REFOCUS Questions - Who Am I?

This past Sunday Pastor Jeremy Hawkins spoke with us about Kingdom Values. At the end of his sermon he asked us to ask ourselves two questions:

"Who Am I?" and "What Breaks My Heart?"

We received seventy-five responses from the one hundred and twelve in worship.
Their responses are as follows:

WHO AM I?

30 - Child of God
19 - Used various adjectives to describe themselves (hungry, seeking, thirsty, etc.)
7 - Christian
7 - Believer
3 - Follower of Christ
3 - Wife/mother
2 - Husband/father
2 - Used their actual name...
1 - Unbeliever
1 - ??? (unknown)

WHAT BREAKS MY HEART?

20 - Child abuse
13 - The Lost (those w/o salvation)
11 - Injustices (poverty,addiction, racism, etc.)
7 - People have a lack of hope
6 - Families/marriage/divorce
5 - Discipleship
4 - State of the nation & world/our leaders
4 - Animal abuse
3 - Unloved children
1 - Those with mental illness
1 - Unforgiveness

Recently the Welborn Baptist Foundation conducted numerous surveys and research groups aimed at evaluating the health of the community here in Southern Indiana and Northern Kentucky. Among those findings are the facts that we have a 6% more single parent homes than the national average; 5% fewer husband-wife families(a); 45% more teen mothers than national average(b); and a nearly 200% higher child abuse rate than the national average(c). Add the fact that the tri-state area has twice as many adult binge drinkers than the national average, and we begin to see that the hearts of New Hope are in tune with the challenges of our community.

This month at New Hope we have been trying to REFOCUS our view of the Kingdom of God. We have to understand what the Kingdom is and what the King wants from his Kingdom. We begin with the first questions of What Is The Kingdom?

• The kingdom of God is any place over which God has operative dominion.

• The kingdom is life as God intended it (in all its facets).  

God outlines a perfect kingdom in Isaiah 65. There he describes a land where...

• There is joy—v.19
• There is absence of weeping and crying (v.19)
• There is no infant mortality (v.20)
• People live out their full lives (v.20)
• People will build houses and live in them (v.21, 22)
• People will sow and reap (v.21, 22)
• There is fulfilling work (v.22)
• There is confidence that their children will face a better life (v.23)
• People will experience the blessing of God (v.23)
• People will have inter-generational family support (v.23)
• There will be rapid answers to prayer (v.24)
• There will be an absence of violence (v.25)

As citizens of The Kingdom, we need to pray that the King will give us clear direction on what is shaping his heart and how we can join along side him to implement the benefits of His kingdom. Knowing who we are and having a heart that breaks for the things that breaks His heart is a start. Now we must set a course of action to carry out the values of the King!






(a) Single parent data & Husband-Wife Families are both from the Census Bureau through the American Community Survey. 
(b) Teen Mothers data is from the Center for Disease Control, Department of Health & Human Services
(c) The Child Abuse/Neglect data is reported in KIDS Count, but also from the Department of Health & Human Services

Do It Yourself Life

DIY Life

10.9.16

DIY or Do It Yourself is a popular television phenomenon. A genre once relegated to public television and a few shows like This Old House, it now has birthed entire networks and hundreds of shows with thousands of projects. Add the internet into the mix and self-help fixers have an almost endless supply of ideas.

DIY may be a great way to make changes and renovate your home, car, or other surroundings, but when it comes to your eternal life DIY is not the way to go. Take a look at a few examples of DIY gone wrong you can understand why our best efforts sometimes are not enough!

Mountain Spring Water?

How many MPG doe the A/C get?

THE PROJECT

When it comes to fix-er-uppers, we as humans are the worse. Consider what God says about us in Isaiah 64:6 - 

“All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away.”

There are a lot of people who try to overcome this problem. They try to "be good enough" or work hard enough to make up for all the bad things they do. 

THE PROCESS

Jesus is a grand master contractor. He has a clear process and it never fails! 

“We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.”

Romans 6:4

Jesus died so that we may live. He shared in the punishment of sin (death) so that we can have the result of his righteousness (life)! All we must do is accept his plan and "die" with him so that we may live!

THE PROMISE

Jesus gives us a promise that this process does not require any work on our part. We cannot add any "sweat equity" to this building of a new life. He completes the work so that we recognize who gave us the new life. Imagine a contractor renovating a home only to find out later that the home owner is taking credit for the work. We would consider that home owner as being self deceived and ungrateful. Paul tells us in Ephesians 2:8-10 that the promise Jesus gives us is that we are his completed handiwork:

"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork."

Jesus wants us to be a testimony for his hard work! Not ours! We are his "portfolio" of changed lives! 

THE PERKS

My wife and I were considering to have a new home built a few years ago. When we were deciding what the house should look like, we toured various "model homes" to get ideas. We settled on a floor plan and discussed prices with the builder. We were shocked to find that many of the things that we loved about the model homes were in fact either not available or were very pricey upgrades! 

