How Do You Judge Public Speaking? Acts 23:11.

Every time a candidate for president gives a speech, the pundits on television offer their analysis: how many minutes was the speech? Did the speaker improvise or stick to the script? Was the tone optimistic, pessimistic, or neutral? Did the speaker focus on numbers and facts or on heart-felt human stories? Was there humor? How often was the speaker interrupted by applause? How will the message be received by people around the nation and world? And the final question: Was the speech a success or a failure?

In Acts 22:1-22, Paul gives an important speech in Jerusalem. He was warned not to go to Jerusalem. He admitted that the Holy Spirit told him that “chains and afflictions are waiting for me” Acts 20:23. Well-meaning believers were hearing the same thing from the Lord and likewise warned Paul not to go to Jerusalem in Acts 21:4 and Acts 21:10-12. But Paul was convinced God was warning him not to STOP him, but to PREPARE him. He needed to know that Jerusalem would not be an easy trip.

It was so tough, in fact, that simply entering the temple nearly caused a riot. Before Paul could even speak, he was falsely accused, arrested, and “all Jerusalem was in chaos” Acts 21:31. But Paul secured permission to speak and told his story: educated by Gamaliel, a persecutor of ‘The Way,’ he then met Jesus on the road to Damascus. The crowd listened attentively until Paul reported that Jesus had spoken to him these words: “Go, because I will send you far away to the Gentiles” Acts 22:21. That line was like a bomb going off! The GENTILES!

Suddenly the crowd was screaming for blood. “Wipe this man off the earth! It’s a disgrace for him to live!” Acts 22:22.  The commander decided that Paul needed to be “examined with the scourge” Acts 22:24 (talk about “enhanced interrogation techniques”). Paul stopped the whipping when he informed them of his Roman citizenship. But he was still dragged away and thrown in a dungeon.

How’s that for public speaking? Would the TV critics rate Paul’s speech a success or a failure? How would you rate it if you were Paul? The crowd started out angry, listened for a few minutes, then began screaming for his death. (If the audience yells “This man is not fit to live!” most speakers would rate the speech a failure.)

But what about the spiritual impact? Did people come streaming down the aisles for counseling while the crowd sang “Just As I Am”? Did anyone pray to receive Christ? Is there evidence that even one life was changed in Jerusalem that day? No. But PAUL OBEYED GOD and the Lord was pleased.

That night Jesus came to Paul in a vision and congratulated him. Turns out, this was a great speech!

“The following night, the Lord stood by him and said, ‘Have courage! For as you have testified about Me in Jerusalem, so you must testify in Rome” Acts 23:11.

That’s it? That’s God’s plan? Paul was almost killed in Jerusalem—and for what? And now God is going to send him to Rome? Why? Where are the results? Where are the numbers? Was someone baptized? Did someone put money into an offering envelope?

Clearly, “God does not see as man sees, for man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart” 1 Samuel 16:7. God knows that Paul’s testimony bore fruit that day. God knows the impact Paul’s words will have on the hearts of the Jewish audience—eventually. Paul could not see that fruit. Paul may never see that fruit. But Paul was faithful. He shared his story wherever God took him. Paul shared his faith—and he trusted God with the results.

Sometimes when you talk about the Lord, or teach a Bible lesson, it may seem to make no difference at all. But it is our job to be faithful and share the gospel—and trust God with the results. Sometimes the lesson, the conversation, the sermon, or speech you give may look like a complete failure. The critics may tell you that you’ve blown it. But your job is merely to be faithful and share the truth. Leave the results to God.

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A JESUS LIFE—WHAT AN ADVENTURE! Acts 23:11.

Imagine living every day on a quest that is larger than you, larger than life, a journey so dramatic your life is at risk every moment, but you see visions of heaven and the life to come. You understand scripture, life on earth, and life in heaven better than anyone. Jesus is the center, but daily he reminds you that you were chosen to play an incredible role. Such was Paul’s experience. To call it “intense” would be an understatement. Frequently God warned Paul of danger, and Paul shrugged it off:

“I know not what I will encounter, except that in town after town the Holy Spirit testifies to me that chains and afflictions await me” Acts 20:22-23. Later Luke reports, “we found some disciples… and through the Spirit they told Paul not to go to Jerusalem” Acts 21:4 (but Paul continued). In Caesarea, “a prophet named Agabus … took Paul’s belt, tied his own feet and hands, and said, ‘the Holy Spirit says in the same way the Jews will bind the man who owns this belt,’” (vv.10-11) and everyone begged Paul not to go. But he said, “Why are you weeping and breaking my heart? I AM READY NOT ONLY TO BE BOUND BUT TO DIE in Jerusalem” Acts 21:13.  

