“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

            First, let me tell you a little story. When I was in my cooking days, I would do special dinners at Banville & Jones wine store. On the second floor was this cute room set up to feel like an Italian restaurant with an open kitchen on one end where I would prepare four or five courses that would be matched up with four or five different wines put forward as pairings by the sommelier. I remember hearing something on a particular night that really stuck with me and that leads me to a little imagination experiment.

                Picture a vineyard. What do you see? Probably rolling hills covered in vines, lush soil, and a warm sun somewhere in the French countryside, right? That’s what I thought too. But the sommelier said something peculiar, that the best grape vines are not actually planted in mounds of dark rich soil, but in hard, scrabbly, rocky ground. They said the vine that has to work to put its roots down and find nutrients and water in ground like that produces the best grape. The harder it has to push its roots through hard ground, the better the fruit it yields. Hold that image in your mind as we go through Acts.

Observe:
                These chapters of Acts tell of Paul arriving at Ephesus and finding disciples there who had not been baptized with the Holy Spirit, only into John’s baptism before the coming of Christ. Paul continued to baptize them properly and, after laying hands on them, all twelve of them received the Holy Spirit, prophesying and speaking in tongues. Later on Paul went to the synagogue at Ephesus and spent two years speaking boldly about the kingdom of God, reasoning with and persuading all who would approach him there. The word of the Lord spread rapidly all over Asia Minor as he healed, performed miracles, and cast out demons.

                Some Jewish exorcists took it upon themselves to mimic some of what Paul was doing, trying to cast out demons in the name of this Jesus that Paul proclaimed, only to become victims of the evil spirits themselves! Word of this spread as all those who practiced witchcraft and sorcery took their sacred tomes and materials, piled them up, and burned them, adding to the glory of the Lord in that place.

                Paul then resolved to travel through Macedonia and Achaia to Jerusalem and then on to Rome. In the meantime, while staying in the countryside, Demetrius the silver smith acted against Paul and his disciples on account of new converts to the Way declining to do business with him as he was a maker of silver shrines to the goddess Artemis. Demetrius went so far as to stir up an angry mob against those preaching Christ in Ephesus, but a clerk dismissed the rioters shortly after. Paul continued to make his way to Greece, eventually coming to Philippi. This is where a young man, sitting on a high window ledge, listening to Paul preach through the night fell several stories and hit the ground where he died. Paul went out and brought the young man up, raising him to life!

                Chapter twenty ends with Paul attesting before the elders at Ephesus to his integrity in preaching the word, setting an example for those who would follow after, and warning about ravenous wolves that would quickly make their way into the fold of believers. After much prayer and shedding of tears, they walked him to his ship and waved farewell, knowing they would never see his face again.

Interpret:
                Growing up while in Sunday School, I pictured the journey of Paul the Apostle in Acts as some sort of mad dash to spread the Gospel to as many places as he could in as short a time as possible. Reading and rereading this book over the years, I have come to see that it is far more … well, not relaxed, but organic than what I first picture of this man with a mission.

                The book of Acts covers such a wide scope of events, each of which are of a differing magnitude than the others. There are incredible Holy Spirit-filled moments where thousands come to faith and simple dinners at a friend’s house. There are miracles everywhere, people let out of prison without the door being opened, raising the dead to life, and tongues of flame; yet there are also severe beatings, simple insults, and life-threatening catastrophe. There’s menial labour, the building of tents and serving of food, yet that is the very building of the church in the real world! There are highs and lows, and though we see women and men of incredible faith doing amazing things, they are each intensely human and do not weather these things without pain and suffering.

                Reading Acts as an adult with real hopes, fears, and responsibilities, we can get a sense of the massive uncertainty Paul and the other Apostles and disciples would have felt; the wrestling with fear, the frustration of patience, and the pain of not knowing what God wants you to do. Paul desired more than anything to go to Jerusalem at one point and Rome at another, to travel here and there and do this and that, yet even a man as full of the Holy Spirit as Paul found himself floundering and despairing even to the point of death. God would veil His intentions for Paul at some places and constrain him from going to others, deliberately pulling Paul from the center of action like at Ephesus when the riot occurred. Paul must have felt such responsibility for the good disciples being harassed, yet he was not able to go help. Instead of being able to journey on from Ephesus straight away for Jerusalem, he spent a whole two years in the countryside doing what God wanted him to do; preaching, teaching, and working a job of manual labour so that nobody would be deprived on his behalf.

                I bet the shipwreck on Malta wasn’t exactly a part of Paul’s initial plan either, but it was his blind trust and obedience in uncertainty that God used to lead many people to Himself. I bet the hardest part for Paul especially was the patience and waiting. Even beatings and imprisonment would have had more flavour for each blow was evidence that the Gospel was being preached to an evil world, every stripe a reason to rejoice for sharing in the suffering of Christ. After all, Jesus said that they would have trouble, but to rejoice for He had overcome the world!

                But patience has very little flavour. Patience doesn’t look like a heroic act; in fact, it can feel lazy and selfish. We are more prone to feel like we’ve been cut off to drift the open waters with neither heading nor rudder. It is harder to see what God is doing and He feels more absent than ever – in that silent, dark, humid atmosphere of doubt is when despair can grow like mold on the inside of your skull. At times like these we can find ourselves parched, desperate for something to quench our thirst, whether that’s giving in to temptation or surrendering to our pride and taking matters into our own hands. Does this sound familiar?

