Sunday, September 09, 2012

Opening: Has there been in incident in your life that, because of something you did, you were completely surprised by the outcome? You didn’t go through the traffic light and avoided an accident, or you did go through the traffic light and was involved in an accident? When given a choice, you picked the right option and were rewarded?

Scripture: Read Acts 3:11-26.

Insights:

• “Peter saw his opportunity and addressed the crowd.”  Peter realized that he had a perfect opportunity to share his life and experience with Jesus. The crowd was very interested in what was going on after the healing of the lame man. God used the miracle to give Peter a way to give his testimony. It is very similar to the account of Jesus healing the man born blind (see John 9), in that the healing of a physical condition allowed the Gospel of Christ to be proclaimed. 
• Peter delivers five of the dominant notes of early Christian preaching. 

1. The crucifixion was the greatest crime in human history. Whenever they speak of it, there is a kind of shocked horror in their voices. 
2. The crucifixion was vindicated by the resurrection. The resurrection proves that Jesus is the Lord of life. 
3. Early preachers always stressed the power of the Risen Lord; they never regarded themselves as the sources of power but only as channels of power. 
4. Mercy is offered to the listeners. 
5.  The obligation this knowledge brings is the obligation to repent and to turn.

Life Questions:

• God gives us many opportunities – sometimes on a daily basis – to share about our life and relationship with Jesus. Have you been nudged by God lately to move the conversation with a friend towards spiritual matters? How did you respond? 
• Is God using some “weakness” in your life that God wants to use for His glory (see 2Corinthians 12:9)?

Prayer Focus: For the courage to act upon the nudge of God when He gives us an opportunity to tell others about our faith.

Saturday, September 08, 2012

Opening: What was the best party you ever attended or hosted? What makes for a great party?

Scripture: Sunday’s message is our text today. Read Luke 14:12-24.

Insights:

• It was customary to send two invitations to a party. The first invitation announced the event, then the second was sent to tell the guests that everything was ready. The guests in Jesus’ story insulted the host by making excuses when he issued the second invitation. 
• In this parable, God is the host. His first invitation came from Moses and the prophets; the second came from his Son. The Jewish religious leaders accepted the first invitation. They believed that God had called them to be his people, but they insulted God by refusing to accept his Son. Thus, as the host in the story sent his servant into the streets to invite the needy to his banquet, so God sent his Son to a whole world of needy people to tell them that God’s Kingdom had arrived and was ready for them.[1] 
• The context of Luke 14:1-24 is a dinner party. Much of what is in these verses has to do with feasts and banquets. It is significant that Jesus thought of His kingdom and His service in terms of a feast. The symbol of the kingdom was the happiest thing that human life could know. No dower Christians; believers are to be joyful and happy in the Lord.

Life Questions:

• Motives are key here. It is not so much that Jesus is saying never invite friends to a party, but instead, don’t invite people in order to receive a future reward. Our actions should not motivated by what we can get out of our good deed. They should be done with no thought of reward or repayment. What is your motivation for what you do for God? 
• Excuses, excuses, excuses! The people in this parable sound like a child who doesn’t want to clean their room. Each excuse was something that could have been done later. The priorities were out of place. What excuses do people have for not responding to God’s invitation? Where does God fit in your list of priorities? Talk to Him about it.

Prayer Focus: For tomorrow’s worship celebration, that we would celebrate the presence of the Holy Spirit, and know that this party is not just for us, but for everyone.

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

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[1] From the Life Application Study Bible, Luke 14:16ff

Friday, September 07, 2012

Opening: Have you ever seen or experienced a miracle, more than the daily miracles of a new day, or of life? What was your response? How did you react?

Scripture: Read Acts 3:1-10.

Insights:

• The Jews observed three times for prayer – morning (9:00 am), afternoon (3:00 pm), and evening (sunset). At these times, devout Jews and Gentiles who believed in God often would go to the Temple to pray. It was to the afternoon prayer service that Peter and John encountered the lame man. 
• We don’t know when this encounter occurred, but it is safe to assume that it was not very long after the day of Pentecost. How is it then that this man was not healed by Jesus when He came in and out of the Temple? 
• Have instantaneous miracles stopped? It is the simple fact that a doctor or surgeon can now do things which in apostolic times would have been regarded as miracles. God has revealed new truth and new knowledge to humanity, and through that revelation they are still performing miracles. As a great doctor said, “I bandage the wounds; but God heals them.” For the Christian there are still miracles if he or she has eyes to see.[1]

Life Questions:

• The lame man asked for money, but Peter gave him something much better – the use of his legs. We often ask God to solve a small problem, but He wants to give us a whole new life and help for all our problems. He may say, “I’ve got something even better for you.” You may ask God for what you want, but don’t be surprised when He gives you what you really need.[2] 
• So often, when we encounter a beggar in the street, we avert our gaze and be sure that our eyes do not meet. Likewise, many times the beggar does not look at the people passing; it is just too humiliating. “Peter and John looked at him intently, and Peter said, ‘Look at us!’”[3] What does the ministry of Jesus require of us as we encounter the hurting of our world? Imagine what God would say if they had gone to worship and ignored the lame man.