Jesus does not hold anything back! When he gives us a new life, he gives us all the perks! They include, but are not limited to:

• Promise of eternal life. – John 14:2-3
• We receive eternal life for free. – Romans 6:23
• We have an advocate (champion) before God. – 1 John 2:1
• We are pardoned from punishment. – John 5:24
• We are no longer condemned. – Romans 8:1
• We have an immovable anchor of hope. – Hebrews 6:19
• We become children of God. – John 1:12
• As children, we are heirs with Christ. – Romans 8:17
• We are new, the old is gone. – 2 Corinthians 5:17
• We are a temple for God’s Spirit. – 1 Corinthians 5:16

When you consider all that Jesus has done for us, is willing to do for us, and is doing for us, why would anyone want to DIY their life? Let Jesus be the designer/contractor of your life!

Acts: Ministry of Paul - As Simple as 2-3-4

As Simple as 2-3-4
9.25.16

Following Paul's arrival in Jerusalem in Acts chapter 21, we read where the people of the Jewish community rioted against Paul and attacked him at the Temple. He was rescued by Roman soldiers and arrested for interrogation. Paul made his appeal and told his story to the crowd that charged him, to the Roman commander, to Felix the Governor, later to Festus the Governor, and finally to Agrippa the King. His ordeal is recorded in Acts 21 through Acts 26 and spans over two years of imprisonment. Throughout this whole time Paul maintained his innocence and his right for a fair trial. He stood before the public and before kings, and every time he share his story of his time before meeting Christ and after. He even appeals to those who hear him to become like him (minus the chains) - a follower of The Way and a believer in Jesus as the Christ.

His evangelism example gives us a basic outline to follow: there are two stories (his and Christ's), three parts to his, and four to the story of Christ. Many people know the famous Jackson 5 song A-B-C, easy as 1-2-3. Go ahead, sing it in your head...you know you already are. Now rethink this song with the idea of A-B-C, easy as 2-3-4! I know, I know, it's not as catchy. But think of the A-B-C as ALL BECAUSE of CHRIST and the 2-3-4 as the 2 stories, 3 parts mine, and 4 parts Christ. This diagram might help you picture this better:

You know your story. Maybe you had a good life, good family, good education, brought up from birth in the church...maybe you had a rough life, with lots of obvious errors and wayward adventures...either way, you had to come to the point where you knew you had sinned, there was no way to make up for it, and then Jesus came into your life. What has life been since? What has he done in you to make a difference in not just your behavior, but your very core? That is your story.

Maybe you don't know all that much about Jesus' life, death, resurrection, and pending return. That's okay. There is a good book on the subject: The Bible. His life was predicted by prophets hundreds of years before his birth; his birth was announced by angels and witnessed by shepherds; he lived a spotless life, both in action and in thought; he died on a cross in a painful way because he tried to share with others that he was the way we too could have a perfect spotless life; he was buried and rose from the dead, spent 40 days with his disciples teaching and preparing them a little more before he left; and he promised that one day we will see him again!

Be prepared to share these stories. Being prepared makes us effective for Christ! If you would like to learn more about this evangelism/discipleship program click through 

to Ignite The World discipleship model. 

Our story opens the hearts of people to heart he good news of His story, and His story changes the hearts of people from dead to alive...forever! Now that is GOOD NEWS!

Acts: Ministry Of Paul - The Stubborn Servant

The Stubborn Servant
9.18.16

Acts 21:1-16 tells us the story of Paul's travel to Jerusalem and his encounter with believers along the way. In verses 1 to 16 we read of how he is warned numerous times by fellow Christians not to go to Jerusalem or he will face persecution. Paul is stubborn in his trek and proceeds to the Holy City none the less.

Paul is no stranger to being warned by the Holy Spirit on where he should travel. In Acts 16 we read that he is directed by the Spirit:

"Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia. When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to. So they passed by Mysia and went down to Troas. During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” After Paul had seen the vision, we got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them."

Question: Stubborn or Submissive?

Twice Paul is warned not to go to Jerusalem by people being lead by the Spirit.

Acts 21:4 –  “Through the Spirit they [the disciples in Tyre] urged Paul not to go on to Jerusalem.” 

Acts 21:10,11 –  “A prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. Coming over to us, he took Paul’s belt, tied his own hands and feet with it and said, “The Holy Spirit says, ‘In this way the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem will bind the owner of this belt and will hand him over to the Gentiles.’”

Was Paul's actions simply his dogged determination to fulfill God's plan or his own desire to return to his home city? We have all seen those contestants on American Idol or other talent search shows that just know beyond a shadow of a doubt that they are the next "big thing"! The rest of us of course know they can't carry a tune in a bucket, but that won't stop them from pursuing that dream. That is determination without discipline, without reality, and without clear understanding of who they are and what they are capable of. 

