Well, word got out about Peter going to Cornelius and the Jews didn’t like it. So Peter rehashes chapter 10. He finishes his defense in verse 17: “So if God gave them the same gift as he gave us, who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to think that I could oppose God?" Survey says…….hmmm……..good point. And so they gave no more objections and praised God!
We then read about a great number of Gentiles believing in Christ in Antioch. The Jerusalem church hears about this and thinks, hmmmm……….who could we send to encourage them in their new faith??? Ding – Joe Encourager = Barnabas! Yep, he is sent there to check it out and we read that he “…saw the evidence of the grace of God, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts.” But Barnabas knows they need to grow in their faith and, knowing his own giftedness, realizes this is a job for Saul. So he heads to Tarsus, finds him and brings him back to help these new believers. And it says that, “for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people.” They shared Jesus with them, helped them learn more and they were even mocked for doing so, as the term “Christian” was really meant to degrade. The chapter ends on a final note of encouragement. There was a famine and the disciples decided to help and who better to send the financial help with than Barnabas (& Saul).
SO WHAT?
*Ever have to defend your actions? If your actions are godly, the best way to defend what you did is by using the scriptures just as Peter did!
*The early church is continuing to grow – without retreats, without programs, without powerpoint, etc… We must always remember that spiritual growth & church growth is a God thing and our job is to point people to HIM. We read in Acts that “the Lord added to their number daily” or that “3000 believed that day” or that “the church increased in number.”, etc… If you go to each place where this is written in Acts and look at what happened just before to cause this growth you find that each time it was a result of the Gospel being preached! This is why I am so committed to sharing the Gospel at every student ministry gathering. Our visitors, as well as our own students, need to regularly hear the good news and have opportunity to respond. (By the way, so do you & I)
*If someone ever needed encouragement, would your friends contact you to send you because you are such an encourager? Maybe, maybe not. But we ALL are called to encourage one another (Hebrews 10) even if it’s not our gift. Most of the time we only go to people if we have complaints. Why not spend some time today encouraging someone whom God lays on your heart?!
*Finally, helping someone grow in their faith is VITAL! When I put my trust & faith in Jesus Christ I walked to the front of this little Baptist church in Eldridge Iowa. My knees were shaking and I didn’t understand much except that I knew I needed Jesus. An older gentleman named Dale Arentson took me aside and talked to me about my decision. Then he gave me a booklet called “Knowing Jesus” (Navigators booklet). He asked me if I would go thru the first few pages, write down my answers and asked if he could get with me later that week. And for the next 2 YEARS he met with me once a week and helped me understand the Bible! I can truly say that I would not be a student pastor today if it were not for his help. You’ll read in Acts that Paul & Barnabas did this over & over with new believers as well. It was vital for them, it was vital for me and it’s vital for you. Who is helping you learn the Bible? If you don’t have anyone, let’s talk & pray & see how we can get that to happen. It will cost you – but the rewards are out of this world!
THIS WEEK’S MEMORY VERSE:
“Then Peter began to speak: ‘I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right.’” Acts 10:34-35
Friday, May 18, 2012
Thursday, May 17, 2012
260 in 2012 DEVOS - Day 99 - Acts 10: Cornelius – More Proof that Jesus is for ALL People!
If any story in the Bible wreaks of God’s grace given freely without favoritism, this one does! Wow – which part of this chapter do I start with?! Mama Mia ~ There’s this Cornelius guy who is in charge of 100 soldiers and it says he & his family were “devout and God-fearing” but were not believers in Jesus (yet). He sees an angel who tells him to send some men to go get Peter so he can hear about Jesus. In the meanwhile, Peter gets hungry, falls into a trance and God spreads out a sort of tablecloth full of animals and tells him to eat them. Peter looks at what’s for dinner and reminds God that some of these things are not pure, to which God basically replies that it’s ok. This goes on for a bit and suddenly Cornelius’ men show up. Peter is a bit baffled (I’ll bet) but the Holy Spirit tells him to go see these men. They tell Peter that Cornelius sent them to hear about Jesus. Peter then takes advantage of this witnessing opportunity and then next day leaves for Cornelius’ house. As Peter enters Cornelius’ home (one small step for Peter, one HUGE step for world missions), Cornelius falls at his feet. Peter, realizing he’s only a man, tells him to get up and proceeds to share the good news of Jesus with him! What is that good news? That God “…does not show favoritism but accepts men from every nation…” It’s the “…good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all.” And they believe! God is saving Gentiles!!! Whoohoo – because that’s me!
