From Mark Copeland... The End Of Paul's Third Journey (Acts 21:1-17)

                          "THE BOOK OF ACTS"

               The End Of Paul's Third Journey (21:1-17)

INTRODUCTION

1. Following Paul's discourse with the Ephesian elders (Ac 20:17-38)...
   a. Paul and his companions departed by ship - Ac 21:1
   b. As indicated earlier, Paul wanted to go to Jerusalem - Ac 20:16

2. The last leg of Paul's third journey reads like a journal...
   a. Perhaps from a diary that Luke kept at the time
   b. Listing the itinerary from Miletus to Jerusalem
   c. With brief mention of contacts with brethren along the way

[Luke's description contains several things of interest.  So let's follow
along on...]

I. THE LAST LEG OF THE JOURNEY

   A. FROM ASIA TO SYRIA...
      1. Sailing from Miletus to Patara - Ac 21:1-2
         a. By way of Cos and Rhodes, likely on a small coastal vessel
         b. At Patara, transferring to a ship (a larger seafaring vessel)
            going to Phoenicia
      2. Sailing from Patara to Tyre - Ac 21:3
         a. Bypassing Cyprus on the left (west side)
         b. On to Syria, landing at Tyre
         c. Where the ship unloaded its cargo   
      3. Finding disciples at Tyre - Ac 21:4-6
         a. Staying there seven days
         b. The disciples told Paul through the Spirit not to go to
            Jerusalem (perhaps not at that moment, but to wait for a few
            days)
         c. At the end of the days, Paul and his companions were escorted
            by the disciples and their families down to the ship where 
            they knelt on the shore and prayed
         d. Paul and his companions boarded their ship, the disciples of
            Tyre returned home

   B. FROM SYRIA TO JERUSALEM...
      1. Sailing from Tyre to Ptolemais - Ac 21:7
         a. Greeting more brethren at Ptolemais
         b. Staying there one day
      2. From Ptolemais to Caesarea - Ac 21:8-14
         a. Where they stayed with Philip the evangelist - cf. Ac 8:40
         b. Philip had four virgin daughters who prophesied - cf. Ac 2:17; 1Co 11:5
         c. After many days, the prophet Agabus came down from Judea
            - cf. Ac 11:27-28
         d. Using Paul's belt to bind his own hands and feet, Agabus
            foretells what awaits Paul at Jerusalem (a symbolic act 
            commonly used by OT prophets) - cf. Isa 20:2-4; Eze 4:1-3
         e. The brethren plead with Paul not to go to Jerusalem, but Paul
            is ready to be bound and killed for the name of the Lord 
            Jesus
         f. The brethren relent, saying "The will of the Lord be done"
      3. From Caesarea to Jerusalem - Ac 21:15-17
         a. Accompanied by disciples from Caesarea
         b. Brought to Mnason of Cyprus ("an early disciple"), with whom
            they were to lodge
         c. Gladly received by the brethren in Jerusalem

[Thus ends Paul's third missionary journey.  Was it a successful journey?
Consider...]

II. THE IMPACT OF PAUL'S THIRD JOURNEY

   A. STRENGTHENING CHURCHES...
      1. In Galatia and Phrygia - Ac 18:23
      2. In Ephesus - Ac 19:1-40; 20:17-38
      3. In Macedonia, Achaia, Troas, Syria, Caesarea - Ac 20:1-12;
         21:1-17

   B. SPREADING THE GOSPEL...
      1. From Ephesus, whereby all Asia heard the Word - Ac 19:10
      2. Which may have led to churches in Colosse, Hierapolis, Laodicea 
         - Col 4:12-15
      3. Preaching as far as Illyricum - cf. Ro 15:19

   C. WRITING NT EPISTLES...
      1. During this journey Paul wrote 1st and 2nd Corinthians, Romans
      2. Dealing with current problems, and daily Christian living
      3. Motivating Gentile Christians to assist needy Jewish brethren in
         Jerusalem

CONCLUSION

1. The events of Paul's third journey also has an impact on issues such
   as...
   a. Baptism:  when there might be a need for re-baptism - Ac 19:1-5
   b. Church worship:  when and why Christians assemble - Ac 20:7
   c. Church organization:  the duty and limitations of elders - Ac 20:28
   d. Apostasy:  its origin and how to deal with it - Ac 20:29-32

2. Paul's arrival in Jerusalem must have been with mixed emotions...
   a. He was accompanying the contribution for needy Christians in
      Jerusalem - Ro 15:25-27
   b. He had intentions of going to Rome, and then Spain - Ro 15:28; cf.
      Ac 19:21
   c. Yet he knew that chains awaited him in Jerusalem - Ac 20:22,23;
      21:11-14

Indeed, within twelve days of his arrival to Jerusalem (cf. Ac 24:11),
Paul found himself dragged out of the temple, beaten by a mob, almost
scourged by Roman soldiers, barely escaped an assassination plot on his
life, and imprisoned in Caesarea.  

But the Lord Jesus had a plan for Paul:

   But the following night the Lord stood by him and said, "Be of good
   cheer, Paul; for as you have testified for Me in Jerusalem, so you
   must also bear witness at Rome."
                                                         - Ac 23:11

How Paul came to bear witness of Jesus at Rome; well, that is the rest
of the story...

Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2013

Will You Be Silenced? by Eric Lyons, M.Min.

http://apologeticspress.org/APContent.aspx?category=7&article=3541

Will You Be Silenced?

by	Eric Lyons, M.Min.

When individuals in the 21^st century teach what God’s Word says about the sin of homosexuality (Romans 1:22-32; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11), even when done in a spirit of “love,” “meekness and fear” (as the Bible teaches—Ephesians 4:15; 1 Peter 3:15), they are often labeled as unloving, unkind, hateful, and mean-spirited. Take, for example, the response that Kirk Cameron recently received after being interviewed on Piers Morgan’s CNN show Tonight. When asked about his thoughts regarding homosexuality and same-sex marriage, Cameron respectfully called it “unnatural” and “destructive,” and “detrimental and ultimately destructive to so many of the foundations of civilization….” “Marriage,” he said, “was defined in the garden between Adam and Eve. One man, one woman for life till death do you part. So I would never attempt to redefine marriage. And I don’t think anyone else should either” (“Kirk Cameron…,” 2012). For these comments, individuals and media members all over the country ridiculed Cameron as being, among other things, “out of step with the modern world” (Dray, 2012), “extremist” (Badash, 2012), “self-righteous” (Burt, 2012), and a “homophobic bigot” (Silverthorne, 2012).
After a Christian posted a comment on his Facebook page recently about President Obama’s endorsement of same-sex marriage, saying, “As Christians, this is another sad moment in our nation’s moral downfall,” a young lady responded by writing:

For once, I beg of you, as Christians, to look at someone who is gay or different from you and love them. Just love them. Don't tell them their [sic] immoral or disgusting or brainwashed or bad. LOVE them. As God loves them. As Jesus loves them. Stop spreading HATE and FEAR. You are hurting yourselves. Your children. You are making the world a bad place, the exact opposite of what I know you want. Why is it that the Christians are the ones who seem to be the most judgmental of them all? (2012, emp. added, capitalization in orig.).

Notice that there was no hate in the gentleman’s statement—only perceived hate by someone who would much rather Christians remain completely silent about what the Bible teaches regarding God’s pattern for the home.
In the Fall of 2011, a ninth-grade honors student in Fort Worth, Texas was given a disciplinary referral form, one day of in-school suspension, and two days of out-of-school suspension because he said to a friend in class that “he was a Christian and ‘being a homosexual is wrong’” (Stames, 2011; Khalil, 2011). This one statement, which was overheard by the teacher (who previously had posted a picture in the classroom of two men kissing), allegedly warranted a reprimand and three days of suspension from class. [Thankfully, administrators dropped the suspension completely, but only after Dakota’s mother solicited the help of a constitutional attorney (Khalil).]
A Catholic church in Acushnet, Massachusetts recently changed their marquee to read, “Two men are friends not spouses.” Their words were described by those who opposed the sign as “subtle bigotry,” “hateful,” and “disrespectful.” One woman called the church saying that the church “should be burned” for spreading such hate. One man said that he was “outraged” that a church would choose to speak out on the issue of gay marriage (see “Controversial Sign...,” 2012).
In April 2012, “outspoken gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) advocate” Dan Savage spoke at an anti-bullying conference in Seattle, Washington before thousands of students and teachers from along the west coast (“Dan Savage…,” 2012). In his speech he stated: “We can learn to ignore the bull**** in the Bible about gay people” (“Anti-bullying Speaker…,” 2012). After several students walked out, the anti-bullying speaker stated: “You can tell the Bible guys in the hall they can come back now because I’m done beating up the Bible. It’s funny, as someone who is on the receiving end of beatings that are justified by the Bible, how pansy***** people react when you push back” (“Anti-bullying Speaker…”).
No doubt, some people who claim to be Christians have spoken about the sin of homosexuality with unChristlike attitudes and in ungodly ways. Such hypocrisy certainly should be condemned, as should all ungodliness (Romans 12:9; 1 John 5:17; Galatians 5:19-12; Revelation 21:8), including homosexuality. However, what we increasingly witness today is, even when Christians teach what Almighty God has revealed about homosexuality in the most loving, kind, meek manner, they are still blasted by homosexual activists and many in the media as being guilty of “hate speech.” For teaching what the Creator has revealed (and expects Christians to teach without compromise; cf. Acts 4:17-20; 5:29), Bible believers have been expelled at school, ridiculed at work, and threatened in their churches. Even homosexual “anti-bullying experts” apparently enjoy “beating up the Bible” (and all the alleged “bull****” in it) and bullying the “pansy*****” Christians that they are supposedly teaching not to bully.
We should not be surprised at the reactions (even highly hypocritical reactions) of the world to the preaching of God’s Word. John the Baptizer, of whom Jesus said “among those born of women there has not risen one greater” (Matthew 11:11), was beheaded for courageously telling a King that it was wrong for him to be married to someone who was not his lawful wife (Mark 6:14-29). Jesus was crucified following three years of preaching a message of repentance (Mark 1:15; Luke 13:3,5). Paul, who knew very well what true, biblical love was (1 Corinthians 13), likewise preached a message of repentance (Acts 17:30-31; 26:20), including the encouragement of mankind to repent of the sin of homosexuality (Romans 1:22-32; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11; 1 Timothy 1:9-10).
Will the Christ’s church continue to teach what God says on every subject and on every evil, including the sin of homosexuality? Or, will the Lord’s church cower at the threats made against her and remain quiet as homosexual activists, Hollywood actors, and influential media members attempt to silence the alleged unloving “hate speech” of Christians? “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil” (Isaiah 5:20).

“Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard” (Acts 4:19-20, emp. added).
“[W]e should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ” (Ephesians 4:14-15, emp. added).
“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear” (1 Peter 3:15, emp. added).
“As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent” (Revelation 3:19, emp. added).

REFERENCES

“Anti-bullying Speaker a Bully?” (2012), Fox News, April 30, http://video.foxnews.com/v/1612875073001/anti-bullying-speaker-a-bully.
Badash, David (2012), “Kirk Cameron: I Should Be Able to Slander Gays Without Being ‘Slandered’ for Slandering Gays,” March 6, The New Civil Rights Movement, http://thenewcivilrightsmovement.com/kirk-cameron-i-should-be-able-to-slander-gays-without-being-slandered-for-slandering-gays/politics/2012/03/06/35819.
Burt, Jacqueline (2012), “Kirk Cameron is Even More Self-Righteous and Bigoted than We Thought,” Cafémom, http://thestir.cafemom.com/entertainment/133963/kirk_cameron_is_even_more.
“Controversial Sign at St. Francis Xavier Church, Acushnet, MA” (2012), May 16, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WMFvrdb0vQ0.
“Dan Savage Addresses Journalist Conference Speech Controversy, Denies Attacking Christianity”  (2012), Huffington Post, May 1, http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/04/30/dan-savage-journalist-conference-controversy_n_1464486.html.
Dray, Kayleigh (2012), “Kirk Cameron: Homosexuality is ‘Unnatural’,” Entertainment, March 4, http://www.entertainmentwise.com/news/70939/Kirk-Cameron-Homosexuality-Is-Unnatural.
Khalil, Cathryn (2011), “Student’s Homosexuality Comment Leads to Suspension,” September 22, http://www.cbs19.tv/story/15526115/students-homosexuality-comment-leads-to-suspension.
“Kirk Cameron Says ‘Homosexuality is Unnatural’” (2012), CNN, March 2, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JhGQUKoH_TE.
Silverthorne, Sarah (2012), “Kirk Cameron is a Homophobic Bigot,” March 3, http://www.celebdirtylaundry.com/2012/kirk-cameron-is-a-homophobic-bigot-video-0303/.
Stames, Todd (2011), “Texas School Punishes Boy for Opposing Homosexuality,” Fox News, September 22, http://www.foxnews.com/us/2011/09/22/texas-school-punishes-boy-for-opposing-homosexuality/.

From Jim McGuiggan... THE POWER OF ONE

THE POWER OF ONE

Frustrated and angry and fearful for their welfare, Paul in Galatians in 3:1 (NJB) hotly rebuked the apostatizing believers with this: “You stupid people in Galatia! After you have had a clear picture of Jesus Christ crucified, right in front of your eyes, who has put a spell on you?” He found it astonishing that having seen a clear, sharp, focused picture of Jesus that a counterfeit portrait of a nationalist Jesus who restricted salvation only to Jews and Jewish proselytes could fool them.

If the original picture of Jesus didn’t hold the Galatians it certainly held Paul, or rather, drove Paul, gave him no rest even while it filled him with peace. Some images do that to us. Pictures have such power, but they only have power over us if they have power resident in them.

Charles Simeon turned the eyes and heart of Henry Martyn not only toward God but toward a life spent in missionary endeavors. Martyn was a gifted linguist and on reaching the Middle-East he translated the NT scriptures into Indian, Persian and a number of dialects. He preached and taught and argued and placed himself in jeopardy in places far from home for Jesus’ sake and died in Turkey, a bit over thirty-one years old.

Simeon was anything but a slacker but over his fireplace he kept a picture of his young friend and he’d often remark, “There! See that blessed man. What an expression on his face! No one looks at me as he does. He never takes his eyes off me, and seems always to be saying: ‘Be serious! Be in earnest! Don’t trifle! Don’t trifle!’ Then with a smile he would gently bow and say, “And I won’t trifle; I won’t trifle!”

O. Henry, the famous short story writer of several generations ago, tells us about a swindler with a most marvellous name. Hasting Beauchamp Morley. Isn’t that a name to be proud of! I think I’ll say it again: Hastings…Beauchamp… Morley! He would steal a pittance from a child without remorse and in late evening he’d fleece a bewildered out-of-towner of all that he had, and leave him desperate and without shelter, standing in the street. Safely in the park on a bench, smoking an expensive cigar, with the air of a special one, he would give a dollar bill to a beggar along with a quietly passionate lecture about the world of greenhorns. The planet was there for him to manipulate, people were sheep to be fleeced and he was just the man to do it with his smooth way and pleasing appearance. “Front!” That’s what was needed and boy he had plenty of it, he said. It was a great life and “what a wonderful moon,” he told himself as he followed his cigar smoke toward the grand hotel he had booked into for the night with the money he stole from the luckless stranger.