Application and Question:
                If it does (and I think it would for anyone who is living their life on God’s terms), take heart knowing this: Patience can be as much of a cross to bear each day as open persecution. We don’t face much of the latter in Canada compared with the rest of the world, but that doesn’t make the bearing of other things any less legitimate. Waiting on God and learning to trust Him in the waiting is a massive, life-long skill to learn and burden to bear!
               It goes against our natural instincts to go our own way and do what we think is best. Trusting God with His timing and direction means surrendering your own and learning to grow where you are planted. What difference does it make if He decides to plant you in rocky and barren soil? Does that not yield the better fruit? Have we not walked through the wilderness for the past two years and been forced to dig deep to find that life-giving water? How have you been like that tree in Psalm one? Let’s let the spiritual fruit we bear tell our story.

Prayer:
                Lord God, thank you for being our Living Bread and Water in this valley of the shadow of death. Thank you for bringing us up with strong roots, even for planting us in hard and rocky ground. Teach us to listen and wait with patience, to take each day as it comes, and to trust that we truly do live each day on your terms instead of our own. Please be with us who are struggling – do not merely take our cup away, but by your mercy take away the bits of us that still oppose your rule in our hearts. Let us learn to abide in you, bear much fruit, and truly live as your disciples. In the mighty name of Jesus, amen.

Song: Bread and Wine - Josh Garrels 

Text: Acts 17-18
Observation:
Today we follow Paul from Thessalonica, to Berea, to Athens, to Corinth and on to Ephesus.

Paul’s custom in preaching the gospel was to go to the city’s synagogue and preach from the scriptures and to prove that Jesus was the fulfillment of what he was reading. This often persuaded many Jews as well as Gentile men and women.

But not everyone was pleased to hear the gospel. In both Thessalonica and Berea, disbelieving Jews, fueled by their jealousy, stirred up mobs and riots with bad characters so as to cause the city to be in turmoil. This put Paul in great danger so he went ahead of Silas and Timothy to Athens.

Paul gained a few followers from Athens when he saw an altar inscribed “TO AN UNKNOWN GOD”. He used the altar to speak about the Lord of heaven and earth and a few people believed.

Moving on to Corinth, Paul meets Aquila and Pricilla and works with them making tents. Silas and Timothy eventually join him again and this allows Paul to devote himself exclusively to preaching to the Jews. But when the Jews again become abusive toward them, Paul resolved he would only go to the Gentiles. The Lord affirmed Paul’s conviction about this in a vision and so Paul stays a year and a half ministering to the Gentiles in Corinth.

Next Paul sails to Ephesus and revisits his strategy of preaching in the Jewish synagogue. He is met with curiosity from the Jews but leaves them and heads to Antioch. He moved around all over the region of Galatia and Phrygia, strengthening the disciples.

Pricilla and Aquila meet Apollos, who was teaching about Jesus even though he only knew the baptism of John. Pricilla and Aquila invite Apollos into their home and more adequately teach him about Jesus before encouraging him to go to Achaia, where he vigorously refuted the Jews and proved Jesus was the Christ.

Interpretation:
What we see in these 2 chapters is a rapid spreading of the church as Paul went on mission to bring the Good News to many cities. As with any leader, he only has so much capacity and we learn about the team he built up around him to sustain his ministry.
Paul had to work making tents to provide for his own needs when he was alone, but when Silas and Timothy joined him, he had a lot more time to preach to the Jews. When the Jews didn’t listen, Paul went to the Gentiles. Whoever is open to the Gospel, these are whom he teaches.

But Paul doesn’t stay anywhere too long—it is vital that he plant the church in the city and then move to the next place so that the gospel continues to spread. Led by the Holy Spirit, Paul is not interested in building one central church in one location. Rather he is laser-focused on building a spiritual revolution according to the Kingdom principals Jesus taught—a worldwide discipleship movement of people transformed by faith in Jesus. He stays only long enough to impart the gospel and then he moves on. He depends on the new converts and capable individuals in the city to continue the work he started and to catch the vision. Silas, Timothy, Acquila, Pricilla and Apollos, (and Mark, Barnabas and Lydia) are all very important team members to grow the gospel movement Paul is spear-heading.

Application:
As believers, we are all called to catch this vision and to continue carrying the revolutionary message of Jesus and His Kingdom to the world around us. When Jesus left this earth, he commissioned, “go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely, I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20)

God knows we will need help to do his work. That is why He gave us the Holy Spirit and that is also why he sends people into our lives to partner with so that we can have effective ministry.

Question: How are you participating in the Great Commission? Who are the team members God has placed around you so you can be most effective?

Prayer: Lord thank you for the privilege of working with the Holy Spirit to bring the knowledge of Jesus and His Kingdom into the world around me. Help me to recognize the opportunities, open doors and team mates you provide as I partner with the Holy Spirit to be a light in this dark world.

Song: https://youtu.be/qIo6wXVt0uI

“But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you.’”
John 16: 13-14
 
Acts 15-16 (Psalm 126)
 
Observe

• The Jerusalem Council discerns God’s will over the application of the Law for the Gentiles and sends out clear direction to the Church (15: 1-35)
• Paul and Barnabas argue over Mark and split; Barnabas and Mark go to Cyprus, Paul and Silas to Syria (15: 36-41)
• Timothy joins Paul and Silas on the mission trip. The Spirit blocks them from entering Asia and sends them to Macedonia (16: 1-10)
• They meet Lydia, who is won by the Lord, but then encounter a slave girl who tells the future. Paul delivers her from this spirit. He and Silas are beaten and imprisoned. An earthquake releases them but they chose not to escape. The jailer and his family come to faith and then Paul and Silas are released (16: 11-40)

