The Journey of Discipleship: Resist, Ridiculed, Received

Devotional

Day 1: God is Our Refuge and Protector in Every Storm

In the midst of life's storms—whether literal typhoons or the trials that shake our hearts—God promises to be our shelter and fortress. Those who dwell in His presence are assured of His protection, deliverance, and faithful covering. Even when fear and danger surround us, we can trust that God commands His angels concerning us, and no evil will ultimately overcome those who trust in Him. His faithfulness is our shield, and He is always near to rescue and honor those who call on His name. [22:17]

Psalm 91:1-16 (ESV)
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler. You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness, nor the destruction that wastes at noonday. A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. You will only look with your eyes and see the recompense of the wicked. Because you have made the Lord your dwelling place—the Most High, who is my refuge—no evil shall be allowed to befall you, no plague come near your tent. For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone. You will tread on the lion and the adder; the young lion and the serpent you will trample underfoot. “Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him; I will protect him, because he knows my name. When he calls to me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.”

Reflection: In what specific area of your life do you need to trust God as your refuge today, and how can you actively seek His presence in the midst of your current storm?

Day 2: Responding to God’s Word: Resist, Ridicule, or Receive

Every time we encounter God’s Word, we are faced with a choice: to resist it, ridicule it, or receive it with an open heart. The people of Thessalonica resisted the message, the Athenians ridiculed it, but the Bereans received it eagerly and examined the Scriptures daily. Our response to God’s Word shapes our lives and destinies—will we harden our hearts, mock what we do not understand, or humbly seek the truth and allow it to transform us? [27:40]

Acts 17:1-15 (ESV)
Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. And Paul went in, as was his custom, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and proving that it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead, and saying, “This Jesus, whom I proclaim to you, is the Christ.” And some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a great many of the devout Greeks and not a few of the leading women. But the Jews were jealous, and taking some wicked men of the rabble, they formed a mob, set the city in an uproar, and attacked the house of Jason, seeking to bring them out to the crowd. And when they could not find them, they dragged Jason and some of the brothers before the city authorities, shouting, “These men who have turned the world upside down have come here also, and Jason has received them, and they are all acting against the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, Jesus.” And the people and the city authorities were disturbed when they heard these things. And when they had taken money as security from Jason and the rest, they let them go. The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived they went into the Jewish synagogue. Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so. Many of them therefore believed, with not a few Greek women of high standing as well as men. But when the Jews from Thessalonica learned that the word of God was proclaimed by Paul at Berea also, they came there too, agitating and stirring up the crowds. Then the brothers immediately sent Paul off on his way to the sea, but Silas and Timothy remained there. Those who conducted Paul brought him as far as Athens, and after receiving a command for Silas and Timothy to come to him as soon as possible, they departed.

Reflection: When you hear or read God’s Word, do you find yourself resisting, ridiculing, or receiving it? What is one step you can take today to become more like the Bereans—eager and open to God’s truth?

Day 3: The Importance of Studying and Reasoning from Scripture

God calls us not to a blind faith, but to a faith that seeks understanding. Like Paul and Silas, we are to reason, explain, and prove the truth of Christ from the Scriptures, developing the discipline to study and defend our faith. This requires effort, time, and a willingness to dig deep, so that we can stand firm and help others see the reality of Jesus as the Christ. [28:59]

2 Timothy 2:15 (ESV)
Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.

Reflection: What is one practical way you can set aside time this week to study the Bible more deeply, and how might this help you explain your faith to someone who has questions?

Day 4: God is the Creator, Provider, Ruler, and Personal Savior

There is only one true God—He is the Creator of all things, the Provider of every need, the Ruler over all nations, and the Savior who calls everyone to repentance through Jesus Christ. Unlike the idols of this world, God is near, knowable, and desires a relationship with us. He has given proof of His love and authority through the resurrection of Jesus, and He calls us to turn from all forms of idolatry and trust in Him alone. [40:07]

Acts 17:24-31 (ESV)
The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything. And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us, for “‘In him we live and move and have our being’; as even some of your own poets have said, “‘For we are indeed his offspring.’ Being then God’s offspring, we ought not to think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination of man. The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.”

Reflection: Are there “idols” in your life—things you trust, love, or serve more than God? What is one step you can take today to turn from these and trust God as your Creator, Provider, Ruler, and Savior?

Day 5: Be Eager and Open-Minded: Receive and Examine the Word

The Bereans were commended for their eagerness and open-mindedness in receiving the Word, but they did not accept it blindly—they searched the Scriptures daily to see if what they heard was true. God desires that we approach His Word with both enthusiasm and discernment, willing to make changes in our lives when confronted with the truth, no matter how difficult it may be. [48:29]

James 1:21-22 (ESV)
Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.

Reflection: What is one truth from God’s Word that you have recently learned or been reminded of, and how can you put it into practice today with eagerness and humility?