He turned the corner and coming toward him, in a simple white dress with the radiance of purity and sincerity written all over her, was a girl he had been to school with some eight years earlier. There had been no romance between them—nothing but the warm friendship of innocent days but he knew instantly that he didn’t want her to see him so he ducked into an alley until she was past. Leaning his hot face against the cold metal of a lamp-post he muttered, “O God, I wish I could die.” The very sight of her wouldn’t allow him peace since he had so cheapened and trifled with his life.

 And there was “Groggy” Douglas who had just come from the graveyard where he had laid clumps of pink carnations on a grave when Frank Boreham met him and later became acquainted with him. When Douglas was a younger man he had gained the nickname of “Groggy” because he had been a hard drinker, well known around town. In a conversation some time later Douglas told Boreham that he had put the flowers on the grave of a woman called Jessie Glencairn—a woman he had fallen in love with many years before. He said it was almost blasphemy for him to say he loved her because she was so far above him. He knew, he said, it wasn’t for the likes of him to love her and he had always wanted her to marry someone who would fill her life with joy though the thought of it made him so envious that at times he felt like biting his tongue off.

Though he knew she could never be his Douglas said the very sight of her turned him around and he cut out the booze. Jessie never knew how Douglas felt about her but one day they happened to be walking in the same direction and he told her that people were saying he would soon be back on the drink. “She gave me a look I’ll never forget to my dying day,” he said, “and told me she was certain I never would.”

Sometimes when the craving raged, he said, he seemed to see her with that look on her face and those words on her lips, and he felt he hated the stuff but however difficult it was, however great the pressures he said, “I knew I’d be safe as long as I felt the same toward her.” And he remained booze-free until Boreham buried him several years later.

The tragic truth is that unforgettable images and glorious visions don’t keep all of us from collapse but the uplifting truth is that down the years countless people have been kept from wreck and ruin by a face, an image, an event that has become part of their inner worlds.

Scots preacher, Arthur Gossip, said that the Scottish town of Forfar wasn’t much given to emotion but it held Alexander Cumming in reverence. He crowded his happy days with kindness and concern and “faces everywhere lit up at the sight of him; and people, their voices suddenly grown softer, grew kindlier when he hove into sight.” Gossip spoke of a man he knew, a self-reliant, strong type, not one you would have thought could have easily been touched. That man looked after the departing Cumming and said to Gossip, “Often I pull myself together with this thought, that if I threw away my life, I think I could bear my punishment without whining, but…but”—and the man’s voice sagged a little—“I couldn’t face the pain in Mr. Cumming’s eyes.”

To be such a one, to be such a face, such a vision or image to someone, just one—would that not be a life well lived?

 

Is this something of what the Hebrew writer had in mind—in addition to his specific agenda—is this something of what he had in mind when he said (12:2), “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus”? And isn’t this part of the reason we’ll want to live in the image of Jesus in whose face the glory of God is seen (2 Corinthians 4:6)? 

©2004 Jim McGuiggan. All materials are free to be copied and used as long as money is not being made.

Thanks to brother Ed Healy, for allowing me to post from his website, theabidingword.com.

From Gary... Seen and unseen

If you have ever worked an overnight shift, you know how informal things can be.  This ugly picture of a bus reminded me of a rather odd occurrence.  One morning about 4 am, I was talking with someone in the store, when he completely "grossed me out".  He had found a roach on one of the shelves and PUT IT IN HIS MOUTH, TAKEN IT OUT AND PLACED IT BACK ON THE SHELF.  He then proceeded to tell me with an aire of absolute certainty that his mouth had more germs in it than the roach had in its entire body. Like I said- IT GROSSED ME OUT!!!  How do we think about the ugly things in the world? Are we repulsed by them and never look any closer? And then there is this passage from the book of Isaiah...

Isaiah 53:1-12 NASB
(1)  Who has believed our message? And to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?
(2)  For He grew up before Him like a tender shoot, And like a root out of parched ground; He has no stately form or majesty That we should look upon Him, Nor appearance that we should be attracted to Him.
(3)  He was despised and forsaken of men, A man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; And like one from whom men hide their face He was despised, and we did not esteem Him.
(4)  Surely our griefs He Himself bore, And our sorrows He carried; Yet we ourselves esteemed Him stricken, Smitten of God, and afflicted.
(5)  But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; The chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, And by His scourging we are healed.
(6)  All of us like sheep have gone astray, Each of us has turned to his own way; But the LORD has caused the iniquity of us all To fall on Him.
(7)  He was oppressed and He was afflicted, Yet He did not open His mouth; Like a lamb that is led to slaughter, And like a sheep that is silent before its shearers, So He did not open His mouth.
(8)  By oppression and judgment He was taken away; And as for His generation, who considered That He was cut off out of the land of the living For the transgression of my people, to whom the stroke was due?
(9)  His grave was assigned with wicked men, Yet He was with a rich man in His death, Because He had done no violence, Nor was there any deceit in His mouth.
(10)  But the LORD was pleased To crush Him, putting Him to grief; If He would render Himself as a guilt offering, He will see His offspring, He will prolong His days, And the good pleasure of the LORD will prosper in His hand.
(11)  As a result of the anguish of His soul, He will see it and be satisfied; By His knowledge the Righteous One, My Servant, will justify the many, As He will bear their iniquities.
(12)  Therefore, I will allot Him a portion with the great, And He will divide the booty with the strong; Because He poured out Himself to death, And was numbered with the transgressors; Yet He Himself bore the sin of many, And interceded for the transgressors.

