AWE FACTOR LIVING

Acts 13:13-44

     The awe factor knows and uses the power of God’s Word.  Paul and his companions went to another city named Antioch, not the Antioch that had an established church.  On the Sabbath they went to the synagogue where they were asked to speak. 

     Paul reviewed Scripture and presented the good news of the Gospel.  He did not adjust the message to prevent offending a listener, nor did he use gimmicks to keep seekers listening.  Paul relied solely on the Holy Spirit working in the hearts of the hearers, as he faithfully preached the Gospel.

     His audience begged Paul to return the following Sabbath.  Many of them became Christians who Paul and Barnabas encouraged to continue in the grace of God.  When Paul preached on the next Sabbath, almost all the people of the city came to hear the Gospel.  Another local church was being developed by the work of the Holy Spirit.

 

     What is God telling you about Himself and how should you respond?

 

     Glorify and enjoy God today as you rely on the power of the Holy Spirit to change lives.

 

HAVE A BLESSED DAY!

AWE FACTOR LIVING

Acts 13:1-12

     The awe factor goes to share the Gospel when sent by the Holy Spirit.  The church at Antioch was called to commission and send out the first official missionaries.  Paul and Barnabas were to be the hands and feet of this group of Christians, taking the Good News to far away places.

     They travelled to the island of Cypress and proclaimed the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews.  Paul and Barnabas also shared the Gospel with individuals, personal evangelism.  The magician and the proconsul are people God brought to them.  Sergius Paulus was seeking truth to satisfy his spiritual hunger; Bar-Jesus, the magician, preyed on the spiritually hungry, filling their minds with false teaching.  The hearts of these men were changed because of the faithfulness of God’s people in taking the Gospel to the world.

 

     What is God telling you about Himself and how should you respond?

 

     Glorify and enjoy God today as you take the Gospel to the world by supporting those who God has called to go, missionaries.

 

HAVE A BLESSED DAY!

AWE FACTOR LIVING

Acts 12:18-25

     The awe factor sees enemies destroyed.  Herod’s plan to gain favor with the Jewish population by neutralizing the church was foiled by divine intervention.  He executed the soldiers who were on duty when Peter escaped.  Then Herod left Jerusalem for another region of his kingdom, most likely to escape criticism.

     Herod was hailed as a god by the people after he made a speech.    

His heart swelled with pride as he contemplated his greatness.  But, God saw a rebellious, wicked heart that did not glorify God.  Herod died suddenly and returned to dust.  He could no longer threaten God’s people and the word of God increased and multiplied.

 

     What is God telling you about Himself and how should you respond?

 

     Glorify and enjoy God today as you see Him working in the world to advance His kingdom.

 

HAVE A BLESSED DAY!

AWE FACTOR LIVING

Acts 12:6-19

     The awe factor recognizes the miraculous events of life.  Peter thought he was having a vision when an angel spoke to him in jail.  When he found himself out of prison, he realized that God had sent an angel to rescue him.

     This miracle affected the church with momentary disbelief of a desired answer to its prayer for Peter’s release.  Once Peter was seen at the door the doubting turned to praise and thanksgiving.  A great burden had been lifted from the hearts of God’s people.

     Herod was perplexed and confused.  How could anyone escape the captivity into which he had placed Peter?  After searching for Peter without success, Herod had the soldiers and sentries put to death.

 

     What is God telling you about Himself and how should you respond?

 

     Glorify and enjoy God today as you see His faithful answers to your prayers.

 

HAVE A BLESSED DAY!

AWE FACTOR LIVING

Acts 12:1-5

     The awe factor prays.  Horrible, violent persecution of the church was being carried out by King Herod.  As he saw his popularity increase with the Jewish leaders, Herod arrested Peter and put him in jail most likely planning to execute him as he had executed James.

     So Peter was kept in prison, but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church.  The many words of Jesus rang out in their heart cries to their Heavenly Father: ask and it shall be given you, your will be done, deliver us from evil… The prayers of God’s people could not be silenced by a despot determined to destroy the church.

 

     What is God telling you about Himself and how should you respond?

 

     Glorify and enjoy God today as you bring your needs to Him in prayer.

 

HAVE A BLESSED DAY!

