s1 e102 Acts 27:1-44

Observations:

• What is "lee"?
• Paul had favor in the end of this chapter - why? Fear? Leadership?
• What does the "fast" refer to? Which Jewish celebration? How is relevant to the context? (time of year?)
• Seems to be soldiers and hired sailor crew
• An angel? Has Paul encountered this before - angels?
• The centurion saves Paul - didn't listen to him at first but becomes a friend (Daniel-like)

Meaning:

Luke continues to move the story concerning the sovereignty of God. Paul will get to Rome.

Tragedies happen but God has plans - the gospel is in view here...there was a need to get to Rome for the gospel's sake.

God evades obstacles to complete his work but allow humans to face them - all of which develops men to be what God needs to carry off his plan.

Application:

Inward: Do I trust God's work and will during the storms?

Outward: Do I lead during the storms?

Upward: Praise Jesus who cares for the world and follows through on his promises.

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s1 e101 Acts 26:1-32

Observations:

• Bold words for Paul in front of Agrippa? Possibly because Agrippa understood Jewish theology and customs?
• Did prison end up being a saving grace for Paul since the Jews wanted to kill him?
• Would this be a good reason for his appeal to the Emperor - basically having Rome protect him?
• Was Agrippa a practicing Jew?
• The discussion with Agrippa and Festus seems so short - no real conclusion it seems other than to send Paul on with no actual reason for his imprisonment.

Meaning:

Luke seems to be summarizing how God puts us into positions to speak the gospel. Trouble always comes, the question is how much trouble comes our way due to the gospel and not our own foolishness?

Application:

Inward: Do I desire for others to know the gospel more than I desire absence of conflict?

Outward: Do I run into trouble due to my work in the gospel?

Upward: Praise Jesus who gives us the ability to live, die and experience adventure for the best reasons.

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s1e100 Acts 25:1-27

Observations:

• Who is Festus, exactly?
• Who is King Agrippa? Relation to Herod?
• What is the significance of Bernice being mentioned?
• Festus seems to be concerned about Proper Roman Law - is this true? In contrast to Felix?
• Did Festus know that the Jews in the case wanted to kill Paul?
• Festus seems to parallel Pilate - he didn't think Paul did anything to deserve death
• Agrippa comes with great pomp - why is this mentioned?

Meaning:

God is Sovereign. We can see God's plan unfolding in these details, including putting Paul in front of so many key people to proclaim the Gospel.

Application:

Inward: Do I trust God's sovereignty?

Outward: Do I act in confidence when I feel led by the Holy Spirit?

Upward: Praise Jesus, who still makes ways for the gospel to be heard!

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s1e99 Acts 24:1-27

Observations:

Ty:

• Who came up with calling a group of people who have had a come to Jesus meeting the Way?
• Why did Felix keep paul in custody? Was it for entertainment? How long?
• If Felix hated the Jews why did he marry a Jewish woman?
• Why bring up that all people will rise from the dead to be judged?

Darin:

• Who is Tertullus? Is he mentioned anywhere else in the NT?
• Sect of the Nazarenes? Only time mentioned?
• Why the discussion on the resurrection in particular? Theological issue between Jewish leaders or pertaining to the difference accepting Jesus as resurrected?
• Felix wanted a bribe - is that the sole reason for all the convos with Paul?
• Doing the Jews a favor? Motivation?

Meaning:

Ty: I could say again here we see luke showing Pauls life mimicking Jesus' life. Which is true. But here we see Paul tie it all together by stating that Jesus is the fulfillment of prophecy in a little more of a clear way to the Gentiles than Jesus just saying He is the son of man. Since I am unlikely in the USA to be as persecuted as Paul its simply becomes hard for application.

Darin: (I'm not convinced that Luke has an intended meaning for the reader, but giving it my best shot) Paul was unfairly accused and suffered much while maintaining the truth and preaching the gospel.

Application:

Inward: (Ty) How do I continue to follow the way in my daily actions? (Darin) The example of Paul gives me courage to defend myself against the lies of the opposition.

Outward: (Ty) How do I continue to follow the way in my daily interactions with others? (Darin) Am I bold enough to call out lies when I hear them and speak the truth?

Upward: (Ty) Prasie be to the God of our fathers for His self sacrifice to create THE WAY so I dont have without Him ever again! (Darin) Praise Jesus for the Holy Spirit who gives us the words to say when we need to defend ourselves against the world.

