Hot Orthodoxy

[Matt's Messages] "Flexibility in Ministry"

2012-01-22T13:39:00.000-05:00

“Flexibility in Ministry”
Paul’s Second Missionary Journey
From Jerusalem to Pennsylvania: The Book of Acts
January 22, 2012
Acts 15:36-16:15
This is the beginning of what we normally call Paul’s Second Missionary Journey.

Last month, we went on Paul and Barnabas’ First Missionary Journey.

Paul and Barnabas (and John Mark) took off from that great missionary church in Antioch and went to Cyprus, Pamphlia, Pisidian Antioch, Iconium, Lystra, Derbe and then back around again.

And they shared the gospel with Jews and with Gentiles and many, especially Gentiles, got saved. And they started new churches. New worshiping communities of followers of Christ.

And then they came back and went down to Jerusalem to have that conference about the Gentiles, and then came back to Antioch and shared what had been settled at the conference and (v.35), they remained in Antioch for some time teaching and preaching the word of Lord.

Now, in our story for today, Paul is going to have the idea of heading off on another missionary journey.

Well, let’s look at verse 36. You can see it there.

“Some time later Paul said to Barnabas, ‘Let us go back and visit the brothers in all the towns where we preached the word of the Lord and see how they are doing.’”

So, the second missionary journey begins, at least, as an idea of re-visiting the new churches to provide care and counsel and oversight and resources and support.

It’s actually going to be much more than that, but that’s how it starts.

The second journey is going to cover much more ground than the first. And more chapters, too. It’ll be from Acts 15 to Acts 18.

But it starts as a re-visit to the original set of new churches.

You can see on the back of your bulletin that if I had to summarize our passage for today, I’d call it, “Flexibility in Ministry.”

As you know, our own short term missionary team - the Serbia Team has recently been formed.

We have 5 or 6 team members who are in the early stages of preparing to go to Serbia to serve the Lord in gospel ministry at a Summer camp teaching English or sports and sharing the gospel.

I’m really excited about that. And we’ll be learning a lot more about Serbia and about our team in the next few weeks.

In November, when they had a meeting of prospective team members, I told them that flexibility was the by-word for missions work.

The Marines have Semper Fidelis, right? Always Faithful. Amen.

I told our Serbia missions team that they ought to adopt this Latin phrase.

Semper Gumby. Always Flexible.

Not always silly. Always flexible.

Flexibility in ministry is a key.

How many here are in ministry?

I hope that most of us here are. All Christians are supposed to see themselves as in ministry for the Lord.

You don’t have to be in vocational ministry to be in ministry.

Every Christian should see themselves as in ministry for the Lord.

So, this applies to all of us.

Flexibility in Ministry.

Flexibility is not easy.

How many here like to be flexible.

We all like it when other people are flexible, but most of us don’t always enjoy being flexible ourselves.

And sometimes, it’s right to be flexible, and other times it’s wrong. There are times to bend and times to be unbendable. Right?

Our passage for today starts with a story that highlights how important flexibility is.

For #1. DEALING WITH DISAGREEMENTS.

If you didn’t know the story, you would never guess that the next thing was going to happen.

Paul and Barnabas are going to split up.

That’s like Abbott and Costello splitting up.

Or Bert and Ernie!

These guys have been inseparable.

Remember when Paul became a Christian and Barnabas (what’s Barnabas’ name mean? - Son of Encouragement, Barnabas) came alongside Paul and befriend him and spoke up for him and traveled with him.

These guys preached the gospel together and were mistaken for gods together and almost got killed together and faced the guys in Jerusalem together.

These guys were a serious team for years!

And now they are going to split up?

What’s up? Verse 36 again.

“Some time later Paul said to Barnabas, ‘Let us go back and visit the brothers in all the towns where we preached the word of the Lord and see how they are doing.’ Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark, with them, but Paul did not think it wise to take him, because he had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in the work. [Remember that?] They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus [Barnabas’ homeland], but Paul chose Silas and left, commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord. He went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.”

Wow. That was a surprise.

These two guys who had been through so much decide that they have to end their close partnership.

Ok.

Here’s my question for you. Which one was right and which one was wrong?

What’s it say?

It doesn’t say, does it?

What do you think were the issues?

From Barnabas’ point of view, he was probably just being Barnabas.

He was the Son of Encouragement and wanted to give John Mark a second chance.

He had done it for Paul, now he was going it for John Mark, who was also (the Bible tells us elsewhere) a family member.

Right or wrong?

Well, it turns out well. John Mark and Paul eventually work together again. And Paul says in 2 Timothy 4 how useful and helpful John Mark was to him.

So, Barnabas was right, right?

Well, it doesn’t say so here. It says that the brothers commended Paul and Silas to the grace of the Lord and sent them off, and we know that the Lord blesses Paul and his ministry from here out.

Paul needed people he could trust to work with.

Was that wrong?

I love it that the Bible doesn’t tell us who was right and who was wrong.

Maybe they were both right and both wrong in some ways.

That’s the way it normally is when it comes to disagreements, isn’t it?

Both of these guys were Spirit-filled, same-gospel-preaching, wise men.

And they didn’t always agree. In fact, here they had to agree to disagree agreeably.

Disagreement in ministry is inevitable this side of heaven.

We will not always agree.

Our church family has had more than a decade of strong unity.

And we should be very thankful for that.

But it isn’t guaranteed.

And we even though we’ve had strong unity that doesn’t mean that we’ve always agreed on everything. Have we?

No, that’s why flexibility is so important.

And they are flexible here.

Did you catch it?

I never saw it so clearly before. I saw this as a downer-passage. A failure.

And, on one level it is.

But what happens here? I think that they agree to disagree agreeably and they end up multiplying the ministry!

They come up with a compromise. You two go there, we two will go there.

It doesn’t say that they hated each other. Or even that they could never work together again.

It just says that they parted company. (V.39) “Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus, but Paul chose Silas and left, commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord.”

I think that’s gospel flexibility. This isn’t working. We can’t agree. Let’s do it differently. You try that. We’ll try this.

That’s how I read it.

It’s not perfect, but it’s flexible and the gospel keeps moving.

V.41 Paul goes through Syria and Cilicia strengthening the churches.

Notice what happens here.

Same starting point, but he goes a new way. He goes up north and then West.

He doesn’t have to go to Cyprus. Barnabas will take care of that.

Has the ministry diminished because of this break-up?

No. It’s multiplied.

So he goes through Syria and Cilicia. Acts 16, verse 1.

“He came to Derbe and then to Lystra, [we’ve been here before, but now it’s different. Paul and Silas there and they get a new team member. Derbe and then to Lystra] where a disciple named Timothy lived, whose mother was a Jewess and a believer, but whose father was a Greek. The brothers at Lystra and Iconium spoke well of him. Paul wanted to take him along on the journey, so he circumcised him because of the Jews who lived in that area, for they all knew that his father was a Greek.”

Now, wait one minute!

He did what?

He had Timothy circumcised?

What was the last chapter all about?

Wasn’t there this big decision about circumcision in the last chapter?

Do you remember that?

And what side was Paul on?

What’s going on?

Was this right or wrong to have Timothy circumcised?

Timothy is the son of a Greek Gentile father and Jewish mother.

And he’s a believer in Jesus.

Should he be circumcised?

Let me ask the question this way.

Did he have to be circumcised?

No. Remember the question from two weeks ago?

“What does it take for a Gentile to become a Christian?”

Grace. That’s it.

Not circumcision. You don’t have to become a Jew to become a Christian.

But does that make circumcision wrong?

Not at all.

It’s fine to be circumcised. Especially if you are a Jew (and Jewishness is often reckoned through the mother’s heritage).

Timothy was considered a Jew.

Would it be wrong for him to be circumcised?

Only if it was insisted upon.

If someone said that you must become circumcised to be saved, then that teaching must be countered.

But if someone chooses to do it to be more easily acceptable to others, that’s fine!

It’s good flexibility.

Here’s the principle.

#2. BEING SENSITIVE YET STEADFAST.

There is a time for bending and a time for being unbending.

Paul knew both.

Unbending with the gospel.
Bending with those things that don’t matter.

Here’s how he said it in Galatians:

“For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.”

If it would help reach Jews for Jesus, then let’s get Timothy circumcised.

If it would hinder the gospel, no way.

Sensitive Yet Steadfast.

Flexibility.

Does that make sense?

Can you think of issues in your own life where it’s important to balance those two things? Sensitivity and Steadfastness.

Wishy washy people change with the wind.
But inflexible people don’t care about others.

We are supposed to be neither wishy-washy nor inflexible.

Sensitive Yet Steadfast.

And here’s what happened. V.4

“As they traveled from town to town, they delivered the decisions reached by the apostles and elders in Jerusalem for the people to obey. [He hasn’t forgotten the conference in Jerusalem! He’s spreading the news of it.] So the churches were strengthened in the faith and grew daily in numbers.”

Flexibility led to increased ministry.

Flexibility in the right way led to increased ministry.

Number three. Flexibility in...

#3. HEEDING THE SPIRIT'S PUSH AND PULL.

Verse 6.

“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.”

This is a different role for the Holy Spirit than we are used to.

Notice by the way that He is called “The Spirit of Jesus” in verse 7. I love that.

The Holy Spirit is not another Spirit. He is the Spirit of Jesus.

But here He is pushing Paul and Silas (and now Timothy) out of an area.

Let’s read that again and look at the map.

“Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia [that’s up here] and Galatia [here], having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia [they are not allowed over here]. When they came to the border of Mysia [up here], they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to.”

They kind of have to run along the border and aren’t allowed to preach or start churches through this spot here. V.8

“So they passed by Mysia and went down to Troas.” Here.

Now, how did the Spirit do all of this pushing?

We don’t know. The Bible doesn’t say.

A prophetic word?
A leading or guiding?
Doors opening or doors closing?

Not sure. But however the Spirit did it. He did it.

And Paul and his team heeded the pushing of the Spirit.

That might have been pretty frustrating!

Imagine if you were Paul. “I just want to preach the gospel!”

But the Spirit is stopping me. He won’t allow me to enter into these places. What’s going on?

V.9

“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.”

Ah. God has another plan.

The Spirit doesn’t just push. He pulls. And we need to flexible!

“Come over to Macedonia and help us.”

And so, in the middle of the night, they got ready to leave at once for Macedonia.

That’s flexible! Heeding the Spirit’s push and pull.

Now, both of these places were in the Roman empire.

But something geographically amazing was happening here.

The gospel was moving into what we now call Europe.

For the first time! V.11

“From Troas we put out to sea and sailed straight for Samothrace, and the next day on to Neapolis. From there we traveled to Philippi, a Roman colony and the leading city of that district of Macedonia. And we stayed there several days.”

The gospel has entered into another continent.

From Jerusalem where? To the ends of the earth.

“Come over to Macedonia and help us!”

And did you notice the pronouns changing?

Who set out to sea?

“We” did.

I think Dr. Luke just joined the team at Troas.

He doesn’t make a big deal of it, but there it is. “We.”

And the gospel moves into Europe.

And land at Philippi.

Philippi is only about 550 miles away from Novi Sad Serbia where our team will be going this Summer.

And here’s why flexibility is so important.

#4. SHARING THE GOSPEL WITH ALL WHO NEED IT.

And that’s all of us.

Look at verse 13.

“On the Sabbath we went outside the city gate to the river, where we expected to find a place of prayer. We sat down and began to speak to the women who had gathered there.” Stop there for a second.

Why did they do this?

What day did they do it? On the Sabbath.

Where did they go?

Outside the city gate to the river. Why?

They’re looking for the synagogue.

Paul goes to the Jew first and then the Gentile.

It takes 10 Jewish men to form a synagogue. If they don’t have 10 Jewish men, they gather at the river for prayer until they do.

Obviously, Philippi does not have 10 Jewish men.

It appears that there isn’t even one!

Who do they find there at the river?

A group of women who are praying.

Four men approach a group of Jewish women to talk about religion.

(I don’t think this conversation is really going to go anywhere.)

Maybe Paul and his team should find another place.

I mean the vision had a MAN of Macedonia saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us!”

But Paul and his friends are...what? FLEXIBLE!

They share the gospel with ALL who need it.

They don’t just look for people like them.

They cross barriers. Geographical, physical, cultural, even gender (which was a big divide in that culture).

Verse 14.

“One of those listening was a woman named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth from the city of Thyatira, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul's message. When she and the members of her household were baptized, she invited us to her home. ‘If you consider me a believer in the Lord,’ she said, ‘come and stay at my house.’ And she persuaded us.”

I love that.

Here is the first convert in Europe, and she isn’t at all what we would have expected.

And “the Lord opened her heart.” I love that phrase. It’s one of a quite a few ways of saying that Lord saved her by the gospel.

Paul shared about Jesus Christ. His message. His life. His death. His resurrection!

And the Lord opened her heart.

Has the Lord opened your heart?

Do you believe Paul’s message? Paul’s gospel?

The gospel of a crucified and risen Savior?

The world does not believe it.

But those who do are saved.

I invite you to believe today.

The Lord opened her heart, and she responded, like all new believers in the New Testament–she got baptized–she and all of the people in her extended household.

They believed! And they got baptized.

And then, this single, business-owning, woman invites these four men, Paul, Silas, Timothy, and Luke, to stay in her household as the center of their ministry in Philippi.

Do you think that took flexibility?

I don’t think that would have been Paul’s first choice.

Not that there is any impropriety here. But look how she has to persuade them.

“‘If you consider me a believer in the Lord,’ she said, ‘come and stay at my house.’ And she persuaded us.”

And Paul is flexible again for the gospel.

Are you flexible in ministry?

Are you ready to deal with the disagreements that come?
Are you ready to be sensitive where you need to be and steadfast where you must?
Are you ready to heed the push and pull of the Spirit even when it gets frustrating?
Are you ready to share the gospel across barriers?

If so, then you are ready for ministry.

Sumper Gumby! Always flexible!

Messages So Far In this Series:

You Will Be My Witnesses
Before Pentecost

The Day of Pentecost

No Other Name
Snapshots of the Early Church
Stephen
Philip
Saul
Even the Gentiles
Are We Willing?

Paul's First Missionary Journey: Part One

Paul's First Missionary Journey: Part Two

Conference in Jerusalem

Bibliophilia Loose in the Store

2012-01-10T22:38:00.002-05:00

[Matt's Messages] "Conference in Jerusalem"

2012-01-09T18:53:00.000-05:00

“Conference in Jerusalem”
From Jerusalem to Pennsylvania: The Book of Acts
January 8, 2012
Acts 15:1-35

After a brief holiday break, we now return to our study of the book of Acts which we are calling, “From Jerusalem to Pennsylvania.”
Jesus told his disciples that they would be His witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the Earth – which is where we now live!

And we’ve watched as the gospel has gone out. Starting with a bang at Pentecost in Jerusalem and then slowly but surely moving outward. Up to Samaria and then the establishing of that great missionary church in Antioch in Syria.

And, when we last left off, that Antioch church had sent Paul and Barnabas on the first missionary journey? Do you remember that?

Paul and Barnabas (and John Mark) had left Antioch, gone to Cyprus, gone to Perga. John Mark bailed on them there. Then Paul and Barnabas had gone to Pisidian Antioch, Iconium, Lystra, and Derbe.

And they encountered trouble at every spot. Sometimes they were taken for gods, but most of the time, they met with riots and had to leave in a hurry.

But they also established churches among the Gentiles!

And then they got back home and gave their report.

That’s where we left off last time.

The first missionary journey was wildly successful, especially among Gentiles.

Gentiles were turning to the Lord in good numbers.
And that’s exciting for us because, guess what we are? Gentiles.

In fact, the gospel is growing so much at this point that it won’t be long until the church is full of Gentiles, and Jews become a minority!

That was unthinkable at the beginning. The church was almost all Jewish, some weere Hebrew speaking, some were Greek speaking–but they were all Jews.

And then, we had those Samaritan half-breeds and that Ethiopian official. And then Cornelius. And then the folks up in the international church of Antioch.

And now this. Gentiles are coming in in droves!

And that presents a problem.

You might think that everyone would be happy that this is happening.

But not everyone is happy. There are, in fact, some people who are very unhappy.

And they present a problem to the church.

And the problem can only be solved by holding a big conference.

“Conference in Jerusalem.”

Acts 15 is pretty much the center of the book of Acts. We’ve read about half of it, and now, we’ll head into the second half.

This is a “hinge” chapter, moving from the first baby steps of the newborn church to reaching out across the whole Roman world.

But first, they’ve got to get this question settled:

“What does it take for a Gentile to become a Christian?”

What does it take for a Gentile to truly become a real Christian?

And the answer affects us today, doesn’t it?

Because we’re all Gentiles.

What does it truly take for a Gentile, like you and me, to become a Christian?

And to settle that question, they had a big conference...back in Jerusalem.

Conference in Jerusalem.

This chapter has often been called the “Jerusalem Council.”

And that’s because they hold an important meeting, a council or a conference in Jerusalem to settle the question, “What does it take for a Gentile to become a Christian?”

What do you think the answer is?

What do you think the possible answers were?

Acts chapter 15 verse 1 exposes the problem.
Verse 1.

“Some men came down from Judea to Antioch and were teaching the brothers: ‘Unless you are circumcised, according to the custom taught by Moses, you cannot be saved.’”

Aha.

Do you see the problem?

Folks from the “home office” visited the great church in Antioch and brought some teaching. And the teaching was, “Unless you are circumcised [this is for the men], according to the custom taught by Moses, you cannot be saved.’”

Circumcision was the mark of the covenant that was the sign and symbol of belonging to the people of God in the Old Testament.

It was given by God and encoded in the law of Moses.

And these men came from the home office saying that the Gentiles needed to do that to be genuine Christians.

In other words, to become a Christian, you first had to become a Jew.

You had to take on circumcision which was a marker of taking on the law of Moses.

And these guys didn’t just say that it was a good idea.

They said, “Unless you are circumcised, according to the custom taught by Moses, you cannot be saved.”

And those are fighting words. V.2

“This brought Paul and Barnabas into sharp dispute and debate with them.”

I’ll bet it did.

Paul and Barnabas did not agree.

And they could not stay quiet about it.

Were Paul and Barnabas circumcised?

Of course, they were.

Was it bad to be circumcised?

No way. It was good! But was it required to be saved?

Was it true that “Unless you are circumcised, according to the custom taught by Moses, you cannot be saved.”

No way.

So there is a church rumble going down.

Paul and Barnabas will not allow this teaching to go unanswered.

The gospel is at stake.

What are they going to do about it?

You know, it might be that the apostles are teaching this down in Jerusalem.

These guys who came to the church in Antioch were from Judea. What are they teaching down there? V.2

“So Paul and Barnabas were appointed, along with some other believers, to go up to Jerusalem to see the apostles and elders about this question.”

They need to have a conference. This has got to be settled. V.3

“The church sent them on their way, and as they traveled through Phoenicia and Samaria, they told how the Gentiles had been converted. This news made all the brothers very glad.”

They don’t wait to make their case. As they work their way to Jerusalem, they tell everybody the good news about the Gentiles conversions.

And then (v.4), “When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and elders, to whom they reported everything God had done through them.”

And then, they had their debate. V.5

“Then some of the believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees stood up and said, ‘The Gentiles must be circumcised and required to obey the law of Moses.’”

This is how they answered the question, “What does it take for a Gentile to become a Christian?”

Their answer, “It takes circumcision and obedience to the law of Moses.”

It’s not surprising that these men were Pharisees.

They are also believers in Jesus.

These are not guys who are denying that Jesus is the Christ.

They believe that!

These men believe that Jesus is the Christ.

But was Jesus was a Jew. They are Jews. Salvation is from the Jews.

And they think that to become a Christian, you must become a Jew first.

Christians are just Messianic Jews, right? So to be a true Christian, you must come into Judaism. Circumcision and the Law of Moses. Right?

The question is not whether or not Gentiles can be saved.

Of course, they can. But must they also be circumcised to be saved?

“Yes,” say the Pharisees in the church.

“No,” say Paul and Barnabas.

What will everyone else say?

V.6 “The apostles and elders met to consider this question.”

I love it.

This was worthy of discussion. Of debate. Of listening to both sides and considering the question.

And then coming up with an answer that was right and wise and loving and faithful to the gospel. They held their conference at Jerusalem.

We don’t know how long they talked or all of what they said. It might have gone on for days and days.

But eventually, it was time to settle the question.

And that happened through 3 speeches.

The first was from Simon Peter. Verse 7.

“After much discussion, Peter got up and addressed them: ‘Brothers, you know that some time ago God made a choice among you that the Gentiles might hear from my lips the message of the gospel and believe. [What’s he talking about? He’s talking about Cornelius. Acts 10. That vision of the pork picnic that God gave to Peter and then the conversion of Cornelius and his household. They knew that that was God’s work. V.8] God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us. He made no distinction between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith. [I love that phrase.] Now then, why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of the disciples a yoke that neither we nor our fathers have been able to bear?”

What’s he mean there? He’s talking about the law.

Is the law good? Yes.
Have the Jews kept it? No.
Why would you want to put the Mosaic law on the backs of the Gentiles if you didn’t have to? V.11

“No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are.”

A. GRACE.

What does it take for a Gentile to become a Christian?

Just one thing, according to Peter.

Grace.

“We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are.”
Grace, grace, God’s grace. Grace that is greater than all our sin.
And grace ALONE.

Not works of the law.
Not circumcision.

Grace.

Now, this is immensely important for you and me today.

But it doesn’t seem like it.

If I were a betting man, I’d be willing to bet a boatload of money that no one here has been worried about whether or not they need to be circumcised to become a Christian.

Or even if they must submit themselves to everything in the law of Moses from tassels on the garments to the sacrificial system.

I’ll bet no one read Leviticus this week wondering if they were truly a Christian because they haven’t done everything in that book.

So, at first glance, it seems like we aren’t tempted by the first answer to the question.

But, how many of us flirted with some other form of it instead of embracing grace?

Last week, I told you about my testimony of being a “good boy.”

I was trusting in my niceness and my rule-keeping.

Not the law of Moses, but the law of mom, the law of the school, the law of good-little-boyness.

That’s not grace.

Any answer to this question, “What does it take for a Gentile to become a Christian?” that isn’t, “God’s grace in Jesus Christ alone,” is the wrong answer and is no gospel at all.

Our adult Sunday School classes wrestled through Galatians together this Fall, and we discovered this same thing.

There is legalism lurking everywhere. You must obey this law to be a Christian.

You must be circumcised.
You must be baptized.
You must be a part of our church.
You must follow the ten commandments.
You must give a certain percentage of your money.
You must be religious.
You must attend these classes.
You must practice these religious rituals.
You must climb this religious ladder.

You must do this or do that.

Legalism spells salvation, “D-O.” Do.

True Christianity spells salvation, “D-O-N-E.” Done.

That’s grace. God’s riches at Christ’s expense.

God’s unmerited favor.
God’s unearned blessing on sinners.

That’s what I said last week happened to me when I gave my testimony.

Is that your testimony, as well?

By the way, I still want a goodly number of people to give their testimonies in 2012 here at church. Talk to me if you are willing to do it.

It doesn’t have to be long. It just needs to be about grace.

Peter says, “We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are.”

There is not one plan of salvation for the Jews and another for the Gentiles.

It is the same for both. Grace. God’s free gift.

Amen?

Are you trusting in God’s grace?

The wonderful grace of Jesus?

It is the only way to be saved.

Don’t listen to the lies of the world telling you to do it this way, do it that way.

Believe the gospel that it is already done.

Jesus did it for you.

Grace.

Here’s something interesting. This is the last time that the apostle Peter appears in the book of Acts.

He’s got more to do and to say in the epistles.

But this is it in the book of Acts.

The last thing he says is “We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are.”

Now, the second speech is made. This is a joint-speech between Barnabas and Paul. V.12

“The whole assembly became silent as they listened to Barnabas and Paul telling about the miraculous signs and wonders God had done among the Gentiles through them.”

I think that is so cool.

Isn’t it cool how respectful they are of one another and how respectful and in awe they are as they hear what God has done?

Next Sunday, we’re in for a treat. We’re going to have a report from Henoc Lucien in Sunday School at 9am and a sermon at 10am and luncheon with him at noon.

Henoc has been planting churches and pastoring churches and nurturing Christians for decades now.

Last weekend, Henoc did a joint wedding of 10 couples. They have recently been saved and convicted of the sin of living together outside of marriage.

And they all got married at the same time. Isn’t that awesome?

And the same weekend, they had 55 baptisms. We had 10 last year, and we thought that was great.

Isn’t it awesome what God is doing? Come out next Sunday and hear more about it from Henoc.

These folks listened intensely to Barnabas and Paul give their report.

And it was a report about God saving Gentiles by grace.

One more speech and the conference will come to its conclusion. V.13

“When they finished, James spoke up...”

James is a Jew. James is like the pastor of the Jerusalem church.

I think he’s calling for a vote and summing up everything that has been said.

And he calls for something of a compromise. Not a compromise of the gospel, but a solution that protects the gospel of grace and at the same time is careful to care for the Jews in the equation. V.13.

“When they finished, James spoke up: ‘Brothers, listen to me. Simon has described to us how God at first showed his concern by taking from the Gentiles a people for himself. The words of the prophets are in agreement with this, as it is written: 'After this I will return and rebuild David's fallen tent. Its ruins I will rebuild, and I will restore it, that the remnant of men may seek the Lord, and all the Gentiles who bear my name, says the Lord, who does these things that have been known for ages.”

In other words, it’s biblical. The Gentiles were always supposed to come in.

This is a quote from Amos, chapter 9. “I will return and rebuild David's fallen tent.” That’s talking about the Messiah. That’s talking about Jesus.

And the Christ will come to rebuild that tent so that the remnant (the faithful Jews) may seek the Lord, and all the Gentiles who bear my name. Not the Gentiles that bear the Law, but those who bear the name. Who believe in the Christ.

Who put their faith in the grace of our Lord.

So, James says, (v.19), “It is my judgment, therefore, that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God.”

Instead we should write to them, telling them to abstain from food polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from the meat of strangled animals and from blood. For Moses has been preached in every city from the earliest times and is read in the synagogues on every Sabbath.”

Now, I think what’s going on there is what I’m going to call GENTLENESS.

It is sensitivity. It is carefulness with convictions and consciences.

James proposes that they send a letter to the new Gentiles coming into Christianity telling them to watch out for idolatry and other things associated with idolatry and those things which would make it really hard for a Jewish Christian to relate to a Gentile Christian.

Now, of course, they should refrain from idolatry itself. And from sexual immorality, especially that kind that comes with idol worship.

But it would also be good to avoid food that is dedicated to idols and from meat that is clearly against the kosher food laws that the Jews will practice. Meat strangled and from meat that hasn’t had the blood drained like Moses taught us to.

Why? V.21 again, “For Moses has been preached in every city from the earliest times and is read in the synagogues on every Sabbath.”

There are lots of Jews everywhere. Don’t alienate them if possible.

There are lots of people reading Leviticus. Don’t alienate them if you can help it.

This law of Moses is a good thing. Don’t flaunt your freedom in front of people who are your brothers and sisters in Christ.

Be gentle. Be careful.

Most Christians Jews in this period are going to feel kind of dirty associating with Christian ... Gentiles.

Gentiles just seem dirty. They seem attached to paganism. Idolatry.

If you could just keep away from all of that, it would really help matters.

Now, is James saying that they must be circumcised and obey the Law of Moses?

No! He is saying that the gospel is all about grace.

But grace makes us gracious.

Grace teaches us gentleness and sensitivity and carefulness with those who have different convictions than we do.

I love how careful everyone is in this story with each other.

There is so much love in this chapter. Everyone except the strident legalists are incredibly careful to be gentle and respectful of one another. See? Verse 22.

“Then the apostles and elders, with the whole church, decided to choose some of their own men and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They chose Judas (called Barsabbas) [son of the Sabbath, that’s a Jew for you!] and Silas [we’ll hear more about him soon], two men who were leaders among the brothers. With them they sent the following letter: [Quote] The apostles and elders, your brothers, To the Gentile believers in Antioch, Syria and Cilicia: Greetings. We have heard that some went out from us without our authorization and disturbed you, troubling your minds by what they said. So we all agreed to choose some men and send them to you with our dear friends Barnabas and Paul–men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore we are sending Judas and Silas to confirm by word of mouth what we are writing. It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to burden you with anything beyond the following requirements: You are to abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals and from sexual immorality. You will do well to avoid these things. Farewell. [End Quote.]

Nothing in there about circumcision. It’s just a “be careful with others” letter.

And it calls these Christians, “brothers.”

And they don’t just send the letter. They send people. I think that is so gentle, so thoughtful, so careful.

People are precious, friends.

And we need to be gentle with them as much as possible.

We need to be firm and unshakeable on the gospel of grace.

But gracious with people.

Is there someone in your life right now that you need to extend gentleness to?

V.30 “The men were sent off and went down to Antioch, where they gathered the church together and delivered the letter. The people read it and were glad for its encouraging message. Judas and Silas, who themselves were prophets, said much to encourage and strengthen the brothers. After spending some time there, they were sent off by the brothers with the blessing of peace to return to those who had sent them. But Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch, where they and many others taught and preached the word of the Lord.”

Here’s my last G-word for applying today’s message.

GLADNESS.

Did you notice how much joy there is in this story today?

Verse 3 - “this news made all the brothers very glad.”

Verse 12 - “The whole assembly became silent”

Verse 31 - “The people read it and were glad for its encouraging mesage.”

Verse 32 - “Judas and Silas ... said much to encourage and strengthen the brothrs.”

Verse 33 - “Sent off by the brothers with the blessing of peace...”

The gospel of grace not only makes us gentle.

It should make us joyful.

And full of gladness.

You know if a church has got the gospel if they have love for one another and joy in their hearts.

Over the holidays Heather and I got have dinner with another couple who is planting a church out in Ohio.

And it was a chance for us to brag on you.

I love telling people about our church.

We are not perfect. In fact, our church is full of sinners.

But there is grace here.
And it has made us gentle with each other to a great degree.

There is a real concern for unity here.

Just like these brothers trying to protect the gospel and their relationships and bridge unity between Jew and Gentile.

And willing to listen to each other and even sent men places to make sure there is gospel unity.

And there is joy here.

I got to tell this church planter and his wife that it’s a joy to be your pastor.

Because I know that this church family knows grace.

Messages So Far In this Series:

You Will Be My Witnesses
Before Pentecost

The Day of Pentecost

No Other Name
Snapshots of the Early Church
Stephen
Philip
Saul
Even the Gentiles
Are We Willing?

Paul's First Missionary Journey: Part One

Paul's First Missionary Journey: Part Two

Resisting Gossip - Next Steps

2012-01-04T15:59:00.000-05:00

It was one year ago today that I began the work of writing my project in earnest.

Many of you have asked what the next steps are for my doctoral project and book on resisting gossip.

Having turned in the project, it's now pretty much a waiting game. The library director at Westminster, an external reader, and two Westminster/CCEF faculty readers are currently reading it. The library director might have required formatting changes to make (hopefully not many because of the help of the Center for Theological Writing and my proofreader!), the external reader gives it a thumbs up or down as to whether or not it is up to the standard of a work at this level, and my two faculty readers are reading it to prepare for questioning me at my oral defense.

The next actual step for me is the oral defense. I'll be on campus on March 14th to answer questions about my project put to me by my advisor and second reader. I'm looking forward to that, as I love talking about my project!

After these folks all sign off on it (and I make any changes they require), then I submit two more copies to the school (these are bound and put in the library), and I graduate in May. We're at the end, folks. Thanks for your prayers.

As for the actual book, I'm now preparing the manuscript for submission to some publishers. I see this process as having four steps.