SO WHAT?!
*It was a HUGE step for Peter to invite Gentiles into his home. But as God introduced a new standard, Peter responded with obedience. Change can be hard. In what area of thinking is God asking you to change? If we are daily being conformed to HIS image (Romans 8), that means we need to change. As we read these messages, let’s ask God to help us to obey them!
*Have you experienced God’s peace? Sure, we can have things going on in our lives that are unsettling but I’m talking about the peace that makes us right with God. Jesus offers that peace TODAY! All we can do is believe & receive!
*Is there someone or a group of people you “look down on”? Maybe there are some students at your school who are outcasts. Maybe where you work there are some who don’t get invited to lunch. Why not make today the day we start to agree with God – who shows no favoritism – and reach out to them?!
SO WHAT?!
*It was a HUGE step for Peter to invite Gentiles into his home. But as God introduced a new standard, Peter responded with obedience. Change can be hard. In what area of thinking is God asking you to change? If we are daily being conformed to HIS image (Romans 8), that means we need to change. As we read these messages, let’s ask God to help us to obey them!
*Have you experienced God’s peace? Sure, we can have things going on in our lives that are unsettling but I’m talking about the peace that makes us right with God. Jesus offers that peace TODAY! All we can do is believe & receive!
*Is there someone or a group of people you “look down on”? Maybe there are some students at your school who are outcasts. Maybe where you work there are some who don’t get invited to lunch. Why not make today the day we start to agree with God – who shows no favoritism – and reach out to them?!
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
260 in 2012 - DEVOS - Day 98 - Acts 9: The Gospel Transforms!
Church history is packed with examples of the power of the Gospel to change lives! Two off the top of my head are Josh McDowell & Lee Strobel – both who set out to prove Christianity wrong but instead the good news of Jesus transformed them. The same is true of Saul.
Saul was out to get Christians – arrested, killed, whatever, until in the middle of it all he meets Jesus – LITERALLY! Saul is confronted by Jesus and asked “Why do you persecute ME?” Get that? If you persecute God’s people, you are persecuting Him! Saul goes blind and is led to Ananias (not the dead one from chapter 5) just as Jesus told him. He is told “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit." Suddenly he can see, gets baptized, hangs out with the believers and begins to PREACH the very Jesus he was against! Both INNER & OUTER TRANSFORMATION takes place!
This news gets out and the people are both astonished at his message and trying to kill him. Even the disciples freaked out at the thought of Saul joining them! That’s when Joe Encourager – Barnabas - steps in again. He encouraged the believers by selling land in chapter 4 and now is source of encouragement to Saul when no one else would stick up for him. Barnabas explains how Saul is different now and so the disciples then accept him. Kuddos Barnabas! During this time of preaching it says that the church “…enjoyed a time of peace. It was strengthened; and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it grew in numbers, living in the fear of the Lord.”
Side note - Saul is gonna get shipped of to Tarsus for 3 chapters and Peter will come back on the scene in the meantime. Chapter 9 then concludes with Peter miraculously raising a godly woman named Tabitha from the dead which again leads many to put their trust & faith in Christ. One last thing, the final line of the chapter is short but powerful: “Peter stayed in Joppa for some time with a tanner named Simon.” A tanner was a person who made animal hides into leather. Ok, so what’s the big deal? Well, since tanners worked with dead animals they were seen as “unclean” and so Simon would have been shunned by the religious peeps. Wow – these are lessons Peter (and all of us) needed to learn & is learning (10:34).
SO WHAT?!
*I too am an example of a transformed life. I came to faith in Jesus in October of 1982 and I can totally relate to Paul’s words in 1 Timothy 1:12-17. And if you have put your trust & faith in Christ, you too are being transformed. The question is, would people who look at our lives be “astonished” at the way we live and be drawn to Jesus? Or, do our lives look no different that the life of an unbeliever so that they have no way to see Jesus?
*When was the last time you stood up for someone? We remember when people stick up for us, it leaves a deep mark. Let’s be Barnabas’ today!
