27th Mar 26 | 16:08
Studies by Book
02 Acts 13 04-12 THE MINISTRY IN CYPRUS 02 Acts 13 04 Prepared for battle
📖 Acts 13:04-12
02 – Mon, 03 Mar 2025 – *Prepared for battle* - _Acts 13:04-12_ – THE MINISTRY IN CYPRUS – _Ephesians 06:12-14_
_Acts 13:4 So, *being sent out by the Holy Spirit*, they went down to Seleucia and sailed to Cyprus from there._
For Paul, this matter of being sent out by the Holy Spirit meant suffering. This was the message that the Lord had told him through Ananias. _Acts 9:15-16 But the Lord said to him, "Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. (16) For *I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name's sake*."_
Suffering for the cause of Christ was part of His life. _Acts 20:22-24 And see, now I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will happen to me there, (23) *except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that chains and tribulations await me*. (24) But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, *to testify to the gospel of the grace of God*._
Paul was not at all dissuaded by chains and tribulations. He knew that was part of the task of being sent by the Holy Spirit. He had to finish his race with joy and complete *the ministry, which was to testify to the Gospel of the grace of God*.
As God’s people this is the common call for all of us. This is the call with which the Holy Spirit sends us into the world. *We are here to testify to the gospel of the grace of God*.
All of us must consider ourselves as missionaries. Wherever we are is our mission field. We could be students or those in different professions. *We are in that place to testify to the gospel of the grace of God*. Every aspect of our life communicates this single message of the gospel of the grace of God.
We live and speak out Jesus. _I Peter 3:14-15 But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you are blessed. "AND DO NOT BE AFRAID OF THEIR THREATS, NOR BE TROUBLED." (15) But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and *always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you*, with meekness and fear;_
We must take into consciousness that fulfilling the task of the gospel of the grace of God will include suffering.
Suffering is part of the task of sharing the gospel of the grace of God, because this world is under the control of the evil one. _I John 5:19 We know that we are of God, and *the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one*._
The devil has been defeated by Jesus on the cross and he has been made a public spectacle. _Colossians 2:14-15 having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, *having nailed it to the cross*. (15) Having disarmed principalities and powers, *He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it*._
This victory that Jesus purchased on the cross has now been given to the church to exercise. _Matthew 16:18-19 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock *I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it*. (19) And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven."_
We must know with all confidence and assurance that the devil fears us. If we exercise the victory that Jesus has given the church on the cross, then the devil will flee.
He therefore troubles us with suffering. When we suffer for the task of the gospel of the grace of God, we generally tend to focus on the suffering and we are not able to see that the devil who causes the suffering is already defeated. It is therefore, necessary for us to gear up the loins of our minds and move forward in this task.
This is the reason why we need to be dressed for battle against our enemy, the devil. _Ephesians 6:12-14 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. (13) Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. (14) Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness,_
The church is still to a large extent at a survival mode. We are not here to survive, we are here to wage war against our enemy and pull down his strongholds. _II Corinthians 10:4-5 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, (5) casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,_
```Being sent out by the Holy Spirit, there will be suffering, for we are at war against our enemy the devil.```