1. Revise manuscript for publishers.

2. Send manuscript to some leaders for their endorsements and networking.

3. Write a publication proposal.

4. Send the proposal and the manuscript to a group of publishers and see what happens.

Matt's Books from 2011

2012-01-01T18:48:00.000-05:00

Matt’s Books Completed in 2011:

1. Little Pear by Eleanor Lattimore
2. The Greet Wheel by Robert Lawson
3. Writing Tools by Roy Peter Clark
4. Favorite Poems of Childhood edited by Philip Smith
5. Across Five Aprils by Irene Hunt
6. A Way with Words by Christin Ditchfield
7. Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle by Betty MacDonald
8. On Writing Well by William Zinsser
9. Mr. Midshipman Hornblower by C.S. Forester
10. Leading from the Sandbox by T.J. Addington
11. The Two Towers by J.R.R. Tolkien
12. Caddie Woodlawn by Carol Ryrie Brink
13. Not the Way It’s Supposed To Be by Cornelius Plantinga, Jr.
14. A Serrated Edge by Douglas Wilson
15. Greek Myths by Heather Amery
16. Gone But Not Lost: Grieving the Death of a Child by David Wiersbe
17. Scorpion Tongues: Gossip, Celebrity, and American Politics by Gail Collins
18. Lieutenant Hornblower by C.S. Forester
19. 100 Cupboards by N.D. Wilson
20. The Great Turkey Walk by Kathleen Karr
21. Dandelion Fire by N.D. Wilson
22. The Chestnut King by N.D. Wilson
23. Hornblower and the Hotspur by C.S. Forester
24. Follow My Leader by James Garfield
25. Hornblower During the Crisis by C.S. Forester
26. Believer’s Baptism ed. by Thomas Schreiner and Shawn Wright
27. George Whitefield (vol 1) by Arnold Dallimore
28. Radical by David Platt
29. When to Speak Up and When to Shut Up by Michael Sedler
30. Beat to Quarters by C.S. Forester
31. Ship of the Line by C.S. Forester
32. Flying Colours by C.S. Forester
33. Commodore Hornblower by C.S. Forester
44. A Woman Jesus Can Teach by Alice Mathews
45. The Return of the King by J.R.R. Tolkien
46. Lord Hornblower by C.S. Forester
47. Who Are You To Judge by Dave Swavely
48. Admiral Hornblower in the West Indies by C.S. Forester
49. Little Britches by Ralph Moody
50. In Search of the Source by Neil Anderson
51. Everybody Can Know by Francis & Edith Schaeffer
52. Luke, Vol 2 by R. Kent Hughes
53. Luke 9:51-24:53 by Darrell Bock
54. The Army of the Potomac: A Stillness at Appomattox by Bruce Catton
55. Hope in the Midst of a Hostile World: The Gospel According to Daniel by George Schwab
56. Practicing Affirmation by Sam Crabtree
57. Good Gossip edited by Robert Goodman and Aaron Ben-Ze’ev
58. George Whitefield, Volume Two by Arnold Dallimore
59. Man of the Family by Ralph Moody
60. Gossip by Patricia Meyer Spacks
61. The Sherlockian by Graham Moore
62. The Nine Tailors by Dorothy Sayers
63. Evangelical Convictions by the EFCA
64. Dish by Jeannette Walls
65. Hornblower and the Atropos by C.S. Forester
66. An Excellent Mystery by Ellis Peters
67. Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand
68. Cheaper By the Dozen by Frank Gilbreth, Jr. and Ernestine Gilbreth Carey
69. Richard Temple by Patrick O’Brian
70. Brother Cadfael’s Penance by Ellis Peters
71. Belles on Their Toes by Frank Gilbreth, Jr. and Ernestine Gilbreth Carey
72. The Golden Ocean by Patrick O’Brian
73. The Unknown Shore by Patrick O’Brian
74. Love Wins by Rob Bell
75. The Door in the Wall by Marguerite de Angeli
76. A Rare Benedictine by Ellis Peters
77. Vintage Murder by Ngaio Marsh
78. City of Gold and Shadow by Ellis Peters
79. The Red House Mystery by A.A. Milne
80. Night at the Vulcan by Ngaio Marsh
81. Master and Commander by Patrick O’Brian
82. The Bloody Field by Edith Pargeter
83. Hell on Trial by Robert Peterson
84. Christ Alone by Michael E. Wittmer
85. My Lucky Life In and Out of Show Business by Dick Van Dyke
86. Mary Emma and Company by Ralph Moody
87. The Heaven Tree by Edith Pargeter
88. The Green Branch by Edith Pargeter
89. The Scarlet Seed by Edith Pargeter
90. Death and the Joyful Woman by Ellis Peters
91. Through My Eyes by Tim Tebow
92. Heaven Is For Real by Todd Burpo
93. The Marriage of Meggotta by Edith Pargeter
94. Black is the Colour of My True Love’s Heart by Ellis Peters
95. Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred Taylor
96. The Grass Widow’s Tale by Ellis Peters
97. A Murder is Announced by Agatha Christie
98. Crooked House by Agatha Christie
99. Endless Night by Agatha Christie
100. The Confession by John Grisham
101. Death to the Landfords by Ellis Peters
102. Origins of Marvel Comics by Stan Lee
103. Eats, Shoots & Leaves by Lynne Truss
104. The Home Ranch by Ralph Moody
105. Mourning Raga by Ellis Peters
106. The Game of Kings by Dorothy Dunnett
107. The Witness for the Prosecution and Other Stories by Agatha Christie
108. What Do You Think of Me? Why Do I Care? by Edward Welch
109. The Winged Watchman by Hilda Van Stockum
110. Boyhood and Beyond by Bob Schultz
111. The Clockwork Universe by Edward Dolnick
112. Queen’s Play by Dorothy Dunnett
113. Why Didn’t They Ask Evans? by Agatha Christie
114. The Seventeenth Swap by Eloise McGraw
115. The Disorderly Knights by Dorothy Dunnett
116. The Rescue Artist by Edward Dolnick
117. The Appeal by John Grisham
118. Be Free by Warren Wiersbe
119. The Message of Galatians by John Stott
120. Pawn in Frankincense by Dorothy Dunnett
121. In the Year of the Boar and Jackie Robinson by Bette Bao Lord
122. The Meaning of Sports by Michael Mandelbaum
123. The Doctors Who’s Who by Craig Cabell
124. The Ringed Castle by Dorothy Dunnett
125. The Return to the Kingdom of Fantasy by Edizioni Piemme
126. The One Year Bible, New International Version (1984)

For Previous Years:

2010

2009

2008 (first half, second half)

2007 (first half, second half)

2006 (first half, second half)

2005 (first half, second half)

Robin's Books from 2011

2012-01-01T18:46:00.000-05:00

Robin’s Books Completed in 2011:

1. By the Great Horn Spoon by Sid Fleischman
2. Mandie and the Dangerous Imposters by Lois Gladys Leppard
3. A Ghost Tale for Christmas Time by Mary Pope Osborne
4. The Pizza Mystery by Gertrude Chandler Warner
5. Monday with a Mad Genius by Mary Pope Osborne
6. The Dinosaur Mystery by Gertrude Chandler Warner
7. Moonlight on the Magic Flute by Mary Pope Osborne
8. Viking Ships at Sunrise by Mary Pope Osborne
9. Rebecca to the Rescue by Jacqueline Dembar Greene
10. Mandie and the Invisible Troublemaker by Lois Gladys Leppard
11. Mandie and Her Missing Kin by Lois Gladys Leppard
12. The Peskie Spell by Emily Rodda
13. Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll
14. It’s Halloween, You ‘Fraidy Mouse! by Edizioni Piemme
15. The Complete Peanuts 1950-1952 by Charles M. Schulz
16. A Cheese-Colored Camper by Geronimo Stilton
17. Tree House Mystery by Gertrude Chandler Warner
18. The Camp-Out Mystery by Gertrude Chandler Warner
19. The Dog-Gone Mystery by Gertrude Chandler Warner
20. The Ghost of the Chattering Bones by Gertrude Chandler Warner
21. School’s Out by Wanda Brunstetter
22. The Haunted Fort by Franklin W. Dixon
23. The Ghost at Skeleton Rock by Franklin W. Dixon
24. The Clue of the Screeching Owl by Franklin W. Dixon
25. Sing Down the Moon by Scott O’Dell
26. The Viking Symbol Mystery by Frankline W. Dixon
27. Plain Girl by Virginia Sorensen
28. The Sign of the Crooked Arrow by Franklin W. Dixon
29. The Puzzle of the Paper Daughter by Kathryn Reiss
30. Betsy’s Wedding by Maud Hart Lovelace
31. The Secret of Mirror Bay by Carolyn Keene
32. The Double Jinx Mystery by Carolyn Keene
33. The Scarlet Slipper Mystery by Carolyn Keene
34. Little House in the Big Wood by Laura Ingalls Wilder
35. The Curse of the Cheese Pyramid by Edizioni Piemme
36. The Complete Peanuts by Charles M. Schulz
37. The Phantom of the Subway by Edizioni Piemme
38. The Search for Sunken Treasure by Edizioni Piemme
39. Four Mice Deep in the Jungle by Edizioni Piemme
40. The Complete Peanuts 1957-1958 by Charles M. Schulz
41. The Clue of the Broken Blade by Franklin W. Dixon
42. The Secret of Pirate’s Hill by Franklin W. Dixon
43. Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder
44. The Masked Monkey by Franklin W. Dixon
45. The Shattered Helmet by Franklin W. Dixon
46. Farmer Boy by Laura Ingalls Wilder
47. The Clue of the Hissing Serpent by Franklin W. Dixon
48. On the Banks of Plum Creek by Laura Ingalls Wilder
49. Brave Emily by Valerie Tripp
50. The Host at the Drive-In-Movie by Gertrude Chandler Warner
51. Geronimo Stilton and the Wedding Crasher by Edizioni Piemme
52. The Ghost in the Front Row by Gertrude Chandler Warner
53. Geronimo Stilton and the Field Trip to Niagra Falls by Edizioni Piemme
54. Geronimo Stilton: Shipwreck on the Pirate Islands by Edizioni Piemme
55. The Rock’n’Roll Mystery by Gertrude Chandler Warner
56. The Creature in Ogopogo Lake by Gertrude Chandler Warner
57. The Vanishing Passenger by Gertrude Chandler Warner
58. Little House on Silver Lake by Laura Ingalls Wilder
59. The Clue of the Velvet Mask by Carolyn Keene
60. The Ringmaster’s Secret by Carolyn Keene
61. Perilous Road by William Steele
62. The Complete Peanuts: 1963 to 1964 by Charles Schulz
63. Valentine’s Day Disaster by Edizioni Piemme
64. Mike’s Mystery by Gertrude Chandler Warner
65. The Hidden Window Mystery by Carolyn Keene
66. The Prisoner’s of the Sun by Herge
67. Flight 714 by Herge
68. Destination Moon by Herge
69. The Gray-Eyed Goddess by Mary Pope Osborne
70. Houseboat Mystery by Gertrude Chandler Warner
71. Bicycle Mystery by Gertrude Chandler Warner
72. The Complete Peanuts by Charles Schulz
73. The Art of Charles M. Schulz
74. Trixie Belden: The Secret of the Mansion by Julie Campbell
75. A Crazy Day with Cobras by Mary Pope Osborne
76. Garfield: Bigger Than Life by Jim Davis
77. Garfield Keeps His Chin Up by Jim Davis
78. Garfield Takes the Cake by Jim Davis
79. Clue in the Castle Tower by Sarah Masters Buckley
80. The Silver Guitar by Kathryn Reiss
81. A Bundle of Trouble by Kathryn Reiss
82. The Unicorn by Emila Rodda
83. The Hooded Hawk Mystery by Franklin W. Dixon
84. Meet Kirsten by Janet Shaw
85. The Clue in the Embers by Franklin W. Dixon
86. Mystery at Devil’s Paw by Franklin W. Dixon
87. Tintin Vol 2 by Herge
88. Tintin Vol 1 by Herge
89. Tintin Vol 7 by Herge
90. Thea Stilton and the Secret City by Edizioni Piemme
91. Miracles on Maple Hill by Virginia Sorensen
92. The Mystery of the Aztec Warrior by Franklin W. Dixon
93. Red Pizzas for a Blue Count by Edizioni Piemme
94. Return from Ithaca (Book Five) by Mary Pope Osborne
95. The Spy Game by Gertrude Chandler Warner
96. Happy Birthday, Kirsten! by Janet Shaw
97. Kirsten’s Surprise by Janet Shaw
98. Kirsten Learns a Lesson by Janet Shaw
99. The Stuffed Bear Mystery by Gertrude Chandler Warner
100. Cam Jansen and the Secret Service Mystery by David Adler
101. The Windy City Mystery by Gertrude Chandler Warner
102. The Mystery of the Empy Safe by Gertrude Chandler Warner
103. Cam Jansen and the Mystery of the Dinosaur Bones by David Adler
104. The Cereal Box Mystery by Gertrude Chandler Warner
105. The Teddy Bear Mystery by Gertrude Chandler Warner
106. The Search for the Sunken Treasure by Edizioni Piemme
107. The Clue of the Broken Locket by Carolyn Keene
108. Turn Homeward, Hannalee by Patricia Beatty
109. The Game Store Mystery by Gertrude Chandler Warner
110. The Old Motel Mystery by Gertrude Chandler Warner
111. Meet Julie by Megan McDonald
112. The Secret of Shadow Ranch by Carolyn Keene
113. Julie Tells Her Story by Megan McDonald
114. Meet Kit: An American Girl by Valerie Tripp
115. The Long Winter by Laura Ingalls Wilder
116. Little Town on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder
117. These Happy Golden Days by Laura Ingalls Wilder
118. The Minstrel in the Tower by Gloria Skurzynski
119. The Apprentice by Pilar Molina Llorente
120. Grimm’s Fairy Tales by the Brothers’ Grimm
121. Freedom Train: The Story of Harriet Tubman by Dorothy Sterling
122. Sixteen and Away from Home by Arleta Richardson
123. Eighteen and On Her Own by Arleta Richardson
124. Hugo Pepper by Paul Stewart and Chris Riddell
125. My Name Is Stilton, Geronimo Stilton by Edizioni Piemme
126. Pirates Past Noon by Mary Pope Osborne
127. The Complete Peanuts, 1959 to 1960 by Charles Schulz
128. The Complete Peanuts, 1971 to 1972 by Charles Schulz
129. Night of the Ninjas by Mary Pope Osborne
130. A Fabumouse Vacation for Geronimo by Edizioni Piemme
131. Cam Jansen: The School Play Mystery by David Adler
132. Old Yeller by Fred Gipson
133. The Penderwicks by Jeanne Birdsall
134. Surprise Island by Gertrude Chandler Warner
135. Helen Keller by Margaret Davidson
136. Cam Jansen and the Basketball Mystery by David Adler
137. Cam Jansen and the Wedding Cake Mystery by David Adler
138. Caboose Mystery by Gertrude Chandler Warner
139. Butterfly Battles by Joanna Cole
140. I’m Too Fond of My Fur by Edizioni Piemme
141. The Terrible Wave by Marden Dahlstedt
142. The Yellow House Mystery by Gertrude Chandler Warner
143. Tumtum & Nutmeg by Emily Bearn
144. The Great Escape by Emily Bearn
145. The Pirate’s Treasure by Emily Bearn
146. The Knight at Dawn by Mary Pope Osborne
147. Afternoon on the Amazon by Mary Pope Osborne
148. The Clue in the Corn Maze by Gertrude Chandler Warner
149. Day of the Dragon King by Mary Pope Osborne
150. Midnight in the Lonesome Hollow by Kathleen Ernst
151. A Letter to Mrs. Roosevelt by C. Coco De Young
152. All Because of a Cup of Cofee by Edizioni Piemme
153. Kit Learns a Lesson by Valerie Tripp
154. Kit’s Surprise by Valerie Tripp
155. Viking Ships at Sunrise by Mary Pope Osborne
156. Vacation Under the Volcano by Mary Pope Osborne
157. Happy New Year, Julie by Megan McDonald
158. Kirsten Saves the Day by Janet Shaw
159. The Red Trailer Mystery by Julie Campbell
160. Changes for Kirsten by Janet Shaw
161. The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis
162. Prince Caspian by C.S. Lewis
163. The Voyage of the Dawn Treader by C.S. Lewis
164. A Fabumouse School Adventure by Edizioni Piemme
165. The Bobbsey Twins of Lakeport by Laura Lee Hope
166. Season of the Sandstorms by Mary Pope Osborne
167. The Mystery of the Spiral Bridge by Franklin W. Dixon
168. Emily of Deep Valley by Maud Hart Lovelace
169. Heaven to Betsy by Maud Hart Lovelace
170. Happy Birthday, Kit! by Valerie Tripp
171. The Gatehouse Mystery by Julie Campbell
172. Kit Saves the Day by Valerie Tripp
173. The Secret Agent on Flight 101 by Franklin W. Dixon
174. Tumtum & Nutmeg: The Rose Cottage Tales by Emily Bearn
175. The Secret of Red Gate Farm by Carolyn Keene
176. Mystery at the Ski Jump by Carolyn Keene
177. Sarah, Plain and Tall by Patricia MacLachlan
178. A Fabumouse School Adventure by Edizioni Piemme
179. The Secret of the Old Clock by Carolyn Keene
180. Favorite Fairy Tales told in France by Virginia Haviland
181. Favorite Fairy Tales told in India by Virginia Haviland
182. Favorite Fairy Tales told in Japan by Virginia Haviland
183. The Curious Clubhouse by Christine Govan
184. Babymouse: Mad Scientist by Jennifer and Matthew Holm
185. Betsy and Joe by Maud Hart Lovelace
186. Liberty Porter, First Daughter by Julia DeVillers
187. It’s Halloween, You ‘Fraidy Mouse by Edizioni Piemme
188. Betsy’s Wedding by Maud Hart Lovelace
189. The Knight at Dawn by Mary Pope Osborne
190. Password to Larkspur Lane by Carolyn Keene
191. Nineteen and Wedding Bells Ahead by Arleta Richardson
192. Dinosaurs Before Dark by Mary Pope Osborne
193. The Lost Princess of Oz by Frank Baum
194. Kit’s Short Story Collection by Valerie Tripp
195. The Whispering Statue by Carolyn Keene
196. Marisol by Gary Soto
197. The Great Railroad Race by Kristiana Gregory
198. Julie’s Journey by Megan McDonald
199. The Story of Thomas Alva Edison, Inventor by Margaret Davidson
200. Changes for Kit by Valerie Tripp
201. The Pinderwicks at Point Mouette by Jeanne Birdsall
202. The Disappearing Stranger by Lois Walfrid Johnson
203. Buffalo Before Breakfast by Mary Pope Osborne
204. Mandie and the Secret Tunnel by Lois Gladys Leppard
205. The Hidden Message by Lois Walfrid Johnson
206. The Creeping Shadows by Lois Walfrid Johnson
207. Rainbow Garden by Patricia St. John
208. Down and Out Down Under by Edizioni Piemme
209. Samantha’s Short Story Collection by Valerie Tripp
210. The Spy in the Bleachers by Gertrude Chandler Warner
211. Tintin Volume 5 by Herge
212. Molly’s Short Story Collection by Valerie Tripp
213. The Curse of Ravenscourt by Sarah Masters Buckey
214. More Tales of Uncle Remus by Julius Lester
215. Changes for Julie by Megan McDonald
216. Red Pizzas for A Blue Count by Edizioni Piemme
217. The Mystery Off Glen Road by Julie Campbell
218. Bus Station Mystery by Gertrude Chandler Warner
219. Pippi in the South Seas by Astrid Lindgren
220. The Flower Fairies by Emily Rodda
221. The Magic Key by Emily Rodda
222. Song of the Wanderer by Bruce Coville
223. The Mystery of the Purple Pool by Gertrude Chandler Warner
224. Mystery of the Singing Ghost by Gertrude Chandler Warner
225. Mystery in Arizona by Julie Campbell
226. The Pilgrim Village Mystery by Gertrude Chandler Warner
227. The Stolen Sapphire by Sarah Masters Buckey
228. Blue Bay Mystery by Gertrude Chandler Warner
229. The Third Wish by Emily Rodda
230. The Cry of the Loon by Barbara Steiner
231. Heaven to Betsy by Maud Hart Lovelace
232. The Unicorn by Emily Rodda
233. The Star Cloak by Emily Rodda
234. Into the Land of the Unicorns by Bruce Coville
235. Dark Whispers by Bruce Coville
236. The Mysterious Code by Kathryn Kenny
237. Danger at the Zoo by Kathleen Ernst
238. Lanie by Jane Kurtz
239. Meet Felicity by Valerie Tripp
240. Felicity Learns a Lesson by Valerie Tripp
241. Felicity’s Surprise by Valerie Tripp
242. Happy Birthday, Felicity! By Valerie Tripp
243. The Tattletale Mystery by Gertrude Chandler Warner
244. Lost Treasure of the Emerald Eye by Edizioni Piemme
245. The Temple of the Ruby of Fire by Edizioni Piemme
246. It’s Halloween, You ‘Fraidy Mouse! by Edizioni Piemme
247. The Mystery of the Screaming Clock by Robert Arthur
248. The Mystery of the Vanishing Treasure by Robert Arthur
249. The Mystery of the Whispering Mummy by Robert Arthur
250. The Temple of the Ruby of Fire by Edizioni Piemme
251. All-of-a-Kind Family by Sydney Taylor
252. The Mystery of the Fiery Eye by Robert Arthur
253. The Red Fairy Book edited by Andrew Lang
254. Summer Promise by Robin Jones Gunn
255. A Whisper and a Wish by Robin Jones Gunn
256. Yours Forever by Robin Jones Gunn
257. All-of-a-Kind Family Uptown by Sydney Taylor
258. All-of-A-Kind Family Downtown by Sydney Taylor
259. The Quest for Paradise: The Return to the Kingdom of Fantasy by Edizioni Piemme
260. Ella of All-of-a-Kind Family by Sydney Taylor
261. A Girl of the Limberlost by Gene Stratton-Porter
262. The Mystery of the Silver Spider by Robert Arthur
263. The Mystery of the Talking Skull by Robert Arthur
264. Annie Henry and the Secret Mission by Susan Olasky
265. Annie Henry and the Birth of Liberty by Susan Olasky
266. Annie Henry and the Mysterious Stranger by Susan Olasky
267. Annie Henry and the Redcoats by Susan Olasky
268. My Name Is Stilton, Geronimo Stilton by Edizioni Piemme
269. Shadows in Society Hill by Evelyn Coleman
270. Mystery and the Crooked House by Gertrude Chandler Warner
271. Mountain Top Mystery by Gertrude Chandler Warner
272. Felicity’s Short Story Collection by Valerie Tripp
273. The Lighthouse Mystery by Gertrude Chandler Warner
274. The Sword of the Silver Knight by Gertrude Chandler Warner
275. The Mystery of Mixed-Up Zoo by Gertrude Chandler Warner
276. Benny Uncovers a Mystery by Gertrude Chandler Warner
277. The Mystery of the Missing Mermaid by Robert Arthur
278. The Mystery of the Death Trap Mine by Robert Arthur
279. The Mystery of the Coughing Dragon by Robert Arthur
280. The Mystery of the Trail of Terror by M.V. Carey
281. The Mystery of the Rogues’ Reunion by Marc Brandel
282. The Secret of the Wooden Lady by Carolyn Keene
283. The Mystery of the Blinking Eye by Kathryn Kenny
284. The Mystery of the Emerlads by Kathryn Kenny
285. The Secret of the Haunted Mirror by M.V. Carey
286. The Mystery of the Sinister Scarecrow by M.V. Carey
287. The Secret of Skeleton Island by Robert Arthur
288. The Jungle Pyramid by Franklin W. Dixon
289. The Shore Road Mystery by Franklin W. Dixon
290. The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle by Avi
291. The Arctic Patrol Mystery by Franklin W. Dixon
292. Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery
293. Hero Over Here by Kathleen Kudlinski
294. Anne of Avonlea by L.M. Montgomery
295. Anne of the Island L.M. Montgomery
296. Cat and Mouse in a Haunted House by Edizioni Piemme
297. Anne of Windy Poplars by L.M. Montgomery
298. The Mona Mousa Code by Edizioni Piemme
299. Red Pizzas for a Blue Count by Edizioni Piemme
300. A Fabumouse Vacation for Geronimo by Edizioni Piemme
301. The Disappearing Floor by Franklin W. Dixon
302. Pioneer Cat by William Hooks
303. Pioneer Summer by Deborah Hopkinson
304. Our Kansas Home by Deborah Hopkinson
305. Cabin in the Snow by Deborah Hopkinson
306. The Sinister Signpost by Franklin W. Dixon
307. The Mark on the Door by Franklin W. Dixon
308. Horse Crazy: The Silver Horse Switch 1 by Alison Lester
309. Footprints Under the Window by Franklin W. Dixon
310. A Figure in Hiding by Franklin W. Dixon
311. The Crisscross Shadow by Franklin W. Dixon
312. The Clue in the Diary by Carolyn Keene
313. The Quest of the Missing Map by Carolyn Keene
314. The Ringmaster’s Secret by Carolyn Keene
315. The Mystery on Cobbett’s Island by Kathryn Kenny
316. The Mystery on the Mississippi by Kathryn Kenny
317. Betsy Was a Junior by Maud Hart Lovelace
318. Betsy and Joe by Maud Hart Lovelace
319. The Candy Factory Mystery by Gertrude Chandler Warner
320. The Mystery in Washington, DC by Gertrude Chandler Warner
321. The Mystery at Skeleton Point by Gertrude Chandler Warner
322. The Mystery at the Dog Show by Gertrude Chandler Warner
323. The Mystery of the Lost Mine by Gertrude Chandler Warner
324. The Castle Mystery by Gertrude Chandler Warner
325. The Ghost Ship Mystery by Gertrude Chandler Warner
326. The Disappearing Staircase Mystery by Gertrude Chandler Warner
327. Down and Out Down Under by Edizioni Piemme
328. The Search for Sunken Treasure by Edizioni Piemme
329. The Black Jacket Mystery by Kathryn Kenny
330. The Happy Valley Mystery by Kathryn Kenny
331. The Mummy with No Name by Edizioni Piemme
332. The Marshland Mystery by Kathryn Kenny
333. The Mystery at Bob-White Cave by Kathryn Kenny
334. The Secret in the Old Attic by Carolyn Keene
335. The Clue of the Whistling Bagpipes by Carolyn Keene
336. The Blue Fairy Book edited by Andrew Lang
337. The Mystery of Crocodile Island by Carolyn Keene
338. The Strange Messge in the Parchment by Carolyn Keene
339. The Clue in the Stagecoach by Carolyn Keene
340. The Mystery of Cabin Island by Franklin W. Dixon
341. The Mummy Case by Franklin W. Dixon
342. The Firebird Rocket by Franklin W. Dixon
343. Peril at King’s Creek by Elizabeth McDavid Jones
344. Addy’s Short Story Collection by Connie Rose Porter
345. The Hidden Staircase by Carolyn Keene
346. Kirsten’s Short Story Collection by Janet Shaw
347. The Sting of the Scorpion by Franklin W. Dixon
348. The Mystery of the Lost Village by Gertrude Chandler Warner
349. The Mystery Girl by Gertrude Chandler Warner
350. The Mystery of the Purple Pool by Gertrude Chandler Warner
351. The Animal Shelter Mystery by Gertrude Chandler Warner
352. The Mystery of the Spider’s Clue by Gertrude Chandler Warner
353. The Mystery Cruise by Gertrude Chandler Warner
354. The Mystery Horse by Gertrude Chandler Warner
355. The Basketball Mystery by Gertrude Chandler Warner
356. The Disappearing Friend Mystery by Gertrude Chandler Warner
357. The Clue of the Tapping Heels by Carolyn Keene
358. The Deserted Library Mystery by Gertrude Chandler Warner
359. The Wailing Siren Mystery Franklin W. Dixon
360. The Hidden Harbor Mystery Franklin W. Dixon
361. Felicity’s Surprise by Valerie Tripp
362. Felicity Learns a Lesson by Valerie Tripp
363. Surprise Endings by Robin Jones Gunn
364. Holy Bible, New International Version
365. The Mystery in the Snow by Gertrude Chandler Warner
366. Mystery in the Sand by Gertrude Chandler Warner
367. The Stuffed Bear Mystery by Gertrude Chandler Warner
368. Jungle Doctor’s Tug of War by Paul White
369. Island Dreamer by Robin Jones Gunn
370. Paws Off, Cheddarface by Edizioni Piemme
371. It’s Halloween, You ‘Fraidy Mouse by Edizioni Piemme
372. The Apeman’s Secret by Franklin W. Dixon
373. The Vanishing Thieves by Franklin W. Dixon
374. What Happened at Midnight by Franklin W. Dixon
375. The Stone Idol by Franklin W. Dixon
376. The Treasure of the Emerald Isle by Edizioni Piemme
377. Felicity Saves the Day by Valerie Tripp
378. The Tower Treasure by Franklin W. Dixon
379. Danger on Vampire Trail by Franklin W. Dixon
380. Mystery in Arizona by Julie Campbell
381. The Ghost of Blackwood Hall by Carolyn Keene
382. The Scarlet Slipper Mysteery by Carolyn Keene
383. The Clue of the Leaning Chimney by Carolyn Keene
384. The Message in the Hollow Oak by Carolyn Keene
385. Valentine’s Day Disaster by Edizioni Piemme
386. Encyclopedia Brown Solves Them All by Donald Sobol
387. Encyclopedia Brown Tracks Them Down by Donald Sobol
388. The Black Widow Spider Mystery by Gertrude Chandler Warner
389. Kaya’s Short Story Collection by Janet Shaw
390. Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt
391. The Kingdom of Fantasy by Edizioni Piemme
392. The Mystery of the Alligator Swamp by Gertrude Chandler Warner
393. The Gymnastics Mystery by Gertrude Chandler Warner
394. The Mystery at Snowflake Inn by Gertrude Chandler Warner
395. Mandy by Julie Andrews Edwards
396. The Mystery of the Star Ruby by Gertrude Chandler Warner
397. The Old Motel Mystery by Gertrude Chandler Warner
398. The Mystery of the Mummy’s Curse by Gertrude Chandler Warner
399. Pollyanna by Eleanor Porter
400. Mystery Ranch by Gertrude Chandler Warner

