Author: remnantinthepass

Good Wednesday April twenty second as we discover the truths of God’s word,

Shepherd the flock-

Paul is speaking to the elders of the churches from Ephesus, teaching them about the commission as a teacher of the gospel of Jesus Christ. We know that Paul had called this conference of these teachers because while on the road he had been given information about his future as he prepares to go back to Jerusalem. Paul’s ministry has not been easy, 2Corinthians 11:25 “Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked. Once I spent a whole night and a day adrift at sea.”  But Paul understood the commission, the confidence of the Lord who placed him in ministry the responsibility to obey and only teach the truth. James 3:1”Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.” Paul saw beyond the court rooms beyond the threats and understood the mindset required for him to finish his race.2Corinthians 4:7-9 “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed.” Let’s read together from Acts 20:28-31 “Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears.” Paul has assembled the elders who are the ones who are to protect their flocks, as a shepherd does from harm from the elements and prey. Paul looks at these shepherds and says you first need to take heed, meaning you must be in the word in the presence of the Lord. Why this charge, because the ministry can get you so involved in service that one can neglect ones personal growth, which Paul says to these men is first to do, do not let this happen, remain one on one with the Lord so you can teach and lead correctly. Jeremiah 23:2 “Therefore thus says the Lord God of Israel against the shepherds who feed My people: “You have scattered My flock, driven them away, and not attended to them. Behold, I will attend to you for the evil of your doings,” says the Lord.” Many who do not remain lead blindly their sheep and don’t protect them, then they leave. Paul says, “After my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock” These savage wolves are false teacher’s; who care nothing except the profit from churches. Ezekiel 22:27 “Her princes in her midst are like wolves tearing the prey, to shed blood, to destroy people, and to get dishonest gain.” Paul says this as a warning, “among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things” Not just wolves from the outside but already within the church. Paul says shepherds teachers watch and protect the sheep. How do we watch? Remain in God’s word and be active in prayers. Are you? Remnant

Good Tuesday April twenty first as we seek to learn God’s will by studying His word.

Paul’s calling-

As Paul prepares to go to Jerusalem, he stops and calls for all the elders and teachers from Ephesus to meet him, to share about ministry and the future in sharing the gospel in Asia. Paul uses himself as an example as Jesus had been our example to the Father. John 13:15 “I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.” And Paul as well said that these elders could follow his example as he was being an example of the Lord. 1 Corinthians 11:1 “Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.” Now as these leaders listened to Paul deliver his message, this message asked by Jesus for him to teach and how to teach with a  boldness with the confidence knowing that the gospel was the absolute truth for mankind to be made righteous before the Father, by teaching the written word and not adding or subtracting from God’s Holy word. Romans 1:16 “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.” Let’s read together from Acts 20:23-27 “Except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that chains and tribulations await me. But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. “And indeed, now I know that you all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, will see my face no more. Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men. For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God.” Luke tells us that Paul is preparing himself to go to Jerusalem, but look what he discloses that came from the conversation between Paul and the Lord on the twenty five mile journey. “Chains and tribulations await me.” Do you understand now why Paul stopped to prepare these leaders for ministry. Now many believe by asking Jesus in their lives or saying a simple prayer that this world’s sickness will not affect them as if they have a special shield to stop the evil in this world from coming upon them. Truth is the gospel makes us righteous and this righteousness cleanses us to be presentable and without sin before the Father in heaven for an eternal life, this is the good news. Death on earth is not the good news, life for eternity is. John 17:15-16 “My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it.” Colossians 3:2 “Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.”Paul says something here that we Christians need to get down, he says “so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.” The first thing is to enter the race; then run the race to win, not half hearted but with all you have to press forward. Sad many want to wear the racing stripes but not run themselves, Paul says men no matter what lies ahead, you must be ready in body soul and spirit to finish the calling and teach with boldness. Paul says men you will not see me again, this information given to Paul on the road, but regardless finish! Are you ready to finish? Remnant

Good Monday April twentieth as we discover God’s truths by studying His word.

Pastor’s conference-

Paul walks twenty-five miles before meeting the team. Why is it so important to just get alone with and be with God? Mathew 26:36 “Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to the disciples, “Sit here while I go and pray over there.” 26:39 “He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.” Jesus went alone to speak on the hill with the Father, remember He asked Peter James and John to pray for this time, for Him before the Father alone. Think about this alone time here, Jesus wants to do the Father’s will not His, meaning Jesus wanted to love His Father by His obedience to His word. As Paul walked the twenty-five miles, Paul is opening up to the Father and listening for the word by his father to direct his paths.

