“Gathering them together, He commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for what the Father had promised, ‘Which,’ He said, ‘you heard of from Me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.’ So when they had come together, they were asking Him, saying, ‘Lord, is it at this time You are restoring the kingdom to Israel?’ He said to them, ‘It is not for you to know times or epochs which the Father has fixed by His own authority; but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.’” Acts 1:4-8
As long as the early New Testament church was persecuted and not accepted by the government or the leading religion of the time; she experienced a dynamic, supernatural expression of the power of God. Lives were drastically changed and people were drawn and compelled to follow Christ as they became aware of the powerful conviction of their sin and the full forgiveness available in the shed blood of the Savior, the Messiah, Jesus Christ.
The book of Acts is one of the most exciting, action-filled books in the whole Bible. The record of the early church leaves us with a hunger to know the power of God in our churches today - and causes us to wonder why our experience is not the same as that of those first-century believers. In fact, due to the availability of some of the greatest teaching and preaching the church has ever known - why are many church fellowships devoid of any evident power of God?
A possible answer to that question can be found in the answer to another question - “What is the focus of your church?” Is the focus squarely set upon meeting God on His grounds and conforming your lives to His revealed Word - or is there a move to attempt to conform your view of God to fit an empty godless lifestyle?
The church that compromises truth today will compromise morals tomorrow.
Wednesday, May 8, 2013
Tuesday, May 7, 2013
A Worshiping Church
“Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.” Acts 2:46-47
You can know the multiplication tables, the history of Civil War battlefields, how to bake a cherry pie, how to win a chess match - you can even know your Uncle Gus - but how can you ever say that you know God? We can know about God, but how do we come to know God as one individual knows another? Is that even possible?
To the child of God who has known the power of God’s forgiveness of past sins, His comfort in and through a severe trial or testing, or His ample provision in time of deep need - the term knowing God has great meaning. The more we focus our attention upon God and what He has revealed about Himself in Scripture - and what we have been privileged to experience by His grace - the greater is our understanding of Him as a “person.” Of course, God is not human but spirit, and those who worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth (John 4:23).
God’s desire for each of His children is that they come to know Him, that they have hunger for a relationship with Him. How can one worship a God Whom he does not know? It is foolish for us to think that we can worship God if we are ignorant of Who He is.
The first function of the church is worship, and the foundation of true worship is knowing God.
You can know the multiplication tables, the history of Civil War battlefields, how to bake a cherry pie, how to win a chess match - you can even know your Uncle Gus - but how can you ever say that you know God? We can know about God, but how do we come to know God as one individual knows another? Is that even possible?
To the child of God who has known the power of God’s forgiveness of past sins, His comfort in and through a severe trial or testing, or His ample provision in time of deep need - the term knowing God has great meaning. The more we focus our attention upon God and what He has revealed about Himself in Scripture - and what we have been privileged to experience by His grace - the greater is our understanding of Him as a “person.” Of course, God is not human but spirit, and those who worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth (John 4:23).
God’s desire for each of His children is that they come to know Him, that they have hunger for a relationship with Him. How can one worship a God Whom he does not know? It is foolish for us to think that we can worship God if we are ignorant of Who He is.
The first function of the church is worship, and the foundation of true worship is knowing God.
Monday, May 6, 2013
A Ministering Church
“For the body is not one member, but many. If the foot says, ‘Because I am not a hand, I am not a part of the body,’ it is not for this reason any the less a part of the body. And if the ear says, ‘Because I am not an eye, I am not a part of the body,’ it is not for this reason any the less a part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole were hearing, where would the sense of smell be? But now God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired. If they were all one member, where would the body be? But now there are many members, but one body. And the eye cannot say to the hand, ‘I have no need of you’; or again the head to the feet, ‘I have no need of you.’ On the contrary, it is much truer that the members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary; and those members of the body which we deem less honorable, on these we bestow more abundant honor, and our less presentable members become much more presentable, whereas our more presentable members have no need of it. But God has so composed the body, giving more abundant honor to that member which lacked, so that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.”
1 Corinthians 12:14-26
Ronnie was a very good punter. In fact, he was the best punter the school had ever had. The coach often said, “He was born to punt!” Long field goals or short - Ronnie could make them all. Ronnie was talented; he had good athletic ability; he had a sharp mind - maybe too sharp. It began occurring to Ronnie that if he made such a great punter and had a talent for making that extra point - maybe the team was missing out on his great talent which should be properly directed toward making touchdowns instead of field goals.
