Where the Word and Worship Collide

By R. Scott Goddard

Let's start in Acts 18

2 There he met a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had ordered all Jews to leave Rome. Paul went to see them,

Here we have Paul with a divine appointment to meet Aquila.

3 and because he was a tentmaker as they were, he stayed and worked with them.

Paul worked as a tent maker. He had a day job, which gives us some insight that someone with the stature of Paul, had at one point in his life, an ordinary mundane life to deal with. He was just trying to make ends meet. There was no Manna from heaven or anything extraordinary helping him with his ministry, even though up to this point he had done some very real miracles- some reality-bending stuff. Things were pretty normal. Yet he would still continue to talk about Jesus in the synagogues. Verse 4...

4 Every Sabbath he reasoned in the synagogue, trying to persuade Jews and Greeks.

He reasoned with the people, trying to persuade them.

And what ultimately happened?

5 When Silas and Timothy came from Macedonia, Paul devoted himself exclusively to preaching, testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Messiah.

Paul devoted himself exclusively to preaching. A time came where he put everything aside.

6 But when they opposed Paul and became abusive, he shook out his clothes in protest and said to them, “Your blood be on your own heads! I am innocent of it. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.”

Here we have Paul coming to a point in his life where he is going "all in". It's really something. He's been essentially preaching part-time, and here he decides he's going to make the dive into full-time ministry. He's packed up his tools and his tent making materials, he put them in storage, and now he has Silas and Timothy to support him; it's GO TIME. I could have imagined how pumped he was. He felt the green light in his life. There must have been a feeling of "this is it!" God's going to do amazing things! I can't imagine what God has prepared for us!

Paul for a while now had been teaching the Jewish people, and had endured very much going to these people. He had already been nearly stoned to death in Acts 14:19. Don't believe me?:

19 But Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and having persuaded the crowds, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead. 20 But when the disciples gathered around him, he rose up and entered the city, and on the next day he went on with Barnabas to Derbe.

Paul had nearly been stoned to death. Personally, I have to wonder if he was actually dead and the prayers of the disciples brought him back- that God had brought him back. Then it says, apparently that he went BACK into Jerusalem. This is Paul. This is the kind of guy that he was, to give you an illustration. Then it says Barnabas went North West from Jerusalem to Derbe and Paul followed. I always get a sense that the other Apostles were the only ones who could draw Paul away from confrontation, particularly in those early days. Paul was an absolute firebrand- there's no doubt about it.

So, back ahead to Acts 18...

And what happens in Acts 18? Paul comes back to the Jews. He's not phased. He feels something! I'm telling you he's feeling something this time.

But, what happens when he comes to them to preach and teach: Just the opposite- the Jewish people started rejecting him! They were being really nasty to him.

What could have been a great moment, and what should have been a great moment- turned into a complete nightmare. It was like- on paper, this was everything Paul was qualified to do. He was the "Hebrew of Hebrews"- nobody was more qualified than Paul to speak to the Jews, and here it all goes south. I mean, there were worse occasions before, but there was something special he was feeling this time around- and here, ONCE AGAIN, it falls flat upon them. They still reject this truth of the Gospel! What does he do instead? He says he will go to the Gentiles- the non-Jews. The atheists, the pagans, the polytheists, the sinners, the barbarians. You name it- "the others" basically.

Paul says, "FROM NOW ON", "I WILL GO TO THE GENTILES". Catch this now... Paul makes a declaration. "FROM NOW ON'...

Before it was like this...

Before it was like that...

BUT- FROM NOW ON...

"I will go to the Gentiles"...

There was another man. A man who was obedient to God. He sought obedience in spite of other's judgements.

In John 1:6-7 it speaks of John the Baptist who was sent from God. God sends people to share the truth- what is called "the light" in the book of John. And if you're wondering- it's a little weird that John the Baptist would write a gospel testifying about himself in the very first chapter, I would agree that would be weird. But, fortunately- different John. The writer of the book of John was the Apostle John. Now, back to John the Baptist:

6There came a man who was sent from God. His name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify about the Light, so that through him everyone might believe. 8 He himself was not the Light, but he came to testify about the Light.

A lot of people had a lot of things to say about John, but John the Baptist was always doing the will of God. Some could say he lived like a homeless man and more, but he didn't care. He didn't care what people thought or really much of his public reputation. He did what God wanted, and God recognized it.

Like John, what we need is to find out what pleases God.

10 and find out what pleases the Lord.

Let's go through Ephesians 5, verses 1 through 20.

1 Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children 2 and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

3 But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. 4 Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. 5 For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a person is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient. 7 Therefore do not be partners with them.

8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) 10 and find out what pleases the Lord. 11 Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. 12 It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. 13 But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. 14 This is why it is said:

“Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”

15 Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. 18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, 20 always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Why so much scripture? Because it's good. The guy we're talking about in Acts here says a lot of things to the Ephesians. Same guy. It gives us some insight into the mind of Paul. He says a lot of things you shouldn't do. A lot of things you should do. It's human nature to be tempted and be lead away into these other things he mentions, and he's saying to seek for the things of God, and to search for God's will. Continue with Christian Music, and read the Psalms. It probably wouldn't hurt to sit down and find your favorite Bible translation and memorize a chapter or more of Psalms. Always keeping a thankful attitude and thanking God in the name of Jesus. This is what Apostle Paul is promoting. We Do NEED a personal Praise and Worship in our lives. What he's saying here is that we do need to in essence lead ourselves to Worship and Praise in our own lives, just like we pray personally in our own lives.