*Who are the outcasts in your circles of influence: Your school? Your neighborhood? Your workplace? Be Jesus to them today……..you could save a life!
Saul was out to get Christians – arrested, killed, whatever, until in the middle of it all he meets Jesus – LITERALLY! Saul is confronted by Jesus and asked “Why do you persecute ME?” Get that? If you persecute God’s people, you are persecuting Him! Saul goes blind and is led to Ananias (not the dead one from chapter 5) just as Jesus told him. He is told “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit." Suddenly he can see, gets baptized, hangs out with the believers and begins to PREACH the very Jesus he was against! Both INNER & OUTER TRANSFORMATION takes place!
This news gets out and the people are both astonished at his message and trying to kill him. Even the disciples freaked out at the thought of Saul joining them! That’s when Joe Encourager – Barnabas - steps in again. He encouraged the believers by selling land in chapter 4 and now is source of encouragement to Saul when no one else would stick up for him. Barnabas explains how Saul is different now and so the disciples then accept him. Kuddos Barnabas! During this time of preaching it says that the church “…enjoyed a time of peace. It was strengthened; and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it grew in numbers, living in the fear of the Lord.”
Side note - Saul is gonna get shipped of to Tarsus for 3 chapters and Peter will come back on the scene in the meantime. Chapter 9 then concludes with Peter miraculously raising a godly woman named Tabitha from the dead which again leads many to put their trust & faith in Christ. One last thing, the final line of the chapter is short but powerful: “Peter stayed in Joppa for some time with a tanner named Simon.” A tanner was a person who made animal hides into leather. Ok, so what’s the big deal? Well, since tanners worked with dead animals they were seen as “unclean” and so Simon would have been shunned by the religious peeps. Wow – these are lessons Peter (and all of us) needed to learn & is learning (10:34).
SO WHAT?!
*I too am an example of a transformed life. I came to faith in Jesus in October of 1982 and I can totally relate to Paul’s words in 1 Timothy 1:12-17. And if you have put your trust & faith in Christ, you too are being transformed. The question is, would people who look at our lives be “astonished” at the way we live and be drawn to Jesus? Or, do our lives look no different that the life of an unbeliever so that they have no way to see Jesus?
*When was the last time you stood up for someone? We remember when people stick up for us, it leaves a deep mark. Let’s be Barnabas’ today!
*Who are the outcasts in your circles of influence: Your school? Your neighborhood? Your workplace? Be Jesus to them today……..you could save a life!
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
260 in 2012 - DEVOS - Day 97 - Acts 8: More Persecution and the Ministry of Phillip
We read in Acts 1:8 that the purpose of the Holy Spirit’s coming is to give believers the power to be witnesses for Jesus – “…in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." And it’s happening: Acts 1 = Jerusalem, Acts 2-7 = Judea and now in chapter 8 = Samaria! How cool is that?!~!
We read that on the day Stephen was killed for his faith, a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem that scattered everyone except the disciples. It also says that a man named Saul (whom we will discuss tomorrow in Acts 9) was leading this charge.
The rest of the chapter tells us about the ministry of Phillip. This is not Phillip, the disciple of Jesus, but is Phillip the deacon chosen in Acts 6:5. He had been scattered and is now taking the good news of Jesus to Samaria! God did healings & miracles thru him that brought great joy to this city.
Also in Samaria was a magician named Simon who was also amazing all the people – enter here: competition. It says that people believed Phillip’s message and believed and were baptized and followed him – even Simon. When he noticed the disciples laying hands on people and the people receiving the Holy Spirit, he wanted in on the action. But Peter’s reply revealed Simon’s heart, “May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money! You have no part or share in this ministry, because your heart is not right before God. Repent of this wickedness and pray to the Lord. Perhaps he will forgive you for having such a thought in your heart. For I see that you are full of bitterness and captive to sin." And Simon’s reply? “Pray to the Lord for me so that nothing you have said may happen to me."
Ok, so Phillip is having this great ministry in Samaria and then God tells him to go somewhere else and he obeys. So he’s heading down this road and meets this big wig treasurer for the queen of Ethiopia. Phillip hears him reading the book of Isaiah and asks him if he understands it. He basically says no, I need help and so Phillip used Isaiah to tell him about Jesus! Totally cool – the Ethiopian eunuch (ask your parents what this is) believes and when he sees some waters asks to get baptized! As he’s coming out of the water the Holy Spirit (I vision Star Trek here) transports Phillip outta’ there and he appears later in another city preaching the Gospel – sweet!
