Opportunity in Athens.

In Athens…

Paul was deeply stirred…

Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was stirred in him, when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry.  Acts 17:16 

And beginning at the synagogue…

He disputed…

    with the Jews…

with devout persons…

with  folks in the marketplace…

and with the philosophers of his day.  Acts 17:17 

Inquisitive, they pressed him with questions…

Then certain philosophers of the Epicureans, and of the Stoicks, encountered him. And some said, What will this babbler say? other some, He seemeth to be a setter forth of strange gods: because he preached unto them Jesus, and the resurrection.  And they took him, and brought him unto Areopagus, saying, May we know what this new doctrine, whereof thou speakest, is?  For thou bringest certain strange things to our ears: we would know therefore what these things mean.   (For all the Athenians and strangers which were there spent their time in nothing else, but either to tell, or to hear some new thing.)  Acts 17:18-21 

Seizing the opportunity…

Paul stood up and preached…

Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars' hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious.  For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you.  Acts 17:22-23 

God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands;  Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things;  Acts 17:24-25 

For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.  Acts 17:28 

And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.  Acts 17:30-31 

Intriguing. Compelling. Inviting.

Some mocked the gospel…

And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked: and others said, We will hear thee again of this matter. Acts 17:32  

While others believed…

Howbeit certain men clave unto him, and believed: among the which was Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris, and others with them.  Acts 17:34 

Unto the salvation of their souls!

Stirred by the Spirit of God…

For the superstition and idolatry of the people…

Paul seized the opportunity…

To publically glorify the Living God…

And to declare His truth to all who would listen!

Are you ready for your next opportunity to share the gospel?

In one, brief moment, you could  touch the heart of one desperate soul, by ministering the words of LIFE.

               

The Gospel Wildfire!

As it was in Antioch…

and continued to Iconium…

                                so it spread to Thessilonica…

Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews:  Acts 17:1 

Straightway, Paul began preaching…

And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures, Opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ.  Acts 17:2-3  

And continued…

until a  great multitude believed!

And some of them believed, and consorted with Paul and Silas; and of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and of the chief women not a few.  Acts 17:4 

And enemies rose up against them…

But the Jews which believed not, moved with envy, took unto them certain lewd fellows of the baser sort, and gathered a company…

And the city erupted in turmoil!

and set all the city on an uproar, and assaulted the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people.  Acts 17:5 

Seizing the Brethren…

they  complained to the city officials…

And when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also;  Whom Jason hath received: and these all do contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, one Jesus.  Acts 17:6-7  

Causing a great disturbance…

And they troubled the people and the rulers of the city, when they heard these things.  And when they had taken security of Jason, and of the other, they let them go.  Acts 17:8-9 

And the gospel spread abroad…

into Berea…

And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews... 

Acts 17:10   

and continued preaching…

Eager. Alert. Attentive.

they listened…

These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.  Acts 17:11

And many were saved!

Therefore many of them believed; also of honourable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few.  Acts 17:12

and enemies rose up against them…

But when the Jews of Thessalonica had knowledge that the word of God was preached of Paul at Berea, they came thither also, and stirred up the people. Acts 17:13 

And the people were stirred up…

And the gospel spread abroad…

into Athens…

And then immediately the brethren sent away Paul to go as it were to the sea: but Silas and Timotheus abode there still.  And they that conducted Paul brought him unto Athens…  Acts 17:14-15   

Thus, the gospel message prospered…

throughout the land…

A Blazing. Purifying. Transforming fire…

                 from city to city…

                    and heart to heart…

Vivacious. Unquenchable. Supernatural.

Every opportunity…

Seized.

Every hindrance…

Overcome.

Every enemy…

Subdued.

Every heart…

Captivated.

For the Glory of God…

And the souls of men!

Conspiracy in Iconium!

After Paul and Barnabus left Antioch…

they entered into Iconium…

And it came to pass in Iconium, that they went both together into the synagogue of the Jews, and so spake, that a great multitude both of the Jews and also of the Greeks believed.  Acts 14:1 

So spake they…

that a great multitude were converted!

So spake they…

that  their enemies conspired against them…

But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles, and made their minds evil affected against the brethren.  Acts 14:2 

So spake they…

that the city was divided…

But the multitude of the city was divided: and part held with the Jews, and part with the apostles.  Acts 14:4 

So they continued…

with the boldness and power…

of the Living God!

Long time therefore abode they speaking boldly in the Lord, which gave testimony unto the word of his grace, and granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands.  Acts 14:3 

Until, a conspiracy was discovered…

And when there was an assault made both of the Gentiles, and also of the Jews with their rulers, to use them despitefully, and to stone them… Acts 14:5  

 And turned to their advantage…

They were ware of it, and fled unto Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and unto the region that lieth round about:  And there they preached the gospel. Act 14:6-7

And the gospel message spread abroad!