If God said to me, ‘if you go to Jerusalem, you will be arrested,’ I would assume He meant ‘DON’T GO.’ But Paul knows differently—God is warning him to prepare him, but not to stop him. So Paul went to Jerusalem, was arrested, jailed, and when things looked bad, Jesus appeared with hope:

“The Lord stood by him and said, ‘Take courage! For as you have testified about Me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome’” Acts 23:11.

And the adventure continued.

Jesus, deepen our walk with you. Use us to reach others. Give us courage to face persecution. Help us love your word, know your voice, seek your face. Make us love you more every day. Thank you for the ADVENTURE of following you.

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FALSE DOCTRINE. Acts 20:29-30.

I was Doug’s camp counselor; he was my FAVORITE seventh grader. Now he is the meanest radical out there. He insults not only me, but was rude to my mom on Facebook—whom he has known his ENTIRE life. I try to laugh with him, but it’s hard.

I once shared a comical story online about a female student who very obviously would not hold the elevator for me at UH, and yet I arrived to the classroom long before she did. She was late, in fact. It was a funny, innocent story. But Doug blasted me, because as a male professor, I am PRIVILEGED, while the female student is powerless. How dare I expect her to arrive on time!

False doctrine is a CANCER that will destroy joy—and relationships.

“After my departure, savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. And men will rise up from your own family with deviant doctrines to lure disciples into following them. Beware!” Acts 20:29-30.

When angels visited Lot, “the men of Sodom surrounded the house, young and old, from all over town, and called to Lot: ‘Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us that we may have sex with them” Genesis 19:5. Lot discouraged them, even offering his daughters, but the men were determined to sodomize these angels who had appeared in the form of men. This was not about children. Neither women nor children would satisfy these aggressors: they were obsessed with man-flesh. So God destroyed them: “the Lord rained brimstone and fire on Sodom and Gomorrah. He burned up those cities and the surrounding area and everything that grew on the ground” Genesis 19:24-25.

If you were God, what more could you do to make the rules clear?

Knowing the facts of this story about angels disguised as men, those who argue God destroyed Sodom because the people were pedophiles have rebelled against God by placing their own opinion above the authority of His word. The men of the city did not come out to commit ‘pederasty’ by attacking little boys. And those who say they did are promoting the deviant doctrine of savage wolves as described in Acts 20:29.

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[1] I changed these names.

The Wisdom of Ignorance … Romans 16:19-20.

Is it ever better to be ignorant? To NOT know something? Yes.

Soldiers who endured trench warfare in World War 1, Japanese prison camps in World War 2, and jungle warfare in Vietnam would say, yes—there are some things not worth knowing, some experiences you do NOT want to endure. Sometimes it is better to be ignorant than to have knowledge of horrible evils and the difficult psychological problems that often accompany such knowledge.

Does that make sense? Am I, a “lifelong learner,” suggesting there are things I do not wish to know? Yes.

I do not need to let a snake bite me in order to understand that it is venomous. I would prefer to remain ignorant of the suffering inflicted by snake bites, bullet wounds, and stabbings. I might be interested in reading a book about some of these experiences, yet even then, I would use discretion.

“But I want you to be wise about what is good, yet innocent about what is evil. The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet” Romans 16:19-20.

Think about this and remember it forever:

THERE ARE THINGS YOU DO NOT NEED TO KNOW. THERE ARE FACTS YOU DO NOT NEED TO LEARN. THERE ARE QUESTIONS FOR WHICH YOU DO NOT NEED ANSWERS. THERE ARE EXPERIENCES THAT WILL HARM YOU.

“Be innocent in what is evil.”

God, remove our passion for sinful “adventures” and learning things we should not and replace it with a heart that is content with the “wisdom of ignorance.”

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DEVIANT DOCTRINES. Acts 20:30.

