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Devotional: Acts 3:11-26

Today’s passage: Acts 3:11-26

Helpful thoughts:

  • The God of the Old Testament is the same as the God of the New Testament.  Peter reminded the crowd that the Servant was to be sent by their God.
  • Imagine being told, “You killed the Author of life.”  Then remember, Christ died for our sins.  Our sin required His death.
  • Peter communicated the truth of the bad news before he shared the good news.  Good people don’t need saving.

Questions to consider:

  1. For these Jews who participated in the call for Jesus’ crucifixion, what would repentance look like?  What would they need to believe and acknowledge?  Whose sacrifice would they be trusting in for their forgiveness?  What would they now call Jesus?
  2. Why is it necessary to know the truth of our condition before we desire to be saved?  Whose definition of “Good” is the one we are measured by as it relates to our standing before God?
  3. Are there any people you think would be impossible to reach with the Gospel?  What had these people in Acts 3  just done?  What role does God have in accomplishing His will in seeing Jesus crucified for our sin and then saving some of the very people who participated?  How should this bring us to worship Him?

August 16, 2020 Category: Acts, Devotions

Devotional: Acts 3:1-10

Today’s passage: Acts 3:1-10

Helpful thoughts:

  • The “Ninth hour” is 3 p.m.  When you see hours written this way in Scripture, just count from 6 a.m.
    • The Jews had three daily times of prayer; 9 a.m., noon, and 3 p.m.
  • This miracle, done in the name of Jesus, took immediate and whole effect.  No smoke and mirrors, no ushering of the healed back-stage…it was a real, open, observed by believers and unbelievers alike, miracle.
  • The lame man expected to receive something (Verse 5), but it wasn’t a complete physical healing.  His faith is not what made him well.  His healing would serve to authenticate the message of the Apostle Peter in the next verses.

Questions to consider:

  1. What are the differences between this healing and those “performed” by modern day “faith-healers?”  (Hint: the four characteristics of this healing were; 1.) It was not expected. 2.) It was done in the name of Jesus. 3.) It was instantaneous. 4.) It was complete.)
  2. What impact did the healing have on the now formerly lame man?  What impact would his jumping and leaping and praising God have on the crowd who had been in a posture of prayer?  Was the healing itself the climax of the day or what was to come after it?
  3. What is the ultimate healing we all need that far surpasses any physical healing we may desire?  What is Isaiah 53:5 actually talking about?  What problem did Christ’s death solve?

August 15, 2020 Category: Acts, Devotions

Devotional: Acts 2:42-47

Today’s passage: Acts 2:42-47

Helpful thoughts:

  • A helpful reminder, what we read in Acts is descriptive, not necessarily prescriptive.  If the first church in Jerusalem did something a certain way, it does not necessarily mandate that all other church do the same.  However, it’s worth asking what they did and why.  And, if another passage of Scripture does command the action, it is certainly instructive to see how the early church sought to obey the Lord.
  • Teaching/learning, fellowship, breaking bread, prayers and sharing of resources were things everyone was part of.  The miraculous signs were not for everyone.  They authenticated the message of the Apostles as they laid the foundation of the church (Ephesians 2:20).
    • We could also observe, there was no apparent push for social reform in the government, only in themselves.  They knew who their King was.
  • In the very beginning, the church was a family who loved those even outside the family and welcomed them in through their testimony and kindness.

Questions to consider:

  1. Was there a law or rule that said these Christians had to get together everyday?  Why were they doing this?  How can this encourage us in our walk and in our relationships?
  2. Does this passage ever say these first Christians ALL sold EVERYTHING they owned?  Or, are we told they shared with all from their own possessions as needs arose through their own desire to give?
  3. Reading through this passage, what are some differences between the way these new Christians viewed their involvement with the church with the way many seem to view the church today?  How would those differences have brought them closer together?  How would those differences have aided the work of sharing the gospel with others, who were being added each day?

August 14, 2020 Category: Acts, Devotions

Devotional: Acts 2:14-41

Today’s passage: Acts 2:14-41

Helpful thoughts:

  • Peter’s method of pointing people to Christ was to show them the Scripture and to give eyewitness account.
  • Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved!
    • The prophecy from Joel in verses 17-21 contains elements of the birth of the church and the second coming of Christ.  Mentions of these signs are indications for both events…not indications of what we should be seeing throughout the “last days”.
  • Verse 38 does not require baptism as a prerequisite for salvation.  However, this passage does not excuse believers from ever needing to be baptized.
    • If a person repents, they will obey the lordship of Christ. They will be baptized.
    • No one was added to the church without being baptized.
    • Baptism is the God-given, God-commanded sign of repentance and conversion.  It is the way a person “goes forward” to profess their faith.  It is the evidence by which a church welcomes them into the body.

Questions to consider:

  1. Are you familiar with Scriptures enough to share the gospel with others?  How would you share your testimony?  (Check this link for some helpful information!)
  2. According to verses 39 and 41, how many souls were added to the church that day and why were they added?
  3. What did these new believers repent of?  What had they done with the Christ that they were now no longer doing?  What were they now believing and doing in their repentance?  Can a person be saved without repentance?

