Month: November 2023

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Lifestyle Application

Telling about what God has done

1 Cor 9-11 Paul’s counsel applies to us today. Some will always scrutinize our walk and work, but we choose to live by the higher law. Why might we choose this when Jesus proclaimed that those who proclaim the gospel should be paid for that work? Just as Paul chose to live and work as a volunteer, so do those who offer their services as a free ministry such as Bible.org’s all volunteer staff. He was unashamed of the gospel message, for it is God’s power to save. Paul asked how he could charge for this miraculous power that God unleashes when one comes to the Savior. Paul saw himself in the role of a servant and steward so that he could offer the gospel free of charge. Is this how we see ourselves? God has given us a gift, and it is this: we are His servants fitted with the gospel of peace to be proclaimed freely.

Paul is teaching some life principles here that come directly out of Psalm 78. “We will tell the next generation about the Lord’s praiseworthy acts so that the next generation, children yet to be born, might know about them. They will grow up and tell their descendants about them.” As we receive the gospel freely, we are to offer it freely.” 

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Purity and Holiness … a Mark of the Church

Be holy

1Cor 5-7 Today’s society is attempting to teach us that there is no right or wrong but what feel’s good. As a result we are seeing the decline of the church in the areas of purity and holiness. Like today, the Corinthian church had a serious problem. As a church they had failed to discipline the sin in their midst and in fact were accepting it and were proud. Why were they not sorrowing over this serious sin? Why had they not administered discipline? The world would tell us that we must love all men and that biblical standards are outdated, antiquated and must be changed. But, God’s word does not reveal that thinking. What it does reveal is this: Sin will infect the entire church just as yeast infects the dough. It affects the whole body and the lines of purity and righteousness become blurred.

Begin with evaluating your church’s acceptance of sinful lifestyles. Follow the steps of 2Tim: Teach, rebuke, correct, train both in the home and in the church. The reason? Consider that Jesus may return at any moment. Is there any sin within you or the church that needs attention? Remember these words: Be ye holy as I am holy saith the Lord. If need be, follow the discipline principles of Matt 18 (one on one, two on one, bring to church).

We are to love all but we must also be wise and discerning, know truth from error and keep the church unspotted from the world.

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Why surprised?

From blindness to sight

1Cor 1-4 If there is one thing that amazes me, it is the lack of spiritual hunger for those whose destiny speaks of hell. Just as Paul encountered those who were jealous, angry, and refused the gospel message, we see these same kinds of people today. Paul’s letter was about the cross and the Savior who died on it, but for those who reject it, the cross is seen as foolish nonsense, yet they do not realize that they are perishing.

But, for those who hear and receive the message with joy, there is joy in heaven and here on earth. They are called saints because they call upon the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. God was pleased to use the gospel message through preaching. Again, Paul reiterates that the ones who reject are the same as the Jews who see the message as a stumbling block and the Greeks who seek signs.

The blessing for those who receive the message is things that no eye has seen, ear heard, or mind imagined; these are the things God has prepared for those who seek Him early and those who love Him. [Is 64:4]

Where do you stand, friend? Have you received the message of hope in the risen Christ?

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A Role Model

Are you bold or fearful

Acts 18 Description of Apollos
Character studies help us to learn how to interact with others. Apollos is an excellent example of someone who was fearless when he talked about Jesus. He listened carefully to Priscilla and Aquila and had a teachable spirit, for he did not know the whole story about Jesus and His resurrection. Later in his travels and visiting different cities and synagogues, Dr. Luke describes his presentation as refuting vigorously in public debate using the scriptures. What a great example of how to witness to unbelievers!

Each person we have met on our journey through Acts has defended Christ and His life using the scriptures. They are our role models for presentations. How much of the scriptures do we know?

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1 and 2 Thessalonians “Prayer Warriors”

Paul, Silas and Timothy are true praying persons. No matter the situation, we can find them praying for this new fledgling church even after facing persecution in Philippi and now the Judaizers who followed them to Thessalonica. They are a reminder of the verse that says a three stranded cord cannot be broken or like Samuel who prayed for the Israelites and reminded them that he could not stop praying for them even though they desired a king and rejected God. 

Paul, Silas and Timothy constantly thanked God for the Thessalonians; their work of faith, their labor of love and their endurance in the face of persecution. That is the way to face afflictions that come our way because the enemy seeks to undermine and destroy the faith. Yet, the Thessalonians persevered and were a testimony to that perseverance. 

How about us? Do we persevere in our prayer life even when times are challenging. Do we thank God for the saints in our congregations and the missionaries around the world?  

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Acts 15 “The Doctrine of Faith Alone”

Dr. Luke again has brought us full circle from Acts 2 to here, showing us the overwhelming presence of God as the emerging church victoriously overcomes the works of Satan. He has shown us the character qualities of God: “a God of forgiveness, merciful and compassionate, slow to get angry and unfailing in your loyal love.” [Nehemiah 9:17] Now, once again, Satan seeks to divide and conquer through a doctrinal controversy that the Judaizers (those religious Jews who followed the Law scrupulously) brought to a head by claiming one must be circumcised first before one can receive salvation. 

