UNOH

Grace

To experience the resurrection power of  Christ identify with Christ’s suffering

Readings

• Acts 15:30-35
• Acts 15:36-40
• Acts 16:1-5
• Psalm 51 (Lent Reading)

Reading deeper…

Jim Reiher, The Book of Acts: A Social Justice Commentary, pages 140-151.

Devotion 1

Focus: Spend some time worshipping God and focusing thoughts on how he is limitless and cannot be confined by our human traditions and understanding. Bring to mind times when God has blown our own minds by revealing something new of his nature and mercy.

Read: Acts 15:30-35

The decision made in Jerusalem about circumcision is here communicated back to the Gentile Christians in Antioch. As the letter is read we can feel the relief of this congregation as a burden of expectation is lifted from them. Not only this but the two Jewish messengers, Judas and Silas, take time to speak to them prophetically, offering help and encouragement and then staying on in Antioch to experience this different culture more fully. What a wonderful picture of grace extended by those in leadership. Instead of ‘these are the standards we had to reach so you should too’ , Judas and Silas are able to take joy in the freedom being offered to Gentile brothers and sisters to express their devotion to God in new and relevant ways. Their attitude is not one of martyrdom for having struggled more under the requirements of the law – humility speaks volumes here.

Ask:

• As cross-cultural missionaries we may, like Judas and Silas, have opportunity to speak into different cultural settings and help shape foundations for church growth. How can we guard against extending unnecessary expectations to other Christians?
• Are there ‘laws’ that have been held over us by others and need to be set aside?

Share:

• Finish by sharing communion and praying into areas where we long for God to work freedom in our own lives and the lives of our neighbours.

Devotion 2

Wait: Take time in silence to ask God to show us any anger or resentment we might be feeling towards others and seek his guidance in this

Read: Acts 15:36-40

Earlier in Acts 13 v 13 we are told in passing that one of Paul and Barnabas’s companions ‘left them and returned to Jerusalem’ mid way through their first missionary journey. This John Mark (aka Mark the gospel writer?) is the trigger for a bust up between P and B! Whatever happened back in Salamis seems to have been significant for Paul and has left him unable to trust John Mark. Barnabas however has witnessed transformation in the other man and is keen to take him along on the next trip. Both seem to have very strong opinions on the matter and a split takes place resulting in two separate missionary journeys – not a bad outcome really! And the greatest encouragement comes in Paul’s final letter to Timothy where Paul requests “get Mark and bring him with you, for he is helpful to me in my ministry” (2 Tim 4:11). It appears that reconciliation does take place in this disagreement. Personal differences are an undeniable dynamic when we work together on a shared mission and it takes wisdom to handle well.

Ask: 

• Does disappointment with those we work with or live alongside sometimes stop us wanting what is best for them?
• How does the power of Jesus’ resurrection impact the divisions we see in our neighbourhoods?

Share: Communion

Pray:

• Spend time praying for reconciliation where it is needed and asking for unity in the overarching things
• End with the Lord’s prayer

Devotion 3

Wait: Begin by worshiping God and asking him to renew and refresh the passion he has given us for our specific locations.

Read: Acts 16: 1-5

The past two days’ readings have seemed like victories for a new kind of Freedom – first the Gentile Christians in Antioch are not obligated by the Jewish law of circumcision and then Paul and Barnabas are free to disagree and act out of their own strong convictions while maintaining each other’s respect. To read in this passage that Paul requires Timothy to be circumcised before joining in ministry looks like a backward step at first. Jim Reiher writes about how “[e]ven though Paul knew it was not necessary…he still did it because it would open doors to Timothy to minister in amongst Jewish congregations” He goes on to comment “[t]his is actually a very good example of being free in Christ, but choosing, for the sake of witnessing, to not use some of your freedom in Christ. It was a personal sacrifice Timothy made to help advance the Gospel… The trick is to be able to bend without compromising. Bend without breaking.”

Ask:

• How is this principle of ‘bend without breaking’ lived out practically in our own settings?
• Where are the points of overlap between our local cultures and the Gospel message?

Share:

• Close by sharing communion and praying for the Kingdom to come in our neighbourhoods.

Devotion 4

Focus: Take some extended time in worship listening to what the Spirit may be stirring in our hearts today.

Read: Read Psalm 51 through the lens of re-focusing/realigning to God’s call on our lives at the start of the season of Lent

Ask:

• Which verses speak into our longings and dreams today?
• Which verses speak into our disappointment and disillusion today?

Pray:

Spend time praying for each of those present in the room and for the wider UNOH team.