From Mark Copeland... The Macedonian Call (Acts 16:6-10)

                          "THE BOOK OF ACTS"

                    The Macedonian Call (16:6-10)

INTRODUCTION

1. With Timothy accompanying Paul and Silas, they...
   a. Delivered decrees determined by the apostles and elders in
      Jerusalem - Ac 16:1-5
   b. Journeyed through Phrygia and the region of Galatia - Ac 16:6
   c. Were not alone; the Holy Spirit was very much with them - Ac 16:6-7

2. The Holy Spirit's guidance in this case was unique...
   a. Though it was very much in evidence in Paul's journeys - cf. Ac 13:2,4
   b. It should not be considered typical as to how God directs His
      people

[If so, how does God guide His people today?  How can we ascertain
God's will for us in our own lives?  Before I suggest how God directs
us today, let's first review...]

I. GOD'S GUIDANCE OF PAUL AND HIS COMPANIONS

   A. FORBIDDEN TO PREACH IN ASIA...
      1. By the Holy Spirit - Ac 16:6
      2. Paul later spent 2 plus years at Ephesus - Ac 19:1-10
      3. Perhaps the Spirit forbid them at this time, knowing that they
         would later have the opportunity to serve for some time in Asia
         (SW Turkey)

   B. NOT PERMITTED TO GO INTO BITHYNIA...
      1. By the Spirit of Jesus - Ac 16:7; cf. Ro 8:9-10
      2. Peter later wrote to Christians in Bithynia - 1Pe 1:1-2
      3. Perhaps the Spirit did not permit them at this time, knowing
         that others would minister the area of Bithynia (NW Turkey)

   C. ARRIVAL AT TROAS...
      1. Bypassing Mysia (NW Turkey), they arrived at Troas (the coast of
         Mysia) - Ac 16:8
      2. Paul has a vision of a man of Macedonia ("Come over to Macedonia
         and help us.") - Ac 16:9
      3. Conclusion (dream) and inclusion (Luke) - Ac 16:10
         a. Concluding that the Lord was calling them to preach the
            gospel in Macedonia
         b. Including the author (Luke) who now uses the personal
            pronouns "we" and "us"

[And so the Spirit directly led Paul in doing God's will on this
journey.  But what about us today?  How we can be sure that we live and
act in harmony with God's will for us?  Here are thoughts to consider...]

II. UNDERSTANDING GOD'S GUIDANCE TODAY

   A. THERE IS GOD'S PROCLAIMED WILL...
      1. God has made His will known in many respects - e.g., 1Th 5:18;
         1Pe 2:15
      2. This He has done through revelation
         a. By sending inspired prophets in the past - He 1:1
         b. By sending His own Son - He 1:2
         c. By having the Spirit guide the apostles - Jn 16:12-13; e.g.,
            1Co 14:36-37
      3. It is this proclaimed will of God that we must do to be saved 
         - cf. Mt 7:21
      -- That which is essential to know, God has revealed through
         Scripture - 2Ti 3:16-17

   B. THERE IS GOD'S PROVIDENTIAL WILL...
      1. God acts providentially in our lives - cf. Ro 1:10; 15:32
      2. For such reason we are to pray regarding our plans - Jm 4:13-15
      3. Our requests are answered as it may suit God's will - 1Jn 5:14
      -- We may not have certainty as to what is God's providential will
         for us

   C. THERE IS GOD'S PERMISSIVE WILL...
      1. God allows things to happen that are not necessarily according
         to His desired will
      2. He permits people to sin and even hurt other people
         a. He is not pleased, and will one day render judgment - Ac 17:30-31
         b. He is able to fulfill His own will, despite such rebellion 
            - cf. Isa 10:5-7
      3. God permits people to do things that are indifferent to Him
         a. There are some matters of indifference to God - e.g., Ro 14:5-6
         b. Likewise, some decisions we make might not really matter to
            God
      -- Thus not all choices please God, nor are they necessarily
         required by God

[With these thoughts in mind, here are some suggestions for...]
   