We stand on the sidelines through this Jerusalem council, witnessing the debate between the believing Jews, the Apostles, and Paul and Barnabas. But, it is Peter who finally, after hearing all of the back and forth, stands and reminds them all that it is God alone who converts and cleanses the heart. God alone bestows the Holy Spirit on those who bow the knee. It happens regardless if one is a Jew or a Gentile, as witnessed by the conversion of the Samaritans and Cornelius. The key is this: “we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus,” and it is “ by grace you are saved through faith, and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God;” [Eph 2:8]. What a gift God has bestowed upon us! We are saved not from obeying and following religious rituals but by taking a step of faith. Have you taken the step of faith?

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Living Victoriously

James 1 In times of testing, we can sit idly by or seek God’s comfort. We can seek understanding, and we can, through it all, be joyful. The fruit of our testing is endurance. It is also seen in how our heart has been touched and our motivations altered. We are no longer seeking just self-interests; we strive to assist the most vulnerable of citizens, the orphans and widows. James tells us: But be sure you live out the message and do not merely listen to it and deceive yourselves. In our quest to do that, we are often tempted to leave that behind and to seek that which benefits ourselves as opposed to that which the Lord modeled. So the first opportunity given to us is to reach beyond ourselves, without wavering, without doubting, and into the fray of the most needy of all that we might prove that our religion is true and without fault.

The question is, are we ready? Are we willing to see the test of our hearts first and foremost? Are we prepared to reap what we sow in the lives of those God brings to us?

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Jealousy

Acts 13-14 God called Paul and Barnabas to go to the lost people of the world. The church anointed them and sent them off. In their travels they met many who were interested but there was a group that audaciously threatened their work: jealous Jews. It seems that this attitude has been ongoing. It was for envy that the religious leaders sought for His crucifixion. Now the Jews in different parts of the Asian world in which these two men worked sought to eradicate their message of hope and eternal life. We too will face opposition and Jesus forewarned that this would be the case. Perhaps that is why He told the disciples to not be overly concerned but be faithful. The enemy of our world does not want to lose any of his converts and so as Paul later wrote: “the gold of this age has blinded the minds of those who do not believe so they would not see the light of the glorious gospel of Christ who is the image of God.” [2 Cor 4:4]

No matter where missionaries have gone, they have faced the ways of the enemy to distract, discourage, dishearten and more. It all boils down to this one attitude: jealousy. Satan is jealous because he is not the chosen on, Christ is. Jealousy is the fear that a rival may rob us of the affection of another. [Webster] In short, jealousy is awakened by whatever may exalt others and we saw that in the temptation of Christ.

As we seek to bring the good news to the lost, may we remember that it is not us they are rejecting, but the gospel of Christ. Remain firm, remain faithful. Your reward may only be seen in eternity.

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God Loves All!

Acts 10: Differences exist between being a “God-fearer” and a “God-believer.” Cornelius falls into the first category. He fears God, and in the only way he knows, he seeks this God that he knows about but does not know personally. We meet the Cornelius’ as we wander through our day-to-day activities. If asked, they say, yes, I “believe” in a God, but they do not “know” God in a personal way. Thus, this story about Cornelius is significant for us. It means we must recognize that God has called them, for he is unwilling that any should perish. Then, we step out of our comfort zone to share our faith. Peter, like us, is being nudged by the Spirit to take this step towards a Gentile he does not know and one that he considers to be apart from God’s blessings. God’s ways are mysterious but deliberate when he learns that one is hungering, but they do not know God’s love and salvation.

It is also significant that God calls Cornelius by name, for this is our assurance that God knows us by name whether we are a “God-fearer” or a “God-believer.” God has heard the prayers of Cornelius, and He has the answer through Simon Peter. Cornelius’ hunger to know this God of the Jews is relevant, for this is our world. In addition, Peter is much like us in so many ways. We understand and believe in God but are hesitant to share our faith for many reasons. But God sees and hears the hearts of the lost and uses us to “go and tell the good news” of his love and His forgiveness.

Do you know someone who is a “God-fearer” but not a “God-believer?” Let God move you and use you!

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Birthdays! Celebrate!

Acts 1-3 and 4-6 Let’s Celebrate the Birthday of the Church!
It’s really funny when memories of something of years ago return to remind you of something special.

In John’s gospel, we read that the forerunner, John the Baptist, prophesied that someone would come to him for baptism one day. When that happened, God said that the “one on whom you see the Spirit descending and remaining is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.” [John 1:33] In Acts 1 and 2, Jesus told his disciples to wait in Jerusalem for what the Father promised, for you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” [Acts 1:4, 5] In Acts 2, it actually happened!

God sent His Holy Spirit with violent wind blowing from heaven. Secondly, the tongues of fire spread to each one in the room. Lastly was the filling of the Holy Spirit and the ability to speak other languages. What a birthday celebration!

On Christmas, we celebrate the birthday of Jesus. On Pentecost, we celebrate the church’s birthday and the day the gift of the Holy Spirit was sent. What a celebration! Let’s all stop and praise God for the Holy Spirit upon the church and each believer!

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