Day 17
Read: Acts 21-23
Introduction: Do you have a person or a group of people you always go to when you have exciting news? For me it has always been my family. I remember calling home after every basketball game I ever played to talk to my family. Why? Because my family has always been my support, whether to celebrate with me or to comfort me. We all long to have people who are there through life. The beautiful thing is, God created the church as a family. The church is meant to be filled with people who can celebrate victories in life and in ministry and also mourn and work through hard things together. In this next passage, Paul is going to return back to Jerusalem for the first time in a long while.
Acts 21:17-20
When we had come to Jerusalem, the brothers received us gladly. On the following day Paul went in with us to James, and all the elders were present. After greeting them, he related one by one the things that God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry. And when they heard it, they glorified God.
Think about it: You were never meant to do your Christian walk alone. Up to this point in Acts, Paul has partnered with Barnabas, Silas, Timothy, Luke and many others. But he also has churches back in Jerusalem and Antioch that he returns to and reports to. They celebrate victories with Paul and help when he is in need. Have you made kingdom relationships like Paul has? Find people like Paul who you know will be there when you need help or encouragement, or will simply be there to celebrate with you in the good.
Take away: Find partners in the faith.