Sermon Summary

Sa gitna ng unos at bagyo, ang ating pag-asa at proteksyon ay matatagpuan lamang sa Panginoon. Sa panalangin, inialay natin ang ating mga sarili at ang ating bansa sa Kanya, na Siya ang ating kanlungan at tagapagtanggol. Ang Kanyang mga salita ay buhay at makapangyarihan, at sa bawat pagsubok, ito ang ating sandigan. Sa pagtalakay ng Salita ng Diyos, nakita natin ang tatlong uri ng pagtugon ng tao: ang tumatanggi, ang nanlilibak, at ang tumatanggap.

Sa Acts 17, tatlong lungsod ang binisita nina Pablo at Silas: Thessalonica, Berea, at Athens. Sa Thessalonica, nakita natin ang matinding pagtutol sa Salita ng Diyos. Kahit na maayos at may lohika ang pagpapaliwanag nina Pablo, marami pa rin ang tumanggi at nagalit. Ito ay paalala na hindi lahat ay tatanggap sa katotohanan, gaano man ito kaliwanag o kabuti. Ang pagtanggi sa katotohanan ay hindi nagbabago sa katotohanan mismo; ang hindi pakikinig ay hindi nag-aalis ng epekto ng Salita ng Diyos.

Sa Athens naman, nakita natin ang panlilibak at paghingi ng mas marami pang ebidensya. Kahit na malinaw ang mga patunay ng pagkabuhay na muli ni Jesus, marami pa rin ang hindi nasiyahan at patuloy na nagdududa. Ang ilan ay nagmamatigas at laging naghahanap ng bagong ebidensya, ngunit ang tunay na pananampalataya ay hindi nakasalalay sa dami ng patunay kundi sa pagtanggap sa katotohanan ng Diyos.

Ngunit sa Berea, natagpuan natin ang isang kakaibang tugon. Ang mga Berean ay bukas ang isipan, masigasig na nag-aral ng Kasulatan, at sinuri kung totoo ang mga itinuturo nina Pablo. Hindi sila bulag na sumunod, kundi sinuri nila ang Salita araw-araw. Ito ang hamon sa atin: maging masigasig sa pag-aaral, bukas sa katotohanan, at handang magbago kapag naharap sa liwanag ng Salita ng Diyos.

Ang ating buhay ay dapat nakasentro sa Salita ng Diyos—hindi sa tradisyon, hindi sa dami ng ebidensya, kundi sa personal na relasyon kay Jesus na ating Tagapagligtas. Sa gitna ng bagyo, sa gitna ng pagtutol at panlilibak, manatili tayong matatag, mapagpakumbaba, at masigasig sa pag-aaral at pagtanggap ng Salita ng Diyos.

Key Takeaways

1. Manatiling matatag sa gitna ng pagtutol Ang pagtanggi ng iba sa Salita ng Diyos ay hindi hadlang upang tayo ay magpatuloy. Ang katotohanan ay nananatili kahit hindi ito tanggapin ng lahat. Sa bawat pagtutol, lalo tayong tumibay sa pananampalataya, sapagkat ang Diyos ang ating kanlungan at tagapagtanggol. [31:38]
2. Huwag maghanap ng walang katapusang ebidensya Ang pananampalataya ay hindi nakasalalay sa dami ng ebidensya kundi sa pagtanggap sa katotohanan ng Diyos. Maraming tao ang hindi makuntento at laging naghahanap ng bagong patunay, ngunit ang tunay na pananampalataya ay tumatanggap at nagtitiwala kahit hindi lubos na nauunawaan ang lahat. [44:24]
3. Maging masigasig at bukas sa pag-aaral ng Salita Ang mga Berean ay naging halimbawa ng masigasig na pag-aaral at bukas na isipan. Hindi sila basta naniwala, kundi sinuri nila ang Salita araw-araw. Ang ganitong ugali ay nagbubunga ng malalim na pananampalataya at tunay na pagbabago sa buhay. [48:29]
4. Ang Diyos ang tunay na tagapagtanggol at tagaprovide Sa gitna ng unos, ang Diyos ang ating kanlungan, tagapagtanggol, at tagaprovide. Hindi Niya tayo pababayaan, at ang Kanyang katapatan ay ating sandigan. Sa bawat pagsubok, Siya ang nagbibigay ng lakas at proteksyon. [22:52]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[22:17] - Panalangin ng Proteksyon sa Bagyo
[22:52] - Ang Diyos ang Kanlungan at Tagapagtanggol
[24:08] - Pangako ng Kaligtasan at Pagsagot ng Diyos
[25:09] - Ang Kahalagahan ng Salita at Misyon
[26:01] - Tatlong Tugon sa Salita: Resist, Ridicule, Receive
[27:08] - Thessalonica: Pagtanggi sa Salita
[28:04] - Paano Nangaral si Pablo: Reason, Explain, Prove
[30:14] - Kahalagahan ng Pag-aaral ng Kasulatan
[31:38] - Pagtutol at Pagkakaroon ng Saradong Isipan
[34:58] - Athens: Panlilibak at Paghingi ng Ebidensya
[37:31] - Pagpapakilala ng Tunay na Diyos sa Athens
[40:07] - Diyos bilang Ruler at Personal na Tagapamahala
[44:24] - Walang Katapusang Paghingi ng Ebidensya
[48:29] - Berea: Masigasig na Pagtanggap at Pag-aaral
[51:10] - Hamon: Maging Katulad ng mga Berean
[52:29] - Communion: Paggunita sa Sakripisyo ni Jesus
[53:33] - Offering at Panalangin para sa CCO
[55:28] - Closing Prayer at Paalala ng Pagkakaisa

