SCRIPTURE: Leviticus 1 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.’ [Matthew 9:13] Jesus is faulted for eating with sinners. And yet, an underlying theme in Leviticus is on how God invites sinners to have fellowship with Him. The Tent of…
preach the good news
SCRIPTURE: Acts 28 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak…
shine through me
SCRIPTURE: Acts 27 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. [Matthew 5:16] The story in Acts 27 is amazing, obviously a firsthand account of a great adventure. And in the center of this story is the hero Paul, who stands out…
it’s all about Jesus
SCRIPTURE: Acts 26 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself. [Luke 24:27] Paul is on trial for believing what Jesus said, that He is the fulfillment of all Jewish law and prophecy. The hope that drives the Jews is the hope that…
we will be persecuted
SCRIPTURE: Acts 25 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. [Matthew 5:11-12] These words of Jesus sound lofty,…
greater than the temple
SCRIPTURE: Acts 24 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: I tell you that one greater than the temple is here. [Matthew 12:6] Like Jesus, Paul is accused of dishonouring God’s temple. At one time, Paul would have joined these Jews in defending the sanctity of the temple, but now he has met the One that is greater than the temple. Though he…
bless those who curse you
SCRIPTURE: Acts 23 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: Then the high priest stood up before them and asked Jesus, ‘Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?’ But Jesus remained silent and gave no answer. [Mark 14:60-61] When Paul lashes out at the high priest, we can sympathize. I have been in…
welcome to the worst of sinners
SCRIPTURE: Acts 22 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: I say to you that many will come from the east and the west, and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. But the subjects of the kingdom will be thrown outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing…
above and beyond the law
SCRIPTURE: Acts 21 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven. [Matthew 5:20] Jesus explained that He did not come to abolish the Law of Moses but to fulfill it. Here Paul is accused of undermining…
driven by divine destiny
SCRIPTURE: Acts 20 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life. [Matthew 16:21] Jesus understood…