knew exactly what I was doing when I still ‘took the top off’ theirs long past the age of needing to avoid spillage. This has progressed to the dinner table. Last week when my husband was away, and all six children (some now young adults) were home, I served six dinners instead of seven – only to be asked where my plate was. This has happened before, and we know the drill. I took a polite spoonful of rice and beef chilli off each plate, and all seven dinners still looked perfect – this time with some for me. You never would have known!
I pondered this experience and the loaves and fish miracle. My version is simple ‘mum economics’, though of course the Lord provides through those. However, no matter of mum economics could feed 5000 people with the loaves and fish from one lunch as we read in all four gospels.
Jesus’ question to Peter was to test him. Jesus already had in mind the miracle, but he was testing Peter’s trust and knowledge. I have two thoughts today on this passage. Firstly, we cannot underestimate or discount the miracles of God – and we cannot do them on our own strength. Secondly, it might seem crazy to give the very little we have to the Lord, for his kingdom work. ‘My plate isn’t enough to share’, or ‘I can’t give much so it’s pointless me giving anything’. Let us remember that what we give to the Lord, he multiplies as he chooses. It might be a loaves-and-fishes miracle. Or it could be a home-style beef chilli or juice box miracle in which the smaller sums work together for a larger effect. Consider your time, your talents – and your dollars. How can we contribute our little, or a little more, to the Lord’s work?
Lord God, you are our ‘Jehovah-Jireh’, God our provider. You allow us to participate in your kingdom work. Help me to be a good steward of all that you generously provide to me, and to be willing to contribute to your work. Help me to trust you and to consider those around me who may also need to share in what I have, whether I can only give a little, or whether it be a little more. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Sal is married to Pastor Matthew Huckel and they live in Victoria with their six children. Music, theology, literature, and languages are passions the family share and explore together. Sal loves writing, speaking and walking to the beach at every opportunity.
by Pastor Glenn Crouch
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The Lord is trustworthy in all he promises and faithful in all he does (Psalm 145:13b).
Read Psalm 145:10-18
I have heard the Psalms referred to as Jesus’ hymnbook or as his prayer book. This book was so important to the early church that it is quoted in our New Testament more than any other Old Testament book. Sadly, until about 10 years ago, I didn’t take the book seriously. Sure, I had read all 150 of the Psalms many times and I have my favourites, but the psalter came alive when I was advised to pray them. When I read them as my prayer to my Lord, and then built on that prayer all that has been revealed through Jesus.
In our passage today, we have the basis of a prayer of praise. Read the passage again, then use it as a prayer to your heavenly Father. Then build on that with what Jesus has revealed. So, for example, the following prayer is based on the section quoted above:
Father, you are trustworthy. You keep all your promises, and you are faithful in all of your actions. You promised Israel a Messiah. You promised a seed that would crush the head of the serpent. These and so many more promises, you faithfully fulfilled in and through your dear Son, Jesus. My faith is so feeble compared with your faithfulness – help me to trust you, help me to keep my focus on my Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.
See how you fare with the other verses in our passage today. It can be very helpful to write them down. Why stop with this passage? Through Scripture, the Holy Spirit can give us words when we struggle to pray.
Faithful Father, forgive me for not spending more time talking with you. Through your Holy Spirit, open your word to me. I want to know you better. I want to love you better. Help me see Jesus more clearly. In his name I pray. Amen.
by Pastor Glenn Crouch
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Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul (Acts 11:25).
Read Acts 11:19–30
Barnabas, this man from Cyprus (Acts 4:36,37) is worth looking into. Why not check him out on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barnabas – and don’t forget to check the Bible references given.
Following the situation with Cornelius, which we have been looking at for most of this week, reports come in that in the city of Antioch (in Syria), there were those sharing the gospel with Gentiles and that the church there was expanding – with both Jews and Gentiles. So, this needed investigation and Barnabas is chosen for the task. Notice (verse 23) that he was pleased with what he found and encouraged them to continue to remain true to the Lord.
Barnabas did not only encourage with words. He set off for Tarsus to grab Saul (who will become better known by his other name of Paul) and brought him to Antioch. This is not a trivial task – check out a Bible Atlas and see where these cities were! We see here the Holy Spirit at work. We know all that he will do through Paul (Saul) and it started by Barnabas fetching him from Tarsus so that they could work together in Antioch.
The Holy Spirit cannot be contained. The Jerusalem church did not seek out Cornelius – nor did they seek out the Samaritans, nor the Ethiopian. They did not decide to start a church plant in Antioch. Rather the gospel could not be contained, and they had to play catch up. The Holy Spirit helped them with that as well – through Philip, then Peter and now Barnabas.
Are you open to the Holy Spirit working in you? You can be his instrument in your home, your work, your school, your community – wherever you may find yourself. Join with me in desiring to be like Barnabas and be full of the Holy Spirit and faith.
Gracious Father, thank you for including me in your kingdom. Help me to be your instrument in the task of bringing heaven to earth. Fill me afresh with your Holy Spirit, so that I may not only better serve you but that I may also be an encouragement to all whom I encounter. Not by my strength, but by yours. In the power of my Lord Jesus name, I pray. Amen.
Glenn is the Pastor of St John’s Lutheran Church in Esperance and also looks after St Paul’s Lutheran Church in Kalgoorlie-Boulder. Karen and he have been married since 1985 and have two grown sons – and have recently become grandparents.
by Pastor Glenn Crouch
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
When they heard this, they had no further objections and praised God, saying, ‘So then, even to Gentiles God has granted repentance that leads to life’ (Acts 11:18).
Read Acts 11:1–18
It seems what happened at Cornelius’ house (as we read earlier this week) spread like wildfire and consequently, when Peter and his colleagues returned to Jerusalem, they were not greeted with enthusiastic inquiries. No, they received criticism – it almost appears that they were put on trial. As we may struggle with change, it seems it wasn’t any easier for the very first church.
As Peter had stood up several times already in this book, so now he stands up and gives an account of the work of the Holy Spirit to his fellow members of the Jerusalem church. While it is perfectly reasonable that those in Jerusalem wanted Peter to give an account of all that had happened in Caesarea (and Joppa), it is disappointing that things started with criticisms and accusations. This is a good reminder that the church today is still a family of sinners – yes, we are forgiven, justified, redeemed, and reconciled – but we still mess up.
Not only do we as individuals need to use the Scriptures as a mirror to see how well we are loving God and loving our neighbour but our congregations and our church organisations need to do this as well. Peter and Paul will later have a conflict over eating with Gentiles (Galatians 2) and the first recorded church council (Acts 15) will look at this issue again. So, if we see that the first Christians – many of whom knew Christ and who all had direct access to the apostles – struggle to determine God’s will, it’s not that surprising that we still struggle.
It is worth noting that our text today ends with the church praising God.
Lord of our salvation, grant me your patience and wisdom as I deal with fellow believers with whom I have disagreements. Help me to keep my focus on my Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, and all that he has achieved for all of us. In his mighty name, I pray. Amen.
Glenn is the Pastor of St John’s Lutheran Church in Esperance and also looks after St Paul’s Lutheran Church in Kalgoorlie-Boulder. Karen and he have been married since 1985 and have two grown sons – and have recently become grandparents.