Week 3, Day 5
Today’s Reading: Acts 5-6
Some thoughts from yesterday’s reading…
As I read through Peter’s second gospel sermon (at least as it is recorded for us following the establishing of the church), I thought of how Peter may have been treated, even by Christians, if he were preaching to us today. If we take a look at what Peter has to say in Acts chapter 3, we have to admit that he was being neither soft, nor particularly concerned about whether he “offended” those who were listening to him. He spoke the truth very bluntly, without pulling any punches. When he got done, the people listening could not have missed his point! He told them that they had denied the son of God, and that they had delivered Him up to be crucified. He told them that they had asked for a murderer to be released to them so that an innocent man could be killed. He told them that they were acting in ignorance. He told them that they had to repent if they had any hope of redemption to God. He called them sinners.
How would most people react to Peter’s sermon today? Judging from what I have seen and experienced, I think most people would become angry with Peter. They wouldn’t become angry like those who heard Stephen later on, or even those who became angry in chapter 4, who arrested Peter and John. Rather, people today (especially many Christians) would become angry because of the “way Peter said what he said.” That is, they would claim that they agreed with all that he said, but then complain that he didn’t say it in a “very Christ-like manner.”
The sad truth is that far too many people have become “watered down” Christians. They are unable to take the plain teaching that was the marquee of the New Testament era preacher, and which was the nature of preachers of the gospel in by-gone eras, even in this country. In many places, the preacher is restrained from identifying any kind of error because it might “offend” someone. They are not permitted to address denominational concepts because a visitor might not like to hear that. They are not allowed to address false teaching because someone might be offended. They are not allowed to address immorality because someone might have their toes stepped on. And so many preachers adapt to preaching a watered down gospel, which leads to even more watered down Christians!
I think that we need to learn the lesson of this plain teaching in Acts 3. First, for those who teach, we need to learn to do so plainly. We need not hold back the truth for fear of offending someone. We don’t need to try and be mean, but we also should not hold back becasue someone will invariably accuse us of being mean when we speak the truth. Secondly, for those who hear, one should not be so “watered down” in their Christianity as to be offended by the truth. The idea that we agree with what is said, but complain about how it is said is a diversionary tactic that harms the reputation of the one teaching the truth, and reflects that we are too easily offended. Often (if I may make a more personal application here) when I find myself thinking that someone has been “mean” in their presentation, it is because they have stepped on my toes. I act like it is OK to tell me I am wrong, until I am told that I am wrong! That should never be the case.
The gospel message was taught clearly, and plainly in the first century, and it achieved its purpose. A person was given the opportunity to accept the message and change their life, or reject the message and remain in sin. Taught plainly, it will accomplish the same thing today. We should not “water down” the message, else we will end up not really giving people the fair opportunity they deserve to accept or reject God’s message. So, let’s speak plainly, and not be easily offended just because we don’t like the way we are told something!
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Week 3, Day 4
Today’s Reading: Acts 3-4
Some thoughts from yesterday’s reading…
There is an interesting passage at the end of Acts chapter 1, which describes the replacement of Judas as one of the apostles. There were a few conditions that were established to identify (or qualify) those who could be the replacement. Peter said that they had to choose from among those who had been with Jesus and the apostles the whole time. The qualified person also had to be a witness of the resurrected Christ. With these qualifications, they narrowed down the options to two men: Justus and Matthias. The apostles then left it up to God to choose the one who would join the number of the apostles. They cast lots, and the lot fell upon Matthias.
There are several things that are very interesting about this passage. First, consider that the qualifications identified in this passage would make it impossible for there to be modern “apostles” today. There were not going to be other men who would continually replace these men as apostles throughout all time. In fact, after the appointing of the apostle Paul (who was chosen specifically by Christ) there were no more apostles appointed. When we hear about religions that have apostles, we know that they are outside the confines of the New Testament pattern. The only apostles that we need are those from the first century. God delivered the whole gospel message through those men, and there is no further need for living apostles. God is not giving any further revelation!
The second thing that I find interesting in this passage is the practice of casting lots. There is not a lot of historical, or archaeological evidence to explain exactly what this practice entailed. It seems that it was a wide spread practice, which may have varied based on the culture that one lived in. Under most “normal” circumstances, it was a method of making decisions that was ultimately based upon chance. However, when God was involved, it was a way for God to communicate His will. That is the case here. God revealed, through the casting of lots, which of these men was supposed to be the man to replace Judas.
