Monday, July 19th
Read: Acts 24
(Underline where you see God moving. Discuss the impact He had on this situation.)
We’ve all been in trouble at some point or another. Usually we’re in trouble because we really have done something wrong. It’s not very often that we find ourselves in trouble for doing good. In school the class troublemaker is widely known for disobeying the teacher, bothering and interfering with classmates and breaking well known school rules. It turns out, too, that the troublemaker is the person who gets blamed whenever trouble arises, even when they weren’t involved! Causing trouble doesn’t start a revolution (when the outcome is negative) but being a troublemaker for the Lord is indeed infectious and revolutionary!
Paul was a troublemaker. At least that’s what Tertullus the lawyer claimed in verse 5. The officials hated him and the Jews had it in for him. He got under their skin. They said he was a ringleader and a crowd stirrer—he had an awesome reputation. We should want to be troublemakers who stir people to action for the Lord! Paul admitted to his accusers his belief of the scriptures and prophets and his hope that God would raise “both the righteous and the ungodly.” Paul believed that his actions in this life had an impact on the life to come and so he “always (tried) to maintain a clear conscience before God and everyone else” (v.16). Paul had a clear conscience about what he did because he knew the kind of ‘trouble’ he stirred wherever he went was Godly and Spirit-led.
When Paul made his defense, he didn’t sound like a rioter and he didn’t sound like the kind of guy who would be hated all over the world. Why was Paul’s life so offensive? Because he did everything in the name of Jesus. He believed in radical Christianity, Christianity 24-7, everywhere and in every way. His message was love and he lived that message until it hurt. Paul stirred up trouble by preaching truth, teaching people to love God and man, worshiping wholeheartedly, hoping in God and giving to the poor! He had good news and he was going to share it no matter who it offended. His convictions were strong and he didn’t back down.
We must take one more lesson from Paul before we go out being troublemakers for the Lord. We must have our defenses in order. Paul was ready to face his accusers with the truth; no lies and no excuses. He told the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth—and we know he did because his whole life was a testament to it. Paul always stood up for truth and often got in trouble because of it.
Today there is great potential for getting in trouble for doing good and staying on the side of truth. Being a voice and standing up for the rights of the poor, the aborted, the hungry, the abused and the prostituted can very well get us into trouble in society today. This is the kind of trouble we need to see more of. We need more trouble that aims to revolutionize situations and lives for the better.
Jesus tells us to put him first and spread the gospel. Let’s do it! There are more ways than one to spread the gospel. Spread the gospel of love, peace, justice, mercy, hope, and righteousness. And the next time you get in trouble, make sure it’s for a good cause.
Process:
1. Here is the recipe for becoming a revolutionary troublemaker: love like crazy, live, give, preach, teach, worship, believe, be bold, be good, have faith and walk the talk. Live like Jesus, for Jesus.
2. You can do it! How can radical love make you a troublemaker today? Have you been living out wholeheartedly the full Gospel of God?
3. In what ways can you live out radical Christianity (“Christianity 24-7, everywhere and in every way”) in your everyday life?
CHALLENGE:
Go through and look at the chapter again and answer the following questions.
What is this chapter about?
Who are the main characters?
When does this event or teaching take place?
Where does this happen?
Why is this being done or said?