When the president of The United States Of America speaks- people listen. He has authority and power.  I can honestly say that I have never thought of our current president (or any of them for that matter) being ugly.  If one was, would we still listen to him? Would his words carry the same weight? Now, consider the following...

2 Corinthians 4:1-18 NASB
(1)  Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we received mercy, we do not lose heart,
(2)  but we have renounced the things hidden because of shame, not walking in craftiness or adulterating the word of God, but by the manifestation of truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.
(3)  And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing,
(4)  in whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
(5)  For we do not preach ourselves but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your bond-servants for Jesus' sake.
(6)  For God, who said, "Light shall shine out of darkness," is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.
(7)  But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves;
(8)  we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing;
(9)  persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed;
(10)  always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.
(11)  For we who live are constantly being delivered over to death for Jesus' sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh.
(12)  So death works in us, but life in you.
(13)  But having the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, "I BELIEVED, THEREFORE I SPOKE," we also believe, therefore we also speak,
(14)  knowing that He who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and will present us with you.
(15)  For all things are for your sakes, so that the grace which is spreading to more and more people may cause the giving of thanks to abound to the glory of God.
(16)  Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day.
(17)  For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison,
(18)  while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

Crucifixion was a horrible way to die- the death reserved for criminals. Humiliating, the nude victim was placed very close to the ground, so that his (or her) feet could ALMOST TOUCH the ground. Add to this the description of a person who was despised and shall we say... less than attractive. Well, frankly, its difficult to see great things amidst the horrible backdrop. Yet, in the face of Jesus we see God; HIS LOVE AND SACRIFICE FOR US!!! So, the horrible becomes beautiful and the unseen deity is revealed in suffering flesh.  And there is LOVE!!!

So, the pig-mobile above could very well be the sweetest running vehicle there ever was; who knows?  Wouldn't it be ironic if it was owned by a police officer with a sense of humor. You know, that kind of person who would make such a thing BECAUSE HE WAS A COP!!!  And proudly drive the bus around town because to HIM it represented Pride, Integrity and Guts!!!

From Gary... Bible Reading July 18

Bible Reading  

July 18

The World English Bible

 

July 18

1 Chronicles 16-18

1Ch 16:1 They brought in the ark of God, and set it in the midst of the tent that David had pitched for it: and they offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before God.

1Ch 16:2 When David had made an end of offering the burnt offering and the peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of Yahweh.

1Ch 16:3 He dealt to everyone of Israel, both man and woman, to every one a loaf of bread, and a portion of flesh, and a cake of raisins.

1Ch 16:4 He appointed certain of the Levites to minister before the ark of Yahweh, and to celebrate and to thank and praise Yahweh, the God of Israel:

1Ch 16:5 Asaph the chief, and second to him Zechariah, Jeiel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehiel, and Mattithiah, and Eliab, and Benaiah, and Obed-Edom, and Jeiel, with stringed instruments and with harps; and Asaph with cymbals, sounding aloud;

1Ch 16:6 and Benaiah and Jahaziel the priests with trumpets continually, before the ark of the covenant of God.

1Ch 16:7 Then on that day David first ordained to give thanks to Yahweh, by the hand of Asaph and his brothers.

1Ch 16:8 Oh give thanks to Yahweh. Call on his name. Make his doings known among the peoples.

1Ch 16:9 Sing to him. Sing praises to him. Tell of all his marvelous works.

1Ch 16:10 Glory in his holy name. Let the heart of those who seek Yahweh rejoice.

1Ch 16:11 Seek Yahweh and his strength. Seek his face forever more.

1Ch 16:12 Remember his marvelous works that he has done, his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth,

1Ch 16:13 you seed of Israel his servant, you children of Jacob, his chosen ones.

1Ch 16:14 He is Yahweh our God. His judgments are in all the earth.

1Ch 16:15 Remember his covenant forever, the word which he commanded to a thousand generations,

1Ch 16:16 the covenant which he made with Abraham, his oath to Isaac.

1Ch 16:17 He confirmed the same to Jacob for a statute, and to Israel for an everlasting covenant,

1Ch 16:18 saying, I will give you the land of Canaan, The lot of your inheritance,

1Ch 16:19 when you were but a few men in number, yes, very few, and foreigners were in it.

1Ch 16:20 They went about from nation to nation, from one kingdom to another people.

1Ch 16:21 He allowed no man to do them wrong. Yes, he reproved kings for their sakes,

1Ch 16:22 saying, Don't touch my anointed ones! Do my prophets no harm.

1Ch 16:23 Sing to Yahweh, all the earth! Display his salvation from day to day.

1Ch 16:24 Declare his glory among the nations, and his marvelous works among all the peoples.

1Ch 16:25 For great is Yahweh, and greatly to be praised. He also is to be feared above all gods.

1Ch 16:26 For all the gods of the peoples are idols, but Yahweh made the heavens.

1Ch 16:27 Honor and majesty are before him. Strength and gladness are in his place.

1Ch 16:28 Ascribe to Yahweh, you relatives of the peoples, ascribe to Yahweh glory and strength!

