Acts 9:26-28
When he came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple. But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus. So Saul stayed with them and moved about freely in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord.
Have you ever had a poisonous snake as a pet? How about an adult crocodile -- or an un-altered skunk?
No? Probably because you were afraid of them, or not sure you could completely trust them.
What would you do if a known murderer sat next to you in church? Would get up and move . . . to the next city?
We have a natural aversion to dangerous things, and once we know something is dangerous, it is hard for us to accept them as anything else but dangerous!
Imagine what it was like for those in the church in Jerusalem who gathered for prayer only to recognize the "new guy" as being none other than -- Saul of Tarsus, "Persecutor of Christians!"
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Sunday, February 5, 2012
Genesis 22:7-9 - Where Is the Lamb?
Genesis 22:7-9
Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and placed it on his son Isaac, and he himself carried the fire and the knife. As the two of them went on together, Isaac spoke up and said to his father Abraham, "Father?"
"Yes, my son?" Abraham replied.
"The fire and wood are here," Isaac said, "but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?"
Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and placed it on his son Isaac, and he himself carried the fire and the knife. As the two of them went on together, Isaac spoke up and said to his father Abraham, "Father?"
"Yes, my son?" Abraham replied.
"The fire and wood are here," Isaac said, "but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?"
As far as he knew, Abraham was following the command of God. He was to take his son, Isaac -- his only son -- and sacrifice him on the mountain. He hadn’t told his son all of the details -- but, Isaac was a bright boy…
Can you imagine what had gone through Isaac’s mind? He knew he and his father were on a hike to build an altar for a burnt offering. And, he knew what was involved. They had the bundle of wood -- the lit torch for the fire -- and a knife -- but, where was the lamb? All his father said was, “God will provide the lamb.”
Saturday, February 4, 2012
Acts 6:2 - Wear the Right Hats
Acts 6:2
So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables.”
How many hats do you wear? Most of us have more than one task -- job -- responsibility. We refer to this as wearing many hats -- one for each type of function we perform.
So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables.”
How many hats do you wear? Most of us have more than one task -- job -- responsibility. We refer to this as wearing many hats -- one for each type of function we perform.
Occasionally, we are asked to wear a “hat” that doesn’t fit us well. When that happens, the efficiency of the task we perform suffers. We may not have the right skills -- the right ability -- the right discipline -- to do the job properly.
And, sometimes we just wear too many hats!
Wearing too many hats can be devastating to the work you want to accomplish.
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Acts 5:35 - Gamaliel's Challenge
Acts 5:35
Then he addressed the Sanhedrin: “Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men.”
Have you ever been jealous of someone else? Maybe you wanted something they had? Maybe you wanted to look or be like them? Or -- maybe you wanted to have their power or ability to influence others? Whatever its reason, jealousy can lead you to do some strange and mean things if you don't control it soon enough.
Being Sadducees themselves, the High Priest and his close friends were not so keen on the resurrection story Peter and the other apostles -- the followers of Jesus -- had been spreading. Their jealousy led to Peter and the others being thrown in jail overnight. The next morning, they had hoped to settle the matter once and for all.
During the night, though, even with a full compliment of guards and locked gates, the apostles had been freed by an angel. He told them to go back to “telling the people all about this new life."
Learning where they were, the High Priest had them re-arrested and brought before the full council, where he gave them a good tongue lashing . . .
Then he addressed the Sanhedrin: “Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men.”
Have you ever been jealous of someone else? Maybe you wanted something they had? Maybe you wanted to look or be like them? Or -- maybe you wanted to have their power or ability to influence others? Whatever its reason, jealousy can lead you to do some strange and mean things if you don't control it soon enough.
Being Sadducees themselves, the High Priest and his close friends were not so keen on the resurrection story Peter and the other apostles -- the followers of Jesus -- had been spreading. Their jealousy led to Peter and the others being thrown in jail overnight. The next morning, they had hoped to settle the matter once and for all.
During the night, though, even with a full compliment of guards and locked gates, the apostles had been freed by an angel. He told them to go back to “telling the people all about this new life."
Learning where they were, the High Priest had them re-arrested and brought before the full council, where he gave them a good tongue lashing . . .
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Acts 2:36-38 - What Shall We Do?
Acts 2:36-38
“Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.”
When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”
Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."
Have you ever followed a group of people into action, and later wonder what it was that possessed you? Being in a crowd can lead to your doing things that you would never do otherwise. It's called, "peer pressure" or "mob thinking" -- and it can be intoxicating!
During riots, for instance, looting is done by many people who would never dream of stealing in normal circumstances. But, "Everyone else is doing it," can be an empowering concept.
But, when the dust clears . . . when it is time to account for your actions? -- That is another story.
When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”
Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."
Have you ever followed a group of people into action, and later wonder what it was that possessed you? Being in a crowd can lead to your doing things that you would never do otherwise. It's called, "peer pressure" or "mob thinking" -- and it can be intoxicating!
