A man who entertained a boatload of prisoners and soldiers got more than he bargained for.
"Now in the neighborhood of that place were lands belonging to the leading man of the island, named Publius, who welcomed us and entertained us courteously three days. And it happened that the father of Publius was lying in bed afflicted with recurrent fever and dysentery; and Paul went in to see him and after he had prayed, he laid his hands on him and healed him. After this had happened, the rest of the people on the island who had diseases were coming to him and getting cured." (Acts 28:7-9)
A generous man of means showed hospitality to some unlikely guests and received a gift of healing for his ailing father. Among his unlikely guests was a Spirit-empowered kingdom messenger who demonstrated this radical message through laying on of hands and healing. This man Publius had no idea that he was opening his home to the presence of Christ the King, and the kingdom of God, when he welcomed Paul the apostle.
We may not come with the touch of the Spirit of God to bring instantaneous healing, but wherever we are welcomed and received we bring the King and the kingdom, as did Paul. As citizens of the kingdom of God, we bring our "territory" and our ruler wherever we go.
The "shoe was on the other foot" a short time later for Paul, and he then had the opportunity to welcome people coming to him. True to his mission and passion, his welcome was the doorway to a king and kingdom conversation:
"And he stayed two full years in his own rented quarters and was welcoming all who came to him, preaching the kingdom of God and teaching concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all openness, unhindered" (Acts 28:30-31).
Nothing is more gracious and welcoming than to direct conversation to the two most important, life-changing topics of all. Of course that means that we must understand that which we speak of! Committing ourselves to being lifelong students of the King and the kingdom is a necessary prerequisite, and our lifelong learning is both information as well as lifestyle. The ultimate goal is that we be those who both declare and demonstrate, as did Paul.
May the message we live and declare be welcomed by all we encounter today, and may we care enough about those we welcome to share this all-important message.
Steve
"Now in the neighborhood of that place were lands belonging to the leading man of the island, named Publius, who welcomed us and entertained us courteously three days. And it happened that the father of Publius was lying in bed afflicted with recurrent fever and dysentery; and Paul went in to see him and after he had prayed, he laid his hands on him and healed him. After this had happened, the rest of the people on the island who had diseases were coming to him and getting cured." (Acts 28:7-9)
A generous man of means showed hospitality to some unlikely guests and received a gift of healing for his ailing father. Among his unlikely guests was a Spirit-empowered kingdom messenger who demonstrated this radical message through laying on of hands and healing. This man Publius had no idea that he was opening his home to the presence of Christ the King, and the kingdom of God, when he welcomed Paul the apostle.
We may not come with the touch of the Spirit of God to bring instantaneous healing, but wherever we are welcomed and received we bring the King and the kingdom, as did Paul. As citizens of the kingdom of God, we bring our "territory" and our ruler wherever we go.
The "shoe was on the other foot" a short time later for Paul, and he then had the opportunity to welcome people coming to him. True to his mission and passion, his welcome was the doorway to a king and kingdom conversation:
"And he stayed two full years in his own rented quarters and was welcoming all who came to him, preaching the kingdom of God and teaching concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all openness, unhindered" (Acts 28:30-31).
Nothing is more gracious and welcoming than to direct conversation to the two most important, life-changing topics of all. Of course that means that we must understand that which we speak of! Committing ourselves to being lifelong students of the King and the kingdom is a necessary prerequisite, and our lifelong learning is both information as well as lifestyle. The ultimate goal is that we be those who both declare and demonstrate, as did Paul.
May the message we live and declare be welcomed by all we encounter today, and may we care enough about those we welcome to share this all-important message.
Steve
posted by steve @ 8:21 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home