 
Interpret
     The Council at Jerusalem is a monumental occasion, a watershed, for the Church. I will consider this matter on Sunday in our service (17th Oct). Today I want to focus on the ‘spiritual realities’ we see in these passages.
     Firstly, the dispute between Paul and Barnabas; who was right? In a sense it didn’t matter; Barnabas the encourager, who saw potential in Saul now Paul, sees the same in Mark. The outcome is two mission trips not one. It seems a later reconciliation occurred between Paul and Mark (2 Timothy 4: 11), but what we see here is God bringing good out of all situations as all loved God and were called according to His purposes (Romans 8: 28). 
     Secondly, the Holy Spirit prevents Paul from entering Asia, where towns like Ephesus and the recipients of the letters we read in Revelation were located. What was God doing? He was opening the door to Europe instead. The Spirit gave Paul a vision which took them to Philippi and the first European convert, a wealthy lady called Lydia. The Spirit is working to spread God’s Kingdom to all.
     Thirdly, the opposition Paul then faced which led to a beating and imprisonment. A slave girl possessed by a spirit that gave her the ability to tell the future was making money for her owners. In frustration, and an act of kindness, Paul by God’s power delivered this girl. The retaliation was swift and brutal. Paul, and his mission, came up against the principalities and powers behind the spirit of the world. The Gospel will always bring a reaction.
     Finally, in prison the Holy Spirit enabled Paul and Silas to praise God despite their situation and condition (Philippians 4: 4-6). Their witness, and the work of the Holy Spirit in conviction, brought a family to faith     
 
Application
    For us the lessons are clear. Firstly, conflict can be healthy if submitted to the Lord; growth will always come. Secondly, God is Sovereign and owns the big plan; we need to keep our hearts open to the prompting of the Holy Spirit to be led by Him and keep in step with Him. Thirdly, opposition will come when we obey God and it can get nasty; we need to remember that He that is in us is greater than He that is in the world (1 John 4:4). Finally, the Holy Spirit can enable us to focus on God in praise despite the situations we may be facing; this is a true source of strength and courage.
     These are realities that we may all face. How wonderful that we can face them empowered by the living Holy Spirit of God within rather than on our own.   
      
The Question of Application
     How might the Holy Spirit enable and empower you today in a situation that you are facing?
    
Prayer
     O, Holy Spirit, fulfill in us the work begun by Jesus. Let our prayer on behalf of the whole world be fruitful and unwavering. Hasten the time when each of us will attain a genuine spiritual life. Enliven our work that it may reach all, and may all be accomplished in accordance with your will through Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen
    
Praise
Fall Afresh - Bethel Music
​Holy Spirit, Living Breath of God – Keith and Kristyn Getty

N.B.
For those wondering why Paul had Timothy circumcised just after the Council at Jerusalem, there is a probable explanation. Timothy was a Jew by birth but his father was a Greek; the Council did not declare circumcision unnecessary for the Jews. An additional note; a mixed marriage would not normally be accepted but Paul, by excepting Timothy as a brother in this way, actually showed how barriers had been broken down

Text: Acts 13 - 14
Observe:  In these chapters, we get an account of Paul’s first journey through Asia Minor.  He is accompanied by several other disciples; Barnabas, Simeon, Lucius, and Manean.  Once in Antioch, the Holy Spirit sends Paul and Barnabas further and, after being blessed by the believers there, they sail to Cyprus. On the island Paul and Barnabas travel around to the various cities and preach the gospel in the Jewish synagogues.  Even the Roman proconsul wants to hear them speak, but a Jewish sorcerer and false prophet attempts to stop them, but by the power of the Holy Spirit, Paul causes him to become blind.  Seeing this, and hearing Paul’s amazing teaching,  the proconsul became a believer. 

Moving on to Pisidian Antioch and speaking at the synagogue, Paul addresses both the Jews and the Gentiles who worship God.  He gave them a very brief history of Israel from the time of the Exodus all the way through to the coming of Jesus.  He then explained how the people and their religious leaders did not recognize Him, and ecen though they could not find any fault in Him, they had Him executed, and in so doing, fulfilled all that had been written about Him.  After He was laid in the tomb, God raised Jesus from the dead, and He was seen by many who have become His witnesses.  Using several scripture references, Paul explained the significance of Jesus’ resurrection, and how He brought forgiveness of our sins, which could not  be obtained through the Law of Moses. The people were so convinced of Paul’s teaching that they invited him back to speak again on the next Sabbath.  However the Jewish leaders were jealous of the crowds Paul was able to draw, and so they began to contradict and insult him.  Paul answered them boldly by telling them that if they wouldn’t listen, he take the good news to the Gentiles, who were more than happy to hear him.  In the end, the Jews threw Paul and Barnabas out of the region.

From there, the two travelled to Iconium, where they again began to preach in the synagogues and performing signs empowered by the Holy Spirit.  Once again the local leaders rose up in opposition to their teaching.  As a result, some of the people sided with the Jews and some sided with the apostles.  Here too, the leaders plotted to kill them, but Paul and Barnabas were warned and they fled to Lycaonia, where they were able to continue their work for the Lord.  In Lystra, Paul was enabled by God to heal a lame man, and when the people saw it, they claimed that the pagan gods Zeus and Hermes had come down them.  Paul and Barnabas rushed to dissuade them of their wrong ideas, telling them that they just as human as they were, and that they were preaching the gospel of the living God, the Creator and Preserver of all things.