As these thoughts began to demand a response, the coach noticed a lack of concentration in Ronnie’s kick practice. Then his performance at Friday night’s game wasn’t up to its usual level. He fumbled the ball, causing a turnover in the game.
How many “Ronnies” are there in the family of God? - men or women who carry out a responsibility well but because of pride get sidetracked and eventually end up “on the bench” - or worse yet, give up and quit the team? The church needs members who know who they are and where they are of best help in fulfilling the goal of the “team.” The truth is that we need one another for the mutual benefit and profit of all. Thank God for your role, and faithfully fulfill it to the praise of His glory.
Our business is not to do something for the church, but to do something with it.
1 Corinthians 12:14-26
Ronnie was a very good punter. In fact, he was the best punter the school had ever had. The coach often said, “He was born to punt!” Long field goals or short - Ronnie could make them all. Ronnie was talented; he had good athletic ability; he had a sharp mind - maybe too sharp. It began occurring to Ronnie that if he made such a great punter and had a talent for making that extra point - maybe the team was missing out on his great talent which should be properly directed toward making touchdowns instead of field goals.
As these thoughts began to demand a response, the coach noticed a lack of concentration in Ronnie’s kick practice. Then his performance at Friday night’s game wasn’t up to its usual level. He fumbled the ball, causing a turnover in the game.
How many “Ronnies” are there in the family of God? - men or women who carry out a responsibility well but because of pride get sidetracked and eventually end up “on the bench” - or worse yet, give up and quit the team? The church needs members who know who they are and where they are of best help in fulfilling the goal of the “team.” The truth is that we need one another for the mutual benefit and profit of all. Thank God for your role, and faithfully fulfill it to the praise of His glory.
Our business is not to do something for the church, but to do something with it.
Sunday, May 5, 2013
Gifts in the Church
“Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord. There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons. But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit; to another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, and to another the effecting of miracles, and to another prophecy, and to another the distinguishing of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills.”
1 Corinthians 12:4-11
In answer to the question from the lawyer (a Pharisee), “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” Jesus had this to say: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind...You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:36-39).
Love! It speaks of where the affections are focused. When it comes to your spirituality, where are your affections focused?
Jesus knew human nature all too well, and He often warned those who considered themselves to be of great spiritual stature to watch out for what sin? Pride! And why is pride such a threat? Because pride hinders God’s work in our lives. James tells us that “God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble” (James 4:6).
If we are not careful - along with the sense that we are making some progress in our Christian lives, there comes a traveling companion - pride. This devastating cancer can arrest your growth if it is allowed to go unchecked.
The treatment for killing pride is to go back and check your affection. What holds your affection? Be sure to place it fully upon God Himself, not upon what He has to offer. Don’t look for the by-product of a relationship with God. When He is your focus, His gifts come naturally.
“He who loves with purity considers not the gift of the lover, but the love of the giver” -Thomas รก Kempis
1 Corinthians 12:4-11
In answer to the question from the lawyer (a Pharisee), “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” Jesus had this to say: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind...You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:36-39).
Love! It speaks of where the affections are focused. When it comes to your spirituality, where are your affections focused?
Jesus knew human nature all too well, and He often warned those who considered themselves to be of great spiritual stature to watch out for what sin? Pride! And why is pride such a threat? Because pride hinders God’s work in our lives. James tells us that “God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble” (James 4:6).
If we are not careful - along with the sense that we are making some progress in our Christian lives, there comes a traveling companion - pride. This devastating cancer can arrest your growth if it is allowed to go unchecked.
The treatment for killing pride is to go back and check your affection. What holds your affection? Be sure to place it fully upon God Himself, not upon what He has to offer. Don’t look for the by-product of a relationship with God. When He is your focus, His gifts come naturally.
“He who loves with purity considers not the gift of the lover, but the love of the giver” -Thomas รก Kempis
Friday, May 3, 2013
Equipped for Ministry
“And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ. As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ, from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.” Ephesians 4:11-16
Do you attend church regularly? Why do you go? Force of habit? Do you believe it is just something that religious people are supposed to do - so you do it?
One result of church attendance ought to be that you are equipped for a ministry work. As the truths of Scripture come to light through the teaching of God’s Word, you should find yourself recognizing the path of service which the Lord is leading you to take. Remember, each one of God’s children has been gifted for ministry.
Another benefit or result from your participation in a local fellowship of believers is that you will be edified. That means you will be built up, encouraged, and guided in your faith and in your trust in the Lord. This touches the practical side of your life - how to live the Christian faith daily.