Prayer: For us to see the needs of the people around us, be willing to look them in the eye, and declare in the name of Jesus, “Get up!”

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[1] From Barclay’s Daily Study Bible, Acts 3:1-10

[2] From Life Application Study Bible, Acts 3:5-6

[3] Acts 3:4 (NLT)

Thursday, September 06, 2012

Opening: Have you ever attended a sporting event or concert with a large group of people who were very excited about what was going on? What was it? What were the emotions and feelings you had? Of the crowd?

Scripture: Read Acts2:37-47.

Insights:

• Church leaders and commentators look at verses 42-47 and see a description of the Early Church. They note twelve characteristics of this growing and thriving Early Church. See if you can find them all. 
• A few commentators look at verse 42 as a pattern for worship? If this is true, what should be part of every worship? How does that compare to worship we experience? 
• In verse 42, Luke uses the Greek word proskartereō. It comes from two words: pros which means “towards,” and kartereō which means “to be strong.” Together, the word means “to be strong towards” and “to endure in, or persevere in, to be continually steadfast with a person or thing.” It was used in Acts 1:14 referring to the disciples’ prayer life. The NIV and NLT versions translate it “devoted.” What would it mean to be “devoted” to the four things in Acts 2:42? 
• Lest we miss the point, there was no place for 3,000 to meet, be taught, experience fellowship, share meals, and pray together. (They do worship together in the Temple.) Luke indicates in verse 46 how the apostles were able to assimilate these new believers: they met in homes. This same technique was used in the Wesley revival and the spread of Methodism in America. Today, churches use what they call “small groups,” “life groups,” “growth groups” or “Sunday School” to nurture and disciple people in the faith.

Life Questions:

• What “pierced your heart” from the Gospel message? Does it still today? 
• Imagine 3,000 people suddenly became part of our church? If you are honest with yourself, how would you feel? How should you feel? What would it take to welcome them, begin to establish a fellowship with them, disciple them, equip them, and love them?

Prayer: For our church to be devoted to discipleship, fellowship, sharing, and prayer.

Wednesday, September 05, 2012

Opening: Think back to a time when you were able to give someone some good news. Maybe it was when your child received special recognition or was accepted to college, or that a friend did not have cancer. What does it feel like to share good news? How motivated are you to spread that news far and wide?

Scripture: Read Acts2:14-36.

Insights:

• In the beginning of Acts 2, all the believers are speaking in a variety of languages to the people gathered. Though we are not told what they were saying, it was probably not a weather report! However, after questions about the physical condition of the speakers, Peter becomes the primary spokesman for the disciples. In fact, the only messages recorded in the book of Acts are by Peter, Stephen (Acts 7) and Paul. Peter has become “the rock” (see Matthew 16:18). 
• Peter begins his sermon by quoting Joel 2:28-32. God says that He will pour out the Holy Spirit on His people – men and women alike – “and they will prophesy.” The word “prophecy” is not limited to “telling the future,” but really means “declaring the word of God. That’s what the Old Testament prophets did, and now that is what the servants of God – all of them – are to do. 
• Though the people hearing Peter’s sermon knew that Jesus was a man whom God used, they still crucified Him. Despite all the miracles and signs, they did not believe His message, nor that He was the Messiah. Unfortunately, this is true today as well. People know about the life, teachings, and sacrifice of Jesus, yet they still do not make Him their Messiah, their Leader/Lord, and their Forgiver/Savior. 
• The Cross and the Resurrection of Jesus are the key tenets of the Christian faith. Without the sacrificial death of Jesus, the penalty for humanity’s sins is left unpaid except by the sinner. And without the defeat of death, we cannot be offered eternal life. The Gospel is not the Gospel without the Cross and the Resurrection.

Life Questions:

• Have you ever thought of yourself as one who prophesizes – declares the message of God? The Bible talks about individuals with the spiritual gift of prophecy (see Romans 12:6). But Paul also writes, “Let love be your highest goal! But you should also desire the special abilities the Spirit gives—especially the ability to prophesy.”[1] In what ways and settings might you be one who declares the message of God? 
• Peter concludes this section of the sermon with “So let everyone in Israel know for certain that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, to be both Lord and Messiah!”[2] Isn’t that a wonderful way to conclude any message, any endeavor, any witness, and any life testimony – “Jesus is Lord and Messiah!” How can you do this?

Prayer: For us to be declarers of the message of God – the Cross and the Resurrection – in our words, actions, and lives.