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s1e98 Acts 22:30-23:35

Observations:

• Paul addressed the council, Sanhedrin?
• High priest - did Paul not recognize him? Why or why not?
• Did Paul stir up the Pharisee vs. Sadducee debate on purpose? Why or why not?
• Whitewashed wall - close to Jesus' words, any other references What does it mean exactly?
• Who is really wanting to kill Paul?
• Paul's nephew - any other mention of him, what do we know about him?
• Seemingly lots of parallels with Jesus' accusers, trial, etc.

Meaning:

Take courage and testify to the facts about Jesus.

Application:

Inward: Do I want to be bold?

Outward: How do I become more bold - what am I afraid of physically?

Upward: Praise Jesus for giving us courage when we do his work and testify to the facts of Jesus.

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s1e97 Acts 21:37-22:29

Observations:

• Context? Paul on the steps of the barracks wanting to talk with the violent Jewish crowd who were just beating him...why?
• Why did the tribune think Paul was the Egyptian insurrectionist?
• What does citizen of no obscure city mean?
• The Hebrew spoken by Paul shushed the crowd - why? Did they not think he was a Jew? Was the crowd influenced without knowing exactly what was going on?
• Gamaliel - pretty big credentials
• Why are they so upset with him? Misleading Jews? Greeks in the temple? All these things?
• v 22 - sen to the Gentiles - is this the phrase that really set them off?
• What significance is there to the tribune admitting he bought citizenship? Is Paul somehow higher than him in the social caste at the time?

Meaning:

Paul's testimony sought to save persecutors, as he once was, to bring them to the truth. The world needs to know...despite the objections.

Application:

Inward: I have fear when it comes to opposition - paralyzing and I don't want to engage.

Outward: I don't engage the angry lost.

Upward: Praise Jesus for the martyrs, who faced opposition so that the world might know the gospel.

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s1e96 Acts 22:1-36

Observations:

• Everyone along the way seemed to warn him about Jerusalem, divine message or did word just move that fast?
• Philip, one of the 7 - assuming deacons from Acts 6?
• significance of mentioning Philip's daughters?
• Agabus - ever mentioned before?
• Into the hands of the Gentiles - like Jesus? Parallels on purpose?
• Why were the brothers in Jerusalem so concerned about "not forsaking the law of Moses"? Protection from other Jews? Are they explaining what everyone else had been hearing as to why he might be in trouble in Jerusalem?
• The vows? What kind? 7 days? 4 men? Significance?

Meaning:

Following and preaching Jesus challenges all traditions - piety or salvation?

Application:

Inward: Do traditions mean more than the cross? Do they mean too little that I'm unwilling to care for a weaker brother?

Outward: Do I disrespect the law by my actions?

Upward: Praise Jesus for sparing Paul as long as he did to give us incredible wisdom in learning how to live in this tension we call the world.

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s1e95 Acts 20:1-38

Ty's Observations:

• What are the similarities between Paul in Acts 20 and Jesus in Luke 22?
• Verse 6 -Is Paul saying it's okay to leave it up to each of our disciples to turn from sin at a specific point?

Darin's Observations:

• What uproar?
• V6 - "we"? Meaning Luke is with them?
• Is there any significance to the Passover being celebrated in Philippi?
• Lams in the room? Signficance?
• Taken up dead? What does that mean exactly?
• Why did Paul sail past Ephesus entirely- could there be more of an explanation seeing how the violence swelled there recently?
• In his final words to key leaders - did Paul think he would die in Jerusalem? His words seem defensive and/or serve as an example to the elders.

Meaning:

(Ty) Luke shows that Paul has been so “constrained” by the Holy Spirit that his life events begin to mimic those of Jesus Christ. I.E. Paul's message here and Jeus in the garden of Gethsemane.

(Darin) Leaders in God's church have special responsibilities but also should wield special motivations led by the Spirit in humility and authentic caring for people and God's Word.

Application:

• Inward: (Ty) Be constrained by the Spirit, not knowing what will happen to me, that I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus. (Darin) Do I love the people I work with - the ones I disciple?
• Outward: (Ty) to testify to the gospel of the grace of God, what it means to be a follower of the way, and how change is possible because His grace saved a creepy, disgusting, vile person like me. (Darin) Do I spend time comforting/encouraging those who I disciple?
• Upward: (Ty) Never stop working on all of us, constrain us with the spirit the way Paul was. I dedicate and Surrender our hearts to you in The name of Jesus, God with us, show us your way, today, Yaweh. (Darin) Praise Jesus for raising up shepherds who seek to continually care for his flock!

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