However, as had happened in other places they had preached, some Jews came and persuaded the crowd to stone Paul and drag him from the city, where they left him for dead.  However, he wasn’t dead, and was able to make his way back to Barnabas, and the next day they left for another city, Derbe.  Here, by their preaching, they were able to win a large number of new disciples.  From there, the two journeyed through several more cities preaching and encouraging the believers.  They also appointed elders for each new church they planted  Upon their return to Antioch, Paul and Barnabas gave a full account of their journey to the gathered church, and how God had opened the way for Gentiles to join in the true faith.
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Interpret:  Wherever the Holy Spirit sent them, whether by sail or by foot, they went.  And wherever they went, Paul and Barnabas tirelessly and boldly preached the good news of the gospel of Jesus.  Not surprisingly, they were also often met by opposition from the local Jewish leaders, who were jealous of the following Paul was able to create because it was a threat to their own power and leadership.  Whereas many of the people were open to receiving the gospel, the leaders were more interested in maintaining the status quo, and often plotted to get rid of the two troublemakers, sometimes successfully, but often not.  Regardless, Paul and Barnabas, empowered by the Holy Spirit, pressed on and won many disciples for Christ travels on their journey. 

As we read of Paul and Barnabas’ travels and the incidents that occurred, we can see parallels to the travels of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Just as He journeyed from town to town teaching, preaching, and healing the sick, many people came to believe His message of salvation, but, He also stirred up opposition to His message that the Kingdom of God had come near.  Rather than accept the truth of Jesus as God’s promised Messiah, the Jewish leaders perceived Him to be a threat to their established order, and sought ways to get rid of Him.  Jesus had warned His disciples that they too would face opposition and persecution when spreading the gospel story, and that is exactly what Paul and the other apostles encountered as they took the good news to the far reaches of the known world.  Yet, despite these hardships, the faithful apostles did succeed in winning great numbers of new believers to Christ, and were filled with great joy. 

Application:  The message of the gospel, which is the hope of salvation through repentance and belief that Jesus died for our sins, is not an easy one to hear and accept.  It wasn’t easy two thousand years ago, and it’s not easy today.  It requires us to admit that we have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, Roman 3:23.  It requires us to admit that one day we will have to give an account of our lives before God, Rom 14:12.  It requires us to give up authority over our own lives and live for Jesus as a new creation, 2 Cor 5:17.

Many people, when they hear this gospel story, find that it makes perfect sense to them and accept it wholeheartedly, but others feel threatened by it, and are not willing to cede their pride, possessions and power to a merciful and gracious God.  They refuse to see past the dim light of this world, and miss the glory of coming King.

When we share the gospel story with others in our sphere of influence, we must do it in the power of the Holy Spirit and do it with bold conviction.  But we must be ready to face opposition too, perhaps not as forcefully as Jesus, Paul, and the other apostles did, but it will be there.  So, be joyful when someone you share it with hears and accepts, and just shake the dust off your feet when they don’t. 

Questions:  Are you willing to take the risk of sharing the message of hope in Jesus with someone who may not have heard it before?  Are you willing to trust that God will guide you?

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, we pray that your Holy Spirit would empower us when we share the Gospel of Jesus with those who have not heard it before.  Help us to speak your words with courage, compassion and conviction.  Help us to glorify your holy name  in all that we say and do to build your kingdom.  This we pray in the name of our risen Lord, Jesus Christ.   Amen.

Text: Acts 11-12
 
OBSERVE: Within these two chapters we observe the following:

• Peter reporting to the church about the inclusion of the Gentiles.
• The emergence of the church in Antioch.
• James (brother of John) being killed and Peter being put in prison.
• Peter being miraculously rescued from prison by an Angel.
• The death of Herod Julius Agrippa (Agrippa 1).
• The Word of God increasing and multiplying despite all of the persecution.

INTERPRET: After initial opposition from the chief priests and then persecution by a zealous young Pharisee, the followers of Jesus have now come to the attention of Herod. Herod Agrippa 1 begins to persecute the church to gain favor of both the religious leaders and the Romans. Herod either saw, or wanted people to think he saw this new Jesus movement as a political threat. So he took action at Passover time which was thought of as the time when God delivered his people from slavery.

Things appear to be going badly for the church on all accounts. Yet, the God who has revealed himself in and through Jesus remains sovereign, and his purpose is moving forward no matter what efforts attempt to stop it. Even the puppet king (Herod Agrippa 1) is unsuccessful at his attempt at killing off the church’s main leadership, and he himself is suddenly cut down with a swift and fatal disease.

APPLICATION: Despite the efforts of the most powerful authorities of the time, the church continued to grow and fulfill its purpose. When persecution arose, we see a new church emerging in another place. When an effort took place to get rid of the leadership of the church, we witness God providing a miracle; that even the faithful believers had a hard time believing. In addition, we see barriers being removed (Herod) and God carrying His church forward.  This is emphasized in the text when we read that the Word of God increased and multiplied.

The church has continued to face opposition for its entire existence. Despite all the trials, the Lord Jesus has continued to increase and multiply his church. These stories in scripture along with the last 2000 years of history; should provide us with great hope that Jesus will continue to help His church overcome all obstacles. Not only will Jesus help us overcome adversity; He will continue to increase and multiply.

REFLECTION: Do the stories of the early church facing persecution help you to face your current hardships and obstacles? Are you praying regularly for the persecuted church around the world today? How does their witness encourage you in your daily walk?

PRAYER: Lord Jesus; time and time again you have shown us that your church will not be overcome. Help me to trust in you and your promises more and more each day. Empower and equip all of those in the persecuted church to stand firm in the face of persecution. May you use their faithful witness to increase the Word of God and grow your church. AMEN.

