Dear San Lo Community, a New Year’s 2012 update…
Thank you to Pastor Rod Yee for the message from Acts 14:8-18, “An Unexpected Walk.” There are times when we may find ourselves walking into something quite unexpectedly, however, most likely not as much as did the man in this passage. We learn about a man who was without any hope and how he responds after he encounters God. As we consider this man’s experience, we should ask, “How can we make an impact for God?”
We have to first understand that we are CREATED BY GOD. (v. 8 ) at Lystra there was sitting a certain man without strength in his feet. Lystra was a Roman colony, primarily a rustic community where many Roman army veterans settled. To be without strength in his feet, literally means to be without power or translated to be “impossible” to walk. There is a triple stressed repetition which emphasizes his incurable condition. The author, Luke, a physician, wrote the man was beyond human aid, there was no way to possibly help him. When we find ourselves in a difficult situation, our tendency is to complain, to be disappointed, frustrated, unhappy and show our dissatisfaction. Rather, we should always remember we are created by Almighty God and focus on serving Him.
Focus our CREDENCE (or belief) IN GOD. (v. 9) this man was listening to Paul as he spoke. Apparently there was no synagogue, so keeping with the practice of the apostles, Paul goes to the Gentiles in the marketplace. We too, should speak about Jesus to those God has placed with you. God placed Paul in the marketplace where the man was listening as Paul spoke, probably for several days. The term, listening, is the same as used of God hearing our prayers. “who when he fixed his gaze upon him and had seen that he had faith to be made well…” fixed his gaze – strained, intent, beheld, fastened his eyes, as he had faith – hold fast, keep his focus on Jesus. Paul read his eyes perhaps with special discernment and saw new hope, saw faith in this man. made well – to ‘make whole,’ literally to save from disease and its effects. The recovery of bodily health was also his spiritual and moral healing. (v.10) “said with a loud voice,“stand upright on your feet” This was a demonstration of Paul’s authority as an apostle. “and he leaped up and began to walk” His healing was instant, immediate. “he leaped up” – used of springing up of water, same as the woman at the well in John 4:14 “spring of water welling up to eternal life.” He began to walk – literally to walk around, continuous, also the same word used for ‘Christian walk.’ Here are several verses you may look up in the context of ‘Christian walk’: In newness of life – Rom. 6:4; In honesty – Rom. 13:3; By faith – II Cor. 5:7; In good works – Eph. 2:10; In love – Eph. 5:2; In wisdom – Col. 4:5; In truth – II Jn. 4; By the Spirit – Gal.5:16, 25; In the light – I Jn. 1:7.
We are to give all CREDIT TO GOD. (vv.11-13) When the crowds saw what Paul had done, they raised their voice, saying in the Lycaonian language, “The gods have become like men and have come down to us.” And they began calling Barnabas, Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker. The priest of Zeus, whose temple was just outside the city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates, and wanted to offer sacrifice with the crowds. The healing of the man excites the crowd but they come to the incorrect conclusion. There was a local legend saying gods came to two elderly people who took them in and served them a great banquet. They were rewarded with a gold roofed temple with marble columns while others had their homes destroyed. In this context, we see why the crowds may have thought Paul and Barnabas were gods and wanted to honor them. (v.14) But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they tore their robes and rushed out into the crowd, crying out. Paul and Barnabas were horrified at the blasphemy, the taking of the credit for healing away from God. (v.15) 15 and saying,“Men, why are you doing these things? We are also men of the same nature as you, and preach the gospel to you that you should turn from these vain things to a living God, WHO MADE THE HEAVEN AND THE EARTH AND THE SEA AND ALL THAT IS IN THEM. We are men just like you, but with a message. (v.18) Even saying these things, with difficulty they restrained the crowds from offering sacrifice to them.
If you desire to make an impact for God, begin with understanding we are created by God and give Him the glory. Are you willing to make a change? Speak to those where God has placed you. Take our eyes off of ourselves and focus on Jesus.
Praise God for His provision for this past year, praise Him for this new year to come,
Stan, for SLZJCC