“… Men will rise up with DEVIANT DOCTRINES…” Acts 20:30

2020 was a terrible year. COVID 19, the death of George Floyd, Antifa, riots, the desecration of statues and history, arson in dozens of major cities, vicious anger at law enforcement and the government that culminated in an attack on the U.S. Capitol. And of course, there was the election—a bitter contest between a Democrat has-been and a maverick Republican whose greatest strength may be his ability to polarize Americans into warring camps. With cities on fire across the nation, there were times I wondered whether America would soon descend into all-out war.

Then things calmed and improved. Schools re-opened and we went back to work. But America remains divided.

The Bible cautions us about choosing sides and arguing over everything:

“Do not argue about doubtful issues” Romans 14:1.

“Watch out for those who cause dissensions and obstacles contrary to the doctrine you have learned. Avoid them! For such people do not serve our Lord Christ but their own appetites. They deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting with smooth talk and flattering words” Romans 16:17-18.

Paul says avoid people who stir up arguments. That goes for social media—AVOID PEOPLE WHO STIR UP ARGUMENTS.

“I want you to be WISE about what is good, but innocent about what is evil” Romans 16:19.

Pray for wisdom—BEG GOD for wisdom about these topics. But don’t immerse yourself in them. Instead, immerse yourself in God’s word. Then you will be able to see the truth clearly. Answers will ONLY be found in the WORD. Don’t hunt for answers on social media. Read the Word.

God, give us wisdom! Remind us—convict us—that your WORD is a lamp for our feet and a light for our path.

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WORD FOR ADULTS. Romans 14:20-21; 1 Cor. 6:12.

The tension between Law and Grace creates the most cerebral issues in Christianity. This is faith for grownups—it’s not the “milk of the word” for baby Christians (1 Peter 2:2). The law says “thou shalt not,” and grace says, “All things are lawful.” So which is it?

Romans 14:20 says “Everything is clean.” First Corinthians 6:12, says “All things are lawful for me.” What is Paul saying? I can do whatever I want? “God forbid,” is his answer to similar questions in Romans 6. Consequences remain.

He is saying that because he is no longer under the law—under the Old Covenant—he cannot break the law and separate himself from God. There is nothing he can do to make himself lost again, destined for judgment. “All things are lawful for me.” I cannot break the law and separate myself from God. Paul is not saying that God will be PLEASED if Paul commits adultery or becomes an alcoholic. And Paul makes that exact point:

“All things are lawful for me, but not all things are constructive. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be MASTERED by anything.” 1 Corinthians 6:12.

Consequences remain. Believers have been delivered from the law; we will not lose our salvation—but we still live on earth, where we reap what we sow. Bad habits can ruin your life. Do you want to be mastered by your animal impulses? It can happen—be CAREFUL with your Christian freedom, for the SELFISH reason of avoiding addictions and other consequences.

In Romans, Paul makes the same point for SELFLESS reasons: Be CAREFUL with your Christian freedom because your choices can hurt the faith of others.

“Everything is clean, but it is wrong for a man to cause stumbling by what he eats. It is a NOBLE thing not to eat meat, or to drink wine, or to do anything that makes your brother stumble” Romans 14:20-21.

Perhaps the lesson is: BE CAREFUL WITH YOUR CHRISTIAN FREEDOM for two reasons: (1) exercising that freedom may harm you if it leads to addictions and other negative consequences, and (2) exercising that freedom may harm others if it causes their faith to stumble.

Adults—you have FREEDOM in Christ. You are not under the law. If you have surrendered your life to Christ, you will NOT go to hell. But choices have consequences. Make the wise and selfless choices.

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WHO’S THE BOSS? Romans 14:7-8

Are you the boss? Do you decide everything? Do you decide when to get up, when to go to bed, when to study? Do you decide who to talk to? Who your friends are? Who to avoid? Your hobbies? Your classes? How you use your free time?

When was the last time you asked God to guide you, to show you what HE wants you to do?

He made you. He knows you better than you know yourself. Those dreams you have? He put them in you. He knows your desires and He wants to bless you. But you have to seek Him and let Him lead you. Are you doing that? Are you spending a few minutes in the Word every day?

(Did you know that if you read the Bible for 12 minutes a day, you will finish it within a year?)

Seek Him. He wants to bless you. But you have to let Him be in charge. Invite Jesus to be the boss.

Romans 14:7-8 says, “For none of us lives for himself, and no one dies for himself. If we live, we live for the Lord, and if we die, we die for the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.”

