"And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians."
As a church they gathered together, shared their faith and grew as Christians.
Prophecies were also told at this time of a famine so they sent relief as they were able...
Christians don't come together in a church for no reason. The Holy Spirit brings them together. God leads Barnabas to find Saul and go to Tarsus. It is by the Holy Spirit that they are there for a year to teach the new Christians there and it is by the Holy Spirit that they are made aware of the famine.
How much credit do we give the Holy Spirit? He leads us. He makes everything happen. He opens our minds and hearts to understand the Word of God. He changes us. As He worked in the church at Antioch, He still works today.
Jun 15, 2010
Jun 14, 2010
June 14 - Acts 11:1-18
Remember Peter is a Jew who believes in Jesus... and this passage is about salvation for the Jews (the chosen ones) and the Gentiles. God is making it clear in this very strange vision that salvation is for all. The Gentiles are not "unclean".
We like to place labels on people and we like to keep certain types of people away.
The Jews had their own way of doing things, their own community, their God - and now they are being told to share this salvation with the Gentiles (people who they considered to be "unclean")
Who do we consider "unclean" today? What kind of people make us think.. "ewww..."?
Let's bring up a really controversial issue. What if a Jr. High student came "out" and said that he was gay? How would you respond? Would you be able to worship with a gay student next to you? Is being gay a greater sin than your sin of lying? Are you struggling with your sin of lying (for example) just as this student is struggling with this sin of homosexuality? How do you love those you are not comfortable with loving? How do you share the salvation of Jesus Christ with those that you consider "unclean" or even unworthy?
Think about it...
We like to place labels on people and we like to keep certain types of people away.
The Jews had their own way of doing things, their own community, their God - and now they are being told to share this salvation with the Gentiles (people who they considered to be "unclean")
Who do we consider "unclean" today? What kind of people make us think.. "ewww..."?
Let's bring up a really controversial issue. What if a Jr. High student came "out" and said that he was gay? How would you respond? Would you be able to worship with a gay student next to you? Is being gay a greater sin than your sin of lying? Are you struggling with your sin of lying (for example) just as this student is struggling with this sin of homosexuality? How do you love those you are not comfortable with loving? How do you share the salvation of Jesus Christ with those that you consider "unclean" or even unworthy?
Think about it...
Jun 10, 2010
June 10 - Acts 8:4-40
Simon the Magician saw that the apostles had a special power and he wanted it. He even offered them money for it. But, he got it all wrong. Power for Simon meant the ability to attract and impress people. Power for a lot of people means the ability to control something.
Yet, Holy Spirit power has nothing to do with control. A Christian life is about surrender and we are given the Holy Spirit not so that we can become superhuman beings. We are given the Holy Spirit so that we can be a channel of God's power. We are not the actual power source. We are the power lines that transmit this power. And power lines don't
say when it is time to turn the power on or off.
Without the Holy Spirit we are like useless powerlines or cables just laying in the dirt.
what would you want to be? Connected or just a pile of unused cables?
Yet, Holy Spirit power has nothing to do with control. A Christian life is about surrender and we are given the Holy Spirit not so that we can become superhuman beings. We are given the Holy Spirit so that we can be a channel of God's power. We are not the actual power source. We are the power lines that transmit this power. And power lines don't
say when it is time to turn the power on or off.
Without the Holy Spirit we are like useless powerlines or cables just laying in the dirt.
what would you want to be? Connected or just a pile of unused cables?
Jun 9, 2010
June 9 - Acts 7-8:3
As Stephen recounts the history of the Israelites - mainly as they have rejected God and His messengers, the prophets, over and over again - the people are enraged.
And here we see another servant of God fall at the hands of angry men.
The message from God isn't a happy message. The biggest hurdle for unbelievers is the very fact that they are sinners. Many are offended that they would be called such a thing for they consider themselves so good. But until this very fact is recognized, there can be no salvation.
Yet, for Stephen - even as death was fast approaching - looked into the heavens and saw Jesus... and it was as if Stephen fell fast "asleep" before he even felt the pain of the stoning.