Psalm 119:105 “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”Jeremiah 33:3 “Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.” Romans 10:17 “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” Paul uses this time on this road, which seems appropriate as it was on a road to Damascus that he first heard the voice of our Lord. Acts 9:4-6 “Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” And he said, “Who are You, Lord?” Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads.” So he, trembling and astonished, said, “Lord, what do You want me to do?” So Paul earnestly desires to walk and hear again from the Lord, let’s read together from Acts 20:17-22 “From Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called for the elders of the church. And when they had come to him, he said to them: “You know, from the first day that I came to Asia, in what manner I always lived among you, serving the Lord with all humility, with many tears and trials which happened to me by the plotting of the Jews; how I kept back nothing that was helpful, but proclaimed it to you, and taught you publicly and from house to house, testifying to Jews, and also to Greeks, repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.” When Paul and the team reach Miletus Paul asks that all the elders from Ephesus come to him to have a conference with him, remember Paul did not want to lose time going to Ephesus and calls the leaders to him. Also understand this is a gathering of all the Ephesians pastors to attend, called by the apostle Paul, hum, could this be what God and Paul spoke about while on the road. “And when they had come to him,” understand these were working men with families who took vacation time to come to Paul which means as men of God they too knew in their spirits that they needed to be with Paul. Paul then shares how he presented the gospel as an apostle and elder a pastor of the Lord now note the position of an elder teacher pastor bishop is the same they are overseer’s servants of the Lord. Paul teaches, you have experienced with me the hardships and the rewards as leaders and I have not quit. I called you here to ask you not to quit on the Lord. Are you standing firm and sharing? Remnant

Good Sunday April nineteenth as we grow in our faith from Studying God’s word.

Moving on-

As Paul teaches, Eutychus falls three stories, to the street below and declared dead. Paul runs down puts his live body on his and says “Trouble not yourselves; for his life is in him.” Eutychus came to listen, and sat in an open window on the third floor. Luke records that Paul taught into the late hours “Eutychus, being fallen into a deep sleep.” When I taught at the college, I worked to make the teachings as exciting as I could, but many a time I’d look and find one dozing off and I would call them out and get them engaged. What I so love about this section is, Paul did not change who he was or what he was doing. Think about it, Paul was sharing to those who would remain when he leaves, purpose, to know how to minister in Jesus’ name. When the man fell Paul stopped teaching and being fully led by the presence of God through the Holy Spirit Paul ministers to Eutychus who came back to life, and it appears was fully restored, then Paul goes upstairs eats then gets back to teaching till day break. John 11:40 “Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?” When we have a right relationship with the Lord, understand that it is God and not man that does the miracles, it is an opportunity for all to witness the Glory of God, not the servant of the Lord. John 17:24 “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.” Let’s read together from Acts 20:13-16 “Then we went ahead to the ship and sailed to Assos, there intending to take Paul on board; for so he had given orders, intending himself to go on foot.  And when he met us at Assos, we took him on board and came to Mitylene. We sailed from there, and the next day came opposite Chios. The following day we arrived at Samos and stayed at Trogyllium. The next day we came to Miletus. For Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus, so that he would not have to spend time in Asia; for he was hurrying to be at Jerusalem, if possible, on the Day of Pentecost.” The teaching Paul has given here in Ephesus is a farewell address to the elders in Ephesus. Luke has recorded that Paul addressed the Jews at Pisidian Acts 13, addressed the gentiles at Mars Hill Acts 17, and now addresses the elders here before leaving on foot some twenty five miles, before catching up with team and sailing to Jerusalem. Why would Paul want to be alone on foot for so many miles? Paul is headed to Jerusalem in time for Pentecost. He has chosen to walk to hear from the Lord and learn what lies ahead. Paul chooses not to return to Ephesus to not be delayed in getting to Jerusalem, remember he missed Passover. Proverbs 1:5 “Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance.” Romans 8:28 “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” It’s important we get alone with God. Are you walking and listening? Remnant

Good Saturday April eighteenth as we study God’s word to learn His truth for our lives.

