WEDNESDAY June 28, 2023

A Historical Discourse

Then Paul stood up, and motioning with his hand said, “Men of Israel, and you who fear God, listen: The God of this people Israel chose our fathers, and exalted the people when they dwelt as strangers in the land of Egypt, and with an uplifted arm He brought them out of it. Now for a time of about forty years He put up with their ways in the wilderness. And when He had destroyed seven nations in the land of Canaan, He distributed their land to them by allotment.”
Acts 13:16-19

Paul received the wonderful opportunity to preach a sermon. “Listen to me!” He said. His entire sermon will consist of the confirmation of Israel’s history and the coming of Jesus Christ. He began by reminding them that God was the One who helped and delivered them from Egypt. He bore them on eagle’s wings, and He led them to Himself (Exodus 19:4).

In the wilderness, God heard His people’s murmuring and complaining––it happened all the time. They raised their voices and demanded: “We want water! We want meat! We want to go back to Egypt where we had fish, melons, garlics, leeks and onions” (Numbers 11:5-6). They completely forgot about the beatings and bondage in Egypt. That is why God had to punish them. They wandered for 40 years in the wilderness because of their unbelief. Yet God was still faithfully leading and guiding them. God used Joshua to lead His people into the Promised Land, and through His mighty power, He helped them defeat seven nations.

Paul was laying such a good foundation for his sermon. I love Paul. He is a hero in my life. He was an excellent theologian––highly educated. Yet he had an unknown ailment. It is also believed that Paul had a speech impediment. The amazing Apostle Paul of the New Testament! He gave us 14 Epistles in the New Testament. God used his life tremendously. I can hardly wait to meet him in heaven. He is a man God used to preach the Gospel at any given moment and opportunity.

Always have a sermon in your back pocket and be ready to teach!

Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.
~2 Timothy 4:2~

For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!