Stephen had crazy faith. He spoke the truth with boldness and even suffered the consequences of it.
And we also find a small section on Saul (who will later become Paul). Saul is just as faithful and passionate but in the opposite direction - towards persecuting the church.
Stephen and Saul - two men who lived passionately.. eventually Saul's passion will be redirected towards Christ and he too will die a martyr's death.
passion. courage. boldness. faith.
And here we see another servant of God fall at the hands of angry men.
The message from God isn't a happy message. The biggest hurdle for unbelievers is the very fact that they are sinners. Many are offended that they would be called such a thing for they consider themselves so good. But until this very fact is recognized, there can be no salvation.
Yet, for Stephen - even as death was fast approaching - looked into the heavens and saw Jesus... and it was as if Stephen fell fast "asleep" before he even felt the pain of the stoning.
Stephen had crazy faith. He spoke the truth with boldness and even suffered the consequences of it.
And we also find a small section on Saul (who will later become Paul). Saul is just as faithful and passionate but in the opposite direction - towards persecuting the church.
Stephen and Saul - two men who lived passionately.. eventually Saul's passion will be redirected towards Christ and he too will die a martyr's death.
passion. courage. boldness. faith.
Jun 8, 2010
June 8 - Acts 6
Sometimes you can fix things and sometimes you can't. We are given two scenarios here:
1) the Greeks or Hellenists are trying to make ministry difficult by complaining about what the disciples aren't doing (here, neglecting the widows). So the disciples responded accordingly by appointing some to minister by preaching and others by serving.
2) Of the preachers, Stephen really stood out. He was so full of the Holy Spirit and so influential that many started to spread rumors about him, even set up false witnesses and they bring him before the council to be put on trial. And even then his face was like the face of an angel (v. 15). We'll find out soon enough that he will be stoned... for nothing. He really did nothing wrong. He actually was the complete opposite.
There are some situations we can control and there are others we cannot. Some situations we can fix and some we cannot. The point here isn't to fix everything and also that not everything will be fixed. The point here is to maintain our place as children of God and act accordingly.
Are there some situations you are unable to control? Can you surrender that to God?
1) the Greeks or Hellenists are trying to make ministry difficult by complaining about what the disciples aren't doing (here, neglecting the widows). So the disciples responded accordingly by appointing some to minister by preaching and others by serving.
2) Of the preachers, Stephen really stood out. He was so full of the Holy Spirit and so influential that many started to spread rumors about him, even set up false witnesses and they bring him before the council to be put on trial. And even then his face was like the face of an angel (v. 15). We'll find out soon enough that he will be stoned... for nothing. He really did nothing wrong. He actually was the complete opposite.
There are some situations we can control and there are others we cannot. Some situations we can fix and some we cannot. The point here isn't to fix everything and also that not everything will be fixed. The point here is to maintain our place as children of God and act accordingly.
Are there some situations you are unable to control? Can you surrender that to God?
Jun 4, 2010
June 4 - Acts 4:1-31
It's interesting to note that the "boldness" of Peter and John is seen as uneducated (almost foolish) (v. 14). In Korean we can describe their boldness as "gum-bang-juht-suh".. like when young people rebel against elders, etc...
Yet, it is also notable that they had nothing to say because of the "notable sign", the healed man standing beside them. They were bold like crazy and they could back it up...
When was the last time you went all out, you were bold, you got real noisy and even arrogant.. and you backed it up.
And this boldness is from the Holy Spirit, this healing power is from the Holy Spirit -- can you imagine what it must've felt like to experience this kind of awesome power - like when you're praying the place starts shaking because of the power of the Holy Spirit.. crazy stuff..
Let us pray for the boldness of the Spirit and the "notable sign" to back it up... that when our friends try to make fun of the name of Jesus, they've got nothing to say in opposition just like these religious leaders...
Yet, it is also notable that they had nothing to say because of the "notable sign", the healed man standing beside them. They were bold like crazy and they could back it up...
