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Acts 4:32-5:11 At the Apostles' Feet

In three different scenes this week, we see generosity and deception. We learn some principles of the deity of the Holy Spirit and we are reminded of the way that God has always intended for us to look out for each other. And, not emphasized as much in the teaching, there are some very good principles as to why tithing is a good guideline: It is a good guideline. It's easy to calculate It means that you made it a priority in your life. It has a principle of setting aside something as a priority. It's an amount that people can be cheerful about. But, for many in America, a tenth of your income is simply a good starting point, not the generous giving that we should all aspire to!

Acts 4:1-31 Boldness and the Early Church

Acts 2:39-3:11 Five Important Things, A Beggar Gets Healed

Acts 2:39-3:11

 

Introduction

³⁹ For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.” ⁴⁰ And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.” ⁴¹ So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.

⁴² And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. ⁴³ And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. ⁴⁴ And all who believed were together and had all things in common. ⁴⁵ And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. ⁴⁶ And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, ⁴⁷ praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved. ^[1]

Five Points of review

1. Baptism is out of obedience
2. They devoted themselves to the Apostles’ teaching (which was led by the Holy Spirit)
3. Fellowship – has essentials of “togetherness” and healing of human relationships.

From Ray Stedman “. . . These new followers of Christ devoted themselves to fellowship, which means holding all things in common, sharing together. Here are three thousand people, many of whom had come from other parts of the world into Jerusalem for that occasion, and who did not know each other. But now that they are one in Christ, they begin to love each other, to share their burdens and needs with one another, and to pray together. There was a wonderful sense of community, of common-ness, of belonging to each other. That is the intended life for the body of Christ. God has designed that His life should be manifest through a body. And if the body is not operating, the power of the life of God is not manifest . . . That is why when the Holy Spirit of God begins to move in any congregation or assembly of Christians, He first begins to heal the brokenness of human relationships . . .”

4. “We really need to pray.”
5. They were meeting together – often in the temple (Herod’s Temple – completed ~ 20 BC).

• The temple grounds occupied about 35 acres.
• The temple building itself took 13 acres (450 x 700 ft)
• The sanctuary was 150 feet tall. (Where Satan took Jesus for temptation to jump.)

Chapter 3

• Not clear the time interval from end of chapter 2 and start of chapter 3

Peter and John at the Temple

• They were there at the 9^th hour – 3PM
• Jesus did healing in the Temple. Interestingly, if there was something wrong with you, you weren’t even supposed to be in the Temple.

The beggar at the Temple

• Peter and John had probably seen him in the past. But, this time, they really saw him.
• The beggar expected to get something from Peter and John. Do we come to church expecting something?
• He was healed and able to walk—even leap. Since he’d been lame from birth, he had never even learned to walk.

Healing       

From J. W. Carter: “Each healing done in the power of the Holy Spirit has some similarities. 1.) The power for all healing comes directly from God through the Holy Spirit. 2.) The act of healing always came from a demonstration of pure and true compassion for the one healed. 3.)Every act of healing was used by God to bring glory to Himself. In no instance was the glory for God initiated by man himself. Healings were not scripted. They were spontaneous acts of true agape love.”

 

 

 

 

 

^[1] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Ac 2:39–47). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.

Acts 2:14-47 Peter Preaches at Pentecost

Peter's amazing sermon uses texts from Joel and the Psalms and "puts it all together" for the people who were gathered there. He says that the way to claim the promise is to repent. The parallels to Moses' call to covenant renewal in Deuteronomy 29 are highlighted.

Acts 2:1-21

The amazing things that happened the day the Holy Spirit was more fully revealed.