Paul of course knew his calling, his identity, and the risk (see Acts chapter 20). He was secure in who he was and what he was purposed for. We see this in his writings to the church in Rome.

Romans 1:10 – “In my prayers at all times; and I pray that now at last by God’s will the way may be opened for me to come to you.

Romans 15:24 – “I plan to do so when I go to Spain. I hope to see you while passing through and to have you assist me on my journey there, after I have enjoyed your company for a while.”

In fact, later in Acts 15 Paul asks for prayer as he is preparing to travel to Jerusalem and states that he knows that he will travel only when it is in the fullness of time in Jesus and in the joy of Christ. He is sharing his heart's desire but also recognizing that all things will happen in accordance to God's will. 

Paul appears to be demonstrating a stubborn submission to Christ and his will, but a definite determination to stay on the path laid out by God. It is this endurance to the end that helps Paul and us to see the plans of God come to fruition. 

Takeaway For The Week

Stubborn steadfastness to Christ produces endurance.

Acts: Ministry of Paul

Riots and Revival
9.4.16


In every town that Paul traveled to and conducted ministry, there was either a riot or a revival. Often the one proceeded the other. In Ephesus he had served the people well and shared the Gospel to the point that it was effecting the business of local silversmiths and idol makes for the Temple of Artemis. One of the silversmiths, Demetrius, lead the crowds to riot against these Christian pioneers and riled them to take action against "the Way". We read this story in Acts 19:23-41.

Idols and Ideas

Demetrius was upset for two basic reasons: the Christian faith displaced his idols and upset his ideas. Read in verses 25-27:

“You know, my friends, that we receive a good income from this business. And you see and hear how this fellow Paul has convinced and led astray large numbers of people here in Ephesus and in practically the whole province of Asia. He says that gods made by human hands are no gods at all. There is danger not only that our trade will lose its good name, but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis will be discredited; and the goddess herself, who is worshiped throughout the province of Asia and the world, will be robbed of her divine majesty.”

Three main ideas come from this passage. These same three things we struggle with today:

1. The idol of time.
2. The idol of money.
3. The idea of expectations (things we invest in and expect something back in return).

The Idol of Time

Time is a limited resource. We have 24 hours in a day. According to the Bureau of Labor , the average American day looks something like this:

Work 7.6 hours
Home care 2.4 hours
Leisure Time 5.5 hours (2.8 T.V. and 1.3 computer/phone)
Care for kids 2 hours (1 hour if over age 6)
Sleep 8 hours
TOTAL 25.5 hours average

We have managed somehow to over commit our days by one and a half hours! Search in your app store of choice and you will find thousands of time management programs. The goal? To squeeze in as much as possible and more! Much of what we do can be seen as doing for others, but a true evaluation of ourselves and our schedules will reveal for most a humble focus on one's self. We work and play to fulfill our needs. We seek our satisfaction above others whenever possible. And where in this hectic schedule will there be time for God? 

The Idol of Money

"The love of money is the root of all evil." 1 Timothy 6:10

Money is a neutral object. It has no inherent good or evil. What the money is used for tells of our hearts and intents. In 2014, according to the Giving USA Foundation, Americans donated $114 billion to churches. This seems generous, and is is to an extent. To put this in perspective, we should explore what this means per person and how it compares to the things we do for ourselves. 

$114 billion in donations mean an average of $360 per person in America. Before you complain that not everyone is a church attender, let me point out that 83% of Americans identify as Christian (ABC News). Americans spend and average of $1,100 per year on coffee (ABC News - Coffee), so shouldn't these "Christians" be more generous? 

Perhaps we are not more generous because we tend to spend our money on ourselves. Consider the following spending habits of Americans: (CNN Money)

Beer                             $83 billion

Lotto                             $69 billion

Infomercial Products $400 billion

Cigarettes                      $80 billion  

($170 billion in health related costs and $156 billion in lost productivity)

That is a total of over $950 billion spent on self pleasure and "things" we perceive a need to have. This is over eight times the amount donated to churches! This is just a short list which does not include things like movie tickets, cable/internet at home, video games, and the list goes on and on.

The Idol of Expectations

Demetrius and the others in Ephesus were dedicated to Artemis and her temple. They had invested greatly into the temple and expected a return on their investment. The temple was 450 feet long, 225 feet wide and 60 feet tall. To put that in modern size scale, it was the length of one and a half football fields long, as wide as the width of one and a half football fields, and as tall as a six story building. Impressive to say the least! They had poured into the temple and was looking for it to give back in the form of worship, business, and pride.