August 13, 2020 Category: Acts, Devotions

Devotional: Acts 2:1-13

Today’s passage: Acts 2:1-13

Helpful thoughts:

  • The Day of Pentecost is the fiftieth day after Passover.  It was one of the three festivals per year for the Jewish people.  Every year at Pentecost, the Jewish people celebrated the first fruits of their harvest.
    • The Spirit was given to the church as a first-fruits, a guarantee of our full inheritance in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:5, Ephesians 1:11-14).
  • Characteristics of tongues:
    • People who heard them could understand what they were saying in their own native language.
    • They were given as a sign as they marked the transition from Israel to the Church…from the Old Covenant to the New Covenant.
    • And, they were given to convince those who were in unbelief (1 Corinthians 14:22).  Meaning, when tongues are being spoken, it is an indication that there is a LACK of belief present and that there would be people present who speak a different language who could hear and understand what was being spoken.
      • They are seen/heard here in Acts 2 as the Church begins to spread.
      • They are heard in Acts 10 to show that Gentiles are included in the Church.
      • They are heard in Acts 19 to confirm that Christ was the Messiah as John the Baptist had prophesied.
      • The Apostle Paul spoke different tongues as a missionary to the Gentile world (1 Corinthians 14:18), though it is never recorded specifically when this occurred.
  • The mocking accusation of drunkenness was not a response to the Apostles acting erratically, because they weren’t.  It was a rejection of the truth they were hearing clearly in their own language.

Questions to consider:

  1. Why was the celebration of the harvest such a great day for this event?  What was God indicating?
  2. Were the Apostles trying to speak in tongues?  Were they waiting for tongues to happen and encouraging each other to try and have more faith to make it happen?  How are tongues in the Bible so much different than what so many people are trying to do today?
  3. How do the mockers respond to what they are seeing and hearing?  Do amazing miraculous things convert people?  How does faith come to people (Romans 10:17, John 3:6-8)?

August 12, 2020 Category: Acts, Devotions

Devotional: Acts 1:12-26

Today’s passage: Acts 1:12-26

Helpful thoughts:

  • According to Jewish tradition, they were only allowed to travel about half a mile on the Sabbath day.  This was believed to be the furthest distance anyone traveled to get to the tabernacle in the wilderness during the Exodus.
  • Only 10 days passed between the ascension and Pentecost.  The first meeting consisted of the disciples, the women who had accompanied them (such as Mary Magdelene, Mary and Martha, and the apostles’ wives), and Mary the mother of Jesus, and His brothers (James, Joses, Jude, and Simon).
    • Within those ten days, other followers of Christ joined them, including Barsabas and Matthias.
  • The casting of lots was used at different times in the Old Testament.  This is the last time the use of lots is recorded in Scripture…the Spirit of God came in the next chapter, followed by the apostolic ministry and the writing of the New Testament.

Questions to consider:

  1. How did David write the Psalms (Verse 16)?  Who is the Author of the Scriptures?
  2. What kinds of things did the disciples of Jesus do while they waited for the promise of Christ to come happen?  In what ways was their waiting a time of preparation for what was to come?  How can this guide us as we await Christ’s return?
  3. How did Peter confirm or give evidence for his assertions? How did he prove that Judas’ betrayal was not an accident or a failure on God’s part?  How did he convince the rest that it was best to have another man take Judas’ place as an Apostle?  What was his source of information?

August 11, 2020 Category: Acts, Devotions

Devotional: Acts 1:1-11

Today’s passage: Acts 1:1-11

Helpful thoughts:

  • The Gospel of Luke and Acts are both written by Luke.  Both addressed to Theophilus.
  • Jesus’ body didn’t simply come up missing.  He presented Himself alive by many infallible proofs!
  • The Holy Spirit baptized over 3,00 souls (Including the Apostles) into the body of Christ at the day of Pentecost, which we will read about in Acts 2.  Since then, that baptism has occurred in each person at their conversion (1 Corinthians 12:13, Romans 8:9, Titus 3:5-6).
  • The timing of the coming kingdom remains a mystery.  However, the power to expand the kingdom is here.
  • Christ is coming again!

Questions to consider:

  1. What are some of the infallible proofs of Jesus’ resurrection? How do they show that our Savior and Lord is alive?  (See John 20:19, Luke 24:39, 1 Corinthians 15:5-8 for examples)
  2. What was the mission which the Holy Spirit empowered the Apostles to do?  Was the power most evidenced in the signs they did or in the spread of the Gospel and converted souls?
  3. How is the Gospel still going forward today?  Who shared Christ with you?  Who can you share the message with today?

August 10, 2020 Category: Acts, Devotions

Sermon: 1 Corinthians 13:1-3, 8-12

Love Never Ends!

August 9, 2020 Category: 1 Corinthians, Sermons

Children’s Church: Elijah Part 1

August 9, 2020 Category: Children's Church

Devotional: Isaiah 66

Today’s passage: Isaiah 66

Helpful thoughts:

  • We cannot impress God.  We are not going to wow Him with our accomplishments.  The right response before the holy, omnipotent God is a humble and contrite spirit.
  • Everyone who rejects God and incurs His wrath does so by their own choice (Verse 3).
    • And yet, many of them reject God and sin against His people as if they were obeying Him (Verse 5).
  • There will be resurrection for the redeemed, and it will follow the time of God’s judgment.
    • Believing Jews and Gentiles from around the world will come to Israel and worship the Lord.

Questions to consider:

  1. If I feel like God is lucky to have me on His team and can’t wait to get my trophies and rewards in Heaven because of how awesome I’ve been, which kind of person am I trending toward considering verses 2-3?  Is it possible for someone to think they are a Christian but instead be a person who is doing wrong in the name of Jesus?
  2. How does the culture we live in view people who are humble, contrite (expressing remorse for my guilt), and who tremble at the words of God?  How do those postures compare to the ideas of “following your heart,” “being true to yourself,” and being a “product of your environment?”
  3. Does anyone ever go to Hell/endure God’s wrath because they rejected God against their will (Verse 3)?  What makes a proud sinner become a humble contrite follower of Jesus (John 3:1-8)?

August 9, 2020 Category: Devotions, Isaiah

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