Saturday, September 22, 2012

Opening: Do you remember a time when you or your child was lost? It could have been in a store or in the neighborhood or at Kings Island. What were your feelings? Fear? Panic? Desperation?

 

Scripture: Sunday’s message is our text today. Read Luke15:1-7; 19:10.

Insights:

• The Pharisee’s complaint of Jesus: He purposefully spent time with “notorious” sinners. A Pharisee was forbidden to be the guest of these kinds of people or to have them as a guest in his house. The Pharisee was even forbidden, so far as it was possible, to have any business dealings with a sinner. It was the deliberate Pharisaic aim to avoid every contact with the people who did not observe the petty details of the law. Obviously, they would be shocked to the core at the way in which Jesus companied with people who were not only rank outsiders, but sinners, contact with whom would necessarily defile.  
• The shepherd was personally responsible for each one of his sheep. If one was attacked by a wild animal, the shepherd went to rescue it or returned with the sheep’s body. It was difficult and dangerous work, exposed to the elements and dangers of the wilderness. 
• The community gathers together, waiting for all the shepherds to return home. The news spreads – one is still out there. And when the last shepherd with his lost sheep are seen in the distance, there is great rejoicing. It is a party! (Sound familiar?)

Life Questions:

• What is Jesus’ motivation for being with sinners? It was more than “get them saved” or “increase His followers.” It was more simple and more profound than that: it was love. Can you imagine loving someone so much that no matter what they did, you could not let them go?  
• Sometimes we tend to “write off” a person that is very far from God. But the incredible truth is that God never gives up on anyone – not you and not the lowliest sinner. Do you know someone whom you think is a lost cause but of whom God is still pursuing? What might you do about it?

Prayer Focus: For tomorrow’s worship celebration, that we would hear the Good News about the Kingdom, and would risk it all for the lost souls.

Tomorrow’s Message Title: “The Church is like a… Search and Rescue Mission.”

Souls of men! why will ye scatter

Like a crowd of frightened sheep?

Foolish hearts! why will ye wander

From a love so true and deep?

Was there ever kindest shepherd

Half so gentle, half so sweet,

As the Savior who would have us

Come and gather round his feet?

For the love of God is broader

Than the measure of man’s mind;

And the heart of the Eternal

Is most wonderfully kind.

Friday, September 21, 2012

Opening: Have you ever been the bearer of good news? The birth of a baby? A promotion or new job? An “A” in that really hard class? What is it like to share good news? What are your feelings and motivations for sharing it? How do you feel when people respond positively to your good news?

Scripture: Read Acts 8:4-25.

Insights:

• Philip is often called “Philip the Evangelism” to try to illuminate confusion. Like Stephen, Philip was one of the Seven (see Acts 6:1-6), not the Philip who was one of the original twelve disciples. We don’t know the circumstances of his conversion, but he was an administrator of the food distribution, well respected and full of the Spirit and wisdom (see Acts 6:3). After the events in today and Sunday’s passages, we do not hear about Philip for 20 years. Then we find he lives in Caesarea and has four daughters who were preachers (see Acts21:9). After the fall of Jerusalem, many Christians were driven out of Palestine, and among them Philip and his daughters. One tradition connects Philip with Hierapolis in Asia, but in all probability the evangelist is confused with the apostle. Another tradition represents them as dwelling at Tralles, Philip being the first bishop of the Christian community.  
• Samaria is the former capital of the Kingdom of Israel, who separated from the Kingdom of Judah after Solomon’s death. It had a history of evil kings who led the people to idol worship. In 722 BC, the Kingdom of Israel was defeated by the Assyrians and deported throughout the nations.  
• Samaritans were looked down upon by Jews. The Samaritans were half-breeds – their parentage was not completely Jewish. This prejudice was so great that upstanding Jews wishing to travel between Galilee and Judea would go the long way around Samaria instead of taking the shortest route through.  
• The people of Samaria were captivated by Philip’s message and the miracles he did. Many were converted and baptized. Peter and John were sent to verify these conversions were authentic and to pray for the new believers to receive the Holy Spirit. And when the Holy Spirit came, it was a sign that proved that the message of Jesus was to go out to all people, not just the Jews.

Life Questions:

• Sometimes discerning the will of God is difficult. We pray about it, ask others’ counsel and prayer, and read Scripture. But sometimes, a sign is what we need, what we want, and what God gives. However, we must be careful to look for signs that are really not there. For example, praying “God, if you want me to do so and so, let the sun come up today.” Well, God is going to answer that prayer, but it may not be a sign. What are you praying about right now in your search for the will of God?

Prayer Focus: That we look through any troubles and persecution to what God can do through it.

Thursday, September 20, 2012

Opening: Are you someone who has an answer for everything or someone who wishes they could say the perfect thing at a key moment instead of thinking of it later? Have you ever said something – good and necessary, or bad and spiteful – that got you in trouble?

 

Scripture: Read Acts 7:54-8:3.