Our expectations come in many forms. One expression of expectations which effects the church today is an over commitment to youth sports. School teams, league teams, travel teams, all-star teams, etc. consume our family and youth in way unseen to date. In a season where kids have specialty coaches and position coaches as young as early elementary age, the expectations of these "temples" we are investing in are high. But are they realistic? Consider the following data from the Georgia Career Information Center (Pro Athlete):

                  Men BBALL  Wmn BBALL Football Baseball
% HS to college 2.9           3.1                  5.8          5.6
% College to pro 1.3           1.0                  2.0         10.5
% HS to pro 0.03           0.02          0.09 0.5

The effects of the pressure on family kids to compete? According to Travis Dorsch, professor at Utah State University, as much as 10% of a family's income is spent on sports (NY Times). Pair that with information gathered by ESPN, the average income of student athletes is between $35,000 and $100,000, or $67,000 median…which means families could easily spend up to $6,700 per year on sports or as much as $60,000 over a ten year sport career (age 8 to 18). Expectations involve the other two idols in a special way - they require us to sacrifice both time and money. 

Expectations have a negative effect on the family and Christians in particular. Weekend tournaments and regular Sunday games means that 25 % of Americans qualify as “regular attenders” – meaning 3 out of every 8 weeks (churchleaders.com) There are many good and positive reasons to attend church. The bible gives us instructions that we should "not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” (Hebrews 10:25) As the Day of Christ's return draws nearer there is all the more importance on coming together for collective worship, edification, and community. 

Please do not think I am proposing no sport! There are numerous benefits for organized sports in the lives of your athletes. Both male and female athletes learn teamwork, discipline, and other positive life-long effects by interacting with one another in practice and in games. But we are talking about a conscious decision by many families to place sports before faith. Practice of athletics before practice of personal belief. Any time there is an opportunity to cooperatively worship and you make a decision not to participate, then you are making a decision as to who is most important in your life at that moment: you or God. 

Passion is the problem. 

Many parents and kids and adults have passion for their work, the favorite leisure time, and personal agendas. This passion has to have purpose to be useful. 

          Passion without purpose is chaos.

          Passion with purpose is change.

Demetrius had passion, but his leadership resulted in chaos: "The assembly was in confusion: Some were shouting one thing, some another. Most of the people did not even know why they were there." (Acts 19:32); but the passion of Paul and his leadership changed hearts and lives across a whole region: " And you see and hear how this fellow Paul has convinced and led astray large numbers of people here in Ephesus and in practically the whole province of Asia." (verse 26) Paul had lead practically the whole nation to Christ! That is a change worth pursuing!

Putting aside the idols of time, money, and expectations, we can pursue with passion the purpose God has for us so that we can live a life which causes a reaction! So what will be it be? Will people riot or rejoice over our life?

Death Of King Herod - Really Like The Bible Says?

6.1.16

The bible is a book of many wonders and miracles. It is also a book which details at time some pretty spectacular events and almost unbelievable stories. Acts chapter 12 contains one of those stories. In verses 20-23 the author of Acts records the death of King Herod Agrippa:

Then Herod went from Judea to Caesarea and stayed there. He had been quarreling with the people of Tyre and Sidon; they now joined together and sought an audience with him. After securing the support of Blastus, a trusted personal servant of the king, they asked for peace, because they depended on the king’s country for their food supply.

On the appointed day Herod, wearing his royal robes, sat on his throne and delivered a public address to the people. They shouted, “This is the voice of a god, not of a man.” Immediately, because Herod did not give praise to God, an angel of the Lord struck him down, and he was eaten by worms and died.

C'mon, really? A lot of kings over time has either declared themselves God or accepted the role. Did this really happen like the biblical author records? Well, yes. Yes it did. Not just because we have a belief that the Bible is the inerrant Word of God, but because we have historical records of this event.

In his historical writings, Josephus writes in the Antiquities of the Jews, book 19, chapter 8, paragraph 2 about the death of King Herod. His recorded history is as follows:

 "Now when Agrippa had reigned three years over all Judea he came to the city Caesarea, which was formerly called Strato's Tower; and there he exhibited spectacles in honor of Caesar, for whose well-being he'd been informed that a certain festival was being celebrated. At this festival a great number were gathered together of the principal persons of dignity of his province. On the second day of the spectacles he put on a garment made wholly of silver, of a truly wonderful texture, and came into the theater early in the morning. There the silver of his garment, being illuminated by the fresh reflection of the sun's rays, shone out in a wonderful manner, and was so resplendent as to spread awe over those that looked intently upon him. Presently his flatterers cried out, one from one place, and another from another, (though not for his good) that he was a god; and they added, "Be thou merciful to us; for although we have hitherto reverenced thee only as a man, yet shall we henceforth own thee as superior to mortal nature." Upon this the king neither rebuked them nor rejected their impious flattery. But he shortly afterward looked up and saw an owl sitting on a certain rope over his head, and immediately understood that this bird was the messenger of ill tidings, just as it had once been the messenger of good tidings to him; and fell into the deepest sorrow. A severe pain arose in his belly, striking with a most violent intensity... his pain became violent. Accordingly he was carried into the palace, and the rumor went abroad everywhere that he would certainly die soon."

