Thursday, July 12th
Read: Acts 18
Paul was called by God to many different positions in the Church. In the beginning of Acts 18, Paul had just moved to Corinth and started living and working with a tent-maker named Aquila. Paul was using his time with Aquila wisely by discipling him and his wife, Pricilla. While Paul was working as a tentmaker during the week, he also ministered on the Sabbath to the Jews and Greeks. After a while, the Jews opposed Paul and became violent towards him, so he decided to focus his ministry on the Gentiles. Paul stayed in Corinth one and a half years teaching the Gentiles full-time about Jesus. Paul’s job was a tent maker, but his vocation was to be a full-time follower of Jesus, preaching and telling others about him.
Paul moved to Ephesus, and Pricilla and Aquila moved with him. Paul left them in the town to do the work of God without him. While Paul was in Ephesus he preached to the Jews in the synagogue. The people of Ephesus asked Paul to stay longer but he had the call of God on his heart. From there, Paul journeyed around to different churches, strengthening them in their faith and ministries.
Paul ministered in different ways to different people. Just because he worked an average job didn’t mean his life was compartmentalized. He preached and ministered wherever he found himself—including on the weekends! He also didn’t limit himself to the weekends either, but went into full-time ministry soon afterwards. He preached to the Jews and then he preached to the Gentiles. Paul always found time to introduce people to Jesus. No matter what the circumstance, Paul was faithful to do God’s work.
When we compartmentalize our lives there is the danger that God won’t be included in some parts of our lives. The revolutionary way of living is a holistic approach—allowing God to invade and infuse all relationships, positions, and circumstances with His purposes. God didn’t intend that we would cut our life into time blocks or segments that are available only to specific plans…that are often our own. Paul was a revolutionary because God was the center and purpose behind all of his activities and we would do well to take his lead.
The lyrics of “Jesus, Be the Centre” contain a good prayer that can help begin to align your heart with God’s:
Jesus, be the centre.
Be my source, be my light, Jesus.
Jesus, be the centre.
Be my hope, be my song, Jesus.
Be the fire in my heart.
Be the wind in these sails.
Be the reason that I live, Jesus, Jesus.
If Jesus were to become all these things to you, you would be a revolutionary. Your life would be a life of worship, honor and glory to God.
Process:
– Are you waiting until you finish school to ‘do God’s work?’ Are you waiting for a paid position to come along? (On the other hand, don’t let God’s work become a burden. His work is not a burden, but the outpouring of His work in our lives. Often times God’s work comes out of us after we’ve spent time, days/weeks/months, in His Word and in prayer. Then He works).
– Are you doing the work that God has presently called you to? Are you using the excuse of a ‘full time job’ or ‘full time student’ to not minister full time where you already are?
– Is your life compartmentalized and is God left out of some of areas? Ask the Lord to reveal to you how you can break down those barriers so that you can live life more fully.
– Do you feel a sense of urgency in your life about spreading the Gospel and love of God throughout the earth? Why or why not?
Youth Department