Posts Tagged ‘ Church ’
I have asked one thing from the Lord; it is what I desire: to dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, gazing on the beauty of the Lord and seeking him in his temple.
Psalm 27:4, CSB
Let us help each other through life, guiding each other to worship God and gather together for His glory.
If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand.
Mark 3:25, CSB
God should be our source of hope, joy, and peace. Apart from Him is division and anxiety. Let us trust God and love His Church and the unity we have in Christ.
I preached again!
I was honored to once again be with the brethren in Paulden Christian Fellowship.
As usual, these are my rough notes, so not necessarily everything I said while preaching.
Ever been told news that changed everything? (Birth, Death, Dying, New Job, Lost Job, Prison, Debt [Forgiveness])
[Read passage]
v. 6c – “These men who have turned the whole world upside down” – More true than they realized. The gospel is a world- and life-changing message.
The true Roman Road was the Egnatian Way that went from Byzantium (Constantinople/Istanbul) to the west coast of Greece, about 1000 miles, to head toward Rome. Each of the cities listed are about a day’s journey by foot from each other, so that from Philippi to Thessalonica it’s about 100 miles.
Paul’s custom was to go to the synagogues in a city, and he spent three weeks showing/proving the truth of Jesus’ death and resurrection from the Hebrew Scriptures (OT: ex: Psalm 22, Isaiah 53, Zechariah 12-13).
The death and resurrection of Jesus is actually one of the most provable events in ancient history.
Three R’s: Reception, Resistance, and Recompense
Reception: v. 4: Some Jews, many devout Greeks, and a few leading women all believed.
Some Jews: We see that Jason is one who believed àRomans 16:21 calls Lucius (Acts 13:1), Jason (here), and Sosipater from Berea his “kinsmen” as an indicator that these are Jews. Jason may also have been one of the wealthier people as he housed them and had money to pay bail from prison.
Resistance: v. 5: Non-believing Jews get some wicked men of the rabble àthe lay-abouts and lazy men, prone to violence and crime, from the marketplace.
Continuing the trend begun in ancient times: the Israelites choosing the follow their idolatrous neighbors rather than what God has said. Choosing to try to kill the messengers rather than deal with their sin, like they did with the prophets.
Continuing the trend at Jesus’ arrest and crucifixion: “We have no king but Caesar!” “It is better to injure and kill these people!”
Continuing the trend seen in Acts: They’re messing up what we have, so let’s riot and get violent!
Recompense: (Payment) vv. 6-9: The people wanted retribution, but the authorities were paid the usual bail by Jason and the others. The people did not get the blood they hoped for, but it was still costly for the disciples.
Application:
Reception: What have you done with the gospel message? Do you believe, or are you resistant?
Resistance: We must realize that this fallen world will be resistant to the message, often getting violent.
Jewish Leadership (w/Jesus, Acts 4-9 … and the rest of Acts)
Roman government
Celsus (writing about 175)
Persecution around the world today. (2024: About 7,700 churches attacked; >200k displaced; >380M living under persecution)
Recompense: No, this is not where I call for giving to the church, though that is good for believers to do.
The world will want our blood, for violence to happen to us, to lie about us or misuse the truth (like with Jesus and the early Christians.)
Ironically, Paul’s letters to the Thessalonians deal with Christians who act more like the rabble seen in Acts 17, and he reminds those fearful for those who have died that we have hope in the Second Coming of Christ. God’s remuneration will come for all, with all of the verses that remind us of His vengeance and justice.
[2 Thessalonians 1:5-12]
Revelation 20-22 further reminds us that only those whose names are in the Lamb’s Book of Life will enter eternal life, while the rest receive their just punishment in the Lake of Fire.
We have hope, which helps face the troubles of this world, even with news that changes everything. (Birth, Death, Dying, New Job, Lost Job, Prison, Debt [Forgiveness])
The Good News of Jesus Christ should change everything about our lives. (Family, Friends, Work/Job/Business, seeing politics/government, community/global issues)
Change how we see truth.
Change how we see religion. Change how we think about God.
even there your hand will lead me; your right hand will hold on to me.
Psalm 139:10, CSB
No matter what life brings, God is in control. It is best to trust Him and live by His leading as found in the Bible, by the Holy Spirit, and with help from the Church.
For am I now trying to persuade people, or God? Or am I striving to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.
Galatians 1:10, CSB
We are called to be priests under our High Priest, and while we seek to bring others along, our first devotion is to please God in every area of our lives. This includes reaching others through His love.
If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.
Colossians 3:1, ESV
We are all called to be priests under our High Priest, Jesus, who is at the right hand of the Father. Let us seek Him and to make Him known by knowing and sharing His Word.
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.
John 13:34, ESV
God has given us peace through Christ by revealing His love through the cross, and now we carry that peace by loving His Church with the same sacrificial love He showed us.
Looking at a daily devotional, I couldn’t help noticing that our American day of Tahnksgiving falls on the 333rd day of the year.
My mind immediately thought, “That’s funny. Our holiday is only half-evil,” going from the traditional understanding of “666” being the number of the Antichrist.
Naturally, that took my mind to Scripture:
Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.
Ephesians 5:15-21, ESV
The world is a crazy place with more sin than we can fathom being celebrated, yet we can come together in thankfulness for our Lord who is redeeming the world and will soon return in glory.
Let us encourage each other in Christ, especially on a day like Thanksgiving but also throughout the year. Enjoy times with each other as the Church, and love your family and friends.
Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good … even when the world is half evil.
Happy Thanksgiving.
May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus
Romans 15:5, ESV
Just the name of God can save us, and in Christ even our relationships are redeemed. Let us be thankful for the encouragement and love of the Church in Christ.
“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.”
John 15:12, ESV
Trust God. Trusting God looks like loving the Church, even when she mistreats Her own. Love them with Christ’s love.
a simple man of God 