SONG: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V3NmQQoDSaU

Acts Ch. 5-6

Observe:

                Acts chapter 5 begins with a well-known (aren’t they all well-known?) story of Ananias and Sapphira, a husband and wife who sold a portion of their property and conspired to lie about the amount it sold for when they claimed to give the entire amount to the Apostles. Peter, full of the Holy Spirit, knew that Ananias was lying, and pointed out to him that it was a senseless lie. After all, Ananias didn’t have to sell the field, and if he sold it then he didn’t have to give the full amount if he were to donate anything. Instead, Ananias and Sapphira claimed to be giving the full amount when they were really holding some back for themselves. As a result, Peter charges first Ananias and then Sapphira with lying to God, at which point both of them are struck down.

                The Apostles continued doing many signs and wonders, with great multitudes flocking to them for healing and to listen to them preach the Gospel. In their classic style, the high priest and the Sadducees arrested the apostles and put them in jail, only for the apostles to be met by an angel of the Lord to open the doors and charge them to “go and stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this life.” The jail was visited the next day but the Apostles were nowhere to be found until they came to the temple. They were not arrested again, but instead charged not to preach the name of Jesus, to which they answered “We must obey God rather than men … And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey Him.”

                Those of the council who heard this became enraged, but the Apostles were beaten and released when a certain Pharisee, Gamaliel, said that if the Apostle’s efforts were merely of human origin then they would fail, but if they succeed then they are doing the work of God and woe to those who may be found opposing God!

                Some conflict arose upon hearing of the neglect of Hebrew widows. The Apostles resolved to pick seven men of good repute to take care of these people so that the preaching of the word would not be hindered. One of the men selected for this task was Stephen who would become the first New Testament martyr. He was a man full of grace and power who fell victim to a conspiracy of the Freedmen who charged Stephen with fabricated claims of blasphemy. Stirring up a crowd, these people took Stephen and brought him before the council, where “all who sat in the council saw that his face was like the face of an angel.”

Interpret:

                What are we to take from these two chapters? Let us first consider the name of this book. Acts is most frequently referred to as the Acts of the Apostles, but reading even these two chapters, we see that it is so much more than that. I believe a much more fitting name would be the Acts of the Holy Spirit whose hand is seen clearly at work all throughout these pages. What is incredible about the account of Acts is not simply what the Apostles did, but the fact that God has clearly revealed that His new, holy temple is not a place of brick and mortar, but of flesh and blood. It is God the Holy Spirit that makes these Acts happen in the first place and He does it using sinful and ordinary people – now that is incredible!

                It is because of what God is doing through these ordinary men and women that makes the book of Acts such an epic read. Keep in mind, too, that God doesn’t make waste. There is nothing written in these pages that is there for no reason. Every revelation, every miracle, every Holy Spirit-infused speech given before furious opposition is intended to point us towards Christ and His mighty work on the cross and in the grave. What is written is intended for historical accuracy, true, and to inform us future readers, but it is also an account of a living and active God and is therefore intended to bring us into His living and active work.

                Knowing that God doesn’t make waste and that He is residing in us as His new temple, we can deduce that the account of the Acts of the Holy Spirit are not actually over – they’re an introduction! They are a blueprint. They are not meant to be read as a neat story or an interesting narrative, but as a prescription for our walk with Christ. The believers in Acts prayed for boldness, they rejoiced in their suffering for the Gospel, they stood firm and, full of the Holy Spirit, reasoned and debated and preached for the sake of the Gospel. They fulfilled the charge of the angel of the Lord to “go and stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this Life.”

Application and question:

                My friends, none of these should be absent in our lives! We should be so surrendered to God that He has free reign of our wants, our will, our pride, our decisions, our thoughts, our words. We cannot live as a (fill in the blank) Christian, a lukewarm Christian, a fair-weather Christian, or a part-time Christian. You may be saying to yourself that it’s all well and good for the Apostles to do those things because God was setting up His new church in a new way and had a very specific plan for them and was empowering them for it – but what difference is there between you and them? Were you not called? Were you not washed, sanctified, and justified? Do you not have works put in place ahead of time that you may walk in them?

                Do you not have that exact same Holy Spirit within you in a world that’s arguably way more in need of the Gospel than ever before? What are you doing with that Holy Spirit? We must not be content to pull Him off the shelf on Sundays, or to persuade ourselves that we’ll get to know Him later. We must not treat Him as confined to the pages of Scripture as if it were another temple – you have the Holy Spirit within you, right here and right now, eager to get to work not only in your life but the lives of others! Remember, God does not make waste, so any time spent with Him trying better to deny yourself, time spent learning to bear your cross to follow Him is time very well spent. You must pray for boldness, for courage to follow and speak and witness. Though this will look different for everyone, nobody is exempt from this charge to “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age,” (Luke 28-19-20).
​
Prayer:

                Lord God our Father, we thank you for free access into your presence through Jesus in the power of the Holy Spirit. Please awaken us from our comforts and our slumber that we might tread the narrow path with diligence and integrity. Please set us free from the prison of our comfort zone that we might fully rely on you and the power of your Holy Spirit, and so fill us with that Spirit that we might exude Christ in everything we say and do. Please forgive us our sins and renew in us a new heart! Amen.

​Song: Oceans - Hillsongs UNITED 

Text:  Acts 3-4 (Ps 120) 
Observe   Some days after the astonishing events of Pentecost, Peter and John, enroute to pray, encounter a lame beggar, hand out and eyes hopeful, near the temple’s Beautiful Gate. Peter gives him something unexpected – healing in the Name of Jesus! This Name utterly changes the man’s life: “… leaping up he stood and began to walk, and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God.” (3:8) The onlookers are agog. Peter tells them strongly that Jesus, who died at their hands and rose from death, healed the man. Encountering a captive audience, Peter seizes the opportunity to witness to the Lord Jesus, in all the power the Spirit gives.