And it came to pass, in Lystra,

they met a desperate soul…

                                                with a GREAT need…

And there sat a certain man at Lystra, impotent in his feet, being a cripple from his mother's womb, who never had walked:  The same heard Paul speak: who stedfastly beholding him, and perceiving that he had faith to be healed,  said with a loud voice, Stand upright on thy feet. And he leaped and walked.    Acts 14:8-10

Behold! The healing power of the Living God

revealed for all to see!

The people were…

Awestruck. Astonished. Mistaken…

So given to the vanities of idolatry…

And when the people saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in the speech of Lycaonia, The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men. And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercurius, because he was the chief speaker.  Then the priest of Jupiter, which was before their city, brought oxen and garlands unto the gates, and would have done sacrifice with the people.  Act 14:11-13 

Paul and Barnabus scarcely restrained them…

Which when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of, they rent their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying out,  And saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein:  Who in times past suffered all nations to walk in their own ways.  Nevertheless he left not himself without witness, in that he did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness.  And with these sayings scarce restrained they the people, that they had not done sacrifice unto them.  Acts 14:14-18 

In the midst of that…

enemies rose up against them…

and stoned Paul …leaving him for dead.

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.  Acts 14:19

 Unwavering, the disciples looked  on…

Resolute. Fearless. Valiant.

Paul walked back into the city…

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. Acts14:20  

And continued to preach…

and teach…

And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch,  Acts14:21 

Determined. Courageous. Steadfast.

The disciples returned and  continued …

Confirming. Ministering. Exhorting.

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.  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.  Acts 14:22-23

Effective preaching.

Bountiful harvest.

Intense persecution.

Productive perseverance.

Extraordinary needs.

Incredible  miracles.

Valiant disciples.

Thriving church.

AMEN!

May it be so…again!

Turmoil in Antioch

Paul and Barnabus went to the synagogue…

to hear the reading of the scriptures…

on the sabbath day…

Now when Paul and his company loosed from Paphos, they came to Perga in Pamphylia: and John departing from them returned to Jerusalem.   But when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and sat down.  Act 13:13-14 

Paul was  invited to speak…

And after the reading of the law and the prophets the rulers of the synagogue sent unto them, saying, Ye men and brethren, if ye have any word of exhortation for the people, say on.  Then Paul stood up, and beckoning with his hand said, Men of Israel, and ye that fear God, give audience.  Act 13:15 -16

Seizing the opportunity…

He preached…

Men and brethren, children of the stock of Abraham, and whosoever among you feareth God, to you is the word of this salvation sent. Acts 13:26 

And we declare unto you glad tidings, how that the promise which was made unto the fathers,  God hath fulfilled the same unto us their children, in that he hath raised up Jesus again; as it is also written in the second psalm, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee.  Acts 13:32-33 

Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins:  And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.  Act 13:38-39

And warned…

 Beware therefore, lest that come upon you, which is spoken of in the prophets; Behold, ye despisers, and wonder, and perish: for I work a work in your days, a work which ye shall in no wise believe, though a man declare it unto you.  Act 13:40 -41

And  the word of God was gladly received…

And Paul was invited  to preach again…

And when the Jews were gone out of the synagogue, the Gentiles besought that these words might be preached to them the next sabbath.  Now when the congregation was broken up, many of the Jews and religious proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas: who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God.  Act 13:42 -43

Exhortation.  Encouragement.  Perseverance.

The following sabbath….

a multitude gathered…

to hear the words of LIFE…

And the next sabbath day came almost the whole city together to hear the word of God.  Acts 13:44 

Immediately, opposition arose from the Jews…

But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, and spake against those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming.  Acts 13:45 

Unwavering, Paul and Barnabus addressed the multitude…

Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.  For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth. Acts 13:46-47 

Joy and gladness erupted…

And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.  Acts 13:48 

Salvation had come!

And the word of the Lord was published throughout all the region.

 Acts 13:49 

 

Unrelenting, the enemies of the gospel…

stirred up trouble…

But the Jews stirred up the devout and honourable women, and the chief men of the city, and raised persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them out of their coasts.  Acts 13:50 

Opposition. Persecution.  Expulsion.

How did Paul and Barnabus respond?

But they shook off the dust of their feet against them, and came unto Iconium.

And the disciples were filled with joy, and with the Holy Ghost.   

Acts 13:51-52 

Cast out of the city for preaching the gospel…

Paul and Barnabus were  filled with joy…

And the Holy Ghost…

God  moved upon the hearts of the people…

And many came to Salvation!

SCORE!

Another victory for the King of Kings!

