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16 Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath. 17 These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ.

Don’t let anyone dictate how you worship the Lord. There is no prescribed (at least in terms of “have to”) day on which you must worship. Sure, there is tradition for Christians to meet on what’s called “The Lord’s Day” which is Sunday, the first day of the week, but that doesn’t make it sinful to meet on a different day if your schedule conflicts. There is only a biblical description of what the early church did, not a prescription of what you must do. In the same way, the kind of foods you eat and the kind of beverages you drink are not the kind of issue where one person can judge another. These are just examples, you could probably think of more. The kind of games your family plays, the kind of entertainment you go to, the places you enjoy, the car you drive, the kind of house you own or rent, the way you educate your children, if you exercise or don’t, vaccinate or don’t vaccinate, suit or shorts, baroque or Hillsong… on and on, these are not the point, they are a matter of conscience. Sure, you have good arguments and reasons for your choice, but it’s just that, your choice. The parallel to this passage (Rom 14) says you should be convinced in your own mind why you do (or don’t do) what you do, but if it’s not specifically endorsed or prohibited in Scripture that’s for you and your family. Let’s not major on the minors, let’s strive for unity.

15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. 19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.

One of the most powerful descriptions of Jesus in the NT. Jesus is God, the only God, and the only God we’ll ever see. We will not get to heaven and see (as it were) three gods, that’s not a biblical idea of who God is. Jesus is the image of the invisible God, not just now, but forever. Jesus created everything. Everything. Those things we can observe in the natural world, and those things we can’t see. Physical things, and intangible things. Natural things and supernatural things (which is a kind of artificial dichotomy, BTW). He was before everything, and every thing (every. single. thing.) is held together by Jesus. This means, if Jesus takes a 3 second vacation, we all stop existing. Atoms not only fall apart, all the materials they are made-up of go “poof” into nothingness. Jesus holds it all together. Why do the trillions of cells that make up the physical you stop at the edge of your skin? Jesus. Why does the atmosphere (troposphere) stop 7 miles up? Jesus. Why don’t all the planets fly off into random space? Jesus. That’s not just power, that’s unimaginable power. In Him ALL THE FULLNESS OF GOD existed, exists, and will exist forever. And what did He do (does he do) with all that power? He saves us. In Him, we have the opportunity to come back to God. Don’t waste His gift.

And as they were going along the road they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “See, here is water! What prevents me from being baptized?”

-Acts 8:36

3 When Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and put them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat and fastened on his hand. 4 When the native people saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “No doubt this man is a murderer. Though he has escaped from the sea, Justice has not allowed him to live.” 5 He, however, shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm. 6 They were waiting for him to swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But when they had waited a long time and saw no misfortune come to him, they changed their minds and said that he was a god.

There is great protection in staying on track to do what God wants you to do. Paul showed up in Malta and though the people were very kind and hospitable, they didn’t believe in Paul’s God. As Paul was unwavering in his task, appointed by God, he faced many hardships along the way. God even used those hardships to enhance the message. Paul was bit by a poisonous snake, but he didn’t swell-up and die, he continued to stay on point with the gospel. But even then, the people wanted to believe, they just didn’t believe the right thing. It’s very important we help people to the truth, not just a willingness to believe “something.” People need to believe the right thing and follow the right one, Jesus.

39 Now when it was day, they did not recognize the land, but they noticed a bay with a beach, on which they planned if possible to run the ship ashore. 40 So they cast off the anchors and left them in the sea, at the same time loosening the ropes that tied the rudders. Then hoisting the foresail to the wind they made for the beach. 41 But striking a reef, they ran the vessel aground. The bow stuck and remained immovable, and the stern was being broken up by the surf. 42 The soldiers’ plan was to kill the prisoners, lest any should swim away and escape. 43 But the centurion, wishing to save Paul, kept them from carrying out their plan. He ordered those who could swim to jump overboard first and make for the land, 44 and the rest on planks or on pieces of the ship. And so it was that all were brought safely to land.

Things rarely go according to plan. The soldiers were trying their best but storms and unavoidable circumstances got in their way. They were focused on their task, but they didn’t know God’s plan, His plan for Paul. The Lord used the centurion to protect Paul and ended up saving his life. In our day-to-day existence we can get focused on shortsighted goals “don’t do this… don’t do that…” just like the soldiers “don’t let the prisoners escape…” yet God most assuredly wants to do more. He is working out His will in our lives. Trust Him, and listen to His will. He may have a centurion in your life to save you! Don’t miss it.