Eutychus falls asleep-

Paul is preparing to go to Jerusalem but there are Jews who intend to harm him and Luke says, were waiting to grab him and Paul caught wind and instead of going through the port by sea he and Luke decide to travel by foot through Macedonia. Let’s remember that the author here is Luke but Luke himself is a physician a doctor, who was the personal physician to Theophilus whom Luke has written and sent the Gospel by him, will also send this letter to Theophilus who has given his permission for Luke to travel and take care of Paul. Acts 1:1-3 “The former account I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach” Colossians 4:14 “Luke the beloved physician and Demas greet you.” As the rest of the team travels through the port, Luke will remain with Paul taking care of his needs, he is elderly and has been beaten stoned unto death and now will walk to Jerusalem to avoid the angry Jews. Let’s read together from  Acts 20:7-12 “Now on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul, ready to depart the next day, spoke to them and continued his message until midnight. There were many lamps in the upper room where they were gathered together. And in a window sat a certain young man named Eutychus, who was sinking into a deep sleep. He was overcome by sleep; and as Paul continued speaking, he fell down from the third story and was taken up dead. But Paul went down, fell on him, and embracing him said, “Do not trouble yourselves, for his life is in him.” Now when he had come up, had broken bread and eaten, and talked a long while, even till daybreak, he departed. And they brought the young man in alive, and they were not a little comforted.” Luke says that on the first day of the week the disciples came together to fellowship and break bread together. The first day on the calendar here was Sunday and still is today. Although some like to make other days to assemble holier, or as the Jews their Sabbath, clearly we see here that the first day is Sunday when the church of Jesus Christ is meeting. This not to be a hot topic most important is that people congregate and worship the Lord no matter the day. Paul then begins to teach before leaving with Luke and he begins teaching which went into the late hours of the night. Luke tells us Paul was teaching in an upper room on the third floor, which was lighted by candles. Luke says that a man named Eutychus was sitting in an open widow listening to Paul’s teachings. “He was overcome by sleep; and as Paul continued speaking, he fell down from the third story and was taken up dead.” Luke then says Paul stopped teaching went down “fell on him, and embracing him said, “Do not trouble yourselves, for his life is in him.” As Peter before with the girl Tabitha, like Elijah with the widows son, 17:21“And he stretched himself out on the child three times, and cried out to the Lord and said, “O Lord my God, I pray, let this child’s soul come back to him.” Paul lays out on Eutychus who comes back to life as Tabitha and the widows’ son. I love what happened next, Paul makes sure he is fine then goes back upstairs and continues to share, just another day with the Lord. Is this not just amazing? Remnant

Good Tuesday April fourteenth as we learn God’s will, by studying from His Holy Word.

Strongholds-

The people in Ephesus after witnessing the seven sons of Sceva get beaten down and run through the streets without their clothes by the demon that was possessing a man, fear fell upon all who practiced black magic and they gathered and burned in a fire all that they used in their businesses. Understand, today there is still a huge market for people making large sums of money from such businesses, but on this day after witnessing what happened to these ghost busters without the Lord, many repented and gave their lives to the Lord. Let’s read together from Acts 19:21-27 “When these things were accomplished, Paul purposed in the Spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, “After I have been there, I must also see Rome.” So he sent into Macedonia two of those who ministered to him, Timothy and Erastus, but he himself stayed in Asia for a time. And about that time there arose a great commotion about the Way. For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of Diana, brought no small profit to the craftsmen. He called them together with the workers of similar occupation, and said: “Men, you know that we have our prosperity by this trade. Moreover you see and hear that not only at Ephesus, but throughout almost all Asia, this Paul has persuaded and turned away many people, saying that they are not gods which are made with hands. So not only is this trade of ours in danger of falling into disrepute, but also the temple of the great goddess Diana may be despised and her magnificence destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worship.” Paul wants to go to Jerusalem, and it is believed that Paul wants to take some of the offerings brought to him by Timothy and Silas to Jerusalem which was in need of finances. Acts 24:17 “Now after many years I came to bring alms and offerings to my nation” Luke says Paul remains in the area for a while but sends Timothy and Erastus to Macedonia. Now two business men in Ephesus who did not turn to the Lord were upset because they were losing money and they stir up others to come against the way and its teachings. Before being given the followers of Christ as Christian’s, they were called the way. Leading the charge is a man named “Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of Diana.” Historians record that many traveled to Asia to worship a shrine built for the goddess Diana, identified as the goddess of fertility. Apparently silversmiths such as Demetrius made a good living making small silver souvenirs, and when the demon beat down the seven sons for being fakes, business was lost and Demetrius was not going to lose his business. Demetrius focuses first on the economic losses for Ephesus, “Men, you know that we have our prosperity by this trade” then turns to all those who have given their loyalty to the goddess Diana. “Not only is this trade of ours in danger of falling into disrepute, but also the temple of the great goddess Diana may be despised and her magnificence destroyed.” All this he puts together when Paul said. “That they are not gods which are made with hands.”He appeals first to man’s greed then pride, two holds on mankind. Are you freed from greed and pride? Remnant

Good Monday April thirteenth as we come before the altar of grace to learn His word.

