FROM HERO TO ZERO AND BACK AGAIN
- Key Verse
"When they arrived and gathered the church together, they began to report all things that God had done with them and how He had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles." (Acts 14:27 NASB)
READ THE PASSAGE
Central Truth
We will have "tribulations" (hopefully not of Paul's variety) in our Christian life if we are truly walking with God.
Reflections
A week ago Sunday, most of us viewed some part of the media overload called the Super Bowl. During the game there was ebb and flow. In fact, during the first quarter you could label certain players heroes for their efforts. They looked unstoppable and invincible. But, during the course of the game, things changed and the heroes at the start of the game became zeroes at the end. How things can change so quickly.
Such was the case of Paul and Barnabas. In the last devotional we saw how they came to be revered as "gods," even to the point where the priest wanted to offer sacrifices to them (v.13). But things changed. One moment a hero, the next a zero as Paul was stoned and left for dead. I read the next verse (v.20) over and over again. Paul stood up and went back into the city. After the people turned on him, he went right back into God's work of reaching the Gentiles. How easy would it have been for Paul to do other things such as give up or go back home? A true hero of the Christian faith.
Paul and Barnabas continued on their journey revisiting churches to strengthen the young believers and appointing elders for leadership. When they arrived back in Antioch "...they began to report all things that God had done with them and how He had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles" (v.27). While the Bible doesn't tell us everything that happened, I believe we are told the things that matter most and that we should take notice of. Paul could have said, "Wow, do I have some stories to tell you about all the bad things that happened on our journey." But all we read are the things God did and the heart Paul had for the lost.
Discussion Questions
1. Are there any heroes you have had in life that eventually disappointed you? Why were you disappointed?2. Think about trying times you have had in your life while taking a stand for your Christian faith. How was your faith affected?
3. Take a moment and meditate on God's provision for you in those trying times.
Ryan Schwanke
February 15, 2010 09:49 AM
Paul, Thank you for your faithfulness and investment in Join the Journey. Thank you for reminding us today of the immense value of the good news of Jesus Christ---value well worth Paul's sacrifice and ours.
Gary Brandenburg
February 15, 2010 10:13 AM
What a great reminder that, in God's kingdom, zeroes are heroes! Thanks Paul.
Vanessa Harris
February 15, 2010 10:25 AM
After reading(v.20) I also was captured by the fact that Paul "RETURNED". I am so enjoying this daily bible study, I am not a member yet, nor have I made a true connection. What am I waiting for? I don't know but keep me in prayer.
Kristan Zeilan
February 15, 2010 11:07 AM
What a great reminder that we just have to stay the course. It's not up to us how we are perceived...as hero or zero. God's Word lives on through people the world views as zeroes every single day. Yesterday's sermon was also a testiment to the fact that, in the end, God alone will judge the hero and the zero. By His grace alone, and though His Son alone, I can actually be a hero! Thanks for reminding me where my worth comes from!
rose
February 18, 2010 09:15 AM
Paul, i have missed seeing your smiling face at Fellowship!! Thank you for this devotional. It has inspired me to pray for more courage and boldness in myself to share the word of God with others and to share how God is working in my life. Paul demonstrated that so very well for us.