SO WHAT?
*God is fulfilling His Word (acts 1:8), spreading the good news of Jesus through his people! Are you involved in this good work? We can come up with lots of excuses – “I’m not outgoing”, “I don’t know what to say”, “I’m busy serving the Lord in other ways”, etc… but ALL believers are called to be fruitful, multiply and fill the earth. God is in the business of scattering us - one way or another. Let’s enjoy the AWESOME privilege share Jesus today!
*So……was Simon a believer or a make-believer? Did he truly believe & then sin, or did he never really believe? Good question! I don’t know his heart – but you know your heart and I know mine – and God knows every heart. What is your motive for following Jesus?
*Has God ever called you to a new place? It’s tough to leave the “comfortable” and obey God. Twice now Jean & I have sensed God was calling us to a new ministry and each time it’s been painful! But both of us want God’s will over being comfortable! And we know that God will bless our obedience. Is there an urging in your life you believe is from God? Pray, get godly counsel, then go for it and trust the Lord!
We read that on the day Stephen was killed for his faith, a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem that scattered everyone except the disciples. It also says that a man named Saul (whom we will discuss tomorrow in Acts 9) was leading this charge.
The rest of the chapter tells us about the ministry of Phillip. This is not Phillip, the disciple of Jesus, but is Phillip the deacon chosen in Acts 6:5. He had been scattered and is now taking the good news of Jesus to Samaria! God did healings & miracles thru him that brought great joy to this city.
Also in Samaria was a magician named Simon who was also amazing all the people – enter here: competition. It says that people believed Phillip’s message and believed and were baptized and followed him – even Simon. When he noticed the disciples laying hands on people and the people receiving the Holy Spirit, he wanted in on the action. But Peter’s reply revealed Simon’s heart, “May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money! You have no part or share in this ministry, because your heart is not right before God. Repent of this wickedness and pray to the Lord. Perhaps he will forgive you for having such a thought in your heart. For I see that you are full of bitterness and captive to sin." And Simon’s reply? “Pray to the Lord for me so that nothing you have said may happen to me."
Ok, so Phillip is having this great ministry in Samaria and then God tells him to go somewhere else and he obeys. So he’s heading down this road and meets this big wig treasurer for the queen of Ethiopia. Phillip hears him reading the book of Isaiah and asks him if he understands it. He basically says no, I need help and so Phillip used Isaiah to tell him about Jesus! Totally cool – the Ethiopian eunuch (ask your parents what this is) believes and when he sees some waters asks to get baptized! As he’s coming out of the water the Holy Spirit (I vision Star Trek here) transports Phillip outta’ there and he appears later in another city preaching the Gospel – sweet!
SO WHAT?
*God is fulfilling His Word (acts 1:8), spreading the good news of Jesus through his people! Are you involved in this good work? We can come up with lots of excuses – “I’m not outgoing”, “I don’t know what to say”, “I’m busy serving the Lord in other ways”, etc… but ALL believers are called to be fruitful, multiply and fill the earth. God is in the business of scattering us - one way or another. Let’s enjoy the AWESOME privilege share Jesus today!
*So……was Simon a believer or a make-believer? Did he truly believe & then sin, or did he never really believe? Good question! I don’t know his heart – but you know your heart and I know mine – and God knows every heart. What is your motive for following Jesus?
*Has God ever called you to a new place? It’s tough to leave the “comfortable” and obey God. Twice now Jean & I have sensed God was calling us to a new ministry and each time it’s been painful! But both of us want God’s will over being comfortable! And we know that God will bless our obedience. Is there an urging in your life you believe is from God? Pray, get godly counsel, then go for it and trust the Lord!
Monday, May 14, 2012
260 in 2012 DEVOS - Day 96 - Acts 7: Stephen – Defender of the Faith
You & I have been called to represent God to a lost generation. And to reach friends, family and even strangers effectively with the Gospel, we must be able to defend our faith – to know what we believe and why we believe it! Stephen does this very thing in chapter 7 by answering the accusations in 6:13-14 and, in doing so, became the first recorded Christian martyr.