III. SEEKING GOD'S GUIDANCE TODAY

   A. FOCUS ON THE PROCLAIMED WILL OF GOD...
      1. I.e., study diligently to learn what God has revealed
         a. If you don't embrace and practice the revealed will of God...
         b. ...what difference does it make to seek areas of God's will
            unknown to you?
      2. The value of focusing on the proclaimed will of God
         a. We will not be ignorant of what is essential for us to know
            and do
         b. We can avoid choices that are clearly contrary to God's will

   B. SEEK ADVICE FROM OTHERS...
      1. Discuss your alternatives with older, mature Christians - Pr 11:14; 12:15
      2. Consult the wisdom found in the Bible (especially Proverbs,
         Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon)

   C. ASK GOD FOR WISDOM...
      1. Pray diligently for the ability to discern wisely - Jm 1:5-8
      2. Wisdom is that spiritual insight that enables you to evaluate 
         situations clearly, and helps utilize what options and abilities
         you have
      3. Use such wisdom to eliminate what appears less acceptable

   D. COMMIT YOUR WAY TO THE LORD...
      1. Whatever you do, do it for the Lord's sake - cf. Ps 37:5-6,23-26
      2. Make your plans subject to God's will, both proclaimed and
         providential - Jm 4:15
         a. Give God permission to close the door on your choice if that
            is His will
         b. If He closes the door on your choice, look for alternatives

   E. OTHER THINGS TO REMEMBER...
      1. God is not like a train; he is able to run on more than one
         track
      2. A choice may not be between good and bad, but between good and
         better
      3. God can use us in many different ways
      4. If need not choose right away, wait; that will give you time to
         grow and gain wisdom
      5. Whatever your hands finds to do in your existing circumstances,
         do it with all your might

CONCLUSION

1. Our goal should be to "stand perfect and complete in all the will of
   God"... - cf. Co 4:12
   a. Especially as it pertains to the proclaimed will of God
   b. Even as much as possible in the providential and permissive will of
      God

2. Epaphras' desire for his brethren serves as a good example; as does 
   that of our Lord...
   a. Who taught us to pray, "Your will be done on earth as it in
      heaven" - Mt 6:10
   b. Who Himself prayed, "Not as I will, but as You will..." - Mt 26:39-42

Are you seeking to "find a way in the will of God" as it pertains to
the plans in your life...?

Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2013

From Gary... The joy of memories...

This is a picture of a food booth at the Schaghticoke fair and I want to thank brother Walter Vogt for sharing with me (and now you- of course)!!!  As a kid, I couldn't wait until it was fair time!!! And even after 50 or more years, I can still taste those sausage, green pepper and onion hoagies!!!!  And the smells that were associated with those sandwiches!!!  What memories!!!!  I guess it is true; what you really love- you WILL remember!!!!  I wonder... do we love the brethren as much as the things we enjoy???...

Philippians, Chapter 1

Php 1:1  Paul and Timothy, bond-servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, including the overseers and deacons:
Php 1:2  Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Php 1:3  I thank my God in all my remembrance of you,
Php 1:4  always offering prayer with joy in my every prayer for you all,
Php 1:5  in view of your participation in the gospel from the first day until now.
Php 1:6  For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.
Php 1:7  For it is only right for me to feel this way about you all, because I have you in my heart, since both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers of grace with me.
Php 1:8  For God is my witness, how I long for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus.
Php 1:9  And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment,
Php 1:10  so that you may approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ;
Php 1:11  having been filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

I have to admit, Philippians is among my top three books of the Bible.  Its message of joy always brightens up my day!!!  Somehow, every single time I read that book, I feel good; satisfied, pleasantly filled with unexpected happiness.  And there is a bonus that no sandwich could ever give- sometimes when I apply the principles found in Paul's book of Philippians- people appreciate it and actually thank me. With these things in mind- I can't wait to go to church this coming Sunday.  Who knows, perhaps we will have a surprise pot-luck?  If so, you already know what I'll be looking for.....

From Jim McGuiggan... Make the sinners suffer

Make the sinners suffer

A couple of years back I modernised and edited Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter. It's on the site and you can download it for free—see the Home Page. It's too great a book not to read but the original doesn't read as easily for us as it did for people back when Hawthorne wrote it. I removed some material and added some but the material I added was the kind of thing Hawthorne was driving at; so I have kept faith with his intention. He had a profound insight into the minds and lives of people and the piece that follows makes that clear. The sinner Hester Prynne is being led to the pillory and the scene speaks for itself. Ah Sin, to hell with you!