There is much more in these chapters that is interesting. How could I, as a preacher, pass up on that first gospel sermon? What do you find interesting in these chapters?
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Week 3, Day 3
Today’s reading: Acts 1-2
Thoughts from yesterday’s reading…
I want to share just a quick note this evening, since it is already almost midnight.
Chapters 23 and 24 of Luke are the apex of the whole Bible message. If you think about the focus of the Bible, you can see everything pointing to the moment in time of the crucifixion of Christ. Everything in the Old Testament is pointing forward to that moment in time–the perfect sacrifice for sin. The prophecies, teachings, and even the characters in the Old Testament pointed to that very moment in time. All of those characters of old were looking for that one moment in time. Their sins were forgiven (as are ours) in the sacrifice of Christ.
When we look at all of the New Testament writings, they point back to the time of the crucifixion of Christ. The writings of the epistles are a reminder to the reader that they are expected to live in a certain way. Why? Because they were the children of God, reconciled through the sacrifice of Christ!
Every aspect of the Bible is focused on the point in time of the sacrifice of Christ. We read these details, and are able to see the events of those days, and understand, at least a bit, the what Christ has been willing to do for us!
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Week 3, Day 2
Today’s Reading: Luke 23-24
And you all thought yesterday’s post was late!
Some thoughts from yesterday’s reading…
This reading contains what may be one of the most misused and misinterpreted passage in the New Testament (along with the parallel passages in the other gospels). It is found in chapter Luke 21:5-36. This is a passage that many point to to try and identify the signs that will come prior to the second coming of Christ. In fact, the Bible that I am using to do the readings has the faulty heading inserted, “The Return of Christ.” Unfortunately, the symbolism of the language is such that it is easily misunderstood. However, following the context, and the actual conversation of the disciples with Jesus, we can see what Jesus is addressing.
This passage does not deal with the end of time. It deals with the specific event that the disciples asked about in verse 7: when would these things be that Jesus had spoken about? If you look in verses 5-6, you will see that Jesus was talking about the fall of Jerusalem. This context deals with the destruction of Jerusalem, which was to come in 70 A.D. Even though the context is clearly defined for us, many people use this as the passage to identify the signs for the impending destruction of the world. How often have you heard someone say that they know the end is near because there is “war and rumors of war?” That seems to be the one that stands out in most people’s minds, and the one that is most often quoted. However, in this context, Jesus is not telling the people that they would see signs for the destruction of the world, but rather signs that would mark the impending destruction of Jerusalem.
Let me give you just a couple of examples that prove that this is the right interpretation. There is much more that can be gained in the verses, but I’ll just identify a few that illustrate the point.
- Luke 21:21–Warning to flee to the mountains. What benefit would fleeing to the mountains be when the Jesus comes in final judgment? Obviously Jesus was addressing the destruction of Jerusalem, when fleeing from the city would be of some benefit to them
- Luke 21:23–Woe to those who are pregnant. Again, what would be the disadvantage of being pregnant at the time of the final judgment, or the return of Christ? It is obvious that being pregnant would be a terrible problem for someone who had to flee the military attacks that would come on the city of Jerusalem
- Luke 21:32–These things would be fulfilled within the lifetime of those that were present. This only leaves a couple of possibilities. Either Jesus was speaking of the destruction of Jerusalem, which would be about 40 years later, or else there are some 2000 year old people in the world today
Obviously, I have not tried to give a detailed exegesis of the passage under consideration, but I do think it is important for us to see that this passage is addressing a specific historical event. It was not pointing toward the second coming of Christ, but rather the destruction of Jerusalem. There are many doctrines that are not true that are based on this misinterpretation, so we need to be prepared to show the true context and meaning of this passage!
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Week 3, Day 1
Today’s Reading: Luke 21-22
Sorry to be so late getting this posted for today, but then I’m sure you all could guess what the next reading was going to be anyway!
Some thoughts from Friday’s reading…
I have always enjoyed the story of Zaccheus from Luke chapter 19. I often think of it from the standpoint of Zaccheus when reading it, but this time, I thought about this account from Jesus’ standpoint. There are a couple of things that I think we can learn from this account and put into application in our own efforts.
First, we can learn that Jesus did not suffer from the preconceptions that most of the people in His time believed. Most people hated the tax collectors, and would not have given them a second thought when it came to sharing something with them. Jesus had the most valuable thing int the world at His disposal–a relationship with God. He didn’t decide that Zaccheus was not worthy of hearing His message. Just the opposite. He chose the house of Zaccheus to go to. Jesus obviously taught, as we see changes in Zaccheus. He was going to give generously to the poor, and he was going to return four fold what he had overcharged.
