15 After this we packed our things and left for Jerusalem. 16 Some believers from Caesarea accompanied us, and they took us to the home of Mnason, a man originally from Cyprus and one of the early believers. 17 When we arrived, the brothers and sisters in Jerusalem welcomed us warmly.
18 The next day Paul went with us to meet with James, and all the elders of the Jerusalem church were present. 19 After greeting them, Paul gave a detailed account of the things God had accomplished among the Gentiles through his ministry.
20 After hearing this, they praised God. And then they said, “You know, dear brother, how many thousands of Jews have also believed, and they all follow the law of Moses very seriously. 21 But the Jewish believers here in Jerusalem have been told that you are teaching all the Jews who live among the Gentiles to turn their backs on the laws of Moses. They’ve heard that you teach them not to circumcise their children or follow other Jewish customs. 22 What should we do? They will certainly hear that you have come.
23 “Here’s what we want you to do. We have four men here who have completed their vow. 24 Go with them to the Temple and join them in the purification ceremony, paying for them to have their heads ritually shaved. Then everyone will know that the rumors are all false and that you yourself observe the Jewish laws.
25 “As for the Gentile believers, they should do what we already told them in a letter: They should abstain from eating food offered to idols, from consuming blood or the meat of strangled animals, and from sexual immorality.”
State of the Ministry Address
I'm sure you have seen our President give an annual "State of the Union" address. Companies do this too, typically at annual shareholders meetings, in which CEOs review all of the accomplishments of their corporation in the previous year. Missionaries are expected to do this too. Sometimes, they will go to churches that support them and give an account of what God has accomplished through their ministry. It seems that this is what is happening here as well... Paul "gave a detailed account of the things God had accomplished among the Gentiles through his ministry" to the elders of the Jerusalem church, sort of like a "State of the Ministry Address." And the news sounded pretty good... Many Gentiles had converted to the faith!
The response (in verse 20): "After hearing this, they praised God."
Did you know you have a "ministry" too? Jesus says that all of us (including you and me) are expected to do what Paul did... That is, we all are expected to be "missionaries" who share the faith with others. You can share Jesus through your words and actions with your friends, classmates, family, co-workers, and so forth. One of the great things about Asian Young Life is that our programs and events make that process a little bit easier, but ultimately it's still up to you to be the one to share the Christian faith with people you know and care about, similar to what Paul did.
But here's the convicting part: If you had to deliver a ministry update or a "State of the Ministry Address" to others, how would your report go? Would the listeners praise God? Or would they say, "Uhmmm..."?
Assume that one day you may be expected to deliver to Jesus in heaven such a report of how you lived your life and the impact you had on others. How will Jesus reply? Use the time you have now to make sure His response is a "Praise God" and not an "Uhmmm..."
- Brian Hall
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