Acts 1:9-26

Acts 1:1-8

Introduction to Acts

Introduction to Acts

Dan Berry

• Purpose:
  • To record early church history and show that the gospel message is based on historical fact
  • To show that the gospel applies to all nations and classes of people
  • It gives us hope that we can all be saved
• Outline
  • The church in Jerusalem
  • The church in Judea and Samaria
  • Paul’s mission to the Gentiles
  • Paul in Jerusalem
  • Paul’s journey to Rome
• Peter and Paul
  • The first part of Acts is related to Peter
  • The latter part of Acts is related to Paul
  • Though a simple way of organizing the book, their ministries are not separate and to make this distinction too sharp can result in missing details
• Characters in Acts
  • Many people are introduced in Acts
• Authorship -- Luke
  • A physician who traveled with Paul
  • Also wrote Luke
  • Not one of the 12 disciples
  • Addressed books to (sponsored by) Theophilus
  • Authorship attributed to Luke early – 2^nd Century
  • Greek and the only Gentile writer of the NT
  • A Christian, he’s also writing about his own faith
  • A political objective: to show that Christianity is not a threat
    • Showed a contrast to the legalistic rituals of law keeping of Judaism (see Leviticus)
    • Roman officials continually found Paul innocent
  • Peter
    • His beginnings
      • Born around 1 BC, died around 67 AD
      • A fisherman
      • Account of his (and his brother Andrew’s) calling is in Matthew
    • First to preach after Pentecost
    • First to preach to the Gentiles
    • A disciple and an apostle (one sent forth, one directly sent by Jesus)
    • His ministry was in Jerusalem and Samaria – an area of 40 - 50 miles
  • Paul
    • His beginnings
      • Born in Tarsus (modern day Turkey)
      • A Jewish family
      • A Roman by birth
      • Trained by famous rabbi, Gamaliel, in Judaism
    • Originally, Saul, a persecutor of Christians, Acts describes his conversion
    • He took four journeys, three main missionary trips and then a journey to Rome
  • Practical Application
    • God can do amazing things through ordinary people when they are empowered by the Holy Spirit
    • Acts helps in the understanding how we can be directed by the Holy Spirit
    • It gives us hope that we can be saved – salvation is open to all
    • Acts shows the importance of prayer: it is mentioned 31 times
  • Spreading the Gospel
    • Started in Acts
    • There is still work to do to make sure the whole world hears the Gospel

James 5:12-20 "If Anyone"

In this final section of James, we see the author comment on proper Christian conduct, attitudes, perspective, and community. We see that if we have an awareness of what's going on around us then there is going to be advice about what to do about it in a way that pulls God more and more into our lives.

The Ressurection and the First Easter

The focal passage is Luke 24 and is commonly called the account of "The Road to Emmaus". To watch the video of Larnelle Harris and Sandi Patty go here. (Fact check -- Mohammed was born around 569 AD, not BC)

James 5:1-11 Caution to the Rich and the Impatient

Mar 26, 2017 10:49

• Judging your neighbor
• • "There are some Christians that I don't necessarily like . . . but God says you have to love 'em."
  • The importance of attitude -- in the back of his binder -- Chuck Swindoll's word on Attitude
  • • "The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude, to me, is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness, or skill. It will make or break a company ... a church ... a home. The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude ... I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me, and 90% how I react to it. And so it is with you ... we are in charge of our Attitudes."
• Philippians 2:3-
• • • "Do nothing from selfishness or conceit . . ."
• God can use the irritants of life to bring out issues that we need to work on . . . "The Lady in the Black Lexus".  https://joshuarogers.com/2016/05/18/thank-god-for-that-awful-lady-in-the-lexus/
• • v12:  "But who are you to judge your neighbor?"
• V. 13 and following
• • • There is nothing wrong with being responsible. But, we need to know that we are not in control of our lives.
    • See Luke 12:13-22
• "My Way" is bad theology . . .