Secondly, Jesus did not care what others thought about His actions. It didn’t matter that everyone who saw Jesus talking with Zaccheus was going to condemn Him for His actions. There wasn’t a worse sinner than the Publicans (tax collectors) in the mind of most of the Jews. If He allowed the impressions of the people around Him to impact His actions, He would have never spoken to Zaccheus.
These two principles need to be considered while we are practicing evangelism. We should not hold the “word of God with partiallity.” We should not decide who we are going to approach with the gospel based on outward appearances, or based upon some preconception. Sometimes we avoid some people while trying to hand pick others. That process never works. Our job is to spread the seed, and let it fall where it will. It will find the good soil, and grow.
We also cannot allow what other people think affect who we will approach with the gospel message. Many churches try to form an appearance for themselves. They want to be affluent, and they want to draw in the powerful, popular people in the community. The Lord’s church does not (or should not) operate in that way. The gospel is for all. If we truly believe that, then we must spread the gospel message to all. Spread that seed freely, and let God produce the increase where He will!
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Fear Not…God is In Control!
In Luke chapter 12:4-7 Jesus warns that we need to remember who is in control. Sometimes, it may seem to us that certain people control the world around us. Or perhaps, with the increase in evil, we may be tempted to think that Satan is somehow currently in control. But, Jesus reminds us taht God is the One that is always in control.
If we lose perspective, it may be a temptation for us to give up. Jesus was speaking to people who would have their lives threatened. He did not tell them that it was ok then to give up–after all, you might lose your life. Instead, He gave them some perspective on life. Those people who can kill your physical body have very little real power. I know that it may be hard for us to view things from that perspective, but Jesus was pointing His audience toward eternity. We need to have a “view toward eternity” as well.
If we give in now, then we face a far greater horror than just losing our physical lives. We face the One Who has the power to punish eternally, not just physically. He is the One Who can cast us into Hell for eternal punishment.
But, we should not have to fear this punishment, if we are obedient to God. In fact, in the same verses, Jesus speaks of the sparrows which are sold in the market place, and they are not forgotten by God. How can we not be comforted by the fact that God knows when a bird is sold or killed, and He values us far more than the birds? He will not forget us.
We may have to suffer as Christians. The scriptures teach that all who are faithful will suffer persecution. Wickedness around us continues to increase. But, we can and should be comforted by the fact that God is in control, and He will not forget us. This is the message of the book of Revelation to the first century Christians. God would be there for them throughout their tribulation, helping them to be successful. In the end, He would take them to an eternal home with Him in Heaven. That is the same goal we need to stay focused on. Serve God first, and He will certainly take care of you!
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Week 2, Day 5
Today’s Reading: Luke 19-20
Some thoughts from yesterday’s reading…
Luke chapter 18 has a couple of parables that are focused on prayer. Prayer, I believe, is often an overlooked blessing. God has made it possible for us to talk to Him, no matter what circumstances we might have in our lives. These parables are designed to help believers know how they “always ought to pray and not lose heart.”
The first parable speaks of a widow who came to a judge asking for justice from her adversary. The judge did not “fear God nor regard man,” and yet he was willing to listen to this widow because of her persistence. She was willing to come back to him time and again until he was willing to do what she asked just so that she would not continually pester him. The application, as made by Jesus, was that God will bring about justice for His elect who cry out to Him day and night. He does not require the constant “pestering” that the judge required, but was willing to do for His children what they ask of Him.
The second parable is one that most of us are very familiar with. It is the prayer of the Pharisee and the tax collector. The Pharisee was boisterous, and boastful in his prayer–”I thank God that I am not like other people…” But, the tax collector on the other hand, drew no attention to himself. He stood a great distance away, and would not even lift up his eyes to heaven. he asked God to be merciful to him, identifying himself as a sinner. Of course, the second man was accepted by God–he was able to go up to his house justified.
These two parables give us two very important aspects of prayer. First, God wants us to ask Him for what we need. He doensn’t need for us to ask–He knows even before we ask. However, He still wants us to ask! Consider the example at the end of chapter 18. A blind man was crying out to Jesus, asking for Him to have mercy on him. When he gained an audience with Jesus, we do not see Jesus just automatically heal him. First, Jesus asked the man what he wanted. Jesus wanted the man to ask! Do you think Jesus knew what was wrong with the man, and even what he wanted by coming to Him?
