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| "Jesus gives us all we need to be strong and have faith." © Karen Kyle Ericson, all rights reserved. |
1 After the uproar had ceased, Paul called the disciples to himself, embraced them, and departed to go to Macedonia. 2 Now when he had gone over that region and encouraged them with many words, he came to Greece 3 and stayed three months. And when the Jews plotted against him as he was about to sail to Syria, he decided to return through Macedonia. 4 And Sopater of Berea accompanied him to Asia—also Aristarchus and Secundus of the Thessalonians, and Gaius of Derbe, and Timothy, and Tychicus and Trophimus of Asia. 5 These men, going ahead, waited for us at Troas. 6 But we sailed away from Philippi after the Days of Unleavened Bread, and in five days joined them at Troas, where we stayed seven days.
It's nice to see that wherever Paul went, he met a lot of new friends.
And whoever will not receive you nor hear your words, when you depart from that house or city, shake off the dust from your feet. (Matthew 10:14 NKJV)I don't recall the Apostle Paul ever being rude or trying to force his faith on anyone after he became a Christian. Jesus asked us to leave behind anyone who isn't interested in the gospel. He wants us to be polite and leave an opening for someone else to share Christ.
7 Now on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul, ready to depart the next day, spoke to them and continued his message until midnight. 8 There were many lamps in the upper room where they were gathered together. 9 And in a window sat a certain young man named Eutychus, who was sinking into a deep sleep. He was overcome by sleep; and as Paul continued speaking, he fell down from the third story and was taken up dead. 10 But Paul went down, fell on him, and embracing him said, “Do not trouble yourselves, for his life is in him.” 11 Now when he had come up, had broken bread and eaten, and talked a long while, even till daybreak, he departed. 12 And they brought the young man in alive, and they were not a little comforted.
Paul kept preaching even after he saved the young man... until daybreak! He was so driven and motivated to share the Lord.
My Pastor is pretty good about not talking so long we fall asleep : )
(Acts 20:1-12 NKJV)
Here's a song by Jonny Diaz, "Breathe, link"
I've always been turned off by loud and pushy people...especially in the pulpit or in the Christian community. I always compare the way they are talking to the way Jesus talked in the gospels.
ReplyDeleteThat's one of the reasons I love the church I attend, everyone is gentle and soft spoken when it comes to ministering to people who are new in the faith, or those who have come to find out more...and as a result, we've been seeing quite a few come to the Lord. I just got done talking with the head of our ladies ministry about taking the time to disciple a new lady in Bible study; her mom used to come, and after she passed away, the daughter got so much love from us, that she is now attending! I think that 'the talk' or the conversation needs to continue, because the hearts and minds of people can be drawn away from the Lord so easily by the things of the world...Now is not a time for us to be quiet about our faith! This also goes for those of us who are called to edify and encourage other Christians...This is needed daily, especially the more we see this world turning darker and darker.
I agree Lisa. I don't respond well to loud noise and endless sermons. There's a point where the speaker needs to be aware of the people they are speaking to. I remember a long time ago I heard snoring at Church. lol Our example is Jesus.
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