Don’t Hold Back
Everyone lives with regrets. Those regrets can come from bad decisions or awkward situations, but the worse regrets are the opportunities we didn’t take. One of those regrets can be not sharing the Gospel with a friend or family member, and then they are no longer in our lives. Take a cue from Peter, and don’t hold back. Give them Jesus.
ACTS 4:12
“And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.”
Acts 4 is one of Peter’s best sermons. He is standing in front of the Sanhedrin, giving a reason why the lame man was healed at the temple gate. He doesn’t hold back accusing the m of crucifying the Messiah. Then he boldly tells them that Jesus is the only way to salvation. Preaching the Gospel to the most educated people in Israel with Spirit-filled boldness was a daring move, but he didn’t hold anything back.
Afraid to Discipline
I recently heard about a church deacon beating and abusing his children. It broke my heart as one of the grown children told me the first-hand account. Sadly, several in the church knew about it and did nothing. He wasn’t removed as a deacon and continued at the church after the wife separated and took the children. He went on to do it again in his next marriage. Churches allow this to happen because they are afraid to discipline. The church is to rebuke those who continue in sin.
1 TIMOTHY 5:20
“Those who continue in sin, rebuke in the presence of all, so that the rest also will be fearful of sinning.”
Paul gives Timothy a critical lesson in leadership. The church cannot survive without Biblical discipline. Notice how Paul tells Timothy to rebuke those who continue in sin in front of everyone? It serves a dual purpose. First, it addresses the habitual sin of the person and lets everyone else know that it is occurring. Second, it serves as a warning to the rest of the church so that it will make them fearful of sinning.
A Steadfast Heart
Are you the type of person who, once you believe in your mind, not much will change? Maybe you consider loyalty to be one of your strongest traits. You stick with those you love through thick and thin. The Bible describes this as being steadfast. That is how the Psalmist describes his love for the Lord. He has a steadfast heart that sings God’s praises.
PSALMS 108:1
“My heart is steadfast, O God; I will sing, I will sing praises, even with my soul.”
Steadfast means unmovable, not changing. Multiple times in the book of Psalms God tells us that His love for us is steadfast. Now the Psalmist is telling God that his heart is the same way. He will not move but sing His praises from the depths of his soul. The Psalmist has seen the faithful love of the Lord, and now he is attaching his heart to Him, and that is evident by the song that wells up from his soul.
Are You a Witness?
When most people think of the term witness, they think of being called into court and having to answer questions from a lawyer. The truth is you can be a witness to many other events. You can go to a sporting event and witness an extraordinary performance by an athlete. Peter was a witness to the resurrection of Jesus Christ, and he wasn’t afraid to tell anyone. Are you a witness to the life-transforming power of Jesus Christ?
ACTS 3:14-15
“But you disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, but put to death the Prince of life, the one whom God raised from the dead, a fact to which we are witnesses.”
Peter didn’t hold back when he was brought before the Sanhedrin. He told them that they rejected the Messiah and chose a murderer instead. He flat-out accuses them of murdering Jesus. None of it mattered because the Almighty God raised Jesus from the dead, and Peter was a witness to His resurrection. The Pharisees could lodge all the accusations they wanted. The Apostles had evidence on their side.
Remain on Mission
Does your church look different than it did a couple of years ago? Have a lot of people moved away or stopped attending? Have you wondered if your church will survive? If you are in that boat, take courage from today’s scripture. Paul exhorts Timothy to remain on mission.
1 TIMOTHY 4:1
“But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons,”
Paul’s first letter to Timothy is meant to encourage a young pastor shepherding a church by himself. We are not aware of the correspondence between the two, but you can tell by the tone that Timothy is feeling a little discouraged. Paul tells him not to fear but to stir up the gift inside to preach the Word. At the same time, Paul is realistic. He tells Timothy that many will fall away from the faith in the last days. They will be led away by lying spirits and evil doctrines.
All Things in Common
During the 1970s, a move of God started to happen in some churches around the United States. This movement was different because it was happening amongst the hippies and surfers. It was soon called the Jesus movement, and thousands of teenagers and college students came to know Jesus. There was a spirit of love present the church hadn’t seen in decades. That unity was made possible by people seeking Jesus. They had all things in common.
ACTS 2:44
“And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common.”
The early church was powerful and effective because of the Holy Spirit and was a unique unity brought on by selfless sacrifice. The church was growing, and all the needs were met because the Spirit had moved on certain people’s hearts to give. This attitude and atmosphere made it welcoming to everyone. Outsiders could tell there was something different than the normal synagogue life, and it was attracting people in droves.
Feed the Flock
When Peter encountered Jesus after the crucifixion, he needed to be encouraged. After denying Jesus three times, he felt like a complete failure. Jesus looked at Peter and asked him three times if he loved him. When Peter answered yes, he told him to feed his sheep. That was Peter’s role from that day forward. The church needs to be fed, and it comes from the pastor. They need to feed the flock.
