Verses 1-5
-
Fasting brings deeper, clearer prayer. Fasting from food and praying can help you to hear needed direction from the Spirit.
-
If you are looking for deeper intimacy with God, answers, or direction for something in your life, it is good to fast and pray.
-
-
Verse 2. Remember that one of the purposes of hearing from the Spirit is to hear tasks for you to do. These tasks will always be about doing what is needed for people to be saved.
-
If you hear a task, and obey, you are being sent out by the Spirit. This is a great thing to experience.
-
Your ability to hear will grow. The first thing that the Spirit teaches you is to repent from sin (John 16:8). Next, learning and obeying the truth of the Word is huge (John 14:26, 16:13-14). After you excel in these things, your hearing will be greater—great enough to hear tasks from the Spirit.
-
Focus on repenting and obeying the Word!
-
-
Verses 6-12
-
The Spirit will bring strong rebuke sometimes. What God speaks isn't always gentle or kind, but it is always for our good.
-
Verse 12. Like the proconsul believed when he saw the teaching of the Lord from Paul's boldness, if we are bold to bring rebuke, it will be effective to get certain people saved.
-
Do not be afraid to say something harsh to someone when they need it. But remember to do it out of an attitude of love.
-
Verses 13-41
-
The entire story of the Bible points to Jesus. It is all about Him.
-
When you read the Word, especially the Old Testament, pay attention to how each story points to Jesus.
-
This will help you to better understand the meaning of Old Testament Scripture, and it will make you a better communicator of the Word.
-
-
-
Verses 26-27. God's sovereignty is shown here. People's actions, regardless of whether they know the prophecies or not, will always end up fulfilling them.
-
Do not worry about people who are fighting against God. They too are playing into God's hand. God has planned for everything to end in accomplishing His purpose (Ephesians 1:11).
-
-
Verses 38-39. Paul reminds us here that we cannot become righteous by trying to keep the law of Moses. We will only be righteous if we trust in Christ.
-
Always remember that you are not saved by your works!
-
Verses 42-52
-
Verses 44-45. Like these Jews showed their envy be contradicting Paul's words, you can know that you are envious if you contradict people when you hear of their successes. Remember to encourage those who are prospering in their faith, and do not let evil thoughts linger.
-
Verse 46. Everyone deserves a chance to hear the gospel, but those who reject it prove that they are not worthy of being saved.
-
Verse 48. God has known from the beginning who would choose to reject the gospel, like these Jews did, and who would accept the gospel. So God has predetermined who will be saved and who will not be saved.
-
Your job? Trust God's plan, as you spread the gospel, and remember that the people who must be saved will be saved.
-
Verse 51. But some people God must harden (Romans 9:18). So, if a person rejects the gospel after you've done everything that you're supposed to for them, move on.
-