It makes sense too. Why do we think that anything outside of that is really going to benefit us? Especially in the modern age, there's so many things we can spend our time on, and why would we think that has much to do with God? God is in Heaven and Holy, and most of this stuff down here is the furthest thing away from that- wouldn't you agree? So should we move away from society and create a break-away society on a couple acres of land in the middle of nowhere? No, and probably a Tornado would get to it. I'm not saying God isn't for those in the more agrarian areas, I'm saying Paul was downtown. Paul was in the NYC of the middle east. He was in a pagan place that would shock some us today more than Los Angeles. Los Angeles? San Fransisco? That's nothing compared. There were entire temples to false gods with scantily clad ladies frolicking around and giving burnt offerings to gigantic Greek idol statues. It was all an insult in the face of God. It would have offended most Christian conservatives today. They'd be protesting and filming it viral for the internet, to create a campaign against it. There were liars and cheaters everywhere. There were people in that society so outlandish in their sexuality it would have made Hugh Hefner blush. Paul says to the Ephesians, "GET AWAY FROM ALL OF IT!" "We're taking a hard stance!" "Let me be clear, we're not with any of that!" "God doesn't have anything to do with any of that!" And we say... Amen.

I believe in the days to come, God will put something in you to do the things you need to do... for Him. He's empowering His saints- His believers. We are saints because we believe, but have we really been doing what we believe? Maybe we haven't been "acting out" our beliefs.

You could try and be like Paul, just sort of juggling life around. Trying to get through with your first idea you had of a mission. "I'm the best Jewish teacher around". "A Hebrew of Hebrews", of the tribe of Benjamin he says (Philippians 3:5). He announces he was a Pharisee. They were the strictest sect of Judaism. Nobody was stricter on the rules. The rules WERE the religion for the Pharisees.

So, here's Paul ready to "lay down the law"- Pharisee style and it's all kind of falling apart. So, out of nowhere he meets "TJ"- a guy named Titius Justus- a worshipper of God, and Paul takes everything he knows and has prepared for (his whole life), and is completely out of place. He's been sent to "the others". The gentiles. It's like training for the NFL your whole life, and it turns out they don't want you, and right after Major League Baseball calls you to play for the Yankees. Confusing right? But, at the same time, you just go with it.

Who's this Titius Justus guy? Where does he come into play? Let's get back to Acts 18, verse 7:

7 Then Paul left the synagogue and went next door to the house of Titius Justus, a worshiper of God.

8 Crispus, the synagogue leader, and his entire household believed in the Lord; and many of the Corinthians who heard Paul believed and were baptized.

So, here we have Paul ready to preach. He knows everything about Judaism and the plan of God all the way up to actually encountering Jesus Christ first-hand on the road to Damascus. Being blinded and ultimately converted and baptized. Paul has at this point in his life received the full revelation of God's plan to the Jews- to everyone. But you have to understand...

Paul had committed his whole life to Judaism. This guy was Valedictorian with honors, so to speak. He was a straight-A student. If he got a 98% on an exam, it shattered his world. He was so competitive and took everything so serious, and I believe that's why God wanted him. He also persecuted the Christians and that is a topic that is very deep that will have to be spoken about for another day. God also converted Paul, I believe to show everyone that this Gospel was for anyone. No matter how bad the sins are.

At any rate, Paul is converted, and he feels he has so much to offer about the connection revealed to him between this Jesus and Judaism. It's so clear to him. He's excited. He's overjoyed. He's transformed. The least he can do is tell these other Jews about it. These guys were his classmates at one point. They were professional colleagues not long ago. If they could only see what he sees, then it would be arguably the greatest miracle ever. Paul's thinking, I was number one Pharisee- it seems like an easy clean up job. I come in and I tell them about Jesus and what I know, and BOOM! ALL OF JUDAISM RECEIVES THE MESSIAH!

... And what happens? *Crickets* ... and then they start yelling at him. They start smacking him. Crowding him. Tearing his cloak. Sandals are flying at his head. Rocks thrown at times before. Unconscious times before. It all goes sour. He has to get out of there and essentially curses them in Acts 18. Really, in fact, they cursed themselves.

So Paul has this fullness within him, and he goes to one group and they do not receive him. He tried everything, and he says I will go to the gentiles. He goes next door and what happens?

Let's put this together.

Paul knows the word.

He has given everything.

He has endured just about everything to get this message to God's chosen people.

Physically, mentally, emotionally, he has given everything. He tried everything.

Rejection.

It says he goes next door from the Synagogue he was preaching in and Crispus the Rabbi and his entire household, the head of the synagogue and his family follows Paul over to the worship session at the house next door. There we find Titius Justus just doing a real chill worship session. TJ is wrapped up in glorifying God. It's beautiful, and here comes the preacher of the word. Rejected, and possibly dejected. A great defeat on paper. Paul COULD NOT BRING THE GOSPEL TO THE JEWS. But just a little walk next door, he pulls out the Leader of the Synangogue and his household, and there are a bunch of Corinthians who all gather in this worship session with Titius Justus leading. Paul walks in- AND BOOM! A great reception of the Gospel and the Spirit of God comes to the Corinthians, the Gentiles. The sinners- the others! In the moment where it looks like it's all over... Paul makes a declaration that this gift of the ministry God has given him WILL BE taken to the gentiles. He takes the Word of Truth, and Titius Justus is Worshipping, and When Paul and Titius meet- when the Word and the Worship collide.... the ministry of the Holy Spirit is released, and this is the beginning of something big.

Sometimes we are doing everything on our end, but, sometimes it takes the right worship session. Sometimes, it just takes the music to clear the air- The singers, the lifting of hands and voices to suspend us from the problems, and to allow us the moment to lift our Praise to God. To exalt him, and God will pour out his Spirit. We have cleared the way for the Gospel of Truth, the Truth of Christ, but now we just have to move out of the way. Now we just need to bring God center stage. This is where the Word and and Worship collide.