Drew's Books from 2011

2012-01-01T18:44:00.002-05:00

Drew’s Books Completed in 2011

1. The Skippack School by Marguerite de Angeli
2. The Pizza Mystery by Gertrude Chandler Warner
3. Charlie Brown’s All-Stars by Charles M. Schulz
4. You’ve Got It Made Snoopy by Charles M. Schulz
5. The Dinosaur Mystery by Gertrude Chandler Warner
6. The Camp-Out Mystery by Gertrude Chandler Warner
7. The Complete Peanuts 1950-1952 by Charles M. Schulz
8. The Ghost of the Chattering Bones by Gertrude Chandler Warner
9. The Dog-Gone Mystery by Gertrude Chandler Warner
10. The Tree House Mystery by Gertrude Chandler Warner
11. It’s a Magical World by Bill Watterson
12. Homicidal Psycho Jungle Cat by Bill Watterson
13. Meet George Washington by Joan Heilbroner
14. Jonathan Park & the Secret of the Hidden Cave by Sandy & Pat Roy
15. Tales of the Kingdom Book I by David & Karen Mains
16. The Further Adventures of Hank the Cowdog by John Erickson
17. The Complete Peanuts 1953-1954 by Charles M. Schulz
18. The Mountain Top Mystery by Gertrude Chandler Warner
19. Mystery in the Sand by Gertrude Chandler Warner
20. Hank the Cowdog and the Case of the Dinosaur Birds by John R. Erickson
21. Tales of the Resistance by David and Karen Mains
22. The Seven Crystal Balls by Herge
23. The Calculus Affair by Herge
24. Red Rackham’s Treasure by Herge
25. The Black Island by Herge
26. The Blue Lotus by Herge
27. Red Wolf Country by Jonathan London
28. Meet Thomas Jefferson by Marvin Barrett
29. Hank the Cowdog: The Case of the Monkey Burglar by John R. Erickson
30. The Case of the Saddle House Robbery by John R. Erickson
31. The Case of the One-Eyed Killer Stud Horse by John R. Erickson
32. The Garbage Monster from Outer Space by John R. Erickson
33. The Prisoners of the Sun by Herge
34. Flight 714 by Herge
35. Destination Moon by Herge
36. Mike’s Mystery by Gertrude Chandler Warner
37. Encyclopedia Brown’s Book of Wacky Crimes by Donald Sobol
38. Garfield: Bigger Than Life by Jim Davis
39. Garfield Keeps His Chin Up by Jim Davis
40. Garfield Takes the Cake by Jim Davis
41. Houseboat Mystery by Gertrude Chandler Warner
42. The Secret Laundry Monster Files by John R. Erickson
43. The Schoolhouse Mystery by Gertrude Chandler Warner
44. Garfield Loses His Feet by Jim Davis
45. The Woodshed Mystery by Gertrude Chandler Warner
46. Garfield Goes to Waist by Jim Davis
47. Garfield Chews the Fat by Jim Davis
48. Tales of the Restoration by David and Karen Mains
49. The Bears on Hemlock Mountain by Alice Dalgliesh
50. Encyclopedia Brown and the Case of the Secret Pitch by Donald Sobol
51. The Broken Ear by Herge
52. King Ottokar’s Sceptre by Herge
53. The Crab with the Golden Claws by Herge
54. The Red Sea Sharks by Herge
55. Tintin in Tibet by Herge
56. What Next, Charlie Brown? by Charles Schulz
57. Snoopy by Charles Schulz
58. Fun with Peanuts by Charles Schulz
59. You Are Too Much, Charlie Brown by Charles Schulz
60. The Shooting Star by Herge
61. Peanuts for Everybody by Charles Schulz
62. Snoopy by Charles Schulz
63. We’re On Your Side, Charlie Brown by Charles Schulz
64. Sit On a Potato Pan, Otis! Jon Agee
65. Buffalo Before Breakfast by Mary Pope Osborne
66. It’s a Dog’s Life by John Erickson
67. The Mystery of the Empty Safe by Gertrude Chandler Warner
68. The Stuffed Bear Mystery by Gertrude Chandler Warner
69. 101 Canadian Jokes by Howard Hershkowitz
70. Phoebe the Spy by Judith Griffin
71. Garfield Eats Crow by Jim Davis
72. Garfield: Survival of the Fattesti by Jim Davis
73. The Case of the Kidnapped Collie by John Erickson
74. The Case of the Swirling Killer Tornado by John Erickson
75. Every Dog Has His Day by John Erickson
76. The Original Adventures of Hank the Cowdog by John Erickson
77. The Complete Peanuts, 1959 to 1960 by Charles Schulz
78. The Complete Peanuts, 1971 to 1972 by Charles Schulz
79. Pirates Past Noon by Mary Pope Osborne
80. Night of the Ninjas by Mary Pope Osborne
81. The Case of the Car-Barkaholic Dog by John Erickson
82. Shades of Gray by Carolyn Reeder
83. Day of the Dragon King by Mary Pope Osborne
84. Viking Ships at Sunrise by Mary Pope Osborne
85. Vacation Under the Volcano by Mary Pope Osborne
86. Sunset of the Sabertooth by Mary Pope Osborne
87. Afternoon on the Amazon by Mary Pope Osborne
88. The Knight at Dawn by Mary Pope Osborne
89. Cabin on Trouble Creek by Jean Van Leeuwen
90. By the Great Horn Spoon! By Sid Fleischman
91. Old Yeller by Fred Gipson
(School Is Out)
92. Tigers at Twilight by Mary Pope Osborne
93. Hour of the Olympics by Mary Pope Osborne
94. Dingoes at Dinnertime by Mary Pope Osborne
95. Ghost Town at Sundown by Mary Pope Osborne
96. Season of the Sandstorms by Mary Pope Osborne
97. Winter of the Ice Wizards by Mary Pope Osborne
98. Haunted Castle on Hallow’s Eve by Mary Pope Osborne
99. The Call of the Wild by Jack London
100. Stone Fox by John Reynolds Gardniner
101. Polar Bears Past Bedtime by Mary Pope Osborne
102. The Bobbsey Twin of Lakeport by Laura Lee Hope
103. Stanley, Flat Again! by Jeff Brown
104. The Bobbsey Twins’ Adventure in the Country by Laura Lee Hope
105. Carnival at Candlelight by Mary Pope Osborne
106. Moonlight on the Magic Flute by Mary Pope Osborne
107. Dark Day in Deep Sea by Mary Pope Osborne
108. The Dog Who Would Not Smile by Stephen Bly
109. Coyote True by Stephen Bly
110. You Can Always Trust a Spotted Horse by Stephen Bly
111. Tintin Volume 5 by Herge
112. Stage Fright on a Summer’s Night by Mary Pope Osborne
113. Thanksgiving on Thursday by Mary Pope Osborne
114. The Bobbsey Twin’s Mystery at Meadowbrook by Laura Lee Hope
115. The Secret at the Seashore by Laura Lee Hope
116. Monday with a Mad Genius by Mary Pope Osborne
117. Christmas in Camelot by Mary Pope Osborne
118. The Bobbsey Twins and the Mystery at Snow Lodge by Laura Lee Hope
119. Night of the New Magicians by Mary Pope Osborne
120. The Mystery of the Purple Pool by Gertrude Chandler Warner
121. The Pilgrim Village Mystery by Gertrude Chandler Warner
122. The Last Stubborn Buffalo in Nevada by Stephen Bly
123. Never Dance with a Bobcat by Stephen Bly
124. Hawks Don’t Say Good-bye by Stephe Bly
125. Dragon of the Red Dawn by Mary Pope Osborne
126. Revolutionary War on Wednesday by Mary Pope Osborne
127. Earthquake in the Early Morning by Mary Pope Osborne
128. Summer of the Sea Serpent by Mary Pope Osborne
129. Lions at Lunchtime by Mary Pope Osborne
130. Blizzard of the Blue Moon by Mary Pope Osborne
131. Mummies in the Morning by Mary Pope Osborne
132. Soup by Robert Newton Peck
133. Soup in the Saddle by Robert Newton Peck
134. The Bobbsey Twins on a Houseboat by Laura Lee Hope
135. The Minute Boys of Lexington by Edward Stratemeyer
136. Gentle Ben by Walt Morey
137. High Tide in Hawaii by Mary Pope Osborne
138. Midnight on the Moon by Mary Pope Osborne
139. Tonight on the Titanic by Mary Pope Osborne
140. The Secret of Skelton Island by Robert Arhur
141. The Mystery of the Sinister Scarecrow by M.V. Carey
142. The Mystery of the Trail of Terror by M.V. Carey
143. The Mystery of the Dancing Devil by William Arden
144. The Secret of the Haunted Mirror by M.V. Carey
145. The Mystery of the Invisible Dog by M.V. Carey
146. The Shore Road Mystery by Franklin W. Dixon
147. The Secret of the Lost Tunnel by Franklin W. Dixon
148. The Sign of the Crooked Arrow by Franklin W. Dixon
149. The Mystery of the Spiral Bridge by Franklin W. Dixon
150. Civil War on Sunday by Mary Pope Osborne
151. The Secret of Wildcat Swamp by Franklin W. Dixon
152. The Crisscross Shadow by Franklin W. Dixon
153. The Disappearing Floor by Franklin W. Dixon
154. The Mark on the Door by Franklin W. Dixon
155. Footprints Under the Window by Franklin W. Dixon
156. The Secret Panel by Franklin W. Dixon
157. A Figure in Hiding by Franklin W. Dixon
158. While the Clock Ticked by Franklin W. Dixon
159. Mystery of the Desert Giant by Franklin W. Dixon
160. Mystery of the Whale Tattoo by Franklin W. Dixon
161. The Mystery of the Screaming Clock by Robert Arthur
162. The Canoe Trip Mystery by Gertrude Chandler Warner
163. The Tower Treasure by Franklin W. Dixon
164. The Mystery of Cabin Island by Franklin W. Dixon
165. The Sinister Signpost by Franklin W. Dixon
166. The Clue of the Screeching Owl by Franklin W. Dixon
167. The Jungle Pyramid by Franklin W. Dixon
168. The Twisted Claw by Franklin W. Dixon
169. The Secret of the Old Mill by Franklin W. Dixon
170. The Firebird Rocket by Franklin W. Dixon
171. The Hooded Hawk Mystery by Franklin W. Dixon
172. The Sting of the Scorpion by Franklin W. Dixon
173. The Mystery Horse by Gertrude Chandler Warner
174. The Mystery of the Lost Mine by Gertrude Chandler Warner
175. The Mystery at the Dog Show by Gertrude Chandler Warner
176. The Yellow House Mystery by Gertrude Chandler Warner
177. Surprise Island by Gertrude Chandler Warner
178. Mystery Ranch by Gertrude Chandler Warner
179. The Mystery of the Lost Village by Gertrude Chandler Warner
180. The Mystery of the Star Ruby by Gertrude Chandler Warner
181. Mystery Behind the Wall by Gertrude Chandler Warner
182. The Mystery Girl by Gertrude Chandler Warner
183. Blue Bay Mystery by Gertrude Chandler Warner
184. The Animal Shelter Mystery by Gertrude Chandler Warner
185. The Mystery of the Mixed-Up Zoo by Gertrude Chandler Warner
186. The Mystery of the Singing Ghost by Gertrude Chandler Warner
187. The Wailing Siren Mystery by Franklin W. Dixon
188. The Hidden Harbor Mystery by Franklin W. Dixon
189. The Mystery Cruise by Gertrude Chandler Warner
190. The Mystery in the Snow by Gertrude Chandler Warner
191. The Arctic Patrol Mystery by Franklin W. Dixon
192. The Short-Wave Mystery by Franklin W. Dixon
193. The Viking Symbol Mystery by Franklin W. Dixon
194. Pocket Guide to the Outdoors by Jean Craighead George
195. The Haunted Fort by Franklin W. Dixon
196. The Secret of the Caves by Franklin W. Dixon
197. The Mystery at Devil’s Paw by Franklin W. Dixon
198. The Ghost at Skeleton Rock by Franklin W. Dixon
199. Eve of the Emperor Penguin by Mary Pope Osborne
200. The Mystery of the Hot Air Balloon by Gertrude Chandler Warner
201. The Guide Dog Mystery by Gertrude Chandler Warner

Peter's Books from 2011

2012-01-01T18:43:00.002-05:00

Peter’s Books Completed in 2011:

1. Amelia Bedelia by Peggy Parish
2. Frog and Toad All Year by Peggy Parish
3. Mr. Putter and Tabby Feed the Fish by Cynthia Rylant
4. Henry & Mudge and Mrs. Hopper’s House by Cynthia Rylant
5. Henry & Mudge, the First Book by Cynthia Rylant
6. Annie and Snowball and the Pink Surprise by Cynthia Rylant
7. Henry & Mudge and the Starry Night by Cynthia Rylant
8. Henry & Mudge and the Tumbling Trip by Cynthia Rylant
9. Mr. Putter & Tabby Take the Train by Cynthia Rylant
10. Down the River Road by Mabel O’Donnell
11. Who Can Help? (Read with Dick and Jane)
12. We Play (Read with Dick and Jane)
13. Teach Us, Amelia Bedelia by Peggy Parish
14. Amelia Bedelia’s Family Album by Peggy Parish
15. Frog and Toad Are Friends by Arnold Lobel
16. Seeds and More Seeds by Millicent Selsam
17. Harvest Time by Mercer Mayer
18. Wild, Wild Rodeo by Tony Johnston
19. Two Silly Trolls by Nancy Jewell
20. Here Comes the Strikeout by Leonard Kessler
21. The Pirate Adventures on Spooky Island Leonard Kessler
22. Kick, Pass, and Run by Leonard Kessler
23. Captain and Matey Set Sail by Daniel Laurence
24. Fox Outfoxed by James Marshall
25. Fox on Stage by James Marshall
26. The Worst Team Ever by Leonard Kessler
27. Owl at Home by Arnold Lobel
28. Old Turtle’s Soccer Team by Leonard Kessler
29. Tomahawks and Trombones by Barbara Mitchell
30. Wagon Train by Sydelle Kramer
31. Fox on the Job by James Marshall
32. The White Bicycle by Rob Lewis
33. Fox at School by Edward Marshall
34. Old Turtle’s Baseball Stories by Leonard Kessler
35. Fox All Week by Edward Marshall
36. Fox Be Nimble by James Marshall
37. The Star Spangled Banner by Ingri & Edgar Parin D’Aulaire
38. Mouse Tales by Arnold Lobel
39. Nate the Great by Marjorie Weinman Sharmat
40. Too Many Balloons by Catherine Matthias
41. Over-Under by Catherine Matthias
42. Hot Rod Harry by Catherine Petrie
43. Puppy Mudge Wants to Play by Cynthia Rylant
44. Three Up a Tree by James Marshall
45. Fox in Love by Edward Marshall
46. Fox and His Friends by Edward Marshall
47. Good Driving, Amelia Bedelia by Herman Parish
48. Harry in Trouble by Barbara Ann Porte
49. Amelia Bedelia and the Surprise Shower by Peggy Parish
50. Father Bear Comes Home by Else Holmelund Minarik
51. Poppleton and Friends by Mark Teague
52. The Casea of the Desperate Duck by Cynthia Rylant
53. No Fighting, No Biting by Else Holmelund Minarik
54. Harry’s Pony by Barbara Ann Porte
55. A Fish Out of Water by Helen Palmer
56. I Wish I Had Duck Feet by Theol. LeSieg
57. Our New Friends by William Gray, Marion Monroe, Sterl Artley, and May Arbuthnot
58. Turtle and Snake Go Camping by Kate Spohn
59. Turtle and Snake’s Day at the Beach by Kate Spohn
60. The Sword in the Stone by Grace Maccarone
61. Nate the Great and the Boring Beach Bag by Marjorie Weinman Sharmat
62. Three by the Sea by Edward Marshall
63. Amelia Bedelia Bakes Off by Herman Parish
64. Amelia Bedelia Bookworm by Herman Parish
65. Nate the Great and the Fishy Prize by Marjorie Weinman Sharmat
66. Beatrix by Jeanette Winter
67. Poppleton Everyday by Cynthia Rylant
68. Nate the Greatand the Crunchy Christmas by Marjorie Weinman Sharmat
69. Emma’s Magic Winter by Jean Little
70. Harley by Star Livingstone
71. Caps for Sale by Esphyr Slobodkin
72. Surprises, poems selected by Lee Bennett Hopkins
73. Albert the Albatross by Syd Hoff
74. Curious George Learns the Alphabet by H.A. Rey
75. Greg’s Microscope by Millicent Selsam
76. Sit on a Potato Pan, Otis: More Palindromes by Jon Agee
77. Captain Cat by Syd Hoff
78. The 512 Ants on Sullivan Street by Carol Losi
79. The Popcorn Shop by Alice Low
80. Big Pig and Little Pig by David McPhail
81. Nate the Great: San Francisco Detective by Marjorie Weinman Sharmat
82. Quick Chick by Julia Hoban
83. Dancing Dinos by Sally Lucas
84. The Lighthouse Children by Syd Hoff
85. Ready-Set-Robot by Lilian and Phoebe Hoban
86. Mrs Brice’s Mice by Syd Hoff
87. Krypto by Michael Tyrell
88. Puppy Mudge Loves His Blanket by Cynthia Rylant
89. Puppy Mudge Takes a Bath by Cynthia Rylant
90. Nate the Great and the Stolen Base by Marjorie Weinman Sharmat
91. The Big Balloon Race by Eleanor Coerr
92. Hill of Fire by Thomas P. Lewis
93. Wagon Wheels by Barbara Brenner
94. Daniel’s Duck by Clyde Robert Bulla
95. The Horse in Harry’s Room by Syd Hoff
96. Freddie and Flossie and the Train Ride by Laura Lee Hope
97. Freddie and Flossie by Laura Lee Hope
98. Freddie and Flossie and the Easter Egg Hunt by Laura Lee Hope
99. Freddie and Flossie and Snap by Laura Lee Hope
100. Dancing Dinos Go to School by Sally Lucas
101. Olivia and Her Ducklings by Veera Hiranandani
102. Wendy Helps Out by Alison Inches
103. Dizzy’s Bird Watch by Alison Inches
104. Puppy Riddles by Katy Hall and Lisa Eisenberg
105. Silly Times with Two Silly Trolls by Nancy Jewell
106. The Bull and the Fire Truck by Tony Johnston
107. Henrietta, Circus Star by Syd Hoff
108. Happy Birthday, Henrietta by Syd Hoff
109. Barney’s Horse by Syd Hoff
110. Young Cam Jansen and the 100th Day of School Mystery by David Adler
111. The Titanic: Lost...and Found by Judy Donnelly
112. Pompeii...Buried Alive! By Edith Kunhardt
113. Lo-Jack and the Pirates by William Hooks
114. The Gingerbread Boy by Harriet Ziefert
115. Sammy the Seal by Syd Hoff
116. Follow Me! by Harriet Ziefert
117. The Little Red Hen by Harriet Ziefert
118. Stitches by Harriet Ziefert
119. The Turnip by Harriet Ziefert
120. Dark Night, Sleepy Night by Harriet Ziefert
121. Freddie and Flossie at the Beach by Laura Lee Hope
122. Say Good Night! by Harriet Ziefert
123. The Three Little Pigs by Harriet Ziefert
124. Later, Rover by Harriet Ziefert
125. Let’s Trade by Harriet Ziefert
126. Freddie and Flossie and the Leaf Monster by Laura Lee Hope
127. Small Bear Solves a Mystery by Adelaide Holl
128. Wake Up, Small Bear by Adelaide Holl
129. Joe and the Betsy the Dinosaur Lillian Hoban
130. Dr. Cat by Harriet Ziefert
131. Silly Tilly and the Easter Bunny by Lillian Hoban
132. Harry Takes a Bath by Harriet Zierfert
133. A Fish Out of Water by P.D. Eastman
134. The Great Race by David McPhail
135. Monster Money by Grace Maccarone
136. Henry and Mudge in Puddle Trouble by Cynthia Rylant
137. Henry and Mudge Take the Big Test by Cynthia Rylant
138. Beezy at Bat by Megan McDonald
139. Big Brown Bear by David McPhail
140. Henry and Mudge and the Long Weekend by Cynthia Rylant
141. Recess Mess by Grace Maccarone
142. Henry and Mudge and a Very Merry Christmas by Cynthia Rylant
143. Henry and Mudge and the Happy Cat by Cynthia Rylant
144. The Day the Dog Said “Cock a Doodle Doo!” by David McPhail
145. Henry and Mudge and the Wild Goose Chase by Cynthia Rylant
146. Henry and Mudge and the Sparkle Days by Cynthia Rylant
147. The Lunch Box Surprise by Grace Maccarone
148. Henry and Mudge and the Wild Win by Cynthia Rylant
149. Henry and Mudge and the Forever Sea by Cynthia Rylant
150. Henry and Mudge Get the Cold shivers by Synthia Rylant
151. The Sword in the Stone by Grace Maccarone
152. Softball Practice by Grace Maccarone
153. Soccer Game! By Grace Maccarone
154. The Early Reader’s Bible by V. Gilbert Beers
155. Mr. Putter and Tabby Spin the Yarn by Cynthia Rylant
156. Mr. Putter and Tabby Row the Boat by Cynthia Rylant
157. Poppleton Forever by Cynthia Rylant
158. Poppleton Has Fun by Cynthia Rylant
159. Poppleton In Spring by Cynthia Rylant
160. Granny and the Desperadoes by Peggy Parish
161. Mr. Putter and Tabby Pick the Pears by Cynthia Rylant
162. Poppleton and Friends by Cynthia Rylant
163. Poppleton Everyday by Cynthia Rylant
164. Nate the Great by Marjorie Wienman Sharmat
165. Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Suess
165. Put Me in the Zoo by Robert Lopshire
166. Nate the Great on the Owl Express by Marjorie Weinman Sharmat
167. Ricky Ricotta’s Mighty Robot Vs. The Mutant Mosquitoes from Mercury by Dav Pilkey
168. Ricky Ricotta’s Mighty Robot by Dav Pilkey
169. Ricky Ricotta’s Mighty Robot Vs. The Uranium Unicorns from Uranus by Dav Pilkey
170. Rosie’s Walk by Pat Hutchins
171. Nate the Great and the Lost List by Marjorie Weinman Sharmat
172. Ricky Ricotta’s Mighty Robot Vs. The Jurassic Jackrabbits from Jupiter by Dav Pilkey
173. The Sword in the Tree by Clyde Robert Bulla
174. The Thanksgiving Story by Alice Dalgliesh
175. The Littles by John Peterson
176. The Littles to the Rescue by John Peterson
177. Nate the Great and the Crunchy Christmas by Marjorie Weinman Sharmat
178. The Littles Have a Wedding by John Peterson
179. The Littles Give a Party by John Peterson
180. The Littles Go to School by John Peterson
181. The Littles Go Exploring by John Peterson
182. The Littles Take a Trip by John Peterson
183. The Littles and Their Amazing New Friend by John Peterson
184. The Littles and The Lost Children by John Peterson
185. The Littles and the Big Storm by John Peterson
186. The Littles and the Great Halloween Scare by John Peterson
187. The Littles and the Trash Tinies by John Peterson
188. The Littles and the Terrible Tiny Kid by John Peterson

Mitchell Books of 2011

2012-01-01T18:16:00.000-05:00

The Mitchells had a great year of bibliophilia in 2011.

Robin bested her amazing total of last year (382) with a whopping 400 books!

Drew (first year to keep track) posted 201. He exceeded his end of the year goal by 1. Yeah, Drew!

A pretty new reader, Peter read 188. Hooray!

And I finished 126. It'll be fun to see Isaac take off this year.

In the next 3 posts, I'll list the books we read. But remember, just because we read them, doesn't mean we recommend them. Read with discernment.

We're already excited about the books of 2012. Praise the Lord!

[Matt's Messages] "Tell Your Story in 2012"

2012-01-01T13:12:00.000-05:00

“Tell Your Story in 2012”
January 1, 2012
Ephesians 2:8-10

I’d like to make this a theme for our whole church for the whole year.

As we’ve already learned this morning, our church is embarking together on a year of missions, a year of outreach, a year of witnessing.

“Witness” is a Book-of-Acts word, isn’t it?

“You will be my ... witnesses,” Jesus said to the apostles.

And that’s what we’ve been learning about since school started in the Fall. Four chapters worth.

A witness is someone who has experienced something and tells others the story.

A witness is someone who has experienced something (saw something, heard something, learned something) and tells others the story of that experience.

We call that telling of the story: “giving testimony.”

A witness is someone who gives testimony.

They’ve experienced something, and they tell the story.

So, today’s application is right up front in the title of the message: “Tell Your Story in 2012.”

I want to encourage each of us to be witnesses in the year 2012.

Witnesses for Jesus.

Jesus said, “You will be MY witnesses.”

Witnessing to what we’ve experienced of Him.

Tell your story in 2012.

There are three key words there.

Tell. That takes words. You have to open your mouth. Be bold.

Your. That means your own personal story. Not someone else’s. You have to have your own experience of Jesus to give your own testimony.

Tell your Story. That’s more than just some facts about the Lord. It’s telling the narrative, the details, the plot, the characters, the story of your experience of Jesus.

Tell your story in 2012.

Why?

Well, for one thing it’s really biblical to tell your story.

How many times is Paul’s story of his conversion told in the Book of Acts?

Anybody know?

How many so far? Once. When it happened.

That story was told in Acts 9 by Luke from an outsider’s perspective.

It’s going to be told two more times in the book of Acts.

Who do you think tells it the next two times? Paul does it Himself.

Giving your testimony is not the only way to share the gospel. But it’s a really good one, and biblical.

And secondly, you can’t really argue with it. If that’s your story, then that’s your story.

Now, we could argue over the interpretation of the story, but it’s your story to tell. Hard to argue with.

Another reason is that people love stories. All you have to do is say, “Once upon a time,” and you’ve got someone’s attention.

Tell your story, and you’ll get a hearing.

Another reason is that people want to know if something works, so they listen to testimonials. Your story confirms that the experience is true.

Like with commercials for products, you and I are “satisfied customers.”

Of course, we’re not customers, but you get the idea.

I would love for 2012 to be year for us to tell our stories of faith in Jesus Christ.

A year of testimonies.

Right now, I’m inviting each of you to consider telling your story here at church this year.

I’d love to have 50 or 75 testimonies shared this year. I’ll settle for half that.

I’m looking for volunteers to tell your story.

And, to be fair, I’m going to go first.

Today.

I recently realized that many of you have never heard me give my testimony.

I was telling my story at the last membership seminar, I realized from talking with the other participants that they didn’t know my testimony.

I’ve shared it from time to time, but it’s been awhile and we have so many new people here at church.

So, today, I’ll tell my story.

And I encourage you to tell yours.

Here. And more importantly, out there!

As I was preparing this, I said to Heather, “It’s hard to write out your testimony. Where do you start? What do you include and what do you leave out?”

I’m mean it’s your whole life story. I can’t tell you everything that’s ever happened to me. I can’t even give all of the highlights, and I’ve led a fairly boring life.

So, you have to be selective and start somewhere.

I told Heather that I would begin with a joke.

I was born at an early age, in a hospital, so that I could be near my mother.

Ba-dump, bump.

I was born and raised in and around Shelby, Ohio. A town of about 10,000 people north of Mansfield, Ohio, which is about two hours from everywhere.

My parents were Christians, former Baptists who had settled in at the Methodist church when they moved into Shelby because that church had a thriving young adults Sunday School class. They called it, ready for this? “The Greatful Alive Class.”

This was the 70's. Get it? “Grateful Alive?”

Well, it was pretty cool at the time.

And I grew up going to church. Every Sunday.

Every Sunday. You had to be sick if you didn’t go to church. And if you were too sick for church, you were too sick for television. If you understand what I mean.

Sunday School and Church. Every Sunday. Even when we were on vacation. We always were in church somewhere on Sunday.

And we sang the hymns, and we listened to the sermons, and during church I would thumb through my Mom’s Bible and read the crazy stories in there.

And, truly, I don’t think I “got it” at all very much.

Now, I made several decisions for God during those formative years, and I memorized a few verses in the King James Version for Vacation Bible School, and I had some godly Sunday School teachers who I know loved me and tried to teach me something, but I’m not sure that it all clicked for me during those years.

But I am thankful for those years.

A foundation was laid during those years that was going to be something solid to build upon.

If you are a Sunday School teacher, a Children’s Church teacher, a Kids for Christ worker, take heart. You don’t know what they are getting and what will be used later.

You might have a Pastor Matt on your hands back there.

Now, I was a good kid. Very obedient. But that doesn’t mean that I loved Jesus.

Or that I understood the gospel.

In school, I was one of those kids who was a goody-two-shoes.

Oh yeah, you would have hated me. (Except that I could have fun and be funny, too.)

But I hated it when the other kids disobeyed, because it reflected on me.

When the other kids were talking when they should have.

I’d try to get everyone to obey. SHHHHHH. I’d say.

Yeah, you know what we call those kind of people in the Bible?

Legalists. Pharisees.

“I’m better than you because I’m good.”

I’m a good boy.

Well, in Junior High School, we had an evangelist come to our church named Earl Bailey.

And Earl Bailey told us that we were not good boys and girls.

He told us what Ephesians 2 said about us. (I don’t remember if he preached from Ephesians 2, but it was this message.)

You a dead in your transgressions and sins.
You crave your sinful nature and follow its desires and thoughts.
You are an object of wrath.

I don’t think I had ever felt the sinfulness of my sin until that night when Earl Bailey preached the gospel.

The gospel begins with bad news.

You are a sinner.

That night, sitting in that pew in Trinity United Methodist Church in Shelby, Ohio, I got it, maybe for the first time, that I was a sinner and I needed saving.

The great thing about Earl Bailey was that he didn’t stop with the bad news.

He also told us the good stuff.

Verse 4. “Because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead–it is by grace you have been saved.”

Early Bailey told us about the Cross of Christ.

And that night, I prayed at the end of the service, and it involved my emotions, my intellect, and my will.

And the next day, I told someone.

Now, I have one of those confusing testimonies where I’m not exactly sure when I truly became saved, but I often point to this occasion because I not only made a decision, but I told someone about it the next day at school.

And the Lord saved me from a life of drunkenness, drugs, promiscuity, thievery, and gangs.

Now, I want you to understand that I was never into drinking, drugs, promiscuity, thievery, and gangs.

The Lord saved me from them not out of them.

If it were not for the Lord, I could have ended up in all of them.

You know, sometimes people feel bad that they don’t have a lot of wicked dissipated sins in their testimonies.

My wife, for example, was saved probably before she was 3. She hadn’t even stolen cookies from the cookie jar before she was saved.

But that doesn’t mean that she doesn’t have a good testimony. She’s got an awesome testimony of the Lord’s hand in her life from an early age.

My sins, at the time, were not drunkenness, drugs, promiscuity, thievery, and gangs.

They were mostly various stripes of the sin of pride.

I was full of myself.

And I was a good boy.

And I was full of myself.

And I was dead in my transgressions and sins.

But because of his great love for me, God who is rich in mercy, made me alive with Christ. Verse 6.

“And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.”

What a glorious day!

A few years later, I had another powerful experience with Jesus. Several, actually, that really cemented my faith in Christ and helped me to understand that faith.

I, as a freshman, was involved in a debate about Christianity with a high school senior.

I was woefully unprepared for that debate. I did not know much about Christianity, and I was a poor spokesman for it.

But I held my ground and didn’t give up. And respectfully tried to be an advocate for Christ.

And during that season of my life, the choir at our church did an Easter Cantata.

For those of you who don’t know, Cantata is the Hebrew word for really long boring choir concert.

I’m just kidding.

But it’s a like a choir concert at church. And this time, instead of falling asleep or bugging my kid brother, I listened to the singing, and a man named Jim Artz sang a solo, “Jesus Paid It All.”

And I got it. My heart was full of it. The penny dropped!

Now, again, I was probably already a believer, but I got it in a new way that really made sense.

Jesus Paid It All
All to Him I Owe
Sin Had Left a Crimson Stain
And He Washed It White As Snow

Choir members, be encouraged, you don’t know who might be listening to you sing that song.

And that Summer, I went to Summer camp for youth and a conference for Christian performers and I heard a message on this word that I must have heard before but I never understood it.

Grace.

The speaker was a man named Joe Shultz. Joe had worked with my Dad when he was a teen, and now he was working with me while I was a teen.

And Joe talked about this thing called grace.

Grace was God’s unmerited favor.

It was blessing given to people who don’t deserve it.

It wasn’t given to good boys and girls.

It wasn’t given to the righteous, to the moral.

It was given to sinners.

Grace was a gift, unearned, undeserved.

And grace, Joe said, was the way that God saved us.

Just like Paul says here in verse 8.

“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.”

Grace.

A free gift.

That rocked my world.

It helped me to understand what Christianity was all about.

I think I had thought it was mostly about being good.

But it’s actually mostly about believing and trusting that God is rich and mercy and has given us His Son.

Salvation is not by works. If it was by my works, then I could boast.

What a good boy I am.

I continued to wrestle with that throughout high school and still do today.

There is a Pharisee lurking in my heart; I have to kill him!

But it’s not by works, it’s not from myself.

It is the gift of God.

It’s grace.

From that Summer on, I began to share the gospel of grace through Christian juggling shows and other opportunities that came my way.

And those opportunities led to other opportunities and eventually led to going to Moody Bible Institute and Trinity Evangelical Divinity School and ending up here as your pastor.

Those are stories for another day.

Those are stories about the good works that God prepared in advance for me to do.

Verse 10.

“For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."

Our salvation is not by good works, but is for good works.

We can’t get that turned around in my minds and hearts.

There is a lot more to my story that I could tell, but I think that’s enough for one day.

My story is not about a rough person who gets cleaned up.

My story is about a proud “good boy” who gets graced.

What’s your story?

Have you come to know Jesus by faith and received His gift of grace?

If not, today could be the day!

God isn’t looking for good little boys and girls.

He is seeking after sinners who need saving.

“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.”

Our part is faith. We trust. We put ourselves in His hands.

We receive that gift of grace.

He has done all of work.

And He has prepared good works in advance for us to do.

Like tell others your story.

EFCA Today Book Review: College Ministry in a Post-Christian Culture

2011-12-28T16:07:00.000-05:00

Here is the most recent EFCA Today book review, College Ministry in a Post-Christian Culture by my friend Steve Lutz.

I have the privilege of coordinating these reviews. It's great to see them be completed and posted.

[Matt's Messages] "Glory to the Newborn King"

2011-12-25T10:00:00.003-05:00

“Glory to the Newborn King”
Christmas Sunday
Luke 2:13-14
December 25, 2011

I invite you open your Bibles with me to the book of Luke chapter 2.

It seems like we end up here every year at Christmastime, and with good reason.

I love the story in Luke chapter 2. It’s good news of great joy!

This year for Advent, we used “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” to give us some awesome things to think about during the Christmas season.

Now, be honest. How many of us used to think that that song was about a angel named “Harold?”

Nicknamed, “Harry.”

Harry the Angel?

Am I the only one?

I said last night, as we lit each candle in our wreath, that Hark! is now my favorite Christmas carol.

That’s because of the rich theological truth embedded in it. It’s full of the true meaning of Christmas.

We’ll sing it together in a few more minutes.

Today, our title and the central thing I want to say comes from the last line that gets repeated over and over again in the carol: “Glory to the Newborn King.”

Interestingly, John Wesley, who originally wrote this hymn didn’t write those words. He didn’t write, “Glory to the Newborn King.”

He wrote, “Glory to the King of Kings.”

Which is, of course, the same person.

In reality, there have been a lot of changes made to this hymn over the years.

John Wesley wrote it in 1739 as a long poem as a “Hymn for Christmas Day,” and it didn’t have that chorus that we’re used to singing at the end of each verse. [slide]

And it started like this, “Hark How All the Welkin Rings. Glory to the King of Kings.”

Now, I don’t know about you, but I’m glad that the words got changed over the years. Sometimes I hear people complaining about changing words to hymns and changing tunes that go with hymns.

Well, for the first 100 years or more Hark! was sung to the tune that we normally sing “Christ the Lord is Risen Today.”

It wasn’t until 1855 that William H Cummings took Felix Mendelssohn’s tune and put these words to it so that it is what is familiar to us today.

Anybody know just what the “welkin” is?

I had to look that one up.

“Welkin” is an old English word to stand for the sky, the heavens, the celestial sphere.

What you see when you look up at night time.

And what the shepherds saw when they looked up in Luke chapter 2, verse 13:

A sky full of angels.

“Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host [an angelic army] appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.”

Can you imagine?

So that’s why Wesley wrote, “Hark! How the Welkin (the Sky!) Rings. Glory to the King of Kings.”

It was actually Wesleys frenemy (that’s a friend who is sometimes an enemy or an opponent) George Whitefield that changed the words to what we know today.

Hark! The herald angels (the angels sent to be heralds of Jesus) sing, “Glory to the Newborn King.”

And today, I want to ask, what is glory?

“Glory to the Newborn King.”
“Glory to God in the highest.”
“Gloria in Excelsis Deo.”

What is glory?

And why are these angels singing it?

Of course, we don’t know if they actually sang. Verse 13 says that they praised God and said “Glory to God in highest.”

But I think we all hear them singing those words. Not just boringly chanting them, that’s for sure.

But what did they mean?

What is glory?

Glory is a hard word to define.

It’s one of those words that you-know-it-when-you-see-it.

But how do you define it?

Here’s one way. It’s the beautiful greatness of God.

And saying, “glory to God” is announcing, proclaiming, declaring that God is amazingly great.

The Old Testament Hebrew word for glory is “Kavod.”

And it literally meant, “heavy.”

Like we say, “heavy, man.”

That’s awesome.

Rulers in the ancient world were the best fed. And the best fed got what? Heavy, right?

So, if you were great. Then you were great.

You had weight if you were great.

Kavod!

One of the things I like to pray for people is that Jesus would be BIG in their life.

I think that gets across this idea.

I pray that Jesus would be BIG in your life.

Or we could use the word “credit.”

We love the credits at the end of movie now.

Who gets the credit?

Who gets the BIGGEST credit?

Glory is credit.

To glory in something is to exult it so that it is BIG in your heart.

We see people glory when they enjoy a great football game or whatever you like.

They jump up and down, they yell, they sing, they raise their arms. They do a little dance.

They glory. Something is big in their heart.

Glory, praise, magnification be to God in the highest.

Glory to the Newborn King.

Does that make sense?

The angels knew that something GLORIOUS, something tremendously great had happened on that first Christmas night.

And it took a whole army of angels to say it like it needed said.

Glory to God in the Highest!

What was so glorious?

Well, so many things.

We’ve been singing and sharing about them all this Advent season.

The hymn is full of wondrous things.

“Peace on earth and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled.”
“Offspring of the Virgin’s Womb”
“Veiled in Flesh the Godhead See, Hail the incarnate Deity”
“Light and Life to All He Brings, Ris’n With Healing in His Wings”
“Born to raise the Sons of Earth, Born to Give them Second Birth”

So many ways of saying it.

Jesus is God become man who brings us salvation.

Salvation is what is so glorious.

And there are so many ways of glorying in it.

Let me share with you verse #4.

You may or may not know this verse.

My guess is that most of us don’t. It’s not in our hymnal, and I have several hymnals at home, it’s not in any of those.

