Stir Up The Gifts

1. As a part of the formal greeting to the various churches, who is mentioned with Paul? What common wording is used in the epistles?
2 Corinthians 1:1-4 Philippians 1:1-4 Colossians 1:1-4 1 Thessalonians 1:1-3 2 Thessalonians 1:1-3 Philemon 1:1-5

2. When looking at the letters given to the churches, Paul believed in greeting them with kind words. Why is it important to start a message or block of information in this manner? What rewards can be obtained by starting a letter, announcement, email, or report to a group by similar means?

3. Giving credit is essential when working in the ministry, at your job, school, amongst family, friends, and various other situations. Give at least one positive advantage to thanking or giving someone credit for the work they attributed.

4. Spreading the gospel was not easy. Explain what happened to believers and where they ended up going.
Acts 14:1-7

5. While in Lystra, describe what Paul did to help and how they were treated afterward.
Acts 14:8-20

6. Many of us believe that while working the ministry for God, life becomes perfect. However, from the situation just given, this is not always the case. Why are there circumstances where people suffer from doing God's will?

7. If someone has gone through hardships while serving the Lord, what actions should they take to please God?

8. What does the Bible state to encourage people living through hardships?
James 1:2-4 Romans 5:3-5

9. How does Paul encourage people regardless of their state of being?
Philippians 4:11-13

10. Looking over the last two questions, it is easy to read the scriptures but tough to follow. Name at least one thing practically that a person can do to work towards what is stated in those questions.

11. Even after going through a hard trial, what did Paul and the disciples do upon returning to Lystra?
Acts 14:21-23

12. If placed in a similar situation as Paul, what would have been your response to the situation in Lystra?

JUST A THOUGHT

There is a massive problem with people wanting to be gods and idols. There are numerous shows on tv, movies on the big screen, social media sites, and YouTube that empowers people to believe they have the power to do anything. That, by their means, anything can be accomplished. Having a self-empowerment mindset sounds wonderful. Positive even. The issue comes when people take the belief in self so much that they no longer care about others. People who have a “god” mentality do not care about the welfare of others. The interesting fact is that we, as consumers, often reward egotistical behavior with job opportunities, viewership, and money.

The town of Lystra treated Paul and Barnabas as gods due to their ability to heal a man who could not walk. Lystra citizens believed that Barnabas was Zeus, king of the gods, and Paul was Hermes, the messenger god. For those in the Greek town, two strangers appear to do something that was read about in Homer’s Iliad. Paul’s healing ability, made the residents of Lystra thrilled to have the presence of a god in their town. Especially since a temple dedicated to Zeus was just outside the city. Then for the people of Lystra, the unthinkable happens.

Paul proclaimed that Barnabas and himself were not Zeus nor Hermes. True healing came from God. Paul’s declaration did not go well at all. As you read from Acts 14, the residents were angry at this announcement and decided to take mob justice on the two disciples. Paul left, but then later in the same book, we find out that he went back to Lystra (Acts 16). Even after going through the attack, Paul still found it necessary to go because that’s where God was telling him to go.

The two ministers could have quickly taken the compliment of being gods all in stride to ensure that they wouldn’t take the beating of a lifetime. Nevertheless, Paul knew he was not going to take credit as a deity. Paul was there on a mission for God, not to be a god. His example is a powerful message for us all. No matter what the world might say, never take on the mindset to be worshiped or given god-like status. Humility is the key, and God desires us to be that way. Save all God-like titles and power to the real Lord and Savior.