When was the last time you went all out, you were bold, you got real noisy and even arrogant.. and you backed it up.
And this boldness is from the Holy Spirit, this healing power is from the Holy Spirit -- can you imagine what it must've felt like to experience this kind of awesome power - like when you're praying the place starts shaking because of the power of the Holy Spirit.. crazy stuff..
Let us pray for the boldness of the Spirit and the "notable sign" to back it up... that when our friends try to make fun of the name of Jesus, they've got nothing to say in opposition just like these religious leaders...
Jun 3, 2010
June 3 - Acts 3
What are healing miracles for?
How come God doesn't heal all the time?
Here we find the answer. After this man is healed, Peter offers another opportunity to witness God's power and repent. Their ignorance prevented them from believing previously and here we find another opportunity.
sometimes God sends us little or big hints to repent and make a change in our lives. What are the little or big hints in your life?
How come God doesn't heal all the time?
Here we find the answer. After this man is healed, Peter offers another opportunity to witness God's power and repent. Their ignorance prevented them from believing previously and here we find another opportunity.
sometimes God sends us little or big hints to repent and make a change in our lives. What are the little or big hints in your life?
Jun 2, 2010
June 2 - Acts 2:22-47
Being filled with the Spirit of God, Peter preaches a message -- not impressive in its style or delivery. It's the very simple, basic message about Christ delivered with the power of the Holy Spirit brought at least 3,000 to Christ that day.
People were so moved they asked Peter and the rest of the apostles -- "What do we do next? How can we be a part of this?"
Today there is so much to get excited about but it's just a fad like those silly or zany bandz. There is no substance, it's a momentary bliss like your favorite singer or group. They won't offer you much yet we get excited about it -- we ask how can I get on the bandwagon... And many trendy bandwagons like fads.. fade away.
And this is the real deal. There is no glitz or glamour to attract people. Just the plain powerful message of Christ. It is in itself POWER.
Please comment by responding to any of the following questions or adding your own.
How come people are not as attracted to this TRUE power?
How do you want to experience this power?
People were so moved they asked Peter and the rest of the apostles -- "What do we do next? How can we be a part of this?"
Today there is so much to get excited about but it's just a fad like those silly or zany bandz. There is no substance, it's a momentary bliss like your favorite singer or group. They won't offer you much yet we get excited about it -- we ask how can I get on the bandwagon... And many trendy bandwagons like fads.. fade away.
And this is the real deal. There is no glitz or glamour to attract people. Just the plain powerful message of Christ. It is in itself POWER.
Please comment by responding to any of the following questions or adding your own.
How come people are not as attracted to this TRUE power?
How do you want to experience this power?
Jun 1, 2010
June 1 - Acts 2:1-21
Day of Pentecost is fiftieth day after Easter (or, rather, the Passover or Exodus) as it is a Jewish holiday that celebrates the day God gave the ten commandments to Moses at Mt. Sinai.
The Day of Pentecost gains new significance as it is the day when the disciples were gathered in one place (v.1) and the Holy Spirit came down like a "mighty rushing wind."
As a demonstration of the descent and filling of the Holy Spirit, they began to speak in tongues.
People questioned if this was real and said that they were drunk instead of being filled with the Spirit...
Think about it -- Try to imagine what these people looked like. Yes, it can happen.
Peter goes on to explain and reads from prophet Joel (minor prophet).
And from this point on - the work of the Church filled with the Holy Spirit begins. How exciting!
The Day of Pentecost gains new significance as it is the day when the disciples were gathered in one place (v.1) and the Holy Spirit came down like a "mighty rushing wind."
As a demonstration of the descent and filling of the Holy Spirit, they began to speak in tongues.
People questioned if this was real and said that they were drunk instead of being filled with the Spirit...
Think about it -- Try to imagine what these people looked like. Yes, it can happen.
Peter goes on to explain and reads from prophet Joel (minor prophet).
And from this point on - the work of the Church filled with the Holy Spirit begins. How exciting!
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