She reached the place. It was a sort of raised platform at the western end of the market area and almost under the eaves of Boston's earliest church; at first glance it seemed as if it were a part of the church structure. This raised platform was part of a punishing machine though it has been two or three generations since such a thing has been used. It stands now only as a reminder of the time when people thought it was the perfect instrument for promoting good citizenship—the way the French revolutionaries viewed the guillotine. On the platform stood the pillory. The pillory! Perfectly suited for the purpose. It's characteristic of those that have behaved shamefully to want to hide their faces from the public's eyes. They walk with their heads down or cover their faces with their hands. They don't want to see or be seen. But the pillory was deliberately designed to hold the head in one place and in one position—face forward. In fact, the face is the only thing really to be seen, certainly the only thing to take the spectator's eye. And isolating the face from the rest of the body forces the entire personality into the face so that the gaping, wondering and perhaps insulting and cruel public can look right down into the shamed soul of the sinner. Modesty is stripped away and there's no hiding. There's no outrage more flagrant and crass against the very person of a sinner than to deprive him of the power to hide his self-shamed face! This is the essence of cruel punishment made glaringly public by this instrument of wood and iron. They aren't used today but there's more than one way to make a public exhibition of a sinner.

We only need to keep spreading their shame and they go to work or worship or the market—wherever they go—slyly gaped at, knowing eyes strip away sincerity and call it hypocrisy. "She doesn't know that I know she's the one that [...]. Listen to her, look at her, you'd think butter wouldn't melt in her mouth."

Pilloried without the pillory.

And since there are always those that hear the story for the first time there's an unending stream of new gawkers. Bravo, courageous pillory-builders, we've got to keep these sinners before the eyes of the entire populace and it's even more exquisite when they don't know that knowing eyes are weighing them up. Later, when they learn that they've been a spectacle, they'll feel the pain beyond belief. They must be taught that the way of the transgressor is hard and if it doesn't lookhard to us then we must make it hard.

Arrrrrgghhhhhhh!

©2004 Jim McGuiggan. All materials are free to be copied and used as long as money is not being made.

Many thanks to brother Ed Healy, for allowing me to post from his website, theabidingword.com.

by Eric Lyons, M.Min. ... Scientists, Soldiers, and Fish Scales

http://apologeticspress.org/APContent.aspx?category=12&article=2313

Scientists, Soldiers, and Fish Scales

by	Eric Lyons, M.Min.

Operating on a grant from the U.S. Army, scientists from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology are developing better body armor for soldiers. Surprisingly, the inspiration for their work comes from a foot-long African fish known as Polypterus senegalus.
According to scientists, the fish’s “armor” is able to protect it from others of its own species, as well as other carnivores. Its overlapping armored scales “first dissipate the energy of a strike, then protect against any penetrations to the soft tissues below and finally limit any damage to the shield to the immediate area surrounding the assault” (Crane, 2008). What makes the fish’s armor so effective? Aside from its four layers of overlapping scales, “researchers believe the dermal scales’ different composite materials [including bone and dentine—EL] and the geometry and thickness of various layers” all contribute to the armor’s strength and effectiveness in protecting the animal (Crane, 2008). Dr. Christine Ortiz, lead MIT researcher on the Polypterus project, stated: “Such fundamental knowledge holds great potential for the development of improved biologically inspired structural materials” (Bryner, 2008).
Brilliant scientists in the 21st century are spending an untold amount of time, energy, and money studying the scale structure of a fish, in hopes of designing new and improved armor applications for U.S. soldiers and military vehicles. Scientists admit that the “design” of the overlapping scale layers is “fascinating, complex and multiscale” (Crane, 2008). Yet, at the same time, we are told that this fish, which is inspiring state-of-the-art human armor systems, had no Designer (Bryner, 2008). Once again, naturalistic evolution allegedly was the great cause of a “fascinating” and “complex” creature. But design demands a designer. An effect (especially one of this magnitude) demands an adequate cause. In truth, blind chance, plus non-intelligence, plus random mutations, plus eons of time, neither designed nor caused Polypterus senegalus. Only an intelligent Designer could make such an awe-inspiring creature. As the psalmist wrote: “This great and wide sea, in which are innumerable teeming things, living things both small and great. O Lord, how manifold are Your works! In wisdom You have made them all” (104:25,24, emp. added).