During riots, for instance, looting is done by many people who would never dream of stealing in normal circumstances. But, "Everyone else is doing it," can be an empowering concept.
But, when the dust clears . . . when it is time to account for your actions? -- That is another story.
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Luke 23:39-43 - Confession Is Vital
Luke 23:39-43
One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: "Aren't you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!"
But the other criminal rebuked him. "Don't you fear God," he said, "since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong."
Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom."
Jesus answered him, "Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise."
Enduring the pain of his own crucifixion, and knowing his life was speeding to an end -- this criminal understood his place in the big picture. The lifestyle he led, and the actions he had taken, had brought a ripe harvest of pain, suffering, and death.
One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: "Aren't you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!"
But the other criminal rebuked him. "Don't you fear God," he said, "since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong."
Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom."
Jesus answered him, "Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise."
Enduring the pain of his own crucifixion, and knowing his life was speeding to an end -- this criminal understood his place in the big picture. The lifestyle he led, and the actions he had taken, had brought a ripe harvest of pain, suffering, and death.
He knew he deserved it, but Christ did not! And -- when he heard his fellow criminal insulting Christ, he became indignant and told him to stop.
He understood justice. Seeing this righteous man hang on the cross next to his, and suffer the same punishment as his own, was not justice -- it was just wrong!
He said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom."
He had faith in Christ -- and was willing, even as he hung on his own cross -- to make it be known.
And, Jesus replied, "Truly, I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise."
And -- there it was -- the basis of our salvation:
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Luke 21:2-4 - Even the Smallest Amount
Luke 21:2-4
He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. “Truly I tell you,” he said, “this poor widow has put in more than all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.”
He had been watching. Each one would come up and drop their gift into the collection box. A great deal was made about the sound each coin made as it hit bottom . . . a slight pause passed between each coin.
When a poor widow got her turn, the two coins she dropped in made very little noise -- and then she was gone.
He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. “Truly I tell you,” he said, “this poor widow has put in more than all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.”
He had been watching. Each one would come up and drop their gift into the collection box. A great deal was made about the sound each coin made as it hit bottom . . . a slight pause passed between each coin.
When a poor widow got her turn, the two coins she dropped in made very little noise -- and then she was gone.
Monday, January 23, 2012
Luke 18:22 - What Is Holding You Back?
Luke 18:22
When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
The man had asked Jesus how he could have eternal life. Jesus had even agreed with him -- he had been living a pretty clean life . . .
Adultery? -- Never!
Murder? -- Hadn't crossed his mind.
Stealing? -- Wouldn't dream of it.
False testimony? -- No way!
Honor his parents? -- Since his birth.
The other five of the Big Ten? -- Not a blemish on his record.
So? What was the problem?
When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
The man had asked Jesus how he could have eternal life. Jesus had even agreed with him -- he had been living a pretty clean life . . .
Adultery? -- Never!
Murder? -- Hadn't crossed his mind.
Stealing? -- Wouldn't dream of it.
False testimony? -- No way!
Honor his parents? -- Since his birth.
The other five of the Big Ten? -- Not a blemish on his record.
So? What was the problem?
Friday, January 20, 2012
Luke 16:10 - It's Just A Small Thing
Luke 16:10
“Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much."
Is it important that a bank manager is focused on details? Would you trust a man to keep your finances if he couldn't remember where he parked his car at the end of each day?
Or, how about a cashier who just gave back paper bills instead of bothering with coins -- two dollars instead of $2.05? Even though it is a small thing -- you would feel cheated.
“Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much."
Is it important that a bank manager is focused on details? Would you trust a man to keep your finances if he couldn't remember where he parked his car at the end of each day?
Or, how about a cashier who just gave back paper bills instead of bothering with coins -- two dollars instead of $2.05? Even though it is a small thing -- you would feel cheated.
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Luke 13:24-25 - The Party Is Inside!
Luke 13:24-25
“Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to. Once the owner of the house gets up and closes the door, you will stand outside knocking and pleading, ‘Sir, open the door for us.'
“But he will answer, ‘I don’t know you or where you come from.’"
“Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to. Once the owner of the house gets up and closes the door, you will stand outside knocking and pleading, ‘Sir, open the door for us.'
“But he will answer, ‘I don’t know you or where you come from.’"
When people get together, it can be enjoyable. A large group of people? -- That’s called a party!
No one wants to be left out of the party. You don’t even have to know what the celebration is about to have fun! Some of us just want to be “where the action is” . . . whether we know what the "action" is or not.
Here, Jesus urged His followers to do all they could to enter through the narrow door. It would not be easy to pass through -- and once the door was closed -- it would stay closed.
Jesus used this story to suggest that heaven would not be an easy place to enter. It had only one door in . . . a narrow one at that!
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