Well, isn't the bible only recording history then? Yes, but more. History tells us that Herod died and even is in agreement that it was a result of the prideful acceptance of his perceived status as God. But the bible tells us who took his life. This story in Acts, confirmed by historians, is one of many examples of how the bible is verified to be true. True here in this chapter, and every chapter!

Prison Break

5.29.16

Peter and the Apostles continue to spread and share the gospel of Jesus. Twelve years have passed since the ascension of Jesus recorded in Acts 1. Herod the Great's grandson, King Herod Agrippa is on the throne in Israel and he begins a terror attack and killing of Christians. In 42 A.D. he kills James, the brother of John and imprisons Peter. Acts chapter 12 records the miraculous escape.

"It was about this time that King Herod arrested some who belonged to the church, intending to persecute them. He had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword. When he saw that this met with approval among the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also. This happened during the Festival of Unleavened Bread. After arresting him, he put him in prison, handing him over to be guarded by four squads of four soldiers each. Herod intended to bring him out for public trial after the Passover.

So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him.

The night before Herod was to bring him to trial, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries stood guard at the entrance. Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. “Quick, get up!” he said, and the chains fell off Peter’s wrists.

Then the angel said to him, “Put on your clothes and sandals.” And Peter did so. “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me,” the angel told him. Peter followed him out of the prison, but he had no idea that what the angel was doing was really happening; he thought he was seeing a vision. They passed the first and second guards and came to the iron gate leading to the city. It opened for them by itself, and they went through it. When they had walked the length of one street, suddenly the angel left him."

Acts 12:1-10

1. Freedom Comes Thru Prayer

"So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him." (verse 5)

Prayer is often accompanied with fasting. Both are examples of self discipline and a desire to connect with God. Prayer and fasting opens doors and unlocks God's power in our lives. Isaiah wrote about this in Isaiah 58, verses 6-9...

“Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:

to loose the chains of injustice

    and untie the cords of the yoke,

to set the oppressed free

    and break every yoke?

Is it not to share your food with the hungry

    and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—

when you see the naked, to clothe them,

    and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?

Then your light will break forth like the dawn,

    and your healing will quickly appear;

then your righteousness will go before you,

    and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard.

Then you will call, and the Lord will answer;

    you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I."

God is the source for freedom, and is the place we should always start!

2. God Can Set Us Free

In Acts 12:6-7, we read that God sent an angel who woke Peter and broke the chains off of him so that he would get up and follow the angel. This begs two questions:

a) Do we grow comfortable enough in our chains that we sleep? We give up, exhausted in our struggles against the chains that entangle us?
b) How can God "wake us up"? Have you ever received or heard of someone experiencing a "wake up call" event? What was that like?

3. Following God's Instruction Is Key

Then the angel said to him, “Put on your clothes and sandals.” And Peter did so. “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me,” the angel told him. Peter followed him out of the prison, but he had no idea that what the angel was doing was really happening; he thought he was seeing a vision.
Acts 12:8-9

The angel tells Peter to wrap his cloak, it is an act of preparation for quick movement. The command is to act with haste and be prepared. Proverbs 13:13 tells us "He who scorns instruction will pay, but the one who respects command is rewarded." We are to follow God's instruction even if we are like Peter and not fully understanding the outcome.

4. We Have A Responsibility Once Freed

Once outside of the prison, the angel takes Peter so far...ad then disappears. Peter is responsible for his actions after this point. Galatians 5:13 reminds us that we are "called to be free, but in do not us your freedom to indulge the sinful nature." There is a pattern from Genesis on of God allowing us to have a part in our destiny. Beginning with Adam and the naming of the animals, tending the garden, Noah building the ark; and on and on we see a place for God to act and space for man to participate. That participation requires responsibility.

5. Go To Those Who Celebrate Freedom

In verse 12 of Acts 12 we read that Peter returned to the house of Mary where the members of the church were gathered. He recalled the events of his freedom and they celebrated with him. The author of Proverbs instructs us that "He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm." (13:20) When we are set free, we should strive to stay away from others who may entice us to once again plunge back into the entanglement of sin.

Takeaway From Today

What has captured you?

Are you prepared for freedom?

These two questions should haunt us all. We too easily slip into our habits and sins...imprisoned without chains. Are we ready for freedom? Do we pray for it? Seek it? And what if God is willing, but we must take the steps to obey his instructions for getting out?

The Sufficient Gospel

5.22.16

Peter Testimony of the Gospel

“We are witnesses of everything he did in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They killed him by hanging him on a cross, but God raised him from the dead on the third day and caused him to be seen. He was not seen by all the people, but by witnesses whom God had already chosen—by us who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead. All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”
Acts 10:39-43

Peter presents the good news of Jesus in simple terms:

a) Jesus died on the cross.
b) God raised him from the dead.
c) This resurrection was witnessed by many, but not all.
d) Jesus will judge all mankind one day.
e) He alone fulfills the prophecy as the one to be this judge.
f) Everyone who believes in Jesus will be forgiven.