REFERENCES

Bryner, Jeanna (2008), “Incredible Fish Armor Could Suit Soldiers,” LiveScience, July 27, [On-line], URL: http://www.livescience.com/animals/080727-fish-armor.html.
Crane, David (2008), “Flexible Biological Scalar Body Armor for Future Soldiers?” Defense Review, July 31, [On-line], URL: http://www.defensereview.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article& amp;sid=1159.

From Mark Copeland... A True Son In The Faith (Acts 16:1-5)

                          "THE BOOK OF ACTS"

                   A True Son In The Faith (16:1-5)

INTRODUCTION

1. Paul's second missionary began when he and Silas left Antioch of
   Syria...
   a. Commended by the brethren to the grace of God - Ac 15:40
   b. Passing through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches - Ac 15:41

2. Coming to Derbe and then Lystra, they added a third companion to their
   party...
   a. A young disciple named Timothy - Ac 16:1-3
   b. Who would assist Paul for decades at personal cost and great risk

[Paul called Timothy "a true son in the faith" (1Ti 1:2).  I like to
think of him as "The Daniel Of The New Testament". What was so remarkable
about him?  Let's first review what we know about...]

I. TIMOTHY - BEFORE HIS SELECTION BY PAUL

   A. PERSONAL INFO...
      1. His name means "honoring God" (he would prove true to his name!)
      2. He was a native of Lystra - Ac 16:1-2
      3. His mother was a Jewish, his father a Greek - Ac 16:1
         a. There is no mention of a synagogue in Lystra
         b. The mixed marriage might suggest a shallow faith earlier in
            her life
         c. Which might also explain why Timothy had not been circumcised
         d. Though he was taught the Old Testament Scriptures - 2Ti 3:15

   B. DISCIPLESHIP INFO...
      1. His mother (Eunice) and grandmother (Lois) had become believers
         - Ac 16:1; 2Ti 1:5
      2. Timothy was likely converted by Paul on his 1st missionary
         journey
         a. Paul had preached the gospel in Lystra and left disciples
            there - Ac 14:6-7,20
         b. Paul considered himself a spiritual "father" of those he
            taught - e.g., 1Co 4:17
         c. He certainly thought of Timothy as his "son" in the faith
            - 1Ti 1:2; 2Ti 1:2
      3. Timothy may have been as young as 13 when converted
         a. Paul's first missionary journey was around 47-48 AD
         b. Yet 16 years later (64 AD) he was still a "youth" - 1Ti 4:12
      4. As a new disciple, he may have witnessed Paul's stoning at
         Lystra - Ac 14:19-20
      5. He was familiar with Paul's persecutions at Antioch, Iconium, 
         Lystra - 2Ti 3:10-11
      6. As a disciple he was well-spoken of by brethren at Lystra and 
         Iconium - Ac 16:2


[It was this very young disciple that Paul wanted to join him and Silas.
Imagine the courage required on Timothy's part to accept, knowing the 
tribulations Paul had already faced!  Imagine the faith required by 
Timothy's mother and grandmother to let him go with Paul! But now let's
review what we know of...]

II. TIMOTHY - AFTER HIS SELECTION BY PAUL

   A. BEFORE LEAVING LYSTRA...
      1. Paul had Timothy circumcised because of the Jews
         a. Jews in the region knew Timothy's father was a Greek - Ac 16:3
         b. Remember Paul's evangelistic method:  Jews first, then
            Gentiles - Ro 1:16
         c. His custom was to visit synagogues first - Ac 17:1-3
         d. As a Jew (reckoned as such because of his mother), being
            uncircumcised would hinder Timothy's effectiveness among Jews
         e. As a matter of expediency, Paul had no qualms with Jewish
            Christians keeping elements of the Law - cf. 1Co 9:19-23; Ac 18:18,21; 21:17-26
         f. When made an issue of salvation, Paul would refuse 
            circumcision - Ac 15:1-2; Ga 2:1-5
      2. Consider what circumcision required of Timothy
         a. For young and older men, it was a serious and painful
            procedure - Gen 34:24-25
         b. For Timothy, his first act of service for Paul involved
            bloodshed!
      3. Timothy may have also been commissioned with spiritual gifts
         at this time
         a. By the laying on of hands by the elders of the church - 1Ti 4:14
         b. Together with the laying on of Paul's hands - 2Ti 1:6