Stephen, the Valiant

And in those days…

When the number of the disciples was multiplied…

Seven faithful men were chosen…

for service in the minstry…

Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables.  Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. Acts 6:2-3 

And they chose Stephen…

a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost…

Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them. Acts 6:6 

And the word of God increased…

And the number of the disciples…

multiplied in Jerusalem greatly…

and  a great company of the priests …

were obedient to the faith!

And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people.   Acts 6:7-8

Forthwith…

contention arose from the synagogue…

Then there arose certain of the synagogue, which is called the synagogue of the Libertines, and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and of Asia, disputing with Stephen.  Acts 6:9 

And God filled him with wisdom…

And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake. Acts 6:10

So they incited men…

Then they suborned men, which said, We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses, and against God.  Acts 6:11 

And stirred up people…

And they stirred up the people, and the elders, and the scribes, and came upon him, and caught him, and brought him to the council,  Acts 6:12 

And gathered false witnesses…

And set up false witnesses, which said, This man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words against this holy place, and the law:  For we have heard him say, that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the customs which Moses delivered us.  Acts 6:13-14  

Unscrupulous. Fraudulent. Reprobate.

They  brought him before the counsel…

and God was with him…

And all that sat in the council, looking stedfastly on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel.  Acts 6:15 

Then said the high priest, Are these things so?

Acts 7:1

And Stephen preached…

and reminded them of their history…

And their idolatries…

And they made a calf in those days, and offered sacrifice unto the idol, and rejoiced in the works of their own hands. Then God turned, and gave them up to worship the host of heaven; as it is written in the book of the prophets, O ye house of Israel, have ye offered to me slain beasts and sacrifices by the space of forty years in the wilderness?  Yea, ye took up the tabernacle of Moloch, and the star of your god Remphan, figures which ye made to worship them: and I will carry you away beyond Babylon.   Acts 7:41-43 

And rebellion…

Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye.  Acts 7:51 

And unbelief…

Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which shewed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers:  Who have received the law by the disposition of angels, and have not kept it.   Acts 7:52-53 

Their hearts were pierced through…

When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth.  Acts 7:54 

Agitation. Conviction. Defiance.

But he, being full of the Holy Ghost…

looked up stedfastly into heaven…

and saw the glory of God…

and Jesus standing on the right hand of God.

And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened,

and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.  Acts 7:55-56

Unable to tolerate his powerful witness and testimony…

Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord,  And cast him out of the city, and stoned him…Acts 7:57 -58

And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.  Acts 7:59-60 

They could not explain his great wonders and miracles…

They could not resist his wisdom….

They could not discredit his witness...

They could not withstand his testimony…

Perplexed. Irrational. Uncontrolled.

They stoned him.

Stephen was  martyred….

For his witness and testimony….

Of Jesus Christ!

Are you ready?

Saul, Transformed!

In the beginning…

He was very zealous….

to eradicate Christians…

As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison.  Acts 8:3 

Saul was vehemently opposed to them…

and diligently sought to destroy them…

And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.  Acts 9:1-2 

Until…

He was intercepted…

By a supernatural encounter…

with Jesus Christ!

And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:  And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?  And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.  Acts 9:3-5

Bewilderment. Trepidation. Fear.

 Astonishment. Conviction. Obedience.

And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.  Acts 9:6

Saul was blinded…

                                and  his companions were speechless…

And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man.  And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus. And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink.  Acts 9:7-9

Meanwhile…

God was speaking to His servant…

And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord.  And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth,  And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight.  Acts 9:10-12 

Preparing his heart to assist Saul…

a well known “enemy of the Saints”…

Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem:  And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name.  But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:  For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake.  Acts 9:13-16 

Help was on the way…

And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.  And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.  And when he had received meat, he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus.  Acts  9:17 -19

Saul was a new man…

as evidenced by his drastic change in heart…

And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God.  Acts 9:20 

People were stunned  and amazed…

and God was with him…

But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ.  Acts 9:22  

Convincing. Persuasive. Impressive.

Saul preached so effectively….

that the Jews sought to kill him…

And after that many days were fulfilled, the Jews took counsel to kill him: But their laying await was known of Saul. And they watched the gates day and night to kill him.  Acts 9:23-24 

The hunter became the hunted…

Then the disciples took him by night, and let him down by the wall in a basket.

Acts 9:25 

And he spake boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus, and disputed against the Grecians: but they went about to slay him.  Acts 9:29 

Nevertheless…

Emboldened with the TRUTH…

He pressed onward…

Towards the high calling of Christ Jesus!

A supernatural encounter with the Living God…

Ignited one darkened heart …

 
And set it ablaze…

As a bold witness of His transforming power!

 

Have you been transformed by His hand?