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Acts 17:1-15 (ESV) — 1 Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews.
2 And Paul went in, as was his custom, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures,
3 explaining and proving that it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead, and saying, “This Jesus, whom I proclaim to you, is the Christ.”
4 And some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a great many of the devout Greeks and not a few of the leading women.
5 But the Jews were jealous, and taking some wicked men of the rabble, they formed a mob, set the city in an uproar, and attacked the house of Jason, seeking to bring them out to the crowd.
6 And when they could not find them, they dragged Jason and some of the brothers before the city authorities, shouting, “These men who have turned the world upside down have come here also,
7 and Jason has received them, and they are all acting against the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, Jesus.”
8 And the people and the city authorities were disturbed when they heard these things.
9 And when they had taken money as security from Jason and the rest, they let them go.
10 The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived they went into the Jewish synagogue.
11 Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.
12 Many of them therefore believed, with not a few Greek women of high standing as well as men.
13 But when the Jews from Thessalonica learned that the word of God was proclaimed by Paul at Berea also, they came there too, agitating and stirring up the crowds.
14 Then the brothers immediately sent Paul off on his way to the sea, but Silas and Timothy remained there.
15 Those who conducted Paul brought him as far as Athens, and after receiving a command for Silas and Timothy to come to him as soon as possible, they departed.

Psalm 91:1-4 (ESV) — 1 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”
3 For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence.
4 He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler.

Observation Questions

Ano ang tatlong uri ng pagtugon ng tao sa Salita ng Diyos na nakita natin sa Acts 17? ([26:01])
Paano ipinakita nina Pablo at Silas ang kanilang paraan ng pangangaral sa Thessalonica? Anong mga hakbang ang ginawa nila? ([28:04])
Ano ang naging kakaibang ugali ng mga taga-Berea kumpara sa mga taga-Thessalonica at Athens? ([48:29])
Sa Psalm 91, anong mga pangako ng Diyos ang binanggit tungkol sa Kanyang proteksyon? ([22:52])

Interpretation Questions

Bakit kaya, kahit malinaw at lohikal ang paliwanag nina Pablo, marami pa rin ang tumanggi at nagalit sa Thessalonica? Ano ang nagpapahirap sa tao na tanggapin ang katotohanan? ([31:38])
Sa Athens, bakit may mga tao na patuloy na naghahanap ng ebidensya kahit marami nang patunay? Ano ang ipinapakita nito tungkol sa kanilang pananampalataya? ([44:24])
Ano ang natutunan natin mula sa mga Berean tungkol sa tamang pagtanggap at pag-aaral ng Salita ng Diyos? ([48:29])
Paano natin maiuugnay ang mga pangako ng Diyos sa Psalm 91 sa ating personal na buhay, lalo na sa panahon ng pagsubok? ([22:52])

Application Questions

May mga tao ba sa paligid mo na matindi ang pagtutol o panlilibak sa pananampalataya? Paano ka magpapatuloy na maging matatag at mapagpakumbaba sa gitna ng ganitong sitwasyon? ([31:38])
Naranasan mo na bang maghanap ng “mas maraming ebidensya” bago ka sumunod o maniwala sa Diyos? Ano ang nagtulak sa iyo na magdesisyon sa huli? ([44:24])
Sa iyong personal na buhay, paano mo pinapahalagahan ang masigasig na pag-aaral ng Salita ng Diyos? May mga hadlang ba na kailangan mong harapin para maging mas bukas at masigasig tulad ng mga Berean? ([48:29])
Ano ang isang konkretong hakbang na maaari mong gawin ngayong linggo para mas maging bukas ang iyong isipan sa katotohanan ng Diyos, kahit mahirap tanggapin? ([51:10])
Sa gitna ng mga “unos” o pagsubok sa buhay, paano mo naranasan ang proteksyon at katapatan ng Diyos? Mayroon ka bang kwento na nais ibahagi? ([22:52])
May mga tradisyon o paniniwala ka ba na kailangang suriin sa liwanag ng Salita ng Diyos? Paano mo ito sisimulan? ([48:29])
Ano ang isang bagay na natutunan mo mula sa sermon na gusto mong ipatupad o baguhin sa iyong buhay ngayong linggo? ([51:10])

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The Journey of Discipleship: Resist, Ridiculed, Received | November 9, 2025