   B. AFTER LEAVING LYSTRA...
      1. Timothy fulfilled special and often dangerous missions for Paul
         a. Staying behind with Silas in troubled Berea - Ac 17:13-14
         b. Sent to learn of the brethren in afflicted Thessalonica - 1Th 3:1-8
         c. Leaving Ephesus to go to Macedonia with Erastus - Ac 19:22
         d. Sent to Corinth to remind them of Paul's ways in Christ - 1Co 4:17
         e. Sent to persecuted Philippi to learn of their condition - Php 2:19
         f. Left at Ephesus to deal with any who might be trouble - 1Ti 1:3-4,18-19
      2. Timothy truly became Paul's "fellow laborer in the gospel of
         Christ"
         a. Paul considered no one as like-minded as him - Php 2:19-22
         b. He had Timothy join him as co-authors of 6 epistles - 2Co, 
            Ph, Co, 1Th, 2Th, Phile
         c. Timothy received 2 epistles from Paul - 1Ti, 2Ti
      3. As Paul faced death, he asked Timothy to come (which involved 
         risk) - 2Ti 4:9 
      4. Timothy himself was imprisoned at some point, but later released
         - He 13:23

CONCLUSION

1. Summarizing what we learned about Timothy, he was...
   a. Blessed by the faithful upbringing of his grandmother Lois and
      mother Eunice
   b. Dedicated as a disciple to serve Jesus and His apostle Paul
   c. Faithful in carrying out tasks assigned to him
   d. Courageous in the face of persecution, risking imprisonment and
      death
   e. Humble enough to accept a "second string" position, the perfect
      "preacher's helper"

2. Like Daniel, Timothy is a wonderful example for serving God in 
   youth...
   a. "in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity"
      - 1Ti 4:12
   b. "purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself" - Dan 1:8

For all Christians, Timothy demonstrates what it means to be "A True
Son In The Faith".  

As sons of God through faith and baptism into Christ (Ga 3:26-27), let
the example of Timothy in the Scriptures inspire us to be more faithful
and fruitful in our service to Christ, no matter the cost...!

Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2012

From Gary... It rises again...

Have you seen June's full moon? Beautiful, simply beautiful!!!  However, this moon is a bit of a quandary to me, as I have seen it referred to as a strawberry moon, a honey moon and lastly as ROSE moon. With a last name like Rose, its not difficult to pick the one I like best.  However, I certainly would not refer to this rising moon as a Rose moon, because it would be a bit awkward to say that the Rose moon ROSE.  Whatever you want to call it, this gorgeous luminary made me think of this passage from Paul's letter to the Corinthians...

1 Corinthians, Chapter 15

1Co 15:40  There are also heavenly bodies and earthly bodies, but the glory of the heavenly is one, and the glory of the earthly is another.
1Co 15:41  There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for star differs from star in glory.
1Co 15:42  So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown a perishable body, it is raised an imperishable body;
1Co 15:43  it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power;
1Co 15:44  it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body.

Like most things, it always pays to refer to the fundamentals. Whether its about a golf swing, chess strategy, grammar or even viewing the sky- going back to basics is almost always a wise choice.  And what can be more basic than considering the moon in the night-time sky? Not much, except for matters like life and death and life after life.  So, I wonder... What will one's resurrection body look like?  No idea, really- except that it will be both imperishable, spiritual and propagated in power.  In other words- a honey of a body.  Well, that settles it; this moon will be a HONEY moon to me from now on!!!

From Gary... Not every sign should be followed

How to make it to HELL; interesting. But, we really don't need directions to go to the hell that Jesus refers to, do we? So, we have a choice, but perhaps not the one that is obvious.  At this point, the following passage from the "Sermon on the mount" seems to fit...

Matthew, Chapter 7 (NASB)

Mat 7:13  "Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it.
Mat 7:14  "For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.
Mat 7:15  "Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves.
Mat 7:16  "You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they?
Mat 7:17  "So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit.
Mat 7:18  "A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit.
Mat 7:19  "Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
Mat 7:20  "So then, you will know them by their fruits.
Mat 7:21  "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter.
Mat 7:22  "Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?'
Mat 7:23  "And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.'
Mat 7:24  "Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock.
Mat 7:25  "And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock.
Mat 7:26  "Everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand.
Mat 7:27  "The rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and it fell--and great was its fall."

The darkened portion above says it all- Jesus makes the difference between heaven and hell and those who refuse to listen- will not make it to heaven. Heard this all before? Not interested? Well, just follow the sign above- you will get there!!!