(Part
2)Chapter 10:
Total Commitment(Part
2)
The Gospel Goes Out through Herod's City
The seaport Herod built in the cosmopolitan city of Caesarea played a vital role in spreading the news of Jesus throughout the Gentile world. Even though Herod built the seaport and expanded the thriving city solely to bolster his ego, improve his position with Rome, and glorify himself, God put what Herod had built to much better use.1. How did the gospel first reach the Gentiles in Caesarea?
At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion in what was known as the Italian Regiment. He and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly." (Acts 10:1-2)
The following day [Peter] arrived in Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends. As Peter entered the house, Cornelius met him and fell at his feet in reverence. But Peter made him get up. “Stand up,” he said, “I am only a man myself.” Talking with him, Peter went inside and found a large gathering of people. He said to them: “You are well aware that it is against our law for a Jew to associate with a Gentile or visit him. But God has shown me that I should not call any man impure or unclean. So when I was sent for, I came without raising any objection. May I ask why you sent for me?”
Cornelius answered: “Four days ago I was in my house praying at this hour, at three in the afternoon. Suddenly a man in shining clothes stood before me and said, ‘Cornelius, God has heard your prayer and remembered your gifts to the poor. Send to Joppa for Simon who is called Peter. He is a guest in the home of Simon the tanner, who lives by the sea.’ So I sent for you immediately, and it was good of you to come. Now we are all here in the presence of God to listen to everything the Lord has commanded you to tell us.” (Acts 10:24-33)While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles. For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God. Then Peter said, "Can anyone keep these people from being baptized with water? They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.” So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days." (Acts 10:44-48)
2. Note the role that Caesarea played in Pau|'s missionary journeys. In the first Scripture below, he is returning from Ephesus in Greece to Caesarea north-east of Jerusalem:
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." (Acts 18:19-22)
"...when we had finished our voyage from Tyre, we came to Ptolemais, greeted the brethren, and stayed with them one day. On the next day we who were Paul’s companions departed and came to Caesarea, and entered the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, and stayed with him." (Acts 21:7-9)
3. God accomplishes His plans in amazing ways, and sometimes the
people and resources he uses are surprising. Think, for example, of how God used
the prostitute Rahab to protect his spies before Israel crossed into the
Promised Land.
Think of how the Babylonians were God's instrument to turn the
hearts of his people toward him once again. In what ways in modern life have you seen God use people who did
not honor him, to fulfill his plans?
4. Which elements of your culture are used for evil? How can they also be used to spread God's message?
5.
As you think about your culture and which technologies are effective in reaching people, how might God want you to use those tools to further his kingdom and influence people who are not yet Christians?6. Caesarea was but one of Herod the Great's magnificent projects. He built palaces in the desert, an enormous temple platform in Jerusalem and a Seaport harbor where there had been none. Yet today, all that is left of Herod's greatness in Caesarea are broken pieces.... Herod lived to promote himself and leave a grand legacy, but his seeming
greatness and impact on history is of no consequence today. Can you think of other "great" arrogant rulers whose impact means nothing today?7. In contrast, an Israelite boy named David used a common stone from a streambed and a powerful faith in the one, true God to kill a powerful giant. In this and many other battles fought on behalf of God's people, David brought honor to God and faith to God's people. What David did against Goliath in the Valley of Elah is a witness to what happens when a person uses his or her life to please and honor God.
8. For what reason was David willing to challenge Goliath, the giant soldier who taunted the Israelites and mocked their God? (See 1 Samuel 17:45-47.)
David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the Lord will hand you over to me, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head... and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel...” (1 Samuel 17:45-46)
9. What effect did David's actions have on God's people, and how did God use him to bless all humankind?
David ran and stood over him. He took hold of the Philistine’s sword and drew it from the scabbard. After he killed him, he cut off his head with the sword. When the Philistines saw that their hero was dead, they turned and ran..." (1 Samuel 17:51-52)
10. How did God respond to David's faithfulness?
Now then, tell my servant David, ‘This is what the Lord Almighty says: I took you from the pasture and from following the flock, to be ruler over my people Israel. I have been with you wherever you have gone, and I have cut off all your enemies from before you. Now I will make your name like the names of the greatest men of the earth. (1 Chron 17:7-8)
|
After the exile to
Babylon: Abiud the father of Eliakim, Eliakim the father of Azor, Azor the father of Zadok, Zadok the father of Akim, Akim the father of Eliud, Eliud the father of Eleazar, Eleazar the father of Matthan, Matthan the father of Jacob, Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ. (Matthew 1:6-16 ) |
11. Fearful of losing his position and riches, Herod did whatever he could to survive and killed whomever might get in his way. In what ways are does Psalm 49:10-13 address what happened to the legacy of Herod?
For all can see that wise men die;
the foolish and the senseless alike perish and leave their wealth to others.
Their tombs will remain their houses forever,
their dwellings for endless generations,
though they had named lands after themselves.
But man, despite his riches, does not endure;
he is like the beasts that perish.
This is the fate of those who trust in themselves,
and of their followers, who approve their sayings. (Psalm 49:10-13)
12. In contrast to King Herod, where did David find strength, security, and hope to handle the difficult situations he faced?
I love you, O Lord, my strength.
The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer;
my God, my Rock, in whom I take refuge.
My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
I call to the Lord, who is worthy of praise,
and I am saved from my enemies. Psalm 18:1-3
Some trust in chariots and some in horses,
but we trust in the name of the Lord our God. (Psalm 20:7)Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths;
guide me in your truth and teach me,
for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long." (Psalm 25:4-5)