God can act in ways that surprise us. 

"While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on Gentiles."
Acts 10:44-45

These "circumcised" believers were Jewish Christians. They were astonished that God would allow these pagan non-Jews into the body of Christ. For many in the early church the "narrow gate" believers had to pass through was as much Judaism as it was Jesus himself. There was a clear prejudice against non-Jews becoming believers.

There will always be critics of change.

The apostles and the believers throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God. So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcised believers criticized him and said, “You went into the house of uncircumcised men and ate with them.”
Acts 11:1-3

The very men who were challenged by Jesus to go into all the world and preach his good news stand Peter on impromptu trial by critic for carrying out this very commandment. There is definite attitude of "This is how we do it" going on in the early church. There is no room for God to do something different than exactly as he had with them.

Let truth be the proof.

Peter shares the story of what God did at the house of Cornelius -

"So if God gave them the same gift he gave us who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to think that I could stand in God’s way?” When they heard this, they had no further objections and praised God, saying, “So then, even to Gentiles God has granted repentance that leads to life.”
Acts 11:17-18

We should have the attitude Peter takes - "who am I to stand in God's way?" We are too often hubris in our thought that God should do things our way. We see in the response to truth that there was still a hint at prejudice, because they state "So then, even to the Gentiles God has granted repentance that leads to life."

The word EVEN is powerful. It shares the hearts of the men there that they were still struggling that a group of people different than them would be accepted by God. It begs the question of is the "EVEN" in your life? Is there a people group or person who you would never believe could follow Jesus? Does it affect your evangelism or outreach? Keep in mind that at one point or another in your own life, someone may have looked upon you as being their "EVEN".

The gospel is sufficient.

There was a push back to Peter's freely sharing time and gospel with Gentiles. Paul writes about this in Galatians chapter 2:

"For before certain men came from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles. But when they arrived, he began to draw back and separate himself from the Gentiles because he was afraid of those who belonged to the circumcision group. The other Jews joined him in his hypocrisy, so that by their hypocrisy even Barnabas was led astray."

We must not pollute the gospel! When we do, it weakens the power of what Jesus accomplished on the cross! A gospel that includes the cross of Jesus plus something, then it is not a true gospel. The plus usually dictates a personal belief or preference... i.e., bible translations, church attendance, membership in certain denominations or specific churches, musical instruments or no instruments, and so on and so on... the list is nearly endless of the things people will add to the gospel of the cross in hopes of leading a person to be a "true" follower.

Takeaway From Today

We need to be clear about the gospel of Jesus 

and not add or take away from it. 

The Gospel For All

5.15.16

In Acts chapter nine we read about Peter and his travels. He visits believers throughout Israel to encourage them, pray with them, and in one case raise them from the dead. He is on a high in his ministry. He is a rock star of sorts, traveling and in demand. He is requested in Joppa where he stays with Simon the tanner. While he is there, God is moving in the heart of another man, Cornelius the Centurion. Acts chapter ten opens with Cornelius in prayer and a visit from an angel. The interaction between Cornelius and Peter provides a number of valuable lessons for us.

1. God initiates the spread of the gospel.

One day at about three in the afternoon he [Cornelius] had a vision. He distinctly saw an angel of God, who came to him and said, “Cornelius!”
Acts 10:3

This angel directs Cornelius to send for Peter who is in Joppa staying at Simon the tanner's house. God's directive begins a shift in focus for the early church - from Jewish/Jerusalem focused to Gentile/world focused. Cornelius obeys and sends for Peter.

2. New covenant, new rules. 

He saw heaven opened and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners. It contained all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles and birds. Then a voice told him, “Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.” 
Acts 10:11-13

Meanwhile back at the tanner's house...

Peter is tired and goes to lay down as he waits for supper to be prepared. While he is laying there he enters a trance and is challenged with a vision from heaven of previously "impure or unclean" animals to eat. The animals are presented on a sheet that is lowered into Peter's view from heaven. The voice from heaven tells Peter to not be so quick to judge these things as unclean, and that since God created them, they are now permissible. God is preparing Peter for a paradigm shift in his theology. The vision concludes with verification that he is to travel with the men coming to invite him to visit Cornelius. 

3. God can use even our reluctant obedience. 

You are well aware that it is against our law for a Jew to associate with or visit a Gentile. But God has shown me that I should not call anyone impure or unclean. So when I was sent for, I came without raising any objection. 