Insights:

• Wow! If Stephen had ended his speech with Acts 7:50, he probably would not have incensed the Jewish leaders. There was nothing controversial there. But he continued:  
• He called them stubborn and heathen (Greek: “uncircumcised”). That was a personal attack on their religious standing.  
• He told them they were just like their ancestors, who persecuted and killed the prophets, except they went one step further: they killed God’s Righteous One – the Messiah. (Of course, this accusation had been made in Acts 2:23; 3:14-15; 4:10; and 5:30.) That was an attack on their religious leadership.  
• He told them that they deliberately disobeyed God’s law. That was an attack on their religious adherence.
• These things just made them mad. What threw the Jewish leaders over the edge was Stephen saying that Jesus was equal to God. That did it! (See John 8:58-59 and a similar situation with Jesus.)  
• Stoning of blasphemers (which they considered Stephen to be) was required in Mosaic Law, but it was illegal in Roman-ruled Palestine. Remember, the Jewish leaders could not legally execute Jesus, but needed Pilate’s signature on the execution order. So, Stephen was illegally stoned by the mob.
• Stephen’s final words echo those of Jesus on the cross. See Luke 23:34,46.  
• Luke introduces Saul at the end of chapter 7 and into the first few verses of chapter 8. Saul is clearly liked to this wave of persecution.
• When the persecution begins, believers began to scatter. To this point, the movement was localized only in Jerusalem. But now, believers are spreading out and taking the message of Jesus with them. We will see specific examples of this in Saturday and Monday’s passages.

Life Questions:

• There are Christians today being persecuted and martyred. Some stories are reported through the media, while others are unknown. The “Voice of the Martyrs“ website provides news and stories of Christian persecution.  
• We are commanded to “Remember those in prison, as if you were there yourself. Remember also those being mistreated, as if you felt their pain in your own bodies.”  Could you add “Christians facing persecution” to your prayer list?  
• It is very hard to ask God to forgive those who have hurt you. Is there someone in your life for whom you need to pray “Lord, do not hold this sin against them”?  
• Jesus’ last words to his followers were a command to take the gospel everywhere (see Matthew 28:19-20 and Acts 1:8), but they seemed reluctant to leave Jerusalem. It took intense persecution to scatter the believers from Jerusalem and into Judea and Samaria, where Jesus had instructed them to go. Could difficult circumstances be leading you to a fuller fulfillment of God’s call on your life?

Prayer Focus: For believers everywhere who are facing persecution, in a school, in their family, in the neighborhood, or in their country.

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Opening: Are you a storyteller? Do you like to tell family stories? Life stories? What is your favorite “Did you know” history story?

Scripture: Read Acts 7:1-53.

Insights:

• The high priest in Acts 7:1 is probably Caiaphas, the same man who led the Council against Jesus. Clearly, there is some history here.  
• Stephen is responding to accusations that he blasphemed Moses and God, spoke against the Temple and the law of Moses, that Jesus would destroy the Temple, and change the customs Moses handed down (see Acts 6:11-14). He responded with a retelling of Jewish Covenant history.
• Stephen saw that the men who played a really great part in the history of Israel were the men who heard God’s command and were not afraid to obey it. With that adventurous spirit, Stephen implicitly contrasted the spirit of the Jews of his own day, whose one desire was to keep things as they were and who regarded Jesus and his followers as dangerous innovators.  
• Stephen insisted that people had worshiped God long before there ever was a Temple. To the Jews, the Temple was the most sacred of all places. Stephen’s insistence on the fact that God does not dwell exclusively in any temple made with hands was not to their liking.
• Stephen insisted that when the Jews crucified Jesus, they were only continuing to pursue a policy they had always followed; for all through the ages they had persecuted the prophets and abandoned the leaders whom God had raised up.

Life Questions:

• Stephen retells the story of people of faith (see another account in Hebrews 11). Who have been the people of faith that have influenced your life? If any are still alive, why don’t you contact them by letter, call or visit, and tell them how they influenced your spiritual life. You will undoubtedly make their day.  
• Who might benefit from your retelling the Gospel and your faith story?

Prayer Focus: That we would be true to the legacy of faith passed down to us, and devoted to passing it on to others.

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Opening: Are you more likely to “rock-the-boat” or keep “peace-at-any-price”?

Scripture: Read Acts 6:8-15.

Insights:

• Stephen is one of the Seven chosen earlier in this chapter. As his name and his relations in the church at Jerusalem seem to imply, he was a Greek-speaking Jew. There is a tradition that records that Stephen was among the Seventy-two (see Luke 10). He was an effective administrator, a powerful speaker, and one whom God used to perform signs and heal people.  
• Former slaves established and met at their own synagogue. They were Jews from other countries around the Mediterranean who had secured their freedom, but did not feel welcomed in established synagogues. It makes you wonder why they had to establish their own place of fellowship.
• Luke indicates that the accusations against Stephen were lies. There was no blasphemy on the part of Stephen. It could be that, like Jesus (see Mark14:53-59 and John 2:19), Stephen’s words were taken out of context. He may have also deduced that the Temple rituals were now outdated because of the redemptive work of Christ.
• Another leader of the Early Church is brought to the council of religious leaders. In their minds, the influence of these Jesus followers is becoming intolerable. The situation is going from bad to worse.

Life Questions:

• Sometimes “things” become more important than people. Stephen’s accusers are more worried about the Temple than the people that are being cared for and healed through the ministry of Stephen. Is there any “thing” you hold more important than people?
• Even before Stephen speaks a word, the high council can see that Stephen is different. His countenance is angelic. How do people see you? Is your Christian faith evidenced not just on Sunday morning, but in your daily life? Can people see Jesus on your face?

Prayer Focus: That the world would know through our message and our life that Jesus is Lord.

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.