Three Minute Thoughts

The bible talks about this idea of High Priests, but who were they and what did they do? And why was it important that Jesus is seen as the High Priest?

In chapter 4 of Hebrews we see the concept of resting in God's completed work. This means that God has accomplished all that needed to be done for our salvation so we can rest in it. We need to be transformed by it but can rest in it.

Hebrews is known as the hall of faith book. The pillars of faith throughout the Old Testament all have something powerful and special about them, but none of them are good enough to replace Jesus. They are servants. Jesus is the Son.

Hebrews is a letter written to bolster the faith of the people who read it. Jesus is the example and the encouragement of who we are called to be and the sacrifice who paid for the wrongs we commit when we don't do it right.

As we open a new book we take a few minutes to look at the background stuff. This will help set the rest of the book up to be more easily understood.

As we wrap up the book of Acts, we meet Paul sharing why he is where he is and whose opinion matters most to him. Then gives a pretty scathing answer to the Jewish leaders of his day!

Paul is headed to Rome when a storm hits. So the world's answer when in a storm is to throw everything and everyone overboard. But what is God's answer?

When Paul is on trial he chooses not to defend himself but give witness to who Jesus is and why he follows Jesus.

In today's episode we're going to step away from Acts 25 (still read it!) and we're going to focus on the missionary journeys of Paul for a minute to see where he went and with whom. Hopefully this helps a little with all of the pronouns we see used in these chapters.

Paul is in prison because they didn't know what else to do with him. When our views come before God's Word then we bring division. Keep grounded in the word.

The problem we have when we don't agree with someone is that we see them as an enemy but what if we took time to learn from them why they think that way? Paul wasn't going to budge from his position and his accusers don't like it one bit.

Paul defends who he is not what he said. His message really needs no defense.

Paul journeys to Jerusalem even though he knows life won't be easy for him there.

Paul preaches. A youth falls asleep, out the window and dies. But they want more from Paul? What was this message he was preaching?!

When the word of God takes hold of us we tend to look different than we did before. But it also might cause some challenges for us in life.

Paul built his team then equipped his team. When we equip those who are passionate about the job, they'll naturally multiply themselves.

When Paul sees the idols and worship elements all around, he could have slammed them for getting it wrong. Instead he did things just a little bit differently.

From circumcision to the not being able to go to certain towns, this chapter is filled with uncanny and interesting events. Check it out!

The message of the bible, one would think, should unite us. But what Paul found out the hard was is that all too often the message of the gospel divides more than unites.

The best evangelism program isn't found in a store or an online approach. It's not really even a program. The best evangelism effort is actually found in the book of Acts.

Herod didn't really like what was happening in this whole Jesus movement, so he started killing the leaders. When he claimed power that wasn't his, God allowed him to be stuck dead and immediately became worm food!

When Peter welcomed the outsiders as insiders, he then needed to explain what was happening to those already on the inside.

Some people are seen as insiders while others are outsiders. Peter here has to find out how to make an outsider an insider.

When the man who is the most adamant on stopping the church becomes the man most excited to grow the church, you know you've just encountered a God moment.

Sometimes things happen that are out of our control. Sometimes those things are no fun. Sometimes they're downright awful. How do you react when life goes a bit off the rails?