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Word from Scotland
by Sandy Shaw
We are studying these final verses of Acts 14, where we learn that to be effective disciples in the New Testament sense, we must be rightly related in The Local Church. Christians can only be strong when they are committed and involved and worshipping and praying and serving and ministering and feeding upon The Word of God in loving fellowships.
Paul taught them that they were in for much trouble. Verse 22. Sadly, there are many who do not want to hear that truth! Paul could show them his own scars - the wounds and the bruises. This is how he strengthened disciples of Jesus - by telling them the whole truth - by explaining to them that it was going to be tough. Paul presented no soft option. He is too concerned with reality as he prepares these believers for much suffering.
Paul, like Jesus, His Saviour and Lord, faced tribulation and suffering, throughout his whole ministry, and he came through it all triumphantly and victoriously.
But to come through it we have to go through it first. "We cannot move forward without friction."
Verse 23. In all the churches they ordained elders. Note the manner of appointing and ordaining elders - with prayer and fasting. They wanted to be sure that the men they were ordaining were the men who would do the work of God in that city.
If the Church wants faithful spiritual leadership, then leaders must be appointed in a biblically spiritual way. If we do not use biblical methods, how can we expect biblical results? After prayer and fasting and the laying on of hands, they committed them to the Lord in whom they had put their trust. And why? Because, as soon as Paul and Barnabas moved on, these elders would have to conduct the worship - lead the prayers - teach the Word - deal with the pastoral problems - and minister to the needs of the people.
These are men of God - young in the faith, in a sense - but men of God who are capable of giving guidance and leadership - and they are appointed as spiritual leaders and recognised and respected by all the others as spiritual leaders. This too is part of MISSION.
Paul and Barnabas set sail for their own home church of Antioch - having fulfilled all that Jesus had called them and led them to do. They completed the work. Whatever task God sets before you, complete it to the best of your ability.
Alexander 'Sandy' Shaw is pastor of Nairn Christian Fellowship in Nairn, Scotland. Nairn is 17 miles east of Inverness - on the Moray Firth Coast - not far from the Loch Ness Monster!
Gifted as a Biblical teacher, Sandy is firmly committed to making sure that his teachings are firmly grounded in the Word.
Sandy has a weekly radio talk which can be heard via the Internet on Saturday at 11:40am, New Orleans time, at wsho.com.
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