Acts 10:28-29

Peter, filled with some sense of self importance perhaps, and a sense of Jewish superiority in spiritual matters, reluctantly visits at the home of this Gentile. He announces this to the people waiting for him at the house of Cornelius. In this exchange, where Cornelius explains why he called for Peter, a directive from an angel, Cornelius is expectant of a word from God. Cornelius is so confident, that it says he called all of his household to hear from Peter.  These two men could not be more different. One, a Jewish fisherman, the other a trained and cultured Roman Italian Centurion. But it is the Roman, the pagan, the gentile, that is expectant of God and what He will do. The apostle, the follower, Peter, is reluctant to come and has apparently little to no expectations for the exchange. 

4. Peter realizes that the gospel of Jesus is for everyone. 

Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right. 

Acts 10:34-35

Peter is humbled. It's not the first time. Sure not to be the last. His eyes are opened to the thing that God was showing him at the house in Joppa with the sheet and the directive to not call things (or people groups) unclean. It changes the game so to speak. Peter, a disciple of Jesus and founding father of the church is breaking new ground with this visit. 

Takeaway From Today

We must be prepared to accept others who are different into the church. 

We will interact with people that are similar to us. We will interact with people who are vastly different. In all, we will have to learn that the church is not for just us "saved" people, but for the broken, socially challenged, culturally different lost people of the world. We must be open to the idea that not everyone in the church or in heaven will act, look, and be like us. God is a god of diversity (look at nature), and his church will be too.

We Cannot Be Quiet

4.24.16

Acts chapter four presents a conflict between the apostles and the Jewish leaders of the day. The conflict consisted of three parts.

1. The Apostles were teaching contrary to the culture of the day. 

“They were greatly disturbed because the apostles were teaching the people, proclaiming in Jesus 

the resurrection of the dead.” 

Acts 4:2

The Sadducee did not believe in a resurrection. That had a difference in opinion and were threatened by the teaching of the apostles. 

2. There is opposition to the teaching of Jesus.

“Everyone living in Jerusalem knows they have performed a notable sign, and we cannot deny it. But to stop this thing from spreading any further among the people, we must warn them to speak no longer to anyone in this name.”

Acts 4:16-17

The leaders were also being threatened for their position of authority and this would impact their livelihood as well as upset their ideology. They desired to stop the spread of truth.

3. The Apostles were told to stop teaching the truth of Jesus.

“Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.”

Acts 4:18

The result of the first two conflicts gave rise to the third: threats to remain silent. Rather than engage in discussion or exchange of ideas, the authorities and power players of the day simply sought to stop the apostles with threats. 

In 2016 we face a conflict similar in nature: 

1. We hold to a truth that is different than the establishment.

2. There is an active effort to silence the truth.

3. Those who proclaim the truth are politely 

and sometimes not so politely told to be silent. 

I am of course speaking from a perspective as a resident of the United States. Other countries have face opposition and oppression of religious freedom for a long time. Whether the topic is abortion, gay marriage, transgender identification, or other current culturally accepted sin, the truth of God has not changed. True, we should speak the truth in love, but speak the truth we must. Which places us in conflict with the culture and on some level with the powers and authorities of the United States and specific state and local leadership. Not to mention verbal demonstrative statements from celebrities, athletes, and others who influence millions across the U.S. and around the world. We are bedeviled in the arena of public opinion and collectively labeled with often incorrect derogatory names like bigot, close minded, hateful, idiot, and other names not worthy of repeating.

We can look to the apostles in Acts 4 to find three ways in which they met the conflict and prevailed.

1. The Apostles had courage.

“ Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: ‘Rulers and elders of the people!’”
Acts 4:8

Peter did not back down. he stood up to his oppressors and challenged their thinking and ideology with scripture, God's own words. Verse 13 tells us that when the powers that be saw the courage of these men, they were astonished! 

2. The Apostles knew their foundation.

“Jesus is ‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.’ Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”

Acts 4:11-12

When one takes a stand, it is good to know the foundation on which your argument is laid. In the case of the apostles and for us, the foundation is firmly and squarely on Jesus - the cornerstone of faith. We can stand knowing that we are not building our faith on unknowns or suppositions, or simply our own opinions, but on the solid truth of Jesus and his word. 

3. The Apostles knew who to obey.

“But Peter and John replied, ‘Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges!’”

Acts 4:19

The apostles perhaps were thinking at this moment in their reply of the teaching that Jesus had given them in Matthew 10:28 - "Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell." regardless of their motive, their answer was proof of their maturity and understanding that we are truly aliens or visitors here in this world, and that we must obey our true King above all else. 

So let us join with the apostles and echo their answer to the world who would silence them:

“As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.”

