#114“Great Intercessors of the Bible”

The Church – Pt. 3

(Called Out Ones or Dedicated To The Lord) 

 

“One day as they were worshiping God--they were also fasting

as they waited for guidance--the Holy Spirit spoke:

"Take Barnabas and Saul and commission them

for the work I have called them to do."

(Act 13:2)

The Message Bible (MSG) 

One of the greatest challenges that The Church was facing during this time was the jealousy of the  Jewish teachers and religious leaders. You would think that they would be embracing the Gospel of the kingdom of heaven but they were not. Why? Because they were threatened by the teaching of Jesus Christ because the people believed that He was the Messiah, “When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?”They replied, “Some say, John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” (Matthew 16:13-15) Peter and the disciples were not the only ones who believed there were thousands upon thousands who believed and that number was growing more and more daily since His death, burier and resurrection.  

This was why the religious leaders…Scribe, Pharisees and Sadducees fought so hard against the church. Why because they know that more and more people believed on the Name of Jesus. They were afraid of losing control of the people and that they would no listen to their teaching any longer. “Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.” (Matthew 16:17-18) 

Because of this the church was in what would seem like a perpetual mood of intercession, because they needed to constantly consult with the Lord for guidance and direction. “One day as they were worshiping God--they were also fasting as they waited for guidance--the Holy Spirit spoke: "Take Barnabas and Saul and commission them for the work I have called them to do. (Act 13:2) 

This passage so blesses me because sometimes I encounter people that God have called to “GO” but because of this they think that they can just go! Yes it may be true that you are called to go but you should inquire of the Lord where it is He wants you to go; because even though you may be called to go, the grace upon your life is for specific places not every places you can go. “So they commissioned them. In that circle of intensity and obedience, of fasting and praying, they laid hands on their heads and sent them off. Sent off on their new assignment by the Holy Spirit, Barnabas and Saul went down to Seleucia and caught a ship for Cyprus. The first thing they did when they put in at Salamis was preach God's Word in the Jewish meeting places. They had John along to help out as needed. (Act 13:3-5) The fact is you need special grace to deal with situation and people that you will encounter and this grace and anointing is given when the Lord instructs you where to go. Why? Because He has already prepared the way for you and made provision for your ministry there…you can go somewhere else, but the anointing you need want be there.

“They traveled the length of the island, and at Paphos came upon a Jewish wizard. who had worked himself into the confidence of the governor, Sergius Paulus, an intelligent man not easily taken in by charlatans. The wizard's name was Bar-Jesus (son of Joshua). He was as crooked as a corkscrew. The governor invited Barnabas and Saul in, wanting to hear God's Word firsthand from them. But Dr. Know-It-All (that's the wizard's name in plain English) stirred up a ruckus, trying to divert the governor from becoming a believer.

But Saul (or Paul), full of the Holy Spirit and looking him straight in the eye, said, "You bag of wind, you parody of a devil--why, you stay up nights inventing schemes to cheat people out of God. (Act 13:6-9) This wizard had held the people captive with his bag of magic trick for quite some time but what He didn’t know was that his magic would have no power when face to face with the servants of the Most High God. “But now you've come up against God himself, and your game is up. You're about to go blind--no sunlight for you for a good long stretch." He was plunged immediately into a shadowy mist and stumbled around, begging people to take his hand and show him the way. (Act 13:10) Paul, Barnabas and John were anointed for this demonstration of God’s powerful sign and wonder, this is why they had been singled out by the Holy Spirit.

Because of this great miracle look what happened, “When the governor saw what happened, he became a believer, full of enthusiasm over what they were saying about the Master.” (Act 13:11) Beloved remember that, “many are called but few are chosen,” Paul and Barnabas had been chosen for this assignment by the Holy Spirit and He was with them every step of the way.  In our next lesson we’ll see  other instances of when Paul and his team wanted to travel into certain countries but couldn’t; because the Holy Spirit wouldn’t allow them too.  We must understand that it is by God’s leading that we do what we do, we should always seek His counsel as to whether or not we should go or not.  Let us always strive to be in God’s perfect will not his permissive will; for it is only in the perfect will of God will we have or greatest successes.  

My Prayer: Father God, as we start following the missionary journey of the Apostle help us to see how they totally relied upon your guidance and direction for their travels. Although sometimes we may want to participate in different events they may not be in your perfect will for us at that time, help us to be able to hear the voice of the Holy Spirit which is instructing us which way to go. Even in our prayer time Father give us a kin ear to hear what the Spirit is saying for us to say and pray.  Thank You Father for giving us wisdom and understanding on how to follow You,  in Jesus’ precious name we pray, Amen!!! 

Have A Bless Day…Go in God’s Peace!  

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