1Ch 16:29 Ascribe to Yahweh the glory due to his name. Bring an offering, and come before him. Worship Yahweh in holy array.

1Ch 16:30 Tremble before him, all the earth. The world also is established that it can't be moved.

1Ch 16:31 Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice! Let them say among the nations, Yahweh reigns.

1Ch 16:32 Let the sea roar, and its fullness! Let the field exult, and all that is therein!

1Ch 16:33 Then the trees of the forest will sing for joy before Yahweh, for he comes to judge the earth.

1Ch 16:34 Oh give thanks to Yahweh, for he is good, for his loving kindness endures forever.

1Ch 16:35 Say, Save us, God of our salvation! Gather us together and deliver us from the nations, to give thanks to your holy name, to triumph in your praise.

1Ch 16:36 Blessed be Yahweh, the God of Israel, from everlasting even to everlasting. All the people said, Amen, and praised Yahweh.

1Ch 16:37 So he left there, before the ark of the covenant of Yahweh, Asaph and his brothers, to minister before the ark continually, as every day's work required;

1Ch 16:38 and Obed-Edom with their brothers, sixty-eight; Obed-Edom also the son of Jeduthun and Hosah to be doorkeepers;

1Ch 16:39 and Zadok the priest, and his brothers the priests, before the tabernacle of Yahweh in the high place that was at Gibeon,

1Ch 16:40 to offer burnt offerings to Yahweh on the altar of burnt offering continually morning and evening, even according to all that is written in the law of Yahweh, which he commanded to Israel;

1Ch 16:41 and with them Heman and Jeduthun, and the rest who were chosen, who were mentioned by name, to give thanks to Yahweh, because his loving kindness endures forever;

1Ch 16:42 and with them Heman and Jeduthun with trumpets and cymbals for those that should sound aloud, and with instruments for the songs of God; and the sons of Jeduthun to be at the gate.

1Ch 16:43 All the people departed every man to his house: and David returned to bless his house.

1Ch 17:1 It happened, when David lived in his house, that David said to Nathan the prophet, Behold, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of the covenant of Yahweh dwells under curtains.

1Ch 17:2 Nathan said to David, Do all that is in your heart; for God is with you.

1Ch 17:3 It happened the same night, that the word of God came to Nathan, saying,

1Ch 17:4 Go and tell David my servant, Thus says Yahweh, You shall not build me a house to dwell in:

1Ch 17:5 for I have not lived in a house since the day that I brought up Israel, to this day, but have gone from tent to tent, and from one tent to another.

1Ch 17:6 In all places in which I have walked with all Israel, spoke I a word with any of the judges of Israel, whom I commanded to be shepherd of my people, saying, Why have you not built me a house of cedar?

1Ch 17:7 Now therefore thus you shall tell my servant David, Thus says Yahweh of Armies, I took you from the sheep pen, from following the sheep, that you should be prince over my people Israel:

1Ch 17:8 and I have been with you wherever you have gone, and have cut off all your enemies from before you; and I will make you a name, like the name of the great ones who are in the earth.

1Ch 17:9 I will appoint a place for my people Israel, and will plant them, that they may dwell in their own place, and be moved no more; neither shall the children of wickedness waste them any more, as at the first,

1Ch 17:10 and as from the day that I commanded judges to be over my people Israel; and I will subdue all your enemies. Moreover I tell you that Yahweh will build you a house.

1Ch 17:11 It shall happen, when your days are fulfilled that you must go to be with your fathers, that I will set up your seed after you, who shall be of your sons; and I will establish his kingdom.

1Ch 17:12 He shall build me a house, and I will establish his throne forever.

1Ch 17:13 I will be his father, and he shall be my son: and I will not take my loving kindness away from him, as I took it from him that was before you;

1Ch 17:14 but I will settle him in my house and in my kingdom forever; and his throne shall be established forever.

1Ch 17:15 According to all these words, and according to all this vision, so did Nathan speak to David.

1Ch 17:16 Then David the king went in, and sat before Yahweh; and he said, Who am I, Yahweh God, and what is my house, that you have brought me thus far?

1Ch 17:17 This was a small thing in your eyes, God; but you have spoken of your servant's house for a great while to come, and have regarded me according to the estate of a man of high degree, Yahweh God.

1Ch 17:18 What can David say yet more to you concerning the honor which is done to your servant? for you know your servant.

1Ch 17:19 Yahweh, for your servant's sake, and according to your own heart, have you worked all this greatness, to make known all these great things.

1Ch 17:20 Yahweh, there is none like you, neither is there any God besides you, according to all that we have heard with our ears.

1Ch 17:21 What one nation in the earth is like your people Israel, whom God went to redeem to himself for a people, to make you a name by great and awesome things, in driving out nations from before your people, whom you redeem out of Egypt?

1Ch 17:22 For your people Israel you made your own people forever; and you, Yahweh, became their God.

1Ch 17:23 Now, Yahweh, let the word that you have spoken concerning your servant, and concerning his house, be established forever, and do as you have spoken.

1Ch 17:24 Let your name be established and magnified forever, saying, Yahweh of Armies is the God of Israel, even a God to Israel: and the house of David your servant is established before you.