No match alone-

Paul working the seven till nine workday has spent some two years pouring into the church in Ephesus. Many had come to hear him as he taught using the school of Tyrannus to teach, since he was no longer able to teach in the synagogue. As well, many who co-labored with Paul had heard him teach from the sewing lines, still getting his work done and using the time not to talk about politics, rather the gospel. Romans 6:13 “Do not let any part of your body become an instrument of evil to serve sin. Instead, give yourselves completely to God, for you were dead, but now you have new life. So use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God” Paul did! Let’s read together from Acts 19:15-20 “and the evil spirit answered and said, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?” Then the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, overpowered them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded. This became known both to all Jews and Greeks dwelling in Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified. And many who had believed came confessing and telling their deeds. Also, many of those who had practiced magic brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all. And they counted up the value of them, and it totaled fifty thousand pieces of silver. So the word of the Lord grew mightily and prevailed.” A lot of people fake their way into positions, but many learn when the heat turns up and they do not know what to do, many get taken out, and here these seven sons of Sceva acting as the ghost busters speak the name of Jesus in name only without the presence of the Holy Spirit in them. “And the evil spirit answered and said, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?” Make sure you understand the importance here of the words Luke shares. The demon in the man speaks out and says Jesus I know, and Paul I know but you I do not. Paul received Jesus into His life, he was baptized in the Holy Spirit and the demon identified he was a person who had authority over him. Without this, then one is just a poser and alone, and demons will over power mankind and they do. The demon in this man then beats down, I mean a back in the ally beat down, of the seven men, we see demons are powerful beings. 1 John 4:4 “You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” Jesus has all authority over demonic forces and Satan. When we receive the Lord and are baptized in the Holy Spirit, we then have authority by Jesus’ name and we do not need to fear but take authority over them in Jesus name. This region was a center for black magic but upon hearing about what happened, merchandise and books of black magic were burned and it totaled fifty thousand pieces of silver, which was a year’s wage for some 150 people burned, then the people sought the Lord in spirit not just name.

Revelation 20:10 “The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.” Have you been baptized in the Holy Spirit? Remnant

Good Saturday April eleventh as we grow in faith from studying from God’s word.

Spiritual warfare-

Paul is in Ephesus which begins Paul’s third mission where he meets believers in the Lord like Apollos being a teacher of scriptures who loved Jesus but had not experienced baptism in the Holy Spirit but when told by Pricilla and Aquila he got baptized. When he meets this group of men who follow the Lord, he asks them if they were baptized in the Holy Spirit. They said they had not even heard about this baptism and only knew John’s teachings. Paul then teaches them about the gift that empowers one to have the counsel of God within them, so they are all baptized and Luke says God gave spiritual gifts for them to witness His power. Let’s read together from  Acts 19:8-10 “and he went into the synagogue and spoke boldly for three months, reasoning and persuading concerning the things of the kingdom of God. But when some were hardened and did not believe, but spoke evil of the Way before the multitude, he departed from them and withdrew the disciples, reasoning daily in the school of Tyrannus.  And this continued for two years, so that all who dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks.” Paul’s in Ephesus, modern day Turkey, and Paul will spend some three years raising churches in this area. During these three years Paul will encounter many battles in spiritual warfare. Paul will speak later of such battles in his letters where he suffered for the Gospel. The gospel is the life the death and the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. The war here is denying the gospel. 1 Corinthians 15:12 “Now if Christ is preached that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead?” 2 Corinthians 1:8 “For we do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, of our trouble which came to us in Asia: that we were burdened beyond measure, above strength, so that we despaired even of life.” Paul has been teaching in the synagogue, Luke says for some three months with no resistance, but then “some were hardened and did not believe, but spoke evil of the Way before the multitude.” Hard hearts, the Bible identifies that this caused by a person’s unbelief. People must shut off the truth first, and over time as one continues rejecting the truth, just like calluses on the hands, hardness sets in and sometimes because one has chosen to reject God, He finishes the decision. John 12:40 “He has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts, lest they should see with their eyes, lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, so that I should heal them.” And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.”Man has no excuse or will have any excuse before God, when judgment comes, all will have been given the opportunity to know the truth. So what we see here is we must have a heart to want to know God, and then remain open seeking Gods truths as we are doing, by studying the word. Paul after, teaches in the school of Tyrannus, which most likely was a school of higher thought and philosophies. Here Paul used the hall to share the gospel when it was available during the hours in the day. Again Paul finds a way to teach God’s word in spite. Have you? Remnant

Good Friday April tenth as we learn from God’s Holy Scriptures together.