1-19: He begins by explaining that he believes fully in the God of Israel. From Abraham thru Joseph he explains that Jesus is the perfect fulfillment of the old testament.
20-39: Then he goes from Moses to the Babylonian captivity explaining that he indeed does honor Moses and it was actually THEY who rejected him (39).
40-43: Basically Stephen communicates that he believes in the law and that Moses was the recipient!
44-53: Finally, Stephen explains that he does respect the temple – but hey, “God doesn’t live in houses made by men.” i.e. you look good on the outside but inside are “unclean.” And then to be clear he states, “You stiff-necked people, with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You are just like your fathers: You always resist the Holy Spirit! Was there ever a prophet your fathers did not persecute? They even killed those who predicted the coming of the Righteous One. And now you have betrayed and murdered him— you who have received the law that was put into effect through angels but have not obeyed it." And you can guess what the next verse says………yep……………they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him. But he doesn’t stop, he continues by telling them He sees Jesus! And yep, this pushed them over their limits. They drug Stephen out of the city and stoned him to death. Stephen was so focused on Jesus his only replies were “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." Then he fell on his knees and cried out, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them." When he had said this, he fell asleep. What a witness for Jesus! And oh, take note that the one holding the clothes of the stone tossers was Saul……
SO WHAT?!
*What do you believe about Jesus? Do you know what you believe and why? If the only answer we give in Sunday school is Jesus, God or the Bible, then it’s time to pray and start digging into God’s Word. Each of us must take ownership of our faith. Our parent’s faith, our pastor’s faith and the faith of our friends will never make us right with God. We must each own our faith!
*When is it hardest for you to stand up for what you believe? Is it in classes that teach things contrary to the Bible? Maybe it’s with your friends whom you want to like you? Or a boss that you respect? Ask God for boldness to speak the truth with gentleness and respect – He wants to give it to you and me!
1-19: He begins by explaining that he believes fully in the God of Israel. From Abraham thru Joseph he explains that Jesus is the perfect fulfillment of the old testament.
20-39: Then he goes from Moses to the Babylonian captivity explaining that he indeed does honor Moses and it was actually THEY who rejected him (39).
40-43: Basically Stephen communicates that he believes in the law and that Moses was the recipient!
44-53: Finally, Stephen explains that he does respect the temple – but hey, “God doesn’t live in houses made by men.” i.e. you look good on the outside but inside are “unclean.” And then to be clear he states, “You stiff-necked people, with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You are just like your fathers: You always resist the Holy Spirit! Was there ever a prophet your fathers did not persecute? They even killed those who predicted the coming of the Righteous One. And now you have betrayed and murdered him— you who have received the law that was put into effect through angels but have not obeyed it." And you can guess what the next verse says………yep……………they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him. But he doesn’t stop, he continues by telling them He sees Jesus! And yep, this pushed them over their limits. They drug Stephen out of the city and stoned him to death. Stephen was so focused on Jesus his only replies were “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." Then he fell on his knees and cried out, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them." When he had said this, he fell asleep. What a witness for Jesus! And oh, take note that the one holding the clothes of the stone tossers was Saul……
SO WHAT?!
*What do you believe about Jesus? Do you know what you believe and why? If the only answer we give in Sunday school is Jesus, God or the Bible, then it’s time to pray and start digging into God’s Word. Each of us must take ownership of our faith. Our parent’s faith, our pastor’s faith and the faith of our friends will never make us right with God. We must each own our faith!
*When is it hardest for you to stand up for what you believe? Is it in classes that teach things contrary to the Bible? Maybe it’s with your friends whom you want to like you? Or a boss that you respect? Ask God for boldness to speak the truth with gentleness and respect – He wants to give it to you and me!
Friday, May 11, 2012
260 in 2012 DEVOS - Day 95 - Acts 6: Spiritual Organization & Transition
God’s church had been experiencing some pretty amazing & explosive growth. By now, the estimated number of disciples was in the range of 20,000! And if you’re gonna’ meet the spiritual & physical needs of a group this size, it requires organization!
Some cultural issues were beginning to divide the church, specifically some widows got overlooked while they were passing out food. The enemy has tried to corrupt, persecute and now divide believers – and still works at that today. The process we see in verses 1-7 can teach us a lot about choosing spiritual leaders.
First, they responded to needs and what the Holy Spirit had been doing. That is what a church should do. Apostles could no longer do it all and so they sought leadership help.
