Pastor Steve Thompson's podcast

A review to get back into Acts.  Review is chapters 21-24, Paul's third mission trip which includes meeting with the church in Jerusalem. Some technical difficulties so not the best recording.

What is recovery?  There are 3 important topics to understand to allow us to get on our own road to recovery & ultimately give our loved one the opportunity to find & be healthy themselves. 

Gideon is unsure and requests assurance before going into battle with Israel's enemies.  God takes the Hebrew army from 32,000 to 300.  

"Peace on Earth" may seem like false advertising due to the anger and strife in the world as well as the chaos in our own lives.  True peace can only come through Christ.  Jesus, Himself, IS peace.  Peace with Christ means that Jesus is with us even in times of trouble.

Jewish conspirators go the chief priests and elders with a plan.  God has a foil to the plan: Paul's nephew speaks with the commander regarding the plot. The commander takes action, keeping Paul safe. 

Paul responds to being arrested after the crowds reject him.  He informs the commander that he is a Roman Citizen by birth.  Then Paul is rejected by the Sanhedrin. 

Paul addresses the commander as he is lead away.  He stands on the stairs of the Roman barracks and gives his testimony.

Agabus predicts Paul's upcoming trouble in Jersulem.  Paul travels to Jersulem, shares with the elders there.  Paul begins to preach in the temple and trouble arises.

What is the Christian's responsibility for voting?

Paul speaks with the elders of the Ephesus church one last time before leaving.  Paul explains he isn't making plans on what is the easiest route.

Paul's third journey.

A riot occurs because Christ affects idolatry.  The issue is that would be less worship but that there would be less money made from selling idols.

What defines a friend?  A person that knows you & that you know well.

Jesus deals with the "blind" Pharisees vs. dense disciples.  Later, He asks the disciples who others think He is and then who they think He is.

Going into a spiritual battle in the flesh is pointless.

Paul's 3rd Missionary Journey.

Paul Returns to Antioch.

Paul arrives in Corinth, meets Aquilla & Priscilla.  Silas & Timothy join him.  The Lord gives him a vision "Do not be afraid any longer, but go on speaking".

Paul travels to Athens and is stirred by what he sees.

Paul & Silas meet Lydia.  Jewish unbelievers become envious of the Gentiles accepting Christ.

Paul & Silas are arrested, yet they still worshipped in prison.  Prison guard accepted Christ after an earthquake.

Lydia, a merchant of purple fabric, accepted Christ as her Savior.  Paul & Silas are targeted when they release a slave girl from demons. 

Paul & Barnabas start to plan another missions trip.  Barnabas chose to give John Mark another chance while Paul chose to be discerning due to past behavior.  Because of the different views, Paul & Barnabas decide to go their separate ways. 

James judgement on the basis of the prophets is to not make things more difficult.  The encouragement to the Gentiles should be about abstaining from certain things.

The thought that circumcision was the sign of the Abrahamic covenant & since the covenant was also to be fulfilled through Jesus, it only made sense that circumcision was a part of this.