Ezekiel 34:4
“The weak you have not strengthened, nor have you healed those who were sick, nor bound up the broken, nor brought back what was driven away, nor sought what was lost; but with force and cruelty you have ruled them.”
Corrupt Priests
Israel has a history of priests who neglected the people. They worried more about getting rich than instructing the flock in the knowledge of God’s Word. This left a country that was ignorant and susceptible to following other gods. In the Old Testament, God judges the priests and charges them with neglecting the people. A pastor’s job is to feed the flock.
Walk In the Light
Walking from a dark room to one that is well-lit can shock our senses. Our eyes squint, we move our hands to cover our eyes until they can adjust, and there is a tingling sensation all over our body. Once we adjust, we are okay. Coming from a life of sin to one of following after Christ can be a similar adjustment. We know we are doing the right thing, but we were much more comfortable in our past lives. Paul tells us to walk in the light.
Ephesians 5:8,11
“For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light”… “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them.”
Walk in the Light
The Ephesians had come from a pagan culture that catered to every pleasure. “If it felt good, then do it” was the day’s motto. Once they started following Jesus, it felt awkward. The light of God’s Word exposed their past life, and there was a temptation to hide in the darkness. Paul urges them to walk in the light. Break off that lifestyle and friendships that were unfruitful and dark.
Humbly At His Feet
Jesus wants us to sit humbly at his feet. Think about Mary and Martha. Martha was busy doing the jobs that made her an excellent host. Mary just sat humbly at his feet and learned. There is nothing wrong with working hard, but Jesus wants us to come and sit humbly at his feet. The woman we see today was a lady with a bad reputation, but she went to Jesus’ feet, cleaned them with her tears, and anointed his head with oil.
Luke 7:44-48
Then turning toward the woman he said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not ceased to kiss my feet. You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.” And he said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”
Genuine Faith
Want to recognize genuine faith? Watch a church go through a division. Those with genuine faith will rise to the top. Those whose hearts are indeed Christ’s will be made evident. Sound strange? Faith is tested by fire. Nothing increases the flames more than factions in a church. Genuine faith will see through all the hyperbole and apply scripture biblically.
1 Corinthians 11:17-22
But in the following instructions I do not commend you, because when you come together it is not for the better but for the worse. 18 For, in the first place, when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you. And I believe it in part, 19 for there must be factions among you in order that those who are genuine among you may be recognized.
The communion ceremony of the first-century church looks different than it does today. They were often called love feasts, and people would come together for what we know as a potluck and celebrate communion by eating together. In Corinth, it had become a gluttonous affair. The wealthy brought more than they needed and did not share, while others went home hungry. They were getting drunk on the wine and gorging on food. This was the opposite of what the love feast was supposed to be.
Time For Battle
A soldier knows when it’s time for battle. He can feel it in his bones, and his mind starts the mental preparation. He goes through a checklist in his mind of everything that he will need to take on the enemy. He wants to be prepared while at the same time unhindered by anything that will slow him down. As Christians, we are soldiers in God’s army. We cannot go blindly through life thinking that nothing stands against us. Satan is fully equipped to take us out. It’s time for battle. Are you prepared?
Ephesians 6:12
“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.”
Time for Battle
The battle is real. It’s not like what you see in the movies with armies facing one another. It is covert operations that seek to catch you off guard. The enemy is constantly plotting ways that will trip you up. He knows that you are most vulnerable if you stumble and are down. If he can keep you down eventually, you will give up. Much of the Spiritual battle is in mind—the attacks of doubt, the bouts of anger, the lingering bitterness.
Tempted in Every Way
Jesus was tempted in every way like every other human on earth. He experienced the pain and struggles that all of us face. That is why he can relate to our lives and be the bridge between God and us. When you are tempted, remember that Christ has gone through it and provided a way out of it. Look to him for your help.
Hebrews 4:15
“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are–yet he did not sin.”
Tempted in Every Way
The author of Hebrews writes theology unlike anywhere else in the Bible. The first four chapters are ripe in what scholars call Christology or the study of Jesus. Hebrews 4:15 is a prime example. We are told that Christ experienced the same temptations that we face. He endured Satan in the desert, and the attacks of the Pharisees yet did not sin. Our Savior was tempted in every way.
A Joyful Spirit
What gives the Christian a joyful spirit? What brings us to that place where peace and joy permeate everything we do? Isaiah provides us with a clue. He tells us that a joyful spirit comes from being right with God. Some things steal our joy, and then we do things that make us lose our joy. We need to prevent the latter and be on guard for the former.
Isaiah 58:9, 11
“Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer; You shall cry, and He will say, ‘Here I am.’ “If you take away the yoke from your midst, The pointing of the finger, and speaking wickedness, if you pour yourself out for the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then shall your light rise in the darkness and your gloom be as the noonday. The LORD will guide you continually, And satisfy your soul in drought, And strengthen your bones; You shall be like a watered garden, And like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.”
Going thru the Motions
The Jews were attending church, learning scripture, and even fasting, but nothing was happening. It was because their actions were contrary to God’s Word. They were going through the spiritual motions of following Jesus, expecting big things, and couldn’t figure out why nothing was happening. God looked at all of it and told them their heart was not in it.
