Monday, September 17, 2012

Opening: Ever had an argument or disagreement with a parent or a spouse? Sure you have, but try to remember a specific one. What was it about? Something little or something big?

Scripture: Read Acts 6:1-7.

Insights:

• Do not simply skip over this passage; this was a major issue in the church and was potentially divisive. There were accusations of prejudice, favoritism, racism, and withholding charity. It is naive to think churches are immune to problems; even the Early Church, with its miraculous growth and witness, experienced trouble.  
• Read Acts 6:2 in as many translations as you can to see how this verse is translated. The response of the apostles is not caulis or unfeeling; they know what God has told them to do, and doing anything else would keep them from that divine call. By selecting seven Greek speaking men, respected and full of the Spirit and wisdom, and giving them this responsibility, the apostles then can devote their time to prayer and teaching the word.  
• Once the conflict is resolved, the church gets back to its mission: preaching the Gospel. And the church continues to grow. And note that for the first time, the text tells us that “many of the Jewish priests were converted, too.”  Even the establishment is choosing Jesus.

Life Questions:

• How does it feel when the church goes through conflict? Can you see similarities between your experience and today’s passage? Remember, there is no perfect church on Earth; only in heaven. And a church does not have to be perfect to advance the cause of Christ. 
• It is essential for Christian disciples to know what God wants them to do and how He has designed them. Apostles were meant to preach and pray, not administer a food distribution. Do you know what God has called you to do? Do you know how He has designed you? Do you know your spiritual gifts? If not, consider attending First Sunday: Spiritual Gifts on October 7.

Prayer Focus: That we discover our calling of God, and help others discover theirs, so that the church may continue to flourish.

Sunday, September 16, 2012

Opening: Do you remember a time when you were told not to do something, and you did it anyway? Maybe when you were a child? Have you ever gotten in trouble for doing something, said that you wouldn’t do it again, but went ahead anyway? Maybe speeding?

Scripture: Read Acts 5:17-42.

Insights:

• This is the second arrest by the Jewish leaders. First was Peter and John; now it is all the apostles. This arrest was inevitable. The Sanhedrin had strictly ordered them to abstain from teaching in the name of Jesus, and they had publicly disregarded that injunction. That to the Sanhedrin was a doubly serious matter. These apostles were not only heretics, they were also potential disturbers of the peace. Palestine was always an inflammable country; if this were not checked it might well result in some kind of popular rising that would result in violence and suppression by the Roman government.  
• The Greek word from which we get our word “angel” is angelos, which literally means “messenger.” A messenger of the Lord frees the apostles, then gives them a message: go back to preaching God’s message of Jesus to the people.  
• Gamaliel was the most famous of his time and considered to be a leader and expert in the Law. A young Saul was one of his pupils (see Acts 22:3). Gamaliel effectively persuaded leniency for the apostles (they were flogged, but it could have been worse). Using the example of previous uprisings, he argued that if the apostles convictions and teachings were false, the movement would die. But if they were true, the Council would be fighting God.

Life Questions:

• The angel of the Lord gave the apostles a command that, when followed, would lead to a brutal flogging (see Acts 5:40). If that strikes you as odd, it is probably because of the prevailing idea among many believers that obedience inevitably leads to blessing (defined as “a problem-free, blissful existence”). Serious students of the Bible know, however, that obeying God often results in pain and suffering. They also recognize that being persecuted for Christ is a deeper kind of blessing. What biblical commands, if obeyed, might result in discomfort for you today? Will you commit to live them out anyway?

Prayer Focus:  For the courage to proclaim the Gospel no matter the cost.

Saturday, September 15, 2012

Opening: When was the last time you went to a doctor or the emergency room? Why did you go? Did you expect to get relief?

Scripture: Sunday’s message is our text today. Read Matthew 4:23-25.

Insights:

• Here is another passage about God’s healing power. Note that in verse 18-22, Peter, Andrew, James and John begin to follow Jesus; they witnessed Jesus’ healing ministry, which became part of their ministry in Acts. 
• Verse 23 lists the three-fold ministry of Jesus. What are they? 
• Most towns that had 10 or more Jewish families had a synagogue. The building served as a religious gathering place on the Sabbath and as a school during the week. The leader of the synagogue was not a preacher as much as an administrator. His job was to find and invite rabbis to teach and preach. It was customary to invite visiting rabbis like Jesus to speak.

Life Questions:

• If you were in the crowds around Jesus, what would you ask Him to heal? Why don’t you ask Him now? 
• Are you uncomfortable being around sick people? It might depend what the problem is.

Prayer Focus: For tomorrow’s worship celebration, that we would hear the Good News about the Kingdom, and that we see the needs of people as Jesus saw them.

Tomorrow’s Message Title:  “The Church is like a… Hospital”

Friday, September 14, 2012

Opening: Have you ever attended a public event in support of a cause or group? Why did you go? Did you have a feeling that you wanted others to know your stance on the issue?

Scripture: Read Acts 5:12-16.

Insights:

• Here is another “Progress Report.”

1. The Church met at Solomon's colonnade, one of the two great colonnades which surrounded the Temple area. They were constant in their attendance at the House of God, desiring ever to know God better and to draw upon His strength for life and living. 
2. The early Christians assembled where everyone could see them. They knew what had happened to the apostles and what might well happen to them; but they were determined to show everyone whose they were and where they stood. 
3. The early Church was supremely effective. Things happened! There were miraculous signs and wonders, people were being healed, and possessed people were being freed.