Secondly, these leaders were to be:
- Men
- Believers
- Spirit Filled
- Wise
Thirdly, we learn what a shepherd’s priorities should be: Prayer & the Word of God! Whenever, as pastors, we get away from those two things, the flock will suffer.
Finally, these men are approved & supported by the church as the leaders “prayed and laid their hands on them.”
One of these men was Stephen, an amazing man whom God will use in the book of Acts as a transition between Peter & Paul. Up ‘til now, Peter has been the leader in the early church, but that baton is about to be handed to Paul.
Stephen was “full of God’s grace and power” and those who apposed him could not stand up against the Holy Spirit’s message he spoke. Because of that, they start a rumor that he was against Moses & God which stirs up enough controversy to get him arrested. Then they produce false witnesses against him as well. While the Sanhedrin are listening to all this garbage, they keep looking over at Stephen and it says ”they saw that his face was like the face of an angel.” Basically, they weren’t buying it so they asked Stephen if the charges were true. The next chapter gives his response.
SO WHAT?
*Although the reference is to shepherds, having a focus on the Bible and prayer would be a great focus for all of us. Having said this, how’s your focus? Since you’re probably already reading thru Acts, why not start a specific list of things you can be praying about so that you can pray more? It will be a blessing!
*In what way are you serving in your church? Doesn’t matter what age you are, we were “created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
*Have you ever stood up for God and been accused of things that are false? This happens at times with God’s people. When it does we can trust God to be our defender!
Some cultural issues were beginning to divide the church, specifically some widows got overlooked while they were passing out food. The enemy has tried to corrupt, persecute and now divide believers – and still works at that today. The process we see in verses 1-7 can teach us a lot about choosing spiritual leaders.
First, they responded to needs and what the Holy Spirit had been doing. That is what a church should do. Apostles could no longer do it all and so they sought leadership help.
Secondly, these leaders were to be:
- Men
- Believers
- Spirit Filled
- Wise
Thirdly, we learn what a shepherd’s priorities should be: Prayer & the Word of God! Whenever, as pastors, we get away from those two things, the flock will suffer.
Finally, these men are approved & supported by the church as the leaders “prayed and laid their hands on them.”
One of these men was Stephen, an amazing man whom God will use in the book of Acts as a transition between Peter & Paul. Up ‘til now, Peter has been the leader in the early church, but that baton is about to be handed to Paul.
Stephen was “full of God’s grace and power” and those who apposed him could not stand up against the Holy Spirit’s message he spoke. Because of that, they start a rumor that he was against Moses & God which stirs up enough controversy to get him arrested. Then they produce false witnesses against him as well. While the Sanhedrin are listening to all this garbage, they keep looking over at Stephen and it says ”they saw that his face was like the face of an angel.” Basically, they weren’t buying it so they asked Stephen if the charges were true. The next chapter gives his response.
SO WHAT?
*Although the reference is to shepherds, having a focus on the Bible and prayer would be a great focus for all of us. Having said this, how’s your focus? Since you’re probably already reading thru Acts, why not start a specific list of things you can be praying about so that you can pray more? It will be a blessing!
*In what way are you serving in your church? Doesn’t matter what age you are, we were “created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
*Have you ever stood up for God and been accused of things that are false? This happens at times with God’s people. When it does we can trust God to be our defender!
Thursday, May 10, 2012
260 in 2012 DEVOS - Day 94 - Acts 5: First Youth Service Project, Great Fear & More Persecution
Well it didn’t take long for sin to show itself in the early church. Right after we read of the “sharing of the saints” in 4:32-37, we kick off chapter 5 with a “sins of the saints” incident. So you’ve got Ananias & Sapphira who decide they want to sell some land in order to give money to the Lord – totally good thing. Then, they kept some money for themselves and gave the rest - still good. BUT – they made it LOOK like they gave it all – NOT good. This was deception and Peter said to Ananias that he had “lied to the Holy Spirit.” As a result, the first youth ministry in the church was started: Carrying out dead people! (rings of Monty Python’s “Bring out your dead”…) Anyway, so in toodles Sapphira a few hours later, Peter confronts her as well, and yep, she drops dead! And it says that “Great fear seized the whole church and all who heard about these events.” I’ll bet!
