The Promised Gift of God To Us (All)

This week we are looking at the Early Church and reading Acts 1-10,12.  I started this blog entry while away on vacation but realized I shouldn't really send it out until now, otherwise I would be ahead of where we are in our sermon series.  While away I had a chance to read through the recommended chapters of Acts twice and since being home I've also read the same passages again in "The Story" Bible which many have a copy of. Each time I read these passages I get excited! The promised Holy Spirit was poured out on Jesus' followers! My prayer is that we see this same Holy Spirit power operating within in our lives and our church body.

I make the practice of underlining key words and phrases that begin to pop out as I read the Bible.  I also underline promises and commands and those things we can expect to happen when we believe and / or obey the word.  Consequently my Bible has lots of marks on it, especially in the book of Acts after reading it again several times! Underlining also helps me to remember His Word and find things more easily.  

The early church started and continued to grow as a result of the promised "gift" - the gift of His Holy Spirit. Jesus gave them this command: "Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about.  For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit".  Acts 1:4,5

Jesus also said, "... But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth." Acts 1:8

When Jesus ascended, the disciples (120 followers in all) gathered together and prayed and waited for the promised gift. On the day of Pentecost (10 days after Jesus ascended to heaven), the place shook and "They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them."  Acts 2:3,4  They were declaring the wonders of God as prophesied.  "In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people..." Acts 2:17

Peter preaches his first sermon ... the resurrection of the Christ who died for our sins.  "God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of the fact.  Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what what you now see and hear." Acts 2:32,33 ... keep reading ... Peter says ... "Repent and be baptized, everyone of you, in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off  (you and I too! ) - for all whom the Lord our God will call"  Acts 2:28,39 They accepted Peter's good news message and 3000 get added to the church that day! Acts 2:41

Peter heals a cripple in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth. A crowd gathers and Peter gets to preach again proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead.  "Many who heard the message believed and the number of men grew to about 5000." Acts 4:4

When Peter was questioned by the high priest who asked him "By what power or what name did you do this? (i.e. heal the cripple?)  Peter, recognized as an unschooled, ordinary man by those who knew him, but now, filled with the Holy Spirit and courage, He responds and again shares the gospel, ...  "Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved." Acts 4:13.  

Peter and John were told by the chief priest not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.  They responded, "we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard." Acts 4:20. Everyone was praising the Lord and they gathered and prayed and the place where they were meeting was shaken.  And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly."  Acts 4:31

Miraculous signs and wonders were performed among the people.  Crowds gathered, the sick were brought and all of them were healed.  They are persecuted.  They are put in jail.  An angel of the Lord gets them out and they are told to keep telling the people the full message of this new life (in Christ). "The God of our fathers raised Jesus from the dead whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree.  God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Saviour that he might give repentance and forgiveness of sins to Israel.  We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him." Acts 5:32

"They never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ."  Acts 5:42  So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith." Acts 6:7

Now we read the story of Stephen, the first martyr who was stoned to death.  Notice he was actually an ordinary, committed follower like you and I but filled with the Holy Spirit, like you and I can be.  He is described as a man full of God's grace and power, and one who did great wonders and miraculous signs among the people. Acts 6:8 His opposition, the high priests of the Sanhedrin could not stand up against his wisdom or the Spirit by which Stephen spoke.  Acts 6:10

Philip was another follower like you and I, who was filled with Holy Spirit and did miraculous signs and healings and we see how he was obedient to the Spirit's leading and how he effectively shares the gospel with someone who was seeking God.

We then learn about Sauls' conversion how Jesus appears to him and confronts him on the road to Dasmacus and choses him to be his apostle to carry his name to the Gentiles and their kings. Paul was also filled with the Holy Spirit.  After spending several days with the disciples in Damascus he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God. 

The next scene we see, in Acts 10, is that Peter is called to minister to a Gentile named Cornelius. Peter shares the gospel with him (see Acts 10:34 - 43) and while he was still speaking the Holy Spirit is poured out on all who were hearing the message. Gentiles also receive the Holy Spirit!  Finally! Yeh!

Do you get the picture?  As a believer in Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord we have also been given the promised gift of the Holy Spirit.  When we are obedient to Him and desire to share the good news with others, he gives us wisdom and boldness and courage so that what we can share with power.  People will be added to the kingdom of God.  People will repent and believe and also be filled with the Holy Spirit.  The message will continue to go forth and many will be saved. When others see our love, they will want what we have.  We need to be prepared to share your testimony and the good news of the gospel with others who are seeking.  

Let's be filled with the Holy Spirit.  Let's receive him in all his fullness by faith.  God has promised us the gift of His Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit equips us with power, courage, boldness and wisdom to share the good news with others. Let's use the gift(s) He has given us. Let's not fear. As we go, in His name and authority, let's love one another, serve one another, love and serve our neighbours, and be prepared to tell our story of how we came to know Jesus as our Lord and Saviour and why Jesus means so much to us.

Let's let Jesus live his life in us by His Holy Spirit and as we abide in Him we too will see much fruit. Remember that Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever and he has provided us with His power and authority and says that he will be with us always as we serve Him and demonstrate His love for others. He has given us the same Holy Spirit as was given to the 120 that were baptized with fire on the day of Pentecost!  Let's serve Him boldly! 

