Significance

Significance

Acts 18: ¹² While Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews of Corinth made a united attack on Paul and brought him to the place of judgment. ¹³ “This man,” they charged, “is persuading the people to worship God in ways contrary to the law.”

¹⁴ Just as Paul was about to speak, Gallio said to them, “If you Jews were making a complaint about some misdemeanor or serious crime, it would be reasonable for me to listen to you. ¹⁵ But since it involves questions about words and names and your own law—settle the matter yourselves. I will not be a judge of such things.” ¹⁶ So he drove them off. ¹⁷ Then the crowd there turned on Sosthenes the synagogue leader and beat him in front of the proconsul; and Gallio showed no concern whatever.

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“He’s not playing right!” I protested. I mean, everyone knows you are supposed to put the blocks in the dump truck, then dump them on the floor and start over. This person wanted to kick the blocks. What sense did that make? The teacher came over and listened to both of us.

• There have been people in my life who listened to me.
• There have been people in my life who did not trivialize what I was saying.
• There have been people in my life who treated my concerns as significant.

Gallio was proconsul, so the Jews brought Paul to him in an accusatory way. Gallio scoffed at their anger over Paul’s confession that JESUS was and is GOD. He felt their argument was insignificant so he said “Settle the matter yourselves.”

• GOD wants me to stand firm on my faith in HIM.
• GOD wants me to know HE is the Most High.
• GOD wants me to speak about JESUS being the most significant choice of life.

Significance in GOD has been watered down by the world. The enemy’s tactic is to fool humans to seek significance within themselves. BUT GOD wants something different. GOD wants me to have unstoppable purpose that teaches people about JESUS.

People may scoff at the name of JESUS, but I know that by believing in HIM, even speaking HIS name brings power beyond measure. HIS word does not go out void, rather it will prosper and accomplish what it was intended to do. My significance is through JESUS, who is the Most High.

• Are you seeking to make a name of yourself?
• Do you shy away from speaking the name of JESUS?
• Will you open your mouth and profess JESUS as LORD so people can believe in HIS Word today?

Significance

Luke ²⁶ Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, ²⁷ to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. ²⁸ And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!”

²⁹ But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. ³⁰ Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. ³¹ And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. ³² He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. ³³ And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.”

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“This is my chance” I said to myself many times in my search for significance stage. As I grabbed the mic, I stood in front of the judges and confidently gave my audition. I stayed and watched the next person because I just wanted to see who would lose to me. The person was significantly better than me.

• There were times when I sought significance amongst humans.
• There were times when I wanted humans to place esteemed labels on me above other humans.
• There were times when I searched for significance in what I did.

“Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!” this ultra-scary being said to Mary. She was a poor and unknown person who may not have done anything worth noting in the community. By all accounts Mary would at best be labeled “regular.” BUT GOD said something different.

• GOD says to me “I made you for MY purpose.”
• GOD says to me “I created you with a purpose that only you can do.”
• GOD says to me “I rescued you out of MY grace and mercy so you can show others the same.”

The only significant one is JESUS. My name can remain unknown. HE grows me to point others to HIM and not to myself. HE doesn’t want me crowding the news, grabbing all the attention.

HE wants me to say “HE is great. HE is the SON of the HIGHEST. HE is the ONE who has the throne. HE is the ruler of the kingdom that has no end.”  My significance comes in pointing to the ONE who is truly significant.

• Are you looking for the spotlight?
• Do you seek significance in your title or your job or amongst your family?
• Can you stop thinking you are insignificant and start pointing to the ONE who is truly significant, namely JESUS?