Let’s make sure to learn from these parables. Make application to your own prayer life. Be persistent in your prayers. Be humble in your prayers, and in life in general. We can enjoy the great blessing of prayer and show our reliance on our Father in Heaven!
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Week 2, Day 4
Reading for Today: Luke 17-18
Some thoughts from yesterday’s reading…
At the end of chapter 16, we have the account of the Rich Man and Lazarus. This is a story that I think is so valuable when we are teaching the gospel message. How many times have we tried to study with some one who is hesitant to obey the plain gospel message because they believe they are condemning some loved one who has passed on, who did not obey the gospel? It is not surprising that many people have an idea in their minds that says if they obey the gospel, they are condemning some loved one who was a good person, but did not listen to the gospel.
This account gives us an almost eerie view into the mind of a person who was lost. The rich man found himself in torment–he was lost! His first thoughts were to provide for his family so that they did not have to come to the place he was at! He begged Abraham to send Lazarus back to his brothers so that he could convince them to change so that they could go to heaven, instead of going to torment. He didn’t want his relatives to have to suffer like he was. We can be quite sure that those who have died separated from God do not wish their punishment on anyone else. They would do all that they could to convince their family that are still among the living to make changes, and serve God so that they could go to the reward that Lazarus received.
It seems to me that people think that their relatives who have passed on would not want them to become Christians because it would condemn them. It is our responsibility to try and show them that any actions they might take do not condemn their relatives. They cannot affect the judgment of one who has gone on, no matter what they might do. Those who have gone on will be judged by God, and He will be just. We must do what we find in the scriptures, even if that is contradictory to what our family and friends have said or believed. We can be sure that those who have gone before us feel the same as this rich man. They would do anything to convince us to be obedient to God. They want us to be saved, and certainly don’t want us to be in punishment with them!
Finally, consider the last part of this account. Many act as if they would be obedient if something more was done for them. The rich man said that if a person came back from the dead, surely his brothers would believe. Notice that Abraham’s response is that they had Moses and the Prophets. If they wouldn’t listen to them, why would they listen to someone coming back from the dead? Too many people need something more than what God has given, and yet God has given all that is needed for our salvation. Those who are looking for an excuse will find it somewhere. If God gave every person that “something more” that they request, they would just come up with another excuse.
Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
–2 Peter 1:2-4
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Week 2, Day 3
Reading for Today: Luke 15-16
Some thoughts from yesterday’s reading…
At the end of Luke chapter 14, there is an important passage that has to do with counting the cost of being a disciple of Christ. Throughout time, people seem to make changes to the gospel message in an attempt to try and make it more appealing to the hearers. In the process, many have taken out essential elements such as repentance and baptism. We have to be diligent to teach the “whole counsel of God”, part of which is teaching the need to make sacrifice in our lives to be faithful servants.
The two examples used by Jesus in this chapter have to do with the building of a tower and a king who goes to war. In both cases, one has to “count the cost.” You cannot build a house without first knowing how much it is going to cost, and whether or not you can pay what is required. Imagine how one could be ridiculed because they had not planned properly! Some of you have probably heard me use this example before, but I will put it in here since it is so appropriate. I can remember a house that was on a road close to where we lived that was only a foundation with a makeshift roof built on top of it. It remained that way for years. The appearance, at least, was that someone had begun to build a home, and didn’t have the money to finish it. This house was a “talking point”, if not a source of ridicule, for many years.
The military example is certainly one that should be clear. Leaders have to examine their legitimate chances of winning a battle, and they take into consideration how many casualties that they expect to incur. If they think that they will lose too many men, or that they will lose the battle, they should not go into the battle. In Jesus’ example, we see the king sending a delegation to ask for terms of peace if he believes he cannot win the battle. He has, thus, counted the cost.
Why is this important to us? We must make a decision as to whether we are willing to pay the cost for being a disciple of Christ. And, there are always costs involved. Are we willing to give up whatever stands in the way for us being faithful? Is it money? Is it worldly power? Is it some sin that we are unwilling to get rid of from our lives? Every person has the right to know what the cost is, even before they make the commitment to be the disciple of Christ.
Unfortunately, I know that many teachers are hiding the cost of discipleship from their students. They know of sin in their lives, that they will have give up, but the teacher fails to show them these things. I have known of people living in fornication, or in adultery who have not been taught that they would have to leave those relationships to be a disciple of Chrst. That simply is not fair. One has the right to know what being a disciple means, and he has the right to know just how much it will cost him.