It wasn’t actually in Wesley’s original, either. But it’s taken from four stanzas of Wesley’s original poem and re-worked into a verse, probably by Whitefield.

And there are several versions of this out there, too. Proof again that Christians songs can be fluid and open to revising for current needs and trends.

Can you read it from there?

#4. Come, Desire of Nations Come,
Fix in Us Thy Humble Home;
Rise, the Woman's Conquering Seed,
Bruise in Us the Serpent's Head.
Adam's Likeness Now Efface:
Stamp Thine Image in its Place;
Second Adam, from Above,
Reinstate Us in Thy Love.
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing,
Glory to the Newborn King.
Familiar to anybody here?

Of the four verses, this is one that is a prayer.

And it’s like a theological pound cake. Dense and rich with biblical truth.

It’s about salvation. How glorious the salvation is that Jesus brought when He was born that first Christmas day.

“Come, Desire of Nations Come.”

Now, that my friends is a reference to Haggai chapter 2.

I ask you to turn there, but we’ll be done with it before you could find it.

John Wesley knew his Bible, didn’t he?

God says in Haggai 2:7 says, “I will shake all nations, and the desired of all nations will come, and I will fill this house with [what do you think the word is?] glory,' says the LORD Almighty.”

And Wesley saw Jesus’ birth as the fulfillment of Haggai 2.

He prays, “Fix in us thy humble home.”

And that’s a prayer for Jesus to come not just to Earth but to each believing heart.

As Paul prayed in Ephesians 3, “I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.”

And not just live there, but remodel the place.

“Rise, the Woman’s Conquering Seed, Bruise in Us the Serpent’s Head.”

What’s he talking about there?

That’s salvation!

It’s talking about Genesis 3. And the Fall.

When God cursed the serpent he said, “And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.”

Ever since Genesis 3 there has been a battle between the seed (offspring) of the serpent and the seed of the woman.

And John Wesley understood that this was the gospel.

That Jesus would crush the serpent.

And so Wesley prayed, “Rise, the Woman’s Conquering Seed (That’s Jesus), Bruise in Us the Serpent’s Head.”

And there, he’s talking about the effects of Satan and the Fall being defeated in us.

That sin would be conquered in us.

And that we would become Christ-like

“Adam’s Likeness Now Efface.”

Efface means erase.

Take away our sin. Rub it out with a Pink Pearl Eraser.

And then, “Stamp Thine Image in Its Place.”

The first man Adam is what we are all like.

But this little baby born in Bethelehem is the Second Adam. Read Romans 5 or 1 Corinthians 15.

Jesus is the second head of humanity.

“Second Adam from above Reinstate Us in Thy Love.”

That’s salvation!

And that’s something to glory in.

“Hark! The Herald Angels Sing, ‘Glory to the Newborn King!’”

Glory that the Desire of Nations has come!
Glory that we are His humble home by the Holy Spirit!
Glory that Woman’s Conquering Seed Has Risen and Has Bruised in Us the Serpent’s Head!
Glory that God is stamping His own image into our hearts and reinstating us in His love.

Glory!

Glory!

Two words of application this morning.

First, is INVITE.

Each of us needs to receive Jesus as our own Lord and Savior if we are going to glory like this song calls us to.

Pray to the Lord, “Fix in me your humble home.”

Invite Him to be your Lord and Savior. Your King and Rescuer.

Jesus came to bring salvation. Invite Him in.

Second word: EXULT.

Let your heart overflow with the GREATNESS of the Lord.

And worship Him.

Rejoice. Jump. Sing. Dance. Lift your hands. Yell.

May Jesus be BIG in your heart and mine. Getting all the credit. All the glory.

Exult.

Glory!

He is great. Sing of His greatness.

GLORY to the King of Kings.
GLORIA in Excelsis Deo.

Glory in the Newborn in the King.

Anita, come on up here and let’s sing this. Hymn #133.

Let’s sing all four verses this morning.

And sing them with all of our hearts.

Glory to the Newborn King!

[Matt's Messages] "Paul's First Missionary Journey: Part Two"

2011-12-18T17:27:00.000-05:00

“Paul’s First Missionary Journey: Part Two”
From Jerusalem to Pennsylvania: The Book of Acts
December 18, 2011
Acts 14:1-28
Our sermon series is on the book of Acts. We’re calling it “From Jerusalem to Pennsylvania.”

And we haven’t gotten to Pennsylvania yet!

But we have gotten out of Jerusalem.

In fact, we’re on a journey right now. We’re on Paul’s First Missionary Journey.

That great church in Antioch in Syria has sent Paul and Barnabas out on a gospel mission.

They went from Antioch to Cyprus. Two cities on the island, Salamis and Paphos where they encountered and defeated the Jewish sorcerer Bar-Jesus.

Then they went across to Perga and then to Pisidian Antioch where they were busy sharing the gospel.

The word of the Lord spread there and many (especially Gentiles) believed in Jesus but they also encountered persecution and decided to head out of town to the next big city called Iconium.

Iconium is a pretty big city. It still is today. They call it Konya today. K-O-N-Y-A. It’s still on the map. You’ll notice that it’s in the province of Galatia.

So our book Galatians that the adult Sunday school classes have been reading was probably read right here in Iconium.

And that’s where our story starts today.

In today’s chapter, we’re going to see four major things that describe the second half of the first missionary journey, and I think we can learn from all four.

#1. Division.
#2. Confusion.
#3. Opposition.
#4. Completion.

Now, I’m not saying that every short term missions trip is going to have these four features, but I think that all of us in gospel ministry–and that should be all of us here–should be ready for all four.

There is something to learn here for each of our lives.

Acts chapter 14, verse 1.

“At Iconium Paul and Barnabas went as usual into the Jewish synagogue. There they spoke so effectively that a great number of Jews and Gentiles believed. But the Jews who refused to believe stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers. So Paul and Barnabas spent considerable time there, speaking boldly for the Lord, who confirmed the message of his grace by enabling them to do miraculous signs and wonders. The people of the city were divided; some sided with the Jews, others with the apostles. There was a plot afoot among the Gentiles and Jews, together with their leaders, to mistreat them and stone them. But they found out about it and fled to the Lycaonian cities of Lystra and Derbe and to the surrounding country, where they continued to preach the good news.”

Now, my word for this section is division.

#1. DIVISION.

You can see it right there in verse 4. “The people of the city were divided.”

That should not surprise us, but it often does.

The gospel divides.

It’s good news! But not everyone thinks so.

Verse 1 says that Paul and Barnabas, when showed up in town went as usual to the Jewish synagogue.

Why did they do that? They did it because those folks were already about half-way there. They already knew the Old Testament, they just needed to know the name of the Messiah.

And verse 1 also says that they spoke so effectively that many got saved!

Yes!

But verse 2 says that there were Jews who refused to believe “and stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers.”

Did that stop Paul and Barnabas? Verse 3

“So Paul and Barnabas spent considerable time there, speaking boldly for the Lord, who confirmed the message of his grace by enabling them to do miraculous signs and wonders.”

That didn’t stop them at all. In fact, they got bold and God (note that it’s God who does it) enabled them to do miracles that confirmed the message.

But miracles don’t change everyone’s mind. They didn’t with Jesus, and they don’t with the apostles. V.4

“The people of the city were divided; some sided with the Jews, others with the apostles. [There is split down the middle of the city.] There was a plot afoot among the Gentiles and Jews, together with their leaders, to mistreat them and stone them. [Mob violence. The martyring of Stephen all over again.] But they found out about it and fled to the Lycaonian cities of Lystra and Derbe and to the surrounding country, where they continued to preach the good news.”

Division.

Division can be a good thing. If everyone is going in the wrong direction, then a division where some (many?) begin to go in the right direction is a very good thing.

And that’s what happened here.

A church was born in the middle of that division.

And the world is still divided over Jesus.

The word is still divided over the gospel.

Verse 3 calls it, “the message of his grace.”

The gospel is the message that Jesus has sacrificed Himself to give us forgiveness.

And lots of people don’t like that message.

They’d rather try to earn their way.
They’d rather do it their own way.
They’d rather not entrust themselves to this Jesus guy.

The world is still divided.

When we share the gospel, we should expect division.

Jesus said that it would divide families....of course it’s going to divide cities.

And even though they had to hotfoot it out of town, they haven’t changed their message. V.6 again.

“But they found out about it and fled to the Lycaonian cities of Lystra and Derbe and to the surrounding country, where they continued to preach the good news.”

More miracles. Verse 8.

“In Lystra there sat a man crippled in his feet, who was lame from birth and had never walked. He listened to Paul as he was speaking. Paul looked directly at him, saw that he had faith to be healed and called out, ‘Stand up on your feet!’ At that, the man jumped up and began to walk.”

Praise the Lord!

But...#2. CONFUSION. V.11

“When the crowd saw what Paul had done, they shouted in the Lycaonian language, ‘The gods have come down to us in human form!’ Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul they called Hermes because he was the chief speaker. The priest of Zeus, whose temple was just outside the city, brought bulls and wreaths to the city gates because he and the crowd wanted to offer sacrifices to them.”

Whoa! Can you imagine?!

First, the miracle. Then the confusion.

And Paul and Barnabas probably can’t understand the local language, so they don’t know what’s going on.

This one guy had faith to be healed. He was believing what he was hearing about Jesus.

But most of the folks here can only see the miracle and put their idolatrous interpretation on it.

These guys must be Zeus and Hermes come to visit!

Can you imagine?

That’s confusion for you. V.14

“But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of this, they tore their clothes and rushed out into the crowd, shouting: ‘Men, why are you doing this? We too are only men, human like you. We are bringing you good news, telling you to turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made heaven and earth and sea and everything in them. In the past, he let all nations go their own way. Yet he has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy.’ Even with these words, they had difficulty keeping the crowd from sacrificing to them.”

Glad they didn’t let it go to their heads!

You know that would be a major temptation for someone in that position.

Think of all of the stories like this that you’ve see or heard.

Someone is mistaken for a god. What do they do? They play it up for awhile.

Being a god has its privileges.

But those stories never turn out well do they?

And that’s not why Paul and Barnabas have been risking their lives.

They’ve been risking it to bring the gospel. The good news. V.15

“We are bringing you good news, telling you to turn form these worthless” idols to the living God!

The answer to confusion is to keep sharing the truth.

Keep trying. Keep clarifying. Keep explaining the way it really is.

There is a lot of confusion out there about what Christianity truly is.

You probably get that all of the time when you’re talking with people.

Some people think that Christianity is about being good, doing good things, being a good person, being moral, going to church, making God happy by being good for Him.

He knows when you’ve been bad or good so be good for goodness sake!

That’s not Christianity.

That’s confusion.

Christianity is about good news.

We have been bad, and Jesus has paid for it.

He died on the Cross to satisfy the righteous wrath of the Father against our sin.

And now He offers us forgiveness if we will turn from our sins and our idols, worthless things, and trust in Him, the living God.

And everyone knows that they need Him, but they suppress the truth in unrighteousness. That’s where Paul is going in verse 16 and 17.

He’s the “living God, who made heaven and earth and sea and everything in them. In the past, he let all nations go their own [rebellious] way. Yet he has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy.”

And you know it.

Every good gift is from him.

But people suppress that knowledge because they realize that if its’ true then they are accountable to the living God.

And they are. We are.

But more than accountable, we can be redeemed by Jesus if we turn from our sin and turn to Him.

That’s not confusion. That’s Christianity. That’s the gospel.

Keep telling people.

Now, you know that it can’t last. Crowds are fickle. One second, they are going to sacrifice a bull to you.

The next second (or at least after a little bit of time) they try to kill you. V.19

“Then some Jews came from Antioch and Iconium and won the crowd over. They stoned Paul and dragged him outside the city, thinking he was dead.”

#3. OPPOSITION.

Of course, that’s putting it lightly. It’s really persecution.

They threw stones at him.

And they threw so many stones and so heavy stone and so jagged stones at him that they thought he was dead.

You see many in the world do not like our message.

It’s amazing that we don’t have that happening right now in the United States.

We have an amazing moment right now in history where we are free to share and believe the gospel message without much fear for our lives.

It’s not that way in many places around the world. We are living in an exception right now....right now.

But that doesn’t mean that it’s easy anyway. There is still opposition.

And there always will be. That was Paul’s message to the believers, after he got up and could talk again. V.20

“But after the disciples had gathered around him, he got up and went back into the city. The next day he and Barnabas left for Derbe. They preached the good news in that city and won a large number of disciples. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. ‘We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,’ they said.”

Did you catch that?

Where did he go after he got up?

Back into the city?
And then they went down to Derbe where they made more disciples.

And then they ... what?

They returned to Lystra again. And then Iconium. And then Antioch.

Didn’t they have trouble in each of those cities.

Yes, they did.

But the answer to opposition in gospel ministry is courage.

Even after being stoned, Paul goes back through.

Was he scared? Probably.

But he was also bold. And he knew that he had a job to do. V.22 again.

“...strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. ‘We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,’ they said.”

That’s the truth.

Some people with a big smile on their book cover tell you that following Jesus means everything working out great.

Paul said with his big bruised face, “We must go through many hardships to enter the Kingdom of God.”

Not that going through those hardships earn us a place in the kingdom. Christ did that.

But following Him will mean hardship, trouble, persecution, opposition.

Count on it. Strengthen yourself for it. Encourage others about it.

Take courage that means.

Paul and Barnabas don’t return the shortest way.

They backtrack along their route again all the way to Attalia and then catch a boat home.

I think that shows great love for the Lord, the gospel, and the church.

And it show courage.

Have you experienced opposition being a Christian.

It isn’t easy.

It’s not supposed to be.

“We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God.”

That’s the way it works.

Verse 23

“Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord, in whom they had put their trust.”

After making new disciples and planting new churches, they appointed leadership and then entrusted them to the Lord Jesus whom they had entrusted themselves to.

And then they headed home. V.24

“After going through Pisidia, they came into Pamphylia, and when they had preached the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia. From Attalia they sailed back to Antioch, where they had been committed to the grace of God for the work they had now completed.”

#4. COMPLETION.

Mission accomplished.

Time for their report. Verse 27.

“On arriving there, they gathered the church together and reported all that God had done through them and how he had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles. And they stayed there a long time with the disciples.”

The first missionary journey was a success.

It’s important to get a report back about how goes the mission.

Next August, I look forward to hearing back from our Serbia Missions Team about their experience. What they saw, heard, did, learned, and achieved. What God is up to in that part of the world.

Next month will be a month of missions reports here at Lanse Free Church.

We’re going to hear from several of our missionary families and missions organizations about their last term of service.

That’s important when a mission is completed to have a report.

The key focus of Paul’s report is that God has been at work, especially among the Gentiles. V.27 again.

“Reported all that God had done through them and how he had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles.”

Now, that’s going to raise a few issues which we’re going to see in a few weeks when we get back to Jerusalem in chapter 15.

But you and I should very happy about it.

Because the gospel has gotten one big step closer to Pennsylvania.

Messages So Far In this Series:

You Will Be My Witnesses
Before Pentecost

The Day of Pentecost

No Other Name
Snapshots of the Early Church
Stephen
Philip
Saul
Even the Gentiles
Are We Willing?

Paul's First Missionary Journey: Part One

[Matt's Messages] "Paul's First Missionary Journey: Part One"

2011-12-11T13:26:00.000-05:00

“Paul’s First Missionary Journey: Part One”
From Jerusalem to Pennsylvania: The Book of Acts
December 11, 2011
Acts 13:1-52

Our series is called From Jerusalem to Pennsylvania, and we’ve been watching the gospel spread just like Jesus said that it would. He told His apostles, “You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth.”

The spread of the gospel has been rapid but bumpy, and it hasn’t gotten too far from Jerusalem yet.

But it’s starting to.

Last week, we saw the gospel take root in a forming a great new church in Syria in the city of what? [Antioch.]

The church at Antioch was a great church. Last week, we saw how they were dedicated to the gospel and biblical truth and how they were generous with their treasures, giving to those who were in need. The church at Antioch is where believers were first called Christians–bearing the name of Jesus Christ. And that church was a growing church.

It also became a sending church. Antioch was the first great intentional missions-minded church.

That’s what we are going to read about in just a second.

This church sent out Paul and Barnabas on what we now call “Paul’s First Missionary Journey.”

Paul’s First Missionary Journey takes up two chapters of Acts, chapters 13 and 14.

Today, we’re only going to get through chapter 13. We’ll do chapter 14 next week, and then take a break from Acts for Christmas.

Now, I’m not going to say that Paul’s first missionary journey is typical of all missions work–that would be a real stretch.

But I do think there are things we can see happening here that do happen again and again when God’s people get excited about God’s global mission and get busy living it out.

Five headings this morning as we seek to understand this story.
#1. BEING SENT.

Acts 13, verse 1.

“In the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas [we know him by now], Simeon called Niger [Niger means “black” in Latin. He was probably a black man as was probably this fellow next to him], Lucius of Cyrene [we saw that as North Africa last week], Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) [some ties to royalty] and Saul [the persecutor turned Christian and Bible teacher].”

So, this is a church full of great Bible teachers. Prophets who have special gifting and teachers who can explain what the Scriptures mean and apply it to life.

And from this team, God is going to send out some missionaries. V.2

“While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.’ So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off. The two of them, sent on their way by the Holy Spirit, went down to Seleucia and sailed from there to Cyprus.”

Stop there for a few seconds.

Being sent.

Notice that going on a missions trip wasn’t just a good idea that somebody had.

God the Holy Spirit was involved.

Who did the sending? Verse 2 and verse 4 make it clear that the Holy Spirit did the sending. How did He speak to them in verse 2? It doesn’t say. I would imagine that God used one of the prophets from verse 1, but it doesn’t say.

It does make it clear that the Holy Spirit is doing the sending. This is a God-thing.

God the Holy Spirit is involved in missions.

Notice, too, that the call comes while they are worshipping, while they are fasting, while they are praying.

But it’s not just the Holy Spirit who does the sending. The church is involved, as well. Verese 3. “They placed their hands on them and sent them off.”

I get the picture of financial provision, of ongoing prayers, and concerns. They don’t just say, “Well, it was good knowing you. Off you go!”

There are only two godly responses to missions. Go or send. That’s it.

And Barnabas and Saul are going. The church at Antioch is sending.

This makes me think about our Serbie Missions Trip that is forming for August 2012.

Tim mentioned a few of the details during the announcements.

We have between 5 and 10 youth and adults that are going to form our Serbia Missions Team. They are planning to fly 4500 miles from here to Belgrade and connect with the Elijas family.

Remember the Elijas family? They aren’t as big as the Durochers, but they’re getting there. They are friends of Heather and mine from our Moody Bible Institute days and they are indigenous missionaries in Serbia.

They have visited our church several times and on their last visit while they were singing and sharing, Becky Forcey got a vision for a short-term team to go from our church to where they work and help out.

If you remember, Ernie Degrasse once went to Serbia to help the Elijas with a building project, too.

Our Missions Ministry Team has been praying and working for over a year now on the details, and I’m very excited about this opportunity. How many here, would you raise your hand high, are seriously considering going?

And it’s not too late for people to get involved. Talk with Becky Forcey about it.

We are going to formally interview and form the team on January 11th and then we’ll be telling you more about it including how you can be involved in raising the funds for this trip. On the last Sunday of July, we’re going to be doing verse 3. “Placing our hands on this team and sending them off.”

Now, here’s where they went.

The started at [where?] Antioch in Syria.

And verse 4 says that they went down to Seleucia, and then caught a boat for Cyprus.

Who was from Cyprus?

Barnabas was. So, the first trip was to somewhere familiar.

Why are they going on this trip? What is the point?

It’s to spread the gospel. Verse 5

“When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the Jewish synagogues. John was with them as their helper.”

Salamis is here on this end of the island.

They go to where the Jews are and proclaim the Messiah. They have a young man traveling with them named John (also called Mark, John Mark). He helps them with their needs.

Then they travel to the other end of the island to Paphos. Verse 6.

“They traveled through the whole island until they came to Paphos. There they met a Jewish sorcerer and false prophet named Bar-Jesus, who was an attendant of the proconsul, Sergius Paulus. The proconsul, an intelligent man, sent for Barnabas and Saul because he wanted to hear the word of God. But Elymas the sorcerer (for that is what his name means) opposed them and tried to turn the proconsul from the faith.”

Woo! Things are heating up all of a sudden.

I’m going to call this section:

#2. CLASHING WITH EVIL.

A Jewish sorcerer?! That’s two things that shouldn’t go together!

He is a false prophet named Bar-Jesus. What does that name mean in Hebrew?

Barnabas is Son of Encouragement.

Bar-Jesus would be Son of Jesus or Son of Salvation.

This guy is anything but! He’s trying to keep Sergius Paulus the proconsul (or governor) from the faith, from Christianity. From the truth.

Time to clash. V.9

“Then Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked straight at Elymas and said, ‘You are a child of the devil and an enemy of everything that is right! You are full of all kinds of deceit and trickery. Will you never stop perverting the right ways of the Lord? Now the hand of the Lord is against you. You are going to be blind, and for a time you will be unable to see the light of the sun.’ Immediately mist and darkness came over him, and he groped about, seeking someone to lead him by the hand.”

Woo-hoo!

That clash didn’t take long.

From here on in the story, Saul is called Paul. Apparently from verse 9, we find that Paul was Saul’s other name.

And here Paul is filled with the Holy Spirit and is bold to clash with the forces of evil.

You are not Bar-Jesus. You are Bar-Diabolos. Son of the devil.

He has strong words, doesn’t he?

There are times for strong words, especially in the face of great evil.

And the end result is that Elymas goes blind. Paul must have thought about how he was blind after he saw the light.

And the proconsul, Sergius Paulus also sees the light. Verse 12.

“When the proconsul saw what had happened, he believed, for he was amazed at the teaching about the Lord.”

Notice that it wasn’t just the power that Paul showed but the teaching that convinced Sergius Paulus to become a beliver.

Now, I think that this guy is the first Gentile convert who wasn’t a seeker in any way.

Not a proselyte like the Ethiopian treasury official nor a God-fearer like Cornelius.

This was just a plain old Gentile out on a island.

But he believes! That’s awesome. That’s you and me.

Praise God for those who are willing to clash with evil in the name of the Lord Jesus.

But our journey is just getting started. V.13

“From Paphos, Paul and his companions sailed to Perga in Pamphylia, where John left them to return to Jerusalem.”

Now, take note of that. We aren’t going to talk about it today, but it becomes a point of contention eventually between these guys.

They are here at Perga and they go on to the Antioch here. This was Pisidian Antioch, not Syrian Antioch. There were 16 Antiochs in the ancient world named for a ruler called Antiochus.

This is the one here that Paul and Barnabas travel to. Notice that Paul has clearly become the leader. I think that’s fine by Barnabas. He knows who is the greater teacher and the one who has the greater calling on his life. V.14

“From Perga they went on to Pisidian Antioch. On the Sabbath they entered the synagogue and sat down. After the reading from the Law and the Prophets, the synagogue rulers sent word to them, saying, ‘Brothers, if you have a message of encouragement for the people, please speak.’”

That’s all the encouragement that Paul needs! He launches into a gospel presentation.

#3. PREACHING THE GOSPEL.

Now, I want you to notice how Paul never gives the gospel the same way twice. He does things in similar ways in similar situations, but he’s always tailoring his presentation to those whom he is talking to.

I think we can learn a lot by how he talks about the gospel. He presents it here among the Jews, as a story. Their story. V.16

“Standing up, Paul motioned with his hand and said: ‘Men of Israel and you Gentiles who worship God, listen to me! The God of the people of Israel chose our fathers; he made the people prosper during their stay in Egypt, with mighty power he led them out of that country, he endured their conduct for about forty years in the desert, he overthrew seven nations in Canaan and gave their land to his people as their inheritance. All this took about 450 years. ‘After this, God gave them judges until the time of Samuel the prophet. Then the people asked for a king, and he gave them Saul son of Kish, of the tribe of Benjamin, who ruled forty years. After removing Saul, he made David their king. He testified concerning him: 'I have found David son of Jesse a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do.'”

Stop there for just a second. Do you see what he’s doing?

He just preached Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, and most of 1 Samuel in just 6 verses!

It can be done.

He’s starting with what they know, especially the promises that God had given the Jewish people. Where’s he going?

He’s going to Jesus. V.22 again.

“After removing Saul, he made David their king. He testified concerning him: 'I have found David son of Jesse a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do.' ‘From this man's descendants God has brought to Israel the Savior Jesus, as he promised.”

Now, he’s got their attention. He skips 1000 years between David and Jesus and explains his point. V.24

“Before the coming of Jesus, John preached repentance and baptism to all the people of Israel. As John was completing his work, he said: 'Who do you think I am? I am not that one. No, but he is coming after me, whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.' Brothers, children of Abraham, and you God-fearing Gentiles, it is to us that this message of salvation has been sent. The people of Jerusalem and their rulers did not recognize Jesus [he came to that which was his own but his own received him not], yet in condemning him they fulfilled the words of the prophets that are read every Sabbath. Though they found no proper ground for a death sentence, they asked Pilate to have him executed. When they had carried out all that was written about him [read Isaiah 53!], they took him down from the tree and laid him in a tomb. But God raised him from the dead, and for many days he was seen by those who had traveled with him from Galilee to Jerusalem. They are now his witnesses to our people [There’s that word “witnesses” again!]. We tell you the good news [the gospel!]: What God promised our fathers he has fulfilled for us, their children, by raising up Jesus. As it is written in the second Psalm: ‘'You are my Son; today I have become your Father.' The fact that God raised him from the dead, never to decay, is stated in these words: ‘'I will give you the holy and sure blessings promised to David.' So it is stated elsewhere: ‘'You will not let your Holy One see decay.' ‘For when David had served God's purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep; he was buried with his fathers and his body decayed. But the one whom God raised from the dead did not see decay.”

There is a lot there, and I’m not going to repeat it all for you, but just check your footnotes to see how much Scripture Paul used in this little sermon.

The whole Old Testament pointed to Jesus.

And (v.32), “What God promised [the Jewish] fathers he has fulfilled ... by raising up Jesus.”

And now, Paul brings it home. V.38

“‘Therefore, my brothers, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. Through him everyone who believes is justified from everything you could not be justified from by the law of Moses. [That’s been the point of our study of Galatians all Fall in adult Sunday School.] Take care that what the prophets have said does not happen to you: ‘'Look, you scoffers, wonder and perish, for I am going to do something in your days that you would never believe, even if someone told you.'’”

It’s the same gospel that we preach today.

Turn from your sins and trust in the Savior!

And you will be forgiven.

Verse 38 again, “I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. Through him everyone who believes is justified from everything you could not be justified from by the law of Moses.”

That message never gets old.

Just think about it.

Every sin that you have committed. Every lie, every lust, every dishonoring of parents, every covetous thought, every idolatrous choice, every angry word.

Every sin forgiven. “I want you to know that through Jesus [what he did on the cross, by his resurrection] the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. Through him everyone who believes is justified from everything you could not be justified from by the law of Moses.”

That’s the best news in all of the world.

Do you believe it?

Have you come to believe this gospel?

Are you forgiven? Are you living as a forgiven man or woman or child?

Don’t scoff at it. V.40 again.

“Take care that what the prophets have said does not happen to you: ‘'Look, you scoffers, wonder and perish, for I am going to do something in your days that you would never believe, even if someone told you.'’”

Don’t be like that. Don’t say, “Couldn’t happen. Nobody comes back from the dead. Not three days later.” Don’t say, “Couldn’t happen to me. I’m too far gone to be forgiven.”

Believe the gospel and be saved!

And then preach that gospel to those who desperately need to hear it. V.42

“As Paul and Barnabas were leaving the synagogue, the people invited them to speak further about these things on the next Sabbath. [They are interested.] When the congregation was dismissed, many of the Jews and devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, who talked with them and urged them to continue in the grace of God.”

But that’s not all they encountered.

#5. WITHSTANDING OPPOSITION. V.44

“On the next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord. When the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and talked abusively against what Paul was saying.”

Not everyone is happy about this gospel of Jesus Christ.

There will be opposition. There will be persecution. There will be rejection.

We have to be ready for that. Paul and Barnabas were.

“Then Paul and Barnabas answered them boldly: ‘We had to speak the word of God to you first. Since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles. For this is what the Lord has commanded us: ‘'I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.'’”

“When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and honored the word of the Lord; and all who were appointed for eternal life believed. The word of the Lord spread through the whole region.”

“ But the Jews incited the God-fearing women of high standing and the leading men of the city. They stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them from their region. So they shook the dust from their feet in protest against them and went to Iconium. And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.”

Not long ago, Paul was persecuting Christians.

Now, Paul is a persecuted Christian.

This is often what happens when Paul comes to town: trouble.

And we need to expect it.

This last week, the United States Supreme Court declined to hear the appeal of the churches of New York City who have been meeting in public schools throughout the city.

You know that real estate is impossibly expensive in New York.

There are 60 churches that have been renting space from the city for their worship services. The city contends that “churches meeting [inside public schools] outside school hours inappropriately influence children.”

That’s a true story. That’s happening now. They have until February 12th to find somewhere else to meet.

Some of those churches have been meeting there for more than 25 years.

Now, I don’t say that to get all political. (We could talk about why this is and what the best responses would be.)

I say that to prepare you and me for what is inevitable in this world.

The clash between those who share the gospel and those who oppose it.

We just have to be ready to withstand opposition to the gospel.

And keep preaching it!

Because God has plans to use it to save people. Look again at verse 48.

“When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and honored the word of the Lord; and all who were appointed for eternal life believed. The word of the Lord spread through the whole region.”

I love that. I love all of the different ways that Luke uses to talk about conversion and salvation.

Here is it “all who were appointed for eternal life believed.”

Bring on the opposition. It can’t stop God’s saving purpose in this missionary journey.

All who are appointed for eternal life will believe.

God is sovereign over it.

#5. WELCOMING NEW BELIEVERS.

“The word of the Lord spread through the whole region.”

You can’t stop it.

You can’t stop the gospel of Jesus Christ.

The withstanding of opposition and the welcoming of new believers happen at the same time!

No wonder that after they leave, shaking the dusty from their feet in protest, they are (v.52), “filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.”

Because He’s at work. He sent them, and He goes with them.

And He’s with us today, as well.

We’re going to leave Paul and Barnabas in Iconium and come back to them next week.

But let’s ask ourselves whether or not we’re willing:

To be sent or to send.
To clash with evil.
To preach the gospel of forgiveness in Jesus Christ.
To withstand opposition with faith and love.
And to welcome new believers with joy.

If so, then we are on mission ourselves.

Messages So Far In this Series:

You Will Be My Witnesses
Before Pentecost

The Day of Pentecost

No Other Name
Snapshots of the Early Church
Stephen
Philip
Saul
Even the Gentiles
Are We Willing?

[Matt's Messages] "Are We Willing?"

2011-12-04T13:16:00.000-05:00

“Are We Willing?”
From Jerusalem to Pennsylvania: The Book of Acts
December 4, 2011
Acts 11:19-12:25
We’re continuing our study of the book of Acts that we’re calling, “From Jerusalem to Pennsylvania.”

Jesus told his disciples the Holy Spirit would empower them to be His witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth. Even here.

And we’ve been seeing that happen as we’ve read each chapter.

The gospel exploded in Jerusalem and spread even to the half-breeds in Samaria and then even to the ... whom? Gentiles. That’s what we saw last week, even the Gentiles are turning to Christ.

And God has used some pretty unusual methods to spread the gospel message, including persecution.

When Stephen was martyred, the believers were scattered, but they were not stopped in sharing the gospel. The gospel began to penetrate into places that it had never been before.

That’s a big part of today’s story, especially in chapter 11. We are introduced to another major local church in the city of Antioch in Syria. A great church that is a model for all of us.

And in chapter 12, we get a terrific story of answered prayer and the need for humility.

I was having a hard time tying all of the things in these two chapters together to make it into a good sermon, when I realized that I had been asking myself a question as I read the passage over and over.

“Are We Willing?”

Are you and I willing to do the sorts of things that we see the early church doing here in these two chapters?

Are we willing to go through what they went through?
Are we willing to suffer what they suffered?

Are we willing?

Because I don’t think we’ll be at all blessed the way they were unless our hearts lean in that direction.

I actually came up with six “Are We Willing” questions of application for us to think about as we read Acts 11:19 through 12:25.

Here’s the first question.

#1. ARE WE WILLING TO SPREAD THE WORD TO EVERYONE?

Acts 11:19.

“Now those who had been scattered by the persecution in connection with Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, telling the message only to Jews.”

That last phrase is a surprise, isn’t it?

These folks who are nameless missionaries carrying the gospel of Jesus haven’t gotten the memo yet about Acts chapter 10. Even the Gentiles!

These folks are scattered by the persecution that came when Stephen died. Remember that chapter 7 and the first bit of chapter 8?

Here’s a map for you.

Here’s Jerusalem.
Where is Phoenecia? It’s along this coast here. Modern day Lebanon.

Cyprus is this island right here. Interesting fact, Heather’s cousin used to be a professional volleyball player on the island of Cyrpus.

And Syrian Antioch (not Pisidian Antioch, we’ll get to that place later in the book, Syrian Antioch is right about here).

The gospel has really moved.

But it needs to go to everyone. Not just to the Jews. V.20

“Some of them, however, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began to speak to Greeks also, telling them the good news about the Lord Jesus.”

Look how far they were from home.

Cyprus again. And where is Cyrene?

It’s over here in northern Africa.

It’s probable that the those believers were Jews present at Pentecost and are now disciples of Jesus forced to be on the move.

These nameless missionaries take the gospel to everyone. Even to the Greeks. V.21

“The Lord's hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord. News of this reached the ears of the church at Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch.”

Remember Barnabas?

What did his nickname mean? Son of Encouragement. Guess what he’s going to do. V.23

“When he arrived and saw the evidence of the grace of God, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts. He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord.”