Acts 4:20

Prophecies Fulfilled By Jesus

44 Prophecies Jesus Christ Fulfilled
	Prophecies About Jesus	Old Testament Scripture	New Testament Fulfillment
1	Messiah would be born of a woman.	Genesis 3:15	Matthew 1:20 Galatians 4:4
2	Messiah would be born in Bethlehem.	Micah 5:2	Matthew 2:1 Luke 2:4-6
3	Messiah would be born of a virgin.	Isaiah 7:14	Matthew 1:22-23 Luke 1:26-31
4	Messiah would come from the line of Abraham.	Genesis 12:3 Genesis 22:18	Matthew 1:1 Romans 9:5
5	Messiah would be a descendant of Isaac.	Genesis 17:19 Genesis 21:12	Luke 3:34
6	Messiah would be a descendant of Jacob.	Numbers 24:17	Matthew 1:2
7	Messiah would come from the tribe of Judah.	Genesis 49:10	Luke 3:33 Hebrews 7:14
8	Messiah would be heir to King David's throne.	2 Samuel 7:12-13 Isaiah 9:7	Luke 1:32-33 Romans 1:3
9	Messiah's throne will be anointed and eternal.	Psalm 45:6-7 Daniel 2:44	Luke 1:33 Hebrews 1:8-12
10	Messiah would be called Immanuel.	Isaiah 7:14	Matthew 1:23
11	Messiah would spend a season in Egypt.	Hosea 11:1	Matthew 2:14-15
12	A massacre of children would happen at Messiah's birthplace.	Jeremiah 31:15	Matthew 2:16-18
13	A messenger would prepare the way for Messiah	Isaiah 40:3-5	Luke 3:3-6
14	Messiah would be rejected by his own people.	Psalm 69:8 Isaiah 53:3	John 1:11 John 7:5
15	Messiah would be a prophet.	Deuteronomy 18:15	Acts 3:20-22
16	Messiah would be preceded by Elijah.	Malachi 4:5-6	Matthew 11:13-14
17	Messiah would be declared the Son of God.	Psalm 2:7	Matthew 3:16-17
18	Messiah would be called a Nazarene.	Isaiah 11:1	Matthew 2:23
19	Messiah would bring light to Galilee.	Isaiah 9:1-2	Matthew 4:13-16
20	Messiah would speak in parables.	Psalm 78:2-4 Isaiah 6:9-10	Matthew 13:10-15, 34-35
21	Messiah would be sent to heal the brokenhearted.	Isaiah 61:1-2	Luke 4:18-19
22	Messiah would be a priest after the order of Melchizedek.	Psalm 110:4	Hebrews 5:5-6
23	Messiah would be called King.	Psalm 2:6 Zechariah 9:9	Matthew 27:37 Mark 11:7-11
24	Messiah would be praised by little children.	Psalm 8:2	Matthew 21:16
25	Messiah would be betrayed.	Psalm 41:9 Zechariah 11:12-13	Luke 22:47-48 Matthew 26:14-16
26	Messiah's price money would be used to buy a potter's field.	Zechariah 11:12-13	Matthew 27:9-10
27	Messiah would be falsely accused.	Psalm 35:11	Mark 14:57-58
28	Messiah would be silent before his accusers.	Isaiah 53:7	Mark 15:4-5
29	Messiah would be spat upon and struck.	Isaiah 50:6	Matthew 26:67
30	Messiah would be hated without cause.	Psalm 35:19 Psalm 69:4	John 15:24-25
31	Messiah would be crucified with criminals.	Isaiah 53:12	Matthew 27:38 Mark 15:27-28
32	Messiah would be given vinegar to drink.	Psalm 69:21	Matthew 27:34 John 19:28-30
33	Messiah's hands and feet would be pierced.	Psalm 22:16 Zechariah 12:10	John 20:25-27
34	Messiah would be mocked and ridiculed.	Psalm 22:7-8	Luke 23:35
35	Soldiers would gamble for Messiah's garments.	Psalm 22:18	Luke 23:34 Matthew 27:35-36
36	Messiah's bones would not be broken.	Exodus 12:46 Psalm 34:20	John 19:33-36
37	Messiah would be forsaken by God.	Psalm 22:1	Matthew 27:46
38	Messiah would pray for his enemies.	Psalm 109:4	Luke 23:34
39	Soldiers would pierce Messiah's side.	Zechariah 12:10	John 19:34
40	Messiah would be buried with the rich.	Isaiah 53:9	Matthew 27:57-60
41	Messiah would resurrect from the dead.	Psalm 16:10 Psalm 49:15	Matthew 28:2-7 Acts 2:22-32
42	Messiah would ascend to heaven.	Psalm 24:7-10	Mark 16:19 Luke 24:51
43	Messiah would be seated at God's right hand.	Psalm 68:18 Psalm 110:1	Mark 16:19 Matthew 22:44
44	Messiah would be a sacrifice for sin.	Isaiah 53:5-12	Romans 5:6-8

(Sources: 100 Prophecies Fulfilled by Jesus: Messianic Prophecies Made Before the Birth of Christ by Rose Publishing;Book of Bible Lists by H.L. Willmington; NKJV Study Bible; Life Application Study Bible.)