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God Did It - Acts 13
God Did It Acts 13
In Acts 13, when Paul addressed the synagogue at Pisidian Antioch, his sermon centered upon what God had done.
God chose Israel as a people.
God made them great.
God lead them out from Egypt.
God put up with them in the wilderness.
God destroyed the 7 nations of Canaan.
God distributed the land unto the families.
God gave them judges.
God gave them Saul as king.
God removed Saul from being king.
God raised up David (from being a shepherd) to be king.
God testified of David’s character.
God brought Jesus from the linage of David.
God sent this message of salvation concerning Jesus.
God raised Jesus from the dead.
God fulfilled the promise that He had made to the fathers.
God raised up Jesus.
God raised Him up from the dead.
God foretold that He would raise Jesus.
God raised up Jesus so that his body did not undergo decay.
God was bringing about His eternal purpose (cp. Eph. 3:11) of reconciling both Jew and Gentile through Jesus. This was the great seed promise - both to Eve and to Abraham. This was not about Israel being great and special, but rather about God choosing who He would use to bring about such blessing. God fulfilled these promises by bringing Jesus from the line of Abraham through David. The religious leaders of Israel rejected Him and had Him put to death, but God raise Him from the dead. This was so important that Paul repeats it four times. The word of God which Paul preached (cp. vs. 5, 7) was the death, burial, resurrection, and glory of Jesus. God raised up His son and set Him as King over all (cp. vs. 33 and Psalm 2).
As we read the Bible, we often read it and observe what men did and said. I would suggest that we need to see that this is God’s story. We need to see that life is about God. We need to learn that men often make plans but God is in control. In the end, it will be God’s purpose that stands and God will be glorified in His people. Is your life about God - or self? Hugh DeLong