Prayer That Changes People
Prayer changes things, but most of all, it changes people. As Paul is writing his letter to Timothy, he urges him to lead the people in prayer. Paul knows this is where the church’s power is and that if they want to see the Spirit do a work in their community, they need to be interceding for its leaders and people in power. Prayer changes people. It can even move those opposed to the Gospel’s work through the church.
1 Timothy 2:1-4
First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.
Prayer should Include Four Things
Prayer should include four things; requests, praise, intercession, and thanksgiving. Supplications, or requests, are the needs we bring to God. Praise is the adoration and worship we give to God. Intercession means to stand in the gap for someone else. When you lift up the needs of others, you are interceding. Finally, every prayer time should include a time of thanking God for who He is.
Power Through Our Weakness
"Don't let anybody see you sweat." That was a famous line from a marketing campaign for anti-persperant. What they were really saying is don't let anyone see your weakness. Society says you have to be strong even though you don't have the strength to show it. It is...
Jesus’ Victory Parade
One of the highlights of being a world champion in any sport is the victory parade. In the United States, the most prominent parades always happen for the Super Bowl Champion. Whole cities shut down to come out and cheer for their champion. Palm Sunday is Jesus’ victory parade. All of Jerusalem came out to shout “Hosanna” as he traveled into the city.
Mark 11:7-10
And they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks on it, and he sat on it. And many spread their cloaks on the road, and others spread leafy branches that they had cut from the fields. And those who went before and those who followed were shouting, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David! Hosanna in the highest!”
Victory Parade
When Roman generals returned from a battle, they always led a procession of their army into town. He would enter on a white horse followed by his troops, the spoils of victory, and the slaves he had captured. It was quite an event as the whole town would come out and cheer the parade. Jesus had his victory parade as well. It happened during the Passover feast. Thousands and thousands came out and shouted and waved palm branches.
Get Alone With God
If you listen to surveys, one of the things people desire the most is a little quiet time by themselves. There is so much competition for your time and distractions that steal your focus. Carving out time to get alone with God and pray is a challenge, but it is one of the most important activities you can do.
Matthew 14:23
“And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. Now when evening came, He was alone there.”
Getting Alone with God
Jesus often stole away to pray. During the day, people pressed in all around Him to meet their needs. He walked with His disciples, who never looked like they would get it. Jesus had to get away at night just to be alone with His Father. When everyone else was asleep, he would go and spend the night in prayer to recharge for what awaited him the next day.
Different but Still the Same
Have you ever watched sailboat racing? Seeing the crew jumping all over the boat as the wind changes is a sight to see. Each person has a specific responsibility that works in unison with the rest of the team. They all have different roles but the same goal, to win the race. The church is set up the same way. The Holy Spirit gives each person unique gifts to be used in conjunction with other believers to accomplish the same purpose, proclaim the Gospel. We are different but still the same team.
1 Corinthians 12:4-6
Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone.
Different but Still the Same
Everyone is equipped with a variety of gifts when they choose to follow Jesus. What you have been given will be different from others in the church. What doesn’t differ is the Holy Spirit who gives you the gifts. We have all been filled with the Holy Spirit upon salvation. This gives us unity in the church. God can take a diverse group of people and unify them as one church through His Holy Spirit.
When You’ve Been Wronged
Everyone one of us has been wronged by another person. What do you do when you’ve been wronged? Do you seek revenge? Do you file a lawsuit and take them to court, or do you isolate yourself and sulk? How you process your hurt will dictate your future. The Apostle Paul suggests an alternative to when you’ve been wronged.
1 Corinthians 6:1-2
When one of you has a grievance against another, does he dare go to law before the unrighteous instead of the saints? Or do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world is to be judged by you, are you incompetent to try trivial cases?
Stop the Scandals
So many people who are easily offended these days. The Greek word for offense is scandalon, from which we get our word scandal. Originally the word was used to refer to the bait used to snare a wild animal. Paul uses it to refer to anything that hinders our walk with God. Paul puts his foot down and tells the Corinthians that it is not the way it is supposed to be in the church. This had become a problem in the Corinthian church, and Paul wanted the leadership to handle things differently. When we go to court, it is already a defeat for the church and us because it destroys our witness.
Selfless Giving
The grand gesture is very popular right now. Students are going to great lengths to ask their dates to the homecoming dance. Fiances climb mountains to propose at the perfect spot. We like to make a big deal out of the simplest acts. Jesus commands us to do the opposite. He calls us to selfless giving. Our motivation should be to bless others, not draw attention to ourselves. Break the mold and become a selfless giver.
Matthew 6:1,3
“Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret.
A Clanging Noise
Giving at the annual feasts in Jerusalem was a big show. People would go to the treasury to watch the wealthy drop coins into large brass receptacles. The more coins they put in, the louder the sound, making everyone turn and watch. The wealthy did it for recognition. The disciple of Jesus needs to give where no one notices except Jesus.