All this works together to help you “...attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ” (Ephesians 4:13).
Church - it is not just a place to go, but she is a living being made up of individuals who are at different stages of spiritual growth, development, and ability. Expect to be equipped and edified the next time you go to church.
Do you attend church regularly? Why do you go? Force of habit? Do you believe it is just something that religious people are supposed to do - so you do it?
One result of church attendance ought to be that you are equipped for a ministry work. As the truths of Scripture come to light through the teaching of God’s Word, you should find yourself recognizing the path of service which the Lord is leading you to take. Remember, each one of God’s children has been gifted for ministry.
Another benefit or result from your participation in a local fellowship of believers is that you will be edified. That means you will be built up, encouraged, and guided in your faith and in your trust in the Lord. This touches the practical side of your life - how to live the Christian faith daily.
All this works together to help you “...attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ” (Ephesians 4:13).
Church - it is not just a place to go, but she is a living being made up of individuals who are at different stages of spiritual growth, development, and ability. Expect to be equipped and edified the next time you go to church.
Thursday, May 2, 2013
God’s Promise to Us
“Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall. No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.”
1 Corinthians 10:12-13
According to 1 Corinthians 10:13, it is a common thing to experience temptation. We all face it from time to time. From Scripture we have a promise with which to face all temptation. All temptation has a divinely designed limitation set upon it. When we begin to deal with our temptations from that point of view, they lose their overwhelming appearance.
Paul addressed this reality when writing to the Roman Christians. He said, “Let us behave properly as in the day, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and sensuality, not in strife and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts” (Romans 13:13-14).
Do not allow yourself to side with temptation in any form. Get rid of any physical objects which tempt you to sin. Clean house. Defend yourself, Christian. Get rid of the offense.
“Temptation provokes me to look upward to God.”
-John Bunyan
1 Corinthians 10:12-13
According to 1 Corinthians 10:13, it is a common thing to experience temptation. We all face it from time to time. From Scripture we have a promise with which to face all temptation. All temptation has a divinely designed limitation set upon it. When we begin to deal with our temptations from that point of view, they lose their overwhelming appearance.
Paul addressed this reality when writing to the Roman Christians. He said, “Let us behave properly as in the day, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and sensuality, not in strife and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts” (Romans 13:13-14).
Do not allow yourself to side with temptation in any form. Get rid of any physical objects which tempt you to sin. Clean house. Defend yourself, Christian. Get rid of the offense.
“Temptation provokes me to look upward to God.”
-John Bunyan
Wednesday, May 1, 2013
On the Wrong Side, Part 2
“But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him to have a heavy millstone hung around his neck, and to be drowned in the depth of the sea. Woe to the world because of its stumbling blocks! For it is inevitable that stumbling blocks come; but woe to that man through whom the stumbling block comes!” Matthew 18:6-7
Our greatest problem associated with temptation is not always in the area of resisting or combating its pressure; there are times when we are in danger of actually tempting someone else to sin against God. This is a whole different sphere of the temptation issue but one with which every believer needs to reckon. Am I ever guilty of being a tool of the tempter? Or am I ever tempted or drawn to tempt another person to commit a sin?
Our words and our actions sometimes carry far more weight than we realize; and it should be remembered that our example is a powerful tool for good or evil. When our actions do not match up to our words, remember this statement which could be made by those watching you: “I can’t hear you when you act that way.”
Make the prayer of your life to be that others may truly see Christ in you. Be always concerned that you never become guilty of leading others into temptation. Let the example of your life draw others into the joy of knowing Christ.
God chooses that men should be tried, but let a man beware of tempting his neighbor.
Our greatest problem associated with temptation is not always in the area of resisting or combating its pressure; there are times when we are in danger of actually tempting someone else to sin against God. This is a whole different sphere of the temptation issue but one with which every believer needs to reckon. Am I ever guilty of being a tool of the tempter? Or am I ever tempted or drawn to tempt another person to commit a sin?
Our words and our actions sometimes carry far more weight than we realize; and it should be remembered that our example is a powerful tool for good or evil. When our actions do not match up to our words, remember this statement which could be made by those watching you: “I can’t hear you when you act that way.”
Make the prayer of your life to be that others may truly see Christ in you. Be always concerned that you never become guilty of leading others into temptation. Let the example of your life draw others into the joy of knowing Christ.
God chooses that men should be tried, but let a man beware of tempting his neighbor.
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