Many States to Be

Acts 19:7-9

And all the men were about twelve.

Notice how the text says nothing about the women believers. In fact, I think I recognize this number from somewhere. Is this not the same number of Jesus' disciples after Judas replacement was chosen. Now I know some are asking 'what had Judas done.' Remember, he betrayed his Lord and knew not what any had done. So consumed was he by his own guilt and need, it ate him alive. By the time he reached a hanging tree, his brains and his guts were ready to be poured forth upon the earth. Such is a terrible state in which to be. Even more pitiful that of a man or woman without their the Lord. See, there was another woman in the garden crying to any who would listen about how they took away her Lord. Far better to be seeking him than to be without. Of that you can be sure that both in the losing and the finding there is the Lord. See, God faults man none for their condition. Neither the believers for their lack of his Spirit and his knowledge. Nor Judas for his need for money. Nor yet Paul for what he faced. Here I truly believe the number of twelve believers to be significant. At this time also Paul charges them to remember the poor of Galatians 10:10-15. It seems when the Spirit came, these were not just facing around singing Kumbaya by the campfire in strange tongues. Rather, he gave them leadership abilities and a burden. Look now what they will, to "remember the poor." From the text it is clear that there is confirmation of the Spirit's leading found in Paul. See, God will never let you wonder what you would do, even what you ought to do. Instead, he guides and also confirms it. Thus is how you know the Spirit of truth from that of error. Now it is important to note that just because everyone is saying or doing a thing does not make it Biblical. It might not even be of God. Many a seminary professor or a preacher has said and done things just because they thought such actions were right. Then years later upon careful study we are finding this was not the case at all. So it was with Peter, one of the original twelve loudmouth apostles; we will soon see exactly what has been done. But he has erred and incurred blame under his leadership. For which Paul says he "withstood him to the face."

And he went into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God.

Now Paul goes again into the synagogues to speak the Word. Despite the fact he swore not to. Despite the fact God had called him to the Gentiles. Despite his own personal frustrations. It seems nothing could keep him from fulfilling the divine assignment of whosoever will. See, God does not live by such things as nationality, race, or religion like man does. Rather all things are on the basis of the Kingdom of God. Now I do not particularly like certain people and things. Yet when they come down to his kingdom, for me there is no choice. It seems for Paul, despite all he endured, such things were "concerning the kingdom." My, maybe that is the matter with some of you today. You want things your way before the kingdom. Now the story was scarcely all about you to begin with. So how could you get carried away with yourself now and forget all about him. So did Peter when things came down to it. Remember how God had let down the sheet full of wild animals in the dream. More than that, he had been invited to eat. I do not know about you. But when the Lord tells me to do a thing, he should not have to ask twice. See, this was the situation. Peter ate at one table with them all as God had said. Yet when James sent certain ones unto him for their learning, Peter withdrew himself again. So it seems he sneaked back to a table set apart filled with the old Jewish ways. For fear of man he did so, not unto God himself. Suffice to say, he should have not. My, look at this mess he made here. See, Peter had himself a calling and a ministry. Now all of that is gone. It seems the rest of the Jews under his apostleship followed his example. Soon the rest of them, even Barnabas, were carried off by a hostile spirit of ill will. It seems nothing else remains but that. Know this little church if nothing else; God will remain with you as long as it is his kingdom and you are in his house. Without him, you are on your own. But how many know that where he called you he will also keep you. More than that, he will expand your ministry to include those with whom you never met before. Oh to be talking with God today. Certainly such dissension as Peter started is not of God.

But when divers were hardened, and believed not, but spake evil of that way before the multitude, he departed from them, and separated the disciples, disputing daily in the school of one Tyrannus.

Why Paul had to separate himself. There is danger to be found in scattering the pearls of God before the swine of the multitude. See, when they are your pearls that you are clutching tightly the swine can tear you to pieces. But when they are the Lord's you hold close to your heart and call no other dear, they will just have to take it up with him. Someone shout 'separation in the school of Tyrannis' and 'amen, ain't God good.' see, the name Tyrannus means one who rules. Now everybody likes to make a huge commotion about how terrible the coming of the antiChrist will be. They say they hope they are all out of here by then. For those of you who cannot yet see what the two have to do with one another, look at this with me. Note how the "divers were hardened and believed not" in the text. This same word divers is found again in Matthew 25 describing the state of the end times. How there will be earthquakes in divers places. So also their attitude matches that of John when he told of the defining marks of the spirit of antiChrist. See how it is spread across the multitude such that none believed. Neither did those of the Galatian church which could no more be found. Then let us check in at Peter in Jerusalem. Those "walked not uprightly" either nor "according to the truth." Note how such behavior is not the truth according to Peter or even Paul. Rather before God is this truth found for is it not his gospel. See now it is this shift that causes Paul to move to the school of Tyrannus. My, is this word not one removed from that of an abominable ruler over all. As some would call it a tyrant. Is this not the character of how it will be in those days. An attitude of what will happen will be according to the strength of the ruler. He does not run away and hide in this school from the multitude. Instead, he brings the disciples in along with him. Note the safety to be found here by the name of the Lord. How many of you know that with him is by far the safest place to be. He did not go there to hide. Instead he disputed and taught among them daily. There is witness to be found within this school ruled by one over all for a time. Nor is such a Word about how bad man is. They speak only of how good God must be. See, Paul spoke to Peter also thusly. For here Peter being Jewish lived with the Gentiles. Yet he made the Gentiles to live after the manner of the Jews. How does that make sense for Gentiles sinners and natural Jews who are sinners also to be just like the other. What strange sort of nonsense is this. Oh how the believers needed none other than the Lord. For this cause Paul led them straight into the school of Tyrannis to be set apart for the purposes of God alone. How many of you know that when he keeps you, none can lose you. Better to be with the Lord. So then, it matters not whose school you are found within. In this you can rest knowing that no matter who is ruling, God is still on the throne.

Galatians 2:16-17

Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid. (does 1 cor 15 go here)