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[1] 1 Corinthians 14:1 (NLT)

[2] Acts 2:36 (NLT)

Tuesday, September 04, 2012

Opening: Have you ever had an experience in life that you were anticipating, but when it occurred, it was a surprise, or at least more than you imagined? Maybe it was the birth of your child or grandchild. What is it like when your world is radically changed for the good?

Scripture: Read Acts 2:1-13.

Insights:

• Pentecost is the birthday of the Church, and the beginning of the era of the Holy Spirit. It is the fulfillment of Jesus’ promises from John 14:15-30 and 16:5-15. This was also a fulfillment of John the Baptist’s words about the Holy Spirit’s baptizing with fire. 
• Why tongues of fire? Tongues symbolize speech and the communication of the Good News. Fire symbolizes God’s purifying presence, which burns away the undesirable elements of our lives and sets our hearts aflame to ignite the lives of others. On Mount Sinai, God confirmed the validity of the Old Testament law with fire from heaven (see Exodus 19:16-18). At Pentecost, God confirmed the validity of the Holy Spirit’s ministry by sending fire. At Mount Sinai, fire came down on one place; at Pentecost, fire came down on many believers, symbolizing that God’s presence is available to all who believe in him.[1] 
• While we speak of the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, we are not saying that the Holy Spirit came into existence at Pentecost. That is not so; God is eternally Father, Son and Holy Spirit. In fact, Acts makes that quite clear. The Holy Spirit was speaking in David (Acts 1:16); the Spirit spoke through Isaiah (Acts 28:25); Stephen accuses the Jews of having opposed the Spirit all through their history (Acts 7:51). Now at Pentecost, the Holy Spirit becomes the dominant reality in the life of the Church. 
• Those that first heard the coming of the Holy Spirit were devout Jews living in Jerusalem but were from other countries. They would have known the Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek that was commonly spoken in Jerusalem, yet the Holy Spirit uses the spiritual gift of tongues to communicate the message. God certainly has a flare for the dramatic! It was quite an attention getter, and set the stage for Peter’s sermon (tomorrow’s devotional).

Life Questions:

• The Holy Spirit came in a powerful way on the day of Pentecost. Has some kind of manifestation of the Holy Spirit ever occurred in your life, in your presence, in your family? (It doesn’t have to be speaking in tongues!) 
• How is the coming of the Holy Spirit different than the coming of Jesus? 
• Has there ever been a time when God was working through you, but others ridiculed you? What was your reaction? How did you handle it?

Prayer: For the Holy Spirit to use us in powerful ways to declare the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

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[1] From “Life Application Study Bible”, Acts 2:3-4

Monday, September 03, 2012

Opening: Have you ever been part of a conversation or had an initial impression of someone that later you realize you were missing the point or way off on your assessment? Or have you ever done something just because that’s the way it has always been done, only to realize that doing it the old way was really the wrong way?

Scripture: Read Acts1:9-26.

Insights:

• The Ascension of Jesus is briefly described in Mark 16:19-20 and Luke 24:50-53. Look up these verses and compare them to Acts 1:9-10. 
• Certainly, Luke is telling us that the disciples were engaging in more prayer than usual (that is, more than several hours a day, maybe in anticipation of the coming of the Holy Spirit) or he would have no reason to mention it. Read Acts 1:14 in as many translations as you can to see how this verse is translated (go to www.biblegateway.com for additional translations). 
• It is interesting to note that Jesus’ family is here with the company of the disciples. During Jesus’ lifetime, they had been among his opponents (see Mark 3:21). It may well be that for them, as for so many others, the death of Jesus opened their eyes. What they could not understand before the Cross, they understood now. 
• Matthew 27:1-10 records the account of Judas’ suicide. Acts 1:18-19 collaborates the story as well as adds some fairly graphic information. The text also indicates that this was well known in Jerusalem, adding credibility to what Luke was now writing (and would write) to Theophilus.

Life Questions:

• Prayer was vital for the post-Ascension believers. How vital is it in your spiritual life? 
• It would seem that the apostles are struggling to know what their focus. In verse 6, they pester Jesus about politics. In verse 10, they strain to catch a final glimpse of Jesus until the angels interrupt their tunnel-vision. Finally, in verses 21-26, they insist on filling the opening left by Judas with Matthias, who is not mentioned again in the New Testament. Without the leading of the Holy Spirit, they are a little lost. Have you ever felt this way, or experienced this lack of focus and spiritual leading? How about now? 
• How many disciples were there before the coming of the Holy Spirit? 1 Corinthians15:16 says that Jesus was seen by more than 500 of his followers at one time. Where are the rest? What might have happened? Have you ever seen anything similar in your experience?

Prayer Focus: For a clear direction and leading of the Holy Spirit in our lives and the life of our church.