• • And now, the end is near
    And so I face the final curtain
    My friend, I'll say it clear
    I'll state my case, of which I'm certain

    I've lived a life that's full
    I've traveled each and every highway
    But more, much more than this
    I did it my way

    Regrets, I've had a few
    But then again, too few to mention
    I did what I had to do
    And saw it through without exemption

    I planned each charted course
    Each careful step along the byway
    And more, much more than this
    I did it my way

    Yes, there were times, I'm sure you knew
    When I bit off more than I could chew
    But through it all, when there was doubt
    I ate it up and spit it out
    I faced it all and I stood tall
    And did it my way

    I've loved, I've laughed and cried
    I've had my fill my share of losing
    And now, as tears subside
    I find it all so amusing

    To think I did all that
    And may I say - not in a shy way
    Oh no, oh no, not me
    I did it my way

    For what is a man, what has he got
    If not himself, then he has naught
    To say the things he truly feels
    And not the words of one who kneels
    The record shows I took the blows
    And did it my way

    Yes, it was my way

    Songwriters
    PAUL ANKA, CLAUDE FRANCOIS, LUCIEN THIBAUT, JACQUES REVAUD

    Published by
    Lyrics © WARNER CHAPPELL MUSIC FRANCE, JEUNE MUSIQUE EDITIONS, BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC, SONGS MUSIC PUBLISHING

    Song Discussions is protected by U.S. Patent 9401941. Other patents pending.
    Read more: Frank Sinatra - My Way Lyrics | MetroLyrics
• Verse 17
• • "So whoever know the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin."

James 4:1-10

James 4: 1-10

James 3:13-18 Wisdom from Above

James 3:1-12 The Tongue, Part II

Going through the next section of James' teaching on the tongue, the focus here is thinking about how the tongue can be so many things at different times: controlling, powerful, and unpredictable.

The "forgotten" point was to amplify the fact that to control the tongue is truly a hopeless effort without the Holy Spirit -- self-control (of the tongue) is a fruit of the Holy Spirit's work in our life:

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Ga 5:22–24). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.

James 3:1-6 The Tongue, Part I

Saving Faith (should be transformative) => Living with Integrity

During this study James raises a question as to what is saving faith -- "Can this faith save you" (2:14)?  A study of this passage led pastor and teacher Dr. Warren Wiersbe to write an extensive list of questions that might help a person find evidence of saving faith. Put another way, this is a useful guide for some Christians who struggle with doubt about whether they've truly been born again.

 

It is important that each professing Christian examine his own heart and life and make sure that he possesses true saving faith, dynamic faith. “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves” (2 Cor. 13:5a). Satan is the great deceiver; one of his devices is imitation. If he can convince a person that counterfeit faith is true faith, he has that person in his power.
Here are some questions we can ask ourselves as we examine our hearts:

1. Was there a time when I honestly realized I was a sinner and admitted this to myself and to God?
2. Was there a time when my heart stirred me to flee from the wrath to come? Have I ever seriously been exercised over my sins?
3. Do I truly understand the Gospel, that Christ died for my sins and arose again? Do I understand and confess that I cannot save myself?
4. Did I sincerely repent of my sins and turn from them? Or do I secretly love sin and want to enjoy it?
5. Have I trusted Christ and Christ alone for my salvation? Do I enjoy a living relationship with Him through the Word and in the Spirit?
6. Has there been a change in my life? Do I maintain good works, or are my works occasional and weak? Do I seek to grow in the things of the Lord? Can others tell that I have been with Jesus?
7. Do I have a desire to share Christ with others? Or am I ashamed of Him?
8. Do I enjoy the fellowship of God’s people? Is worship a delight to me?
9. Am I ready for the Lord’s return? Or will I be ashamed when He comes for me?

To be sure, not every Christian has the same personal experience; and there are degrees of sanctification. But for the most part, the preceding spiritual inventory can assist a person in determining his true standing before God.
“Search me, O Lord, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting” (Ps. 139:23–24).

Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 357). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.

 

James 2:1-13 The Royal Law

Why is it wrong to "judge a book by its cover"?  For starters, we're actually not very good at it.  More important:  it's not what God does and it's not what a true Christian does.

James 1:26-2:5. Purity or Partiality?

