Change of direction…

 A change in direction …

Remember Jesus sending out his disciples…? To the Jews…he gave them these instructions…

“These twelve Jesus sent out, instructing them, “Go nowhere among the Gentiles and enter no town of the Samaritans, but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 

And proclaim as you go, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ 

Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. You received without paying; give without pay. 

Acquire no gold or silver or copper for your belts, no bag for your journey, or two tunics or sandals or a staff, for the laborer deserves his food. 

And whatever town or village you enter, find out who is worthy in it and stay there until you depart. 

As you enter the house, greet it. 

And if the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it, but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. 

And if anyone will not receive you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet when you leave that house or town.

Matt.10.5-14

Now Paul and Barnabas…change directions due to the Jews rejection…how it must have hurt their hearts …to see their fellow people’s rejection…but, it gave them joy to see others reception…from hardened hearts to open hearts…

 “And we bring you the good news that what God promised to the fathers, this he has fulfilled to us their children by raising Jesus, as also it is written in the second Psalm,“‘You are my Son,today I have begotten you.’ And as for the fact that he raised him from the dead, no more to return to corruption, he has spoken in this way,“‘I will give you the holy and sure blessings of David.’ Therefore he says also in another psalm,“‘You will not let your Holy One see corruption.’ Let it be known to you therefore, brothers, that through this man forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, and by him everyone who believes is freed from everything from which you could not be freed by the law of Moses. 

Beware, therefore, lest what is said in the Prophets should come about: “‘Look, you scoffers,be astounded and perish;for I am doing a work in your days,a work that you will not believe, even if one tells it to you.’” As they went out, the people begged that these things might be told them the next Sabbath. 

And after the meeting of the synagogue broke up, many Jews and devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, who, as they spoke with them, urged them to continue in the grace of God. The next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord. 

But when the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and began to contradict what was spoken by Paul, reviling him. And Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly, saying, “It was necessary that the word of God be spoken first to you. 

Since you thrust it aside and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we are turning to the Gentiles. 

For so the Lord has commanded us, saying,“‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles,that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’” 

And when the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord, and as many as were appointed to eternal life believed. And the word of the Lord was spreading throughout the whole region. But the Jews incited the devout women of high standing and the leading men of the city, stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and drove them out of their district. 

But they shook off the dust from their feet against them and went to Iconium. 

And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.”

Acts.13.32-25Acts.13:38-49,Acts.13.50-52

It hasn’t changed over the years since this scene…

Paul later wrote …” For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. 

Who is sufficient for these things? 

For we are not, like so many, peddlers of God's word, but as men of sincerity, as commissioned by God, in the sight of God we speak in Christ.” 

2Cor.2.15-17

There are those who listen and receive..and those who reject…

 As it is said,“Today, if you hear his voice,do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.”

Heb.3.15

 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 

And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

Heb.4.12-13

Thank YOU….

At Your feet..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=olujOC2YouA