Are we willing to spread the word to EVERYone?

Barnabas was and he was glad that they were doing it in Antioch.

But the new church needed good teaching, and Barnabas thought he knew who would be the best for them. That old murderer Saul. V.25

“Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, [Tarsus is about here.] and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.”

Second question coming out of that last sentence.

#2. ARE WE WILLING TO WEAR JESUS’ NAME?

Verse 26 says, “The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.”

What were they called before?

Disciples of Jesus.
The Way.
Other names.

I think that this one was supposed to be an insult or at least a joke.

I get the feel from this verse that it was outsiders who called the disciples Christians not insiders.

“Oh, those are the Christ-ians!”

They think Jesus came back from the dead.

They think they are like Christ.

They belong to the Messiah, the Christ.

They’re Christians.”

Another name was needed because they weren’t just Jews anymore, either. Oh, those are just some Jews for Jesus.

No, they need their own name. Let’s call them “Christians.”

Are we willing to wear Jesus’ name?

Most of us are when it’s convenient.

What if it gets downright inconvenient?

Verse 27.

“During this time some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. One of them, named Agabus, stood up and through the Spirit predicted that a severe famine would spread over the entire Roman world. (This happened during the reign of Claudius.) The disciples, each according to his ability, decided to provide help for the brothers living in Judea. This they did, sending their gift to the elders by Barnabas and Saul.”

Here’s the question for this one?

#3. ARE WE WILLING TO HELP OTHER CHRISTIANS IN NEED?

This is a really cool way to find out about trouble–before it happens.

Agabus brings a prophecy that a famine was on the way, and apparently, Judea was going to be hit the worst, and the Christians there were, many of them, living in poverty.

And the church at Antioch steps up to the plate.

They take up a collection, “each according to his ability,” and sent help to the brothers in Judea. And they sent it by way of Barnabas and Saul.

That’s Christian generosity.

Are we willing to help other Christians in need?

This Christmas season is a great time to consider whom we might reach out and help.

Fourth question:

#4. ARE WE WILLING TO DIE FOR JESUS?

That’s truly wearing His name.

And it happened, down in Judea to the apostle James. Chapter 12, verse 1.

“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.”

If you ever wondered how King Herod lived so long, it was by naming his whole family Herod like George Foreman.

This is actually the grandson of Herod the Great who was the Herod who tried to kill the baby Jesus.

And it is the nephew of Herod Antipas, who was the Herod who conspired to kill the adult Jesus.

Now, he’s killing Jesus’ followers.

James.

Not James who wrote the epistle with that name, one of Mary and Joseph’s other sons.

But James the brother of John. One of the sons of thunder.

His thunder was now over. Off with his head.

Following Jesus can mean death.

Are we willing?

Do we believe that He is worth it?

Peter did. V.3

“When he [that is Herod] saw that this pleased the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also. This happened during the Feast 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.”

And take off Peter’s head, too.

That’s the risk we run when we follow a King who allowed Himself to be crucified.

Ask yourself the question, “Are we willing to die for the name of Jesus?”

Are we willing to live for Him?

Now, what happens next is one of the best, funniest stories in the whole book of Acts.

If you don’t know what happens, you’re in a for treat.

If you do already know, pretend you don’t.

Remember, James just lost his head. Hope is lost. Herod is taking over. Peter is in prison with four squads of four guards each. V.5

“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.”

Wait just one second.

How do you think Peter answered this question? “Am I willing to die for Jesus?”

Notice what Peter is doing the night before his execution?

Sleeping. That’s a picture of faith, I think. I love this next part. V.7

“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. [Jailbreak!] 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.”

And Peter woke up. He’s like being sleep-rescued!

“Then Peter came to himself and said, ‘Now I know without a doubt that the Lord sent his angel and rescued me from Herod's clutches and from everything the Jewish people were anticipating.’ When this had dawned on him, he went to the house of Mary the mother of John, also called Mark, where many people had gathered and were praying. Peter knocked at the outer entrance, and a servant girl named Rhoda came to answer the door.”

I love the detail. Rhoda was her name.

Knock, knock, knock.

“When she recognized Peter's voice, she was so overjoyed she ran back without opening it and exclaimed, ‘Peter is at the door!’ ‘You're out of your mind,’ they told her. When she kept insisting that it was so, they said, ‘It must be his angel.’ But Peter kept on knocking, and when they opened the door and saw him, they were astonished. Peter motioned with his hand for them to be quiet and described how the Lord had brought him out of prison. ‘Tell James and the brothers about this,’ he said, and then he left for another place.”

To an undisclosed location.

Here’s the question for application:

#5. ARE WE WILLING TO EXPECT GOD TO ANSWER OUR PRAYERS?

I think that Luke includes this story at least in part to humorously poke fun at how we often act.

What are the doing at Mary’s house?

They are praying for Peter’s release.

What do they do when they hear that he’s at the door? V.15

“You’re out of your mind!”
“Well, it must be his [guardian] angel.”

Because we all know that guardian angels look and sound just like the people they guard? What?

They prayed earnestly and God answered their prayers.

But they didn’t expect it. At least, they didn’t expect how great the release was.

But we serve a God “who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us...”

“Peter is at the door.”

“Thank you, Lord.”

Now, that doesn’t mean that God will always do what we ask.

I’m SURE that they prayed for James’ release, too.

But we cannot be fatalistic thinking that prayer does no good.

God answers prayer!

And we should eagerly expect good answers. Amen?

Does that encourage you to pray again today?

I hope so.

One more question and we’re done. It comes out of this last story about Herod. V.18

“In the morning [back at the ranch], there was no small commotion among the soldiers as to what had become of Peter. [Ya think?] After Herod had a thorough search made for him and did not find him, he cross-examined the guards and ordered that they be executed. [You lose a prisoner, you get what they had coming.]Then Herod went from Judea to Caesarea and stayed there a while. He had been quarreling with the people of Tyre and Sidon; they now joined together and sought an audience with him. Having secured 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.”

We won’t get into the politics here, but you can get a sense of what was going on.

Herod was full of himself. And it showed. V.21

“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.”

Yuck.

The historian Josephus tells us that on this day, Herod grabbed his stomach and fell down dead.

Apparently, it was deadly intestinal worms that did him in.

But we know that it was God.

Herod was full of himself and was eager to think of himself as a god.

When the crowd of that great television show, Caeserean Idol, started chanting, “Herod! Herod! Herod! This is the voice of a god, not a man.”

Herod just smiled and took it in. And God took him out.

Here’s the question.

#6. ARE WE WILLING TO PASS THE PRAISE TO GOD?

It’s easy to get full of yourself.

We are spring loaded to be loaded up with pride.

But God opposes the proud and gives grace to the humble. V.24

“But the word of God continued to increase and spread. When Barnabas and Saul had finished their mission, they returned from Jerusalem, taking with them John, also called Mark.”

And that sets us up for the first missionary journey of this amazing team.

Messages So Far In this Series:

You Will Be My Witnesses
Before Pentecost

The Day of Pentecost

No Other Name
Snapshots of the Early Church
Stephen
Philip
Saul
Even the Gentiles

In the Mail!

2011-12-02T13:59:00.000-05:00

I killed a tree or two today.

I printed out the four copies of my project and put them in the mail (and kept one for myself). After it was all said and done, each copy was 310 pages from cover to cover -- 1550 pages! They are in three ring binders and have been surrendered to the USPS.

Can I take a nap now?

Ready to Submit!

2011-12-01T17:01:00.000-05:00

Rejoice with me!

My doctoral project is now ready to submit!

This afternoon I talked with my advisor who agreed that everything seems in order to print it out and send in the copies to the school.

Hard to believe that first writing day was just 331 days ago when I wrote:

Counting today, there are 331 days until December 1st.

December 1st is my "deadline" for turning in my Applied Research Project to Westminster Theological Seminary if I want to graduate in May of 2012.

And today's the 1st. How's that for timing?

December 1st was my own deadline. The school's deadline is December 15th, so I have a little bit of time left, but it won't be needed. Hooray! Thank you for praying me through this process. Thank, you, Lord, for your grace and blessings!

Tomorrow, I'll check it all over one last time, print out four copies (about 1300 pages), three-hole punch it, and put it in the mail to WTS (for the next/last few steps leading up to a May 24th graduation).

And then, breathe a big sigh of relief....

Photo by Nate Weatherly

[Matt's Messages] "Even the Gentiles"

2011-11-27T13:00:00.000-05:00

“Even the Gentiles”
From Jerusalem to Pennsylvania: The Book of Acts
November 27, 2011
Acts 9:32-11:18

For those of you who were participating in “the guess the title contest” that we weren’t really having, the title of this message is not Peter or Aeneas or Dorcas or even Cornelius.

It is this: “Even the Gentiles.”

And I get that from the NIV’s rendering of Acts 11:18 which will be our last verse this morning: “So then, God has granted even the Gentiles repentance unto life.”

Even the Gentiles.

So far, in our study of the book of Acts, the gospel has spread like wildfire in Jerusalem and in Judea and even in Samaria. We’ve seen that in Acts 1-8.

And in chapter 8, we also saw the gospel of Jesus Christ spread to a proselyte, the Ethiopian treasury official who was probably Gentile but had apparently converted to Judaism.

But now in Acts chapter 9, after the arrest and salvation of Saul, we are going to see the gospel of Jesus Christ move beyond Jews and half-breed Jews and converts to Judaism to bona fide Gentiles.

And that is amazing.

You and I don’t truly comprehend the barrier that existed between Jew and Gentile.

The observant, pious, godly Jew was supposed to be separate from all things Gentile.

But that is about to change.

And the change is orchestrated by the Holy Spirit of God.

God’s empowering presence – the Holy Spirit orchestrates a plan to connect a Gentile who is ripe for gospel harvest and the lead apostle of Jesus Christ who brings the gospel with him.

That apostle’s name is Peter, and the story turns to him in verse 32.

It’s been several chapters since we were with the apostle Peter. Verse 32 picks up Peter’s trail. He’s traveling in the north of Israel along the seaboard and sharing the gospel and seeing God heal people. V.32

“As Peter traveled about the country, he went to visit the saints in Lydda. There he found a man named Aeneas, a paralytic who had been bedridden for eight years. ‘Aeneas,’ Peter said to him, ‘Jesus Christ heals you. Get up and take care of your mat.’ Immediately Aeneas got up. All those who lived in Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord.”

How exciting!

Healed by the name of Jesus. The power of God is still present and operating through Peter. And people are seeing that and turning to Jesus.

Next, Joppa. That city where Jonah got into his trouble. V.36

“In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (which, when translated, is Dorcas), who was always doing good and helping the poor. About that time she became sick and died, and her body was washed and placed in an upstairs room. Lydda was near Joppa; so when the disciples heard that Peter was in Lydda, they sent two men to him and urged him, ‘Please come at once!’ Peter went with them, and when he arrived he was taken upstairs to the room. All the widows stood around him, crying and showing him the robes and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was still with them.”

Dorcas must have been a wonderful saint. She cared for people in extremely practical ways. The Lord loves that kind of ministry! V.40

“Peter sent them all out of the room; then he got down on his knees and prayed. Turning toward the dead woman, he said, ‘Tabitha, get up.’ She opened her eyes, and seeing Peter she sat up. He took her by the hand and helped her to her feet. Then he called the believers and the widows and presented her to them alive. This became known all over Joppa, and many people believed in the Lord. Peter stayed in Joppa for some time with a tanner named Simon.”

And that exciting day leads up to this next story.

Simon Peter is living in Joppa with the other Simon, Simon the tanner.

And the Holy Spirit orchestrates the genuine spread of the gospel even to the Gentiles. Chapter 10, verse 1.

“At Caesarea [which is also in the North, not too far from Joppa] there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion in what was known as the Italian Regiment. He and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly.”

Cornelius is a Gentile.

He is God-fearing. He is generous. He is a good man, but he is a Gentile, not a Jew.

He is a Roman soldier. A commander of a group of 100 men known as the Boys from Italy.

Cornelius is a Gentile, and God has marked him out to be the bridge from the Jews to the Gentiles. V.3

“One day at about three in the afternoon he had a vision. He distinctly saw an angel of God, who came to him and said, ‘Cornelius!’ Cornelius stared at him in fear. ‘What is it, Lord?’ he asked. The angel answered, ‘Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God. Now send men to Joppa to bring back a man named Simon who is called Peter. He is staying with Simon the tanner, whose house is by the sea.’ When the angel who spoke to him had gone, Cornelius called two of his servants and a devout soldier who was one of his attendants. He told them everything that had happened and sent them to Joppa.”

Got it?

Do you see how the Holy Spirit is orchestrating this whole thing?

Day One: An angel tells Cornelius to send for Peter.

Day Two: While the 3 men from Cornelius are traveling, the Holy Spirit talks to Peter. V.9

“About noon the following day as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray. He became hungry and wanted something to eat, and while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance. He saw heaven opened and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners.”

I’ve said it before that I always imagine this sheet to be red and white checks.

It’s time for Peter’s Picnic. V.12

“It contained all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles of the earth and birds of the air. Then a voice told him, ‘Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.’ ‘Surely not, Lord!’ Peter replied. ‘I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.’”

Do you have the picture in your mind?

Peter’s hungry. And a giant picnic cloth from heaven drops down and has every animal that Leviticus forbids Peter to eat.

But God Himself says, “Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.”

What’s going on?

I know one thing. It’s never smart to say, “Surely not, Lord!”

“No” and “Lord” don’t go in the same sentence together!

“I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.”

Good for you. Do it know. V.15

“The voice spoke to him a second time, ‘Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.’ This happened three times, and immediately the sheet was taken back to heaven.”

Three times!

“Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.”
“Surely not, Lord.”

“Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.”
“Surely not, Lord.”

“Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.”
“Surely not, Lord.”

“Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.”
“Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.”
“Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.”

What’s going on?

Is this about food? Well, yes and no. It’s about food and more than food.

It’s about people.

The Holy Spirit’s timing is perfect. V.17

“While Peter was wondering about the meaning of the vision, the men sent by Cornelius found out where Simon's house was and stopped at the gate. They called out, asking if Simon who was known as Peter was staying there. While Peter was still thinking about the vision, the Spirit said to him, ‘Simon, three men are looking for you. So get up and go downstairs. Do not hesitate to go with them, for I have sent them.’”

And guess what? They are not Jews.

“Peter went down and said to the men, ‘I'm the one you're looking for. Why have you come?’ The men replied, ‘We have come from Cornelius the centurion. He is a righteous and God-fearing man, who is respected by all the Jewish people. A holy angel told him to have you come to his house so that he could hear what you have to say.’ Then Peter invited the men into the house to be his guests.”

That’s amazing! That itself is amazing. That he would invite these Gentiles in to stay for hospitality. But it gets better than that. V.23

“The next day Peter started out with them, and some of the brothers from Joppa went along [witnessess]. The following day he arrived in Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends. [Something big is going to happen.] As Peter entered the house, Cornelius met him and fell at his feet in reverence. But Peter made him get up. ‘Stand up,’ he said, ‘I am only a man myself.’”

And both of us are here because of the Holy Spirit. V.27

“Talking with him, Peter went inside and found a large gathering of people. He said to them: ‘You are well aware that it is against our law for a Jew to associate with a Gentile or visit him. But God has shown me that I should not call any man impure or unclean.”

Did you catch that?

Peter has figured out the meaning of the vision, the meaning of the picnic.

“Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.”
“Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.”

“Do not call anyone impure that God has made clean.”

God is doing something new. V.29

“So when I was sent for, I came without raising any objection. May I ask why you sent for me?’ Cornelius answered: ‘Four days ago I was in my house praying at this hour, at three in the afternoon. Suddenly a man in shining clothes stood before me and said, 'Cornelius, God has heard your prayer and remembered your gifts to the poor. Send to Joppa for Simon who is called Peter. He is a guest in the home of Simon the tanner, who lives by the sea.' So I sent for you immediately, and it was good of you to come. Now we are all here in the presence of God to listen to everything the Lord has commanded you to tell us.’”

Can you feel his anticipation?

Here we are. We’re ready to listen to everything the Lord has commanded you to tell us.

Give us the gospel!

Okay. Here it is.

“Then Peter began to speak: ‘I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism
but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right. You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, telling the good news [gospel] of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. You know what has happened throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached–how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him. We are witnesses [there’s our word again!] of everything he did in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They killed him by hanging him on a tree, 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 [witness] 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.’”

That’s the gospel, friends.

And it’s going to the Gentiles.

“You will be my witnesses, in Jerusalem, in Judean and Samaria and to the ends of the earth.” v.44

“While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message [and believed!]. The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles. [Remember when that happened on the Samaritans a couple of weeks ago in Acts 8?] For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God [this is FOR REAL]. Then Peter said, ‘Can anyone keep these people from being baptized with water? They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.’ So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days.”

They were baptized.

Not circumcised. Baptized.

They didn’t become Jews.

They became Christians.

Even the Gentiles!

Now, notice that they still needed the gospel.

Even though Cornelius was a pretty good man, upstanding, generous, seeking God in some real ways, it took the gospel of Jesus Christ and the baptism of the Holy Spirit for them to be saved.

Even Cornelius needed the gospel–but he got it and was saved!

And baptized. If you have never stepped forward in baptism, I want you to notice how important it is in the Bible, especially in Acts.

“Can anyone keep these people from being baptized with water?” (V.47). They are genuine believers just like us. And genuine believers get baptized with water when they believe.

Even the Gentiles.

Now, we’re not done yet. What Peter has done will be controversial.

There will be people who are Jewish Christians who are not going to be happy with Peter’s actions. They will need some convincing. Chapter 11, verse 1.

“The apostles and the brothers 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.’”

What. Were. You. Thinking?!!

Peter says, “I know, I know, I thought that the same thing, but let me tell you the story. V.4

“Peter began and explained everything to them precisely as it had happened: ‘I was in the city of Joppa praying, and in a trance I saw a vision. I saw something like a large sheet being let down from heaven by its four corners, and it came down to where I was. I looked into it and saw four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, reptiles, and birds of the air. Then I heard a voice telling me, 'Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.' ‘I replied, 'Surely not, Lord! Nothing impure or unclean has ever entered my mouth.'”

“‘The voice spoke from heaven a second time, 'Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.' This happened three times, and then it was all pulled up to heaven again. ‘Right then three men who had been sent to me from Caesarea stopped at the house where I was staying. The Spirit told me to have no hesitation about going with them. These six brothers also went with me, and we entered the man's house. He told us how he had seen an angel appear in his house and say, 'Send to Joppa for Simon who is called Peter. He will bring you a message through which you and all your household will be saved.' ‘As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit came on them as he had come on us at the beginning. Then I remembered what the Lord had said: 'John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.'

So if God gave them the same gift as he gave us, who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to think that I could oppose God?’

When they heard this, they had no further objections and praised God, saying, ‘So then, God has granted even the Gentiles repentance unto life.’”

Three questions as points of application this morning.

#1. EVEN US? GIVE THANKS THAT YOU HAVE BEEN INCLUDED!

I think that it’s easy to miss the fact that the picnic was about you and me here in Pennsylvania.

How many here are Jewish?

Anyone?

One tenth? One hundredth? Anybody know?

Acts 10 should be one of our favorite passages in the whole Bible.

Because this is where we come in.

Now, of course, God has always had a heart for the Gentiles. The whole point of Israel was to be a light to the Gentiles.

But it didn’t always work that way.

And before this point, you had to come into Judaism to come under God’s wings.

But now the even the Gentiles have been granted repentance unto life.

Even—you and me.

I wonder how many of us when we sat down to our Thanksgiving meals this last week gave thanks that we are included in the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ.

It’s not a forgone conclusion. It’s not something to be taken for granted.

It is all grace.

Even us. Give thanks that you have been included.

Thank you, Lord!

#2. EVEN THEM? ACCEPT THOSE WHO ARE VERY DIFFERENT FROM YOU.

I think that the lesson that Peter learned has a broader application than just that Jews should accept Gentiles as genuine Christians.

The Lord pounded this into Peter’s head:

“Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.”
“Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.”
“Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.”

But we do that all of the time when we fail to love other Christians who are different than we are.

Maybe they believe some minor point of doctrine differently than we do.
Maybe their skin color looks different than ours does.
Maybe they are rich or they are poor.
Both sets of those people enjoy excluding one another.

Maybe they talk different or have different traditions they practice.

Maybe they just get on our nerves.

But they are our brothers and sisters in Christ.

The ground is level at the foot of the Cross.

Acts 10:28, “God has shown me that I should not call any man impure or unclean.”

Accept those, as brothers and sisters, who are very different from you.

That does assume that you are a believer.

That’s our last point today.

#3. EVEN ME? TURN TO JESUS TODAY.

You might think that you are too far for Him to reach, but you are not.

He makes the lame to walk and the dead to rise again!

Be like Cornelius and his friends and family and those folks in Lydda and Joppa.

Turn from sin and trust in Jesus, and you will be saved.

Come to Him, and you will be made clean.

That’s what he was doing when (chapter 10, verse 39), “they killed him by hanging on a tree, but God raised him from the dead on the third day and cause him to be seen.”

Turn from sin and believe in Jesus today.

Chapter 10, verse 43, “All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”

Even the Gentiles.

Messages So Far In this Series:

You Will Be My Witnesses
Before Pentecost

The Day of Pentecost

No Other Name
Snapshots of the Early Church
Stephen
Philip
Saul

[Matt's Messages] "Saul"

2011-11-20T13:28:00.000-05:00

“Saul”
From Jerusalem to Pennsylvania: The Book of Acts
November 20, 2011
Acts 9:1-31
Two week’s ago’s message was titled “Stephen.”

Last week’s message was titled “Philip.”

After church last week, someone told me, “I know what next week’s sermon is called.”

“What?”

“Saul.”

And that’s right.

Today’s message is about that murderous young man who was bent on destroying the fledgling church of Jesus Christ. Jesus said, “You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth.”

And Saul said, “Not if I have anything to say about it!”

We met this “beast” two weeks ago when Stephen was stoned. Saul was there. He was holding the coats of those who were pitching rocks at an innocent man.

And the Bible tell us that Saul was giving approval to his death.

“Yes! Yes! Let’s stomp out these Jesus freaks.”

More than that, Saul was dragging men and women out of their homes and tossing them into prison for believing in Jesus.

We’re going to see that he has not stopped. He has only gotten worse.

But something is going to happen to change all of that.

Chapter 9, verse 1.

“Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord's disciples. He went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem.” Stop there for a second.

Saul has been very active as a persecutor of the church.

And successful. He’s tossed a lot of believers into the slammer.

Remember last week we read that the church had been scattered in this great persecution. And probably the greatest persecutor is Saul.

Saul is on a mission to stamp out the church.

And he’s willing to travel for it.

Damascus is 150 miles from Jerusalem, and in Syria, not even in Israel.

He gets authority to extradite Jesus-followers from faraway Syria and drag them back Jerusalem for trial. No one is safe from his clutches.

The church is scared of Saul. He is enemy #1.

And so Paul heads up the road to Damascus to make some arrests.

...But Saul is the one gets arrested. V.3

“As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?’ ‘Who are you, Lord?’ Saul asked. ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,’ he replied. ‘Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.’” Stop there for a second.

What a moment!

This story is told three times in the book of Acts. Three times! It must be pretty important.

In one of the times, he says that the light from heaven in verse 3 was brighter than the sun.

All of sudden, Saul is surrounded by flashing light, brighter than the sun and he can’t see a thing, but he can hear something.

Someone asks him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”

Now, notice something there. Very important to note.

We are Jesus’ body.

When you persecute the church of Jesus Christ, you are persecuting Jesus Christ.

He doesn’t say, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting my church?” He could have. It would have been true.

He says, “Saul, Sual, why are you persecuting me?”

That how intimately Jesus associates Himself with us. Chew on that for a while.

Saul could probably guess who is speaking, but he asks anyway, just to make sure.

“Who are you, Lord?”

“I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. Now, get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” v.7

“The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. [He saw the light and it was blinding.] So they led him by the hand into Damascus. For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything.”

Isn’t that interesting?

Saul was arrested by Jesus.

He had planned to come roaring into Damascus to root out the followers of Christ.

And instead, he comes limping into Damascus, blind and helpless.

And for three days he fasted and prayed. I think they were prayers of repentance and new faith.

Next step. V.10

“In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, ‘Ananias!’ ‘Yes, Lord,’ he answered. The Lord told him, ‘Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.’”

Uhhhh.

“‘Lord,’ Ananias answered, ‘I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your saints in Jerusalem. And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.’”

Did you know about that Lord?

I’m just checking here, Lord. I’m not saying, “No.”

I’m just checking to make sure that I’m hearing you right.

Did you say, “Go to Saul?” V.15

“But the Lord said to Ananias, ‘Go! This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel. I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.’”

That’s interesting, isn’t it?

Go, Ananias, and encourage Saul that he is my chosen instrument, and tell him that he will suffer. V.17

“Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, ‘Brother Saul, the Lord–Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here–has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.’ Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul's eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, and after taking some food, he regained his strength.” Stop there for a second.

I love that Ananias calls him “Brother.”

That’s the first time that Saul has ever been called “Brother” by a Christian.

And he will use that word again and again in his writings.

“Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus has sent me to you. See and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”

And Saul could sing, “I once was blind but now I see.”

Notice that Saul gets baptized soon after getting saved.

That’s the normal pattern. Becoming a Christian. Signify that with water baptism.

And then Saul did something that not all Christians do. He began to preach! V.19 again.

“Saul spent several days with the disciples in Damascus. At once he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God. All those who heard him were astonished and asked, ‘Isn't he the man who raised havoc in Jerusalem among those who call on this name? And hasn't he come here to take them as prisoners to the chief priests?’ [People can’t believe their ears.] Yet Saul grew more and more powerful and baffled the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Christ.”

This is not a flash-in-pan. This is no trick. Saul is convinced and converted and is seeking to win others to Christ.

But it’s not easy. V.23

“After many days had gone by, the Jews conspired to kill him, but Saul learned of their plan. Day and night they kept close watch on the city gates in order to kill him. But his followers took him by night and lowered him in a basket through an opening in the wall.”

What a ironic twist.

This is what Saul came to Damascus to do. And now, he’s the target.

Later, he comes to Jerusalem. V.26

“When he came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple.”

You can see their problem.

“But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus. So Saul stayed with them and moved about freely in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord. He talked and debated with the Grecian Jews, but they tried to kill him.”

Probably the same bunch who killed Stephen that he agreed with before. Now he’s the target. V.30

“When the brothers learned of this, they took him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus. [His home town.] Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace. It was strengthened; and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it grew in numbers, living in the fear of the Lord.”

That’s a healthy church!

“It was strengthened; and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it grew in numbers, living in the fear of the Lord.”

That is was a great gift to the church after the great persecution.

Now, what lessons can we draw from this passage of Scripture?

It’s very familiar.

It’s very important to the story of Acts. Because this man Saul is going to take the gospel to the ends of the earth.

The one who stood opposed to Jesus’ promise is the one of the key people to fulfill it.

I’d like to make four points of application this morning. More could be said. And will be as we will hear this story told two more times as we study Acts together.

But these are four for us today.

#1. THERE IS REAL HOPE FOR HARD CASES.

Saul was the least likely person to become a follower of Christ.

This guy was stomping out the followers of Christ.

Now, he is one.

How did that happen?

Notice. Jesus came looking for Saul, not the other way around.

It’s Jesus.

Saul was arrested by Jesus.

Do you have someone in your life that you despair of their ever becoming a Christian?

They are just too far gone, too hardened, too spiteful, too bitter.

They say that they don’t want anything to do with Jesus.

Well, that was Saul.

So, your hard case is not beyond the power of God.

Don’t stop praying.
Don’t stop looking for opportunities to reach out with the love of Christ.
Don’t stop sharing the gospel just because they are a hard case.

There is real hope for hard cases.

They can change through Jesus!

And that goes for you, too.

It doesn’t have to be somebody far away who thinks they are two hard a case for the Lord.

Could be somebody right here in this room.

Not everyone has a Damascus Road conversion.

Nobody else I know got knocked off a donkey or horse by a blinding light to become a Christian!

For many of us, it was a quiet thing that happened, and we can’t even tell you when.

But we know that Jesus did arrested, and now we believe in Him.

There is real hope for hard cases.

Don’t give up on them.

Ladies, is there a hard case in your life right now that you should be inviting to the Women’s Christmas Tea?

Don’t just invite your Christian girlfriends from other churches.

They have their own things.

Invite some hardened lady who is skeptical of all of this Jesus stuff.

Invite somebody who once went to church but decided that it was just full of hypocrites and quit.

Invite somebody who hates Jesus. You might be surprised at what happens next.

#2. BECOMING A BELIEVER MEANS ACCEPTING SUFFERING.

Did you notice that when Saul become a Christian his life got harder, not easier?

We do people a disservice when we communicate to them that trusting Jesus will make their life a whole lot easier.

In one sense, it does, of course. It gives us new joy and a new outlook on life and a great ending to our own personal stories that makes it all worth it.

But becoming a Christian also means that we become servants of Jesus. In the words of verse 15, His “chosen instruments.”

And v.16, “I will show [Saul] how much he must suffer for my name.”

It’s not a bed of roses.

Following Christ is worth it, but it is not easy.

It could mean getting dropped out of town in a basket.
It could mean running for your life.

Becoming a believer means accepting suffering.

Have you heard the Lord say that to you?

“I will show [him, her] how much [they] must suffer for my name.”

Have you accepted that part of being a Christian?

It’s actually hard to be a new Christian.

That’s why we have point #3.

#3. WE NEED TO BEFRIEND NEW BELIEVERS.

I don’t look down on Ananias or the disciples in Jerusalem for their skepticism.

V.26 “They were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple.”

But what would have happened if Ananias or Barnabas had not taken that risk?

They were brave to reach out to that former monster and call him brother.

And more than that, sponsor him with the other believers.

Now, most new believers aren’t like Saul was. They aren’t former persecutors of the church.

But it’s still not easy to be a newbie.

We need to reach out and welcome sinners into our midst.

This church is good at that.

I’ve seen this church love on new believers whom they would not naturally be attracted to.

Someone who comes from a bad background.

We welcome them.

The church is for sinners. The church is to be a hospital for sin-sick people, not a museum full of perfect exhibits.

Is there someone that you need to befriend? To reach out to and make sure they feel encouraged?

Let’s all be Ananiases and Barnabases.

And #4. JUST ONE NEW CHRISTIAN CAN MAKE A BIG IMPACT.

We have only just begun to see what Saul is going to do.

He’s going to be the first major missionary of the early church.

He’s going to end up writing 13 books of the New Testament.

We know him even better by the name “Paul.”

Just one person becoming a follower of Christ.

What kind of difference could that make?

All of the difference in the world.

Which brings me back to the question that we’ve been asking ourselves for the last few weeks.

“What is stopping you?”

What is stopping you and me from talking to others about Jesus?

We might only lead one person to faith in Christ.

But what if that person is the next Saul?

Just one new Christian can make a huge impact.

Let’s not give up.

Let’s not stop now.

Let’s be like this new Christian here in Acts 9 who wasn’t hardly a follower of Christ for a few days before he was telling others about Jesus.

This Thursday is Thanksgiving.

The thing we have most be thankful for this year is the same every year.

Jesus.

Jesus, who is the real hope for hard cases.
Jesus, who shows us how much we must suffer for his name, and how much He is worth it.
Jesus, who befriended sinners like us.
Jesus, who uses us to make a big impact if we will only just follow Him.

Let’s be thankful for Jesus.

Messages So Far In this Series:

You Will Be My Witnesses
Before Pentecost

The Day of Pentecost

No Other Name
Snapshots of the Early Church
Stephen
Philip

[Matt's Messages] "Philip"

2011-11-13T14:10:00.000-05:00

“Philip”

From Jerusalem to Pennsylvania: The Book of Acts
November 13, 2011
Acts 8:1-40
I’m going to continue in our series on the book of Acts, that I’m calling “From Jerusalem to Pennsylvania.”

But I almost didn’t.

This was such a tumultuous week for our community because of the events in Happy Valley, and I thought long and hard about a message entitled “The Bible and the Scandal at Penn State.”

I decided not to preach that message because I think we’re all fatigued from hearing and talking about it all week long. But I am concerned, as a pastor, that no one assume from my silence that God has nothing to say about these events.

In actuality, the Bible has the most important things to say about everything. And it gives us categories that help us to make sense out of life. The Bible’s teaching on sin, on responsibility, on justice, on suffering, on love. The Bible’s teaching on how the world is not as it should be but one day will be. The Bible’s teaching about the preciousness of the blood of Christ–able to make the foulest clean. The Bible’s teaching on idolatry anything that takes the place of God in our lives. The Bible’s teaching on the coming judgment when God will settle all outstanding accounts perfectly. Those teachings and more can give us the categories we need to understand our often confusing world.

If you want to talk more about that with me, that’s why I’m here.

I do want to give one more word of pastoral counsel about the whole thing–and that is, as Christians, we need to act and speak as Christians.

Very simple. My point is that we are not, first of all, Penn State. We are...Jesus’ people. That doesn’t mean that we can’t love Penn State or, if we are on the other side, despise Penn State. But our ultimate and most important allegiance is to Jesus.

And Jesus has a certain code of conduct and a code of speech that should rule the way we talk to others. And we can’t forget it as we vigorously debate or champion any cause.

What would Jesus do?
What would Jesus say?
What would Jesus have me do or say?

The answer may not always be obvious, but we need to ask those questions of ourselves and represent our Lord well–at work, at school, on Facebook, or wherever.

We don’t just speak for ourselves. We speak for Christ. And that’s huge.

Let’s turn now to the book of Acts. Chapter 8.

Last week, we studied chapter 7 and the title was simply, “Stephen.”

Stephen was chosen in chapter 6 as one of “the Seven,” administrative leaders who helped the church through an ethnic crisis. He was also a preacher who got in trouble for preaching about Jesus and then was killed for preaching about Jesus.

