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.
Jun 9, 2010
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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