Having said all of that, we also should realize that any cost of discipleship is worth it! How can we think that there is something here and now that is of greater value than the home in heaven that awaits the faithful disciple of Christ? So, if you have to give up friends, or family, or money, or power, or a job, or any other thing, it is well worth it to have the reward of eternal life when this life is over. Even if we have to sacrifice health, or life, the sacrifice is worth it. Be willing to pay the price–whatever price is put on your discipleship!
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Learning to Pray…
In Luke chapter 11, we see the disciples come to Jesus and ask Him to teach them to pray. There are many things that we can learn from this account, and it’s parallels in the other gospels. I just want to make a couple of observations about this.
First, the disciples recognized the need to learn to pray. Prayer, surely, was not a foreign concept to them. They had all been “good Jews” and as such surely they would have had some concept about prayer. However, they saw something in Jesus’ prayer life that told them they needed further instruction in this act of service. Perhaps their prayers had become the “vain repetitions” that Jesus condemned elsewhere. Whatever their motivation, they had determined that they needed to learn more about prayer from Jesus.
Prayer is not a natural thing. Consider that when we pray, we are talking to All Mighty God. What a blessing that is. But, it should also, in many ways, be intimidating. We need to learn to do it right, so that we might show the proper reverence, the proper respect to God when we pray. In the instructions that were given by Jesus, He showed His disciples (and us by extension) the method to pray to God in an acceptable method. We should not be so presumptuous as to think that we can address God any way that we want to. We need to address Him as He desires, and that is what Jesus shows us!
Secondly, through this “model prayer,” Jesus gives us some idea about the things that we can and should pray for. Realize that He was not addressing every single thing that we can pray for, but rather giving us an idea of how, in general, to pray. He certainly wasn’t giving a prayer to be recited mindlessly throughout all generations as this prayer is often used. There are a few things that we see that can certainly be used as we speak to our Father in prayer today as well:
- Hallowed be Your Name. When we pray, we should show proper respect to our Father. We should never speak to God as we would “one of the boys.” We need to speak with reverence, and address Him with the honor that is due to Him. It is hard to fathom how anyone could have the blessing of going to God in prayer bestowed upon Him, and then speak with disrespect!
- Your kingdom come. Of course, we understand that the Kingdom of God has already come. We do not pray for its inception, but we can certainly pray for its success. We should pray for the Kingdom of God, that it might grow, and also that we might be active and beneficial in that Kingdom!
- Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. In heaven, God’s will is followed without exception. What a wonderful prayer, that things would be done on earth the same as they are done in heaven. Of course, the application is more difficult than the prayer. If we are going to pray for such a thing as this, we have to do our part in the implementation! How can I pray for the will of God to be done on earth, and then not do it myself?
- Give us this day our daily bread. Do we really realize, and appreciate the fact every thing we have comes from the hand of God? He has blessed us so abundantly! Often we become self centered, thinking that we provide things for ourselves. But, God has promised to give us all that we need, and He goes way beyond that, giving us blessings beyond measure. James 1:17 tells us that “every good and every perfect gift is from above…”
- Forgive us our sins for we also forgive everyone who is indebted to us. Asking for forgiveness of sins is a common part of nearly every prayer. And it should be! We realize that we are not perfect, and we fall short of what God expects us to be. We must ask Him for forgiveness in those times of faltering. But, also notice that Jesus connected our forgiveness with the forgiveness that we offer to others. In this account, He states that we forgive others. God will not forgive us if we are unwilling to forgive those who might do us wrong. How many people will be lost because they are unwilling to heed this warning?
- And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. God is on our side, and it is important for us to not only know that, but acknowledge it. He will help us, making sure that we will not have to face anything that is beyond our abilities to overcome (1 Corinthians 10:13). He can deliver us from the evil one, but it requires that we turn fully to Him, and His revealed word. If we listen, He will indeed save, He will indeed deliver us from Satan.
Prayer is certainly one of the greatest blessings that God has given to His children. He has granted us the ability to “come boldly before the throne of grace” (Hebrews 4:16). But, when we approach Him, it must be with the right attitude, and we must pray for the types of things that God allows. We could spend much more time examining various scriptures that address prayer more fully. But, for now, realize that Jesus teaches us how to approach God in prayer. Use this blessing often, and you will have a much stronger relationship with God, and will be much stronger as child of His!
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