Today, our title will simply be “Philip.”

Philip was also one of the Seven.

And chapter 8 is about his ministry. It’s almost everything we know about him.

In chapter 21, we’ll find out that he had four unmarried daughters.

Poor fella probably never saw the inside of the bathroom at his house!

But other than that, everything we know about Philip comes from this chapter. Like Stephen, Philip is an important bridge character–he helps to bridge the story from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth.

Remember what Jesus said in chapter 1? “You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

And how far have we gotten up to this point in the book of Acts?

Well, pretty much we’re still in Jerusalem.

Big crowds, some opposition. Some warnings, some floggings, and now Stephen has become a martyr. He died for preaching about Jesus.

And that seems to open the floodgates of persecution.

Acts chapter 8, verse 1.

“And Saul was there, giving approval to his [that is, Stephen’s] death. On that day a great persecution broke out against the church at Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. Godly men buried Stephen and mourned deeply for him. But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off men and women and put them in prison. Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went.”

Stephen died and a great persecution broke out.

Those big crowds of new believers got scattered. Only the apostles were left in Jerusalem to brave it out.

Stephen was barely in his grave and Saul was monstrously attacking the church, dragging people men and women to prison.

The bad times had come.

It is fitting that today is the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church.

We aren’t doing anything special for it that today, but here it is our text.

A great persecution broke out against the church at Jerusalem.

The dam broke and big wave of trouble poured out over the church.

And one of the chief trouble-pourers was a young man who had just witnessed the stoning of Stephen and was nodding his head in approval.

Yes! Let’s stomp out these Jesus freaks!

Now, just for a second, pretend you don’t know the rest of the story.

Is all of this good or bad?

Verses 1 through 4. Good or bad?

Yes, that’s a trick question.

Of course, there are bad things in those verses. People are going to prison for believing in Jesus. People are dying for believing in Jesus.

But.

Here’s lesson #1 of 4 this morning.

1. GOD USES EVEN THE BAD STUFF TO WORK OUT HIS PLAN.

This persecution doesn’t take God by surprise.

“Oh, no. What am I going to do now?!”

No, God has a plan for all of the bad stuff.

Remember, again, what Jesus said was going to happen in chapter 1.
“You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

They hadn’t made it very far yet.

But now they did.

Look at verse 1 again.

“On that day a great persecution broke out against the church at Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria.”

And what did they do there? V.4

“Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went.”

One of my old professors used to say that they “gossiped the gospel” wherever they went.

Stephen’s death and the great persecution didn’t slow down the progress of the gospel–it accelerated it!

God is sovereign. He uses even the bad stuff to work out His plan.

Did you need to hear that today?

It’s the truth of Romans 8:28.

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

That doesn’t make the persecution good or the martyrdom.

But it does mean that all of the badness of it will ultimately be drained and it will be worked to our good and God’s glory.

Are you going through a bad time right now?

Take heart. God uses even the bad things to work out His plan.

“Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went.”

Including a man named Philip. V.5

“Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Christ there. When the crowds heard Philip and saw the miraculous signs he did, they all paid close attention to what he said. With shrieks, evil spirits came out of many, and many paralytics and cripples were healed. So there was great joy in that city.”

Wow. This is cool.

Notice that it isn’t an apostle who is bringing the gospel and whom God is using. It’s just a guy named Philip. One of the Seven, sure, but not one of the Twelve (that’s a different Philip...).

He’s gospelizing....where?

Samaria.

Home of the Samaritans. The despised. The half-breeds. The beloved of God.

God is obviously at work through Philip. The town is hopping. Satan is on the run.

Verse 9

“Now for some time a man named Simon had practiced sorcery in the city and amazed all the people of Samaria. He boasted that he was someone great, and all the people, both high and low, gave him their attention and exclaimed, ‘This man is the divine power known as the Great Power.’ They followed him because he had amazed them for a long time with his magic. But when they believed Philip as he preached the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.”

Do you get the picture?

There is this guy named Simon (not Simon Peter) who is a magician in this Samaritan city. And he’s convinced the people that he is someone great. They have even called him, “The Great Power.”

How would you like that title?

Here comes “The Great Power.”

That’s a hard one to live up to!

I don’t how much demonically-sourced power he really had or if he was just a deceiver.

Either way, he thought he was something and so did the people until Philip came along.

And Philip has real power but he doesn’t preach Philipism!

He preaches Jesus and the good news of the kingdom of God.

V.13

“Simon himself believed and was baptized. And he followed Philip everywhere, astonished by the great signs and miracles he saw.”

Now, we don’t know if that “believing” in verse 13 is saving faith or just professing faith, but Simon jumps in line, too. And he goes through the motions. Even gets baptized.

Now, we’re all interested in Simon because he was “The Great Power.”

But the apostles are interested because these are Samaritans.

The gospel is moving outward from Jerusalem and Judea to Samaria.

Or is it? V.14

“When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them.”

We’ve got check this out. This is a new development. And something strange has happened. V.15

“When they arrived, they prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, because the Holy Spirit had not yet come upon any of them; they had simply been baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.”

Now, I have a bunch of unanswered questions on this text.

In the first place, how did they know that the Spirit had not come upon any of them?

And in the second place, why not?

This is very unusual. Not the way it happens everywhere else or in our lives today.

When you and I believe in Jesus, we get the Holy Spirit. One step.

But here, there was demonstrably, no Spirit yet, even though they had Son.

And then, with Peter and John placing their hands on them, they received the Holy Spirit.

How did they know?

Some people think that they spoke in tongues. Maybe. It doesn’t say.

I can’t answer the question of how, but I think I have an idea of why.

I think it’s to demonstrate that this is the genuine spread of the genuine gospel of Jesus Christ.

It’s the real deal. Peter and John have witnessed it.

God held back the Spirit in Samaria and then gave Him to the Samaritans in the witnessing of Peter and John, the two apostles who were closest to Jesus.

And, more than that, John was one who wanted to call down fire on the Samaritans.

Remember that from Luke 9?

Well, now, he’s calling down the Spirit on them.

And, somehow, it’s obvious. The Spirit comes in power. And that is interesting to Simon the Magician. V.18

“When Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles' hands, he offered them money and said, ‘Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.’”

Cool! What does that cost?

“Peter answered: ‘May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money! You have no part or share in this ministry, because your heart is not right before God. Repent of this wickedness and pray to the Lord. Perhaps he will forgive you for having such a thought in your heart. For I see that you are full of bitterness and captive to sin.’”

Lesson #2.

2. THE SPIRIT IS NOT FOR SALE.

We actually have a word for it in English. The word “simony” means to try to buy religious authority.

Like becoming a bishop because you pay for it.

But the Spirit is not for sale.

He comes a free gift to believers in Jesus. Not as magic incantation that you must buy the secret for. V.20

“May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money!”

The Spirit is the gift God. And He’s not for sale.

Of course, we try to bribe God in lots of different ways than money.

“I’ll be good, God, I promise. Just give me that.”
“I’ll give my time, Lord, if you’ll bless me.”
“How about we work a little deal?”

But that won’t work.

Don’t try it.

The Spirit is the gift of God.

Again, I don’t know if Simon was a true believer or not. He seems to have some repentance in him. V.24

“Then Simon answered, ‘Pray to the Lord for me so that nothing you have said may happen to me.’”

Maybe he’s just afraid of the consequences, with a worldly sorrow, I don’t know.

Either way, the message is delivered. You can’t buy the Spirit.

And the gospel has truly come to Samaria! V.25

“When they had testified and proclaimed the word of the Lord, Peter and John returned to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel in many Samaritan villages.”

But again, it is not just Peter and John who gospelize.

It is a regular old guy like Philip. And like you and me.

In verse 26, the story shifts. It’s still Philip, and he’s still preaching the gospel.

I love this story. V.26

“Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, ‘Go south to the road–the desert road–that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.’ So he started out, and on his way he met an Ethiopian eunuch, an important official in charge of all the treasury of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians. This man had gone to Jerusalem to worship, and on his way home was sitting in his chariot reading the book of Isaiah the prophet.”

This is a great story.

It’s told in contrast to good old “Simon the Great Power.”

This guy has some real power in politics.

He is the Treasurer of Ethiopia. Which in this time was actually a kingdom where central Sudan is now.

Probably a black man and a very powerful one in government though because he was a eunuch, he was unable to enter into the temple.

But he obviously believes in the God of the Jews. Perhaps he is a covert to Judaism.

He’s been to Jerusalem to worship and he’s on his way back.

And he has a divine appointment with Philip.

This government official is reading the book of Isaiah. Apparently, he is rich enough to his own personal copy.

And he’s reading, apparently, out loud. V.29

“The Spirit told Philip, ‘Go to that chariot and stay near it.’ Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. ‘Do you understand what you are reading?’ Philip asked. ‘How can I,’ he said, ‘unless someone explains it to me?’ So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.”

You can see what’s going to happen, can’t you? V.32

“The eunuch was reading this passage of Scripture: ‘He was led like a sheep to the slaughter, and as a lamb before the shearer is silent, so he did not open his mouth. In his humiliation he was deprived of justice. Who can speak of his descendants? For his life was taken from the earth.’”

Where is that from?

That’s Isaiah 53. It’s describing the suffering servant of the LORD.

How many here have memorized some portion of Isaiah 53?

I know that our older Kids for Christ classes have been memorizing Isaiah 53 this year. I hear it repeated again and again and again in our home.

“We all like sheep have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way, and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity (the sin) of us all.”

Him?

Who is the him in Isaiah 53?

That’s the question the Candice’s cabinet member asks Philip. V.34

“The eunuch asked Philip, ‘Tell me, please, who is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else?’ Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus.”

Lesson #3 from Philip:

3. JESUS IS THE SUFFERING SERVANT.

Jesus is the “him” in Isaiah 53.

“Who has believed our message and to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed? He grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground. He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him. He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted.

But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth. By oppression and judgment he was taken away. And who can speak of his descendants? For he was cut off from the land of the living; for the transgression of my people he was stricken.

He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death, though he had done no violence, nor was any deceit in his mouth. Yet it was the LORD's will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the LORD makes his life a guilt offering, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the LORD will prosper in his hand.

After the suffering of his soul, he will see the light of life and be satisfied; by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear their iniquities. Therefore I will give him a portion among the great, and he will divide the spoils with the strong, because he poured out his life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors. For he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.”

That’s Jesus.

That’s Jesus 800 years before Jesus was born!

Jesus is the suffering servant who rose again.

And the eunuch believed!

And more than that, he obeyed the command to be baptized. V.36

“As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, ‘Look, here is water. Why shouldn't I be baptized?’ And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him.”

#4. BAPTISM TELLS THE WORLD THAT YOU BELIEVE THE GOSPEL.

Then eunuch believed, and he understood that he should signal his faith by go forward with water baptism.

Philip was happy to oblige.

There was some kind of body of water, and they stopped the chariot. Whoa!

And they went down into the water, and Philip baptized this man. V.39

“When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing.”

Why?

Because he believed the gospel.

He believed that the Lord had laid on Jesus the iniquity of us all.

And that made all of the difference.

Have you put your faith in Jesus Christ as your Savior, as the Suffering Servant who was numbered with the transgressors for you?

Have you been baptized to tell the world that you believe the gospel?

I think that many people think that baptism is either something we do to children–which there are no explicit child baptisms in the Bible or something that mature Christians do when they get spiritual enough.

But water baptism is for ordinary Christians to do soon after they believe–at least if they are adults.

Like this guy. He believes. He says, “Why shouldn’t I be baptized?”

And hearing no reason why not, he is.

Have you been baptized?

What are you waiting for?

Tell the world that you believe the gospel.

By getting dunked...and with your mouth. That’s what Philip did.

He was active in sharing his faith wherever he ended up. V.40

“Philip, however, appeared at Azotus and traveled about, preaching the gospel in all the towns until he reached Caesarea.”

That was one busy gospel guy.

A great model for you and me.

He kept going and going like the Energizer Bunny of the gospel.

Let’s end with that question we’ve been asking ourselves the last few weeks.

What’s stopping you?

Nothing stopped Philip. He was always ready to share about Jesus.

He knew that God uses even the bad things to work out His plan.
He knew that the Spirit was not for sale but freely given.
He knew and was bold to tell others that Jesus is the suffering servant.
And he knew that water baptism was outward sign that you inwardly believe the gospel.

And he never stopped sharing it with those who need to hear.

What is stopping you and me?

Let’s be like Philip.

Book Review: What Do You Think of Me? Why Do I Care? by Ed Welch

2011-11-11T10:37:00.000-05:00

Ed Welch never talks at you. He talks to you.

I knew before I picked it up that What Do You Think of Me? Why Do I Care?: Answers to the Big Questions of Life would be a good read. Welch has already been proven a reliable guide on the topic of fear. His book Running Scared: Fear, Worry, and the God of Rest, an instant classic, continues to speak to me every time I open it. I give away copies left and right.

This book is aimed at younger people–ages fifteen to twenty-five. Not being in that bracket, it’s hard for me to judge how it comes across. But as I read it, I immediately thought of someone in that age range that I am sure it would help.

Welch’s style is truly conversational. Even though he is communicating a message about idolatrous worship, misplaced love, and our perverted fear of others, I never felt condemned or shamed or alone with a finger pointed in my face. Welch offers genuine hope for escaping the trap of needing the approval of others. He covers familiar ground from previous books but with a fresh and quotably succinct approach.

There is much wisdom here. Welch has a happy grasp on the gospel and has an ability to show the surprising implications of the gospel on our sinful messy lives.

Downsides? Just a few. First, the title doesn’t do a thing for me. I’m sure that it’s hard to top a title like When People Are Big and God Is Small, but this one doesn’t even come close. I’m not in the target range–maybe it speaks to younger people. On the other hand, the cover image is terrific! It has the ubiquitous digital camera aimed at the picture-taker! That says a thousand words.

Secondly, I don’t care for the formatting of the pages. There are a number of blank spaces with no explanation stuck in strange places throughout the chapters. Eventually, I decided that they were spaces for writing in, as each one is preceded by a question. Maybe it’s a kind of a workbook? It would help this reader if there were more visual clues as to why those big spaces are there. That’s a small thing but disruptive to the reader (and again, maybe younger people will like that–I’m a fuddy-duddy sometimes).

I could probably come up with other quibbles, but they would be just that–quibbles. This is good stuff, and I highly recommend it.

Thanks to New Growth Press for the complimentary review copy. It’s always good read a book that gets one into conversation with Ed Welch.

A trailer about the book which really gets at the subject matter:

Gospel-Centered

2011-11-10T11:06:00.001-05:00

Joe Thorn on how that phrase is getting fleshed out at their church.

(Cool new beard, by the way.)

[Matt's Messages] "Stephen"

2011-11-06T13:29:00.001-05:00

“Stephen”
From Jerusalem to Pennsylvania: The Book of Acts
November 6, 2011
Acts 6:1-8:1

This is the sixth message in our study of the book of Acts. Our series is called “From Jerusalem to Pennsylvania,” and together we’re watching the gospel take root and then spread from the center of Judaism to the ends of the earth.

So far, we’ve just been in Jerusalem. The gospel has taken root–there are over 5,000 Christians and the number is still going up. There has been some opposition, but the church has continued to grow in the face of the opposition.

Last week, we looked at some snapshots of the early church which included an angelic jailbreak.

The apostles had been preaching and the been arrested and then put in jail and then were broken out by an angel and then were preaching again and then were arrested again and then were...flogged.

And then they were preaching yet again. The Bible says “they never stopped teaching and preaching the good news that Jesus is the Christ.”

And we ended with this question, “What is stopping you?”

What is stopping you and me from sharing the good news about Jesus?

Well, today’s passage is going to get even more serious.

Because we’re going to read about a man who was stopped.

And the only way to stop him was to stone him.

His name was “Stephen.”

[pull out rock]

Here’s a good sized rock. Fits nicely in the hand.

Not so heavy that it couldn’t be thrown.
Not so light or smooth that it wouldn’t do any damage.

Can you imagine throwing one of these at person?

Can you imagine having a hundred or so of them thrown at you?

We would all cringe if I just threw this one at that piano over there.

What if it was thrown at a human being?

What if it was thrown at an innocent human being?

This is how Stephen died.

Now, normally, I like to have a bunch of points that I give you when I preach. You know, point #1 this and point #2 that up on the big screen.

Well, I couldn’t figure out what “points” to make this week. So you can take notes if you want to, or you can just follow along in your Bible as we read this story together and think about what it means for us today.

In Acts chapter 6, we get introduced to this man named Stephen.

He is called upon to help solve a problem. Verse 1.

“In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Grecian Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food.”

The church is growing and that means more problems. More people, more problems.

And this was an ethnic problem. The Jews who were Greek speaking, probably had lived outside of Jerusalem were not getting the same distribution of food for the Greek speaking widows. The early church was committed to caring for widows and the poor in general. We saw that last week.

But some were getting missed. Is that a problem?

Is that an important problem. You bet it is.

They brought that problem to the Twelve. The apostles. V.2

“So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, ‘It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. Brothers, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.’”

Now, the apostles see that this is an important problem. People are a priority! But they have another priority that cannot be neglected either.

So, they come up with a solution that gets approved the congregation (sounds like good-ole-congregationalism, doesn’t it?).

The solution is a division of labor and a new ministry team we could call “The Seven.”

Not just any seven. These need to be godly men, known to be mature Christians full of the Spirit of God, controlled by Him and exhibiting His fruit and wise.

So, the nominating committee gets to work and puts forward seven names.

And what is the first one? A man named “Stephen.” V.5

“This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip [we’ll learn more about him in chapter 8], Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism. They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them. So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.”

The plan worked. The seven made sure that it worked and the apostles kept up their priority of prayer and preaching. And the word of God spread.

Even a large number of priests were believing the gospel.

Everything seemed good.

Doesn’t it seem good?

Like the whole thing is inevitable now.

Jerusalem is being overrun with Christians.

Next stop, the world!

Put them in prison, and angels break them out.

Nothing can stop us now!

Yes and no.

The progress of the gospel is unstoppable.

But there are a lot of twists and turns in the story to get to the end.

Sometimes the van breaks down 10 hours from the gospel concert.

Is God still good then?
Is God still sovereign then?
Is God still in charge?
Can God still be trusted?

What if they kill us?

Verse 8.

“Now Stephen, a man full of God's grace and power, did great wonders and miraculous signs among the people.”

Just in case there might be a mistake, understand this, Stephen is a good guy. He was one of the Seven. He was (chapter 6, verse 5, “a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit”) here verse 8, “full of God’s grace and power” and used by God to do miracles.

This is a good guy if there ever was one. V.9

“Opposition arose, however, from members of the Synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called)–Jews of Cyrene and Alexandria as well as the provinces of Cilicia and Asia. These men began to argue with Stephen, but they could not stand up against his wisdom or the Spirit by whom he spoke.”

So, Stephen didn’t just wait on tables either. He spoke up about Jesus and He did it with wisdom and power.

Stephen tussled with these Grecian Jews who were not Christians. And they were frustrated that they couldn’t win the argument.

So, if you aren’t wining the argument, what do you do?

Change the rules. Cheat a bit. V.11

“Then they secretly persuaded some men to say, ‘We have heard Stephen speak words of blasphemy against Moses and against God.’ So they stirred up the people and the elders and the teachers of the law. They seized Stephen and brought him before the Sanhedrin. They produced false witnesses, who testified, ‘This fellow never stops speaking against this holy place and against the law. For we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs Moses handed down to us.’ All who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at Stephen, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel.”

Now, given what we’ve read so far in Acts, what do you think will happen?

The track record in Acts is that Stephen will be like Peter and explain the gospel and people will get saved, and Stephen will be released!

These are false charges, right?

Do you think that Stephen spoke against the temple and the law?

Well, we’ll see about that in a minute. The basic answer is, “No.” Though he’s going to adjust their categories a bit in just a second.

But there is not going to be a jailbreak this time.

This story is more like the story that we read at the end of the Gospel of Luke. (Of course, there was an ultimate jailbreak at the end of that story, too! Sometimes, we have to wait for the ultimate jailbreak!)

But it doesn’t come in Acts 7 or 8.

What does it mean that Stephen’s face was like the face of an angel?

I’m not sure. Does that mean that it was shining?

That’s possible.

I tend to think that it means that it was pure and worshipful.

But I don’t know.

I do know that whatever it looked like, it meant that Stephen was demonstrably innocent of the charges.

Do you get what the charges are?

They talk about the temple and the law that Stephene was blaspheming against Moses and against God.

But we all know what the real issue was. V.14

“For we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs Moses handed down to us.”

The issue is always Jesus.

The problem is always Jesus.

Chapter 7 verse 1.

“Then the high priest asked him, ‘Are these charges true?’”

What do you have to say for yourself?

The high priest gives Stephen the floor.

Do you think he knew what was going to happen?

I think he knew what could happen.

Stephen takes this opportunity as an open door to share the good news about Jesus and to defend what he has said.

I’m always amazed that they let him talk so long.

Chapter 7 is the longest sermon in the book of Acts.

But I think Stephen was interesting to listen to and it wasn’t until he really started applying his message that it became intolerable to his listeners.

But the whole thing is about Jesus.

Jesus is always the issue.

But Stephen starts way back at the beginning of the story. He goes all the way back to Genesis. V.2

“To this he replied: ‘Brothers and fathers, listen to me! The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham while he was still in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Haran. [Remember this from when we went through Genesis together?] 'Leave your country and your people,' God said, 'and go to the land I will show you.' ‘So he left the land of the Chaldeans and settled in Haran. After the death of his father, God sent him to this land where you are now living. He gave him no inheritance here, not even a foot of ground. But God promised him that he and his descendants after him would possess the land, even though at that time Abraham had no child.”

[Stop for second. Has he said anything wrong yet? Anything that could get him into trouble with this crowd? Not yet. But notice that he didn’t start with the law or Moses or even inside of the land. The God of glory appeared where? In Mesopotamia? Is that okay? Can He do that? What about the land? V.6]

“God spoke to him in this way: 'Your descendants will be strangers in a country not their own, and they will be enslaved and mistreated four hundred years. But I will punish the nation they serve as slaves,' God said, 'and afterward they will come out of that country and worship me in this place.' [Well, that’s okay then. Just as long as you aren’t talking against this place.] Then he gave Abraham the covenant of circumcision. And Abraham became the father of Isaac and circumcised him eight days after his birth. Later Isaac became the father of Jacob, and Jacob became the father of the twelve patriarchs. ‘Because the patriarchs were jealous of Joseph, they sold him as a slave into Egypt. But God was with him and rescued him from all his troubles. He gave Joseph wisdom and enabled him to gain the goodwill of Pharaoh king of Egypt; so he made him ruler over Egypt and all his palace.”

Notice again that God is blessing OUTSIDE of the land and BEFORE the Law.

“‘Then a famine struck all Egypt and Canaan, bringing great suffering, and our fathers could not find food. When Jacob heard that there was grain in Egypt, he sent our fathers on their first visit. On their second visit, Joseph told his brothers who he was, and Pharaoh learned about Joseph's family. After this, Joseph sent for his father Jacob and his whole family, seventy-five in all. Then Jacob went down to Egypt, where he and our fathers died. Their bodies were brought back to Shechem and placed in the tomb that Abraham had bought from the sons of Hamor at Shechem for a certain sum of money. As the time drew near for God to fulfill his promise to Abraham, the number of our people in Egypt greatly increased.”

Turn the page. It’s time for Exodus. I don’t think that Stephen was stalling. I think he was building towards something. V.18

“Then another king [Pharaoh], who knew nothing about Joseph, became ruler of Egypt. He dealt treacherously with our people and oppressed our forefathers by forcing them to throw out their newborn babies so that they would die. At that time Moses was born, and he was no ordinary child. For three months he was cared for in his father's house. When he was placed outside, Pharaoh's daughter took him and brought him up as her own son. Moses was educated in all the wisdom of the Egyptians and was powerful in speech and action.”

[Does it sound like Stephen is blaspheming against Moses? No. He respects and honors Moses. V.23]

“‘When Moses was forty years old, he decided to visit his fellow Israelites. He saw one of them being mistreated by an Egyptian, so he went to his defense and avenged him by killing the Egyptian. Moses thought that his own people would realize that God was using him to rescue them, but they did not.”

Stop there for a second.

Interesting. Stephen understood what Moses was thinking even though Exodus doesn’t tell us that.

Isn’t it a lot like Jesus? His “own people” should have recognized that God was using him to rescue them, but they did not. “He came to that which was his own but his own received him not.” V.26

“The next day Moses came upon two Israelites who were fighting. He tried to reconcile them by saying, 'Men, you are brothers; why do you want to hurt each other?' ‘But the man who was mistreating the other pushed Moses aside and said, 'Who made you ruler and judge over us? Do you want to kill me as you killed the Egyptian yesterday?' When Moses heard this, he fled to Midian, where he settled as a foreigner and had two sons. After forty years had passed, an angel appeared to Moses in the flames of a burning bush in the desert near Mount Sinai. When he saw this, he was amazed at the sight. As he went over to look more closely, he heard the Lord's voice: 'I am the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.' Moses trembled with fear and did not dare to look. ‘Then the Lord said to him, 'Take off your sandals; the place where you are standing is holy ground.’”

Holy Ground?

Is that in Israel? Was Sinai in Canaan?

No. You don’t have to be in the holy land to be on holy ground.

Wherever God is is Holy Ground. V.34

“I have indeed seen the oppression of my people in Egypt. I have heard their groaning and have come down to set them free. Now come, I will send you back to Egypt.' ‘This is the same Moses whom they had rejected with the words, 'Who made you ruler and judge?' He was sent to be their ruler and deliverer by God himself, through the angel who appeared to him in the bush.

He led them out of Egypt and did wonders and miraculous signs in Egypt, at the Red Sea and for forty years in the desert. [Now we’re in Numbers!] ‘This is that Moses who told the Israelites, 'God will send you a prophet like me from your own people.' [That’s Jesus. It’s always about Jesus.] He was in the assembly in the desert, with the angel who spoke to him on Mount Sinai, and with our fathers; and he received living words to pass on to us. ‘But our fathers refused to obey him.

Catch this. Stephen is not speaking against the Law.

He is saying that the Jews have been disobeying the Law over and over again for years and years.

“[Moses] received living words to pass on to us. ‘But our fathers refused to obey him. nstead, they rejected him and in their hearts turned back to Egypt. They told Aaron, 'Make us gods who will go before us. As for this fellow Moses who led us out of Egypt–we don't know what has happened to him!' [Hope he doesn’t come back!] That was the time they made an idol in the form of a calf. They brought sacrifices to it and held a celebration in honor of what their hands had made. [That’s speaking against the Law!]

“But God turned away and gave them over to the worship of the heavenly bodies. This agrees with what is written in the book of the prophets: ‘'Did you bring me sacrifices and offerings forty years in the desert, O house of Israel? You have lifted up the shrine of Molech and the star of your god Rephan, the idols you made to worship. Therefore I will send you into exile' beyond Babylon.” [That’s from the book of Amos. And it’s the rest of the sad story of the Old Testament.]

The “people of God” have a history of rejecting the word of God!

And what about this temple that’s so important?

Well, yes, it is a good gift from God, but He doesn’t literally live there! V.44

“‘Our forefathers had the tabernacle of the Testimony with them in the desert. It had been made as God directed Moses, according to the pattern he had seen. Having received the tabernacle, our fathers under Joshua brought it with them when they took the land from the nations God drove out before them. It remained in the land until the time of David, who enjoyed God's favor and asked that he might provide a dwelling place for the God of Jacob. But it was Solomon who built the house for him.

“However, the Most High does not live in houses made by men. [Not literally. It’s just a big old symbol!] As the prophet says: ‘'Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. What kind of house will you build for me? says the Lord. Or where will my resting place be? Has not my hand made all these things?'”

Stephen is not anti-temple, but he knows that the temple in Jerusalem is just a symbol of much greater things.

He knows that God cannot be imprisoned in a building.
He knows that God won’t stay in a little box.
He knows that God has been on the move since the beginning. The story starts in Iraq not Palestine! And it continues outside of the borders in places like Egypt and Babylon.

And Stephen knows that the people he’s preaching to don’t get that. Won’t get that. Refuse to get that.

And they refuse to receive what the temple stands for.

The people he’s talking to won’t see that the temple was a symbol of the Son of God, the Son of Man, the Lord Jesus.

Yes, he said that the temple would be destroyed but that he would build it up again in three days.

And we know now that he was talking about His body.

Stephen got that, I think.

But he knew that they were no longer listening.

So, he came to his points of application. V.51

“You stiff-necked people, with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You are just like your fathers: You always resist the Holy Spirit! Was there ever a prophet your fathers did not persecute? They even killed those who predicted the coming of the Righteous One [the Lord Jesus!]. And now you have betrayed and murdered him–you who have received the law that was put into effect through angels but have not obeyed it.’”

Stephen was boldly saying that it wasn’t him that was rejecting the Law.

It was them.

They were really the ones on trial, and they were guilty.

Not the best way to win friends and influence people.

But it was the truth and it was what they needed to hear.

And it brought glory to Jesus. V.54

“When they heard this, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him. But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. ‘Look,’ he said, ‘I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.’”

Wow.

It was too much for this crowd. They don’t even finish the trial.

They take the law into their own hands a mob. V.57

“At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, dragged him out of the city and began to stone him.”

“Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul. [We’re going to hear a lot more about this young man.] While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, ‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.’ Then he fell on his knees and cried out, ‘Lord, do not hold this sin against them.’ When he had said this, he fell asleep.” He died. “And Saul was there, giving approval to his death.”

Notice, how like our Lord, Stephen was in his last moments.

He forgave those who were killing him with rocks.
He asked the Lord to receive his spirit.
He died to bring glory to God.

Stephen lived for Jesus, and he died for Jesus.

I love that picture of Jesus in verse 56.

Did you notice that?

Normally, we’re told that the present position of our Lord is that He is seated at the right hand of the Majesty on High.

But what is Jesus doing in verse 56?

What does He allow Stephen to see?

Jesus is standing at the right hand of God.

Now, I don’t know all of what that means.

I heard it once described as a standing ovation.

I like that. I think that must be part of it.

The Lord Jesus stands to approve and receive the soul of this one who was faithful unto death for Him.

“What is stopping you?”

Nothing stopped Stephen short of rock in the mouth.

What is stopping you?

What is stopping me from speaking out about our Lord?

You know the truth is that we’re all going to die.

I actually have put it on my electronic to-do list.

Not with a particular date, but I read it every day. “You are going to die.”

I keep my to-do list in my email inbox, it probably looks like a death threat sent to myself.

But I need reminder. I am going to die.

Maybe I won’t get hit with a pile of jagged rocks, but I will die.

The question is what will I die for?

What will I live for?

What is stopping me from living and being willing to die for Jesus?

It’s always about Jesus.

We don’t have time to waste.

We need to tell others about Jesus.

Sometimes, we’ll do it and the opposition will melt away.

And other times, there will be no jailbreak.

We’ll just die trying.

And Jesus will still be worth it all.

Jesus will be standing, waiting to receive those who live and die for His glory.

Messages So Far In this Series:

You Will Be My Witnesses
Before Pentecost

The Day of Pentecost

No Other Name
Snapshots of the Early Church

Technology is Not Neutral

2011-11-05T12:42:00.002-05:00

Mike Cosper makes the case.

[Matt's Messages] "Snapshots of the Early Church"

2011-10-30T14:12:00.000-05:00

“Snapshots of the Early Church”
From Jerusalem to Pennsylvania: The Book of Acts
October 30, 2011
Acts 4:32-5:42

We’re calling our study of Acts, “From Jerusalem to Pennsylvania,” the amazing spread of the gospel from the moment when Jesus said, “You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

That’s exactly what is happening as the promised Holy Spirit came at Pentecost and empowered the apostles to preach the good news about Jesus and His resurrection.

More than 5,000 people have already been saved and baptized and added to this new community called “the church” – even though there is rising opposition from the Jewish religious leaders.

When we left off last time, the church was having a prayer meeting where they called upon their Sovereign Lord to consider the threats of the religious leadership and to enable the church to speak God’s word with great boldness and to stretch out His hand and heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of Jesus.

And that’s exactly what God did.

He answered their prayer, first with an earthquake, and then with renewed boldness in gospel witness.

... The next few sections of Acts are what I call “Snapshots of the Early Church.” That is, they are vignettes, little stories that tell us a little bit of what the early days of the early church were like.

Can you imagine living in those days, being a part of the early church as it just gets off the ground?

What was it like?

Well, Luke can’t tell us everything.

But he carefully chooses some of the early events of the life of the early church to give us a feel for it and help us to understand the big story.

This morning, I’ve got five couplets, five pairs of words to describe these snapshots of the early church. I think that we’ll see that all of them apply in some way to us today.

Here’s the first snapshot:

#1. UNITY & GENEROSITY.

What was the it like in those early days of the early church.

Two words: unity and generosity. Acts chapter 4, verse 32.

“All the believers were one in heart and mind [unity]. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had [generosity]. With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all.”

Notice again, how the apostles are witnessing. The word translated “testify” in verse 33 is the verb of the Greek word for “witness.” They are eyetwitnesses of the resurrection of Jesus Christ and that’s their message.

Jesus is alive!
Jesus is alive!
Jesus is alive!

That’s what they keep saying over and over again.

And it changes everything. That brings them together so that they are “one in heart and mind.” What a great thing to enjoy!

We had another good church family meeting last Sunday. You know in some churches, that’s a meeting that you take a side-arm to, but we enjoy a lot of gospel-like-mindedness. Unity. And it’s a God-thing!

Not just unity, but generosity. “No one claimed that any of his possession wa his own, but hey shared everything they had.”

Now, it doesn’t mean that they completely gave up private property and private ownership. We’ll see that clearly in just a few seconds.

