Ezra Writings Archives - Page 2 of 94

Opposition and Joy

By Andrew YoungDecember 6, 2018Devotionals: Acts

“But the Jews… stirred up persecution… And the disciples were filled with joy…” (Acts 13:50, 52) Bible Reading: Acts 13:48-52 The opposition of jealous Jews led Paul and Barnabas to “turn to the Gentiles” (Acts 13:46). While this didn’t go well with their persecutors, it brought joy to those who were not of Jewish background. We read that “when the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord, and as many as were appointed to eternal life believed” (v. 48). For centuries, the Gentiles had been spurned by Jews. But here, Paul and Barnabas were […]

Jealous Jews

By Andrew YoungDecember 5, 2018Devotionals: Acts

“…they were filled with jealousy…” (Acts 13:45) Bible Reading: Acts 13:42-47 Paul’s synagogue message left its mark on his hearers. Even as they left the building, people asked that he would return the following week to tell them more (Acts 13:42). Others followed him and Barnabas to learn from them immediately (v. 43). A fire had been lit in the city. So great was the effect of that message that the following Sabbath, “almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord” (v. 44). News of what had happened obviously spread beyond the Jewish community and caught […]

Forgiveness through Faith

By Andrew YoungDecember 4, 2018Devotionals: Acts

“…through this man forgiveness of sin is proclaimed to you…” (Acts 13:38) Bible Reading: Acts 13:32-41 Having announced the coming of the Messiah in Jesus, Paul goes on to show his listeners in the synagogue in Antioch how God fulfilled his promises to their fathers by raising Jesus from the dead (Acts 13:32). First, he shows how the resurrection of Jesus brings to pass the words of Psalm 2:7, “You are my Son, today I have begotten you.” The resurrection of Jesus marked the commencement of his rule as God’s messianic King, a rule that would subdue all the nations […]

The Heart of the Gospel

By Andrew YoungDecember 3, 2018Devotionals: Acts

“… they asked Pilate to have him executed… But God raised him from the dead…” (Acts 13:28, 30) Bible Reading: Acts 13:26-31 We continue to examine the message Paul brought to Jews and God-fearers in the synagogue in Antioch of Pisidia. It bears careful study and can guide us in how to tell others the good news about what God has done in Jesus. We noted yesterday that having surveyed Israel’s history up until King David, Paul then introduced the idea that “from this man’s offspring, God has brought a Saviour to Israel, as he promised” (Acts 13:23). Now he […]

Preaching to Jews

By Andrew YoungDecember 2, 2018Devotionals: Acts

“Men of Israel and you who fear God, listen.” (Acts 13:16) Bible Reading: Acts 13:13-25 From Cyprus, Paul, Barnabas and John Mark travelled north to the mainland of Asia (modern Turkey) to a place called Perga in Pamphylia where John left them to return to Jerusalem (Acts 13:13). From there, they moved on to Antioch in Pisidia where they entered the Jewish synagogue on the Sabbath day and were given the opportunity to speak “a word of encouragement” to the people (v. 15). Luke records for us what Paul said that day. Along with Peter’s sermon on the day of […]

Satanic Opposition

By Andrew YoungDecember 1, 2018Devotionals: Acts

“But Elymas the magician… opposed them…” (Acts 13:8) Bible Reading: Acts 13:6-12 From Salamis, Barnabas, Saul and John Mark travelled westwards through the island of Cyprus until they reached its administrative capital, Paphos. There, they encountered a “magician,” a Jewish false prophet named Bar Jesus (Acts 13:6), who takes centre stage in the story. This man was “with the [Roman] proconsul, Sergius Paulus, a man of intelligence, who summoned Barnabas and Saul and sought to hear the word of God” (v. 7). News of the gospel preachers had evidently reached the Roman palace and aroused the interest of the governor. […]

Mission Underway

By Andrew YoungNovember 30, 2018Devotionals: Acts

“So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit… they sailed to Cyprus.” (Acts 13:4) Bible Reading: Acts 13:4-5 The verses before us record the first phase of Barnabas and Saul’s missionary journey. It took place on the island of Cyprus. Luke tells us that having been ordered by the Holy Spirit to set apart Barnabas and Saul for the work to which he had called them, the prophets and teachers in Antioch sent them off “after fasting and praying,” and after they “laid their hands on them” (Acts 13:3). The newly commissioned pair, taking with them John Mark as an […]

Lessons from Antioch

By Andrew YoungNovember 29, 2018Devotionals: Acts

“While they [prophets and teachers] were worshipping the Lord and fasting…” (Acts 13:2) Bible Reading: Acts 13:1-3 We noted yesterday that these verses highlight the sovereignty and superintendence of the Holy Spirit in the life of the church. They also point to two features of the way the Spirit works. The first is suggested by what the prophets and teachers in the church in Antioch were doing when the Holy Spirit spoke to them. They were “worshipping the Lord and fasting” (Acts 13:2). In the New Testament context, “worshipping the Lord” probably refers to specific acts of devotion directed to […]

The Sovereign Spirit

By Andrew YoungNovember 28, 2018Devotionals: Acts

“Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul…” (Acts 13:2) Bible Reading: Acts 13:1-3 The focus of much of the first twelve chapters of the book of Acts is on the life of the early church in Jerusalem, Samaria and Judea. Now it shifts to the north, to Antioch in Syria. There, we noted earlier, men from Cyprus and Cyrene (in North Africa) had preached the gospel not simply to Jews but to “Hellenists” – that is, to Greek-speaking Gentiles. A church had come into being and flourished under the oversight of first Barnabas and then also of Saul of Tarsus, […]

Inseparable

By Andrew YoungNovember 27, 2018Devotionals: Romans

“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?” (Romans 8:32) Bible Reading: Romans 8:35-39 There is one more rhetorical question Paul raises as he brings his argument to a close for the certainty of the salvation of those justified in Christ. It doesn’t relate to their legal standing before God, but their inseparableness from his love. “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?” the apostle asks (Romans 8:35). There follows a list of the troubles that come to us as the Lord’s people in the world – tribulation, distress, persecution, famine, nakedness, danger, sword. Quoting Psalm 44:22, […]