In spite of all this, the apostles keep performing all these miraculous signs and teaching Jesus. The religious peeps become jealous and so again they arrest the disciples and throw them in jail. But this time an angel of the Lord opens the doors, releases them and basically tells them to get back out there and share Christ! This REALLY upsets the religious peeps: “We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name…………yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man's blood." You gotta’ love the boldness of the Holy Spirit in their reply: "We must obey God rather than men! The God of our fathers raised Jesus from the dead—whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree.” Let me translate – yep YOU ARE guilty! Ok - now they are FURIOUS with the disciples.
Insert wisdom from Gamaliel – who basically says look, let them be, “For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God." They buy his speech, but still beat the disciples before their release and tell them (for the third time in 2 chapters) to stop talking about Jesus! And the disciples reaction? Whoohoo - they beat us up for telling others about Jesus, lets keep it up! (ok….. a Mr Bill paraphrase)
SO WHAT?!
*Sin is horrible. And sin in the church is horrible. I am thankful for God’s amazing grace & forgiveness but that should never cause us to wink at our sin. God doesn’t, it kills Him (pun intended). Ananias & Sapphira were guilty of trying to look better than God knew they were. Ever done that? Yeah, the youth should be carrying me out too! Let’s stop trying to look so good and be more concerned about our heart, God certainly is. We need to have a holy “Fear” toward sin.
*Have you ever been discouraged about sharing Christ with someone? Been rejected, ignored, made fun of or told to stop? I regularly take students to the mall to share Christ with people. It’s not my favorite way of sharing Jesus, but it is A WAY. We’ve been stopped numerous times by mall security (even escorted out at Memorial City once). Each time they’ve asked what we were doing and each time we’ve shared the gospel with them. And each time they’ve said that although they couldn’t keep us from sharing our faith, that it didn’t mean they wouldn’t be stopping us again. One mall cop even told us to keep it up! Whenever the Gospel is shared, some will be hostile, some will be indifferent and others will believe. For the sake of those who will believe, let’s be active in sharing our faith and not let Satan discourage us! What might happen to all those students who heard of Christ at the mall if we had just stopped talking about Jesus?!~!
In spite of all this, the apostles keep performing all these miraculous signs and teaching Jesus. The religious peeps become jealous and so again they arrest the disciples and throw them in jail. But this time an angel of the Lord opens the doors, releases them and basically tells them to get back out there and share Christ! This REALLY upsets the religious peeps: “We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name…………yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man's blood." You gotta’ love the boldness of the Holy Spirit in their reply: "We must obey God rather than men! The God of our fathers raised Jesus from the dead—whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree.” Let me translate – yep YOU ARE guilty! Ok - now they are FURIOUS with the disciples.
Insert wisdom from Gamaliel – who basically says look, let them be, “For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God." They buy his speech, but still beat the disciples before their release and tell them (for the third time in 2 chapters) to stop talking about Jesus! And the disciples reaction? Whoohoo - they beat us up for telling others about Jesus, lets keep it up! (ok….. a Mr Bill paraphrase)
SO WHAT?!
*Sin is horrible. And sin in the church is horrible. I am thankful for God’s amazing grace & forgiveness but that should never cause us to wink at our sin. God doesn’t, it kills Him (pun intended). Ananias & Sapphira were guilty of trying to look better than God knew they were. Ever done that? Yeah, the youth should be carrying me out too! Let’s stop trying to look so good and be more concerned about our heart, God certainly is. We need to have a holy “Fear” toward sin.
*Have you ever been discouraged about sharing Christ with someone? Been rejected, ignored, made fun of or told to stop? I regularly take students to the mall to share Christ with people. It’s not my favorite way of sharing Jesus, but it is A WAY. We’ve been stopped numerous times by mall security (even escorted out at Memorial City once). Each time they’ve asked what we were doing and each time we’ve shared the gospel with them. And each time they’ve said that although they couldn’t keep us from sharing our faith, that it didn’t mean they wouldn’t be stopping us again. One mall cop even told us to keep it up! Whenever the Gospel is shared, some will be hostile, some will be indifferent and others will believe. For the sake of those who will believe, let’s be active in sharing our faith and not let Satan discourage us! What might happen to all those students who heard of Christ at the mall if we had just stopped talking about Jesus?!~!
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