1Ch 17:25 For you, my God, have revealed to your servant that you will build him a house: therefore has your servant found in his heart to pray before you.

1Ch 17:26 Now, Yahweh, you are God, and have promised this good thing to your servant:

1Ch 17:27 and now it has pleased you to bless the house of your servant, that it may continue forever before you: for you, Yahweh, have blessed, and it is blessed forever.

1Ch 18:1 After this it happened, that David struck the Philistines, and subdued them, and took Gath and its towns out of the hand of the Philistines.

1Ch 18:2 He struck Moab; and the Moabites became servants to David, and brought tribute.

1Ch 18:3 David struck Hadadezer king of Zobah to Hamath, as he went to establish his dominion by the river Euphrates.

1Ch 18:4 David took from him one thousand chariots, and seven thousand horsemen, and twenty thousand footmen; and David hamstrung all the chariot horses, but reserved of them for one hundred chariots.

1Ch 18:5 When the Syrians of Damascus came to help Hadadezer king of Zobah, David struck of the Syrians twenty-two thousand men.

1Ch 18:6 Then David put garrisons in Syria of Damascus; and the Syrians became servants to David, and brought tribute. Yahweh gave victory to David wherever he went.

1Ch 18:7 David took the shields of gold that were on the servants of Hadadezer, and brought them to Jerusalem.

1Ch 18:8 From Tibhath and from Cun, cities of Hadadezer, David took very much brass, with which Solomon made the bronze sea, and the pillars, and the vessels of brass.

1Ch 18:9 When Tou king of Hamath heard that David had struck all the army of Hadadezer king of Zobah,

1Ch 18:10 he sent Hadoram his son to king David, to Greet him, and to bless him, because he had fought against Hadadezer and struck him; (for Hadadezer had wars with Tou;) and he had with him all manner of vessels of gold and silver and brass.

1Ch 18:11 These also did king David dedicate to Yahweh, with the silver and the gold that he carried away from all the nations; from Edom, and from Moab, and from the children of Ammon, and from the Philistines, and from Amalek.

1Ch 18:12 Moreover Abishai the son of Zeruiah struck of the Edomites in the Valley of Salt eighteen thousand.

1Ch 18:13 He put garrisons in Edom; and all the Edomites became servants to David. Yahweh gave victory to David wherever he went.

1Ch 18:14 David reigned over all Israel; and he executed justice and righteousness to all his people.

1Ch 18:15 Joab the son of Zeruiah was over the army; and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was recorder;

1Ch 18:16 and Zadok the son of Ahitub, and Abimelech the son of Abiathar, were priests; and Shavsha was scribe;

1Ch 18:17 and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and the Pelethites; and the sons of David were chief about the king.

 

Jul. 18, 19

Acts 12

Act 12:1 Now about that time, Herod the king stretched out his hands to oppress some of the assembly.

Act 12:2 He killed James, the brother of John, with the sword.

Act 12:3 When he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also. This was during the days of unleavened bread.

Act 12:4 When he had arrested him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four squads of four soldiers each to guard him, intending to bring him out to the people after the Passover.

Act 12:5 Peter therefore was kept in the prison, but constant prayer was made by the assembly to God for him.

Act 12:6 The same night when Herod was about to bring him out, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains. Guards in front of the door kept the prison.

Act 12:7 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side, and woke him up, saying, "Stand up quickly!" His chains fell off from his hands.

Act 12:8 The angel said to him, "Get dressed and put on your sandals." He did so. He said to him, "Put on your cloak, and follow me."

Act 12:9 And he went out and followed him. He didn't know that what was being done by the angel was real, but thought he saw a vision.

Act 12:10 When they were past the first and the second guard, they came to the iron gate that leads into the city, which opened to them by itself. They went out, and went down one street, and immediately the angel departed from him.

Act 12:11 When Peter had come to himself, he said, "Now I truly know that the Lord has sent out his angel and delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from everything the Jewish people were expecting."

Act 12:12 Thinking about that, he came to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose surname was Mark, where many were gathered together and were praying.

Act 12:13 When Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a maid named Rhoda came to answer.

Act 12:14 When she recognized Peter's voice, she didn't open the gate for joy, but ran in, and reported that Peter was standing in front of the gate.

Act 12:15 They said to her, "You are crazy!" But she insisted that it was so. They said, "It is his angel."

Act 12:16 But Peter continued knocking. When they had opened, they saw him, and were amazed.

Act 12:17 But he, beckoning to them with his hand to be silent, declared to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. He said, "Tell these things to James, and to the brothers." Then he departed, and went to another place.

Act 12:18 Now as soon as it was day, there was no small stir among the soldiers about what had become of Peter.

Act 12:19 When Herod had sought for him, and didn't find him, he examined the guards, and commanded that they should be put to death. He went down from Judea to Caesarea, and stayed there.

Act 12:20 Now Herod was very angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon. They came with one accord to him, and, having made Blastus, the king's personal aide, their friend, they asked for peace, because their country depended on the king's country for food.

Act 12:21 On an appointed day, Herod dressed himself in royal clothing, sat on the throne, and gave a speech to them.

Act 12:22 The people shouted, "The voice of a god, and not of a man!"

Act 12:23 Immediately an angel of the Lord struck him, because he didn't give God the glory, and he was eaten by worms and died.