But these followers of Jesus had begun to realize that they were stewards, not of their own money, but of God’s and that God wanted them to share.

They became generous. And that had an amazing effect. V.34

“There were no needy persons among them [wow!]. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need.”

Notice that people still owned lands and houses, etc. They still had private property, but they saw needs and they generously made gifts to meet those needs.

And if you were in that early church, you were going to be taken care of or taking care of others. Generosity.

And there was one who was especially encouraging as he did. A guy named, “Joe.” V.36

“Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means Son of Encouragement), sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles' feet.”

Wouldn’t you like to have a nickname like that?

We all know a few people like that, the Barnabas’s in our lives.

Oh, to be known as a Son of Encouragement!

Barnabas was not just an encourager with words, but he was an encourager with his possession. He was generous.

Our church is also marked by unity and generosity.

I love how many shoeboxes have been taken and are being filled with love to be sent to needy children around the world.

You remember last year was my mother-in-laws last year to send shoeboxes. She normally sent about 60 all by herself. Well, there is a group in the church that Heather’s sister goes to that has taken it upon themselves to make sure that Linda’s 60 boxes get sent again this year now that she’s graduated to Heaven.

Unity and Generosity.

But also #2. DISCIPLINE & FEAR.

Those sound like scarey words, but they aren’t really. They are good things.

Not everything was good in the early church all the time. A true picture of the early church will keep in mind that these followers of Christ were still sinners.

And there were even fakes among them.

In chapter 4, we met Barnabas, Son of Encouragement. In chapter 5, we meet Ananias and Sapphira, who were the exact opposite of Barnabas. V.1

“Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property [Just like Barnabas!]. With his wife's full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself, but brought the rest and put it at the apostles' feet.”

Our word for this is FRAUD.

Do you understand the financial situation?

They sell a field. They keep back some of the money, but they bring it and put it at the apostle’s feet as if it were the whole amount.

They are lying.

But they don’t get away with it. V.3

“Then Peter said, ‘Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? Didn't it belong to you before it was sold? [Yes it did. Private owenership.] And after it was sold, wasn't the money at your disposal? [Yes it was.] What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied to men but to God.’”

“When Ananias heard this [bam, thunk], he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard what had happened. Then the young men came forward, wrapped up his body, and carried him out and buried him.” Get him out of here.

Discipline and Fear. There is more. V.7

“About three hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. [Her husband has been buried, and she doesn’t know it yet!] Peter [giving her a chance] asked her, ‘Tell me, is this the price you and Ananias got for the land?’ ‘Yes,’ she [lied], ‘that is the price.’ Peter said to her, ‘How could you agree to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look! The feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also.’ At that moment [boom] she fell down at his feet and died.Then the young men came in and, finding her dead, carried her out and buried her beside her husband. Great fear seized the whole church and all who heard about these events.”

What is going on here?

God is purifying His church.

There is a message going out from the beginning that you can’t bamboozle the Lord.

Sin will be dealt with.

Just like, in the Old Testament, Nadab and Abihu or Achan at Jericho.

It isn’t teaching that every time someone lied they died. That would probably change some behavior, huh?

But it did put the fear of God in them.

And the Bible says that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.

God desires a pure church. A church that is not faking it.

A church that is real.

A church that is what it says that it is.

Not perfect. But not fake, either.

Is there some aspect of your life where you are faking it right now?

And holding something back that you say that you are giving?

God is not fooled. He knows.

And we must know that the wages of sin is death.

Jesus didn’t die for no reason. He died because sin deserves it.

And He took that on for you and me.

Sometimes, we act as if sin was no big deal.

But the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.

Third snapshot.

#3. POWER & FAVOR. V.12

“The apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders among the people. And all the believers used to meet together in Solomon's Colonnade. No one else dared join them, even though they were highly regarded by the people. Nevertheless, more and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number. As a result, people brought the sick into the streets and laid them on beds and mats so that at least Peter's shadow might fall on some of them as he passed by. Crowds gathered also from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those tormented by evil spirits, and all of them were healed.”

Power and Favor.

These are answers to the prayers of the church back in chapter 4.

Imagine what that must have been like!

It wasn’t like that fakery you see on religious television.

This was the real deal, and it didn’t have anything to do with “Send us your check to keep us on the air!”

It appears that God was even using Peter’s shadow at the moment for healing.

And all of that power was testifying to the power of the resurrection and the power of Jesus’ name. V.14 again.

“More and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number.”

The church at this moment was experiencing the favor of the Lord and the favor of the people.

Some people will tell you that the church is always going to be despised.

And that’s true. There will always be people who despise the church.

But there will also be people who approve of the church. And they won’t necessarily even be believers.

I’m glad that our church enjoys favor with others in our community. I’m sure that bad things have been said about us at times.

But in general, I think that our community is glad that we’re here.

I love that we offer things that the community can enjoy like that playground out there and like the free concert on Saturday. Even if they have not yet accepted our message–even if our message is offensive, they might be able to appreciate our ministry to people.

V.13, “highly regarded by the people.”

But there were some people who were not at all happy that the early church was experiencing power and favor!

I thought about calling this next section, “Jealousy and Fury” because that’s what it’s about.

But we’ll call it this: #4. OPPOSITION & FAITHFULNESS. V.17

“Then the high priest and all his associates, who were members of the party of the Sadducees, were filled with jealousy. They arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail.”

We’re going to see the inside of a number of jails in the book of Acts.

And that is normal for Christians throughout history.

Jail is not unusual. And we should remember that.

The apostles, then Paul, later Christians in the Coliseum, Athanasius, folks like Martin Luther, John Bunyan, and Dietrich Bonhoeffer.

And many more non-famous Christians throughout history.

Christians often see the inside of a jail-cell. Jesus did.

And if you and I are going to claim Jesus as Lord then we should be ready to follow Him.

But! V.19! “But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail and brought them out. ‘Go, stand in the temple courts,’ he said, ‘and tell the people the full message of this new life.’”

Isn’t that interesting?

An angel appears. He lets them out. And he tells them to keep on preaching.

Very interesting phrase, “tell the people the full message of this new life.”

That’s the gospel!

And I think this phrases emphasizes the resurrection and the new spiritual life that we get when we believe in Jesus.

“Tell the people the full message of this new life.”

And they did. I mean, wouldn’t you? If an angel broke you out of jail and told you that the reason was that you needed to get to preaching?! V.21

“At daybreak they entered the temple courts, as they had been told, and began to teach the people. When the high priest and his associates arrived, they called together the Sanhedrin–the full assembly of the elders of Israel–and sent to the jail for the apostles.”

Uh oh.

I love the humor in the book of Acts. Especially about apostolic jailbreaks.

As Gomer Pyle would say, “Surprise, Surprise, Surprise!” V.22

“But on arriving at the jail, the officers did not find them there. So they went back and reported, ‘We found the jail securely locked, with the guards standing at the doors; but when we opened them, we found no one inside.’ [It’s like something out of Hogan’s Heroes!] On hearing this report, the captain of the temple guard and the chief priests were puzzled, wondering what would come of this. Then someone came and said, ‘Look! The men you put in jail are standing in the temple courts teaching the people.’

Uh oh. I don’t think that we can control this message.

This is getting away from us. Panic!

“At that, the captain went with his officers and brought the apostles. They did not use force, because they feared that the people would stone them. [Favor!] Having brought the apostles, they made them appear before the Sanhedrin to be questioned by the high priest. [Opposition. Hey!] ‘We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name,’ he said. ‘Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man's blood.’

Well, yeah.

“Peter and the other apostles replied: ‘We must obey God rather than men!”

Faithfulness.

In the face of opposition, faithfulness and obedience.

“The God of our fathers raised Jesus from the dead–whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree. [You are guilty of this man’s blood!] God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might give repentance and forgiveness of sins to Israel. [That’s the gospel!] We are witnesses of these things [there it is again!], and so is the Holy Spirit [the ultimate witness], whom God has given to those who obey him.’

Faithfulness in the face of opposition.

Now, it’s been kind of funny up till now, because things are clearly out of their control.

But all of a sudden it’s not funny at all. It’s deathly serious. V.33

“When they heard this, they were furious and wanted to put them to death. But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, who was honored by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men be put outside for a little while. Then he addressed them: ‘Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men. [Think before you act.]

Some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men rallied to him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing. After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and led a band of people in revolt. He too was killed, and all his followers were scattered.

Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.’”

That’s good advice.

And it’s exactly what happened, isn’t it?

Here we are reading about it 2000 years later.

We don’t even know who Theudas and Judas are, but we know about Jesus and His apostles.

Try to stop Jesus and His church, and you will only find yourselves fighting against God.

V.40

“His speech persuaded them. They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ.”

Faithfulness in the face of opposition.

More than that.

#5. REJOICING & GOSPELIZING.

I remember when verses 40-42 finally sunk in to my thick skull.

They had them flogged. That was probably the 40 lashes minus one.

39 lashes with a “three stranded strap of calf hide” (Bock 252).

On the back and the chest. Some people have died from that flogging due to loss of blood.

And how did the apostles react?

V.41 “rejoicing that they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name.”

Are you willing to go through that for Jesus?

Is Jesus worth a flogging to you?

Because these people understood that He was worth so much that it is worth rejoicing over to suffer for His name!

The Sanhedrin hoped that the flogging would stop them.

And it did no such thing. V.42

“Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ.”

I know that gospelizing is not a word, but it should be.

The Greek word here for “preaching the good news” basically means that–gospelizing. Good-news-preaching (one word).

Jesus is alive!
Jesus is alive!
Jesus is alive!
Jesus saves!
Jesus saves!
Jesus saves!

Believe in Jesus!
Turn to Him!
Trust Him!

“Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ.”

With their backs torn open by the whips of the Sanhedrin!

How is that for snapshot of the early church?

Unity and Generosity.
Discipline and Fear.
Power and Favor.
Opposition and Faithfulness.
Rejoicing and Gospelizing even with their backs ripped open, suffering disgrace for the Name of Jesus.

Here’s the one application question that I want to close with.

There could be many from those snapshots, and I hope that we’ve all seen some things that we want to talk to the Lord about from this passage.

But this is the question I want to linger in our minds as we leave and go about our weeks:

What is stopping you?

V.42

“Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ.”

What is stopping you from gospelizing?

What is stopping you from teaching others about Jesus?
What is stopping you from inviting someone to this Saturday’s concert?
What is stopping you from giving your testimony to someone or handing them a gospel tract or book?

I don’t mean what is stopping you from being a jerk about Jesus.

We don’t need Jerks for Jesus.

But what is stopping you from genuinely gospelizing?

I’ll bet its not a flogging.

Jesus is so glorious, so wonderful, so worthy that we can rejoice that when we are counted worthy of suffering disgrace from His name.

What is stopping you?

Let’s go out from here today bent on following the advice of that jailbreaking angel, who said, “tell the people the full message of this new life.”

Messages So Far In this Series:

You Will Be My Witnesses
Before Pentecost

The Day of Pentecost

No Other Name

Fish Stickers

2011-10-28T09:48:00.002-05:00

Matt Frey on Decal Deception.

[Matt's Messages] "Look Again"

2011-10-23T15:15:00.000-05:00

“Look Again”
October 23, 2011
Celebration Sunday
Matthew 9:35-38
We will return to the book of Acts next Sunday, but I wanted to do something special and different for this Celebration Sunday. Something that ties with our past and points to our future as a church. So, we turn to Matthew 9.

Before we launch into Matthew 9:35-38, I want to take a few seconds to say thank you.

This is Pastor Appreciation Month, and I always think of that as Church Family Appreciation Month for us Mitchells. We appreciate you. Thank you, Church Family for all that you mean to us. All that you’ve done for us and all that you mean to us. We love you.

Thank you for this little blurb that was in the Progress last week. It had this picture of a bald and goateed man and it said, “Pastor Matt, Thank you for helping us to dig treasures from the scriptures for over 13 years. Lanse Evangelical Free Church.”

I thought, “Vroom, Vroom!” I love how you said that, drawing words out of our song “Nuggets of Gold” and Family Bible Week this year. And that’s exactly what I want to do as your pastor–help you to dig treasures from the scriptures!

And thank you for sending us to the Pastors and Wives Retreat last weekend. We had a very good time. After this year of writing in all of my spare time, I needed a weekend just to crash, and I did crash. It was a good weekend for crashing!

But also for inspiration. In a few minutes, I’m going to share with you some of what our speaker said to us that really impacted me. There was a good time of worship, I learned a few new songs that I’d like to have us sing here someday, and felt the Lord’s presence with good fellowship with the other pastors and their wives.

So, thank you for sending us.

And thank you for praying for us. I passed a major major milestone on my doctoral work this weekend. I turned in the last half of my project for my advisor to approve.

That’s huge! There are still hours of details left to cover, but they are just that–details. So, the project is finally winding down.

My goal is to turn it all in by December 1st, two weeks ahead of the deadline. If I do that, then I’ll defend it before my committee in the Spring and graduate in May of 2012.

Thank you for praying me through this process. I know that it’s a result of your prayers.

A couple more thank yous. I want to thank our elder board. Your elders right now are George Leathers, Blair Murray, Keith Folmar, Bob Gisewhite and myself. We have a smaller board this year than previous years, which means more work for each one. And they have done the work. The elders do not have a high profile. A lot of their work is behind the scenes and involves decision-making and policy making and involves lots of people and their concerns. It’s not always an easy job, but these guys have been doing it with wisdom and love.

If you stick around for the church family meeting, you’ll see a few of the things they’ve been working on.

I also want to thank and praise the Facilities Team. Those guys also work behind the scenes doing what is often a thankless task. At the meeting, we’ll also hear from them and see some of what they’ve been working on. It’s just a fraction of the projects they’re involved with. Their job is difficult because it only gets noticed if something breaks or if we have to raise the money to pay for it. But we know that a building like this one doesn’t take care of itself. These guys do that. And as their pastor, I’m very thankful.

And I can’t thank every single ministry today, but I am also thankful for the deaconnesses who work behind the scenes showing compassion to others–the reason those envelopes are in your bulletins is because they have been helping people.

And I’m thankful for the hospitality team, without which we would not eat like royalty like we do at this church. Yesterday, the Game Day, today at the meal and meeting, and all the rest of the time. Thank you, ladies.

And one more person I want to thank before we actually do get into Matthew, and that is Stacey Fisch. This was Stacey’s last week to sit in the command chair in the office. Next week, Holly will be doing it, with Stacey looking over her shoulder.

Stacey has done a fantastic job in our office. She’s been like the little quiet engine purring under the hood that makes the whole thing run. She has truly been behind the scenes, but for two and half years, she’s held everything together. Especially this year while I’ve been preoccupied with my doctoral work. Stacey will be missed. Thank you, Stacey! We’ll be praying for the Fisch’s as they take off on their new adventure.

Now, Matthew 9. Don’t worry it’s not long. I don’t have a lot to say this morning. It’s short but good. Verses 35-38.

It’s Fall, and hunting season is in full swing. Some of you have been in the woods all month with your bow. Some of the youth went out on mentored hunts this weekend. Some of you took out a muzzleloader.

Have you ever had that experience of thinking you saw a deer and then it wasn’t there?

I’ll bet most of us have.

Last year, during rifle season, I didn’t see anything.

At least, I’m pretty sure I didn’t.

After a few hours of just sitting there, I start to get fidgety.

All right, a few minutes of just sitting there, I start to get fidgety.

And then everything that moves begins to look like a buck.
Lucas Kristofits was sitting with me last year.

And he’d see me raise my gun and look through the scope off into the woods.

And he’d say, “Do you see something? What is it?”

And I’d say, “Nothing.”

But I had to look again.

Because some time there will be something there.

Two years ago, there was. I saw some movement, and I didn’t think anything of it.

And but I had to look again. “Look again.”

And when I looked more closely, there it was.

I saw something that had always been there, but now I saw it. I looked again.

This last weekend at the Pastors and Wive’s Retreat for our Allegheny District, the speaker, Fritz Dale of ReachNational at the home office, challenged us to look again at our community.

He spoke from Ezekiel 37 where the LORD tells Ezekiel to look again at a bleak situation and see it again with the Lord’s eyes.

The Lord often sees things differently than we do, doesn’t he?

The Lord often sees things differently than we do.

And we need to look again and get his perspective.

I think this passage tells us about our Lord’s perspective and encourages us to look again for ourselves.

Three things I think Jesus saw that we need to see this Celebration Sunday.

#1. DO YOU SEE THE PEOPLE?

In verse 35, we get a bullet-point description of Jesus’ work in the early years of His traveling ministry. Three main actions: teaching (in synagogues), preaching (the gospel of the Kingdom), and healing (all kinds of diseases and sicknesses).

It was a very busy period for Jesus, and He was on a mission.

But in the rush of ministry, our Lord did not fail to notice the people.

Everywhere He went, Jesus saw people. Big people, small people, clean people, dirty people, rich people, poor people, hungry people, sick people. People, people, people.

And v.36 says, that when He saw the crowds, He had “compassion on them...”

The Greek word for “compassion” here literally means to have your guts wrenched in pity and sympathy. Uggh. He felt it right here.

When Jesus looked out and saw the people, he just grieved in His spirit with a gut-wrenching feeling.

Uggh. It hurt Him to see people like this.

The people were (v.36) “harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.”

What do you think a sheep is like that doesn’t have a shepherd? I’ll tell you in one word: LOST.

Sheep are dumb animals. I’ve said this many times and it makes me laugh every time. Sheep are so dumb they can get lost by walking into an open garage and then not being able to figure out how to get out.

If sheep don’t have a shepherd, they don’t have a leader, don’t have a provider, don’t have a care-taker, they are done-in, they are a lost cause, they are helpless.

And Jesus, when He looked out upon the crowds, saw shepherdless sheep.

They were harassed and helpless. They had forces at work against them which were way too powerful for them to stand against. They were in danger and turmoil.

They were lost.

And our Lord felt compassion for them. Jesus loved shepherdless sheep. Jesus loved lost people.

And the question that God is asking us as a church today is this:

Do we see the people? Look again.

Do our hearts break when we see and interact with lost people?

Or are we too complacent and self-satisfied and self-centered?

Do we love the lost?

Or are we rather repulsed by them?

I firmly believe that our biggest problem in evangelism is not that we don’t know what to say. I think that many of us here know what the gospel is.

I believe that our biggest problem in evangelism is a lack of love.

Our hearts are not moved by the plight of those who do not know Jesus Christ as their Shepherd.

Bill Hamel, the President of the EFCA regularly challenges our churches that we need to love the LAST, the LEAST, and the LOST.

And if we don’t, we aren’t acting like Jesus.

Because He did it for us!

Jesus looked at our helplessness before sin. He looked at our harassment by Satan. And He took pity upon us.

Jesus loved us, even though there was nothing in us to commend us to Him. We were His enemies!

And yet, He pulled us to Himself with covenant love.

If you are a Christian, it is because Jesus saw how harrased and helpless you were without him and loved you!

And we should do the same.

When I say the word MUSLIM, what happens in your heart?

Do you feel anger? Do you feel revulsion? Do you feel fear?

Or are you moved with compassion?

Not because Muslims are innately lovable, but because Jesus chose to love them, you and I should have our guts wrenched with an ache for their salvation.

I’ve heard supposed Christians call them, “Towel heads,” and hope they get out of our country. Yuck.

There are over 1.1 billion Muslims in the world. 80% of whom have never heard the gospel–ever! Of the 350,000 Christian missionaries in the world, only around 5,000 of them work in Muslim countries!

Do you see the people?

When I say the words POOR PEOPLE, what happens in your heart?

Do you squirm? Do you feel revulsion? An aversion to talking about poverty?

Over a billion people in this world live on less than one US dollar per day. Every day, 25,000 people (most of them children) die from the results of dirty drinking water. There are 47 million refugees in this world. And 85% of the world’s poorest countries lie within the 10/40 window: the least evangelized part of the world.

In other words, if you are poor, you are harassed, helpless, and have a much smaller chance of hearing the gospel.

And do we care? Do we see the people?

Your neighbor down the street with the loud dogs, the beer cans in his yard, the raucous parties on Saturday night, the four-wheelers peeling over your newly planted grass? You see him coming your way...what do you do? Turn away? Walk down the other side of the street?

What do you feel?

Do you fear for His soul?

Look again. Do you the see the people?

Or do we care too much for our comfort, our convenience, and our security?

Look again.

This is what our speaker did that really grabbed me.

He went to the door and looked out.

What do you see?

When you go to Sheetz, and there are bunch of people in the line.

What do you see?

When you look out here and see community people on our playground.

What do you see?

Do you see single moms that are struggling to make it?
Do you see people trapped in addictive behaviors?
Do you see sheep that don’t have a shepherd?

In my job, I talk to a lot of people. And sometimes, it’s easy to get compassion fatigue and stop caring.

I talked to too sets of outsiders this week about their problems, and when I was sitting with them, I thought about how harassed and helpless they were, like sheep without a shepherd.

They don’t have Jesus!

Look again.

It should fill us with compassion.

What do you see?

What do we see as we as we look out on our community?

Do we just see our school, our post offices, our truck stop, our families, our things.

Or do we see shepherdless sheep who are harrassed and helpless without Jesus?

Look again.

That’s why we do things like Game Day and the Durochers and the Ladies Christmas Tea and the Wild Game Dinner.

We don’t need more events in our lives. They are not just to entertain us. We are trying to see people and reach them.

This church has a great history of reaching out. Of seeing people as they really are and reaching towards them with the gospel.

Who are you inviting to the Durocher Family concert? Have you put a poster yet? I haven’t seen many of these poster yet around our community. The concert is only two weeks from yesterday.

Do you know somebody who likes music that needs the Lord.

Don’t concentrate on inviting your Christian friends.

Concentrate on inviting the harassed and helpless and shepherdless sheep.

Look again.

In verse 37, Jesus turns to His disciples and says that He can see something else that they probably can’t. V.37

“The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.”

Jesus, looking at these Shepherdless Sheep, sees something more that we often don’t see–potential!

#2. DO YOU SEE THE POTENTIAL?

He looked at those people [sinners–everyone of them], and He saw some potential followers. He saw a church that He was going to build using lost people. He saw a harvest of souls won to the gospel of the kingdom–won to the King.

Look again.

Do you see the potential?

Everywhere you go, among all the people you see, are the elect of God, sprinkled throughout humanity.

Do you see potential Christians everywhere you go?

Some of us see the lost, and feel their lostness, but we don’t feel hope for them. We see their harassment, and we see their helplessness on their own. We see their Shepherdlessness. But we miss their potential to be Shepherded.

That’s a big part of my problem. I see the lostness. I feel it in my gut. But often I have a hard time seeing what God might do with them if I am bold enough to allow Him to use me.

But Jesus sees redeemable humanity among the lostness.

He did in me! He saw beyond my sin and my guilt and my shame.

And He went after me. He saw the potential harvest in me. Not that I had anything to offer Him. I didn’t qualify for even one of His gifts to me. But He knew what He was going to do with me. And I’ll be forever grateful.

Look again.

That co-worker who bugs the living day-lights out of you could soon be your brother in Christ!

Your landlord who just about steals your hard-earned money, might soon be your sister!

Your hard-hearted father who has never had anything good to say about you or to you, may soon become a fellow Christian!

Because the Gospel is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes!

Ask the Apostle Paul! God is in the business of changing murderers into saints.

You and I need to ask God that we begin to see every lost person we come into contact with as a potential Christian. Look again!

They won’t all turn to Christ. In fact, a depressing number of them will take the broad road that leads to destruction.

But we have no idea who will. And Jesus wants Shepherdless Sheep to have a Good Shepherd!

Look again.

Do you see the people?
Do you see their potential?
Do you see how we need to pray?

#3. DO YOU SEE HOW WE NEED TO PRAY?

V.38. “Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”

Look again and pray.

If you see the lostness of people and your heart is broken.
If you see how many people God desires to save through His gospel.

Then pray. Ask the Lord of the Harvest to send out workers into the harvest field to bring those Shepherdless Sheep to the Good Shepherd.

Do we pray for more workers?

There are 6.7 billion people on the planet today. Most of them do not know Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior.

The current missionary force that we have will not reach the world. We need to ask God to send more of us into the world to reach the world for Jesus Christ.

I’m so glad that we have Tobi here today. She is answer to prayers.

She has heard the call of the Lord of the Harvest and is going out into the field.

We have a group of people planning to go to Serbia next Summer.

That is an answer to many prayers.

And we need to pray MORE.

“Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”

It will only happen through prayer.

Why is that?

Why does Jesus want us to ask the Lord of the Harvest to send out more workers?

Doesn’t the Harvest-Lord know that there is a worker-shortage?

Of course He does!

At least 2 reasons why He wants us to ask.

#1. Because when we ask, we get involved. When we are praying, there is a much greater chance that we will care about what God does with these situations. It pulls us in. In fact, we are often the answer to our own prayers.

What happens in the very next verse? Chapter 10? Those who were praying are sent on a mission.

When we begin to pray for the person down the street who needs the Lord so desperately, often He sends us to go get them.

#2. Because God gets the most glory that way. Instead of OUR amassing a missionary army, we acknowledge our need and our dependance upon God to do it. And when He raises the army through our prayers–He gets the most glory.

Notice in v.38 that it is GOD’s harvest field? And that He is LORD of the Harvest?

The Lord of the Harvest is most glorified when He is most needed. And prayer is the most humbling and needful act that the church can participate in.

So we should pray for more workers.

Pray!

I love how this church is a praying church.

Here’s something I want you to pray about for our church.

Pray for the nominating process.

It’s that time of year when we pray in our new leaders for the next year.

The nominating committee will be talking with various members about how you might serve the church in its mission of bringing people into a love relationship with the good shepherd.

Pray for that! If the nominating committee asks you to consider taking an office, please pray seriously about that and ask the Lord if He is leading you into a particular place of service.

Don’t just ask if you want to do it or think about if you could or do it to please me or some other person in the church.

Ask the Lord of the Harvest if you are to take up a certain post as a worker in the harvest field. And then do whatever you feel He is saying.

I’ve been praying for 3 more elders to join our elder board in the coming year.

And I don’t understand exactly how the Lord will answer that. I had thought that perhaps Tom Fisch and Rob Barkman would be new elders in 2012.

But the Lord has moved them to a different part of the harvest field.

And that’s okay. He’s the Lord of the harvest.

But I’m still asking Him!

Because he says to.

Look again.

Do you see how you need to pray?

Is there some person in your life that drives you nuts, that you’d love to complain about on your Facebook page.

That you need to pray for?

Is it a Democrat?

Is it a Republican?

Is it poor person?

Is it a rich person?

Is it Muslim?

Is it person far away in ________?

Or is a person that you live with or see at school or in the neighboorhood or at work?

Look again.

See them as Jesus sees them. “Harassed and helpless like sheep without a shepherd.”

And see them as Jesus see that they could be.

And then ask the Lord what to do. And do what He says.

Look again.

No Ordinary People

2011-10-22T10:59:00.000-05:00

In preparing for tomorrow's message, I was drawn to this quote from Lewis (but couldn't fit it into the message as it came together.)

Very sobering and joyful at the same time.

Isaac's Alpacas

2011-10-21T18:13:00.000-05:00

The fearsome foursome got to go to an Alpaca farm today on a field trip (or barn trip, really). These are pictures that Isaac snapped with his very own camera! I like the last one. It looks like he's smiling at Isaac.

Two of the alpacas had babies in the last week. Fun!

My best joke about the trip was that "Mommy said, "I'll-pack-a lunch for you to take to the Alpacas.'" They just rolled their eyes.

Biggest Milestone So Far

2011-10-18T15:20:00.000-05:00

Rejoice with me!

I just turned in chapters 4 (Ministry Model) and 5 (Conclusion), as well as, Appendix A (Resisting Gossip manuscript) and Appendix B (Critical Readers Instructions) and Appendix C (Resisting Gossip Questionnaire) to my doctoral advisor to read and comment upon.

That means that everything left is "details." (Lots of details, but details nonetheless!)

This is a huge milestone and is a result of your prayers. Thank you so much for praying me through this process.

First Major Revision

2011-10-13T09:54:00.000-05:00

Resisting Gossip has gone through it's first major revision! Thank you to all of my critical readers for your pages and pages of helpful interaction with my work. The book is much stronger for all of your effort.

I'm sick. Pray for my malady this week. It is . . .

2011-10-12T09:15:00.000-05:00

senioritis.

I recognize the symptoms. I had it in 1991, 1995, 1996, and 1998. (Note, I wasn't a senior all of those years, but it attacks non-seniors, too).

This week, I'm working on chapter 4 of my project: the ministry model and its evaluation. I feel like I should be done already, but I'm not. I have to push through. But it's easy to get distracted and lose focus and concentrate on just about anything else. (Even writing a blog post about senioritis).

Please pray that I make major strides on this--even, if the Lord wills, getting chapter four done. I need it to be done. But the only way over this is through it.

Thanks.

[Matt's Messages] "No Other Name"

2011-10-11T09:52:00.000-05:00

“No Other Name”
From Jerusalem to Pennsylvania: The Book of Acts
October 9, 2011
Acts 3&4

We return this morning to our ongoing series on the book of Acts that we’ve entitled from Jerusalem to Pennsylvania highlighting how the witnesses of the resurrection of Jesus spread the word from their hometown in such a way that it made it all the way around the world, even to us.

Jesus said, “You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” And that’s exactly what happened, praise the Lord!

And it happened through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Last time we were in the book of Acts we read chapter 2 together and studied the day of Pentecost when the promised Holy Spirit came in power and the church was born.

What an exciting day that was!

Today’s story takes place after that event, but we’re not sure how long after.

Exciting things are still happening to and through the fledgling church.

And the apostle Peter will be at the center of the action again.

But something new will also crop up for the first time: opposition to the apostles and to their message.

We’ll see that, especially as we get into chapter 4.

You’ve probably noticed a theme that is running through our worship service today, especially in the song we’ve selected.

What is it?

The name.

The name of Jesus.

Today’s story includes Acts 4:12 which says, “There is NO OTHER NAME under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.”

No other name.

So today, in this message we want to think about the name of Jesus Christ.

A name is more than a word. It’s even more than a descriptive word. It stands for the person, their identity and in a powerful name, their authority.

So, we want to meditate together on no other name than Jesus.

Today’s story begins one day at 3 o’clock in the afternoon. Chapter 3, verse 1.

“One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer–at three in the afternoon.”

The song we teach our children says, “Peter and John went to pray.”

I almost titled this message “Peter and John went to pray,” but I have a hard enough time talking about this text without singing the song, so I didn’t use that as the title.

Peter and John are both apostles. They’re quite a team. They were together that morning when they discovered the empty tomb.

They’re together again some day soon after Pentecost going up to the temple at a time when many other Jews went up to pray, the ninth hour, 3 o’clock. What happened then?

“They met a lame man on the way.” Right? V.2

“Now a man crippled from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money.”

He asked everyone for money. That was his job.

He had been born unable to walk. Can you imagine?

Everyone knew this guy. We’re going to find out that he was over forty years old. He was like ten years older than Jesus.

And he had been disabled that entire time. Notice what Peter does. V.4

“Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, ‘Look at us!’ So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them.”

When you get their attention, when they talk to you, they are planning to give. That’s how it generally works.

But this time is really different. V.6

“Then Peter said, ‘Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.’ Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man's feet and ankles became strong. He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God.”

Nu’ uh! Wahoo!

#1. HEALED IN THE NAME OF JESUS.

Can you imagine?

“I don’t have any money, but I do have the name of Jesus and am his authorized representative. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.”

And this was no psychosomatic healing.

This was congenital defect undone in a second.

And he didn’t just hobble around now.

He walked, and jumped and praised God!

We love to sing this one at home because you get to get all excited when you sing it.

It’s a great one for having boys.

“He went walking and leaping and praising God!”
“He went walking and leaping and praising God!”

And we leap around the room.

That’s what this guy did!

And they are the most public place in all of Jerusalem.

And there are people watching. V.9

“When all the people saw him walking and praising God, they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him. [Wouldn’t you?!] While the beggar held on to Peter and John, all the people were astonished and came running to them in the place called Solomon's Colonnade.”

I love it that this beggar guy won’t let go of Peter and John.

We are never told his name, but he played a very important role.

He was a picture of salvation.

He was healed by the name of Jesus.

And what is salvation besides a complete healing by Jesus?

The crowd gathers. They are astonished. They are filled with wonder and amazement.

What is going on?!

Peter is going to make sense of this event. V.12

“When Peter saw this, he said to them: ‘Men of Israel, why does this surprise you? Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk?”

It is not us!

This is God. The same God that you have always been taught about. V.13

“The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified his servant Jesus [No other name!]. You handed him over to be killed, and you disowned him before Pilate, though he had decided to let him go. You disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked that a murderer be released to you. You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. We are witnesses of this.”

There’s that word again. “Witnesses.”

We saw it with our own eyes, and we are give testimony to the fact.

Witnesses.

Peter is witnessing.

And he is explaining the name of Jesus.

What does the name of Jesus signify?

At least this:

The servant of God. V.13

I think that brings up all of the Servant Songs from Isaiah.

Two of the Kids for Christ classes are memorizing Isaiah 53 right now about the Servant of the Lord.

It’s Jesus.

He is v.14, “The Holy and Righteous One.”

That’s what his name means. “The Holy and Righteous One.”

No badness in Him. No darkness in Him. No unholiness, no wickedness. Just Holy and Righteous.

And, Peter says, you killed him. V.15

“You killed the Author of Life.” King James, “Prince of Life.”

That’s who Jesus is.

That is what is signifed by His name.

But He is so full of life that He could not stay dead. V.15

“But God raised him from the dead. We are witnesses of this.” V.16

“By faith in the name of Jesus [no other name!], this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus' name and the faith that comes through him that has given this complete healing to him, as you can all see.”

It’s not us. It’s Jesus!