It’s not about you. It’s not about me. We live and die for the Lord. You are here today for the Lord.

God, I know you made me and your plan for me is better than anything I might come up with on my own. I give my life to you—and I want to start by giving you this day. Lead me today. Speak to me and guide me. Help me follow you. Help me read the Word and love your Word. And help me to follow you and listen for your voice every day. I want to submit myself completely to you. I love you! Be the Lord and boss of all my decisions starting today. Remind me to spend time in your Word and in prayer every day. I love you, Lord Jesus.

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DO NOT BE WISE… Romans 12:16.

Children are amazingly TEACHABLE. Every day they stare outward, soaking up everything and memorizing new things without trying. Babies watch people and figure out faces and expressions and gestures and words. It’s an incredible, lightning-fast process. And reading! Imagine beginning first grade in August and knowing almost nothing about reading, and by Christmas you are sounding out words and reading Luke chapter two. Reading well is a sophisticated skill. It requires you to recognize letters, then groups of letters called words, then groups of words called sentences—and there are subtle cues, emotions, tone of voice. There is so much involved in reading well. Yet most kids master it.

Then something changes. One day that baby staring outward at the world turns his gaze on himself. The child looks at how much he has learned and congratulates himself: “I’m so smart.” The urgency is gone; the CURIOSITY is gone. Life is no longer fresh. School does not seem to offer anything new. So he tells himself he has learned enough (“I can read, after all!”) and he does not want to continue learning. Worse, some decide they are AGAINST learning. School is not for me, reading is not part of my life, etc.

I know you can see the foolishness in that.

Yet Christians do the same thing. We think we’ve heard all the Bible stories, we’ve learned about Noah’s Ark, and Moses, and David and Goliath, and Jesus Loved the Little Children, and what else is there? So we are done learning.

“Do not be wise in your own estimation” Romans 12:16.

Paul says do not make the mistake of considering yourself wise and thus closing the door to the kind of learning that brings wisdom. If you are humble, you will continue learning and your wisdom will INCREASE. Don’t look at your wisdom and congratulate yourself. Instead, look at the mysteries that remain around you. Stay humble and keep learning!

God, give us the wisdom to be humble—and the humility that will make us truly wise.

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LEAVE ROOM FOR THE WRATH OF GOD. Romans 12:19.

I had enemies. You hear about circles of influence? I had circles of enemies. It began with kids on my street, then bullies from other streets who rode up just to fight. And the children at daycare were given free reign by the drug-addled hippies responsible for us. (Those ladies considered rock-fights ‘good, clean fun.’) Add to that the bossy kids at school, and I was an angry, brooding child, plotting elaborate tales of vengeance like I was the Count of Monte Cristo.

Yet I could never forget these powerful words:

“Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but LEAVE ROOM FOR THE WRATH OF GOD. For it is written, ‘Vengeance is Mine; I will repay’” Romans 12:19.

We think our plans for revenge are good, but God’s are better! So many stories prove it! One is 1 Samuel 25. When rich Nabal insulted David and refused to feed his men, David planned to kill Nabal and all who worked for him. He would have done it, but Nabal’s wife heard what her husband had done, rounded up enough food to feed an army, and rode out to meet David. She apologized, David accepted her food, and he complimented her: “Your discernment is blessed and you are blessed” 1 Samuel 25:33. He knew this special woman had kept him from bloodshed.

When Abigail went home she found Nabal holding a “feast fit for a king” v.36. The next morning she told him everything. “Then he had a seizure and became paralyzed. About 10 days later, the Lord struck Nabal dead” v.37-38. Later David married Abigail.

See? God’s vengeance is better. He struck Nabal himself—and he struck with precision. Nabal’s men did not deserve to die—having supported David all along.

Stop. Take a deep breath. Get over your anger. LEAVE ROOM FOR THE WRATH OF GOD.

God, thank you for the amazing way you sometimes use your wrath to execute justice on those who deserve it. Make us more like you—make us FORGIVERS.

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ONE EASY WAY TO HANDLE FEAR. Romans 12 and 13.

Do you ever feel afraid or worried about parents, bosses, teachers, coaches, professors, or police?

Romans 13:3 says, “Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good and you will have its approval.”

Pretty simple: do your work, be on time, drive the speed limit, etc.

Bonus: Romans 12:21—“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”

Great advice. Make good choices—simple, boring good choices—and things will go so much better for you.

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