Act 12:24 But the word of God grew and multiplied.

Act 12:25 Barnabas and Saul returned to Jerusalem, when they had fulfilled their service, also taking with them John whose surname was Mark.

From Mark Copeland... Paul's Discourse To The Ephesian Elders (Acts 20:13-38)

                          "THE BOOK OF ACTS"

           Paul's Discourse To The Ephesian Elders (20:13-38)

INTRODUCTION

1. After "The Eventful Sunday At Troas", Paul continued his third
   journey...
   a. Walking from Troas to Assos (about 20 miles) - Ac 20:13
   b. Joining his companions at Assos, and sailing to Mitylene - Ac 20:14
   c. Sailing past Chios, on to Samos, Trogyllium, arriving at Miletus 
      - Ac 20:15

2. Paul's plan was to bypass Ephesus...
   a. So he would not have to spend time in Asia (SW Turkey) - Ac 20:16
   b. Hoping to arrive in Jerusalem in time for Pentecost - ibid.

[Though in a hurry to reach Jerusalem, Paul called for the elders of the
church in Ephesus to come to Miletus (Ac 20:17).  When they arrived, Paul
spoke to them.  In his discourse with the elders...]

I. PAUL REVIEWED HIS HISTORY

   A. HIS SERVICE AT EPHESUS...
      1. They knew his manner of life - Ac 20:18
      2. How he served the Lord with all humility - Ac 20:19
      3. With many tears and trials amid Jewish persecution - Ac 20:19

   B. HIS TEACHING AT EPHESUS...
      1. He kept back nothing that was helpful - Ac 20:20
      2. He taught publicly and house-to-house - Ac 20:20
      3. He testified to both Jews and Greeks - Ac 20:21
      4. He taught repentance toward God, and faith toward Christ - Ac 20:21

[Having reviewed his history of service and teaching at Ephesus...]

II. PAUL SPOKE OF HIS FUTURE

   A. HIS JOURNEY TO JERUSALEM...
      1. He was going to Jerusalem "bound in the spirit" - Ac 20:22
      2. Not knowing what will happen to him there - Ac 20:22
      3. Except the Spirit has testified in every city that trials and 
         tribulations await him - Ac 20:23
      4. Yet none of those things moved him - Ac 20:24
         a. For he did not count his life dear to himself
         b. For he wanted to finish his race with joy
      5. He wanted to finish his ministry - Ac 20:24
         a.  Received from the Lord Jesus
         d. To testify to the gospel of the grace of God

   B. HIS SUMMARY OF HIS FUTURE...
      1. They, among whom he has preached the kingdom, will see his face
         no more - Ac 20:25
      2. Yet he is innocent of their blood, for he has proclaimed God's
         counsel - Ac 20:26-27; cf. Eze 3:18-20

[Having thus spoken of his own future...]

III. PAUL WARNED OF THEIR FUTURE

   A. TO FULFILL THEIR DUTIES AS ELDERS...
      1. Take heed to themselves - Ac 20:28; cf. 2Chr 19:6-7
      2. Take heed to the flock among them - Ac 20:28; cf. 1Pe 5:1-2
      3. As overseers (bishops) and shepherds (pastors) of the church
         - ibid. 
      4. The church of God purchased with His own blood - ibid.

   B. TO BEWARE THE COMING APOSTASY...
      1. The that will occur after his (Paul's) departure - Ac 20:29
      2. Savage wolves from without will come in, not sparing the flock
         - Ac 20:30
      3. Even from within the church men will arise, drawing disciples 
         away - ibid.
      4. Therefore watch, even as Paul did for three years, night and
         day - Ac 20:31

   C. TO ADDRESS THE COMING APOSTASY...
      1. Paul commended them to God, placing them in His providential
         care - Ac 20:32
      2. Paul commended them to the word of His grace, able to build them
         up and give them an inheritance among all the sanctified - ibid.
      3. By remembering Paul's own example while with them - Ac 20:33-34
         a. He coveted no one's silver, gold, apparel
         b. He provided for his own necessities, and for those with him
         c. His labor exemplified how to care for those who were week
      4. By remembering that Jesus said, "It is more blessed to give than
         to receive." - Ac 20:35

[Then Paul and the Ephesian elders knelt down and prayed.  The elders
wept profusely and kissed Paul, sorrowing that they would see him no
more.  Then they accompanied him to the ship (Ac 20:36-38)...]

CONCLUSION

1. From Paul's discourse and the tearful departure, we can learn much
   about...
   a. The work of an evangelist (both subject and methodology)
   b. The duties and limitation of elders (limited to shepherding the
      flock among them)
   c. The danger of apostasy (from whence it comes, how to address it)
   d. The importance of selfless service (from Paul's example, Jesus'
      words)
   e. The love that ought to exist among brethren (an emotional bond)

2. We do well to ask ourselves...
   a. How do we carry out our work, whatever our duties?
   b. Do we take the danger of apostasy seriously, looking to God and His
      word?
   c. Do we remember what Jesus about the blessedness of giving over
      receiving?
   d. Are we developing the kind of love for one another exemplified in
      our text?

As members of the body of Christ, the church purchased with His own
blood, should we not seek to apply and emulate what we can from "Paul's
Discourse To The Ephesian Elders"...?

Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2013