Acts 28:17-31
Three days later he called together the local leaders of the Jews. When they had assembled, he said to them, "Brothers, though I had done nothing against our people or the customs of our ancestors, yet I was arrested in Jerusalem and handed over to the Romans. When they had examined me, the Romans wanted to release me, because there was no reason for the death penalty in my case. But when the Jews objected, I was compelled to appeal to the emperor—even though I had no charge to bring against my nation. For this reason therefore I have asked to see you and speak with you, since it is for the sake of the hope of Israel that I am bound with this chain." They replied, "We have received no letters from Judea about you, and none of the brothers coming here has reported or spoken anything evil about you. But we would like to hear from you what you think, for with regard to this sect we know that everywhere it is spoken against."
After they had set a day to meet with him, they came to him at his lodgings in great numbers. From morning until evening he explained the matter to them, testifying to the kingdom of God and trying to convince them about Jesus both from the law of Moses and from the prophets. Some were convinced by what he had said, while others refused to believe. So they disagreed with each other; and as they were leaving, Paul made one further statement: "The Holy Spirit was right in saying to your ancestors through the prophet Isaiah,
'Go to this people and say,
You will indeed listen, but never understand,
and you will indeed look, but never perceive.
For this people's heart has grown dull,
and their ears are hard of hearing,
and they have shut their eyes;
so that they might not look with their eyes,
and listen with their ears,
and understand with their heart and turn—
and I would heal them.'
Let it be known to you then that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will listen."
He lived there two whole years at his own expense and welcomed all who came to him, proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance.
Hello and good day to you. In my own life I have written and will write many letters. The bible holds the letters of the most saintly, godly men who lived during and right after the time of Christ, and who in service to Christ, wrote the many peoples ~ teaching, instructing, guiding, leading, servicing!!! The letters which were written so many years ago, were used to service the real men and women out there in the world. Men and women that needed the true instruction of Christ. Christ and his apostles were as much saviors as they were leaders and there words were written so that all may come to know Christ and the right path, the best path, the way to live and the way to lead...
When it comes to Paul, and Acts 28-- I am reminded of my own vow to Christ to minster the word of God while leading the peoples on the right path. I am aware that during this ministry, lifelong, I will make many friends who also have the same "job", the same purpose... those people are already with me, and daily we worship Christ while trying to find the right way for others to live... Often we come together in Christ and learn from each other, even during my bible studies we are aware that the main points, the true knowledge, facts, deliverance of truth is very, very important. Daily while we reflect on the word, text, ideas, etc: of God and on Christ we write to ourselves & those we love, what it means to be a true Christian, a true server, the best apostle in Christ. This is what the passage above talks about, it is to all of us who indeed worship and serve Christ. What is the best way to serve Christ?
My closest friends and the community we live in, believed to have the answers for those who enter into the Church, must reflect on the passage above and remember not to "harden our hearts, and close our ears." We must stand in agreement, as we lead the people and serve the masses. If I speak to 2 people a day about the right way to live with Christ, that adds up to over 600 people a year!!! My ministry, which has serviced or touched millions, maybe billions already) is not best served by broken ideas, wrong statements, closed off statements, or unvalued/untrue opinion. It is only when I stand with the church, with those that minister with me; that we as a congregations, as a group of peoples, and as a community can grow RIGHT in CHRIST.
As we live this "movie" together, Let us pray that we have peace & understanding ~ especially as leaders and ministers. Currently, I am working globally, most specifically LA, to serve and minister the word of God. I would like this ministry to continue, and while I do not foresee it stopping... if ears and hearts are deaf~~~ IT WILL!!! Please pray we "can get it".... and so can the people's who need the spiritual food and THE 3 E's/ 1 P/ 1 S!!!
Remember to go to the peoples who you think do not serve Christ and say, "Christ be with you, harden not your heart, close not your eyes or ears. Open your mind so that you many be given sight and real knowledge of the Lord, supernatural events can come into your life, if you do this...." (I got the last sentence from a brother of mine who was preaching today outside of USC. Great day to preach, as it's game day! Go USC!!!)
Amen!!!!