• The deaths of Ananias and Sapphira had an impact not only on the church (verse 11) but the community as well (verse13). Luke does not mean that no one joined the Christian community (see verse 14), but that pretenders and halfhearted followers did not join the movement. There was still a great deal of regard and admiration by the community for these Jesus followers. 
• The believers’ prayer in Acts 4:30 is answered here. If people were being healed by Peter’s shadow, it’s clear it was happening not through Peter’s power, but by God’s.

Life Questions:

• Regular attendance in worship is critical for the obedient disciple and for the witness of Christ. How are you doing? 
• Can you imagine people coming from all points of the compass to find healing at church? It could be physical, spiritual, mental, family, relational – whatever someone’s need is. How about you? Are you in need of healing?

Prayer Focus: That our community would see our faith and experience healing.

Thursday, September 13, 2012

Opening: Have you ever been scared to go someplace? Maybe the cemetery when you were a child? Maybe to the doctor’s office to hear the results of a recent test. Have you ever been scared to go to church?

Scripture: Read Acts 4:32-5:11.

Insights:

• The end of chapter 4 is another “Progress Report” of the Early Church. The previous one is recorded in Acts 2:42-47. There will be more. 
• Here is a sudden change in the narrative. Before this, all things were moving in the most exalted atmosphere; there were great thoughts of God; there were prayers for the Holy Spirit; there were exultant quotations from the Old Testament. Now, without warning, the narrative changes to practical things. However much these early Christians had their moments on the heights, they never forgot that someone didn’t have enough and that all must help. Prayer was supremely important, the witness of words was supremely important, but the culmination was love of the one another. 
•  Look at the motives of Ananias and Sapphira. They were free to sell their property and give whatever they wished, but they lied and made it seem as if the money they gave was the full amount of the sale, as Barnabas and others had given. 
• The fact that Luke included this story in his account of the Early Church is very telling. It could have been easily left out, and we would have been left with the impression that everything in this new church was “hunky-dory.” But the Bible is honest about the people in it. Every church has occasional problems, even this dynamic new church. 
• Verse 11 is the first occurrence of the term “church” in Acts.

Life Questions:

• Today’s reading is an example of what Bishop Robert Schnase calls “Extravagant Generosity.” The people were not commanded to give; they gave from their hearts sacrificially and generously. What is your attitude when you give? Excitement? Enthusiastic? Extravagancy? 
• The deaths of Ananias and Sapphira may seem harsh for your understanding of God, but remember, the corruptive nature of sin and the incredible amount it cost God – His only Son – to take care of it. Any sin is serious; repent and ask forgiveness now!

Prayer Focus: That our hearts would be so in touch with the heart of God that we would quickly see the needs of others and without hesitation respond.

 

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Opening: Have you ever returned to a triumphant homecoming? Maybe after a deployment in the military or after you have been away from home for a long time? Maybe after achieving a dream or an accomplishment? What was it like? What were your feelings?

Scripture: Read Acts 4:23-31.

Insights:

• The believers had to be worried. They remembered that Jesus was arrested and was executed in quick fashion. Now Peter and John were arrested in the Temple, and no one had seen them since. Would these inner circle disciples meet with a similar fate as Jesus? 
• One can see in the text the rejoicing in the Church when Peter and John return unharmed; they break out in praise to God. What a worship experience! 
• The believers prayed for boldness and that God will heal people – the same things that got Peter and John arrested in the first place. 
• Following their prayer, there is another manifestation of the Holy Spirit. The room shook, and they were all “filled with the Holy Spirit.” The text does not say how this filling was manifested; there is no evidence for or against the manifestation being limited to speaking in tongues as in Acts 2. On the contrary, the Greek text for verse 31 literally says, “…they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and were speaking the word of God freely.” Therefore, a case could be made that being filled with the Holy Spirit resulted in bold witnessing.

Life Questions:

• The people of the new church prayed for courage. They did not pretend that they could face this in their own strength; they turned to a power that was not their own. Where do you need courage today in your witness? 

Prayer Focus: That we pray for boldness in our witness and miraculous things would happen through the name of Jesus.

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Opening: Have you ever been required to make a presentation before a board, review committee, or council? Were you nervous? Confident? Prepared? Spend the night before in jail?

Scripture: Read Acts 4:13-22.

Insights:

• The council was familiar with Jesus’ disciples; they knew that Peter and John were common fisherman from Galilee. But they were amazed at not only what they said, but their grasp on Scripture. Jesus promised they would receive power from the Holy Spirit (see Acts 1:8) and the words to speak when testifying before the authorities (see Luke 21:12-15). 
• The council is stuck. They have a growing movement on their hands, a movement that blames them for condemning not just an innocent man, but God’s own representative to the world. It is hard to refute these fishermen’s words when the former lame man was standing in their midst. 
• Though they are told to keep quiet about Jesus and threatened with punishment, Peter and John state that they will obey God rather than the religious leaders. Jesus also stood against the religious leaders and their teachings. It sounds like another case of “Like father, like son.”

Life Questions:

• Jesus has changed Peter and John; it was evident even to their accusers. A changed life convinces people of Christ's power. One of your greatest testimonies is the difference others see in your life and attitudes since you have believed in Christ. How has Christ changed you? 
• There is considerable pressure to compromise one’s beliefs and principles. Just like Peter and John, we are told not to be obedient to God. When have you faced opposition for your faith?

Prayer Focus: That our lives would be transformed, our witness be bold, and our courage indelible.