The Book of Acts ~ Study Fifty

"Only Jesus"


Acts 15:22-35 (NLT) Then the apostles and elders together with the whole church in Jerusalem chose delegates, and they sent them to Antioch of Syria with Paul and Barnabas to report on this decision. The men chosen were two of the church leaders—Judas (also called Barsabbas) and Silas. This is the letter they took with them:
   “This letter is from the apostles and elders, your brothers in Jerusalem. It is written to the Gentile believers in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia. Greetings!
   “We understand that some men from here have troubled you and upset you with their teaching, but we did not send them! So we decided, having come to complete agreement, to send you official representatives, along with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. We are sending Judas and Silas to confirm what we have decided concerning your question.
   “For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay no greater burden on you than these few requirements: You must abstain from eating food offered to idols, from consuming blood or the meat of strangled animals, and from sexual immorality. If you do this, you will do well. Farewell.”
   The messengers went at once to Antioch, where they called a general meeting of the believers and delivered the letter. And there was great joy throughout the church that day as they read this encouraging message.
   Then Judas and Silas, both being prophets, spoke at length to the believers, encouraging and strengthening their faith. They stayed for a while, and then the believers sent them back to the church in Jerusalem with a blessing of peace. Paul and Barnabas stayed in Antioch. They and many others taught and preached the word of the Lord there.

We've learned that some people were coming into the Antioch church and teaching them that they had to follow the rites of the Jewish religion. Peter and James both came to the defense of the Gentile believers saying that God sent the exact Holy Spirit to them and included them in to Chosen Ones. Since God did this, it showed that the rituals and the restraint of the Law wasn't what saved a person. It is the belief in Jesus as Messiah.

Now the elders of the Jerusalem Church wrote a letter explaining the official Church stance on the subject. They appointed four men to take the letter to the church there; Paul, Barnabas and two of their own Judas and Silas who were witnesses for the letter. Judas and Silas were prophets and spent some time speaking and encouraging the congregation there.

Today, I want to focus on the message that Judas and Silas gave as they spoke to the Antioch Church. Every message that is given to a church should encourage believers in the faith. It's not a truly Christ-encouraging message when it focuses on selfishness and self-interests. It should always direct us toward Christ and living a Christ-like life.

We've studied encouraging messages before and the meaning of it. I want to refresh our memories here because we are bombarded everyday with things that direct us to self-fulfillment instead of what Christ desires for us to know.

Romans 6:16 (NLT) Don’t you realize that you become the slave of whatever you choose to obey? You can be a slave to sin, which leads to death, or you can choose to obey God, which leads to righteous living.

What are you focusing on? Are you wrapped up in self or Christ? Are the messages you listen to directed towards knowing Jesus more? The "encouraging messages" we hear at church, at conferences, Bible study, etc., should always direct us to His will, not fulfilling our will.

Job 37:4-5 (NLT) Then comes the roaring of the thunder— the tremendous voice of his majesty. He does not restrain it when he speaks. God’s voice is glorious in the thunder. We can’t even imagine the greatness of his power.

I love this verse. God's voice is powerful. "We can't even imagine the greatness of His power." In truly God-inspired messages we get to hear from His power, not man's power. Every other message we hear, though it may be inspiring, doesn't match up to the voice or message of God.

The Antioch Church had been listening to other voices that demanded they behave a certain way in order to be saved. When Judas and Silas spoke, they heard truly God-inspired messages that would cause them to grow in their faith. Paul and Barnabas continued to give these same message even after Judas and Silas moved on.

What are you listening to? What are you letting influence your life? Is it God-inspired or is it just another pep-talk? Are you listening to sermons that weigh you down with "do's" and "don't's" or are you listening to ones that direct you to what God has to say?

1 Corinthians 2:1-5 (NLT) When I first came to you, dear brothers and sisters, I didn’t use lofty words and impressive wisdom to tell you God’s secret plan. For I decided that while I was with you I would forget everything except Jesus Christ, the one who was crucified. I came to you in weakness—timid and trembling. And my message and my preaching were very plain. Rather than using clever and persuasive speeches, I relied only on the power of the Holy Spirit. I did this so you would trust not in human wisdom but in the power of God.

In the passage written above, Paul is writing to the Christian Church in Corinth. We see a glimpse of what each of his messages contain. Let me break it down:
      
     1. "No lofty words or impressive wisdom..."He didn't try to wow them with his own abilities.
     2. "I would forget everything except Jesus..." He didn't focus on anything but Jesus.
     3. "My message and preaching were very plain..." He simply preached about Jesus.
     4. "Rather than using clever and persuasive speeches, I relied on the power of the Holy Spirit." It  
           wasn't Paul power but God's power through the Holy Spirit dwelling in Paul.
     5. "I did this so you would trust...in the power of God." A truly encouraging message always directs
           people back to God.

When you listen to a sermon, read a book, hear a bible lesson, do it with discerning ears. Always pray that God will reveal His power to you. Never, put a person who is up front, on a pedestal. It is Jesus that should always be high and lifted up, not Man.

Psalm 118:15-17 (NLT) Songs of joy and victory are sung in the camp of the godly. The strong right arm of the Lord has done glorious things! The strong right arm of the Lord is raised in triumph. The strong right arm of the Lord has done glorious things! I will not die; instead, I will live to tell what the Lord has done.

Live to tell what the Lord has done. Always direct people back towards Him. Be careful who and what you listen to. Have a discerning heart and ear. Every message, from the pulpit or stage claiming to be Christian, should always direct you to Jesus and a closer walk with Him. May Jesus rule and reign in your life. Base your life on Jesus.