The encounter with temple VIPs and Sadducees is less salutary -- they arrest Peter and John.  Standing before the Council next morning, Peter has another opportunity to boldly proclaim Jesus, reminding them the stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. (4:11; Ps.118:22) Hearing an untrained fisherman speak with such conviction and wisdom, seeing the former beggar healed, they are silenced. To show them who’s boss, they sternly warn Peter and John to speak no more to anyone in this name (17). As if that would stop them! Meanwhile, 5000 who heard the disciples encountered Christ that day.

Returning to their new gathered community, praise and heartfelt petitions for more boldness, healings, signs and wonders in Jesus’ name invite a fresh, powerful encounter with the Holy Spirit. Luke beautifully portrays the unity and amity, generosity, witness and grace in the newborn church (32-37). We encounter Joseph Bar Nabas, a Cypriot (who later accompanies Paul in spreading the Gospel): he sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet. (37) 

Interpret   Actions demand explanations, which Peter provides in his second major sermon to the crowd awed at God’s work. He exhorts them to repent of rejecting Jesus as the Messiah – his sermon theme in Acts. ‘Name’ – one’s identity – reveals Jesus as healer (Yahweh Rapha), by Peter’s faith in Him. Peter makes no bones about their complicity in Jesus’ crucifixion.  Their ‘ignorance’ in rejecting Jesus as Messiah doesn’t let them off the hook.

The Sadducees ‘worked closely with the Romans to protect their own political and economic interests’ (ESV Study Bible, note, p. 2087); their ignorance of the immense compassion of God erases any concern for those outside their privileged circle. Torah is their rule book, but they have never encountered the living God. (Jn 5:42,44)                                                
The swift growth of the church by the power of the Holy Spirit is staggering. Generosity characterizes the believing community; no one is needy. Barnabas (‘Son of Encouragement’) exemplifies this voluntary sacrificial giving, impelled by the love of Jesus in the Spirit.

Apply   Jesus asks, “What do you want?” (Jn 1:38) Hmmm. Well … Boldness in witnessing as the Spirit fills us with passionate love for God. Fearlessness in speaking truth out of love. Gentleness in the face of mockery. Trusting in God as we encounter roadblocks. Loving despite others’ anger or contempt.  Risking rejection as we urge repentance. We so need to be an engaged, active, Christ-centred church, learning to encourage, pray, love, reach out, share the love of Christ. We so need to know Christ. 
Ask   In encountering people who don’t believe, would You give me the opportunity and the words to speak You, Jesus? Would You remake me emboldened, fearless, passionate, vulnerable, risking all for You? Best ask Your Spirit for His power and Your love, yes?

Pray   Let me cling to You, living God, so that Peter-like I courageously witness to Your transforming love, forgiveness and ever-new life. I put away my ‘private religion’ that has silenced me for too long. When I open my mouth, Lord, fill it with Your words of love and compassion, in Jesus’ holy name.

Sing    Ps 120:  A song of ascents    Autumn Dawn Leader 
Ps. 120: When I was in Trouble I Called on the Lord      
Ps. 120:  I am a Man of Peace Jason Coghill  

“ ‘But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.’”
Acts 1: 8
 
Acts 1-2 (Psalm 119: 153-176)
 
Observe

• The resurrected Jesus is seen by many before directing His disciples to wait for the Holy Spirit and tasking them to be witnesses. He then ascended into heaven; His return in glory was promised (1: 1-12)
• Matthias was chosen to replace Judas as an apostle (1: 13-26)
• The Holy Spirit arrives at Pentecost. The Apostles and early church are filled with His power and gifts. Peter preaches to the crowd and 3000 come to faith. The Church truly begins and God adds to their number daily (Acts 2)

 
Interpret
     The Church comes ALIVE! The Risen Jesus leaves His followers to enable the arrival of the Holy Spirit and His Kingdom’s power, for all in this present age. He left in Glory, He will return in Glory. His Body is now the Church, with a purpose to live as witnesses to His glory and truth. This Church, founded on Christ, the Chief Cornerstone, was then to be built around the Apostles. The Apostles had two qualifications: they were actual witnesses to the resurrection; and they knew Jesus, not just knew about Him (in short they were companions of Jesus). Matthias replaced Judas. In the Anglican Church, Bishops are viewed as being in an ‘Apostolic succession;’ an uninterrupted line of continuity from these Apostles.
     The Day of Pentecost, the Feast of Weeks – fifty days after the Passover, a week of weeks. The feast had two main significances: it commemorated the law given to Moses on Mt. Sinai; and it gave thanks to God for ingathered harvests. The Holy Spirit arrived on this day, empowering the Kingdom Jesus brought to earth within the New Covenant (Christ fulfilling the Law). A spiritual harvest was immediately gathered in with 3000 souls reaped through the Spirit enabled preaching of the Apostle Peter. This preaching was an announcement which included teaching, exhortation and application. It concluded with a statement of salvation through Christ alone and gave direction for response. The Church was born and immediately grew!
     