James 1:16-25

James 1: 9-15

James 1: 9-15

James 1:5-8 Wisdom and Doubt

Wisdom is needed so that we don't miss out on understanding what God is trying to do in the midst of our trials. Faith is needed to ask God for more wisdom. "No doubting" might indicate someone who truly doesn't believe God can help. Several examples of "Faithful doubters" are discussed where someone could be weak in their faith but still be in a posture of belief where their actions show the authenticity of their faith.

James 1:1-4

How do we respond to trials that we inevitably face?

Introduction to James

The Real Christmas Story?

The elements of the Christmas story swirl in us and around us. This lesson is an exercise in separating fact from tradition as we try to determine the true narrative of Jesus' birth.

Mary's Song

Art Morris looks at Mary's song from Luke 1:46-56 in the context of her place in an old testament world and also compares Hannah's song from 1 Samuel 2.

Isaiah 66 Wrapping It Up

Isaiah 63

Isaiah 62

In this episode Bill Morris encourages us to consider several points: the purpose of the watchmen, the constant commitment of the Lord to his people Israel and the promises that He has made to Israel and also to the church.

Isaiah 61 - The Jubilee

This chapter brings to mind many parts of the Bible from Leviticus to Acts really showing how God has always had a plan. The challenge is: what part of the restoration can we experience here and now?

Isaiah 60

As we consider what the Glory of the Lord looks like in the future it's also worth considering what it can look like today. How can Jesus' prayer in John 17:22ff be answered in us?

Isaiah 59

Isaiah 58

This chapter looks at the heart of worship and religious ritual and makes the point that God is way more concerned with the heart than the ritual.

Isaiah 57

Isaiah 56

Isaiah 56-57

Isaiah 55 Part 2

Isaiah 55 Part 1

Isaiah 52 -- Intro to the Fourth Servant Song

This lesson begins a close look at a climactic set of verses from Isaiah. Discussing the passage from Isaiah 52:13-53:12, Dr. Warren Wiersbe opens a chapter in his commentary Be Comforted with this paragraph:

"These five matchless stanzas of the fourth Servant poem are the Mt. Everest of messianic prophecy.”

So wrote Old Testament scholar Dr. Kyle M. Yates over fifty years ago, and his words still stand. This passage is at the heart of chapters 49–57, and its message is at the heart of the Gospel. Like Mt. Everest, Isaiah 53 stands out in beauty and grandeur, but only because it reveals Jesus Christ and takes us to Mt. Calvary."

 Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). Be Comforted (p. 130). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.

Isaiah 51

After inviting us to look backward, then forward, then within to see all the ways that God has been and is and will be blessing us, we then look at three sections that start with the request/command to "Awake!". When we do, we find that God is contending for us and bringing us salvation. A parallel is seen in some of the verses from Ephesians 1.

Isaiah 50

Isaiah 49

Isaiah 46, 47 and 48

Isaiah 44 -- Idols of Today

Isaiah 43

2“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;

And through the rivers, they will not overflow you.

When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched,

Nor will the flame burn you.

3“For I am the Lord your God,

The Holy One of Israel, your Savior;

I have given Egypt as your ransom,

Cush and Seba in your place.

 New American Standard Bible: 1995 update. (1995). (Is 43:2–3). LaHabra, CA: The Lockman 

"Through"

When I saw what laid before me
“Lord,” I cried, “what will You do?”
I thought He would just remove it
But He gently led me through

Without fire there’s no refining
Without pain no relief
Without flood there’s no rescue
Without testing no belief

Through the Fire
Through the Flood
Through the Water
Through the Blood

Through the dry and barren places
Through life’s dense and maddening mazes
Through the pain and through the glory
Through will always tell the story
Of the God whose power and mercy
Will not fail to take us through

Words: Gloria Gaither

Music: Bill Gaither and Michael Sykes

Isaiah 41

Isaiah 40:27-31

Isaiah 40: 12-26 and Job 38

Isaiah 40 and Handel's Messiah

Isaiah 38-39

Isaiah 36-37 Hezikiah + God > Assyrians