Idolatry - Avoid This Ride

Merry-Go-Round (or Sadly-Go-Round)

In the book of Judges, we read great stories about some great heroes who are called by God to save God's children (the Israelites) from oppression and slavery again and again ... and again.  As a believer and follower of Christ, I sometimes shake my head and find it hard to understand how the Israelites kept on getting on the "merry-go-round" that they were on ... choosing to disobey God, worshiping other Gods, soon realizing that God wasn't on their side anymore, crying out to God asking to be delivered, God showing His compassion and mercy and providing a saviour (Judge), experiencing peace and the good life for awhile and then soon falling into the trap of idol worship again after the Judge dies. Over and over the ride takes them through the same cycle.  And the kids don't even learn from their parents mistakes! In fact they often did what was more evil in the sight of the Lord.  Hopefully we can learn from the mistakes of others as we read these accounts in the Bible!  Unfortunately, we often don't.  And this can apply to us a Christ followers.  Our enemy can cause us to get a "free" ticket on the ride that can lead to ... well, ... let's just call them problems.
Who Me - I don't have any idols?
The Israelites got into trouble primarily because they didn't do what God told them to do initially.  They were supposed to eliminate everything that was unholy and everyone that worshiped other gods.  They didn't obey.  Some even intermarried with the Canaanites (a no, no!) and consequently began to worship false gods.  When this happens, God gets jealous and angry and lets them (and us) suffer the consequences of their (our) own sin. He doesn't protect them and care for them the way He wants to and consequently, they get taken over by other kingdoms ...trapped ...enslaved ...oppressed and miserable until they can't take it anymore and once again, they cry out to God asking to be delivered.

Guess what?  We can fall into the same trap and cycle. Our idols may be not idols like the Israelites worshiped but they still can become idols to us and keep us from worshiping and serving our Heavenly Father (God) with all our hearts, soul, mind and strength.  Here is a short list of things and activities (all somewhat innocent and "good") that can potentially become idols in our lives: TV, Sports, Fitness, Music, Food, Drink, Automobiles, "Toys", Hobbies, Reading and Studying, Work / Vocation, Money, Leisure Time, Our Kids, Computers, Cell Phones, Friends, Movies, etc. and then there is a whole list of knowingly sinful activities that we can become addictive to if we are not careful.  As followers of Christ we have many good things available to us that can easily become our idols and keep us away from seeking first the kingdom of God and making Him # 1.
Flee Idolatry and Pursue Christ-Likeness

If you or I get caught in the trap of modern day idolatry having one or more idols in our lives, we need to smash our idols and repent and confess our idolatrous behaviour as sin! We need to turn around and be filled with the Spirit and get on the "ride" that allows us to rest in the Spirit and walk in the Spirit.

Galatians 5:22-24 says, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, and self control."  We need self control even when we participate in "good" things.  Don't let them take control and become an idol.  ..."Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires".

2 Peter 1:5-8 also gives us some great
instruction on what kind of life to pursue as we seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness. When we do this He cares for us and provides all our needs and watches over us as His children.

Lessons from Adam and Eve's Mistakes

I am hoping that as we do the The Story we can extract a few lessons and principles and truths that will help us all grow spiritually and become great leaders and disciple makers together. Here are few (of the potentially many) that I will share from this week's lesson.
Remember Who is in control.
In the beginning ...God.  He created everything.  He created you and I.  He loves us so much and knows the plans that He has for us.  He knows everything about You and knows the influence you will have on others. If we choose well and obey Him and trust Him he will direct our paths because He wants you to live a blessed life ... a life that others will want to have too.  If we sin there are consequences but we don't have to remain in sin.  We can be thankful that we know the end of the story and that we have a redeemer who is Jesus Christ, who is able to forgive all our sins and who cleanses us from all unrighteousness.

Remember to Walk and Talk with Him Before Adam and Eve committed the original sin in the garden, God came down to have fellowship with His kids daily.  He loved to talk with them, play with them, listen to them, teach them.  Everyday God would set aside time to have "quality" time with His kids.  Someday this kind of relationship with God will be perfectly restored.  In the meantime, we should still take time to spend time with Him each and every day.  By His Holy Spirit and as we read His Word, He speaks to us very plainly.  We can rest in Him and simply listen to His voice as His Holy Spirit speaks to our spirit.  As sheep of our Shepherd (Jesus), we will know His voice.  And of course we can talk to Him the same way that you and I can talk with one another.  We can be honest with Him and tell Him anything.  He hears our prayers.  He listens. He understands.  And as required and at just the right time He acts, He answers, He makes things happen on our behalf so that He can receive all the glory as He works things out.  Spend time daily with Him!
Remember we all mess up and make mistakes Some of you remember PBPGIFWMY (Please Be Patient God Isn't Finished With Me Yet). That is so true!  Don't be like Adam and Eve and Cain ... blaming someone else for their mistake or sin or bad attitude.  We need to be honest, be genuine, be humble, be willing to confess our sin, say we are sorry and make things right when necessary. Let's not hide and be ashamed and become hypocrites (pretending to be someone we are not).  We can be washed clean and continually seek to become like Him.  O To Be Like Thee!
Don't Take "Short Cuts"  As you lead make sure you take enough time to prepare for the weekly study and don't leave it to the last minute.  Spend time with Him.  Pray.  Study to show yourself approved.  And then let Him have control over what happens in your small group as you let Him take the lead..  You do your part and He will do His part in your life and the lives of others. Pray for those who are in your group, pray for one another (leaders) and if time permits, pray for me.