Application
     There are many areas for application that we could focus upon. In this era of pandemic though, I want to focus on the characteristics of the early church; there is much for us to compare in context. 120 became 3120 in one afternoon with no building to call their own; the Temple courts and homes sufficed. There was much to work out in leadership, communication, teaching, structure, care and fellowship. In isolation, reduced corporate numbers, Cords and Small Groups we can empathise and learn.
     So, the characteristics to emulate: the early Church was a learning church that dedicated herself to the Apostles teaching; she was a praying Church that sought the Lord in all situations; she was a church that partook in fellowship working out how to stay together; she was a worshipping church ‘breaking bread' together (probably corporately and in homes and probably with meals); she was a sharing church where needs were met by one another; she was a church where things happened, the Holy Spirit was active; and she was a happy church. This Church was on fire, people came to look; they joined!
       
The Question of Application
     How might these characteristics be nurtured and grown at St. Aidan’s or in your home Church? What might you do to enable this?
   
Prayer
     Lord, help us to wait upon you, so as to be filled with your Holy Spirit. Empower us and motivate us to learn, pray, worship and share in joy filled fellowship where you are active. In so doing may we give glory to you and be a light to our world. In the name of our Saviour Jesus Christ, Amen.
 
Praise
Come, Blessed Spirit (SATB) - Johann Wolfgang Franck, arr. Douglas E. Wagner
Spirit lead me by Michael Ketterer

Text: Luke 23-24
Observe:  We reach, at last, the denouement of Luke’s Gospel.  The Jewish leaders have done their worst in convicting Jesus on their trumped up charges, and have taken Him to governor Pontius Pilate for punishment.  After questioning Jesus, Pilate concludes that He has done nothing wrong.  The Chief Priests continue their accusations of falsehoods, but since Jesus was from Galilee, Pilate sends him to King Herod for trail.  But, Herod is disappointed that Jesus would not perform any “tricks” for him, and despite the leaders’ vehement accusations against Him, finds no fault in Jesus and sends Him back to Pilate.  Once again, Pilate finds nothing wrong with Jesus, but he offers to punish Him and then release Him.  That’s not good enough for the Jewish leaders, and they demand that Barabbas be released instead, and that Jesus should be crucified.  A third time Pilate says he can find no grounds for the death penalty that the crowd is now clamoring for, but his reasoning is rejected by the people, and so he relents and gives the orders for Jesus’ execution.

Jesus is led away, and as He carries the cross, Simon of Cyrene is conscripted to help Him carry it.  As they walk along the way, Jesus tells the women crying out not to weep for Him, but to weep for themselves and their children, because difficult times are coming for His followers.

Nailed to the cross, Jesus is mocked by the people, by the soldiers, and even by one of the two criminals crucified alongside Him.  The other criminal, however, acknowledges that they are deserving of death for their crimes, but not Jesus who did nothing wrong.  After his confession, Jesus forgives the man and tells him that he will enter paradise (the kingdom of God) with Jesus.  When Jesus breathed His last, the temple curtain was torn in two, and a Roman centurion praised God and declared Jesus a righteous man.  Then Joseph of Arimathea placed Jesus’ body into his own tomb so the body could be properly prepared for burial after the Sabbath.

On the first day of the week, the women came to prepare Jesus’ body for burial but found the stone at the tomb’s entrance had been rolled away and two men in brightly shining clothes inside.  The men told the women that Jesus was not there, that He was risen, just as He had foretold them.  When the women told the rest of the followers what they had seen, no one believed them, so Peter went and looked for himself.  Sure enough the tomb was empty and Peter went away wondering what it all meant.

Later that day, as two of HIs followers were walking along the road to Emmaus, Jesus Himself came alongside them and they had a long conversation about what had happened to Jesus in Jerusalem, but at first they didn’t recognize Him.  When they reached their destination, the two men convinced Jesus to stay with them for the evening.  It was during supper when Jesus gave thanks, broke the bread and gave it to them that they finally recognized who He was, and then He disappeared from their sight.  

Amazed and excited the two men hurried back to Jerusalem to tell the others what they had seen.  As they were telling the story, Jesus came and appeared in their midst and said, ”Peace be with you”.  The disciples were afraid and thought He was a ghost, but Jesus calmed their fears by showing them the holes in His hands and feet and inviting them to touch His flesh.  As final proof, He ate a piece of fish to show that He really had risen.  He then opened their minds to the full truth of the scriptures, and confirmed that they were witnesses to all these things.  He said they would receive what He had promised them, but they should wait in the city until they had been clothed in power from on High.

After leading His disciples outside, where He gave them their final blessing.  And while Jesus was blessing them, He was taken up to heaven, and they returned to the city praising God with great joy.

Interpret:  Nobody wanted to take direct responsibility for Jesus’ death.  The Jewish leaders had condemned Him, but had no authority to execute Him, nor did they desire to have His blood on their hands.  So they sent Him to Pilate.  Pilate could find no guilt in Jesus under Roman law, and didn’t want to execute Him just because the Jews had asked him to.  He wanted to demonstrate that he was in charge, not them.  But he was a weak man, and when he discovered Jesus was from Galilee, he sent Him to King Herod to execute.  But Herod had no desire to kill Jesus either because he didn’t take Him seriously and thought He was just a performer.  When Jesus wouldn’t perform a miracle for Herod’s entertainment, he was disappointed and sent Jesus back to Pilate.  Once again, Pilate could find no fault in Jesus, but not wanting to start a riot among his subjects, caved in to the demands of the leaders, and handed Jesus over for crucifixion. 

As this unjust scene was played out, the hypocrisy, deceit, and self-centered character flaws of each of these so-called leaders was exposed for all of us to see, and it was a pathetic display.  Only Jesus’ followers showed any sign of compassion or sorrow, and even among them, only a few remained to the very end.