Where is this all going? V.17

“‘Now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did your leaders. But this is how God fulfilled what he had foretold through all the prophets, saying that his Christ would suffer [like Isaiah 53!]. Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, and that he may send the Christ, who has been appointed for you–even Jesus. He must remain in heaven until the time comes for God to restore everything, as he promised long ago through his holy prophets. For Moses said, 'The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own people; you must listen to everything he tells you. Anyone who does not listen to him will be completely cut off from among his people.' ‘Indeed, all the prophets from Samuel on, as many as have spoken, have foretold these days. And you are heirs of the prophets and of the covenant God made with your fathers. He said to Abraham, 'Through your offspring all peoples on earth will be blessed.' When God raised up his servant, he sent him first to you to bless you by turning each of you from your wicked ways.’”

Repent!

That’s what this is all leading to. Repent and turn to God.

Because this is all a fulfillment of prophecy. Jesus is the prophet like Moses predicted in Deuteronomy 18. If you ignore Him, you will pay the consequences. You will be cut off.

Jesus is the fulfillment of the Abrahamic Covenant! He is the blessing promised to and through the offspring!

That’s who this Jesus is. He is the suffering servant of the Lord.

He is all the Old Testament predicted.

Turn from your sins and trust in Him.

And be saved.

#2. SAVED BY THE NAME OF JESUS. V.19 again.

“Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out.”

Oh, doesn’t that sound good?

Don’t we all want that? That our sins may be wiped out.

A little cleanser and then rub, rub, rub, and then it’s gone!

Forgiveness.
That is what we long for.

And not just forgivness. V.19 again, “so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.”

Oh that sounds even better. Wiped out sins and times of refreshing.

Spiritual refreshment.

And more, v.20, “and that he may send the Christ, who has been appointed for you–even Jesus.”

That’s send Him back! V.21

“He must remain in heaven until the time comes for God to restore everything, as he promised long ago through his holy prophets.”

Being saved by the name of Jesus means not just forgiveness and refreshment but being included in the restoration of all things.

Salvation is cosmic. It will include, eventually, the whole universe being restored to what it always should have been.

But you only get to be included if you repent and trust in Jesus as your Savior.

You must believe in the name.

“To all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.” John 1:12

Are you a child of God?

Have you been saved by the name of Jesus?

Do you want to be at the restoration of everything?
Do you want to enjoy the times of refreshing?
Do you want your sins to be wiped out?

The name of Jesus, the one who was crucified but was made alive, does that for sinners who turn from their sin and trust in Him.

That was Peter’s message to the crowd at the temple.

John is standing right there with him backing him up.

And there is the beggar guy, the former crippled who is holding on to them and not letting them go while he dances around.

And that’s how they were when the police found them. Chapter 4.

Here’s where the trouble begins. V.1

“The priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to Peter and John while they were speaking to the people. They were greatly disturbed because the apostles were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead. They seized Peter and John, and because it was evening, they put them in jail until the next day.”

“Hands up. You’re under arrest!

You’ve been proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead.

You’re going to jail, buddy. You can talk to the court tomorrow. You’re under arrest.”

You can arrest the apostles, but you can’t arrest the gospel (Stott, 96)! V.4

“But many who heard the message believed, and the number of men grew to about five thousand.”

That’s up from 3,000 that we saw last time. Approximately 2,000 men believed the gospel through this preaching of Peter’s!

The gospel is unshackled and unstoppable!

But Peter and John are in prison.

And, I think that beggar guy is with them.

My guess is that even though they were in prison, they were still dancing. V.5

“The next day the rulers, elders and teachers of the law met in Jerusalem. Annas the high priest was there, and so were Caiaphas, John, Alexander and the other men of the high priest's family.”

There are some familiar names. Two of those were present just a couple of months earlier at Jesus’ trial.

How much do you expect Peter and John to get a fair trial? V.7

“They had Peter and John brought before them and began to question them: ‘By what power or what name did you do this?’”

Because WE sure didn’t authorize this!

What power, what authority, what NAME did you do this in? V.8

“Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: ‘Rulers and elders of the people! If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a cripple [and who could be against that?] and are asked how he was healed, then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. He [Jesus] is ‘'the stone you builders rejected, which has become the capstone.' [Psalm 118] Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.’”

Saved by the name of Jesus and no other name.

Now, we need to see how inclusive and exclusive this claim is.

For how exclusive.

There is no other name. Not Buddha, not Muhammed, not Krishna, not Allah. Not Mary. Not Pastor Matt or Billy Graham.

No other name than Jesus.

If you try to get saved by some other name, some other identity, some other entity, some other institution, some other god, some other idol, some other philosophy, some other religion, some other name, then you will be lost.

“For there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.”

That’s exclusive. It just is.

But it’s also inclusive.

Because ANYONE who comes to God for their sins wiped clean through this name and no other name “must be saved!”

And will be saved.

Whosoever believes in God’s Son will be saved.

You don’t have to be rich, or white, or talented, or smart, or strong or religious or American or Western or go to this church or that church.

You just have go through Jesus.

“Salvation is found in no one else.”

But it is found in Jesus!

That was Peter’s message, not just to the crowd, but also the court.

Saved by the name of Jesus.

And the court couldn’t really argue with him. They were just about speechless. V.13

“When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. [Catch that. These guys didn’t go to our seminary, but they sure can preach. Oh, they had been with Jesus. That’s the only seminary that really counts!]”
“But since they could see the man who had been healed standing there with them, there was nothing they could say.”

What are they going do?

Everyone in Jerusalem knows what has happened. How are we going to stop this?

They try to put pressure on them. V.15

“So they ordered them to withdraw from the Sanhedrin and then conferred together. ‘What are we going to do with these men?’ they asked. ‘Everybody living in Jerusalem knows they have done an outstanding miracle, and we cannot deny it. But to stop this thing from spreading any further among the people, we must warn these men to speak no longer to anyone in this name.’ [This name is the problem. Can we stop that?] Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.”

#3. SPEAKING IN THE NAME OF JESUS.

Peter and John have been told to cut it out.

What would you have said?

Peter says, “Yeah, right.” V.19

But Peter and John replied, ‘Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God's sight to obey you rather than God. For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.’ [Is that how you and I are? Can we say that? “We cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.]”

What do you do with guys like that? Apparently, you let them go.

“After further threats they let them go. They could not decide how to punish them, because all the people were praising God for what had happened. For the man who was miraculously healed was over forty years old. On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them.”

This is the first persecution that the early church has experienced.

They have had their run ins with the authorities.

What is the next step? A prayer meeting, of course!

“When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. ‘Sovereign Lord,’ they said, ‘you made the heaven and the earth and the sea, and everything in them. [You’re the Creator.] You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David: [In Psalm 2] ‘'Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together against the Lord and against his Anointed One.' [Yep, that happened.] Indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed. [But they couldn’t do anything on their own.] They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen. [The Cross is God’s plan.] Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. Stretch out your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders [how?] through the name of your holy servant Jesus.’ After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.”

We’re going to stop there this week. We’ll pick up in verse 32 next time.

But we’ve got to see how and what these believers prayed.

They prayed to a Sovereign God who they knew was greater than any human authority and who cannot be thwarted in His sovereign plans. He even uses the sinful acts of sinful men to accomplish His purposes.

That’s whom they are praying to.

And what do they ask this Sovereign God for?

They ask for miracles and signs to be done through the name of Jesus.

And they ask for BOLDNESS to speak the name of Jesus.

When was the last time that you and I prayed for holy boldness?

We have several outreaches that are being planned for the next weeks and months.

Who have you invited?

Who have I invited?

Does that take boldness?

Who are you praying for to know Jesus as their Lord and Savior?

Have you talked to them?

Speaking the name of Jesus.

There is NO OTHER NAME.

We must speak it.

We must be bold.

And that will take prayer.

Our leaders for the Wednesday night prayer meeting have been reading a book called “And the Place was Shaken” taken from this passage.

God said, “Yes!” in a very earthshaking way.

Yes! I’ll give you boldness.

Pray for it.

Pray for holy boldness.

And (v.31) “They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke th word of God boldly.”

May it be true of you and me.

Messages So Far In this Series:

You Will Be My Witnesses
Before Pentecost

The Day of Pentecost

Dilbert on Gossip

2011-10-01T14:40:00.002-05:00

Chris Brauns on Gossip

2011-09-30T10:30:00.002-05:00

Gossip Affects Your Spiritual Waistline

Make a Joyful (and Appropriately Loud) Noise!

2011-09-28T06:44:00.002-05:00

Mike Cosper gives some healthy and practical thoughts on loudness in Christian worship.

[Matt's Messages] "The Day of Pentecost"

2011-09-25T12:31:00.000-05:00

“The Day of Pentecost”
From Jerusalem to Pennsylvania: The Book of Acts
September 25, 2011
Acts 2:1-47
Acts 2 is one of the most important and amazing chapters in the whole Bible.

It is “The Day of Pentecost.”

Pentecost came every year. It was one of the Jewish religious festivals established in the Old Testament. But this was the most important Pentecost ever.

This was the Pentecost after Jesus died and rose again.

This was the day of Pentecost that the Spirit came, the gospel went forth, and the church was born.

Two weeks ago, we started our new sermon series on the book of Acts entitled “From Jerusalem to Pennsylvania,” and we’re learning how the mission of the church progressed as the Lord, before His ascension, told His apostles that they would be His witnesses in Jerusalem, in Judea and Samaria, and then to the ends of the earth.

But first, he told them to wait.

To wait.

And last week, we were still waiting, as we saw what happened before Pentecost.

Waiting. Waiting for what? For the coming of the Spirit.

And then (v.1), “When the day of Pentecost came...” the waiting was over and the excitement was about to begin!

We’re going to divide up our time in this passage into three parts this morning.

Verses 1-13, The Spirit
Verses 14-40, The Gospel
And verses 41-47, The Church.

The Spirit, the Gospel, the Church.

First, #1. THE SPIRIT. Verse 1.

“When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.” Let’s stop there for just a second.

Ten days have passed since the Lord ascended into heaven.

For ten days the twelve apostles (including, now Matthias) and the rest of the disciples have been gathering for constant prayer, both men and women and including Mary, Jesus’ mother and his brothers.

And now on this day, the day of Pentecost, they are all together again. We’re not sure if they’re in the upper room still, that’s possible and likely.

But they are all together and then a miracle happens. V.2

They hear a sound LIKE the blowing of a violent wind. It doesn’t say that there is a wind, it’s like a wind. A violent wind. Have you ever heard a tornado coming?

And the sound filled the whole house were they were sitting.

But that was nothing! V.3 “They saw WHAT SEEMED TO BE tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them.”

What’s that? Fiery tongues. Little? Large? Individualized flames that came to rest on each of them. We’ve all seen pictures of this, but noone really knows what it was like.

It must have been spooky!

And then something else happened. V.4

“All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to SPEAK in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.” Tongues are a figure of speech for languages.

All of them (at least the twelve and maybe more) began to speak in other languages as the Spirit enabled them.

And speak they did! V.5

“Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven [it’s the feast of Pentecost so everyone’s in town]. When they heard this sound [the sound of the wind?], a crowd came together in bewilderment, [bewildered] because each one heard them speaking in his own language. Utterly amazed, they asked: ‘Are not all these men who are speaking Galileans? [Aren’t they unlearned people from up north?] Then how is it that each of us hears them in his own native language?”

Check out how many languages. V.9

“Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome (both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs–we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!’ Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, ‘What does this mean?’ Some, however, made fun of them and said, ‘They have had too much wine.’”

“What does this mean?” That’s a good question.

What just happened?

Well, here’s three things.

1. God just kept a promise.

The Lord said that He would send His Spirit.

And here the Spirit is.

The waiting is over and the Gift of the Father has been given.

God just kept a promise.

Don’t forget that. Often, we take that for granted, but it’s important to remember God always keeps His promises.

Not always on the timeline that we want!

But always and ever, God is faithful to His promises.

You trust Him.

He promised the Spirit, and here the Spirit is.

2. God is undoing the curse of Babel.

Remember the Tower of Bablel back in Genesis 11?

They sinfully wanted to build a tower to reach up to heaven?

And God frustrated their project and confused their languages.

Well, now heaven has come down to earth.

And when the Spirit came, He undid the confusion of language and made all of the languages serve the good news of Jesus.

These Christians were speaking human languages that they had never learned.

How amazing is that?!
And they are all saying one thing with those different languages. V.11

“We hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues.”

And it means at least one more thing.

3. A new era has dawned.

The Holy Spirit has come in fullness, and God is doing something new in human history starting now on the Day of Pentecost.

Some scoffed at this and (v.13) made fun of the saying that they have had too much wine.

They didn’t know that those were other languages. Sounded like drunkspeak to them.

So the apostle Peter stands up boldly and dispels the misperceptions and begins to preach the gospel for the first time in the new era.

#2. THE GOSPEL. V.14 [slide]

“Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: ‘Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say. These men are not drunk, as you suppose. It's only nine in the morning!”

Nobody is drunk yet. There is something else going on here. Something BIG. V.16

“No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: ‘'In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy. I will show wonders in the heaven above and signs on the earth below, blood and fire and billows of smoke. The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord. And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.'”

That’s a new Peter, isn’t it?

How bold and strong he is in the gospel?! That’s the power of the Holy Spirit.

Peter proclaims that what they are hearing is the fulfillment of Joel chapter 2.

God promised to pour out His Spirit on all people–all kinds of people, regardless of gender, age, or social status.

And He promised to do this in the last days. The last days are here. The Spirit has come.

Amazing things are going to happen. Great signs and wonders in the earth.

And some of that happened when Jesus was crucified and raised again.

And the great and glorious day of the Lord is approaching.

A day of judgment. And there is only one way to be saved.

“Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

Are you saved?

The coming of the Holy Spirit has inaugurated a new era and brought near the coming of the day of the Lord, a day of judgment.

“Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

What is the name of the Lord that he’s talking about?

It is Jesus. V.22

“Men of Israel, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know. [Don’t forget what has happened these last three years in our nation!] This man [Jesus] was handed over to you by God's set purpose and foreknowledge [God’s plan]; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross. But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him.”

That’s the gospel!

Peter is forcefully preaching the gospel.

Jesus lived a perfect life and had dynamic ministry.

And God allowed in His perfect plan for Him to be handed over to the Jews.

And they with other wicked men put him to death by nailing him to the cross.

Remember how we studied that back in the Spring?

We had four messages titled:

Arresting Jesus
Judging Jesus
Crucifying Jesus
Burying Jesus

But (v.24), “God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him!”

Yes!

Jesus is alive!

We’re going to see that again and again and again.

The resurrection changes everything.

Jesus is alive. “It was impossible for death to keep its hold on him!”

Like the song say, “Death in vain forbids him rise!”

Peter has been reading his Bible, and he has come to understand how the Old Testament predicted this. He pulls out Psalm 16. V.25

“David said about him: ‘'I saw the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will live in hope, because you will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay. You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence.' ‘Brothers, I can tell you confidently that the patriarch David died and was buried, and his tomb is here to this day.”

Do you see what Peter is doing with this sermon?

Where he’s going?

He knows that David wrote Psalm 16, but Peter sees some things in Psalm 16 that were more true for Jesus than they ever would be for David.

Jesus is the ultimate “Holy One” of Psalm 16:10! V.29

‘Brothers, I can tell you confidently that the patriarch David died and was buried, and his tomb is here to this day. But he was a prophet and knew that God had promised him on oath that he would place one of his descendants on his throne [2 Samuel 7]. Seeing what was ahead, [David] spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to the grave, nor did his body see decay. God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of the fact.”

There is that word “witnesses” again. The book of Acts is about witnessing.

The apostles are eyewitnesses of Jesus’ resurrection.

Jesus is alive!

His body did not decay. In fact, it came out of the tomb better than it had ever been.

And now (v.33), “Exalted to the right hand of God, [Jesus] has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear.” Stop there.

You want to know what just happened? What this all means?

The Father has given the Holy Spirit to the Son, Jesus, the Resurrected One, and Jesus has now poured out the Spirit on us.

That’s the Day of Pentecost.

That’s what’s happened: A Spiritual Downpour by Jesus Himself.

And then Peter turns to Psalm 110. V.34

“For David did not ascend to heaven, and yet he said, ‘'The Lord said to my Lord: ‘Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.’' ‘Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.’”

That’s one of the most amazing things ever said.

They crucified Him, but God has made Jesus both Lord (master, king) and Christ (messiah, savior, annointed one).

That’s what all of this wind, and flame, and tongues mean!

We can get caught up in debates about speaking in tongues and be amazed at the wonders of the day of Pentecost.

But David says that the whole point of it all is that “God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.”

That’s the gospel.

And the people listening to David GOT IT! V.37

“When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, ‘Brothers, what shall we do?’”

We crucified Him?!!!

He is Lord and Christ and we crucified Him?!!

Let that sink in.

The 3-6 grade classes in Kids For Christ this Fall have a mystery they are trying to solve.

Who Killed Jesus?

They have a list of suspects, I’ve heard the kids talking about the suspects and who they think did it.

When we think about it for long, we realize that we are all guilty.

Verse 36 is addressed to Israel, but it’s true for all of us.

“God made this Jesus, whom YOU CRUCIFIED, both Lord and Christ.”

Does that cut you to the heart?

What shall we do?!

We crucified Him?!!!

He is Lord and Christ and we crucified Him?!!

What shall we do? V.38

“Peter replied, ‘Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off–for all whom the Lord our God will call.’ With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, ‘Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.’”

What shall we do?

Believe the Gospel!

Turn from your sins (repent) and trust in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.

And do that publically taking on the sign and symbol of that repentance, water baptism.

Repent and believe!

This is for everyone.

Not just one generation, but everyone who will believe.

Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.

And will get the gift of the Holy Spirit.

That’s grace!

People who killed the Messiah now get His Spirit.

That’s grace!

V.39 “The promise [of the gospel] is for you and for your children and for all who are far off–for all whom the Lord our God will call.”

Even those people who will live in Pennsylvania some day?

Even them? That far off! Really far off?! Gentiles like them?

Yes, even for them.

Are you saved?

Have you repented and put your faith in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins?

Or are you still FAR OFF?

“Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.”

Turn from your sins and trust in the crucified and risen Savior, the one God made both Lord and Christ.

And then tell the world by water baptism.

Have you been baptized?

Baptism is not for extraordinary Christians or for mature Christians.

Sometimes, people tell me that they’re not ready to get baptized because they haven’t grown much as Christians.

Baptism is for new Christians, ordinary Christians. Look at verse 41.

“Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.”

They didn’t wait for maturity in Christ to get baptized. They didn’t delay.

They heard the call, “Repent and be baptized, everyone one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.”

Baptism symbolizes the washing away, the forgiveness of your sins.

And they had 3,000 dunkings that day!

I wonder how they did it. Those apostles would have been tired by the end of the day!

Maybe they had newly baptized follower baptizing others.

Anyway about it, they had 3,000 new believers baptized on the Day of Pentecost.

Why?

Because they believed the gospel. V.41, “Those who accepted his message were baptized.”

Do you believe the gospel? Are you saved? Have you called upon the name of the Lord?

If you have, are you witnessing to others about it?

The bulletin has those 6 gospel outreach events in it that are coming up for our church.

Are you praying, helping, inviting, sharing the Lord?

The point of the Spirit’s coming is not a pyrotechnic show.

It is a powerful witness to the resurrection of Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior.

Repent and Believe and Bear Witness.

And be the church.

#3. THE CHURCH.

Something new started that day, a dynamic community of disciplemakers was born. V.42

“They [these new converts] devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.”

What an amazing time!

Our church’s purpose statement came, in large part, from an indepth study of this passage on the birth of the church.

We exist to glorify God by bringing people into a love relationship with Jesus Christ through worship, instruction, fellowship, evangelism, and service.

The newborn church was devoted to learning about the gospel from the apostles.

And we have the apostle’s writings, the Bible.

They were devoted to fellowship, which is more than potluck dinners. They were in each others’ lives in genuine community.

They were devoted to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

I think that means the Lord’s supper and prayer. So, they were devoted to regular worship and prayer times and observing the ordinances the Lord had given.

It was a time of great miracles and wonder and awe.

The newborn church was generous. They sold items and gave it to the poor and to those within the church that were needy.

They worshipped God and shared Jesus with others. They didn’t just look inward. They looked outward and reached out.

“And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.”

God’s blessing was on the newborn church.

Starting on the Day of Pentecost.

Are you and I living our lives like they were living theirs?

We don’t have to wait for the Spirit to come.

He’s already here.

Ever since the Day of Pentecost.

Messages So Far In this Series:

You Will Be My Witnesses
Before Pentecost

Don't Tell Anyone Else [How Gossip Spreads]

2011-09-23T14:16:00.000-05:00

[From Doghousediaries. HT: 22W]

[Matt's Messages] "Before Pentecost"

2011-09-18T12:39:00.000-05:00

“Before Pentecost”
From Jerusalem to Pennsylvania: The Book of Acts
September 18, 2011
Acts 1:12-26
Last week, we started our newest sermon series on the book of the Acts which we are calling, “From Jerusalem to Pennsylvania.”

We’re going to read and study the entire book of Acts from cover to cover and understand better how we got here.

How did the gospel come all the way from Jerusalem to Pennsylvania?

Jesus died. Jesus rose again. And last week we saw that Jesus gave his followers a mission. V.8, “You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Even to Clearfield County Pennsylvania. (Ok. I added those words. They aren’t in verse 8.)

And then Jesus ascended to the right hand of the Father. And someday will return the same way.

In verse 4, Jesus told his apostles to not leave Jerusalem just yet. They weren’t supposed to head out to the ends of the earth the day that Jesus left.

They were to wait.

What for?

They were to wait for the coming of the Holy Spirit.

Which it turns out was going to be in just about 10 days, at the feast of Pentecost.

They had to wait.

Do you like to wait?

I hate waiting!

I like things to get done, not to hang around.

I like things to move right along.

I even hate waiting rooms!

I like to make decisions, and hate it when I have to wait for some key piece of information.

I decided the other day that I had to mull on something instead of choose. I hate the wait of mulling over a decision.

Do you like to wait?

Some people do.

I have a hard time imaging the apostle Peter enjoying the wait. Peter was such a do-er and a hot-head. He probably struggled with this waiting-time. Waiting for the Spirit to come.

But just because they were waiting, doesn’t mean that they were inactive before Pentecost.

By the way, that’s our title for today: “Before Pentecost.”

After the Ascension and Before Pentecost. The time in between.

I used to think (up until just a few days ago) that there wasn’t very much here in this passage between verse 11 and chapter 2 that was worth very much.

It felt like filler to me. Maybe because of the waiting aspect.

And maybe because of some of the interpretive questions that swirl around these verses.

But this week as I studied it, I began to see lots of more there that was of use for my life and yours.

The Spirit had not yet come in His fullness, but that doesn’t meant that there wasn’t anything good going on.

In fact, I have 5 things I want to point at for us that we can see in this early group of followers, this church before the church, before Pentecost.

5 things that I think we can learn from today.

#1. PRAYER.

When you have to wait for something, a great thing to do is to pray!

You can do that anywhere, anytime.

Let’s start reading in verse 12 and go through 14.

“Then they returned to Jerusalem from the hill called the Mount of Olives, a Sabbath day's walk from the city. [This is immediately after Jesus’ ascension. They walked back to Jerusalem to wait.] When they arrived, they went upstairs to the room where they were staying. Those present were Peter, John, James and Andrew; Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew; James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.”

This small group comes back to an upper room. It might be the same upper room as the one from the Last Supper. We don’t know.

And the first thing they think to do is to pray.

And pray. And pray. And pray.

Verse 14 says that they joined together in constant prayer.

Now, I don’t think that they stopped eating or doing anything else, but they returned again and again to prayer.

And prayer together. Corporate prayer.

One of the things I love about this church is your commitment to corporate prayer.

This is a praying church.

We have a great prayer meeting on Wednesday nights which grows even when some of the regulars have to leave the prayer meeting and work in the Family Bible Night programs.

By the way, if you come on Wednesdays and drop off your kids in the program, please consider joining the prayer meeting from 7 to 8pm. There is no pressure to pray out loud. It’s not a weird time in any way. It’s just 8 to 15 Christians who get together and lift up their hearts to the Lord and intercede for needs.

And, of course, that prayer meeting isn’t our only prayer meeting.

One time I counted up all of the prayer meetings and prayer ministries of the church and it was quite a long list.

We have prayer in these services.
Our Link Groups pray.
Our Sunday School Classes pray.
The kids pray on Wednesday nights.
We have prayer phone tree and a email prayer broadcast.

And so on.

Constant prayer.

Notice who is praying here.

It’s these guys: Peter, John, James, Andrew, Philip, Thomas, Bart, Matt, Jim, Simon, and Judas Jameson.

But it’s also these faithful women. Jesus always had great relationships with women who believed in him.

And his natural biological family. Mary the mother of Jesus and his brothers.

Both of those are interesting.

Here’s what’s interesting about Mary. This is the last time she is mentioned by name in the Bible.

The apostle John was tasked by our Lord with taking care of her. I sure he did it.

But this is the last time we hear her name.

Notice that she is honored. She is noted as the mother of Jesus.
But she is not glorified. She is not set apart in a special category or treated like a mediator herself as some tried to make her out to be.

The last picture we get of her is that she is praying.

And the interesting thing here about her other sons is that during Jesus’ earthly ministry they didn’t believe.

Read John 7 some time to see what they thought of Jesus’s claims.

But now they do believe.

Jesus appeared directly to his half brother James. And he eventually will write a book of the Bible himself.

And what are they up to before Pentecost?

Praying.

How is your prayer life? Do you pray?

Do you pray every day?

What pray for?

How do you pray?

The Link Group that meets in our home has just started reading Paul Miller’s A Praying Life a book that I’ve recommended to you before. It’s really good. I have a few copies left that we’d love to have some of you read to grow in your prayer life.

Prayer. Constant prayer.

Question. How many apostles were there in the list in verse 13?

Did anybody count them?

Peter, John, James, Andrew, Philip, Thomas, Bart, Matt, Jim, Simon, and Judas Jameson.

Eleven.

How many apostles should there be?

The Lord Jesus told his apostles in Matthew 19, “I tell you the truth, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.”

Did Jesus make a mistake?

He picked twelve. Did he make a mistake in which ones he picked?

He was up all night praying before he chose his twelve.

Is the whole plan of God now ruined because there is one missing?

Here’s our next word.

#2. UNITY.

We’ve actually already seen it at work. Verse 14 says that they “all joined together constantly in prayer.”

The King James says, “with one accord.” (And I don’t think they meant Honda.)

They were together. They were unified.

And they were going to fight for unity.

The Holy Spirit will bring that unity even more when He comes, but they had it already and were practicing it right now.

Our enemy, Satan, hates unity.

He hates the unity that we enjoy in this church.

Hates it. He would love to wreck it if he could.

And he tried to do that with Judas.

The whole point of tempting and then entering Judas was not just to betray Jesus but to break up the plan of God and the unity of the circle of Jesus’ followers.

And it looked like he succeeded.

But Peter has been studying his Bible while he’s waiting for the Spirit, and Peter has seen in the Scriptures that Judas’ defection was not a surprise to God.

In fact, it was all part of God’s plan. V.15

“In those days Peter stood up among the believers (a group numbering about a hundred and twenty) [this is one of those prayer meetings between the ascension and Pentecost where a bigger group has gathered– a group about the size of this group in this room.] and [Peter] said, ‘Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled which the Holy Spirit spoke long ago through the mouth of David concerning Judas, who served as guide for those who arrested Jesus–he was one of our number and shared in this ministry.’”

We’re going to deal with this head on.

And Luke explains for his readers who didn’t know the story what happened to Judas. V.18

“(With the reward he got for his wickedness [betraying Jesus with a kiss], Judas bought a field; there he fell headlong, his body burst open and all his intestines spilled out. Everyone in Jerusalem heard about this, so they called that field in their language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.)”

We’d say, “He bought the farm.” The farm of blood.

And that’s why the circle of apostles is broken. Eleven, not twelve.

But that is not a surprise to God. Verse 20.

“‘For,’ said Peter, ‘it is written in the book of Psalms, ‘'May his place be deserted; let there be no one to dwell in it,' and, ‘'May another take his place of leadership.'”

There are biblical typological patterns in the Scripture that point to this being God’s plan. A betrayer will arise and then need to be removed and then replaced. The Bible says so.

So. V.21.

“Therefore it is necessary to choose one of the men who have been with us the whole time the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from John's baptism to the time when Jesus was taken up from us. For one of these must become a witness with us of his resurrection.”

Now, first unity. And then two more themes out of this section.

Notice how focused Peter is on unity. The circle must not be unbroken.

Blessed be the tie that binds.

We need to have a similar passion for unity.

In my book on resisting gossip, I have an entire chapter devoted to God’s love for unity and how to cultivate it in the local church by rooting out gossip.

Is there anything hindering our unity in this church?

We need to take whatever steps we can to preserve our unity in the Lord.

That’s #3. OBEDIENCE.

Before Pentecost there was obedience.

They prayed, they stayed together, and they obeyed the Scriptures.

Do you see that word in verse 21, “necessary?”

“Therefore it is necessary to choose one of the men...”

It is necessary.

Why? Because the Bible points to it.

Peter was convinced that the Bible called them to identify a replacement for Judas.

Now, some had thought that this was a mistake.

And if you think so, I love you, and you’re welcome to think that. There are great people who have in the history of the church.

Some people think that the church should have waited for Paul. He was coming and would be glad to fill the twelfth seat the table.

But he wouldn’t have fit the definition in verses 21 and 22 either.

“It is necessary to chose one of the men who have been with us the whole time the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from John's baptism to the time when Jesus was taken up from us.”

Paul didn’t do that.

There is no hint in the Bible that the apostles were barking up the wrong tree at this point.

Everything points to Peter reading his Bible and obeying what he read.

“It is necessary.”

Do you read your Bible and do what it tells you to do?

Do you act on what you read?

Are you obedient?

Peter was a leader in obedience. Now, in 10 days, he’ll be even more of a leader and he’ll be bold.

But right now, he’s reading his Bible, and he’s doing what he thinks God wants him to do from it.

Is there some area of disobedience in your life right now where you know what you should be doing, but you’re not doing it?

It might be this one. We talked about last week. It’s number four.

#4. WITNESS.

Notice why Peter thinks they need a twelfth apostle. V.22

“For one of these must become a witness with us of his [Jesus’] resurrection.”

Jesus is alive!

And we have to tell people!

Right now, they have to wait.

They have to wait for the Spirit.

But soon they'll be telling everybody in the whole world.

We need to witness.

We’ve already talked this morning about upcoming outreaches.

What are you going to do as part of them?

Here’s our list.

    Pray.
    Help.
    Invite.
    Share.

“You will be my witnesses.”

Jesus is alive. We’ve got to tell people.

So, here’s where they are.

They’ve been praying. They are waiting. In the meantime, they are reading their Bibles, and they come to believe that to be obedient and preserve their unity, they need to replace Judas so that there are twelve apostles again.

Now, they will only do this once. After the apostles start to die, they won’t replace them again.

But this wasn’t just a death, it was a defection. So, another must take his place of leadership.

And here’s how they did it. First they had a nominating committee.

Well, maybe not exactly, but they searched their 120 members for men who fit the qualifications. They had to be eyewitnesses who had been around since the start.

Josephesus says that both of the men they picked were part of the 70 who had been sent out. The Bible doesn’t say that, but it’s very possible.

They picked two men (probably the only two men) who fit the qualifications.

And then they prayed. And then they flipped a coin.

Let’s read it. Verse 23.

“So they proposed two men: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias. Then they prayed, ‘Lord, you know everyone's heart. Show us which of these two you have chosen to take over this apostolic ministry, which Judas left to go where he belongs.’ Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the eleven apostles.”

Now, in once sense, that’s very weird.

I don’t think that God is teaching us how to choose our leaders here.

Well, who do you think ought to be church chairman next year? Let’s flip a coin!

And you don’t read about any more casting lots after the Spirit comes at Pentecost. So that might tell us something, too.

But casting lots was a regular practice in the Old Testament. The Urim and Thummin were probably a form of lot casting that God appointed for use in the Old Testament.

So, it’s not really that strange.

And here’s why, I think, they did it.

#5. FAITH.

Who wants to make this decision?

Who gets to be an apostle?

Let’s decide.

That didn’t seem right.

How would they decide? Based on popularity?

The most popular guy gets to be the apostle.

Joseph had was called Barsabbas, probably because he was born on the Sabbath.

It’s like calling a kid “Saturday.”

“You know, Saturday is pretty good guy. Let’s make him the apostle.”

Who chose the other eleven?

The Lord did.

Let’s let him choose this one.

Now, of course, you can’t run around doing that for things that are not equal.

You can’t say, “Lord, I’m going to flip a coin to see if I should commit adultery or not.”

I’m going to roll some dice to see if I should lie to my neighbor or not.

No.

But all things being equal, guess what?

God is sovereign over even the flip of a coin.

Listen to Proverbs 16:33.

“The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD.”

God is sovereign even over the random.

Let me say that again.

God is sovereign even over the random.

I don’t think that God miraculously pushed Matthias’ name out of the hat.

And I don’t think that Peter and the others assumed that he did.

I think that they just trusted that God was sovereign even over the random.

And only one of these two qualified men could serve as an apostle, so casting lots was as good a way as any to establish God’s will.

And they had faith.

By the way, it was a dubious honor at the moment to be an apostle.

Someday, to sit on the throne is one thing.

But at this point, it probably meant a sure and certain death.

The Greek word for witness is maturous from which we get martyr.

God is sovereign over the random.

Do you need to hear that this morning?

Life seems random so often. And there is a randomness that is real.

But God is over all of that, as well.

Does you life feel random and out of control?

It could go this way or that way, and who knows?

God is sovereign over the random.

“The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD.”

Have faith!