Baptized in the Spirit-

Apollos was a learned man in the scriptures and believed in Jesus Christ. He was schooled in Alexandria, known for their high education. Apollos was an elegant teacher having a great oratory presence and people would come to listen whenever he spoke. Pricilla and Aquila co-laborers with Paul, heard Apollos and asked to meet privately with him and shared the rest of the story, what rest of the story, you see Apollos was only teaching what he had learned and he had not yet learned about The Holy Spirit. Although some may have the gift to speak others have the gift to build up even those with special gifts as Apollos. 1 Corinthians 12:6 “And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all.”Let’s read together from Acts 19:1-7 “and it happened, while Apollos was at Corinth, that Paul, having passed through the upper regions, came to Ephesus. And finding some disciples he said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” So they said to him, “We have not so much as heard whether there is a Holy Spirit.” And he said to them, “Into what then were you baptized?” So they said, “Into John’s baptism.” Then Paul said, “John indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on Him who would come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.” When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied. Now the men were about twelve in all.” Paul leaves and goes to Ephesus known today as Turkey. Paul comes across a group who believed in the name of Jesus as Apollos had and asks them this question? “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” Many today have a belief in Jesus but do not understand why a person must be baptized in the Holy Spirit. Most of the confusion comes by teachers, that’s right, some who just teach falsely, some maybe themselves being as Apollos just not having the knowledge themselves. Paul asks believers and they answer this way, “We have not so much as heard whether there is a Holy Spirit.” Paul then asks “Into what then were you baptized? “So they said, “Into John’s baptism.” This is a very important teaching to grasp as many today are believers but do not understand the baptisms differences of John the Baptist and the Holy Spirits’ and knowing the truth will open one to know God in His fullness. Now John spoke about repentance and one needed to be baptized to proclaim repentance, now many confess Jesus as Lord having repented, but then stop their like these who knew no difference. Paul shares and these are baptized and empowered that day. Maybe you have confessed and repented and you know you do not have that power within that gives you the joy to go to a bible study, to church or be used by God. Maybe you like being on the bench and not playing in the game where you can’t get hurt? Some do they are the first to buy the letterman jacket with no time on the field. If you want to get in the game you need to get in, get baptized in the Spirit, and get some time into the game. Put me in coach; are you ready to go in? Remnant

Good Wednesday April eighth as we seek God’s will by studying the Bible.

End of the second journey-

Paul after being brought before the governor by the Jewish leaders, who denied the gospel, is set free as the governor Gallio has gaveled that not only was Paul not an enemy of Rome, but that Christianity was no enemy to Rome as well, and the line that was drawn by the Jews was now erased by Roman law the authorities that governed the Jews. Paul; would write how obedience to authorities is obedience to God.  Hebrews 13:17 “Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.” Romans 13:1-2 “Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves.”

Those in authority are appointed by God, really that is what the word declares, and they will answer to God in how they oversee His people. The Jews attempted to trap Jesus as an enemy of Rome by paying taxes but Jesus only amazed them. Mark 12:17 “And Jesus answered and said to them, Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” And they marveled at Him.” Point we are not enemies nor are our authorities enemies, they are responsible before God. Let’s read together from Acts 18: 18-22 “So Paul still remained a good while. Then he took leave of the brethren and sailed for Syria, and Priscilla and Aquila were with him. He had his hair cut off at Cenchrea, for he had taken a vow. And he came to Ephesus, and left them there; but he himself entered the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews. When they asked him to stay a longer time with them, he did not consent, but took leave of them, saying, “I must by all means keep this coming feast in Jerusalem; but I will return again to you, God willing.” And he sailed from Ephesus. And when he had landed at Caesarea, and gone up and greeted the church, he went down to Antioch.” Paul finally moves on leaving with Priscilla and Aquila his co-laborers in life and ministry. Luke says something here that Paul shaved his head, many believe that Paul had made a Nasserite vow to the Lord which is like but deeper as one who promises God to abstain from items as we see many do for lent. Anyways the end came to this vow and Paul goes by himself to Ephesus where Paul enters the synagogue and teaches the Jews first. Luke tells us that here the people wanted to learn even more but Paul said he had to leave to Jerusalem to celebrate the feast but his intentions were that he would return. Luke says Paul comes to Caesarea which is a port near Jerusalem but from there Luke says Paul then traveled up, and we know that Jerusalem is located in the hills and is where the temple was built. In Jerusalem were the Church leaders, as James John and Peter, but Paul being the apostle to gentiles is not really liked even by these Christian Jews., so Luke says Paul then goes to Antioch. As Paul sits in Antioch, this ends his second missionary journey but Paul is not finished. Are you ready to go? Remnant