Yet even as Jesus was mocked on the cross, the most fundamental promise of the Christian faith was demonstrated.  One of the thieves crucified alongside Jesus confesses that he had done many wrongs and deserved his punishment, but in the final moments of his life, he asks Jesus to remember him when He comes into His kingdom.  This is not just lip service by a criminal, with no real love for Jesus hoping to buy his passage to heaven, but a genuine moment of self-reflection and true sorrow for his sin, accompanied by real faith.  This is a man with only a few breaths left to live, struggling to speak to Jesus, whose earthly mission is about to end in apparent abject failure, professing his faith in Christ’s heavenly kingdom.  And mercifully, Jesus responds by telling him that He would see the man in paradise.  The man’s faith in the salvation bought by Jesus is a Divine promise which is good to the very last moment of life.  Jesus brings the parable of the Vineyard Workers (Matthew 20) into real life.  Regardless of when we come to true faith in Jesus during our lives, whether early in life or at the very last moment, the gift of eternal life is given freely by our gracious God.

After Jesus’ resurrection, we see Him appear to people who knew Him intimately and yet they did not recognize him at first.  The two disciples on the road to Emmaus didn’t recognise Him until He opened their eyes at the supper table, even though they had spent much of the day in deep discussion of scripture with Him.  The eleven remaining disciples in Jerusalem thought they were seeing a ghost when Jesus appeared in their midst.  They had to see the holes in His hands and feet, touch His skin and watch Him eat a piece of fish before they could believe He had actually risen, just as He had told them He would.

Luke’s Gospel ends with Jesus blessing the disciples and rises up to heaven. 

Application:  An interesting little feature of the resurrection stories in each of the Gospels, including Luke, is the huge stone that was rolled away from the entrance to the tomb.  Why was the stone rolled away before the empty tomb was discovered?  Surely, it was not needed to be rolled away by the angel just to let Jesus out.  The Lord of Creation, who had performed so many healing miracles, calmed the storm, fed the five thousand, returned Lazarus to life, and defeated death itself, would not, could not be prevented from leaving the tomb by a mere rock no matter how big and heavy it was.  

The stone was rolled away not to let Jesus out, but to let us see in.  The truth of the resurrection, and indeed all of scripture, was laid open before us.  God Himself removed the final barrier between Himself and us by paying the ultimate price for our sins, and rising to eternal life.  The light of His truth can now flood into the darkest recesses of our lives.  In freeing Himself from the tomb of rock, He has freed us from the death of sin.  All we have to do is believe in the salvation that Jesus Christ bought for us on the cross.  And we will see Him in paradise.

Questions:  Is there a stone of unbelief rolled across your heart?  Do you believe that Jesus could love you at least as much as the repentant criminal on the cross next to Him?  How much proof do you need?

Prayer:  Father God, we pray that your Holy Spirit might roll away the stone of doubt in our hearts.  Help us to give ourselves to you as freely as the condemned prisoner, that we might work for your glory in all that we do in the work that you have planned for us.  In the name of our risen Lord, Jesus Christ.   Amen.

Song:  God’s Not Dead:  Newsboys​

Text: Luke Chapters 21-22
OBSERVE: Within these two chapters we read about Jesus foretelling about the destruction of the temple, the coming of wars and persecution and the destruction of Jerusalem. This is followed by the signs of the second coming of Christ and a warning to be alert. We then read again about the plot to kill Jesus and the involvement of Judas. After the institution of the Lord’s Supper; we come across the following statement:

The night that he was arrested, Jesus told his disciples, “The time has come for this prophecy about me to be fulfilled: “He was counted among the rebels.” Yes, everything written about me by the prophets will come true” (Luke 22:37).

INTERPRET: This prophecy about Jesus from Isaiah 53:12 was also foreshadowed in the experience of Joseph in the book of Genesis. Just as Joseph, though completely innocent, was cast into prison, so Jesus was falsely accused, lied about, and unjustly sentenced to death. There on the cross, Jesus was flanked by two notorious rebels. The gospel of Luke records that one of the rebels scoffed at Jesus while the other rebel embraced Jesus.

Just as Joseph would be a means of blessing to one companion but the pronouncement of judgement to the other, so Jesus gave life to the repentant thief while the other thief perished. Joseph asked the cup-bearer to “please remember me” to Pharaoh because he was innocent. The repentant thief asked Jesus to remember him when he came into his Kingdom because he knew he was guilty. Christ, the truly innocent One, had taken on his guilt. Jesus was counted among the rebels, so that even the real rebels can be counted as innocent.

APPLICATION: Luke 23:39 records that one of the rebels hanging beside Jesus scoffed at him saying “So you’re the Messiah, are you? Prove it by saving yourself – and us, too, while you’re at it!” The other rebel protested, “Don’t you fear God even when you have been sentenced to die? We deserve to die for our crimes, but this man hasn’t done anything wrong.” Then he turned to Jesus: “remember me when you come into your Kingdom.” Jesus replied, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise” (Luke 23: 40-43).

Jesus was fulfilling prophecy and his purpose by dying the death of a rebel in order to make intercession for the real rebels – those with rebel hearts. Jesus has taken on our guilt and was counted as a rebel so that we can truly be innocent and free. But we have to choose to accept this wonderful gift. We can choose to resist this wonderful gift just like the scoffing rebel. Or we can choose to hand over our rebellious hearts and surrender all to our Victorious King.

REFLECTION: Have you handed over your rebel heart and surrendered all?

PRAYER: Victorious King; because of my sin I was counted among the rebels. But Jesus, you have taken my place there. You were counted among the rebels so that one day I will be counted among the vast crowd, too great to count, standing in front of the throne and before the Lamb. AMEN.

SONG: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eOigUnIUWIY