AWE FACTOR LIVING

Acts 11:19-30

     The awe factor cares for the spiritual and physical needs of others.  Barnabas is introduced as a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith.  The church in Jerusalem sent him to encourage a new group of Christians in Antioch.  These new Christians were Hellenists; people of Greek descent, who feared God, but did not know the Son of God.

     Barnabas teamed up with Saul (Paul) to lead the new church in Antioch for a year.  The disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.

This church grew and became strong because of the faithful teaching and care of Paul and Barnabas.

     A model of care was developed by the early church which still exists in the 21^st century church.  When their work was done in Antioch, Paul and Barnabas were sent to care for the physical needs of Christians in Judea.  A famine was predicted, and the church in Jerusalem responded to the coming crisis with donations to send relief to the brothers living in Judea.  This care package was delivered by the team of Paul and Barnabas.

 

     What is God telling you about Himself and how should you respond?

 

     Glorify and enjoy God today as you serve others.

 

HAVE A BLESSED DAY!

AWE FACTOR LIVING

Acts 11:1-18

     The awe factor recognizes and glorifies God’s work in the world.  When Peter went back to Jerusalem he had some explaining to do about Cornelius being baptized.  The church was developing two factions; those who adhered to Jewish law (the circumcised) and those who were not of Jewish descent (Gentiles).  According to Jewish law Gentiles were unclean.

     When Peter described how God brought him to Cornelius and how Cornelius was waiting to hear the Gospel, his listeners were amazed.  Who was I that I should stand in God’s way?  The Jewish Christians glorified God when they realized that God had also given the Gentiles repentance that leads to life.  God was at work in His world.

 

     What is God telling you about Himself and how should you respond?

 

     Glorify and enjoy God today as you see Him working in His world.

 

HAVE A BLESSED DAY!

AWE FACTOR LIVING

Acts 10:34-48

     The awe factor understands how God works in the world.  Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears Him and does what is right is acceptable to Him.  These were words that united Peter and Cornelius; one from Israel, the nation that God used to bring redemption to the world, and the other from Rome, the nation that occupied Israel.  These two men were natural enemies united by the love of Christ.

     Peter’s sermon that day opened the door for the Gospel to go to all nations.  The result of Peter’s faithful obedience was the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out even on the Gentiles.  Peter baptized them in the name of Christ and the church grew in Caesarea.

 

     What is God telling you about Himself and how should you respond?

 

     Glorify and enjoy God today as you live the awe factor.

 

HAVE A BLESSED DAY!

AWE FACTOR LIVING

Acts 10:9-33 

     The awe factor sees God at work in His world and joins in as God calls.  God was using Cornelius and Peter to take the Gospel outside of the Jewish domain.  Up to this time the Gospel was preached primarily to people of the Jewish faith.  Cornelius was a God fearing Roman soldier and God, in His providence, was bringing Peter to Cornelius so he could hear the good news of the Gospel, completing his faith.

     However, there was an ethnic problem that had to be overcome.  It was against Jewish law to associate with gentiles, people who were not Jewish.  Peter explained how God had shown him how he should not call any person common or unclean.  Then Cornelius described his visit by the angel who told him to bring Peter to his home.  This was God at work in the world bringing about His purposes, providence.

 

     What is God telling you about Himself and how should you respond?

 

     Glorify and enjoy God today as you see His providence at work in your life.

 

HAVE A BLESSED DAY!  

AWE FACTOR LIVING

Acts 10:1-9

     The awe factor is in sync with God’s work in the world.  God directs His people in various ways.  Scripture, preaching, other people, events, and circumstances are frequent sources of people making decisions regarding their work for the Lord.  Cornelius was a devout man who feared God with all his household, gave alms generously to the people and prayed continually to God.

     An angel visited Cornelius in a vision telling him to bring Peter from Joppa.  Cornelius did not ask any questions but sent men who he trusted to find Peter.  His relationship with God was such that Cornelius was not at all surprised to be visited by an angel.  Cornelius’ heart was in sync with God’s work.

 

     What is God telling you about Himself and how should you respond?

 

      Enjoy God today as you glorify Him with a life that is in sync with His work in the world.

 

HAVE A BLESSED DAY!